About
Who we are
The history of St. Charles River Church is a journey of faith, friendship, and a long-held dream for the St. Charles area.
Our history and story
If you want to know more about the journey of faith that led St. Charles River Church to this point, and the vision guiding us today, you have come to the right place.
Barry & Gina Ivie
A shared story and a growing dream
Barry and Gina Ivie were raised in the greater St. Louis area and first met at a youth conference in South County. They married in 1981 and moved to St. Charles in 1984, where their daughters, Meghan and Kristen, were born.
In 1987, Pastor Rex Bornman began mentoring Barry at First Assembly of God. Together they spent many hours driving Highway 94, discussing the St. Charles area and dreaming of a church plant that could serve the Highway 40/94 area.
Barry joined the pastoral staff of First Assembly of God in 1995 as Pastor of Family Life and became Senior Associate Pastor in late 1998. In 1999, he began sharing with Gina and close friends that he believed God was releasing them into the dream they had carried for years.
Our journey
From a first gathering to a permanent home
July 26, 2000 — The call
Barry received the call confirming that he was now the senior pastor of St. Charles River Church. After years of prayer, preparation, and dreaming, the church plant was becoming a reality.
October 1, 2000 — Our first gathering
St. Charles River Church officially gathered for the first time at the Busch Wildlife Pavilion in Weldon Spring. Eighty-seven people shared breakfast and worshiped God under the pavilion.
November 5, 2000 — Independence Elementary
After meeting for a month in parks, homes, and wherever space was available, the church moved into its first temporary location at Independence Elementary School. One hundred fifty people attended that inaugural Sunday.
November 7, 2004 — Westwood Industrial Park
SCRC first met in its new facility at 810 Westwood Industrial Park Drive in Weldon Spring. For the next 15 years, the church shared its message throughout St. Charles County from that location.
November 17, 2019 — Waterbury Falls
After accepting an offer on the Weldon Spring building and preparing a new location off Highway K, SCRC held its first service at 967 Waterbury Falls in O'Fallon.
Today
The story is still being written
Today, St. Charles River Church continues to partner with its family and friends to put the call of Christ into action. We encourage each person to reach out, encourage, equip, and partner with friends, co-workers, family, and people continents away.
We believe God has created every person with gifts and strengths that can serve His Kingdom. We are glad you are here, and we invite you and your family to join us as this journey continues.
Join us on the journey
Come worship with us and discover your place in the continuing story of St. Charles River Church.