The
current members of Bridgeport Christian Church,
while looking ahead to an exciting future, also
honor the long and rich history of this congregation.
Bridgeport
Christian Church was established in
November 1846 by a group of men and
women living in the village of Bridgeport
and vicinity. The charter was signed
by 26 families, some still having
descendants in the church today. Rising
out of the religious turmoil of the
times, the congregation split from
the South Benson Baptist Church. The
land for the new church site was donated
by Mary Bailey Jenkins, who was one
of the charter members of the church.
The lumber used to build the original
church was donated by the South Benson
Baptist congregation. In 1913 a second
building was erected on the same foundation,
using some of the same lumber.
On
April 8, 1948, lightening struck BCC and
the building burned to the ground. A pledge
drive was initiated to rebuild BCC 1948the
church, with individuals outside the church
membership and area churches adding their
contributions to the congregation's efforts.
On May 22, 1949 a dedication service was
held for the new building. Additions to
the building were built in 1965, 1972, 1978,
and 1988. A new steeple was added in 1996
to commemorate the church's 150th anniversary.
Bridgeport
Christian Church has been served by over
50 different ministers in its long history.
In the last century, long terms of service
were given by Darrell Norwood and Philip
W. Case. In December 2001, BCC called its
first full-time pastor, Tom Wilkins. The
current pastor, Keith McAliley, began serving
BCC in August 2005.
Historical
Information from "A History of Bridgeport
Christian Church" published 1996, Ted Sloan,
editor. Used by permission Sketches by Tom
LeCompte and Hugh Crutcher, used by permission.