Vision:

Our vision is to be a growing fellowship of believers; Christ-centered, Kingdom-serving, and Heaven-bound.

Mission:

Our mission is to respond to the Gospel of Christ through worship, prayer, witnessing, Biblical teaching, and compassionate ministry.

What we believe:

  • The Bible is the inspired word of God.
  • Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
  • Christ Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected from the grave.
  • To be assured of salvation, we are to hear the Gospel, believe, repent of sin, confess our faith, and be baptized.

The Position of The Christian Church
(of the Restoration Movement)

Plea: We plead for the unity of all followers of Christ (John 17:21).

Purpose: The salvation of the world by preaching the Gospel; the task of Christ and His church (John 17:21 & Matthew 28:19).

Plan: To return to New Testament Christianity, based solely on the inspired Word of God.

Program:

  • Wear no name but Christian (Acts 11:26)
  • Accept no creed but belief in Christ (Matthew 16:16)
  • Adopt no rule of faith but the Bible (II Timothy 3:16,17)
  • Practice only the ordinances commanded by Christ; immersion baptism (Mark 16:16 & Colossians 2:12), Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7 & I Corinthians 11:23-29)

A Brief History of the Versailles Christian Chuch

Versailles Christian Church (once called First Christian Church) was founded on the principles of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement which began in the early 1800’s. The Movement’s pioneers called people to the simple Gospel of Christ, the authority of the Scriptures, and the unity of all believers. Their desire was to see Christ’s Church restored to the standard of the New Testament. Rapidly spreading across the Midwest, the movement reached Versailles in 1868. It was in the fall of that year that Elder Robinson of Ipava, Illinois came to Versailles and held powerful meetings, first in the old school and later in the Methodist church building. With thirty-nine members, Robinson organized the First Christian Church in the Jeptha Wilson Hall and began to look for a place to build.

Sanford McDaniel, deeded the church a corner lot in the Burgessor Addition. The contract to build was given to Brother G. W. Bates. The structure’s frame was raised but a wind storm blew it down. Determined to build, they tore the frame apart and began again, completing the Church in 1873. One of the first trustees of the church was Cornelius McDaniel.

In 1886 the church called Brother James Bell as pastor. By 1892 the first addition to the building was erected under the leadership of Brother Lewis Goss. It included a rostrum, baptistery, and two dressing rooms, which were added to the east side of the building.

It was in 1902 that Brother Bassett’s forceful preaching lead to a revival, adding one-hundred-fourteen new members. With the rapid growth, a building enlargement was needed. Constructed by church volunteers, the new Christian Church was completed and dedicated in January, 1907 (money was raised and the debt was paid). The new building included an auditorium and lecture room which together could seat three hundred. With donations from the Ladies Aid and T.J. Glaze’s Sunday School the facility was furnished and had a new organ. The Christian Endeavor purchased the beautiful Cathedral window for the west end of the auditorium.

Many years later in 1979 the Broderick property (east of the church) was purchased in planning for expansion. December of that same year brought a redecorating of the auditorium. It wasn’t until 1981 that the first air-conditioning was installed. The east side classroom addition was completed in 1983.

Versailles Christian Church was among the first supporters of the Mashoko/Hippo Valley Christian Mission (lead by the Pemberton family in Zimbabwe) and continues to support them both financially and in prayer. The longest serving Preaching Minister to date was Brother Tom Ross, who lead the congregation for seventeen years (1967-1984) Throughout the late 20th century numerous young men and women were encouraged to enroll in Bible colleges, resulting in the continued spread of the Gospel through their various ministries. The church has a long standing relationship with LaMoine Christian Service Camp in Tenessee, Illinois, where many of the church youth have made decisions for Christ.