Christ Church United Methodist (CCUM) was organized in Paterson, New Jersey, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-two. The sponsor of this missionary venture was the Northern New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Board of Missions and the Northern District Church and Society gave responsible leadership and financial support.

Bishop Prince A. Taylor, Jr., and his cabinet had the responsibility of finding ministerial leadership for the proposed assignment. The services of the Reverend Glenn A. Brooks of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church were acquired. Upon his arrival in Paterson, Rev. Brooks immediately began the search for prospective members, and Christ Church United Methodist was founded on October 15th, the 3rd Sunday in October 1972, with 45 Charter Members. The site chosen for the new church was the abandoned property of the former Wesley United Methodist Church, located at the corner of 15th Avenue and East 27th Street. On September 30, 2014, the City of Paterson designated CCUM as a Historic Landmark, and we are now listed in the City’s Registry of Historic Places.

Throughout its history, Christ Church has developed, sponsored, and implemented successful ministries and outreach programs. Ministries have included Weekly Bible Study, Prayer with the Sick and Shut-in, Intercessory Prayer Meetings, Sunday School Classes, Confirmation Classes, and Vacation Bible School. Outreach Programs included Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, Youth Services Projects, Singles Ministry, Day Care Center, GED and Adult Education Classes, Multi-Purpose Center, Unemployment Support Ministry, Summer Twilight Programs, Computer Classes, and Spirit Dance School. To meet the needs of both the youth and adults in the community, over the years, an array of physical fitness and self-defense programs were also developed. We opened a food pantry during difficult economic times, hosted a plant ministry and free community movie nights, and we established a Community Garden. Additional ministries include the “Bounce Back Youth Ministry,” Feeding ministries, Flag, Praise Dance, and the United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women.

In more than 50 years of Ministry, the CCUM Family has welcomed many Pastors, beginning with Founding Pastor, Rev. Glenn A. Brooks and Associate Pastor Rev. Maxwell Tow. They were followed by Rev. Maurice K. Major, Rev. Evers Robinson, and Rev. Charles Wesley McCombs, Jr., Rev. Emma D. Kimbrough, Interim Pastors: Rev. Hollis Nelson, Rev. Dr. Michael Williams, and Rev. Robin Mitchell. In 2005, Christ Church welcomed the Rev. Betty A. Horne, who served for ten years until her retirement in June 2015. She was followed by Rev. Pamela Grant James. On July 1, 2019, Rev. Kermit Moss was appointed to lead Christ Church, and he served until June 30, 2021. Following Pastor Moss, D. Andre Springer was assigned to lead the congregation from July 1, 2021, until June 30, 2023. We were blessed with the leadership of Rev. Leslie Houseworth who was appointed from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Today, CCUM is under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Lisa D. Robinson who was appointed as our Pastor on July 1, 2024.

The mission of Christ Church United Methodist is to introduce generations of people to Jesus Christ in communities and the world, with love, grace, and integrity. We are praying that CCUM will continue to grow and prosper, causing us to positively impact the Kingdom of God by being a blessing to God’s people. In this, our 53rd year, we look forward to what God has in store for CCUM as we continue the work and ministry of Christ Church that began so long ago. On Christ the solid rock we stand!