Faith and family are strong foundations for a church that has seen some tough times in recent years.

The congregation at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1818 Kingston Road, is thankful for those two things as they prepare to celebrate the church’s 20th anniversary next Sunday, Sept. 16.

Special events will begin at 9:45 a.m. with a continental breakfast in the atrium of the church’s Mission Building.

Worship service will follow at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary with former Chapel Hill pastor Allen Hunt providing the message. The afternoon will feature a catered lunch and gospel singing as well as inflatables for children from 2 until 4 p.m.

“We want to celebrate not only the 20th anniversary but also the resurrection of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church,” the Rev. Ken Kulp said.

Kulp has been the pastor at Chapel Hill for the last two years and has seen the church experience growth and renewal during that time.

A concern with the mortgage on the church’s property led to an attempt to sell the sanctuary and special purpose building four years ago. But a solution was found and Chapel Hill stayed where it was.

“We had a ‘For Sale’ sign in the front yard of the church for four years, and it never sold,” Kulp said. “Things have turned completely around now, and the church is alive and well.”

Evidence of the continued survival of the church came in February when the property was hit by a tornado that ripped through the Kingston Road area, causing extensive damage to the Mission Building and some damage to the sanctuary itself.

After a major renovation of the campus, Chapel Hill UMC is anxious to celebrate the church’s survival not just from the storm but of the events of the past 20 years.

“It’s a new day,” Kulp said. “We are sticking with the theme of ‘God’s new thing for Chapel Hill.’”

Memorabilia and photos from Chapel Hill’s first 20 years will be on display during the breakfast next Sunday.

Hunt served as pastor of Chapel Hill from 1994 to 1999 and is currently the host of the “The Allen Hunt Show,” a weekend talk radio show on News/Talk WSB.

“He probably took this church to its peak during his time here,” Kulp said. “He is a strong leader and an outstanding preacher.”