Our Church History
1814
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The Bethel or Muddy Run Church was organized
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Many well-known evangelists and circuit riders of that day served the Muddy Run congregation. One outstanding one was Joseph Thomas, nationally known as the ”white pilgrim” because he usually dressed in white both winter and summer in emulation, as he believed, of the apostolic example.
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For many years this was the only church in the area and people came from a radius of twenty miles to attend.
1840
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The congregation at old Muddy Run divided, a part of the congregation came to worship in West Liberty, which was then a village of but a few homes. The church trustees acquired property for the sum of fifty cents to build a church with a provision written into the deed that a house of worship should be built within one year.
1844
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The present house consisting of a one-room sanctuary was constructed and remained as such without addition or change for nearly seventy years.
1850s
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Sunday School work began.
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In 1857 the first Christmas exercise ever held in West Liberty, complete with a Christmas tree.
1912
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Glady Creek Church was abandoned; its congregation united with ours.
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About this time the basement was completed with the furnace room and kitchen. The vestibule had recently been added. The church was fitted with new oak pews and electric lights.
1925-1956
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During the quarter century (1925-1956) that Rev. Robert Wearly served as pastor, the church flourished and grew.
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In 1927, the name was changed to the Congregational Christian Church
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1952 the major addition of the Sunday School wing was dedicated.
1961
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The name was changed again when the congregation voted to become part of the United Church of Christ which was a merger of the Congregational Christian and the Evangelical and Reformed denomination.
1989
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The last remodeling was completed at which time the inside of the original sanctuary was reversed and additional Sunday School space was added. The church was also made handicapped accessible.
2010's
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On October 12, 2014 we had a special worship service to commemorate our 200 years.
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In 2016 a new addition was added to allow room for gatherings and fellowship.
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On January 8, 2017 the congregation voted to name the new area “Friendship Hall”.
Statement of Faith
The congregation of the West Liberty United Church of Christ affirms the United Church of Christ Statement of Faith (1977, 1981, adapted):
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to God’s deeds we testify:
God calls the worlds into being, creates persons in the divine image, and sets before each one the ways of life and death.
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God judges all people and nations by God’s righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to the Creator.
God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the Holy Spirit’s presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in God’s realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God.
Our Purpose
The avowed purpose of this church shall be to:
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Provide a place for the worship of the Holy Trinity,
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Preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to administer the Holy Sacraments,
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Develop and nurture Christian fellowship,
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Develop and implement a program which will achieve the mission of the church as expressed in the "Statements of Faith”.
