OUr Church Story
Established in Newark on April 24, 1884, 'Newark' Central Christian Church holds a rich legacy of faith, leadership, and community service. For over 140 years the church has been continually growing and evolving our mission, outreach, and witness to serve and support its members and our local community.
Historical milestones
1884: NCCC was organized on April 24th with 18 charter members.
1895: The N. 4th Street Location was dedicated on June 9th.
1904: Dedication of a new addition to the 4th Street Church on June 19th.
1915: Rev. Ward organized the Church of Christ at W. Main St. & Williams St.
1946: 4th Street Church building was a total loss due to fire on December 27, 1946.
1947: The Central Christian Church Lodge, at 503 Eleanor Pkwy., was dedicated on October 12th.
1949: Mt. Vernon and Rugg Ave. land was purchased for the 'new' church site. *Camp Christian, our Ohio Regional Campground, was established.
1950: Cornerstone was laid and the first worship service was held on Christmas Eve in the new Fellowship Hall.
1951: First worship in the new Sanctuary, on Palm Sunday, and the dedication of the Good Shepherd window on April 1st
1976: Formally adopted name "Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
1988: Resolution created for inclusive membership.
2001: Medical Loan Closet Ministry was established in the basement of the church.
2022: Blessing Pantry Built on the corner of the Mt. Vernon & Rugg Ave. Property.
1895: The N. 4th Street Location was dedicated on June 9th.
1904: Dedication of a new addition to the 4th Street Church on June 19th.
1915: Rev. Ward organized the Church of Christ at W. Main St. & Williams St.
1946: 4th Street Church building was a total loss due to fire on December 27, 1946.
1947: The Central Christian Church Lodge, at 503 Eleanor Pkwy., was dedicated on October 12th.
1949: Mt. Vernon and Rugg Ave. land was purchased for the 'new' church site. *Camp Christian, our Ohio Regional Campground, was established.
1950: Cornerstone was laid and the first worship service was held on Christmas Eve in the new Fellowship Hall.
1951: First worship in the new Sanctuary, on Palm Sunday, and the dedication of the Good Shepherd window on April 1st
1976: Formally adopted name "Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
1988: Resolution created for inclusive membership.
2001: Medical Loan Closet Ministry was established in the basement of the church.
2022: Blessing Pantry Built on the corner of the Mt. Vernon & Rugg Ave. Property.
who are the disciples of Christ?
You can learn more about the wider religious tradition, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that we are a part of on our National Website here, Our Identity: A Covenant Conversation.
THE staff
co-ministers
Rev. Kara and Rev. Chad are serving Newark Central together as Co-Ministers. They have been married since 2009 and have four daughters, all school age. They have come ‘home’ to Ohio after serving in various congregations in Kentucky and North Carolina for over 15 years. As Co-Ministers they are able to share their unique gifts and work together to serve alongside all who are a part of Newark Central.
rev. kara swartzRev. Kara grew up as a Disciples of Christ in the Greater Cincinnati area, and loves the Reds, Bengals, and Skyline Chili. She attended Ohio University and received a BS in Communications from the Scripps College of Communications. In 2011 she received her Masters of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. She served as Student minister and then Senior Minister at Berea Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) until her move to NC in 2012. She became the Senior Minister at Hooker Memorial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Greenville, NC in May of 2013 and served there until December 2021.
Her passions in ministry are communication and intergenerational community. Those passions have led her to serve in various capacities and roles locally, regionally, and nationally. She has been involved in Church Camp in some capacity and in various areas whether as attendee, counselor, or keynoter. In recent years she, along with her spouse Rev. Chad, have served as a Facilitator for Just Say Know Ministries, an ecumenical ministry focused on working with young people and their grown-ups to better understand their Spirituality and Sexuality. She is an avid reader with varied topic interests. She loves to bake and cook fun new recipes. She is also a creative crafter who likes to do all sorts of fun DIY projects, some of which end up on the to-do list for a while. You can often find her running around trying new things and visiting fun places with her family. |
Rev. Chad PenhorwoodRev. Chad grew up as a Disciples of Christ in Lima, Ohio; and is an avid Buckeye, Reds and Browns fan. He graduated from Otterbein College with a Bachelors in Religion and Philosophy and In 2011, he earned his Masters of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary. Through undergraduate he served at First Christian church and the United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, as well as Northwest Christian in Columbus. During Seminary he served Douglass Blvd. Christian Church as well as Moorefeild Christian. In 2012, he moved with his wife, Rev. Kara, to serve First Christian Church of Washington in North Carolina. He also served Ayden Christian Church and Southwest Christian Church; in addition to ministry in the church, he works as a Teacher Assistant serving students with specific needs, particularly those with Autism & ADHD.
