BCC History

History of Blacksburg Christian Church

(taken from A History of Blacksburg Christian Church by Bobby Perkins, 2003, and A History of Blacksburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 2008 Abbreviated Version)

“Reformed and evangelical” denominations made their initial appearances in Blacksburg during the early 1900’s, and one such Protestant denomination was the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ (DOC).

Seven men, eight women, and three young people founded and organized the Blacksburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on April 12, 1903. On October 15, 1903, the eighteen devoted Blacksburg charter members together with a few others as a congregation purchased the old Baptist Church located on the northeast corner of Roanoke and Church Streets and established the original “House of Worship” for the new denomination in Blacksburg.

Reverend E. B. Kemm was hired as the first Full-time minister of the Blacksburg Christian Church.

In 1907, the church, having grown to seventy-seven members, installed Reverend E. B. Motley as the congregation’s second minister. However, Reverend Motley resigned his pastorate after only one year. From 1908 to 1914 the early church had no full-time minister. In 1914, the year World War I began and Mother’s Day was officially established in America, the church proclaimed the day and celebrated the coming of Reverend H. A. Blake as its third minister.

Upon Reverend Blake’s departure in 1918, the church found itself once again without a minister—this time for three years. Finally in 1921, with the church’s membership at eighty-six, the congregation extended the call to Reverend S. C. Crawford to become the church’s fourth minister. During his two-year ministry, thirty-two additional newcomers joined the church, establishing a total membership of one hundred and eighteen.

In 1923, Reverend Crawford’s successor, Reverend A. E. Simms, served only one year as minister of our church before his departure in 1924. Shortly after Reverend Simms’ departure, Reverend J. W. West arrived as the church’s sixth full-time pastor. In 1927, after having completed his third year with the Blacksburg Christian Church, Reverend West resigned and departed for another pastorate. Almost immediately, Reverend M. E. Turner answered the call to become the church’s seventh minister. However, as quickly as he arrived, he departed leaving within seven months. In the same year Reverend G. C. Ziegler became the church’s eighth minister. Thus, the Blacksburg Christian Church had realized three different full-time ministers within a single year. Records reveal that the church would not be without a full-time minister for longer than a couple of months from 1921 to 1973—fifty-two years of continuous pastors.

In late 1930, Reverend Ziegler resigned, and Reverend S. M. Bedford arrived as the church’s ninth pastor. He would serve the church three years and leave for another pastorate. In 1934 Reverend C. B. Reynolds became the church’s tenth minister. Reverend Reynolds served the congregation for four years before leaving Blacksburg in 1938. Also during this time, thirty-five years after its beginning, Blacksburg Christian Church called its eleventh pastor, a young man and recent graduate of Lynchburg College, along with his lovely wife. This newly-married couple, Reverend B. P. Edwards and his wife Ruby, began their three-year devoted ministry in Blacksburg.

Shortly before the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and America’s involvement in World War II began, Barney and Ruby Edwards concluded their ministry to be followed quickly by Reverend A. H. Eubank. Reverend Eubank, age fifty and also a graduate of Lynchburg College, began his eight-year service as pastor of the Blacksburg Christian Church and served with other Blacksburg ministers as a Chaplain of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI). Reverend Eubank served until his untimely and tragic death on Easter Sunday afternoon, April 17, 1949, as he prepared to preach the funeral services of Mr. J. H. Mahaney. Soon after this vacancy was created in the pulpit, Reverend R. D. Wilson arrived to serve for two years.

Shortly after the first fifty years celebration, the Board Chairman, Dr. L. A. Pardue, appointed chairmen for each of the “Standing Committees” on January 3, 1954. Among those ten (10) committees was the new Constitution and By-Laws Committee chaired by Mr. J. W. Sjogren. On May 2, 1954, the Board approved the Constitution section and recommended that this section be presented to the congregation when the By-Laws part was approved. During the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on July 4, 1954, the By-Laws section was approved. At a special Congregational Meeting on October 3, 1954, the new official Constitution and By-Laws were approved to become effective on January 1, 1955. This document was to supersede all rules and regulations in force from 1903 until December 31, 1954. In the By-Laws section, the “Standing Committees” of the church were reduced to seven and the first sentence stated that the church year shall begin on January 1.

