Our Heritage
On September 29, 1834, a small congregation of only eight members organized a church. Samuel Whittemore was one of the prime leaders in the first religious organization in Fluvanna. It was known then as the “First Christian Church” and began with eight members. Its first pastor was Rev. Oliver Barr. For many years the little congregation worshipped in a small school house, with slab benches, which was located near the site of the current Fluvanna Historical Society. Also preaching in the old school house were: Elder Beardsley, Elder Bailey, Elder Bullock, Elder Halliday, Elder Church, Elder Sheeles of the Christian denomination; and Ensign Hale was one of the deacons. The Methodists were: Elder Swizzle, Elder Moon, and Himebaugh. Elder Trumbell was a Baptist.
The time came when they desired a house for worship and the way seemed to open. Mr. Whittemore of the congregation took his horse and cutter and went from house to house, engaging the people of the community in support of a house of worship.
In those days there were many different denominations in attendance. Of the Christian denomination there were Methodists and Baptists. On February 1, 1842, the Christian and M.E. Church of Fluvanna united in the formation of a Union Church. This society was incorporated as the Religious Union Society of Fluvanna, which constructed a church at a cost of $1,000 and capable of seating 250 people. The pastors were Rev. E.J. Warner and A.S. Langdon. At the time the church was dedicated upon its completion, it was entirely paid for.
The time came when they desired a house for worship and the way seemed to open. Mr. Whittemore of the congregation took his horse and cutter and went from house to house, engaging the people of the community in support of a house of worship.
In those days there were many different denominations in attendance. Of the Christian denomination there were Methodists and Baptists. On February 1, 1842, the Christian and M.E. Church of Fluvanna united in the formation of a Union Church. This society was incorporated as the Religious Union Society of Fluvanna, which constructed a church at a cost of $1,000 and capable of seating 250 people. The pastors were Rev. E.J. Warner and A.S. Langdon. At the time the church was dedicated upon its completion, it was entirely paid for.
New Church Building Needed
The frame of the old building was moved a little east from where it stood originally. The new church was built from the main structure of the old church with the roof raised, belfry and east wing added. (Fabus Lawton did the planning and he and Alfred Hale, probably with members helping, built the second church building.) A strip of land on the east side of the church property was purchased with a Warranty Deed dated August 15, 1883, for $100. Sheds to shelter horses were built on this piece of land, but were later destroyed by hard wind and snow and for several years there was no place for horses. In 1912 a committee was appointed from the “Fluvanna Equal Franchise League” to solicit funds for new sheds. Enough funds were secured to not only build new sheds but to purchase a plot of dry ground on which to build them. (The committee was Mrs. Edna Mecusker, Miss Ophelia Griffith, and Mrs. Jessie Strunk.)
Reorganized as “Fluvanna Community Church”
In April of 1921, the church was reorganized as the “Fluvanna Community Church”. In 1925 the pastor was Rev. Benjamin H. Morey. Much credit is due him for his untiring efforts on behalf of the church. There were services every Sunday afternoon, with a large attendance at the Sabbath School and Young People’s Society. Lay pastors who served were Wesley Lloyd and A. G. Anderson.
In the fall of 1946, the church was closed so that the interior might be redecorated. During this time the people met in homes for cottage prayer meetings. Grace Lloyd of Falconer was the lay minister who took charge of these meetings. Offerings by these groups entirely paid for the work of redecorating by the time the church reopened in 1947.
When the church reopened another lay minister, Andy Anderson, took charge of the services. The Sunday school at that time had approximately 50 in attendance with 25 attending church services.
Digging of a basement began in 1948 and was completed in 1950, affording additional Sunday school space, a kitchen, an enclosed furnace room and bathrooms.
Andy Anderson left in 1954 and a part-time minister was hired. Rev. Douglas Carl and his wife, Nancy, were with the church until 1956. At the time of their ministry to Fluvanna Community Church, they were also involved with Youth for Christ.
In the fall of 1946, the church was closed so that the interior might be redecorated. During this time the people met in homes for cottage prayer meetings. Grace Lloyd of Falconer was the lay minister who took charge of these meetings. Offerings by these groups entirely paid for the work of redecorating by the time the church reopened in 1947.
When the church reopened another lay minister, Andy Anderson, took charge of the services. The Sunday school at that time had approximately 50 in attendance with 25 attending church services.
