By CAROLYN CARY
Contributing Writer

"We view the Christian Church as a bridge church," said Dr. George E. Wascovich, pastor of The Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). "Our church reaches out into all communities, welcoming all those who believe in living as a Christian and believe in loving one another."

The congregation was originally begun as the West End Christian Church in Atlanta in 1896 and moved to its current location on Kenwood Road in 1988. The congregation numbers nearly 200 and counts among its members a cross section of cultures that includes Hispanics and African-Americans.

Dr. Wascovich serves as the church's interim pastor. He was born and reared in Central City, Pa. While growing up, he felt he wanted to be a surgeon but realized his calling was in another direction. He graduated from the Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tenn., and received his master's and doctorate in divinity at the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind. He has served in churches in Mobile, Ala., for nine years, Fort Wayne, Ind., for 10 years and has been in Atlanta since 1966. Wascovich served the First Christian Church in Atlanta for 24 years.

He met his wife, Alma, while singing in a choir in Knoxville. They are the parents of Connie, a nurse in Atlanta, Craig, a pastor in Tampa, Fla., Faith, a psychotherapist in Atlanta, and Kent, who is in the insurance business in Atlanta.

Community Christian holds as its mission statement: "The Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) seeks to be a visible witness, through worship and praise, proclaiming God's love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. As Christ's ambassadors we invite persons into relationship with God and one another, providing unconditional love and acceptance; we commit ourselves to foster the spiritual growth of those entrusted to our care; we here commit ourselves to the Christlike venture of caring for the weak and oppressed in our community and world."

The church is at 349 Kenwood Rd. and can be reached at 770-460-9745. Services are held Sundays at 9 and11 a.m.; Bible studies are Sunday evening at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. A prayer group is held each Tuesday at 7 p.m.