About CCF
The Mission of CCF
Exalt Christ
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. -- Phil. 1:20 NIV
Meet Needs
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. -- 2 Cor. 9:12 NIV
Build a Faith Community
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another... -- Heb. 10:23-25 NIV
The History of CCF and Our Meetinghouse
Members of the First Seventh Day Baptist (SBD) Church of Alfred, NY, were living in the Town of Independence and wanted a church of their own faith established there. A council was called in March 1834, and 18 people signed as members. Membership in 1896 was 124. In 1844 a building was erected at a cost of $800, replaced in 1875 by one costing $3000. This burned in January 1884, and was replaced by the current building at a cost of $2500. -- from history notes on the SDB church building, published in 1896 in Allegany County and Its People.
In 1974, area Mennonites who had been doing a summer Bible School for local children at the request of the SDBs, and desired to meet together regularly, requested permission of the SDB congregation to meet in an auxiliary building. The SDB congregation graciously offered the church building for use on Sundays, as they, of course, met on the Sabbath, or Saturday. A few years later, the remaining few Seventh Day Baptists in the Town of Independence transferred their memberships to Alfred Station SDB Church and sold the building to the Mennonite congregation for $1500.
The first name of the “new” church was Independence Gospel Fellowship. Since Sunday School and social space was needed, the basement was dug out and four classrooms, a kitchen, two bathrooms, a mechanical room, and a large, welcoming social area were added.
The first organizing pastors were Robert Buckwalter and Glenn Brubaker. Don Siegrist served as pastor for many years, as did John Lapp. In April of 2008, the group took the name "Chenunda Creek Fellowship." -- written and submitted by Sherry Volk
Meet our Pastor
Stephen Richard has pastored at CCF since 2008. Prior to that he was an elder and youth minister at Yorks Corners Mennonite Church. He is also on the faculty at Alfred State College, where he teaches all facets of masonry and related construction courses. He and his wife Dawn live in Genesee, PA.
Stephen Richard
A mason by trade, Pastor Stephen often finds ways to integrate his work into his sermons.
We Welcome You to Join Us!
Our weekly service starts at 9:40 AM for all ages. After the service, we have Sunday School and then all are welcome to share lunch together. We also share the service via Zoom. If you would like to join us online or by phone, please use the Contact form to request the Zoom invitation. We look forward to hearing from you!
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