Digging of a basement began in 1948 and was completed in 1950, affording additional Sunday school space, a kitchen, an enclosed furnace room and bathrooms.
Andy Anderson left in 1954 and a part-time minister was hired. Rev. Douglas Carl and his wife, Nancy, were with the church until 1956. At the time of their ministry to Fluvanna Community Church, they were also involved with Youth for Christ.
Ladies Aid Society Established
By Carol Shay’s recollection, she believes the Ladies’ Aid Society was established around the time that the Carls were pastoring the church. “One of their main functions was to purchase clothing and toys for children who otherwise had very little…disadvantaged children…although that phrase had probably not been coined in those early days. They met in the church and became very active. Their format was special music and a message by the pastor or a guest speaker. Twice a year they had a “tea”, one in the spring and one in the autumn. It was not unusual to have 150 ladies to such a function, as some of our friends from other churches joined us. The committee would spend hours making dainty tea sandwiches, dyeing the bread every color of the rainbow and filling them with delectable fillings. Of course, there would be tiny cupcakes plus many other goodies. The money received in collections was used to purchase both major and minor items for the church, mainly for the kitchen. One major project was to purchase chimes for the church so that it might play hymns at regular intervals.”
First Full-Time Pastor Called
Rev. Wayne J. Hamilton, called in 1958, was the church’s first full-time pastor. He served until June of 1973.
In November 1957 new oak pews and matching pulpit furniture were added. In 1959, a new Wurlitzer organ was purchased and was fully paid for in about one month in answer to prayer.
In October of 1959 a parsonage was purchased in Greenhurst and the Hamilton family resided there until a new parsonage was built in 1969 on an 11-acre plot purchased on old Route 17 (now Fluvanna Avenue Extension). It continues to serve as our parsonage.
In October 1959, Fluvanna Community Church was granted membership in the CCCC (Conservative Congregational Christian Conference).
During the time that Rev. Hamilton was at Fluvanna, an addition was put on the back part of the church, which included a new platform, a pastor’s study and Sunday school classrooms. That work was completed in June 1960. By 1967 the Sunday School boasted an attendance of 250 with the worship service having around 125 in attendance.
In 1964 our Church Library was established and it grew year by year into a well-stocked library of Christian literature and videos for all ages.
Rev. Hamilton left in June 1973 and Rev. Denton E. Conklin, Sr., began his ministry to Fluvanna Community Church in January 1974, leaving in 1976.
In November 1957 new oak pews and matching pulpit furniture were added. In 1959, a new Wurlitzer organ was purchased and was fully paid for in about one month in answer to prayer.
In October of 1959 a parsonage was purchased in Greenhurst and the Hamilton family resided there until a new parsonage was built in 1969 on an 11-acre plot purchased on old Route 17 (now Fluvanna Avenue Extension). It continues to serve as our parsonage.
In October 1959, Fluvanna Community Church was granted membership in the CCCC (Conservative Congregational Christian Conference).
During the time that Rev. Hamilton was at Fluvanna, an addition was put on the back part of the church, which included a new platform, a pastor’s study and Sunday school classrooms. That work was completed in June 1960. By 1967 the Sunday School boasted an attendance of 250 with the worship service having around 125 in attendance.
In 1964 our Church Library was established and it grew year by year into a well-stocked library of Christian literature and videos for all ages.
Rev. Hamilton left in June 1973 and Rev. Denton E. Conklin, Sr., began his ministry to Fluvanna Community Church in January 1974, leaving in 1976.
140th Anniversary Celebrated
The Fluvanna Church, often referred to as “the little white church on the bend,” celebrated its 140th anniversary at a Founders Day observance on Sunday, April 6, 1975. The service included the dedication of new hymnals. The Jericho Singers participated in the celebration, and Rev. Herbert Shay, then pastor of the Stockton Community Church, brought the message.
In October 1976, Rev. Dale F. Kiefer came from the Federated Church in East Springfield to minister to the church in Fluvanna.
In October 1976, Rev. Dale F. Kiefer came from the Federated Church in East Springfield to minister to the church in Fluvanna.
A New Church Building Becomes a Reality!
