History

  • 1968

    Rev. Daryl Richman began evangelistic work at the University of Virginia, which resulted in a number of students converting to faith in Jesus Christ.

  • Early 1970s

    Under Daryl Richman’s leadership, a group of faculty and townspeople rented a house on Elliewood Avenue where they hosted lectures, fellowship meetings, and other events for UVA students.

  • 1976

    The organization formally incorporated under the name University Christian Ministries, Inc. (UCM) and bought a 1920s house on Chancellor Street.

  • Mid-1980s

    The Center continued under Executive Director David Turner (far right) through his development of both summer and year-long programs designed to educate lay people in theological training.

  • 1987

    Drew Trotter, an early leader of UCM, returns to the Center for Christian Study as the Executive Director.

  • 1996

    The Center for Christian Study expanded their building with a 5,000 square-foot addition.

  • Early 2000s

    The Center for Christian Study begins the Elzinga Residential Scholars Program. Initially an undergraduate male residential program, it expanded to add women in the Yellow House next door to the Study Center.

  • Late 2000s

    Rush Hospitality began at the Center for Christian Study as a way to minister to its Greek neighbors on Chancellor Street and care for women upon their return to Grounds for sorority recruitment.

  • Today

    The Center for Christian Study remains focused on training the new generation in historic, biblical Christianity, in wise discussion of Truth, and in the juncture of culture and faith.

Beliefs

  • Scripture

    We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the authoritative Word of God, divinely inspired and written in the words of men. The Bible is entirely trustworthy and is the final authority in everything it teaches.

  • Trinity

    We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

    We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Further, he rose bodily from the dead, ascended in to heaven, where, at the right hand of God the Father, he now is our high priest and advocate.

  • Creation

    We believe that man and woman were created in the image of God but have fallen into sin and are therefore under the wrath of God. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained because sin has alienated sinners from God, darkened their minds, crippled their wills and made them unable to serve him.

  • Salvation

    We believe that the loving grace of God is the source of our salvation and that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and his resurrection provide the only ground for our justification. He took our sin upon himself, was judged in our place, and gives his righteousness to us. This work of grace provides salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become the adopted children of God.

  • The Church

    We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which he is the head. The Church's calling is to worship and serve God in the world, to proclaim and defend his truth, to exhibit his character, to pursue the quest for righteousness and justice, and to demonstrate the reality of his new order by creative and sacrificial living in the community of love.

  • Hope

    We believe in the future, visible coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring salvation and judgment to completion. This blessed hope of the Church has a vital bearing on daily living by calling believers to watchfulness, holiness, and earnest service.

    We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead: of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting punishment.