WHO WE ARE

ALIVE! GROWING! MISSION FOCUSED! WELCOMING!
College Church is a dynamic, growing place of worship which is focused on the future and our mission.


We welcome you with open hearts, open minds, and open doors! Are you looking for a place where you can grow in faith for you or your family? Try us out!

OUR MISSION:
MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST
What is a disciple? One who accepts God's gift of salvation and attempts to follow the teaching and examples of Jesus Christ. We are ALL on a journey in our faith to be His disciples!

How do we carry out this mission?
CELEBRATING IN WORSHIP
- Glorifying God through meaningful worship
- Finding inspiration to live out our mission

GROWING IN FAITH
- Developing and strengthening a personal relationship with God
- Finding our individual gifts for serving God
- Being in fellowship with other believers

SERVING IN LOVE
- Empowering and equipping people for God's ministry
- Serving based on God's calling and our individual gifts
- Generosity of spirit, talents, and gifts

INVITING IN HIS NAME
- Reaching outside of ourselves to invite others
- Welcoming all to Christ

SOME OF OUR CORE BELIEFS AND VALUES
- The teaching and ministry of outreaching love of Jesus Christ
- The unearned and loving action of God's gift of grace in our lives which brings salvation
- The power of God to work in us through the Holy Spirit
- Striving to live a life after the example of Jesus Christ
- The empowerment of the church, the Body of Christ, in the world today
- The calling to ministry as gifted believers in Jesus Christ

WHY IS IT CALLED "COLLEGE" CHURCH?
We are thankful for a historic beginning and a bright future! Founded in 1864 as the German Methodist Church, College UMC started at the time the Wester Orphan Asylum and Central Wesleyan College were located here. Epworth Children's Home in St. Louis had it's beginning from the Wester Orphan Asylum serving orphans of the Civil War. The first actual church building, Jubilee Chapel, was built in 1886 and was attended by orphans and students from Central Wesleyan College, thus becoming called College Methodist Church. As the church grew, it was necessary to build the present structure which was completed in 1912. In 1912, the beautiful Hinners Pipe Organ from Jubilee Chapel was remodeled and installed in the present building. In 1966 an educational wing was attached to the church structure which now houses classes, a pre-school, small library, and meeting rooms. One of the beautiful and enduring features of this place of worship are the magnificent stained glass windows in the Sanctuary.

Recently, many innovations have been made to enhance worship in this facility. A new state of the art sound system and projection screen with control panel add a visual dynamic to worship. College UMC has purchased property adjacent to our building to expand and are in the process of developing this site to grow and enhance our many ministries. We are in the middle of a fast growing area near metropolitan St. Louis which offers many opportunities. Just as College Church has served this community since 1864, we strive to carry the message of hope and salvation of Jesus Christ to our growing area and to be an alive and dynamic presence for God in this community. We invite you to join us in this mission!