Christian Voice Church

Is there a church in Washington, D.C. that once held the ear of presidents and senators, yet ultimately faded into obscurity? Indeed, there is. Right here, in front of us, stands the former site of Christian Voice Church, not a physical church building, but the headquarters of a political advocacy group, once a powerhouse of the Christian right. Christian Voice Church, in its heyday, boasted over 100,000 members, including a significant number of pastors from various denominations. Founded in 1978 by Reverends Dr. Robert Grant and Richard Zone, Christian Voice Church initially shared space with The Heritage Foundation. Christian Voice Church established itself as a major force during the rise of the Christian right in the late 1970s and early 1980s, alongside groups like the Moral Majority. Christian Voice Church even originated the concept of “Moral Report Cards,” grading members of Congress on their alignment with the group’s socially conservative values. These report cards, alongside a “Church Networking Guide,” became powerful tools for mobilizing grassroots action and influencing elections. Christian Voice Church played a significant role in the 1980 presidential election, rallying behind Ronald Reagan and challenging then-President Jimmy Carter. The group even organized a “Christians for Reagan” campaign. At its peak, Christian Voice Church’s board included prominent figures like Senators Orrin Hatch, Roger Jespen, and James McClure. However, their aggressive political tactics and internal conflicts eventually led to the group’s decline. After failing to achieve their primary goal of a constitutional amendment allowing prayer in public schools, Christian Voice Church shifted its focus toward campaign literature. But funding and leadership waned, and many key members left to join other organizations. By 2012, Christian Voice Church primarily served as a platform for direct mail campaigns under the American Service Council, with its online presence diminishing. The American Service Council itself dissolved in 2024. The legacy of Christian Voice Church remains a complex one. It exemplifies the rise and fall of a powerful political advocacy group within the Christian right movement, leaving a mark on American political history.