His pastoral passions are community outreach and pastoral care. He has served for several terms as a Regional Youth Advisor in North Carolina. Church Camp is a huge part of his ministry as attendee, counselor, or keynoter. Since 2013 he has served beside his spouse Rev. Kara, as a Facilitator for Just Say Know Ministries, an ecumenical ministry focused on working with young people and their grown-ups to better understand their Spirituality and Sexuality. He is extremely blessed to be part of this wonderful congregation at Newark Central, and he hopes, along side his wife, four daughters (total daughter dad), and the Newark Faith Family….God’s message through Christ will grow brighter. |
CHILDREN & YOUTH COORDINATOR
Emily schmitt
Emily Schmitt grew up in the Disciples of Christ denomination. Throughout her youth, she was active in a dynamic youth group, attended church camp and vacation Bible school each summer, and developed her faith journey alongside many wonderful mentors and lifelong friends. Emily continues to serve the youth of the Christian Church in Ohio (DOC) by counseling at Camp Christian each summer. She believes in the power of multi-generational communities and strives to create connections between youth and adults of all ages.
Emily is a full-time Kindergarten teacher, wife, mother of 4 active boys, a Cub Scout Den Leader, assistant sports coach, and spends the majority of her time volunteering with and mentoring youth of all ages. At Newark Central Christian Church, Emily works to coordinate volunteers to teach and serve as faith mentors for Children and Youth ages birth to 12th Grade. She plans, and coordinates Faith Hour (Sunday School) classes and plans service and fellowship events for the children and youth.
Emily is a full-time Kindergarten teacher, wife, mother of 4 active boys, a Cub Scout Den Leader, assistant sports coach, and spends the majority of her time volunteering with and mentoring youth of all ages. At Newark Central Christian Church, Emily works to coordinate volunteers to teach and serve as faith mentors for Children and Youth ages birth to 12th Grade. She plans, and coordinates Faith Hour (Sunday School) classes and plans service and fellowship events for the children and youth.
Worship Accompanist
Tara Lewellen
Tara Lewellen grew up in the Akron area, and became a Christian July 25, 1976, her mom’s birthday. She immediately started playing piano/organ in church, and has been playing ever since!
Tara earned a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Akron. Besides playing in church, she was a ballet accompanist for many years at the Atlanta Ballet, Georgia Ballet, Kennesaw University, and is currently the ballet accompanist at Kenyon College. She also accompanies music students at Kenyon College and for the Newark City Schools.
Tara is married to Dale Lewellen, and between them they have eight grown children and many grandchildren. They are thankful to be a part of Newark Central Christian Church.
Tara earned a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Akron. Besides playing in church, she was a ballet accompanist for many years at the Atlanta Ballet, Georgia Ballet, Kennesaw University, and is currently the ballet accompanist at Kenyon College. She also accompanies music students at Kenyon College and for the Newark City Schools.
Tara is married to Dale Lewellen, and between them they have eight grown children and many grandchildren. They are thankful to be a part of Newark Central Christian Church.
Custodian & Maintenance
James "Jim" Untied
Jim Untied serves as our Custodian and Maintenance person doing a lot each week to keep the building clean and also do maintenance and repairs.
He is married to his wife Becky, of over 50 years. He enjoys fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He is married to his wife Becky, of over 50 years. He enjoys fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
© 2026 Newark Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) | 587 Mt. Vernon Road, Newark, OH 43055 | 740-366-4961