Upper Room Holiness Church — meets in bld. In front of old ball field in Oakland community.
Prayer Mission Baptist Church — Located off road to the right, off of Rt. 10, in Isle of Wight County, between Cherry Grove Road and Rt. 10, north of Chuckatuck approximately 3 miles.
Bridge of Life Christian Fellowship Church — Started in the last year in the old fire department building.
Community Christian Center — Started approximately 3 years ago – Located on Route 10, between Reid’s Ferry and Chuckatuck Village
Friendship Cathedral C.O.G.I.C.
(Church of God in Christ) — 1917 until Present
Written by Dorothy Bland Gamble and Willie B. Fulgham, Deaconess, Friendship Cathedral
The Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal denomination originally organized in Lexington, Mississippi in 1897. In 1907 Bishop Mason, as Chief Overseer, set out to establish churches all over the country. Dad Mason came to Virginia in 1914 and by 1917 the First Church of God in Christ in Virginia was founded in Chuckatuck with Elder Charles Cypress as pastor. The first water baptism service was held here. For many years, the state C.O.G.I.C. would meet at the Friendship Church for their annual state picnic held on July 4th. Friendship was the first C.O.G.I.C. in Virginia and remains the state’s mother church. “It is the second largest African-American denomination in the United States with over seven million members in the U.S. and sixty countries…and to think it all started here for Virginia in Chuckatuck” said Dorothy Bland Gamble and Willie B. Fulgham. The current pastor is Reverend Joe Chase.
Little Bethel Baptist Church
Little Bethel Baptist Church was founded in 1866 and was the center of the Black community in Oakland. Some of the founding families were: Robert Edward, Juby Godwin, Callon Hall, George Hall, L. R. Hargraves, Parker Hawkins, Charlie Hines, Andrew Williams and Emmanuel Wrench, assisted by Reverend Reid. It was the gathering place for worship and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ; a place where family members took time to create friendships, catch up on the community news and time to visit with neighbors and be neighborly. Today, Little Bethel Baptist Church is a thriving modernized place of worship. The pastor in 2011 was Reverend Bernard Thomas.
Diamond Grove Baptist Church
1899 – until present
Diamond Grove Baptist Church began in 1898 as a Sunday school in a Sandy Bottom tenant farmhouse owned by Jim Pinner. It did not last long. In 1900 Marie Reeves, Priscilla Jordan and Laura Addison Randall invited Rev. Wilson Major Reid to come and preach but these services lasted for only a few months.
In the fall of 1903 Henry Chance organized another Sunday school that lasted until 1908 when a Mr. Reid organized a church. Annie Williams Grandy named it Diamond Grove Baptist Church. An old store, purchased from lawyer Rawles near the site of W.C. Dailey’s store, was repaired and was used for services.
In early October 1920 the congregation broke ground for a new church on the same spot where the church now stands. During the Depression the church grew in members and spirit but couldn’t pay the preacher. Rev. J.M. Clark of Norfolk still came and preached.
As membership continued to grow Diamond Grove Church went through many renovations. In 1953 Rev. Solomon E. Diggs of Sandy Bottom led the church in acquiring the old Sandy Bottom schoolhouse near the property for a fellowship hall. Under Rev. Diggs’ leadership the church grew and expanded. When Rev. Diggs, then Pastor Emeritus, passed away in July of 1994 members said, “Diamond Grove Baptist Church which started glittering in 1908 continues to shine in the Glory of God.” The pastor in 2011 was Calvin Lillard.
Oakland Christian Church
1872 – Until Present
(Written by Anne Staylor Johnson; Historian, Oakland Christian Church)
On flash drive under name …Please read scanned copy named “Oakland Christian Church” if you cannot get document by name from drive.
Christian Home Baptist Church
1884 until Present
Christian Home Baptist Church was founded in 1884 as a “Bush Arbor” church by the following devoted men: Spencer Lassiter, James Gray and Eddie Jordan. They were soon joined by Walter Johnson, C.W. Glover, Sr., A.R. Glover, Sr., Nettie Jordan, Mary Johnson and Mary Sue Williams. Christian Home is located on Longview Drive and has grown from a small group to a thriving healthy church. Much of the land for the church was purchased from or donated by C.W. Glover.
