The Connection began worship Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008.

The concept began three years earlier when Zion United Methodist Church in Lemay, Missouri began looking for a second site to begin a new worship service. Under the leadership of Rev. Ann Rathert, and then associate pastor Rev. Tish Green, the search was narrowed down to south St. Louis City and consideration was given to beginning worship at the YMCA.

During that time, the part-time pastor at Mellow Memorial United Methodist Church located in Carondelet, South St. Louis, MO, retired and Zion was asked by the District Superintendent to provide pastoral leadership for the Mellow congregation of approximately 25 people. This began a series of discussions between Mellow and Zion concerning starting the new worship service in the Mellow building at 6701 Virginia Avenue. As the conversation continued the concept became larger, more and more people began to get excited about the possibilities, and eventually Congregational Development of the Missouri Annual Conference suggested the most promise of success lay in making it a whole new church start.

After much consideration Mellow graciously voted to close and make room for the new church called The Connection. For the first year of worship a traditional service was maintained at 9:00 am under the leadership of lay pastor Bob Stevens with the new contemporary service held at 11:00 am. Upon Pastor Bob’s retirement the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services were combined.

The Connection currently averages around 120 in attendance and is expanding its worship space into the adjoining café. The children, youth and music ministries have particularly developed since 2008, along with Celebrate Recovery, our Friday night Christ-centered 12-step program and a Transportation Ministry.

Each day our history is being written. In the next 2 years The Connection will officially constitute as a church and our founding members will be established. You are invited to be a part of changing South St. Louis City with us for the glory of God.