Upon This Rock church opens at new Charles City location

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A new church is looking to grow in Charles City.

Upon This Rock church is opening its doors in a new location at 709 N. Main St.

Founded by Victoria Mead with her husband, Jamey, the little church is a new addition to the community and is looking for new members.

Ordained in 2019, Mead moved to Charles City for her first ministry job at United Church of Christ in Colwell and has remained since.

“We love Charles City and the people,” she said.

Mead registered Upon This Rock Church in 2021, but didn’t do anything with it until recently. After being let go by United Church of Christ, Mead decided to continue preaching, building a small congregation of her own.

In September of last year, Mead started up a new service out of the C.A.Y.A. (“Come As You Are”) Transition Home 4 Men, which the Meads also founded.

“We kept doing the house church until something opened up that was the right fit,” said Mead.

Now the church has found that fit, moving in to its new location on Aug. 1.

With the capacity for about 40 people plus kids, Mead hopes to see the new church expand its membership so it can become more active in the community.

She describes the church as an apostolic fivefold ministry, which describes the five ministry roles they seek to fill.

“We believe the five gifts are still being used through people in this day and age,” said Mead. “We are just average people seeking Christ for answers to this life.”

The up-and-coming church will have a Sunday worship and plans to expand into support groups for people struggling with addiction recovery and mental health. Mead says she would also like to start an evening children’s program that would allow parents to get away for a night out.

“That’s the vision for now,” said Mead. “I believe in this little space there is going to be a lot of helping.”

The church will have its first official service in its new location on Sunday, Aug. 11.

“We welcome everyone,” said Mead. “Come explore the love of Jesus at Upon This Rock Church.”