A Welcoming Door on Quaker Road

Just outside the village of Orchard Park, at 7451 Quaker Road, sits Orchard Park Community Church, an independent ecumenical congregation that has been quietly shaping the character of faith life in the southern Erie County community since 1986. With its motto of sharing love, seeking peace, and building faith, the church has earned a reputation as a place where the doors stay open, the language stays plain, and the work of serving neighbors is taken seriously.

The church draws members from many Christian traditions. Rather than aligning with one denomination, it gathers people around a shared mission: to worship God in Christian unity without uniformity, to embrace diversity without divisiveness, and to follow the way of Jesus in practical ways. That posture has made Orchard Park Community Church a recognizable fixture for families, retirees, and newcomers looking for a congregation that intentionally leaves room for questions.

An Open and Affirming Identity

Since its founding in 1986, Orchard Park Community Church has been open, affirming, and supportive of its LGBTQ siblings in Christ. All persons are invited to participate fully in the life and sacred practices of the church, including baptism, communion, marriage, and ordination. This commitment is woven into the congregation's stated values rather than treated as an add-on. The church seeks to create a loving, inclusive space that empowers each person to live, serve, and lead as God calls them.

The congregation is affiliated with the International Council of Community Churches, a body that supports independent ecumenical parishes committed to unity without uniformity. That affiliation shapes the tone of worship and the willingness of members to work alongside churches of many backgrounds on shared community needs.

What Sunday Morning Looks Like

Sunday worship at Orchard Park Community Church gathers at 10:00 a.m. Services typically run under an hour and blend prayer, praise, and preaching. Messages aim to be faithful to the Bible, gospel-centered, and applicable to everyday life. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month.

Children are part of the service from the start. Nursery care is offered throughout worship for those who want it, and after the children's portion of the service, kids in kindergarten through eighth grade head to Sunday school for sharing, crafts, and Christian education. Sunday school runs from September through June.

For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on YouTube each Sunday morning, and a digital bulletin is posted online so online worshipers can follow along. The church also publishes a regular newsletter called The Community Courier, filled with articles, poems, and reflections from the congregation.

Leadership and Music

Pastor Andy Parks leads the congregation. His passion for helping people follow Jesus in tangible and practical ways shapes how teaching, ministry, and community engagement are approached. Members describe his preaching as vibrant, relatable, and applicable to daily life.

Sandy Henning serves as Music Director. A lifelong resident of Orchard Park, she also gives music lessons and accompanies singers in several area schools. Her steady presence has shaped the musical character of worship across many years. Wende Porter and Mark Jaeckle serve as Council Co-Chairs, leading monthly meetings and keeping the congregation moving forward in its mission of inclusion, growth, and love.

Sandwich Sundays and a Wide Reach Across Western New York

Community involvement sits at the heart of the church. On the first Sunday of each month, the congregation gathers after worship for Sandwich Sundays, making sandwiches for St Luke's Mission of Mercy, which distributes them to people in need, usually in the city of Buffalo. Everyone is welcome to join in or drop off sandwiches, and special collections are taken throughout the year.

The church maintains ongoing relationships with several partner organizations across Western New York:

• Feed More WNY. A virtual food drive raised $960 for the regional food bank during a season of increased need, and the congregation continues to fundraise online as needs arise.
• Peace of the City Ministries. Funds raised through church activities support this Buffalo-based ministry.
• Bread of Life Outreach. Members volunteer and give financially to support neighbors in Colden and surrounding areas.
• CIA (Churches in Action) RehousING. The church belongs to this coalition of local churches that assist homeless and vulnerable families with household items, bedding, furniture, and clothing. Each September the church participates in Undies Sundays to collect underwear for those in need.
• Blessing Bags. Members assemble bags of personal care items, healthy snacks, encouragement cards, small journals, and seasonal warm gear for homeless neighbors and seniors. Volunteer sewers meet at the church to make the fabric drawstring bags, and sewing fabrics are welcome donations.
• Family Solutions Center. Year-round donations of personal care items, underwear, and socks help local school families.

Hope Matters: Recovery Support for Loved Ones

Hope Matters Support Group meets periodically at Orchard Park Community Church for friends and family affected by a loved one's addictive behavior. Using the tools of the Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) program, the group offers community support and practical resources. The gathering is designed for those supporting someone else rather than for individuals in personal recovery. Inquiries go to Linda at lsrepp@yahoo.com.

The Memorial Garden

Tucked onto the property, the OPCC Memorial Garden offers a quiet place for prayer and remembrance. Open to all who wish for stillness, the garden honors members of the community who have gone before and serves as a contemplative space for anyone who needs a moment to be still.

Giving Without Pressure

Giving is handled with care at Orchard Park Community Church. To avoid the guilt or public spectacle of passing the plate, offerings are not collected during worship; instead, gifts can be dropped in the giving box at the back of the sanctuary or given online. Tithes support the congregation's ministry efforts and outreach partnerships, and donations go to sustaining programs that serve neighbors across Orchard Park and beyond.