Our location and rich tradition in the community is often one of best kept secrets of Chesterfield.  On October 7, 1907 Rev. Gustav Adolf Zimmer, pastor of St. Johns Evangelische Kirche at Bellefontaine, Missouri, conducted the first service of worship for the people who were to become St. Thomas United Church of Christ.  A small group of faithful people met for worship in the building that housed Henry Wetzel’s Mercantile Company in Gumbo, Missouri.  On December 22, 1907, those people officially organized themselves into St. Thomas Evangelische Kirche of Gumbo.

Land for the original church building was donated and on November 1, 1908, the cornerstone was laid for the sanctuary that was to serve the congregation for 50 years. In fact, a picture of the original church building hangs in the main dining area of the Old Spaghetti Factory in Chesterfield Commons.

In 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed churches united with the Congregational Christian churches to form the new denomination and identity of the United Church of Christ.  (To learn more about the United Church of Church of Christ, check out the denomination’s website at ucc.org.)

In 1970, with a new name, St. Thomas United Church of Christ, and land for a new church building, St. Thomas moved to where it remains today atop the highest hill in Chesterfield, Missouri at 17842 Wild Horse Creek Road.   Because we sit up on this hill, we are not always visible from the road to those who pass by on Wild Horse Creek Road. Yet, when visitors travel up the hill, they are instantly surprised by our idyllic natural setting (with a variety of wild animals including deer, wild turkeys, owls and even a few fox and coyote) and the panoramic view from the front of the church.

As we move into a new stage and vision for our ministry, St. Thomas United Church of Christ continues to strive to serve our community and the world around us with the same faith and commitment that has prevailed through the years.  At St. Thomas, we do not claim to be perfect, nor do we claim to have the corner on truth, we only claim that we
will strive in all times and all places to live out the love of Christ.

“That they may all be one” (John 17:21).  This is the motto of the United Church of Christ and it reflects the spirit of unity in which our church is based.  We believe that the unity of the church is not of our own making, but rather a gift from God.  And as people who are created by God, we are called to celebrate our diversity and varying gifts. We believe that the common thread among all people is love.

So we invite you to join us on the journey of not merely “talking the talk” of Jesus’ love, but  ”walking the walk” of Jesus’ love that we are called to have for one another.