Our story

Nearly two centuries
in Bloomington.

Maple Grove Christian Church has been part of the Bloomington community since 1832, longer than Indiana has been a state. What started as a small congregation meeting in a one-room building on Lost Man's Lane has grown, moved, and been shaped by generations of faithful people.

We're part of the Restoration Movement, a tradition that asks a simple question: what would it look like to practice Christianity the way the New Testament describes it, without the layers of tradition and division that have piled up over the centuries? No creed but Christ. No book but the Bible. No name but Christian.

Today we gather on 15 acres on Simpson Chapel Road, but the heartbeat is the same as it's always been: ordinary people, together, learning to trust and follow Jesus.

1832

The beginning

Lost Man's Lane

The congregation was founded and met in a small one-room building, one of the earliest Christian Churches in Monroe County.

1850s

Mid-1800s

Maple Grove Road

The church moved to property at the top of Maple Grove Road, where the congregation worshipped for generations.

2008

A new home

Simpson Chapel Road

We purchased 15 acres on W. Simpson Chapel Road, our current home, with room to grow and serve the west side of Bloomington.

Now

Today

Helping People Trust & Follow Jesus

Sunday mornings, small groups, student ministry, kids' programs, and a community that's genuinely glad you're here.

Our mission

Why we exist.

"Helping people trust and follow Jesus."

We use the word disciple for that. A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus. That's what we're after — for ourselves and for everyone who walks through our doors.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

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Rooted in Scripture

The Bible is our authority. Every sermon, every decision, every practice, we keep coming back to the question: what does God's word say?

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Built on Community

Faith isn't a solo sport. We're committed to actually knowing each other, in small groups, Sunday mornings, and life in between.

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Open to Seekers

You don't have to have it figured out to belong here. Questions are welcome. Doubt is okay. We'd rather have honest seekers than polished pretenders.

What we believe

Our Statement of Faith

These are the convictions that shape everything we teach and do. We hold them not to divide, but because truth matters, and because what we believe about God changes how we live.

01 · The Bible

God's Word

We believe the Bible (all 66 books) is the inspired, infallible Word of God. It's the complete revelation of God's will and the final authority for Christian life.

02 · God the Father

One True God

We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things, Father to all who trust in his Son.

03 · Jesus Christ

Lord and Savior

We believe in the deity of Jesus: his virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and certain return in power and glory.

04 · The Holy Spirit

Present and Active

We believe the Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, indwells, and empowers believers, the ongoing presence of God at work in our lives and in the church.

05 · Humanity

Created and Fallen

We believe God created humanity in his image. Our willful fall into sin separated us from God, a condition that only the Holy Spirit's regenerative work can correct.

06 · Salvation

By Grace Through Faith

We are saved by God's grace alone, through personal faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work. All who are saved will never be separated from God.

07 · The Christian Life

Living for God's Glory

Those saved by grace exist to bring glory to God, witnesses of his love, shaped by the Spirit, and preserved by his sanctifying work until the end.

08 · The Church

Christ's Body

Jesus is the head of the Church. The local church is a body of believers assembled to worship, grow in Christ, and share him with the world around us.

09 · Baptism & Lord's Supper

Commanded & Symbolic

We practice water baptism and the Lord's Supper as commanded acts of obedience, beautiful symbols of the gospel, not means of earning salvation.

10 · Return of Christ

He Is Coming

We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, an expectation that shapes how we live, how we love, and what we hope for.

11 · Resurrection

Eternal Life

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead, believers to everlasting life in God's presence, unbelievers to judgment and separation from him.

12 · Marriage & Life

Created & Valued

We believe God created each person as male or female, that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and that every human life has dignity from conception.

Our full statement of faith is available at the church. You're also welcome to email us and we'll be happy to send you a copy or answer any questions.

A place where real people belong.

Nearly two centuriesin Bloomington.

Lost Man's Lane

Maple Grove Road

Simpson Chapel Road

Helping People Trust & Follow Jesus

Why we exist.

Rooted in Scripture

Built on Community

Open to Seekers

Our Statement of Faith

God's Word

One True God

Lord and Savior

Present and Active

Created and Fallen

By Grace Through Faith

Living for God's Glory

Christ's Body

Commanded & Symbolic

He Is Coming

Eternal Life

Created & Valued

The people who serve here.

Nick Spencer

Chris Rose

Andrea Miller

Our Elders

We'd love to see you Sunday.

Address

Service Times

Office Hours

Phone

Email

Follow Along

A place where
real people
belong.

Nearly two centuries
in Bloomington.