History Of The Weirton Christian Center
On May 9, 1909—the same year that Ernest T. and David Weir and J.C. Williams founded the Weirton Steel Company—Mrs. Mollie Wilkens Owings, a local woman, organized a small Baptist Sunday School under an apple tree on Avenue B (within blocks of the new mill). This work would soon become Weirton’s First Baptist Church. A ministry had begun for all the children and their families who had come from many cities and nations to Weirton to seek a better life.
In 1917 the Women’s American Baptist Home Mission Society sent the first missionary to Weirton to work with the Baptist group to help meet some desperate community needs. Mrs. Olive Lord served as that first missionary (1917-1918) and is credited as the founder of the Weirton Christian Center. During those first five years, Christian Center activities were held in local homes and in three houses on Avenue D donated by Weirton Steel Company. Programs were set up mainly to assist the immigrants who came to work in the mill. By 1922, with assistance from Weirton Steel, the first part of the Center was erected on Avenue D (adjacent to the original First Baptist Church building).
The Weirton Christian Center soon became the “Community Center” for services that immigrants new to the area needed. They were taught English and Citizenship courses, and received immunizations at the health clinic. Over the years, Senior Citizens and other groups met in the club room, high school graduations and other events were held in the gymnasium and there was even an outdoor pool at the Christian Center. During the 1950s the Center began to emphasize individual centered programs and established outposts primarily for kindergarten in various locations in the town. The high school boys had a basketball league and the afterschool program offered dance lessons, drama and plays, formal dances, Bible Studies and more.
When kindergartens were added to the public school in the 1970s, the Center converted its kindergarten to a preschool program. In 1979 due to the declining neighborhood and the deteriorating condition of the building, the Center moved from Avenue D to its present location at 3012 Elm Street, again choosing a neighborhood of great need.
The Christian Center is a recognized mission project of the West Virginia Baptist Convention (American Baptist Churches, USA). The Center is one of the Neighborhood Action Program projects sponsored by the Board of National Ministries of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. Funding for the Center comes through the West Virginia Baptist Convention and National Ministries with considerable support of the Weirton United Way as well as individuals both local and national.
As we are just a few short years from our 100th anniversary, let us know if you have some memories of the Center to share. We would like to compile a booklet of experiences to share. If you ever attended the Weirton Christian Center, see if you recognize anyone in our historical photos…click here.
The Center Today
We now offer both 3 and 4-year-olds a Preschool class each day from 9 AM to 1 PM, led by teachers Glenda King and Billie Jo Carroll. The developmental curriculum involves hands-on stations to not only meet state standards but also reinforce Christian values. This year, we have added a computer time for each age group, with instruction on ABC Mouse to add to their education. We follow the Hancock County School calendar and there is no tuition, only a one-time registration free of $25 for materials. This program is supported by our generous donors.
The Afterschool program offers a safe haven for children from kindergarten through high school. We provide snacks, homework help, tutoring and many opportunities to help them grow. Volunteers makeprovide lessons in art, music, crafts, dance, cheering and more. Information classes with volunteer instructors are held to education them about healthy food choices, fitness, drug abuse, violence prevention, safety, self-reliance and good choices.
God's Time is held daily with a devotion for each of the three age groups. Each week we feature a different scripture and theme for our lessons. We are always looking for positive adult mentors and tutors to volunteer to work with our children.
With the help of several local churches (Memorial Baptist Church, Paris Presbyterian Church, Christian Church of Weirton, and New Life Worship Center) we are able to provide dinner for the children on Thursdays. This year, our feeding program is sponsored by Christian Fellowship Foundation. So after a Nutrition program with My Food Pyramid, our kids were able to put their knowledge to use. Middle School Students plan the menus, and prepare and serve dinner on Tuesdays and several have received Food Handler Certification.
And when we realized that many kids did not have food at home over the long holiday weekend, we decided to continue the “Blessing Bags” started by the All Saints Greek Church when they prepared the Third annual Thanksgiving dinner for our families.
The Elementary students decided what healthy foods should go in these bags and they are the ones to pack them the day before each distribution. Each child receives their own bag.
These programs reinforce what they learned about nutrition. With dinner, we can stay open longer and offer more programs – like practice for the “Signs of Hope” group learning sign language to Praise songs with the help of volunteer instructors, and weekly God's Time.
Our summer program gives the children 5 hours a day at the center, from 11 to 4 PM. We are able to offer free lunch, plus educational and recreational programs that there is not time for during the school year. Theme weeks in the past have included puppetry, cheerleading, self-defense, Arts and crafts, Vacation Bible School, dance lessons Service projects, Christian Clown training, literacy programs, summer bowling, field trips and more.
Summer Church Camp at Elkhorn Valley is a real blessing to these children and “Jesus Loves You” scholarships have been provided by the Christian Fellowship Foundation. Since 2006, we have sent over well over 300 children to camp for summer weeks and retreats. We have also been able to provide for all that they needed to take with them – including a sleeping bag from all those that have been donated. (Yes, they are washed each time they are returned!) The American Baptist Churches and Women’s ministries and other donors keep us stocked with Hygiene kits, towels, washcloths, beach towels, flashlights, sunscreen, flip flops, swimsuits and even quilts and sheets for those who don’t have bedding. A week at camp is life-changing for so many of them and they can’t wait to get back there. Check out our Photos! You can check out Elkhorn Valley here.
Project Journey: Our first attempt to receive more funding through secular and educational grants and foundations was Project Journey. It was developed as a co-operative effort of over 30 local businesses, colleges, and organizations to seek funding for educational and entrepreneurial programs that would ultimately help to alter the journey of the children within our realm of service.
As a part of this project, we have developed entrepreneurial programs that have included making and selling items such as keychains and magnets. The garage was transformed into a workshop for these projects.
Since the start of this first collaborative project, we have realized that many of these children need more LIFE Skills to move forward into independence when they finish high school. Life is a journey that encompasses so many avenues and our goal is not only to guide and direct the paths available to our children, but also their parents and family members. A large percentage of our families do not have transportation or computer access at home. Many are not able to find jobs above minimum wage. We have found these areas to be so crucial to help them move forward. Our goal with our new JOURNEY Project is a much broader base of education for all – including social skills such as manners and phone etiquette, Financial literacy, computer skills training… job skills training, resume writing and interviewing, health and fitness, and a new entrepreneurial program that allows the child who works to earn a portion of the proceeds when their product sells.
Life is a Journey in every way. All of us need direction for wisdom and understanding in so many areas of that Journey, especially children. Providing guidance empowers people to independent, purposeful lives.
GOAL:
The Journey Project is an Educational Program of the Weirton Christian Center. The goal is to provide information, life skills instruction, learning opportunities and training for children, teens and young adults as well as parents...to help them through the journey of life.
In 2013 we served 284 different children and with our growth, we are made aware of the need for quality pre-school, afterschool and summer care for the children in our area...and our need for more space.
The Board of Directors has started of a Building Fund to help us find a facility that will provide space enough for all programs that we offer. Please pray for the growth and development of the Weirton Christian Center ministry.