Reverend R.D. Wilson concluded his pastorate in 195l. In 1951, Reverend Robert T. Wilkerson arrived to serve as the church’s fourteenth minister until 1957. In 1957, Reverend Paul D. Richardson became Blacksburg Christian Church’s fifteenth minister. After serving one year, he was followed in the pulpit by Reverend Cecil Taylor in 1959. In 1961, Reverend Robert F. Seward was asked to become Blacksburg Christian Church’s sixteenth minister. In 1966, the Sewards made plans to leave the Blacksburg Christian Church.

In late 1966, after sixty-three years of fulfilling its mission on the original downtown site with three other larger churches in the immediate area, each within walking distance of the university, our church began a comprehensive study of its future. After evaluating the effectiveness of its ministry, the adequacy of its location and facilities for the present and future growth, the congregation concluded that it should relocate and build new facilities as the beginning step in launching a new era in its ministry.

Working with consultants from the General Church (DOC) in Indianapolis, Indiana, a site selection committee was appointed to investigate five proposed new sites within Blacksburg and the immediate surrounding county. Upon the committee’s recommendation, the congregation voted to purchase the 2½ acre parcel of land on the northwest corner of Toms Creek Road and Watson Avenue.

Following the acceptance by the General Assembly, the red chalice bearing the “X”-shaped Cross of St. Andrew, which has come to be the symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), was developed in 1969. The chalice symbolized the centrality of the Lord’s Supper as well as the cup of Christian self-giving for the world. On February 21, 1969, the church received three proposals from local contractors to build the 7,650 square feet first phase. On March 30, 1969, the congregation unanimously approved Boone & Walsh, Inc. as the general contractor to build the new facility and on April 17, 1969, (five days beyond the church’s sixty-sixth anniversary); the church signed the contract for $106,988.66. On Sunday afternoon, April 13, 1969, prior to the signing of the contract and just one day beyond the founding day, two hundred members and friends witnessed groundbreaking ceremonies on the new site.

On May 12, 1969, the church approved another recommendation from a three-person ad hoc committee of the Buildings and Plans Committee. The congregation voted to add $11,000 to the construction cost to construct a 2,580 square feet basement under the administration wing of the facility being constructed. The total cost for the new plant, which included the revised basement addition, many new furnishings and professional fees totaled $126, 988.66.

On November 23, 1969, as finishing touches were applied to the new facilities, the last worship service was held in the original church in downtown Blacksburg. This was a sad day for many members, but nevertheless during the next week nearly everyone in the church began moving Sunday School classes, metal chairs, folding tables, office furniture, equipment and many other items into the new church on Watson Avenue. Sunday, November 30, 1969, was a glorious day in the life of the Blacksburg Christian Church. On that day, just seven months after breaking ground and sixty-six years since the founding of the church, Reverend Eddie Stubblefield led the first worship service in the new brick multi-level church at the corner of Toms Creek Road and Watson Avenue.

Reverend Eddie K. Stubblefield and wife, Nonna, served the growing congregation at Blacksburg Christian Church for four years.Eddie Stubblefield resigned his pastorate in Blacksburg for a position with the General Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, in June 1970.

One month after the Montgomery County Schools reopened in the fall, Reverend Warren P. Brubaker and wife, Virginia (Ginny), became the church’s nineteenth minister on October 18, 1970. On the exact date of the 67th anniversary of the church, April 12, 1970, with the new moveable metal/plastic chairs and permanent sanctuary lighting installed, the new facilities were dedicated to the glory of God, symbolizing the continuing dedication and devotion of many people who shared in the ministry of the church.

