Hillyer Memorial Christian Church
Raleigh NC

We love single people, divorced people, widowed and married people. We love old people, young people, middle-aged people and crying babies. We love this community and we love sharing it with others. We love people who have not been to church in ages and those who never miss a Sunday. We love people who are filled with faith and those who are wrestling with doubt. We love people who could use a prayer right now and those who pray often. We love this city, and we are called to serve, to share, and to welcome our neighbors in God’s name and with God’s grace.

We are followers of Jesus, called by God to gather and nurture a growing community of disciples.

Since 1915, Hillyer Memorial Christian Church has joyfully welcomed all people to worship, serve, and grow in their relationships with God and one another. Hillyer is a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and dedicated to being a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.

Some churches want something from you; we are more concerned with what God wants for you: a worshipping community, holy friendships, dynamic spirituality, a sacred purpose, joyful generosity, and a faith worth sharing.

"Who you are TO God is always more important than what you believe ABOUT God." — Rev. Troy A. Tatum, Senior Minister, Retired 9.30.2022

What We believe

As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.

We believe in the centrality of scripture, recognizing that each person has the freedom - and the responsibility - to study God’s Word within the community of the church.

We practice the baptism of believers, while also recognizing baptisms performed in other churches, and believe that through their baptism all Christians are called to use their gifts in love and service.

We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of all Christians, proclaiming that in our diversity we belong to one another because we commonly belong to Christ.

 

http://www.hillyerchurch.org  

 

Hillyer is located on the corner of Hillsborough and St. Mary’s Streets in the historic Glenwood South neighborhood in the heart of Raleigh. If you are familiar with the area, we are just west of the Char Grill and just east of Saint Mary’s School on Hillsborough Street.  

Parking is available on Sunday mornings in the Williams/Cross office building lot at the northwest corner of Hillsborough Street and Boylan Avenue. Parking for disabled persons or those requiring easier access into the church may be found in our lot at the northeast corner of Hillsborough Street and St. Mary’s Street. In addition, four parking spaces in this lot have been reserved for visitors. Parking is allowed on Sunday morning in the No Parking and Bus Zones on St. Mary’s Street and Hillsborough Street. This includes the space directly in front of the church.  

In 1915 the first church building, erected at the corner of Hillsborough Street and Glenwood Avenue in 1915, was quickly outgrown. Through the leadership and financial support of E.C. Hillyer, the current lot was obtained and plans for a new church were made. The building was dedicated and occupied September 5, 1926, with George F. Cuthrell as minister. Church services continue to be held in this beautiful sanctuary today. The Great Depression added many burdens to the church because of heavy loans necessary for the completion of the building.

With the sudden death of Mr. Hillyer at the communion table, the church lost an able supporter. However, the building of an apartment house on church property as investment provided income and later, capital funds when the property was sold at the close of the World War II. During these difficult years, many members often made personal sacrifices to meet the obligations of the church.

The support of Mrs. Hillyer continued through the Depression and both world wars, and the provisions of her will removed the last indebtedness on the church property. The congregation then engaged in a vigorous program of expansion, leading to the construction in 1949-50 of the chapel and the entire Sunday School wing in back of the sanctuary.

Since then, the church has had several renovations to the original church building, including a major remodeling of the Fellowship Hall and the Sunday School classes. The original Cuthrell Chapel on the west side of the building was remodeled into the present church offices and library, and the present Cuthrell Chapel was built in the area of the old office. The installation of the new organ in the 1970’s signaled a major expansion in the music program of the church. During this period, the Hillyer Community Chorus was founded with concerts presented to the community each fall and spring. To this day, these concerts occupy a unique place in the Raleigh musical scene introducing choral works seldom heard in the United States.

The church has a history of community benevolence, most notably Meals on Wheels of Wake County which was instituted at its beginning with significant support from the church. Its offices were located in Hillyer facilities. In the 1980’s, the congregation sponsored refugee families from Poland and Laos. The church purchased a house on Jones Street behind the church building and relocated the Meals on Wheels program there. A second (more informal) worship service was added.

In 1990, Hillyer celebrated its 75th anniversary. This decade has seen further expansion of the church’s music program with the addition of youth and handbell choirs, and a choir for the early morning worship service. The congregation supported fundraising campaigns to enhance the mission of the Regional and General manifestations of the Christian Church, as well as its own capital campaign with funds used for updating the facility and future property acquisition. Throughout its 93-year history, Hillyer Memorial Christian Church has been outstanding in its participation in Regional and General affairs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Many members have served on committees and boards, offering leadership to all levels of the Christian Church.

The senior ministers who have led this congregation are: W.C. Foster, 1921-1923; George F. Cuthrell, 1924-1930; J. Randall Farris, 1930-1936; Newton J. Robinson, 1937- 1950; R. Fred West, 1950-1959; Thomas J. Youngblood, Jr., 1960-1971; Donald C. Brewer, 1971-1980; Joseph Grubbs, 1982-1989; Jerry S. Butt, 1990-2002; and David Mallory, 2003-present.