Sorento
Illinois
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Hill Country Christian Church
History:
In 1995, then Area Minister Chuck Babcock cast a vision of a new Disciples congregation in the Bluebonnet Area. He formed a new church establishment committee, which was chaired by Paul Smith of Genesis Christian church. The Bulverde/Spring Branch area was selected as the target location because of the rapid growth and preferred demographics in that area. A call was extended to Rev. E. Ross Richardson in July of 1996. There were very few funds available through the area, and Rev. Richardson agreed to accept this call without a salary. He and his family arrived on site in August and the first Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting was held in that month. Paul Smith was elected PAC chair and Rev. Richardson suggested naming the new church "Hill Country Christian."
Rev. Richardson established a post office box, purchased a cell phone and began advertising in the local paper. Next he began having gatherings for prospective members. In November, about 25 interested participants began holding Sunday evening worship services at Singing Hills Retreat Center, in preparation for an official beginning Sunday of December 1st of 1996. The Party Hall on Hwy 281 was rented for the month of December and when the first Sunday came the church was established with 17 members joining that morning.
January 1st of 1997 the church relocated to a small-framed building in the Village of Bulverde. This location served as church office and worship center for the next seven months. During that time the church grew to over 50 in membership. Through the generosity of benefactors within the Southwest Region, Hill Country Christian was gifted 6.3 acres of land, which the church had identified as an ideal location along Hwy 46 West.
In September of 1997, having outgrown the frame building in Bulverde, the church moved Sunday morning worship services to Arlon Seay School located on Hwy 46 West, next door to the newly acquired church property.
Having reached over 100 in membership, Hill Country Christian was recognized by the Southwest Region as a church in full standing in May 2000.
Week by week the church continued to grow. A building fund was established and a committee was charged with creating a design and securing a contractor. Timbercon builders was retained as general contractor. Construction began in March of 2001. The first Sunday in the new building was August 5th, 2001, with the building being dedicated in October.
Ministers who have served Hill Country Christian are: Rev. E. Ross Richardson, Rev.'s Villa Jean and Lynn Tiller, and Rev. Amy BeVille Elder. Today God continues to bless our church with a wonderful, spirit-filled congregation, with growth, and with dynamic ministry.
In 1995, then Area Minister Chuck Babcock cast a vision of a new Disciples congregation in the Bluebonnet Area. He formed a new church establishment committee, which was chaired by Paul Smith of Genesis Christian church. The Bulverde/Spring Branch area was selected as the target location because of the rapid growth and preferred demographics in that area. A call was extended to Rev. E. Ross Richardson in July of 1996. There were very few funds available through the area, and Rev. Richardson agreed to accept this call without a salary. He and his family arrived on site in August and the first Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting was held in that month. Paul Smith was elected PAC chair and Rev. Richardson suggested naming the new church "Hill Country Christian."
Rev. Richardson established a post office box, purchased a cell phone and began advertising in the local paper. Next he began having gatherings for prospective members. In November, about 25 interested participants began holding Sunday evening worship services at Singing Hills Retreat Center, in preparation for an official beginning Sunday of December 1st of 1996. The Party Hall on Hwy 281 was rented for the month of December and when the first Sunday came the church was established with 17 members joining that morning.
January 1st of 1997 the church relocated to a small-framed building in the Village of Bulverde. This location served as church office and worship center for the next seven months. During that time the church grew to over 50 in membership. Through the generosity of benefactors within the Southwest Region, Hill Country Christian was gifted 6.3 acres of land, which the church had identified as an ideal location along Hwy 46 West.
In September of 1997, having outgrown the frame building in Bulverde, the church moved Sunday morning worship services to Arlon Seay School located on Hwy 46 West, next door to the newly acquired church property.
Having reached over 100 in membership, Hill Country Christian was recognized by the Southwest Region as a church in full standing in May 2000.
Week by week the church continued to grow. A building fund was established and a committee was charged with creating a design and securing a contractor. Timbercon builders was retained as general contractor. Construction began in March of 2001. The first Sunday in the new building was August 5th, 2001, with the building being dedicated in October.
Ministers who have served Hill Country Christian are: Rev. E. Ross Richardson, Rev.'s Villa Jean and Lynn Tiller, and Rev. Amy BeVille Elder. Today God continues to bless our church with a wonderful, spirit-filled congregation, with growth, and with dynamic ministry.