According to the History and Development of California, Pennsylvania by Nan Hornbake, "The Christian Church in California dates back to 1858 when Edward Riggs came to California. Five members of his household were Disciples of Christ, and they found two others, David Thomas and his wife, of like faith." The California Christian Church was organized in the home of Edward Riggs on Second Street March 24, 1859. Records show that there were 22 persons at the service and that several were baptized that day. Regardless of the impact on their souls, their bodies must have received quite a shock when they were immersed in the cold Monongahela River.
Shortly thereafter the congregation moved to the new Riggs home on Fifth Street. The Civil War kept the growing congregation from erecting its first building, but in January 1866 they moved from the Riggs home to the old schoolhouse and began planning for a new meetinghouse. That same month a lot was purchased on Second Street. Legend has it that the church building was constructed of timbers cut in Granville Hollow and brought into town by oxen. The church was formally dedicated and opened on February 15, 1871. The first long-term preacher was Elder George G. Hertzog, a professor for 50 years at what is now the California University of Pennsylvania. Old-timers remember students of the college marching down to the church on Sundays. They say the small student body added 35 to 40 members to the congregation.
The influx of immigrant mineworkers led to the establishment of a Christian church in an old school house located in Phillipsburg in 1893. Dr. W. H. Phillips, for whom the town was named and one of the town's first doctors, led a mission Sunday School there that attracted some 400 students. The Phillipsburg Christian Church was built on ground donated by Dr. Phillips with the first service being held in June 1900.
When the college acquired the part of Phillipsburg that included the church building in 1966, the two congregations, under the leadership of Rev. Norman Hunt, joined, becoming the United Christian Church of California. The present building located at the Malden Crossroads was built in 1970-71, and an addition doubling its size was built in 1999. Re-dedication of the building was held in January 2000, bearing its witness into the 21st century!
Shortly thereafter the congregation moved to the new Riggs home on Fifth Street. The Civil War kept the growing congregation from erecting its first building, but in January 1866 they moved from the Riggs home to the old schoolhouse and began planning for a new meetinghouse. That same month a lot was purchased on Second Street. Legend has it that the church building was constructed of timbers cut in Granville Hollow and brought into town by oxen. The church was formally dedicated and opened on February 15, 1871. The first long-term preacher was Elder George G. Hertzog, a professor for 50 years at what is now the California University of Pennsylvania. Old-timers remember students of the college marching down to the church on Sundays. They say the small student body added 35 to 40 members to the congregation.
The influx of immigrant mineworkers led to the establishment of a Christian church in an old school house located in Phillipsburg in 1893. Dr. W. H. Phillips, for whom the town was named and one of the town's first doctors, led a mission Sunday School there that attracted some 400 students. The Phillipsburg Christian Church was built on ground donated by Dr. Phillips with the first service being held in June 1900.
When the college acquired the part of Phillipsburg that included the church building in 1966, the two congregations, under the leadership of Rev. Norman Hunt, joined, becoming the United Christian Church of California. The present building located at the Malden Crossroads was built in 1970-71, and an addition doubling its size was built in 1999. Re-dedication of the building was held in January 2000, bearing its witness into the 21st century!