With flexibility in mind by design, this newly completed structure, consisting of an opened octagon-shaped sanctuary/fellowship hall, a large narthex, two supportive educational wings for Sunday School classes, was conceived as the first phase in this multi-phase master-planned building. At this time, in addition to the administrative wing, only on educational wing (a single story unit) was built to house the children’s seven classrooms, nursery, two smaller children toilets and the corridor connecting the central narthex. Another education wing was planned for the future. Once finished, the basement provided the congregation with a larger fellowship hall, additional men and women’s toilets, a storage room, a separate Scout room, pantry and a complete kitchen. This basement addition came completed with a separate rear entrance/exit on grade. Church laborers furnished and installed the “Krinklglas” (a colored Plexiglas insulation cover) on all the sanctuary’s obscured, glazed, clear story and vertical operating windows for $710. This additional glazing product (color selected by women’s groups) reduced sunlight glare and enhanced the sanctuary with color for each worshipper.

In early September, once the regular public schools reopened, Gilbert Linkous Elementary School, located directly across Watson Avenue from their new neighbor, the Blacksburg Christian Church, found its enrollment much larger than had been anticipated and certainly too large for their allowed occupancy. As a result Montgomery County School Officials, looking for alternatives, turned to the church for help. Through accelerated negotiations, both parties agreed on a “fixed fee” arrangement for renting certain rooms in the two educational wings on an as-needed basis. During the four years that the school system occupied the building five days a week, the church was able to provide a meaningful and much-needed service in the local neighborhood and the community of Blacksburg.

On December 31, 1973, Reverend Brubaker ended his ministry at Blacksburg Christian Church after only three years of service. Seven months after the departure of Reverend Brubaker, Reverend Jack McComas began his nine-month pastorate at Blacksburg Christian Church on August 25, 1974. Six and a half months later on January 1, 1976, Reverend Kenneth Hughes and wife, Roberta, began their four years of service as the church’s twenty-first minister.

Two months later in 1978, a beautiful stained wooden cross was given and installed on the front wall in the sanctuary. This cross, the focal point of all worship services to come, was dedicated on June 18, 1978. The attractive and meaningful symbol of Christian faith was gift to the Blacksburg Christian Church by M. Lucille Grubb.

In December 1978, the church board appointed a six person Baptistery Committee. Numerous monetary memorial gifts specifically for a baptistery had already been given to the church. Since the original construction documents excluded a formal baptistery in the then multi-purpose sanctuary/fellowship hall, and many of the faithful members were becoming impatient, the committee began to evaluate the possibilities and reality of a baptistery in the sanctuary or an appendage to the sanctuary. A baptistery, however, was scheduled to be designed in the final phase of the master plan, the formal and larger sanctuary at the intersection of Watson Avenue and Tom’ s Creek Road.

After concluding their investigations, the church, on July 1, 1979, employed the Blacksburg architectural firm of Gregory and Rogers, to design and produce construction documents for implementation of a new baptistery. Three bids were received and opened for the proposed baptistery and on September 23, 1979, the congregation voted to accept the lowest bid of $10, 910 as submitted by William Dillon Builders, Inc., of Blacksburg.
The baptistery, flanked by two large dressing rooms, became a reality and was completed in November of that year.

The baptistery complex was dedicated on Sunday, November 25, 1979, during the morning worship service and that afternoon the newly completed baptistery and dressing rooms were used for the first time, not by the Blacksburg Christian Church, but its sister church across Brush Mountain and the Jefferson National Forest, the First Christian Church of Newport, Virginia.

In 1980, Reverend Hughes formally submitted his resignation that would conclude his productive four-year pastorate as the Blacksburg Christian Church’s twenty-first minister.
With the departure of Kenneth and Roberta Hughes, the church began a long year and a half without a full-time minister. In 1982, Reverend Paul Jarvis-Parker, with wife, Reverend Anna Jarvis-Parker, became the church’s twenty-second ministers.

