Church in the Hills

History

The first worship service was held in the shell of a building on September 19, 1982, with four families present. They continued to meet outside while construction went on around them. The building, which resembled the chalets in the area, was dedicated December 12, 1982.  In March 1982, it was decided that 10 percent of the budget be spent for mission. By 1986, the church was known as the Church in the Hills, and the steering committee consisted of three classes of three members each.

In 1987, Pastor Nussdorfer was charged with determining if Church in the Hills could become an organized church, with a target membership of 100, a budget, and Elders and Deacons.  On December 11, 1988, Church in the Hills was officially chartered by the Presbytery of Mackinac and was no longer considered a mission church. 

By 1995, the congregation had outgrown the original building and both the Session and the Presbytery approved a building/remodeling project. Pledges were solicited and in July 1996, the foundation for a new worship center was poured. Members of the congregation provided most of the labor and expertise, and the addition was completed without the need for a mortgage. In 1998, the new building was dedicated, and a new organ was also purchased through pledges.   

Rev. Gordon retired in the fall of 2002, and Russ Brandt served as Interim Pastor. In December 2002, the congregation called Rev. John Deal as the first called pastor for the congregation. He left in the summer of 2004, and the Session called the Rev. James Pitts as Interim Pastor.  In 2007, the Rev. Andrew Pomerville was called as pastor. In 2011, he was called to the Peoples Church in East Lansing, and the congregation called the Rev. David Ramage as pastor starting in 2012.

By 1995, the congregation had outgrown the original building and both the Session and the Presbytery approved a building/remodeling project. Pledges were solicited and in July 1996, the foundation for a new worship center was poured. Members of the congregation provided most of the labor and expertise, and the addition was completed without the need for a mortgage. In 1998, the new building was dedicated, and a new organ was also purchased through pledges.

 In 2007, the Rev. Andrew Pomerville was called as pastor. In 2011, he was called to the Peoples Church in East Lansing, and the congregation called the Rev. David Ramage as pastor starting in 2012.