“Community of Faith is to be the living presence of Jesus Christ: witnessing, teaching and serving with compassion and integrity, and living the Good News of God’s unconditional love for all God’s children. All are welcomed, and embraced in our fellowship of God’s grace."
A not-so-perfect group of people working together to make a difference in our communities, the nation and our world.
Values Supporting Our Mission
A Loving Congregation
Our congregation is a loving group that is generous in our mission. We value the strong teamwork our congregation displays through our various fundraising activities and outreach to the community. Our church leadership maintains a strong and effective force to guide the church.
Core Practices
These are core practices for growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ and living a Christian life of relevance and integrity. Christian communities the world over practice these essential habits in settings from great cathedrals to secret house churches. You’ll find vibrant examples at Community of Faith in spirit-filled worship, robust bible study opportunities, strong mission efforts and engaging community.
Common Good of the Community & the World
John 3:16 doesn’t say “God so loved the United Church of Christ” or “only Christians,” but “the world”—so much that he “gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
“The church is the only society on earth that exists for the benefit of non-members.”
William Temple
Archbishop of Canterbury 1942–194
This is a common blessing for all people, and we are to be God’s instrument in conveying God’s blessing to our church community, Elyria, Lorain County, and the world.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our History
On June 28, 2015 three congregations of the UCC in Elyria, Ohio became one family of
faith known as Community of Faith United Church of Christ. The three congregations that came together were the
Lake Avenue UCC, Magyar UCC and St. Paul UCC.
The creation of Community of Faith UCC was the culmination of the work of a
Transitional Team made up of members from all three congregations that included development of a constitution, bylaws,
and consolidation of documents. In May 2015 each of the three congregations was presented
and approved the documents that enabled the formal consolidation that occurred at a worship
service on June 28, 2015 led by the Rev. Dr. Rita Root, Association Minister for the Western
Reserve Association of the United Church of Christ
Church Groundbreaking Ceremony
May 18, 1958
Each of the three churches had a long history in Elyria
Lake Avenue UCC
Lake Avenue was formally founded in 1926 after efforts by a First Congregational minister in downtown Elyria to create a 2nd Congregational church on the west side of town. Their first services were in a borrowed facility, but ultimately they purchased land on Lake Avenue on the west side of Elyria and built a new church dedicated in 1926.
Magyar UCC
Magyar was originally Elyria’s only Hungarian Reformed church founded in 1916 on West River Road S. They held their last Hungarian Service in 1989, and earned an excellent reputation for their Hungarian cookbook and other traditions.
St. Paul UCC
It was originally founded by German speaking Christians in 1871, and was the only one of 5 Elyria UCC churches with roots in the Evangelical and Reformed denomination. It was originally downtown, but moved to the township in the 1950’s.