The church began to grow and the Lord gave them a vision and a yearning to reach out further into their community. Work began in May of 1981 on yet another church building, located on the property near the parsonage. It would be a much larger building to provide space for growth over the next years. It was dedicated in February 1982. Later the old building was renovated for use as a Youth Center.
And grow it did! Because of the faithfulness of its people and its minister, people began to fill the pews and hundreds came to find Christian fellowship and to be led into the knowledge of the saving grace of our Lord. Soon we outgrew our Sunday school wing and needed too add a new section to house more Sunday school rooms and the office was moved to open up room for a library.
And grow it did! Because of the faithfulness of its people and its minister, people began to fill the pews and hundreds came to find Christian fellowship and to be led into the knowledge of the saving grace of our Lord. Soon we outgrew our Sunday school wing and needed too add a new section to house more Sunday school rooms and the office was moved to open up room for a library.
An Unusual Ministry to the Community
In 1986 the Angelo family donated funds to construct a ball field at the back of the sanctuary property. Dedicated on July 13, 1986, by Don, Sue and Robert Angelo, it was a memorial to Dominic S., Iola P. and Samuel L. Angelo. For many years it served the community for both Little League and church leagues.
Expanding the Ministry of Fluvanna Community Church
And the Lord kept leading seeking hearts to our doors and we found our morning worship service so crowded we were “scrunched” together and very uncomfortable. And so an earlier worship service was added and soon we had between 75 and 100 attending that service! It continued to grow to approximately 150 or more attending the early service, with an additional 300 attending the second service.
As the leadership continued to watch the growth of the church, it became apparent that the church needed to begin again to look into the future needs of its congregation. In the spring of 1998 we again broke ground…this time to build an extended Sunday school wing. This new addition included two more bathrooms, a janitor’s closet, and a potential for seven more class rooms. Also, much needed storage space became available in the attic area.
The cost of this new addition was estimated at $182,400 for all phases of the project. The church took a step of faith in God to provide through the church family the funds, materials and/or labor to complete this project without borrowing. By the generosity of God through the church family and others donating finances, materials and/or labor, the project was completed in the summer for approximately $128,000 WITHOUT A LOAN!
As the leadership continued to watch the growth of the church, it became apparent that the church needed to begin again to look into the future needs of its congregation. In the spring of 1998 we again broke ground…this time to build an extended Sunday school wing. This new addition included two more bathrooms, a janitor’s closet, and a potential for seven more class rooms. Also, much needed storage space became available in the attic area.
The cost of this new addition was estimated at $182,400 for all phases of the project. The church took a step of faith in God to provide through the church family the funds, materials and/or labor to complete this project without borrowing. By the generosity of God through the church family and others donating finances, materials and/or labor, the project was completed in the summer for approximately $128,000 WITHOUT A LOAN!
Fluvanna Community Church is Not a Building!
It’s a family! And as a family we love and look after each other. We share in each other’s joy and we share in each other’s sorrows. We love to rejoice with each other as we celebrate special occasions in our families such as the “big” birthdays or anniversaries. And we are quick to reach out to those who are sorrowing. At times of death in our families, we express our love in a tangible way…by providing a complete meal (through our own members) for the family and friends following their loved one’s funeral. In times of need, our church family again is practical and caring. With visits to hospitals, providing meals to friends recovering from surgery or while convalescing from illness, through benevolence gifts during financial need, hands-on help to our senior citizens (such as shoveling, small home repairs, etc.), and much more.
Throughout the years, our church has had many changes. But one thing continues to remain…a faithfulness to the authority of the Bible and a love for the Lord Jesus Christ!
Throughout the years, our church has had many changes. But one thing continues to remain…a faithfulness to the authority of the Bible and a love for the Lord Jesus Christ!
Today, we express our vision this way
“We are a redeemed people, devoted to Worshipping God, Witnessing the Gospel, and Walking in Grace and Truth.”
It’s all based on the great commission of our Lord in Matthew 28:16-20. And as we follow our great Shepherd, our mission remains the same from the very beginning: “Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples!” There’s room for you at Fluvanna Community Church! Come join the adventure as we worship Him!
It’s all based on the great commission of our Lord in Matthew 28:16-20. And as we follow our great Shepherd, our mission remains the same from the very beginning: “Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples!” There’s room for you at Fluvanna Community Church! Come join the adventure as we worship Him!
