Pastor Carl Sweatman behind his pulpit. Photo by Chamberlain Zulauf/The Connection
The Antioch Christian Church of Vienna celebrated its 115 anniversary this past Sunday, June 16. To spread the word about their historic landmark in Vienna, Pastor Carl Sweatman and some of the members of the church took to welcoming anybody into their church for free donuts and coffee.
Faith Dougherty, a member for 6 years now, chose Antioch after moving to Vienna from Ohio, because of its non-denominational independence. Antioch’s sermons are unusual in that everything being taught comes from the Bible; “If it’s not in the Bible, you’re not going to hear it from the pulpit,” said Dougherty.
The church is a comfortable community; if someone doesn’t understand something in the sermon, they can simply shout out for clarification. Often, during sermons, members take notes and are joined by the pastor amongst the pews. Antioch Church has two different kinds of service, one for those who prefer a more structured service, and another that is much more relaxed, with contemporary music and communion by intinction.
“[I like] the casual nature; you don’t feel like you have to dress up. For what? Who are you going to impress? You’re not going to impress God,” says Scott Byrd, member since 1990.
The main chapel of the church is made almost entirely of the original materials, save for a 4-foot panel of roof where a leak came. The church was made by hand from local resources in only 8 months from 1903-1904.
“The longevity of this church has to do primarily with the commitment of the people who are here, there is a lot of ownership. This is us and this is who we are,” said Sweatman. At some points in Antioch’s history membership had gotten down to only five members, yet it is still here today.
Byrd has this to say out of both appreciation and faith: “I’m not sure how to describe what this church means to my faith, because the church is the body of people and the church is simply where they meet.”