The history of the Sunset Church of Christ is rooted in church planting. Sunset was formed through the merger of two congregations with deep and rich histories in Springfield—the Broadway & Madison Church of Christ and the Scenic & Weaver Church of Christ.
In March 1985, these two congregations united and began worshiping together in the Scenic & Weaver building. Construction soon began on a new facility at the corner of South Fort Avenue and West Sunset Street, where the first worship services were held on August 10, 1986.
To fully appreciate Sunset’s heritage and its commitment to planting and strengthening churches, it is helpful to look at the history of the two congregations that became one.
SCENIC & WEAVER
The Scenic & Weaver congregation traces its beginnings to the Walnut Hill Church of Christ. In 1882, Brother Alexander Clapp donated land on which the original Walnut Hill building was constructed.
About 1890, the congregation divided over the use of instrumental music in worship. Those who favored instrumental music occupied the building for several years before eventually leaving it. In 1911, the congregation committed to a cappella worship returned to the Walnut Hill building.
Around 1912, Brother O. L. Hardin and his family temporarily lived in the Walnut Hill building after moving from Texas, until purchasing a nearby farm. Afterward, the congregation resumed meeting there.
Eventually, the Walnut Hill building was sold and relocated. The congregation then began meeting on property purchased at the nearby Central Point School. In the early 1970s, a new auditorium was added to the former school building, followed later by additional classrooms and office space. As Springfield grew and surrounding roads were officially named, the congregation became known as the South Scenic & Weaver Church of Christ.
BROADWAY & MADISON
The Broadway & Madison congregation first met in its new building in February 1916, with Brother O. L. Hardin serving as its first minister. 
This congregation itself was the result of church planting, having been established through the efforts of the Johnston & Dale Church of Christ.
As the congregation grew during the 1920s, the building was expanded. Continued growth eventually led to the purchase of property on South National Avenue, where another congregation was planted. The South National Avenue Church of Christ began meeting in its new building in 1930, with many members from Broadway & Madison helping establish the new work.
In 1958, another addition was completed at Broadway & Madison, and during the 1960s the congregation purchased five acres in southwest Springfield in anticipation of future growth.
A SUCCESSFUL MERGER
During the mid-1980s, leaders from the Scenic & Weaver and Broadway & Madison congregations began discussing the possibility of joining together. John Alley served as minister at Scenic & Weaver, while Dave Dowlen ministered at Broadway & Madison. The cooperative spirit demonstrated by these men, along with the elders of both congregations, established a foundation of love, unity, and teamwork that continues to characterize Sunset today.
The resources of both congregations were combined to build a new facility on the five-acre property previously purchased by the Broadway & Madison congregation at the corner of South Fort Avenue and West Sunset Street. The first services in the new building were held on August 10, 1986.
The leadership of the newly formed Sunset Church of Christ reflected the unity of both congregations.
The first elders were:
• Lowell DeBusk • Doyal Lindsey • Orin Robinson • Gene Scroggins • J. W. Smith • Darrel York
The first deacons were:
• Carlyle Cochran • Jess Hedden • Robert Kerley • Jerry Mays • Jack Miller • Don Smith • Lewis Walsh
John Alley and Dave Dowlen continued serving together as ministers of the new congregation.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
Since its beginning, the Sunset Church of Christ has enjoyed decades of growth, unity, and faithful service.
Bruce Potter served as pulpit minister from 1988 to 1992. Joe Bright began serving in June 1993 and faithfully ministered until his retirement in January 2018. Phillip Bates joined the congregation in 2019 and continues to serve as pulpit minister today.
With church planting woven into its heritage, Sunset has continued that tradition by helping establish three congregations and supporting numerous ministries over the years.
Following the challenges of 2020 and 2021, Sunset renewed its focus on reaching the unchurched in our community while strengthening disciples of Christ. Our mission is simple: to worship God, connect with one another, and serve both our church family and our community as we share the hope of Jesus Christ.
More than 140 years after the story began at Walnut Hill, the Sunset Church of Christ continues to build on that legacy of faith, unity, and church planting. As we look to the future, our desire remains the same—to glorify God by making disciples, serving our community, and helping people find new life in Jesus Christ.