Church of Christ at Ames Road 
History

Founding Years (1964-1967) 

The establishment of the Ames Road congregation began in 1964 where brothers and sisters in Christ strived to get a congregation developed in the city of Columbia. Many being ministers of other congregations, held meetings and baptized several people. When those meetings were over, the ministers had to return to their homes and existing congregations. As a result, the young converts were left scattered. Brother C. C. Vaughns from Camden, South Carolina and Bro. Richard Williams from Augusta, Georgia was very instrumental in seeking financial support for a minister to come and take over the work here in Columbia. The Shandon congregation provided financial support until such time the congregation could fully operate on its own. This firm commitment from Shandon, along with getting a qualified minister were the two major events which caused the congregation to start growing. After a long search for a minister by several of the brothers and other congregations, Bro. and Sister Jackson Taylor arrived in Columbia, South Carolina December 21, 1967.

Seeking Support & Growth (1967-1969)

The congregation was blessed with two additional families-The Wrightens (Sis. Wrighten is our oldest living member) and Edmonds. These were huge families (9 to 10 children each) and made a strong membership of 15 persons. Other children from the neighborhood were also attending. The little storefront (as it was called) was getting crowded. The congregation began worshiping in Fairwold Junior High Cafeteria in 1969. After meeting at Fairwold for approximately two years, attention was turned to acquiring a house on Hatcher Drive. Six months later, attention was directed toward obtaining land where a permanent structure could be erected. A plot of land ideally situated was found The Shandon congregation agreed to purchase the piece of land for $5,000. Plans were formulated that resulted in a structure being built at 5889 Ames Road. The congregation did not miss a payment on the house nor the building and had a mortgage burning ceremony in 1991. Over the next few years there were many Brothers and Sisters in Christ who made contributions to the operation of the congregation.

In the 70s, a fellowship hall (which now doubles as our overflow section) was added to the present structure. In 1978, Bro. Fred Turner was hired as the new minister with Brother John Cooper serving as Assistant Minister. From 1990 to 1993, Bro. Iras DuBard served as the minister of the Church of Christ at Ames Rd. From 1994-1999 Bro. Jerry Walker served as the minister of the Church of Christ at Ames Rd. In August of 1999, Bro. Fred Turner returned to serve as the minister of Christ of Christ at Ames Rd. until 2018. In 2018, the Church of Christ at Ames Rd. saw the arrival of Bro. Adrian Harper, Sr. as the now proceeding minister/evangelist. In 2019, the world was hit with a global pandemic causing churches to close their doors in fear. The Church of Christ at Ames Rd. feared God more. Under spiritual leadership, the doors remained open, moving to virtual worship services. We never stopped Sunday morning Bible Study, Sunday worship or evening service.

Installation of Elders

Bro. Adrian Harper, Sr. and Bro. Tyrone Mitchell were installed as in October of 2021. Following the installation of elders, the congregation has steadily continued to grow in all areas by the grace of God.

Technology Advancements at The Church of Christ at Ames Road

Since 2020, we have embraced technology to stay connected and enhance worship experiences for our congregation. Below is an overview of the advancements we’ve made:

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2020: Staying Connected During the Pandemic

• Launched the  Facebook Page to bring our community together during COVID-19.

• Began streaming all worship services online, ensuring everyone could participate from the safety of their homes.

2021-2022: Continuing Hybrid Worship

• As in-person worship resumed, we continued live broadcasts on Facebook to maintain connections with those worshiping remotely.

• Began upgrading our audio-visual equipment to improve the quality of our live streams and in-person worship experience.

2022-2024: Rapid Growth in Media Technology

• Established the Media Ministry under the leadership of Bro. Justin Mitchell to oversee all technology-related initiatives.

• Made several critical upgrades, including: Enhanced live-streaming equipment, upgraded the sound system for improved audio quality, and installed new wireless microphones in 2024 to improve mobility and clarity during worship.

Spring 2024: Streamlining Communication with ChurchTrac

• Introduced the ChurchTrac Church Management System, a centralized platform to streamline communication with our members and enhance event management, attendance tracking, and administrative processes.

Looking Ahead

• We are committed to continuing our investment in technology to ensure we serve our congregation in the most effective ways possible, fostering a meaningful worship experience for all.