Putting down Roots
SAXONBURG The Saxonburg Christian Church may be new to the community, but it has taken root in one of the town's most historic and recognizable buildings. The congregation, just several months old, meets on the first floor of the 176-year-old Stuebgen House building at 230 Main St.
The church began in September and members gathered for services and Bible study in various homes for the first few months. The congregation recently settled into the white building with gingerbread trim in historic downtown Saxonburg.
The landmark building dates back to 1833. It originally was a butcher shop and most recently was a senior day care center, according to church member Connie Neubert of Sarver.
"The Stuebgen family has been a part of the Saxonburg community for many, many years," she said.
"We saw that the building was empty and that's how we got in there," said Neubert, whose family has been friends with the building's owner, Dr. Connie Anderson, for years.
The dichotomy between the newness of the church and the antiquity of its historical surroundings is both striking and appropriate, given the congregation's focus.
Church leader Jeff Neubert describes the congregation as a New Testament Christian church. He likens the congregation's philosophy to the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement of the early 19th century, which sought to focus on the New Testament as a new covenant with God and to reunite Christians apart from denominational differences.
The movement was at its height around the time the Stuebgen House was constructed.
"They were sort of going in the right direction," he said. "We're following the pattern that God laid down in the Bible in the New Testament.
"We believe that the church needs to be restored to the New Testament and to God's word. The Old Testament was done away with when Christ came to Earth. We now have the New Testament, and that will be in effect until Christ comes again."
"Honestly, we're just trying to get back to the basics," Connie Neubert agreed. "We're trying to follow what the Bible says and put man's ideas aside."
Neubert and co-leader Patrick Kelly of Saxonburg are both enrolled in courses with Summit Theological Seminary, based in Peru, Ind. Neubert said they are pastors or shepherds, but objects to the term reverend."There are no reverends in the Bible," he said. "We are not a denomination," he added."There are no denominations in the Bible. We are autonomous and self-sufficient."Although the church currently has only eight members, Neubert said they are reaching out to the community and beyond."The Bible says go and baptize and teach, and that's what we're trying to do. "He noted the congregation, despite its small size, supports several mission projects in Ohio as well as a mission in southeast Asia.They are also reaching out into the local community, according to Connie Neubert. Upcoming events will include a Mother's Day fashion show and luncheon. The date is to be announced later.Sunday services for the church include Bible study at 9 a.m. followed by worship at 10 a.m. A combination Bible study and worship is held at 6 p.m. Sunday evenings. Bible study is also held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
