History of the Allerton Christian Church
It was in September of 1867 when a few men on horseback heard the quickly spreading word that there was to be a preacher by the name of Levi Flemming who was on his way to visit their community. This preacher was coming to hold a service at the Rankin Schoolhouse located about 4 miles southeast of Allerton on September 23. Quickly word was spread about this service and Levi Flemming was called to continue to preach once a month.
Over the course of the next five years, in 1872 the membership of the church had increased to a significant amount of 88. With this large of a congregation, the church was forced to look elsewhere to hold their services as the Rankin Schoolhouse was just not large enough for their needs. So, shortly after a collection of funds was organized, the first church in Allerton was built. This was the Christian Chapel which sat just south of the current Allerton Christian Church. The first meeting was held in this new facility by a man named Benjamin Lockhart in 1873.
In 1873, the church faced some struggles and lost many people of the congregation. By 1880, however, the church family had been revived and was as strong as ever while pressing to learn more and teach more about the Lord. In 1882b the church had called upon Brother S. H. Hedrix for halftime preaching with a salary of $42. Brother S. H. Hedrix continued preaching for the church for 10 years. By the time the year 1900 rolled around, the church’s membership had increased enough to where it was finally possible, for the first time in 33 years, to hire someone for fulltime preaching.
In 1901, it was decided that the current chapel was just so crowded and that the need for a larger building was necessary. So, by 1902 a new church was built of brick and then dedicated on June 14, 1903 with all debts paid in full. The cost of the entire facility was $8,200. The dedication sermon was delivered by Dr. W. O. Breeden. Just a few years later an eight room parsonage was built on at a cost of only $2,000.
The church has had many people minister there throughout its existence. Some of these people were: C. P. Hollis, A. B. Cornell, H. G. Emmet Cook, Brother Lawrence, 1942 L. A. Johnson who was there for eight years, then Sid Austin. During some of the years the church was also served by student ministers such as: Frank Carter, Andy Dale, Floyd McCarthy, Richard Brown, Mr. Hart, Thomas Slavens, Paul Rogers, Jim Beehan, Duerel Huffman, Milan Hamilton, and Joe Turek. Leroy Lunsford began preaching at the Allerton Christian Church in March of 1964. Pastor AJ Kajer was pastor of the church from 2005 until the lord moved him to East Tawas Michigan during the summer of 2011. Currently Pastor Kyle Ryun and his wife Tresa are serving the Allerton Christian Church.
Over the course of the next five years, in 1872 the membership of the church had increased to a significant amount of 88. With this large of a congregation, the church was forced to look elsewhere to hold their services as the Rankin Schoolhouse was just not large enough for their needs. So, shortly after a collection of funds was organized, the first church in Allerton was built. This was the Christian Chapel which sat just south of the current Allerton Christian Church. The first meeting was held in this new facility by a man named Benjamin Lockhart in 1873.
In 1873, the church faced some struggles and lost many people of the congregation. By 1880, however, the church family had been revived and was as strong as ever while pressing to learn more and teach more about the Lord. In 1882b the church had called upon Brother S. H. Hedrix for halftime preaching with a salary of $42. Brother S. H. Hedrix continued preaching for the church for 10 years. By the time the year 1900 rolled around, the church’s membership had increased enough to where it was finally possible, for the first time in 33 years, to hire someone for fulltime preaching.
In 1901, it was decided that the current chapel was just so crowded and that the need for a larger building was necessary. So, by 1902 a new church was built of brick and then dedicated on June 14, 1903 with all debts paid in full. The cost of the entire facility was $8,200. The dedication sermon was delivered by Dr. W. O. Breeden. Just a few years later an eight room parsonage was built on at a cost of only $2,000.
The church has had many people minister there throughout its existence. Some of these people were: C. P. Hollis, A. B. Cornell, H. G. Emmet Cook, Brother Lawrence, 1942 L. A. Johnson who was there for eight years, then Sid Austin. During some of the years the church was also served by student ministers such as: Frank Carter, Andy Dale, Floyd McCarthy, Richard Brown, Mr. Hart, Thomas Slavens, Paul Rogers, Jim Beehan, Duerel Huffman, Milan Hamilton, and Joe Turek. Leroy Lunsford began preaching at the Allerton Christian Church in March of 1964. Pastor AJ Kajer was pastor of the church from 2005 until the lord moved him to East Tawas Michigan during the summer of 2011. Currently Pastor Kyle Ryun and his wife Tresa are serving the Allerton Christian Church.