Our History And Musical Mission
A Legacy of Musical Excellence
From humble beginnings as the Community Church Coffee House, we’ve grown over 25 years into Community Church Concerts – a sanctuary for exceptional acoustic music that showcases world-class artists who honor traditional roots while pushing musical boundaries. Our intimate venue has welcomed Grammy winners and folk legends like Tony Rice, Tim O’Brien, Janis Ian, and The Kruger Brothers, creating a legacy where technical mastery and heritage converge. We’ve become a listening room where virtuosos and emerging talents alike share their artistry in an atmosphere that celebrates the finest acoustic traditions.
Tony Rice at the Coffeehouse 2003
A Stage for Song. A Home for All.
For over two decades, Community Church Concerts has brought people together through the shared experience of live acoustic music. Rooted in tradition and shaped by community spirit, each performance offers more than entertainment—it connects, uplifts, and invites reflection. As a fundraising project of Community Church of Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist, this series is more than a stage—it’s a ministry of music, an initiative to build spirituality and community beyond boundaries. Held in an intimate, welcoming , family-friendly space, every concert becomes a gathering lit by melody, memory, and meaning—where the glow of live music truly lights the way toward more love in our own lives and in the world.
Whomever You Are You Are Welcome Here
At the Community Church of Chapel Hill, you’ll find Buddhists and Jews, agnostics and Christians—people of many beliefs—gathered to celebrate what unites us: the power of love, the pursuit of justice, and the conviction that every person is inherently precious—gay or straight, Black or white, of any faith or nation. Whether you’re here for the music, the message, or the sense of belonging, you are welcome—no church membership, beliefs, or background required. This is a community where harmony is more than a musical idea—it’s a way of being together.
In Tune with the Community
Founded in 1953 in a stand against racial segregation, led by Reverend Charlie Jones, the Community Church of Chapel Hill has always believed in widening the circle of freedom and compassion. We helped establish the first integrated preschool in North Carolina, and that spirit of courageous love continues to guide us today. Rooted in the ethic of “charity in all things”—understood as love in all things—we seek to care for the well-being of every person as deeply as we care for our own, regardless of creed, color, ethnicity, political or sexual orientation, age, gender, or ability. Ours is a faith committed to walking the talk: to showing up, serving others, and putting love into practice through peace and justice work in our wider community.
visit our web site for more information about the Community Church of Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist