Traders Point Christian Church

Coordinates: 39°56′32″N 86°21′29″W / 39.942219°N 86.358177°W / 39.942219; -86.358177

Traders Point Christian Church (TPCC) is a nondenominational church in Whitestown, Indiana that was established in 1834 and is currently under lead pastor Aaron Brockett.^[1]

History

1834-1858

• Ebenezer Christian Church established in 1834, with 10 members meeting in homes.
• A log cabin church is soon built on donated land just south of Fishback Creek on the east side of Dandy Trail. It is the third Christian church organized in Marion County, Indiana.
• By 1853, membership grows to nearly 100.^[1]

1859-1924

• A new frame building is completed in 1859 for a cost of about $950.
• The building is physically moved in 1886 to a second location in what was then the Village of Traders Point. The new church site is dedicated in November of that year.
• Despite the hardship experienced by families during the Civil War, World War 1, and the Great Depression, the doors of the church stayed open through the sacrificial giving of church members.^[1]

1925-1963

• Traders Point Church is remodeled and rededicated on October 11, 1925. The project includes the addition of a basement, Sunday school rooms, a bell tower, and furnace. The basement would soon flood many times in the years to come.
• The church holds a Centennial Celebration in 1934 that includes a pageant called “Marching Onward.”
• The church gets its first full-time minister in 1942^[1]

1964-1984

• The congregation moves from the frame building to the first part of the building located at 7860 Lafayette Road in 1964.
• Traders Point Christian Nursery School opens in 1976 with a total enrollment of 15 children. The school is housed in the Lafayette Road building.
• In 1984, the church celebrates its sesquicentennial with the presentation of an updated version of the 1934 “Marching Onward” pageant.^[1]

1985-1998

• The church building is remodeled and enlarged several times over the years, with the Worship Center being added in May, 1988.
• The first kindergarten class is formed in 1990 and the church leadership approves a plan to form an elementary school, adding a grade each year until they reach grade five at what will soon be called Traders Point Christian Academy.
• In 1997, the school incorporates and becomes its own entity separate from, but closely allied with, the church.
• Traders Point begins a young adult service on Saturday evenings in the gym in the summer of 1997. Called “Common Ground,” attendance at this service grows quickly to more than 300, and the service is moved to Sunday evenings in 1998.
• The final Lafayette Road building expansion project, the addition of a preschool wing to the church, is completed in the summer of 1998.^[1]

1999-2005

• Traders Point Christian Academy opens its first eighth grade in 2000 and celebrates 25 years of academic excellence.
• Common Ground Christian Church is planted and moves into a former Baptist church building in Broad Ripple and holds its first services in May, 2001. The new church becomes its own legal entity in 2002.
• In 2004, Traders Point begins its “Building on Purpose” campaign and purchases 90 acres just 10 minutes north of the Lafayette Road facility. The Lafayette Road facility is sold to another church congregation looking to expand.
• A groundbreaking event for the newest site is held on May 15, 2005 with the move date from Lafayette Road on June 30, 2006.^[1]

2006-Present

• Worship begins in the partially finished gym on July 2, 2006 with the new Worship Center opening on April 1, 2007.
• Grand Opening Weekend is held from April 20–22, 2007.
• Senior Minister Howard Brammer retires after 24 years of faithful service on June 11, 2007.
• Dr. J.K. Jones serves as interim pastor for six months during the lead pastor search.
• Aaron Brockett is approved as new Lead Pastor and begins preaching, December 2, 2007.
• In 2010 capacity was reached in the Children’s Ministry, which was the catalyst for the Generous Giants completion initiative in early 2012.
• Traders Point broke ground in effort to build adequate children's space on August 16, 2012.

Today, nearly 4,000 people worship and serve each weekend at Traders Point Christian Church.^[1]

Generous Giants Expansion Initiative

Generous Giants

From 2007 to 2012, God nearly tripled our overall weekly attendance and, as a result, our campus is bursting at the seams. The number of birth through elementary-age children we serve has increased by nearly 83%, causing our children’s ministry space to surpass maximum capacity, long before we ever expected it to when we first built and relocated to our current facility in 2007.

Starting in late 2011, we developed plans for the design and construction of new children’s facilities that would support The Worship Center when we’re at full capacity. Additionally, we purchased the 28 acres adjacent to our campus in an effort to improve traffic flow coming on to and off of our campus. Together, these solutions will help us further expand our impact for the Gospel here in Central Indiana.^[1]

The Park | Free Indoor Playground

The Park is a state-of-the-art play area with multiple play structures, two indoor basketball areas, a special needs area, and a mini-rock climbing wall. We often hear the question, “Is The Park just for members?” Our reply is, “Absolutely not!” So whether you are stopping by to let your children work off extra energy, meeting some friends to reconnect, or want to relax while your kids play in a safe, fun environment, we hope you feel at home and know you are welcome.^[2][3]

Park hours

• Monday through Friday - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday - 8 a.m. to noon
• Sunday - 2 to 8 p.m.^[2]

References