Religious services have been held on this site since before 1776. In 1815 several local residents bought property, organized a church, and began holding regular services open to all. The church soon joined the Christian denomination of the Reverend James O'Kelly. During that association, Union Ridge Church conceived the idea for a local, church-supported college, and from that concept Elon University evolved. The current building, completed in 1956, is the fifth structure occupied by this now non-denominational congregation.