The Church of Christ
at New Union

Welcome!

There isn’t any place where you could be more welcomed than right here at New Union. Thank you for your presence!

The congregation in the New Union community was established over 100 years ago, and we have been in this exact location since 1942. Our roots run deeply in this community!

We pattern our beliefs, the worship service, the church organization, leadership and conditions to receive the benefits of God’s free gift of salvation on one standard…the Bible! Sole authority for what we do, practice and believe is confined within the New Testament. We continue daily to seek a stronger relationship with Christ as we seek His will.

Our mission is stated in Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV) “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

If you plant the pure seed of Christ’s church, the word of God, into good hearts and minds today, it will produce the same results as it did in the first century…Christians, nothing more and nothing less, just members of the church of Christ.

We hope you enjoy your visit with us and if you have any questions, concerns, or if you have any special needs, please bring them to our attention.

Once again, thank you for being here and may God bless you

In Christian Love,
The members of the church of Christ at New Union

Our Worship and Bible study schedules are:

Sunday Morning

Bible classes for all ages: 9:00–9:45 AM

Worship Service: 10:00–11:00 AM

Sunday Night

Worship Service: 6:00–7:00 PM

Daylight Savings Time: 5:00–6:00 PM Standard Time

Wednesday Night

Bible classes for all ages: 7:00–8:00 PM

Our Location

Find us here: 46 Maple Springs Road, Manchester, TN 37355

Our History

Origins and Early Years (1913–1916)

The New Union Church of Christ in Manchester, Tennessee, traces its roots to the early 20th century. The congregation was established sometime between 1913 and 1914, making it one of the longstanding Churches of Christ in the Coffee County area. The founding was largely driven by the family of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Hastings, who played a pivotal role in bringing the church to the community. Other early families who joined and supported the effort included Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Beckman, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Colwell, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Hickerson, and Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Rigney. These families represented a core group of early members committed to the non-denominational, Bible-based principles of the Restoration Movement, which emphasizes returning to the practices of the New Testament church without creeds or denominational structures.

The church’s first meeting place was a modest one-room log school building located on the G.W. Beckman farm, situated across from the W.S. Colwell farm. This simple structure served as the initial site for worship services, reflecting the rural and community-oriented nature of the area at the time.

Growth and Relocation (1916–1942)

By around 1916, the congregation had outgrown the log building, leading to the construction of a one-room frame school building on the same property. This upgrade provided a more durable space for gatherings, including Bible studies, worship services, and community events. The church continued to meet in this location for over two decades, fostering a sense of fellowship among local families.

In 1942, the congregation relocated to a new parcel of land donated by Mrs. Estelle Rigney Thomas, widow of Mr. Ashley Rigney. This move marked a significant step in the church’s development, allowing for expanded facilities better suited to the growing membership. The relocation symbolized the church’s commitment to establishing a permanent presence in the Manchester community. The first worship service was held on August 10th, 1942.

Post-Relocation and Steady Expansion (1942–Present)

Following the 1942 relocation, the New Union Church of Christ has experienced steady growth, driven by conversions to Christianity and the influx of new members relocating to the area. The congregation has maintained a focus on biblical teaching, evangelism, and community outreach, aligning with the Church of Christ tradition of a cappella singing, weekly communion, and emphasis on baptism for salvation. Services have historically included Sunday Bible classes at 9:00 a.m., worship at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and midweek Bible study on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

The church is located at 46 Maple Springs Road, Manchester, TN 37355, and continues to operate as an active, welcoming congregation. It emphasizes spiritual growth, youth programs, and mission work, with a mission statement rooted in Mark 16:15-16: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (NKJV). The church’s website and social media presence highlight its desire to foster Christians who “hunger and thirst for knowledge, righteousness, and a home in God’s family,” underscoring its ongoing role in the local community.

Our Ministries

- Houston Gately in 1952

- Herman Sweeny

- Gail Napier

- Bill Ruhl

- Goebel Music

- Edd Smithson

- Paul Cagle

- Leroy Dedmon

- Charles White

- L.T. McCord

- E.J. Fletcher

- Charles Williams

- Barry Kennedy

We Are Waiting For You!

Who Are We?

The New Union congregation had its beginning sometime in the years 1913 and 1914. The first meeting place was a one-room log school building on the G.W. Beckman farm. About 1916, a one-room frame school building on the same property replaced the log building. Those buildings were located across from the W.S. Colwell farm. The Church met there for worship until 1942 when the meeting place was relocated to a parcel of land given by Mrs. Estelle Rigney Thomas, widow of Mr. Ashley Rigney. The first services were held in the new building on August 10, 1942, in its present location.

What Is Our Message?

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Hastings was instrumental in the Church being established in this community. Other families soon joined them, including Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Beckman, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Colwell, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Hickerson and Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Rigney.

What Do We Believe About the Bible?

W.S. Long conducted several gospel meetings from 1914-1917. Other early preachers were W.P. Willis and Thomas Wagner. Later, several students from David Lipscomb College spoke on Sundays by appointment. The first full-time preacher was Houston Gately in 1952. Other evangelists who have served the congregation were Herman Sweeny, Gail Napier, Bill Ruhl, Goebel Music, Edd Smithson, Paul Cagle, Leroy Dedmon, Charles White, L.T. McCord, E.J. Fletcher, and Charles Williams, the current minister.

How Do We Worship?

The Congregation has enjoyed steady growth throughout the years as souls have been converted to Christ and other Christians have moved into the community.