Seven pastors have served the congregation including Rev. Knight, W.M.Reid (1885), Rev. Gummer (called in 1909), Rev. S.L.Scott (called in 1917), Rev. T.H. Ashe (called in 1948), Rev. S.E. Diggs (called in 1954) and Rev. Wendell M. Waller (1988 to present). In 1992 the church purchased three acres of land from C.W. Glover, Jr. and, on March 31, 1998, the church began construction of a new church facility at a cost of more than a half-million dollars, consisting of more than 8,000 square feet. In 2006 the church licensed its first female preacher, Reverend Debrah Gholston. Christian Home Baptist Church serves the region with a very active program of church based activities. The church’s theme is: Preparing People for Christian Service.
Whitehead’s Grove Baptist Church
1843- 1965 till the Present
(The following is excerpted by Beverly Whitley from “A History of Whitehead’s Grove Baptist Church from 1843 thru 1965”, by James W. Horne, III; up-dated by Betty Burris, present member and Rev. Russell Leonard, present minister)
Whitehead’s Grove Baptist Church, founded January 29, 1843, was originally named Bethesda Baptist Church. It was located ½ mile south of Scott’s Factory (an old textile mill, approximately six miles south of Smithfield that was destroyed by Union Soldiers during the War Between the States). Wells Chapel, a small one room building, was the site of the first meeting. The building had previously been used by a Christian Church. It was located in the vicinity of Vellines’ Store in Isle of Wight County, Virginia at the intersection of Bowling Green Road and Turner Drive. (A tombstone in Wesley Chapel cemetery has the name Sarah Whitley Vellines, 1896-1978)
A group of people met to decide if this church should begin. Their new pastor was Rev. William O. Bailey. He also had several other churches in the area. Because there were churches of different denominations near, Wells Chapel’s growth was slow. There were two years the church did not have a minister. During that time, they continued to be led by the Deacons of the church. When they were supplied with a new minister, he was a very strict disciplinarian. This led to the dismissal of a considerable number of members, made up of slaves, free Negros and whites. The offences ranged from drinking and stealing to adultery. All these circumstances hurt the membership for a period of time.
When the War Between the States began in April 1861 membership exceeded sixty. The majority were Negros. There were no records of church meetings from June 1861 until September 1866. In September 1866 there were seven members; one year later, there were 13; six men and seven women. Growth continued to be slow during the next several years. Although there were no records of name at this time, a letter was sent to the Portsmouth Association from Bethesda Baptist in 1867.
The church in 1871 rejected a proposal to disband. One member insisted they consider the children who would grow up without an organized Baptist fellowship. By 1874 they decided to rebuild the church thus they began a major fund raising drive in order to do this. The women proved to be the fund raising leaders by having dinners for the community and by 1875, they voted to build a new church. The land was donated by John Whitehead and a decision was made to build on the Old Stage road leading from Suffolk to Smithfield. Their church today is located on that site, on Route 10, two miles north of the Village of Chuckatuck in Isle of Wight County. While they were building their new church, Oakland Christian Church allowed the congregation of Bethesda Baptist to meet in their church. They sold their old Well’s Chapel church building.
The discussion of their new name began and it was decided to name the new church in honor of John Whitehead who gave the land for the new building. Attendance must have increased in 1887 as the women again began to raise money to repair and rebuild the church house and increase seating capacity.
In the years of 1903 until 1948 there was continued growth of membership and facilities. In 1949, they made the decision to call a minister exclusively for Whitehead’s Grove. Reverend Jesse H. King was called to be their first full-time pastor on July 9, 1950. During 1950-1955, activities rose to a peak. A new parsonage, built by the members, was completed in 1951.
The church began to focus on the youth. Elton Horne served as the first youth Pastor. During the next ten years, several served as pastors but during one year they were without any pastor. They used that time to pay many of their debts that were made previously. They were able to call another pastor after that year. By 1965 Whitehead’s Grove had developed into one of the best equipped rural churches in Virginia. They always looked to the future and planned effectively.
Today Whitehead’s Grove is a church in transition. Very few members within the church are associated with full time farming. As the community develops, the church has become less rural and more suburban; however Whitehead’s Grove is grateful for its heritage and the privilege of ministry within the community. Over the years, twenty-one pastors have served the 168 years of the church’s history to lead Whitehead’s Grove Baptist Church as a “Light on the Hill”.
James W. Horne, III ended this written history in 1965 with the following words: “May the present members of Whitehead’s Grove look to the trials and triumphs of the past with a renewed determination to bind themselves together in Christian fellowship, in order they might carry forward the work of the Master.”
Puritans
1620 – New England Area to more Southern areas until decline and non existence in the Chuckatuck area
The Puritans were a group people within the Church of England who were not happy with ways the church was going at that time.[7] They first arrived in the New England area in 1620 with other English Protestants on the Mayflower who established the Plymouth settlement. They had come across the Atlantic Ocean seeking religious freedom. Before their landing, they developed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement of rules they would use govern the colony. Many died during the harsh winter but the settlement survived. More Puritans came with ships that came after the Mayflower. With them came rules that were even stricter. The settlers began to branch out and form new settlements in the north-east as the disagreements continued.[8]
Puritans believed the Bible was God’s true law. They thought they should purify the church and their own lives, form tight colonies, practice religious exclusion and felt the community was strengthened by unity. They had strong spiritual beliefs. They felt the individuals, as well as the churches, should be responsible directly to God. If all members did not agree with these laws and practice them, they required conversion or were asked to leave. They believed worldliness was against the Bible’s principles, that actions spoke louder than words and that the devil was behind every evil deed. Drama, religious music and erotic poetry were banned in their settlements.[9]
They believed strongly in education. In 1635, they formed the first school, probably in order to teach their children the Puritan principles. They also started the first American College; Harvard in Cambridge. They were the first to write books for children and discuss their behavior. While other settlers were physically making their ways thru the forest in order for physical progress to take place, they were advancing the country intellectually. [10]
The Puritans definitely played an important part in the settling of the America. Those who came to Virginia at the time of Governor Berkeley were forbidden to preach even though the churches were in need of ministers. One minister came from the North, took it upon himself to cross the Nansemond. He became a pastor who proved to be of great help to a local church. That church may have been St. John’s, as some ministers were sent from the north to help with the parishes. Some accepted invitations to go to Maryland. It was not long before they moved to an area where they were more welcome. Today, there are no Puritans locally and only few remain in the United States.[11]
The Religious Society of Friends/Quakers
1650 until present
The Religious Society of Friends were a new group of people outside the Church of England who had very different ideas from the other religions in England and began in the1650s. They met with a great deal of persecution yet continued their active, vocal sharing of their beliefs with any and all they met. This proved to be disruptive to the Church of England as it appeared they were growing quite fast. Punishment and persecution became common. Many left their homeland to practice their new religion. At that time there were trade ships and others going to the New World. They felt, though the voyages were difficult, they were better than the treatment in England.[12]
As the settlers moved to the west from Jamestown and explored areas along the Nansemond River, the Friends (or Quakers, as they were sometimes called) moved and settled in the area of what is now known as Chuckatuck. The beginning of their presence in the Chuckatuck area is recorded as early as 1670-72, although there is record of Quakers in the New World since 1655. Although the record is not clear, there was a missionary from England (a woman), who came by way of the Barbados, who later appeared on the east coast of southern Virginia in1650. The proof was only a letter she wrote back to her home in England that was thought to be hers.[13]
A fascinating characteristic of this group of settlers is the importance they gave to record keeping. The earliest is called Chuckatuck Record. As avid record keepers, they kept track and recorded all church meetings as well as their births, marriages and vital information about each one of their members. Their records were extremely detailed, including names, dates and even civil records.[14] They have played a huge part in research of historical information as they were the first to record many of the facts we need today. All of this information makes it possible for us to better understand and remember this period in history.[15]
