Churches called "Christian Church" and "Church of Christ" trace their origins to the early 19th century and the American Frontier. The first pioneers arrived on the rugged shores of the New World and brought their deep religious convictions with them. In time Presbyterians squared off against Methodists who defended themselves against Baptists who would not tolerate the Lutherans. It was not an era of love and good will for Christianity.

Then several groups of Christians in New England, Kentucky and Pennsylvania broke out of this divisive mindset and announced they would follow the Bible only and join with other Christians who thought the same. In Kentucky, some Presbyterian leaders under the influence of a minister named Barton W. Stone, published The Last Will And Testament Of The Springfield Presbytery, in which they severed their ties with their denomination. They wrote, "We will, that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large; for there is but one body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling"

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, a Presbyterian minister named Thomas Campbell, published a document entitled Declaration And Address in 1809. A native of Ireland, Campbell had grown restless with the rules of his brand of Christianity - the "Old-Light, Anti-Burgher Seceder" Presbyterian Church (what a mouthful) - a split that was a split off a division in the Presbyterian Church. At the same time his son Alexander reached similar conclusions during his studies in Ireland and Scotland. When Alexander came to America in 1809, he read "Declaration" and joined his father in helping churches return to the New Testament ideal.

These and other Christian men comprised what would become known as the Restoration Movement. Since it's beginning, the Christians of the Restoration Movement have believed that all Christians can unite if they would let go of man-made traditions and loyalties, follow and worship Jesus Christ, and look to the New Testament as the ideal model of the Church.

Over the years and even today, the churches of the Restoration Movement continue to grow and break down unnecessary walls between Christians. In fact, the second fastest growing religious group/affiliation in the US during the decade of the 90's was the independent Christian Churches & Churches of Christ. It is this movement that Hartselle Christian Church is affiliated with.