College Church of Christ enjoyed its 90th anniversary on Sunday Oct. 27, celebrating almost as many generations as Harding University.
Harding was founded in Morrilton, Arkansas in 1924, and the move to Searcy ten years later marked the beginning of College Church. Before then, church services were held on Harding’s campus. Services were no longer dependent on Harding property after College Church was established.
The University’s close ties to the church sometimes result in contention, leading to assumptions about who owns College Church or who can join. While College keeps close ties to Harding, their mission work is their own, according to elder Tim Westbrook.
“A lot of people here are here because there is a very strong bond between what happens at Harding and what happens at college church, including our ministry to college students,” Westbrook said. “We have always made that a high priority to try to encourage students to make this their church home while they’re in Searcy.”
Elder Richard Duke, who came to College Church as a freshman in 1970, has good memories, especially of the worship songs.
“I remember going from Christian Hymns #2 to Great Songs of the Church,” Duke said. “I learned a whole new repertoire of songs and it was wonderful. I was a singer in high school and a singer in college, and one thing about this congregation is the singing. It’s phenomenal to be in the right spot in that building and hear the singing.”
Duke recalls the church holding spring break campaigns, which has expanded into the missions College Church does today. He has served for 30 years on the discipleship committee.
“The commitment though to reaching other people with Jesus is strong in this congregation,” Duke said. “Always has been and is to this day, and getting stronger.”
Elder Jim Gowen’s freshman experience was defined by the number of people worshiping together compared to small-town churches.
Gowen became an elder in 1986, and enjoys being a part of the community and the leaders they have had over the years.
“Everyone has been without equal,” Gowen said. “Each one had their own niche, they had a different style, but they all preached the word; everyone stresses Jesus and his life and his resurrection, and it’s just such a great place to go.”
In addition to 90 years of praise for leadership, Gowen was positive about College Church adjusting to new leaders over each generation.
“We had all ages,” Gowen said. “Don England who’s still an elder who is in his nineties, down to some of the younger guys who are in their late fifties, early sixties. It’s almost seamless. Any change that takes place, it’s all filtered through this group of great men who love the college church, and who love Jesus and the Bible more.”
