We thank God for all the saints, past and present, who have and are still working to keep our congregation biblical in preaching, spiritual in focus, evangelistic in Spirit and nondenominational in status, a viable part of the brotherhood. Writing the history of the Westside has been an enlightening and enjoyable experience. We are deeply grateful to the many ministers and members who have entered our doors over the years imparting Spiritual enrichment upon us. Giving all the Praise, all the Glory and all the Honor to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit, our Guide.
We are so very thankful that you have discovered our website. Here at Westside, you will find a group of loving Christians that is striving to practice New Testament Christianity. We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, Romans 1:16.
If you are new to the area and you are looking for a home congregation, in which to worship, we invite you to visit with us at any and every opportunity you may have. Please refer to our schedule of services below. If you find any areas of the website that you may have questions about, please call the number listed below and if no one should answer, please leave your name, phone number and a detailed message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Sisters Catherine Williams who also served as the 1st Secretary of Martin Luther King, move from Alabama to Jacksonville and worked along with Mary Scrivens as our first volunteers to publish the church bulletins, “The Westside Weekly” and they did so for 10 years. In September 1983 Linda Richardson was hired as part-time secretary and due to increased ministries and activities she accepted a full time position. In 1997 Annette Clark was receptionist/bookkeeper to the staff.
In 2002-2003 Kathryn Robinson became church receptionist. Other receptionists were: Deanna Maiden, Lanorita Butler, Gina Hogan, and Gloria Murray. Our current staff consist of faithful volunteers: Office Manager- Mary Jane Dinish, assisted by Beverly Griffin and Linda Richardson; Lastly, our custodians were Frank Harris, Billy Cason, Robert Richardson, Michael Holzendorf, Leon Butler, Ronnie Murray, Sr. Clarence Pugh and Tina Logan. Our current staff workers are faithful volunteers
In 1956 the first volunteers to work with the young people were Sisters Juanita Ward, Mamie Dixon, Beatrice Hammond and Catherine Williams. Others in our history includes: Revella Faye Israel, Linda Speights, Monroe & Mary Jane Dinish, Robert & Linda Richardson, Larry & Beverly Clark, Mario & Cathy Robinson.
On January 1, 2000, Marcus & Gloria Watkins was hired as full time youth minister. Patricia Colbert and Linda Richardson picked up the torch and again changed the younger singers name to “Genesis”, while the older youth singers were called “Gods True Harmony under the leadership of Marie Burge and Janie Davis Youngblood. This effort produced their first CD “Nothing Like A Christian’s Love”. In 2001 our first Bible Bowl team was organized with Pam Denson as Coordinator.
May of 2001 Deacon Larry Clark reclaimed the position of Youth Ministry Director working with the young people traveling to Youth Conferences, attending youth extravaganzas with 86 youth and adults to congregations in Albany, Atlanta, and Valdosta Georgia. Ron Murray, Sr. and Mario Robinson, Sr. were appointed to the Youth Ministry Directors position in 2005 and in 2012 Jermal Butler served as the Youth Coordinator.
As a result of personal work classes, the membership grew, holding two services each Sunday and it became apparent that Westside had outgrown its present facility. As God would have it, while discussing the purchase of the property on Basset Road. Elder Andrew Jackson brought the prospectus of our current facility to the attention of the leadership.
On March 18, 2000 Westside was blessed to hold our first worship service in our current location 1800 N. Main Street in downtown Jacksonville Florida with a 1,200 seat capacity, 250 seating capacity Dining/Fellowship/Social Hall, a commercial kitchen, an audio sound room, 12 classrooms, office space and other beautiful amenities.
Providing financial support for the establishment and/or maintenance of the following congregations: High Springs, Alachua, Palatka Florida; Miller Street Church of Christ, Northside Church of Christ (formerly called Almeda Street), Southside Mission -Jacksonville, Florida; Southside Church of Christ, Durham, N.C.; Trinidad Mission Church of Christ with minister Mahase Basundas and family, Church of Christ in Tabango, Haiti minister Alvirah Gentyard; Church of Christ in Liberia Africa minister Manston Kerkula. Radio Program "Let the Bible Speak 1970-1973.
Singers: Westside Family under Beatrice Hammond in 1952 transitioned to the Westside Singers under Revella Faye Israel to the leadership of Vincent & Marian Gilmore, a two week gospel tour from Jacksonville to Canada with stops to 5 other cities, and produced 3 cassette tapes “Jesus You Brought Me”, “Yes Lord” and in 1988. Due to illness of the previous director, leadership fell to Torrance Cox, Sr. and 2 additional CD’s were produced. Over the years the congregation can boast of thousands being added to the Body of Christ and are still serving faithfully throughout these United States.
