God needed one man, with his family and vision from God, to build a ministry. Not just any ministry, but a ministry that would affect a community. This would be a ministry of integrity and a ministry of change. In 1987, the community—Calumet City, Illinois—was experiencing both changing racial and family dynamics, and was ripe for church planting. As it were, many churches in this community were uprooting—abandoning the community—for the very reasons Dr. Carl E. King, Sr. sought to build. Vision!

Former Church House used for Meetings, Choir Rehersal and Prayer

It was August 22, 1987 when Dr. Carl E. King, Sr. met with local school board District 149 and requested the use of Caroline Sibley Elementary School’s library to hold a weekly Bible study from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday evenings. The location was secured, and the hard work began. Dr. Carl E. King, Sr. and his family walked door to door in their community in a grassroots effort to promote Bible study. The first Bible study was held Friday, September 4, 1987, and there were more than 30 people in attendance. But many of these were supportive friends, visiting pastors, and family members who could not make the core needed to build upon. Five families did, however, emerge and they were the catalyst for the first Bible studies. But soon the five would diminish into only a few. Faith!

Again, there was one young man, his family, and a vision from God for a ministry in this community. What more was needed? Dr. King moved forward in obedience with now only three families as the core, but make no mistake, it was time for church! Armed with the commitment of his wife and family and the core of three faithful families, Christ Community Church was born, holding its first service on November 15, 1987. It was dedicated by Jurisdictional Bishop William Haven Bonner that same day. There were well over 300 people in attendance at the dedication service and Christ Community Church was officially beginning its long journey toward home. Dedication!

Who would have known? Who could foresee the journey? Who was prepared for the pilgrimage? For nine years Christ Community Church’s roots would be transient. There were seven different facilities that CCC temporarily called “home,” and even plans to build on 11.6 acres of land that was purchased in 1994 and paid for in full in 1995 (but that was not to be). Previous Christ Community Church “homes” include: Caroline Sibley (Calumet City, IL), Dirksen Middle School (Calumet City, IL), Community Reform Church (Dolton, IL), Eden’s Rock Catering Hall (Dolton, IL), Berger Vandenberg School (Dolton, IL), Revival Outreach Center (Dolton, IL), and McKinney Community Center (Calumet City, IL). Finally, the Christ Community Church family has found a home all our own at 1151 E. 170^th Street, South Holland, IL where our first service was held in September 2002. This is where the spirit of the Lord lives. Mission!