Our Story: From a Living Room to a Church Family

For 30 years, Unifour Church has been a beacon of God’s unconditional and inclusive love, serving Catawba County and the surrounding Unifour area.

Our story began in September 1996, when a small group of people came together with a hunger for fellowship, faith, and a place where they could experience God’s love. They began meeting in a home to pray, study the Bible, share their faith, and encourage one another. Within just a few weeks, others joined them, and what began as a small gathering quickly became a growing movement of faith and love.

As the group grew, a conference room at the Gateway Conference Center in Hickory, North Carolina, was rented for regular worship services. It was truly a grassroots ministry—built by people who simply wanted a place to worship God, experience genuine fellowship, and know that they were loved.

After approximately six months, the congregation sought guidance from a minister in another community who helped them become formally organized. With that assistance, the church became a nonprofit congregation registered with the State of North Carolina.

On September 15, 1996, what had begun with a handful of people gathering in a home was officially established with 21 members.

Putting Down Roots

The new congregation adopted the name Unifour Christian Fellowship Church, now known simply as Unifour Church. The name “Unifour” reflects the four-county region surrounding the church and the communities we have sought to serve throughout our history.

As more people became part of the church family, the congregation moved to a building on Highway 70 in Hickory. By 2001, Unifour had grown to more than 100 members. With prayer, faith, and a vision for the future, the congregation purchased seven acres in Newton, North Carolina—the property that would become the permanent home of Unifour Church. The purchase also included a house that became the church parsonage.

In 2004, the congregation completed a 4,400-square-foot sanctuary and fellowship hall. When we say we built the church, we truly mean it. Without a pastor at the time, members worked together, gave of their time and talents, and once again demonstrated the grassroots spirit upon which Unifour was founded.

The building was more than a construction project. It was a testimony to what can happen when people of faith work together with a common purpose.

A New Chapter

On October 17, 2021, Unifour Church called Rev. Leo Jones-Morton to serve as Senior Pastor, beginning another chapter in the life and ministry of the congregation.

While much has changed since that first gathering in a home, our calling has remained the same: to share God’s love with everyone and to carry that love far beyond the walls of our church building.

Our campus has continued to grow as a place for both ministry and community. An ADA-compliant playground supports our children’s ministries and provides an accessible space for families. A fenced dog park was later added beside the playground for members of the church and the surrounding community to enjoy.

These additions represent something that has always been at the heart of Unifour: our church exists not only for those inside its walls, but also for the community around us.

Firmly Planted. Growing Beyond.

In 2026, Unifour Church celebrates 30 years of ministry to the four-county area and beyond.

Today, Unifour is a vibrant and welcoming church family with worship that blends contemporary Christian music with meaningful elements of traditional worship. Our ministries continue to provide opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to worship, grow, serve, and build relationships.

Children and families are an important part of our church family. Under the leadership of Children’s Minister April Herron, our children's ministries include Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, Parents’ Day Out, and other opportunities for children to learn about God's love. Our ministry to young people has also expanded through Wildfire 226, our teen ministry.

Yet programs, buildings, and milestones tell only part of our story.

The real story of Unifour Church is found in the people who have walked through our doors, served their neighbors, prayed together, worshiped together, supported one another, and continued believing that God’s love has room for everyone.

Thirty years after a small group first gathered in a home, we remain firmly planted in faith while continuing to grow beyond our walls.

And our story is still being written.

Come be part of it.

Join us Sundays for Coffee Fellowship at 10:00 AM and Worship at 10:30 AM.

Unifour Church — All are welcome. No matter your story.