At first in the Americas, the Quakers met in their own homes. “The first meeting house in Nansemond Co. was the General Meeting House, where Henry Wiggs and Katheren Garret [Yarret] were married, 1674, 12th month, 3rd day. As their membership increased, they began to build small churches. The Summerton Monthly Meeting was 20 feet in length and 20 feet in width.”[16] It was suggested you could trace their movement today by the buildings which once were their churches in the small towns across the country. They were usually square, plain, and built with clear panes windows and probably similar measurements as above.[17]
Another very distinctive characteristic of this particular group is they were willing to establish friendly relationships with the Native American Indians that lived in the area. They believed that every human individual had value and the light of God within. They also were great believers in peace in all circumstances. They did not believe in wars and would not fight in them. If they were called to action they would participate in non-violent ways; some chose peaceful ways, such as Conscientious Objectors or participation in the medical field. This was especially noted in World War II. They were strong believers of civil rights for all people. They did not believe in slavery, although in the early days of settlement, there were some who owned slaves. They were known to participate in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.[18]
The Quaker members and churches in the Chuckatuck area settled part of Virginia and what we know today as North Carolina. They were visited by George Fox, who was their founder from England, in 1672.[19] One of those Friends churches was Somerton Friends Meeting, in the present City of Suffolk (formally Nansemond County). In recent years there has been the erection of a monument which commemorates that occasion.
Josiah Coale wrote in a letter to George Fox in England in 1660 after he returned to Virginia, regular meetings were being held “…at Chuckatuck, in Nansemond County between Nansemond River and Chuckatuck Creek”.[20] There are no known buildings present today that may have been churches in the Chuckatuck area. However, there are recordings that suggest there were meetings early on in homes and some of those homes may still be in use.
St. John’s Parish
1642 until Present
Records of early church beginnings are scarce due to lack of records being kept or because some were destroyed by fires. St. John’s Episcopal Parish is probably the oldest church in Chuckatuck. Today, the church is located one mile just southeast of the village of Chuckatuck toward the Nansemond River and lists its beginnings as 1642. The first building was erected on a land grant to establish Anglican parishes in 1642. St. John’s name at that time was the West Parish; later it changed to the Chuckatuck Parish; still later, after breaking from the Church of England in 1826, it became known as St. John’s in 1828. It was joined with other local parishes to form the Lower Suffolk Parish. In 1998 the Suffolk Parish was composed of St. John’s and Glebe Church in Driver. They later dissolved to become independent parishes and remain independent today.
The earliest known references to church buildings in the Chuckatuck Parish are in the land grant of 1672 to George and Harvey Billingsley by Governor Berkley. This original grant was obtained by John Billingsley, a persecuted Quaker. He lost the land. At that time, being a Quaker was sufficient reason for the government to take the land. It was returned to Governor Berkeley who passed it on to George and Harvey Billingsley, with the understanding one and one half acres of the 500 acre grant would be reserved for the Chuckatuck Parish Church. Evidence uncovered by archaeologists digging in the area in 1940 showed bricks indicating a bell tower foundation. It is near the present site of St. John’s. It was thought that may have been part of the first building around 1642.
The second building was built in 1700 or before. The third and present building was completed in1756 according to records found. The dimensions of the building are sixty by thirty feet outside with walls 21 inches thick. The date 1753 appears on the south wall along with the initials A.H. and E. H. for Anthony Holladay and Esther his wife who gave the parish a release deed for the church’s site, believed to have been originally a part of the Holladay’s Point plantation.
Tithes for the support of the Anglican Church in Virginia were suspended in 1776 and never restored. Apparently, the church was well attended in 1779 and it became necessary to build a gallery. Following the disestablishment of the Church of England 1785, it was necessary to abandon the building. It was later repaired and resumed service in 1826. As mentioned before, the name was changed to St. John’s in 1828.
During the Civil War, there was damage done to the church when Union soldiers passed through the Village of Chuckatuck as they were escaping the Confederate soldiers after the siege of Suffolk. In 1888 St. John’s was again remodeled as it appears today. According to records, the inside structure and the stained glass windows date to the time of remodeling in 1888. There have been repairs and replacements to the building as needed to allow its continued use thru the years.
