About
We here at the Niagara Falls Church of Christ seek to be christians only, and to belong only to the church we read about in the New Testament. This church is described as the "church of Christ” (Romans 16:16), the “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2), or simply “The church” (Ephesians 5:25).
Christ is our head and lawgiver, and we seek to follow the New Testament in organization, name, worship, law of conversion and principles of Christian living (Ephesians 1:22,23).
It is our belief that true unity would be possible if all people would go to the Bible alone as the infallible guide in faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
Our worship is strikingly simple, following the teaching of the New Testament. The Lord’s supper, communion, is observed each Sunday as a simple memorial (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:7).
Prayer is an important part of each service, and singing in worship is congregational (1 Timothy 2;1, Ephesians 5:19).
The work of the church is supported by the free-will offerings of the members. Visitors are not obligated to give, we just want you to enjoy a time of worship with us (2 Corinthians 9:7).
There is no clergy-laity distinction in the church, so that the different men in the congregation serve freely in leading the various aspects of the public worship.
The church is evangelistic in nature, and teaching and preaching are vital in our activities (2 Timothy 4:2), but we also seek to help the needy and to do good to all men (Galatians 6:10).
Only in Christ is there hope of salvation, and He is continually exalted (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
New Testament terms of salvation are preached (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27).
We invite you to study the Bible and follow it as the only infallible guide. We are not a sect; we have no literature to sell; and we offer no creed books, manuals, or catechisms. We earnestly plead with you to investigate the Bible!
We exist to serve! Call on us if we can help in your efforts to do God’s will.
You have a warm invitation to our worship services and bible classes.
What to Expect
It is our hope and desire that you will feel comfortable and completely at ease in the worship service. Our worship service at the Niagara Falls church of Christ will contain only those acts of worship authorized in the New Testament:
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Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs will be sung "a cappella" by the congregation (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
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Public prayers will be offered (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
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Scripture reading from the Word of God (1 Timothy 4:14)
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The Lord's Supper will be offered each Lord's Day to all who have obeyed the Gospel (Acts 20:7)
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With glad and sincere hearts, members of the congregation will set aside a free-will offering. This is done
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to spread the Gospel to those in our community and in foreign lands, to ensure those in need will be taken care of (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
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A Sermon/Lesson from God's Word will be delivered as the children go to class.
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You're invited to stay for refreshments and fellowship following the service.
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)
Church History
The Niagara Falls Church of Christ had its beginning in 1957 as a church planting from the St. Catharines Church of Christ.
Families met in homes for weekly bible studies directed by Walter Dale and Geoffrey Ellis.
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In 1960, when the membership had grown to approximately 12 families, the church started meeting for worship in a rented hall.
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From 1961 to 1964 Bruce Merritt served the congregation as full-time evangelist, during which time the present building was erected.
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Warren Whitelaw worked with the congregation from 1964 to 1966.
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He was followed by Walter Dale who preached part-time from 1966 to 1969.
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Keith Thompson worked with the church on a full-time basis from 1969 to 1978.
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In 1970, Henry Boland joined Keith Thompson on a part-time basis and began a full-time ministry with the Niagara Falls church a year later.
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Doug Lightening became a full-time co-worker with Henry from 1978 to 1983.
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Rick Pinczuk began assisting Henry and the congregation in 1983 by teaching and preaching until 1993.
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After which Rick went to Kiev with the S.E.M.---Slavic Evangelism Ministry.
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In 1993, Jon Roach began preaching as Henry Boland concentrated on personal evangelism.
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In 1995, Darrin Douglas began a part-time work with the church preaching and teaching along side Jon and Henry.
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In 1996, Darrin began a full-time work with Henry until 2008.
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Henry passed away in May of 2015 at 86 years of age and is dearly missed by his family and the church family that he loved so dearly.
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Henry's son, Bruce Boland, was hired on in 2012 as the Involvement Minister. He served under Darrin along with his wife Marni for 6 years as they concentrated on children's ministry, youth ministry and building up our men and women of the congregation. In 2018, Bruce accepted a position to serve as a minister for the Edmonton Church of Christ.
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Darrin Douglas currently serves as the Evangelist here at the Niagara Falls Church of Christ.