About Us
Ministering Evangelist:
John T. Hamilton
Our History
Three brethren that were worshipping at the Northside church of Christ in Hartford, CT saw the need to spread God’s word in the Southwest area of Hartford, CT. Brothers Melvin Jones, Joseph Priester, and Mark Coley were students at Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) and were eager to begin this much needed work. After graduating from the SIBI, they, along with their families, started the Southwest church of Christ, Hartford, CT congregation in 2006 with Bro. Jones serving as the Ministering Evangelist. During that same year, Southwest officially became a non-profit organization with 501c3 status. Members met at the home of Bro. Jones in Hartford, CT until they moved to a small location on Newfield Avenue in Hartford. In this short time, membership had grown to about 17 members.
After about three years, membership had grown to approximately 35 members and outgrew the space on Newfield Avenue. Southwest relocated to another rented space on 67 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT until 2012 when the building was sold, which forced them to have to find another location. Southwest worshiped in Farmington, CT for about nine months until the South Road congregation offered the temporary use of their building until Southwest could locate a building suitable for worship. In 2013, with about 51 members, Southwest relocated to their current location at 380 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT.
The Southwest congregation continued to grow, preach, and teach the gospel of Christ. In 2020, Covid-19 Pandemic forced the congregation to switch to an online format; however, bible classes attendance increased, and membership attendance remained steady.
In 2022, the current minister, Melvin Jones, retired from his full-time job and relocated to Arizona to serve as a Ministering Evangelist. In 2022, John T. Hamilton assumed duties of the Ministering Evangelist. Brother Hamilton is a very energetic leader that shares the vision of Southwest to expand the gospel and provide services to our community and the world.
Our Leaders
- Joseph Priester
- Mark Coley
Ministering Evangelist:
John T. Hamilton
Our History
Three brethren that were worshipping at the Northside church of Christ in Hartford, CT saw the need to spread God’s word in the Southwest area of Hartford, CT. Brothers Melvin Jones, Joseph Priester, and Mark Coley were students at Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) and were eager to begin this much needed work. After graduating from the SIBI, they, along with their families, started the Southwest church of Christ, Hartford, CT congregation in 2006 with Bro. Jones serving as the Ministering Evangelist. During that same year, Southwest officially became a non-profit organization with 501c3 status. Members met at the home of Bro. Jones in Hartford, CT until they moved to a small location on Newfield Avenue in Hartford. In this short time, membership had grown to about 17 members.
After about three years, membership had grown to approximately 35 members and outgrew the space on Newfield Avenue. Southwest relocated to another rented space on 67 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT until 2012 when the building was sold, which forced them to have to find another location. Southwest worshiped in Farmington, CT for about nine months until the South Road congregation offered the temporary use of their building until Southwest could locate a building suitable for worship. In 2013, with about 51 members, Southwest relocated to their current location at 380 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT.
The Southwest congregation continued to grow, preach, and teach the gospel of Christ. In 2020, Covid-19 Pandemic forced the congregation to switch to an online format; however, bible classes attendance increased, and membership attendance remained steady.
In 2022, the current minister, Melvin Jones, retired from his full-time job and relocated to Arizona to serve as a Ministering Evangelist. In 2022, John T. Hamilton assumed duties of the Ministering Evangelist. Brother Hamilton is a very energetic leader that shares the vision of Southwest to expand the gospel and provide services to our community and the world.
Our Pastors
- Joseph Priester
- Mark Coley
