(908) 273-5549 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
(908) 273-5549 | Worship every Sunday @ 10 a.m.
Where All Are Welcome And Grace Abounds
Christ Church is a faith community rooted in the Christian tradition, where worship is taken seriously, questions are welcomed, and every person belongs. We are an Open and Affirming congregation affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches USA, and have been gathering in Summit since 1876.
Here, welcome is not merely a promise but a practice, and it begins the moment you walk through the door. You may be greeted by Rev. Julie, or by a member who has worshipped here for decades. No one will surround you or make you the center of attention. We trust that belonging happens in its own time.
Every service begins the same way: “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” For many of us, that line has become something like a creed — not a statement of what we have already achieved, but a commitment we renew together each week.
Look around on a Sunday morning and you will see people whose paths to this place are as varied as the lives they carry in with them. Some have been here for decades. Some found us last month. Some are still deciding. What they share is the sense that here, they don’t have to leave any part of themselves at the door.
Many of our members arrived here after leaving faith communities where they no longer felt at home: Catholic parishes, evangelical congregations, or other mainline churches where questions of LGBTQ inclusion, women’s leadership, or social justice created painful divides. What they found here was not an abandonment of faith, but a deepening of it. We hold the Christian tradition seriously — in our worship, our music, our preaching, and our sacraments — while living out the conviction that the gospel calls us toward genuine welcome, not exclusion. If you’ve been searching for a church where faith and integrity don’t require you to choose, you may have found your home.
Our buildings are filled with history, beauty, and thoughtful design. The historic sanctuary is home to a world-class organ and a rich tradition of sacred music. Adjacent to it is Lile Hall, an intimate recital and gathering space. Our newer building includes a light-filled reception atrium, Barnwell Hall for larger gatherings, and a state-of-the-art learning center with dedicated classrooms and a secure playground for children and youth. These spaces serve our congregation’s life and are available for community events and rentals. Click to learn more about our historic spaces.
Founded in 1876, Christ Church Summit has spent 150 years growing in faith, service, and welcome. From a small congregation rooted in Summit’s early history, we have grown into a vibrant community with dual affiliation in the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches USA. In 1999 we became an Open and Affirming congregation, and continue to live out our commitment to welcome all people—embracing diversity, nurturing spiritual growth, and engaging deeply in service, justice and interfaith partnership. Through every generation, our story has been one of openness, courage, and compassion in action.
Regular worship services are Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. You can also watch our YouTube LiveStream if you can’t come in person.
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