The J. Russell Kirk Parrish house was constructed in 1971 on land donated by the Smith family of Norfolk who owned the adjoining farm. An addition was completed on the Parish house in1990. Mr. Russell Kirk’s granddaughter, Lynn Kirk Rose, recalled the following: “When I was growing up, I attended Sunday school at Wesley Chapel in the morning and then went to Saint John’s in the afternoon. My grandfather and grandmother would attend Sunday School at Wesley Chapel and then Church at both locations.” According to the history of Wesley Chapel, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk also taught Sunday school classes at Wesley Chapel.
The Church was served in the 1900s mainly by Norfolk ministers who held services once a month. In 1956 -1960, the minister from Saint Paul’s in Suffolk held services at Saint Paul’s at the regular time; then the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays, at 2PM at Glebe; and 4PM at St. John’s. In 1960, Glebe and St. John’s shared a minister. That continued until 1998 when each church became an independent parish. [6]
Since 1998, Saint John’s has been served by either part time or full time priests. The Reverend Les Ferguson began serving the congregation full time in 2010. Saint John’s membership today has increased. In the last several years membership has been up and down, as most of our churches have experienced. During these times, they have been able to remain an active, self- supporting parish. They participate in the activities with the local village Protestant churches. They have survived many years when times were difficult and still remain an effectual church in Chuckatuck today.
CLICK HERE to visit the Graveyard Listing St. John’s Episcopal Church Suffolk
Historic St. Luke’s Church
1632 or 1682 until today In 1607, many settlers who came to Jamestown were faithful to the Church of England. Governing rules reflected those religious beliefs and demands made by the Kings or Queens of England who were considered the head of the Church of England. We do know that the oldest church in the area is St Luke’s on Route 10, at the intersection of Brewer’s Neck Boulevard, right before entering Smithfield, in Isle of Wight County. It was known as “Old Brick Church” before being named St. Luke’s. In its beginnings, they carried out the rites of the Church of England. [4] This church was built five miles down the road from the Village of Chuckatuck. The land grant was given by the King of England at the time for the purpose of building churches. Today, this is an active Episcopal Church, holding services at scheduled times. Because of its historical significance, it is open to the public for tours on days as scheduled. Even though there are no precise records, evidence of the beginnings of this church was found in the similarities to the construction of the Tower Church in Jamestown dated 1638. In 1966 it was designated as a National Historic Landmark and today it is a vibrant Episcopal church.[5]
St. John’s Parish – 1642 until Present — no images were found Records of early church beginnings are scarce due to lack of records being kept or because some were destroyed by fires. St. John’s Episcopal Parish is probably the oldest church in Chuckatuck. Today, the church is located one mile just southeast of the village of Chuckatuck toward the Nansemond River and lists its beginnings as 1642. The first building was erected on a land grant to establish Anglican parishes in 1642. St. John’s name at that time was the West Parish; later it changed to the Chuckatuck Parish; still later, after breaking from the Church of England in 1826, it became known as St. John’s in 1828. It was joined with other local parishes to form the Lower Suffolk Parish. In 1998 the Suffolk Parish was composed of St. Johns and Glebe Church in Driver. They later dissolved to become independent parishes and remain independent today.
The earliest references to church buildings in the Chuckatuck Parish are in the land grant of 1672 to George and Harvey Billingsley by Governor Berkley. This original grant was obtained by John Billingsley, a persecuted Quaker. He lost the land. At that time, being a Quaker was sufficient reason for the government to take the land. It was returned to Governor Berkeley who passed it on to George and Harvey Billingsley, with the understanding one and one half acres of the 500 acre grant would be reserved for the Chuckatuck Parish Church. Evidence uncovered by archaeologists digging in the area in 1940 showed bricks indicating a bell tower foundation. It is near the present site of St. John’s. It was thought that may have been part of the first building around 1642.
The second building was built in 1700 or before. The third and present building was completed in1756 according to records found. The dimensions of the building are sixty by thirty feet outside with walls 21 inches thick. The date 1753 appears on the south wall along with the initials A.H. and E. H. for Anthony Holladay and Esther his wife who gave the parish a release deed for the church’s site, believed to have been originally a part of the Holladay’s Point plantation.
