A Light in the Darkness

Our Mission Then and Now

Christian Assembly Church was founded in the fires of revival with a strong emphasis on sound Biblical teaching and preaching that plainly declares salvation by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is demonstrated in a life of good works. 

Where and When it all Began

In 1932, a group of area residents began to meet in a series of cottage prayer meetings.  It was not long before the small band of Christians began to hold regular services in a log building northeast of Weston known as “The Old Flintlock Church”.

 Two brothers, Duluth and Troy Hill of Weston were in charge of the meeting. A mighty move of the Holy Spirit resulted in the conversion of many unbelievers, and many Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit.  This group of believers formed the nucleus of what would become the Christian Assembly Church.

 The Old Flintlock Church soon proved insufficient to meet the needs of the growing body of Christians.  In 1934, the congregation obtained use of a church building located on the corner of Washington and Thomas Streets of Weston.  Eventually, they secured a bank loan to purchase the building.  The first pastor of CAC was Reverend Duluth Hill.

A minister from Oklahoma, O.W. Webb, was called to hold special meetings and the Pentecostal revival that had begun in the Old Flintlock Church continued.  The warm weather demanded that the church windows be open, and the sounds of the revival inside the church caused many Weston residents to come and stand outside to hear what was going on inside.  Many of the onlookers would peer in through the windows. Often times the preacher would go outside and stand on the steps in front of the church to preach to the gathered crowd.  Many of the onlookers came to scoff at the enthusiastic worship of the Christians inside.  However, they often left the meeting with a new faith in the saving grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ and new understanding of the working of the Holy Spirit.

 Christian Assembly Church has continued to worship at this location since those first services in 1934. Several children and grandchildren of those original members continue to count this their home church.

 The Christian Assembly Church building is the oldest church building in Weston. 

It was built in 1844 as a Presbyterian church.  Reverend Edmund Wright, the first pastor, led in the purchase of lots and the construction of the building. It was an unpretentious, federal-style brick building with two doors in the front.   One door was used by women, and the other door was used by the men.  A high belfry and a gold-colored beacon adorned the top of the building.  Weston was an important river port city at that time, and it is said that the riverboat pilots would use the church beacon to guide them to the landing.  It is recorded that the church bell would be rung when a steamboat came into port.  The bell tower and beacon no longer grace the top of the church.  It became structurally unsound and was removed in 1934.

So, what about today?

Today, we are mindful that it’s building once served as a lighthouse for boats on the Missouri River, and we have long held the view that the purpose of the church is to serve as a lighthouse of God’s grace and love toward mankind.