Where We Came From...
In January 1946 Island Christian Church (then called Northport Baptist Church) officially began Sunday morning services in the Odd Fellows’ Building, 55 Main Street, Northport Village. Its first pastor was Albert R. Siebert. After several years of consistent growth, the church moved to Laurel and Scudder Avenues in 1952, its home until ground was broken for its new (and current) location, at the corner of Elwood and Clay Pitts Roads, in October 1962. Since that time, the church has gone through several building renovations, including two major expansions in 1990 and in 2008, respectively. In 2018, the sanctuary was completely renovated.
Over the 75 years, 12 pastors would lead the church, with its longest-tenured pastor, Dr. Lester Ayars in that role for 47 years, making him the longest-serving pastor of the same church on Long Island. The church went on to grow to 600-700 adults and children each Sunday (pre-Covid), with close to 40 different ministries. These include connection groups, ministry to men and women, a marriage-strengthening ministry, along with a bustling children’s and youth department. The church also has a global reach through the many missionaries it has sent and supports—Nicaragua, Spain, Cuba, The Philippines, and Nepal to name a few of the locales impacted by the church over the years.
While it is good to reflect back on how the Lord has worked in and through Island Christian Church over these many years, what is truly exciting is the future of this ministry. It is preparing for the next generation that ranks at the top of what’s most important. But wherever you are in life, we believe God has a purpose for you. We would love to help you find it through being a part of the community here at Island!