The Church of Christ in Plainview came into being in the fall of 1861 under the direction of Brother Abraham Shoemaker. Faith led the way when such persons as Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Shoemaker, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Freer, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. C. Ackley, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Butts and Mrs. James Butts became the charter members of this work for God.
          The group was originally known as the "Society of Christians". The first services were held in what was then know as Wilcox Hall at the corner of Broadway and Jefferson Street. Some time later the congregation secured permission to use the schoolhouse as a meeting place. This building was located at First Avenue and Fifth Street SW. In 1866 the congregation purchased the school building and property so they could own their own house of worship. On July 21, 1874 the congregation adopted a Charter of Incorporation designating it to be known as the Christian Church. This charter was signed in the presence of A.B. Norton, justice of peace, and C.T. Allair.
          The property was sold to the Chicago Northwestern Railroad Company in 1883. The congregation purchased the lots on the corner of Broadway and Church streets and the chapel building was moved to the north part of the property.
          In 1896, under the leadership of C.W Martz, the congregation moved the chapel to the east part of the property and began construction of the new house of worship.
          In 1902, less than seven years after the first church was built; the congregation was free of debt. The former chapel had been moved to the east of the new church and was remodeled into a parsonage. This building was Plainview's first publicly owned schoolhouse.
          In 1954 the name "Christian Church was changed to Church of Christ. The church building which was built in 1896 continued as the place of worship until 1963 when it was dismantled. Recognizing the need for more space a new building site was purchased in 1961 in the northeast part of Plainview, the present location. The new property consisted of six vacant lots with a house to be used as a parsonage.

         
           In 1976, while completing his Bachelor's Degree at Minnesota Bible College, Chuck Coggins was hired by the congregation as a part-time Youth Pastor. His youth ministry began under the Pastoral leadership of James Lohman. Chuck was hired as the Interim Pastor that same year when Pastor Lohman moved to Turtle Lake, MN. Chuck remained the Interim Pastor until Roger Arnett was hired later in 1976. In July of 1980, Roger Arnett left his position at the Church and the congregation hired Chuck as the Senior Pastor. The elders of the church at that time were Ralph Axley, Bob Schwering, and Leon Irish.
          In 1985 a 30" x 32' addition was added to the east side of the building giving the Church office space and 5 additional classrooms. In 1996 a 28' x 30' foyer (built by C.L McCaleb and Son) was put on the west end of the building.
          In 1986 the congregation approved the hiring of a part time Church secretary. The Church hired Joanne Schleck as their first full time secretary in 1999. Joanne continues to serve the church as their Administrative Assistant. Along with the office responsibilities Joanne is the Church Treasurer, Sunday school Superintendent, and Church Board secretary.
          The Church today supports 2 missionaries and 6 mission works. Dale and Linda Marshall are missionaries in Zimbabwe Africa. Dale's father Erwin Marshall was Pastor of the Plainview Church of Christ from 1946 to 1950. Tom and Amy Moen are supported missionaries in Brazil.
          The Church also supports Don and Lois Lloyd of Leadership Ministry, a teaching and consulting ministry assisting churches and other Christian organizations. Crossroads College (formerly Minnesota Bible College) is supported by the church budget and presently 3 three Plainview Church of Christ students are attending with a fourth enrolled for the fall of 2006.
          The Church also supports two Christian camps, Pine Haven Christian Assembly and Camp Victory. Coyote Ridge/Bridge Builders is another of the Church's mission works. This ministry is directed by Steven Wilson and specializing in serving children with an incarcerated parent in order to prevent second-generation incarceration. The congregation also supports Lizeth Quintanilla, a child with Children International.
          The Plainview Church of Christ is a non-denominational Church, which is presently guided by the Eldership of Tony Roth, Tom Lorimor, Doug Finley and Dean Kuhlman. They have a church board, which consists of the Pastor, Youth Pastor, 4 Elders, 7 Deacons, and 3 Trustees.

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205 First Street North East
Plainview, Minnesota 55964
507-534-2704 - email office@plainviewchurchofchrist.org
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