On June 17, 2007, a small group of Christians met together for the first time in a Morgantown hotel conference room to worship on the Lord's Day. Unable to conscientiously worship at their previous church home, and hesitant to drive several miles to congregations in other counties, these few families had decided to plant a new church in one the state's largest and fastest growing cities. Enlisting the help of area preachers John Board, Peter Ray Cole, Brent Gallagher, and Steve Snider, the University church of Christ began meeting for worship and Bible study in a local Hampton Inn. In August, the group moved to a small office space in Westover. With the addition of several WVU students, the church had soon filled the space to capacity seating, with attendances of 40 or more. In October they moved again to a much larger location at nearby 40 Commerce Drive in Westover.

Encouraged and excited by the recent growth, the church accomplished two important goals during the month of November: conducting its first gospel meeting and hiring its first full-time preacher. The gospel meeting was held November 28-30, with speakers Warren Kenney, Charles Pugh III, and Gene West. Attendance during the Thursday and Friday services reached 85 and 86 people respectively. Visitors from several area congregations helped to make the meeting a great success. Also during November, the church hired Ben Jones to begin working as their new preacher in January of 2008. Jones had previously been working as an associate minister for the Dewey Avenue church of Christ in St. Marys, WV.

Currently, twelve congregations (ranging in size from 12 to 400) and a few very kind individuals have given financial support for the preacher's salary and housing. Other churches have donated tracts, Bible class materials, and various supplies to help with the work. The brethren at University are extremely grateful for all forms of support and believe that the success of this work will be a blessing to the state. College students and recent graduates from at least eight congregations in West Virginia and Maryland regularly attend and participate in the services of the church, with a great potential for increase at West Virginia University.

At the present date, the church is still meeting in Westover at the Commerce Drive location, just off exit 152 of I-79, between Big Lots and the Econo Lodge. Times of service are Sunday at 2 pm for Bible study, 3pm for worship, and Thursday at 7 pm for Bible study. For more information, you may write to the University church of Christ, c/o Frank Kooser 1036 Curtis Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26501-7029, or contact Ben Jones at (304) 598-5749 or bscottjones@verizon.net

Return to West Virginia Christian