What We Believe
The United Church of Christ embraces a theological heritage that affirms the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God, the creeds of the ecumenical councils, and the confessions of the Reformation. The UCC has roots in the "covenantal" tradition-meaning there is no centralized authority or hierarchy that can impose any doctrine or form of worship on its members. Christ alone is Head of the church. We seek a balance between freedom of conscience and accountability to the apostolic faith. The UCC therefore receives the historic creeds and confessions of our ancestors as testimonies, but not tests of the faith.

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Mission
As a community of Jesus' disciples, Kirkwood United Church of Christ is committed to:

• Support of mission outreach through personal involvement and commitment of financial resources;
• Vibrant worship that challenges and energizes persons and the church community;
• Strong and vital efforts to nurture all members of the church community, especially children and youth
• Educational opportunities that strengthen and enable the entire church community.

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Welcoming Statement
Kirkwood United Church of Christ is called by God to be an open, diverse and caring community of Jesus' disiples. In following Christ's commandment to love one another, we welcome all who wish to share in the fellowship, membership, leadership, worship, misistry, sacraments, rites, responsibilities and blessings of our faith community. As we affirm that every person is a child of God, no one is excluded, regardless of race, ethnic or socio-economic background, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, nationality, or faith background. We are an Open and Affirming congregation. All are welcome here.

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Information for New Members or Visitors
Kirkwood United Church of Christ welcomes and cherishes new visitors. We are excited that you are considering visiting our church. We are located in Kirkwood, MO at 1603 Dougherty Ferry Road. Our worship is held at 9:30 am on Sundays. Please consider joining us for coffee and snacks after the service in our Friendship room. Parking is available in the lot behind the church and on Dougherty Ferry Road. Handicap parking is located on the upper parking lot on the west side of the church.

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History
To determine interest in forming a new Evangelical and Reformed Church in the Kirkwood area an initial meeting was held in the Fall of 1951 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gerst, 1040 Bernice ave. in Kirkwood, Mo. Soon thereafter initial services were held in the Lombardi-Brooks office building at 10406 Manchester Road in Kirkwood. Under the leadership of the founding pastor, Rev. John Schroeder, a recent graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, it was quickly determined that a permanent site was needed and 3 ½ acres were purchased at the corner of Dougherty Ferry and Lindeman roads. Initially the congregation met in the house located on the property until its sanctuary was erected in 1954. Later an educational wing and a parsonage were added to the on site facilities. In 1992 a major remodeling of the existing space took place and new classroom and office space was added. The Kirkwood Evangelical and Reformed Church became the Kirkwood United Church of Christ (UCC) in 1957 with the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed and Congregational Christian denominations. During its 50-year history, there have only been 5 called pastors.

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