Our History
"History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history."
James Baldwin
Pine Valley Christian Church was founded in 1966 as an alternative to the traditional Disciples of Christ church. When the new building was built in 1978, the architectural design of the building was based on the theological concert of “separation is sin”. The outside was made to blend in with the neighborhood, avoiding a visual sense of separation.
The Sanctuary is called the Great Hall. Seating is on one level. The baptistery is placed at the entrance of the church so one symbolically passes through the baptismal waters upon entering the front door. The communion table is in the center, so everyone has equal access to communion and chairs are on all four sides of it. The entire Great Hall is all on one level, there is no chancel, no designated seating, and the minister wears no formal robe.
Our constitution was written to express the theological understanding of the church seen in the symbolic model which pictures the church as both Gathered and Scattered. We gather to seek clarity about the Word for daily life and to respond in faith through worship and fellowship in a structure that is inclusive and brings hope to all. We scatter to witness by word and deed, the call of Jesus to be church and to care for people and creation in our community, nation, and world. We are a Christian community that loves God and our neighbor, where everyone is welcome at Christ’s table. God celebrates you just as you are and so do we.
Because of our gathering and scattering emphasis, we have engaged in a multitude of issues. Highlights over the years are as follows:
Some Historical Examples
1969
In 1969, we opened Pine Valley Day Care to address a local childcare shortage. It was Wichita’s only integrated center serving children ages 3 to 12.
1976
In 1976, with much turmoil in South America, we sponsored a refugee family of five from Chile.
1978
In 1978, we adopted the “Human Rights Manifesto” confirming our beliefs that human rights
1980
In 1980, we sponsored a family of six from Laos.
1997
In 1997, we opened our building to the Annor Islamic School. Each year they added another grade until 2000 when they completed building their new facility.
2016
In 2016, we started Camp Sunflower with the help of other churches and organizations for LGBTQIA+ high school youth.
2025
Pine Valley entered into a MOU/grant with the Kansas Region with the purpose of calling a transformational minister to lead with the congregation in next era of faithful witness. PVCC is a progressive faith with action that adds value to the Beloved Community of Wichita.
2026
The Congregation voted to make all restrooms in the facility non-gendered. We feel this is an important public witness with our queer community. It is also a reaction to the Kansas legislature passing an anti-trans bill in the early spring [Senate bill 244].
We have always been an “Open and Affirming” congregation ; which means we are fully inclusive of the LGBTQIA community.
Visitors to Pine Valley are likely to notice a symbol, not likely seen in other Christian churches. We call it “The Wedge Blade”. It was introduced by the Ecumenical Institute in the 60’s. The cross, of course, is a powerful symbol in all Christian churches, and represents a wide spectrum of belief in its meaning. The meaning of the wedge blade is described in the phrase The wedge blade of history is forged by those who stand between the no longer and the not yet, laying down their lives for the sake of all people. For some of us the wedge blade is a powerful symbol of our response to Jesus’ gift of his life. It is a call to action. Didn’t Jesus say greater things than this you will do. The wedge blade is about doing greater things.
When we say one is on the point of the wedge blade, it involves taking a risk, possibly exposing oneself to an unwanted outcome, to achieve a greater good. Sometimes it involves considerable time and effort to help those in need. It does not necessarily mean giving up your life, although it has been known to happen.