Brick Church Member: Christopher Allen

Seeing people gather together in a house of worship and genuinely enjoy their time here is something I find deeply fulfilling.

My name is Christopher Allen, and I joined Brick Church in the spring of 1980 along with my parents, Pat and Lee Allen. Shortly thereafter, I left for boarding school and, except for holidays, was away from the church until the late 1980s. When I returned and began serving as an usher, my journey at Brick truly began. It is a journey that continues today, and one that I hope will continue for many years to come.

A Call to Serve

I first became a Deacon in 1994 while serving as Head Usher. During that time, I was involved in several ministries that delivered food to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. I found that work both meaningful and challenging, and it deepened my appreciation for the church's ministry beyond its walls.

In the early years of this century, I was ordained as an Elder and served as Chair of the Joint Finance Committee. A few years later, I had the privilege of helping oversee the renovation of our sanctuary in 2004. It was an uplifting experience that remains one of my most treasured memories at Brick.

My journey at Brick truly began when I returned as an usher, and it is a journey that continues today.

The Beauty of Worship

Sunday worship has always been central to my life. For nearly a decade, I have served as the Church Beadle, succeeding Ellsworth Stanton. I value the beauty and structure of our worship service—not because of the formality itself, but because it helps me order my thoughts, focus my heart, and center my attention on God's work in our lives and our calling to serve Him.

I also take great pride in caring for the sanctuary and helping preserve the heritage of this sacred space so that we can put our best foot forward in worship.

Order of St. Paul

One ministry that is especially meaningful to me is the Order of St. Paul. I believe it is one of the unique treasures of Brick Church. It gives children the opportunity to participate actively and meaningfully in worship, helping them develop a lifelong connection to the church and to God.

In a city where children have countless demands on their time and attention, the Order of St. Paul provides a reason to come to church and become invested in its life and ministry. It has been an important part of Brick Church for generations, long before my time, and I hope it continues for generations to come.

The beauty and structure of worship help me order my thoughts, focus my heart, and center my attention on God's work in our lives.

Hosting with Hospitality

I have always loved cooking for friends and family. While I would never own a restaurant, I take great joy in preparing special meals for the people I care about. That love is what led me to cook for the Congregational Dinner, following in the footsteps of my mother, who did the same for many years before me.

It is truly a labor of love. Seeing people gather together in a house of worship and genuinely enjoy their time here is something I find deeply fulfilling.

A Seat in the Chancel

From my seat in the chancel, I have the privilege of looking out over the congregation during worship. I see faces attentive to the service, engaged in prayer and praise. I especially enjoy watching the children gathered on the chancel steps during the children's message, completely captivated by what they are hearing. To me, that is the light of Christ shining every Sunday morning.

I also see Christ's light shining through the many ministries we support as a congregation, particularly those focused on outreach. Whether it is feeding those who are hungry, delivering meals to those who are homebound, or caring for neighbors in need, I see Christ reflected in the faithful service of Brick Church members every day.

I see Christ reflected in the faithful service of Brick Church members every day.

My Spiritual Home

What does Brick Church mean to me today? The simplest answer is that it is home.

It is my spiritual home, my family home, and my community. It holds a special place in my heart-perhaps the biggest place of all. I truly enjoy walking through its doors each Sunday and every other day I am fortunate enough to be here.

Brick Church has become an essential part of my life, and I cannot imagine life without it.

The simplest answer is that it is home.