On October 20, 1974, an Air Force airman by the name of Troy Adams began what is now the Southside church of Christ.  He was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base and had a strong desire to start a sound work near the base.  The young congregation met in the town hall in the nearby community of Box Elder.  Eight souls were in attendance for the very first service and one person was baptized within the first week.

The church hired Jerral Kay as their first evangelist on May 17, 1975.  Brother Kay worked with this congregation until 1990.

In June of 1976, Brother Adams saw an old military office building being moved off base.  He inquired about the building and learned that a gentleman had purchased that building in an auction for one dollar.  Brother Adams felt sure the building would be ideal for the growing church.  He called the gentleman and asked if he had any plans for the building.  The gentleman, who was a contractor, agreed to move the building to a site in Box Elder and put it on a foundation for $6000.  The congregation began meeting at Line Road and Oak Street in Box Elder in August of 1976.  By January, 1977, the congregation had grown to 55 members.

In that same month, Brother Adams retired from the Air Force.  He moved to Bangor, Maine, to work as a full time minister.  Brother Adams continues to preach the gospel to this day in Hancock, Maine.

In May of 1992, Jeff Belknap took over the preaching duties after this congregation went a few years without a local evangelist.  He worked here until June of 1997.  Brother Belknap presently preaches in Alabama. 

Matthew Allen was the next to serve this congregation as the evangelist.  He preached in Rapid City from October, 1997, to the summer of 2003.  Brother Allen now preaches for the Brownsburg church of Christ in Indiana. 

Steve Hamilton is the current evangelist for the Southside church of Christ.  He began work with this congregation on October 1, 2003.  Brother Hamilton came to South Dakota from Missouri where he preached five years for the Kearney church of Christ.  He has retired after 20 years of service from the Army National Guard.  He has been married over 24 years to his high school sweetheart and has four children.

Currently, Southside has about 40 members.

The congregation has recently renovated the interior of the building and they plan to make additional improvements as means allow.

Southside enjoys many visitors who pass through on vacations to see Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park and Devil's Tower.  Please plan to join us if you are traveling through the Black Hills.          

Last modified: 05/02/08