Hessville Church of Christ

In 1918, the seeds of faith were sown for what would become Hessville Church of Christ. A tent revival meeting, sponsored by the First Christian Church of Hammond, sparked the beginning. D. Emmett Snyder’s powerful preaching ignited a flame in the hearts of a small group of believers on Kennedy Avenue. This initial spark, fanned by the dedication of those first followers, led to the formal organization of Hessville Church of Christ in October 1920, under the leadership of J. K. Woerner. Woerner, the church’s first and only pastor for seven years, poured his heart and soul into the growing congregation. In March 1921, the dream of a permanent home became reality as construction began on the church building. Hessville Church of Christ quickly became a cornerstone of the community. Woerner, a businessman as well as a pastor, understood the importance of nurturing not just the spiritual but also the social needs of his flock. He placed a strong emphasis on the growth of the Bible School, believing in the power of education to strengthen faith. The Bible School flourished under his guidance, attracting a large and enthusiastic membership. By 1927, the church had grown to 240 members, with a staggering 380 attending the Bible School. This growth, however, brought new challenges. The church’s location on a main business street, while initially advantageous, became a hindrance. The surrounding area grew increasingly commercial, making it less suitable for a place of worship. Recognizing this, the church leaders, with foresight and ambition, made plans for a new community building and Bible school. This expansion, estimated to cost around $40,000 for the first unit, was a testament to their commitment to the future of Hessville Church of Christ. Knowing a larger, more suitable location was necessary to fully realize their vision, the church leadership began the process of selling their current property and acquiring a new site. As 1927 drew to a close, Hessville Church of Christ stood on the cusp of a new chapter, poised for even greater growth and impact under the leadership of a new pastor who would soon arrive.