Clifton Church Celebrates Grand Opening of Historic Building, Gains Company Status

Silke Hubbard

Members of the Clifton Company gather on June 30, 2025, to celebrate the purchase of their new church building. That morning, they also marked their transition from a mission group to a company.

Silke Hubbard

Members of the Clifton Church prepare for an outdoor potluck following the morning’s dedication service. Later in the afternoon, they enjoyed a concert and shared testimonies.

Silke Hubbard

Pastor and church leaders share the company’s history, which dates back to April 2023, when families from the Adamsville Church launched the mission group.

Silke Hubbard

A happy congregation gathered on Sabbath, June 30, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening and dedication of the Clifton Company’s new church building, marking a major milestone for the faith community, which began as a mission group just 18 months ago, and has now officially gained company status.

The roots of the Clifton Company trace back to April 2023, when members of the Adamsville Church — specifically the Williams, Richardson, and Majo families, along with Dennis Miller, pastor — received approval to start a mission in Clifton, Tenn. The initiative was supported by the Adamsville Church, and paperwork for the mission was submitted and approved by the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference in December 2023. The newly formed group began holding worship services at Columbia College on January 13, 2024. In a remarkable show of support, the college charged just $20 per room, well below its typical $500 daily rate.

As the mission group grew, the need for a permanent location became increasingly clear. After months of searching, a providential encounter occurred when church leader Shermin Williams was stopped for speeding in Clifton. When she explained she was searching for a worship space, the city’s police chief escorted her to a vacant, historic Methodist church building. That moment opened the door for the Clifton Company to purchase the building on March 19, 2025.

The June 30 dedication service marked a milestone of the group’s journey. The celebration included Sabbath School and worship, followed by a fellowship meal under tents behind the church. Afternoon programs featured a concert, testimonies, and refreshments shared among members and guests.

During the dedication, Mike Hewitt, vice president of administration for the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, surprised the congregation by announcing the church’s official transition from mission group to company status. Today, the Clifton Company welcomes more than 45 attendees each Sabbath.

Kentucky-Tennessee | September 2025