Non-Denominational Definition

To the Editor:

According to The Journal of American History, non-denominational Christianity consists of churches which typically distance themselves from the confessionalism or creedalism of other Christian communities by not formally aligning with a specific Christian denomination.

Nondenominational Christianity first arose in the 18th century through the “Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement” with followers organizing themselves simply as “Christians” and/or “Disciples of Christ.”

Often congregating in loose associations such as the Churches of Christ, or in other cases, founded by individual pastors, they have little affiliation with historic denominations, but many typically adhere to evangelical Christianity.

In your recent article printed in The Fayette County Record, January 29, 2021: 24 Four Years After Starting The Remnant, Pastor Dennis & Jan Hill Ready to Retire, you write that The Remnant “was really La Grange’s first non-denominational church.”

I beg to differ. The La Grange Church of Christ has been meeting in La Grange since 1955 (in a house at Colorado & Monroe) and in it’s present building (646 State Highway 71 East) since 1969. In fact, there are historical records that indicate that the earliest roots of the Church of Christ in Fayette County began in 1840.

I do not claim that the La Grange Church of Christ is the oldest non-denominational church in La Grange or Fayette County. There may be others that are older; but The Remnant is not the oldest.

J. Frank Smith

Nechanitz