It can’t be easy hanging around for 100 years, but the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis (CFGI) has done it.
In addition, the organization has made many accomplishments along the way, while also uniting local residents of different faiths and cultures to move the community forward.
Over the next three months the CFGI will host a series of special events to celebrate its centennial.
“We are one of the six oldest faith councils in the country,” said Dr. Angelique Walker Smith, executive director. “The Church Federation is very honored and humbled by the many accomplishments that have been made over the past 100 years.”
The CFGI was established in 1912 by several churches downtown who realized there was a need for an organization that could create and strengthen relationships among congregations Indianapolis.
Known as “Indy’s place for faith networking,” the organization has a mission of helping churches live up to John 17:20-23, in which Christ says, “I pray…that all of them may be one…that they may be one as we are one…May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me.”
The CFGI operates by bringing together Christian groups (denominations, congregations, church-based and “para-church” organizations and educational institutions) to fellowship and serve people in need.
The organization also teams up with secular community organizations to help address challenges such as homelessness, hunger and neighborhood violence.
For example, the CFGI teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis this week to dedicate the first of 10 homes to be built in the Martindale-Brightwood area.
The new home, located next to School 51 at 2355 Stuart St., is the first of a series of homes resulting from a partnership between CFGI, Habitat, Martindale-Brightwood Neighborhood Community Development, Community Resurrection Partnership and the City of Indianapolis.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis, a long-time leader in helping low income families secure decent, affordable housing, is a key partner in the CFGI’s Centennial Celebration.
“The Church Federation is a strong, invaluable partner who is helping us to make a positive difference in the lives of so many who are struggling in our city,” said Jim Morris, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis.
On the same day, the CFGI held its Centennial Gala of Faith fundraiser at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, which included a keynote address by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Other special events are scheduled to celebrate the CFGI’s centennial, including the dedication of a special centennial book, Faith in the City: the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis, 1912-2012, on June 9, and a Sacred Walk of Prayer, Peace and Remembrance to various houses of worship on June 10 at 4:15 p.m. followed by a closing unity service at Christ Church Cathedral. The walk will begin at the historic Bethel AME Church near the downtown canal, the city’s oldest African-American church.
“We want to remember the witness of the great churches that have been around since the beginning,” Smith said.
More centennial activities will take place through September.
For 100 years, the CFGI has kept up with ever-changing societal and cultural issues, while organizing, energizing and mobilizing the Christian faith community to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Upon its creation, the organization had mostly predominantly white congregations in the central area of the city. Over time, however, the organization has incorporated churches made up of different denominations, cultural/ethnic groups and geographic areas in the city.
“When you look at the history, it’s kind of ironic,” Smith said. “Who would have thought that 100 years later, the federation would be as diverse as it is now, versus the way it was at the beginning.”
Eventually, the CFGI’s headquarters even moved from downtown to the near Westside to better accommodate the spread of residents and serve both inner and suburban church goers.
“Over the years the city became more decentralized, and its landscape changed,” Smith said. “We want to keep building relationships among urban and suburban congregations, and building relationships around mission work together. We’re looking at how to better connect those dots.”
She added that the CFGI, over its next 100 years, will look for even more opportunities to collaborate with community partners.
“We want to answer the question, ‘How do we live the gospel of Jesus Christ together as the body of Christ? The key of it all is working together,” she said.
The public is invited to attend all centennial events. For information on more events, visit churchfederationindy.org or indyfaith.org, or call (317) 926-5371.
