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We trace our heritage back to the Methodist movement begun in 1729 in England by John and Charles Wesley. Our Church began in 1889 with a congregation of 19 members. We met in a location near Wessinger’s Cross Roads, just outside of Chapin.
In 1892 we moved to Chapin, meeting in a small wooden church. This small original wooden structure was damaged beyond repair by a tornado in 1936. But our faithful membership, of about 40, kept the church alive and shortly thereafter rebuilt in our original Chapin location. It stands today as Christ’s Church of Chapin just up the street from our present location.
Chapin UMC showed modest growth from the 1940’s through the late 1990’s. During that same time, tremendous population growth was occurring as people moved to the area to enjoy beautiful Lake Murray and our great public schools. In the early 2000’s, with greater intentionality, we invited and welcomed our new neighbors and community members to connect with, grow in, and share the love of Jesus Christ.
In June of 2023, along with 100+ other UM churches in SC, Chapin Christian separated from the United Methodist denomination over doctrinal differences. (Note: More than 8,000 nationwide have separated). We also voted on July 30, 2023 to become a member of The Foundry Network of Independent Methodist Congregations.
Today we are a church family of 2800 members. We meet for worship, prayer, bible study and fellowship in our current location at 415 Lexington Ave., just a short distance from our original Chapin location, and online.
We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in His only Son–Jesus Christ our Lord. We do not believe that we have it all figured out. For moral, social and theological issues, we refer back to our source, the Holy Scriptures, through the lens of our rich Methodist heritage.
While there are many different expressions of faith within churches around the globe, Chapin Christian seeks to be different from some by holding fast to the truths found within the pages of Holy Scripture and living out a vibrant, contagious, orthodox Christian faith. Our hope is to be used by God in His work of renewing the local church, so that people from all walks of life will come to saving faith in Jesus and grow in His love.
We believe that the Bible is our ultimate authority for what we believe and for what we do as a church and as individuals. If we drift from this Core Value we will become irreverent and irrelevant. Life is as good as it will get when we are surrendered to the authority of the Word of God. Maximum freedom is found under (not out from under) God’s authority.
Have you ever been a part of a relationship that you wanted to go to a deeper level, but the other person in the relationship wouldn’t go there with you? The Bible describes God as One who desires to have an intimate relationship with us, but we politely stiff-arm God to keep Him at a safe distance. God desires a relationship that is much more than casual and respectful – He desires intimacy.
Yes, your relationship with God is very personal – but it was never intended to be private. Intentionally doing life together (growing, praying, sharing together) so that there is a natural sense of accountability, belonging, and caring is critical – because life change happens best in the context of small groups. (Circles > Rows)
If you had to turn over your life, your finances to: (a) a total stranger; or (b) a trusted friend – who would you choose? People (who normally stay away from church) come to church because of the consistent encouragement of a trusted friend. Lost people matter to God; therefore, they matter to us. We are to be about investing in trusted friendships for the sake of eternity. (Invest and Invite).
This simply means to serve strategically. The key for Chapin Christian to be all that God has called us to be is for every one of us to ask the question, “Where am I needed most?” and then for every one of us to respond by saying, “I will apply my heart and my hands to the place of greatest demand.”
Back on February 26, 2023, Chapin UMC voted 97% in favor of separating from the United Methodist denomination. After the vote to separate from the denomination was approved by the SC Annual Conference on June 6, 2023, The Church Council voted unanimously to adopt a new name for this amazing church family: Chapin Christian Community Church! It declares to all where we are [Chapin] who we are [Christian] and what we are [a church open to the community and the world]! The name on the sign may have changed, but we are the same church, rooted deeply in Wesleyan Theology [what we believe] and Methodist Polity [how we do church]!
On July 30, 2023, the Chapin Christian family voted 90% in favor of aligning with The Foundry Network , a group of former UM Churches in the Wesleyan Tradition who have come together for even greater Kingdom impact, to work together to reawaken the movement of Christ in our communities. This network is made up of accountable relationships that are simple and clear and that provide opportunities to learn, encourage, support and advance the Kingdom of God together!
Wondering where to go when on campus? When are services? What do I wear? Find out here!
Learn about opportunities to Connect, Grow, and Share at Chapin Christian!