A Brief History
Grace United Church of Christ was founded by lay impetus in May of 1961. The first organized worship service was held on September 17, 1961, and was presided over by Rev. George Toth. The church rented space each Sunday at the O’Fallon Skating Rink. Several members agreed to construct an altar, which was finished just in time for Worldwide Communion Sunday, when the congregation gathered for the first time. The United Church Board for Homeland Ministries gave, as a starting gift, a communion set and fifty new
hymnals.
On December 10, 1961, the name “Grace United Church of Christ” was chosen by the congregation. “Faith” UCC in Wentzville, New “Hope” UCC in Weldon Springs, and now “Grace” UCC in O’Fallon would complete the
three dynamic words of Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: (1Corinthians:13). On December 24, 1961, a charter was granted by the Board of Homeland Ministries. This was placed on the altar, having been signed by 39 members. On June 19, 1962, Grace UCC received its Certificate of Incorporation as an officially sanctioned congregation within the United Church of Christ.
In May 1971, an agreement was made between members of the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church, the Disciples of Christ and the Episcopal Church to join together in a covenant church representing the four denominations. This covenant became official on Pentecost Sunday, May 21,1972. The name “Grace UCC” became “Grace Church United” at that time.
In the late 1980s, as the population boomed in St. Charles County, each denomination felt they could support having their own church. The members of Grace Church affirmed a desire to affiliate solely with the United Church of Christ once again, and in February,1989, amended their Certificate of Incorporation to reflect that the church would be known as “Grace United Church of Christ of O’Fallon”.
In December 1991, Grace UCC was renting space in the Mother House of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood for worship. This was the fourth building in which the congregation had worshipped since its inception. With the advice and guidance of the Missouri Conference and the United Church Board of Homeland Ministries, a decision was made to purchase property on 8326 Mexico Road for a new church building. Grace UCC, as well as Grace Church Preschool, have resided at this location since April 1993.
Grace United Church of Christ is committed to being a faith community that is open to all. In 2013, Grace Church began the process of study and discussion in order to officially become an “Open and Affirming” congregation within the United Church of Christ. This distinction calls us to be supportive advocates for LGBTQ+ persons and their families, who deserve welcome and safety in their churches and communities. We stand by our credo that, “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here”.