Riverdale
Maryland
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Wildercroft Church of Christ
History :
The history of this congregation began in 1933. The first building was quite small & was built in 1934. The building was enlarged twice before the current building was built. The original members had a very small plot of land. In July 1938, a local family, the Presley's, sold a larger plot of land to the congregation for $10.
The old church building was an integral part of the community. Its church bell announced services for adults & children from the Wildercroft community. Children would ride sleds down the road in front of the building & go inside to warm themselves - the building was never locked in those early years.
A small group was meeting here when James McBroom (a preacher from the 14th Street church of Christ in Washington, DC) held a gospel meeting at Wildercroft. That meeting led to worship after the New Testament order (with substantial help from the 14th Street, Avalon Heights, & Anacostia SE congregations).
This early help & guidance led this congregation into becoming a true & scriptural church. In the 1940s, this congregation would not exist without the help & dedication of faithful women. Often, there would be very few men (1-3) in attendance. The women still attended, brought their children, & taught Bible classes when no men were present. They also did much of the physical labor necessary to maintain the building & grounds. These women were truly the righteous women of Proverbs 31:10-31!
About 1950, the congregation engaged an evangelist to work regularly with the congregation. Some of those from other congregations that had been working with the Wildercroft congregation became members.
The history of this congregation began in 1933. The first building was quite small & was built in 1934. The building was enlarged twice before the current building was built. The original members had a very small plot of land. In July 1938, a local family, the Presley's, sold a larger plot of land to the congregation for $10.
The old church building was an integral part of the community. Its church bell announced services for adults & children from the Wildercroft community. Children would ride sleds down the road in front of the building & go inside to warm themselves - the building was never locked in those early years.
A small group was meeting here when James McBroom (a preacher from the 14th Street church of Christ in Washington, DC) held a gospel meeting at Wildercroft. That meeting led to worship after the New Testament order (with substantial help from the 14th Street, Avalon Heights, & Anacostia SE congregations).
This early help & guidance led this congregation into becoming a true & scriptural church. In the 1940s, this congregation would not exist without the help & dedication of faithful women. Often, there would be very few men (1-3) in attendance. The women still attended, brought their children, & taught Bible classes when no men were present. They also did much of the physical labor necessary to maintain the building & grounds. These women were truly the righteous women of Proverbs 31:10-31!
About 1950, the congregation engaged an evangelist to work regularly with the congregation. Some of those from other congregations that had been working with the Wildercroft congregation became members.