Welcome to Advent United Church of Christ

Advent United Church of Christ is an evolving church with a trying history, all sustained by the mighty hand of God. At its conception, in 1976, Advent Community Church, began in a storefront in Cassady Plaza, where Rev. Samuel Varner was the Pastor, and became one of the only African American churches in Columbus, Ohio in the United Church of Christ for a number of years. Rev. Varner took his passion for youth and African and African-American culture and embedded into the foundation of the church, as it is still prominent, today. The church moved to a party house that was gifted to the congregation before moving to 2303 N Cassady Ave, it sown building. In 1985, Rev. John Walker responded to the call to be Advent’s Pastor, becoming the church’s second Pastor. His tenure was short, but rich; he was followed by Rev. Luther Holland, who stayed for three years.

Each pastor continued in the Afrocentric tradition begun by Rev. Sam Varner, building on what had proven to be a strong foundation. It was Rev. Luther Holland who designed the “Rose Window” which became a symbol of the culture/Christianity ethos of the church, which is still present in the sanctuary of the church, today. Rev. Susan K. Smith became the Pastor of the church in 1990 and suggested that the church change its name to Advent United Church of Christ to better identify with its denomination. In 1992, the congregation moved into their own newly built church on N Cassady Ave, after surviving the original contractors filing bankruptcy, leaving the congregation without contractors and in legal litigation. Rev. Smith resigned from Advent UCC in 2013, where after the church was without permanent leadership for approximately four years. In 2018, the congregation unanimously voted to call Rev. Colin and Rev. Imani Jones as Co-Pastors.