The 1980's - A new Courtyard

On September 11, 1983, an additional church improvement would begin to take shape. Landscape Architect, Allen Winslow, produced and submitted a courtyard plan for approval. The plan included a patterned concrete surfaced activity and sitting area. This flat, opened-space surface, extending from the church’s narthex egress doors, was bordered on two sides by fixed wooden benches with narrow landscaped lawn strips adjacent to the three brick facades of the church and an opened-landscaped lawn stretching from the benches through the perimeter trees and shrubs to the linking longitudinal concrete walk closing the “U”-shaped open space. Through a very large bequest from one life-long member’s estate, the courtyard soon became a reality and would be knows as the “Connie Lucas Memorial Courtyard.” The courtyard was dedicated on November 3, 1985.

In 1985, Reverend Paul Jarvis-Parker submitted his resignation and ended his pastorate. In 1986, Reverend Douglas W. Frank and wife, Rhonda, became the church’s twenty-third minister. Simultaneously with the purchase of the building permit for new church sign, the Church Board, during its regularly scheduled meeting on Sunday, March 5, 1989, entertained a motion that all “loose offering” (coins) collected in the offering plated during each Sunday morning worship service would be given to the local food pantry.

After several meetings with Virginia Church Furniture, Inc., of Pulaski, Virginia, a church committee submitted revised plans and cost estimates for 14 fixed rows of pews, 19 moveable matching chairs (for the choir and other needs), a solid modesty rail section to enclose the choir, and a refurbishment of existing chancel chairs to match the upholstery of the pews at an estimated cost of $9,169.65. On August 20, 1989, during a special congregational meeting, the membership approved the proposal and board’s recommendation by a vote of 45 to 9 and authorized the committee to begin a three month fund-raising campaign to raise $11,000 for the pews and new sanctuary lighting. After four years of service, in July 1990 Reverend Frank submitted his resignation and expressed his desire to relocate with the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, to another community in Virginia and continue his ministry.

The 1990's - The return of the original stained glass shields

On November 12, 1990, Reverend Johnny T. Loughridge arrived to fill the vacancy as an interim minister. On Sunday, May 5, 1991, the congregation participated in “A Service of Celebration and Installation” for Blacksburg Christian Church’s twenty-fourth minister, Reverend Loughridge. Church records, and most recently the 1993 church history, confirmed that Johnny Loughridge surpassed The Reverend Alva Eubank’s (1941-1949) long-standing record of eight years.

In the early months of 1998, as the congregation’s attention was focused on the church’s 95th birthday in the upcoming spring, the Property Committee completed some Fellowship Hall renovations and had, with approval, contracted to have the administration wing re-roofed.

Nearly four decades have passed since the Blacksburg Christian Church sold the original house of worship on the corner of Church and Roanoke Streets in Blacksburg’s business district to the Odd Fellows Lodge in 1969. After twelve years of occupation, the Odd Fellows sold their lodge to the Blacksburg Jewish Community. Soon after the Jewish Community moved into their new Temple, they realized that parts of the older Christian Church stained glass windows were inappropriate for the Jewish faith. Twelve of the stained glass windows were modified by the removal of a “shield” in each, leaving a small void to be filled. These voids were quickly filled with “like-kind” shaped panels colored blue. These shield were not destroyed by the Jewish Community, but were placed in storage by Freda and Marvin Blecher for seventeen years until the spring of the year of 1998. In late January of 1998, as the new year was only a few weeks old, The Reverend Johnny Loughridge discovered that the panels existed. Unknown to the Blacksburg Christian Church congregation, Reverend Loughridge finally located and received the shields from the Blechers. Once the shields were obtained, they were taken to Custom Originals, a stained glass company in Salem, Virginia, to be cleaned and prepared for hanging.

On Sunday night, April 11, 1998, Ann and Roger Van Tassell, who knew about the well-kept secret, carefully hung the shields on the inside surfaces of the five tall exterior windows of the current church’s sanctuary. On Sunday, April 12, 1998, Easter Sunday morning, the church celebrated its ninety-fifth year of continued ministry in Blacksburg and the surrounding communities. The return of the painted shield of glass that were the centerpiece of the twelve stained glass windows of the 1912 structure on the corner of Church and Roanoke Streets was especially meaningful on this day of celebrations.

