Our Congregation's History

Ujima Village Christian Church grew from a non-denominational urban youth outreach mission in Trenton, New Jersey. The children who participated in mission activities named the outreach after the Swahili concept of "ujima" (oo-JEE-ma), which refers to the mutual care and collective effort of harmonious communal life.

On February 16, 1992, one year after the Ujima Youth Ministry was established, the families that had participated in the urban youth mission gathered as a multi-generational worshipping community. Honoring its roots, the church embraced the name chosen by the children, and the "Ujima Christian Church" was established as a non-denominational Christian Congregation.

The former youth mission not only spawned our congregation, but also continues as "Ujima Ministries, Inc." providing social services and community development initiatives. Ujima Ministries redeveloped the former Odd Fellows Home, on the Ewing / Trenton border, into a multi use campus with social outreach services, low income housing for seniors and the disabled, and as a center for congregational life.

Since 1994, the congregation has met at its current location in the "Ujima Village," and continues its ministry to the surrounding community.

Our congregation has a common history, and continues to partner with Ujima Ministries, Inc, a faith-based community benefit and development agency.