Borden Church of Christ

"With many other words Peter warned them; and he pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.'  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."  These are just a few of the words in Acts, chapter two, that describes the beginnings of the Lord Jesus Christ's Church on the Day of Pentecost.  That was approximately two thousand years ago.  Since then, His Church as had its revivals and its need for reform or restoration back to the original New Testament Church.  It has not only survived, but it has grown; just as Jesus said it would.  Borden Church of Christ is small and recent in the New Testament Church.

In the early years of the 1800's, a movement began in several churches in Kentucky and Tennessee that would later be called the "Restoration Movement."  These churches had a great desire to "restore" the church's doctrine as it was found in the New Testament when the church first began.  They turned to the Bible as their guide, believing that the church of their day had a few teachings and practices not found in the Bible and needing to be dropped;  as well as finding some teachings and practices in the Bible that they were not doing, therefore needing to be added.  Godly men like Barton W. Stone, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott were a few of the leaders of this movement that soon grew throughout the young United States and to other countries.  Out of this movement came the churches referred to today as the Churches of Christ and Christian Churches.

The Borden Church of Christ is one of the oldest churches in Wood Township, Clark County, Indiana.  At one time it wqs called the New Providence Church of Christ (The town of Borden was officially named New Providence until the Borden Town Council voted to change the official name of the town to Borden in January, 1995.).  It met to worship in the Union Church building, which is now the First Christian Church in Borden.  

In approximately 1829, a number of people from the Muddy Fork Church of Christ came to New Providence because their building had burnt down.  In approximately 1885, the church divided over the use of instrumental music in the worship service, and a number of the congregation constructed a new building.  That congregation became Borden Church of Christ.

Some of the charter members were Richard and George Martin, Henry Packwood, Ed Porter, Jesse Packwood, G.E. Jenkins, Jesse Baker, and Thomas and Dennis McKinley.  Altogether, there were 75-100 people that started to go to church there.   Brother M.C. Kurfees dedicated the building in the spring of 1885.   The building is no longer standing, but was at the intersection of Highway 60 and West Street, just east of where the Hometown Express station is now.

Things were a little different back then.  Early on, hitching post for the horses were in the church yard since people either walked or rode in a wagon or buggy.  The women would sit on the right side of the building and the men on the left side.  Long handled baskets were used for the collection.  Four silver cups were used during communion.  There were no Sunday School services nor an indoor baptistry.  People were baptized in the creek.   

In 1936, Highway 60 was built through Borden.  Because of the new road, the church building had to be moved and turned to face the highway.  A basement large enough for several class rooms, and a baptistry were added.  Lots next to the building were bought for parking.  Other meeting times, such as Sunday School and the evening services, were added through the years.  Vacation Bible School was also held each summer.  

In 1965, the church building was in great need of repair.  It was determined that the cost of the repairs would be so high that a new building could be built for about the same cost as repairing the current building.  The congregation had grown and more room was also needed.  Therefore, property was purchased and construction of a new building began.

In 1966, the present building was dedicated by elders and the minister, E.C. Ringer.  Improvements like carpet, padded pews, and new lights have since been added.  

In 1988, the annex was added to the back of the church building because the church did not have an area for fellowship meals or other gatherings. 

In 1989, a storage room was converted to a church office and minister's study.

In 1990, the church basement was painted and carpet was added a few years later.

In 2001, the church was blessed with a $120,000 total renovation of the auditorium and front entry.  The old entry was converted into a foyer to give people a nice dry place to meet before and after worship.  A new nursery was added that includes speakers to hear worship services and a changing area for babies.  A media room was added to house AV equipment for worship services and a screen was added in the auditorium. A stage was also added in the auditorium for worship services. 

In 2006,  the children's playground was upgraded with a new toddler play area and picnic tables.  A corner of the annex was converted into a study and office for the church youth minister.

In 2007, the church basement was painted.

In 2008, on January 13th Brothers Jim McKinley, Ray Weatherford, and Les Wright were ordained as Elders. 

The Lord has been most gracious to this congregation over the years.  It is upon this strong heritage, founded in Jesus Christ, that we build for our future.

This page has been developed by Myra Powell with the assistance of the information listed in the 1989 church directory.