GENE RONCONE

THE HISTORY OF AURORA FIRST ASSEMBLYAurora First Assembly was organized in 1933 under the leadership of Rev. andMrs. C. N. Bishop (1933-1941). Early meetings were held at 1645 Chester Street andother temporary locations until the city of Aurora donated two lots at the corner of17 th and Alton in 1937. Services were held in a portable tabernacle on the propertyuntil a permanent structure was erected in 1941.Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. and Mrs. C. L. Walker (1941-1946) and Rev.and Mrs. T. P. Johnson (1946-1951), the congregation grew consistently. C. L. Walkerreturned to pastor the church a second time from 1951 to 1955, and the church purchasedproperty at 1523 Boston Street. By New Year’s Day 1953, the church was dedicated—debtfree. Rev. and Mrs. R. C. Clark led the church from 1955 to 1958.Under the leadership of James and Virginia Boulware, the church continued togrow and thrive from 1958 to 1975. During that time, the church experienced severalexpansion programs, including a new sanctuary in 1960, educational space in 1963,and a youth center in 1965. With the facilities crowded by 1970, the congregationtook a major step in their development with the purchase of 12 acres at 11001 E. AlamedaAvenue. Construction was soon started on the colonial-style sanctuary whichnow serves as the main building and worship facility.Rev. Howard and Margie Cummings pastored the church from 1975 through2002. In 1980, the Family Activities building was added to the complex to facilitate anever-growing Christian Education department and to enlarge the facilities of AuroraChristian Academy. In 1990, the Children’s Ministries Center was constructed andtoday houses both Aurora Christian Learning Center and Aurora Christian Academy.Fifty-six acres of land near E470 and Smoky Hill Road were purchased in 1999 for futureexpansion. The site presently consists of 29.5 acres and is strategically located adjacentto the new mal in the center of the city’s Southlands growth plan. After nearly27 years of service to Aurora First Assembly, Pastor Cummings retired as senior pastor.In October 2002, Rev. Gene and Rhonda Roncone were elected to be the newsenior pastors of Aurora First Assembly by a nearly unanimous vote of the membership.Under his leadership, the church began the groundwork for the ministry expansion,site development, and architectural design involved in the ministry relocation tothe Southlands property.7