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Riverside Community Church of God began in 1937 as the "First Church of God" in affiliation with the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. The church actually started through prayer meetings that began in 1936. On April 1, 1937 an announcement was made that services would be held in Townsend Hall on Main Street at 2:30 pm.
On June 17, 1937 Pastor U.G. Clark from Eugene started preaching at services on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month in the Legion Room of the Armory.
On December 4, 1941 the property at 11th and Adams was purchased from the Nazarene Church.
Pastor Roy Hutchison started in March of 1942 and served for six years.
Pastor Leroy Sapp began his ministry in 1948 and continued until June of 1950.
Pastor John Meyer started on August 15, of 1950. On March 11, 1951 fire destroyed the church building located at 11th and Adams. Services where held at Mills Chapel, which is now known as the Smith-Lund Funeral Chapel.
The church purchased the old Presbyterian building on 7th and Adams where they held services until moving to our current location in 1971.
In October of 1952, Herman Barkman became Pastor and remained until 1967 when Nick and Katie Kowalko moved from Rainier Washington to offer leadership. Nick and Katie continue to fellowship at Riverside.
Groundbreaking for three new church buildings on River Road began in April 1971. On December 12, 1971 the first worship services of Riverside Community Church of God were held in what is now the church library.
Wayne McDonnell followed Nick and Katie Kowalko as pastor on April 9, 1980, and was followed by Ken and Paula Wilson on June 17, 1987. In 1993 Pastor Wilson led the congregation to build our current sanctuary.
Sunday morning attendance grew from 80 during Pastor Wayne McDonnell's tenure to 200 during Pastor Ken Wilson's ministry. Currently over 500 people consider Riverside to be their church home, and Sunday morning attendance is around 380.
Pastors Rick and Sue Haberly began their ministry at Riverside in October of 1998 and continue today.
Karen Graham joined the staff as secretary in January of 1999.
Pastor Matt and Lora Klaus joined the Haberlys on Easter in April of 1999.
Randy Tryon became the Youth Pastor on December 1, 1999.
Erika Foley joined the staff as the bookkeeper on June 15, 2000, and as Children's Pastor on February 6, 2001.
The Family Center was built and eventually dedicated on June 5, 2005.
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