In 1999, the new hard-surface accessible route was completed to the Fellowship Hall from the asphalt surface parking lot to the existing concrete walkway that connected to the church basement. This new walkway meant that there would be no more walking through grass or muddy, slippery terrains to enter the downstairs Fellowship Hall from outside.

As the 2000 Advent season began, the congregation welcomed the thirty-one-page Advent Devotional booklet that was written entirely by members of Blacksburg Christian Church. Copies of these wonderful devotionals, as offerings of faith and written to the glory of God, were available in the narthex every Sunday of Advent for all families of the congregation and visitors. The ten authors were: Johnny Loughridge; Jane Carr, Phyllis Blevins, Rich Oderwald, Gwen Evans, Jeff McCoy, Gary McCoy, R. D. and Mary McCoy, Terry Arthur and six were anonymous.

In July 2001, the Church Board realized that in less than two years, the congregation would celebrate its 100th Anniversary and as a result selected Phyllis Blevins and Bobby Perkins as co-chairs of the Centennial Anniversary Committee. On Sunday, April 14, 2002, the Blacksburg Christian Church celebrated its 99th anniversary with an old-fashioned fish fry. The fish were provided by the three fishermen, better knows as Blackie Blevins, Bill Burdock, and Sean Arthur.

Johnny Loughridge, Minister/Secretary of the Blacksburg Christian Church, resigned his positions after eleven years as full-time minister of the church. After Johnny read his resignation letter, dated September 8, 2002, at the Church Board meeting, a motion was made and seconded that the minister’s resignation be accepted with regrets and to pass it on to the congregation for approval on September 22.

During the Church’s Centennial Celebration, a permanent museum was established to mark accomplishments of the church. Other projects that year included the purchase of an organ, additional landscaping, and the refurbishing of the church parlor. During the church centennial year, Reverend Clayton Tinnell served as interim minister.

In 2003, the Search Committee called Dr. Terry Peck, with his wife Diane, to be the church’s twenty-fifth minister. Dr. Peck preached his first Sunday at BCC in November 2003. Dr. Peck asked the church to devote one of the rooms in the church as a private prayer room. Dedicated to the memory of Steve Blevins, the prayer room continues to be used. Dr. Peck remained at BCC until 2006.

Following a number of guest ministers, Gary Wayne McCoy began his ministry to Blacksburg Christian Church the first of August, 2007. He and his wife, Jane, are ministering to a growing congregation with new programs being added and remodeling underway. Particularly rewarding is the growing number of children our church now enjoys.

In 2009, one wing of the church was converted to a new upstairs Fellowship Hall. With new kitchen facilities, new tables and chairs, renovated restrooms, the church’s new Fellowship Hall was dedicated on October 12, 2008. In 2009, work also began on remodeling the downstairs into additional classrooms and the museum.

As members of the Christian Church, we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Loving God, and proclaim him Lord and Saviour of the world. In his name and by His grace, we accept our mission of witness and service to mankind. We rejoice in God our Father, maker of heaven and earth, and in covenant of love by which He has bound us to Himself. Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God. In the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit, we are joined to one another in brotherhood and in obedience to Christ. At the tale of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving his saving acts and his presence. Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture. In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God, that we may serve him whose kingdom has no end. Blessing, glory and honor be to him forever. AMEN. *

Since the Provisional Design’s adoption in 1968, some congregations have incorporated this declaration in their constitutions. Others have used it as a model or point of departure for drafting their own statements. The Constitution of the Blacksburg Christian Church affirms the design state. Article 11 of the Constitution outlines our purpose for existence. The purpose of this congregation is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in faithful response to God’s will and purpose as revealed through Jesus Christ and in the world; to see in all persons a faith and commitment to Jesus Christ; to serve the community of which it is apart; to bring the Gospel message to bear upon society; to sustain and be sustained by the General and Regional manifestations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); to work cooperatively with Christians in other communions; to seek the oneness of the Body of Christ; and in all ways to seek to make know the Love of God.