Tithes for the support of the Anglican Church in Virginia were suspended in 1776 and never restored. Apparently, the church was well attended in 1779 and it became necessary to build a gallery. Following the disestablishment of the Church of England 1785, it was necessary to abandon the building. It was later repaired and resumed service in 1826. As mentioned before, the name was changed to St. John’s in 1828.
During the Civil War, there was damage done to the church when Union soldiers passed through the Village of Chuckatuck as they were escaping the Confederate soldiers after the siege of Suffolk. In 1888 St. John’s was again remodeled as it appears today. According to records, the inside structure and the stained glass windows date to the time of remodeling in 1888. There have been repairs and replacements to the building as needed to allow its continued use thru the years.
The J. Russell Kirk Parrish house was constructed in 1971 on land donated by the Smith family of Norfolk who owned the adjoining farm. An addition was completed on the Parish house in1990. Mr. Russell Kirk’s granddaughter, Lynn Kirk Rose, recalled the following: “When I was growing up, I attended Sunday school at Wesley Chapel in the morning and then went to Saint John’s in the afternoon. My grandfather and grandmother would attend Sunday School at Wesley Chapel and then Church at both locations.” According to the history of Wesley Chapel, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk also taught Sunday school classes at Wesley Chapel.
The Church was served in the 1900s mainly by Norfolk ministers who held services once a month. In 1956 -1960, the minister from Saint Paul’s in Suffolk held services at Saint Paul’s at the regular time; then the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays, at 2PM at Glebe; and 4PM at St. John’s. In 1960, Glebe and St. John’s shared a minister. That continued until 1998 when each church became an independent parish. [6]
Since 1998, Saint John’s has been served by either part time or full time priests. The Reverend Les Ferguson began serving the congregation full time in 2010. Saint John’s membership today has increased. In the last several years membership has been up and down, as most of our churches have experienced. During these times, they have been able to remain an active, self- supporting parish. They participate in the activities with the local village Protestant churches. They have survived many years when times were difficult and still remain an effectual church in Chuckatuck today.
Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church
Like many other churches in the early days of settlement, the origins of the Methodist started in England. Its founder was John Wesley who went from England to Ireland and then to the Americas. John and his brother Charles came to Georgia as missionaries for the Church of England. In 1738 after returning to England, John had a religious experience that changed his life and beliefs. He began proclaiming to others the gospel he had found. In 1771, Frances Ashbury came to America and became a great leader of American Methodism.
Wesley Chapel’s origins began back in the 1700s, according to Dr. William B. Wellons in his writings in 1872. Dr. Wellons organized Oakland Christian Church. He was the minister of Suffolk Christian Church at that time.
The Methodist in the area first had preaching in “Rushworms” on Everets Road. “Rushworms” was built on the property of Mr. Powell. He died without deeding it to the Methodists. It was then left to his son who was not religious and he asked the Methodist to move. Cowlings Chapel was erected on the present Moore Farm Lane in the late 1700 hundreds or early 1800s. (John Monroe Cowling and his wife are buried in Wesley Chapel’s Cemetery. He was grandson of Josiah Cowling, for whom Cowling’s Chapel was named.) The church was a rectangular building which only included the sanctuary. Two wood burning stoves on both sides of the sanctuary provided heat. In 1893, vestibules were added at each side on the front, and an altar in the sanctuary and a bell tower.
Over time, as with many religious groups, division arose and splits occurred. In the early days, these caused the separation of groups and name changes. This also happened in the village of Chuckatuck. Around 1828, members succeeded from Cowlings Chapel and moved to Chuckatuck. They called themselves Methodist Protestants and erected the Wesley Chapel Building in 1850. In 1871, Cowling’s Chapel Methodist Episcopal members, who had moved to Oakland in 1851, reunited with Wesley Chapel Protestant members. They then became Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church South. Today they are Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, part of the new Elizabeth River District, in the Virginia Conference.
Wesley Chapel was on a four point charge with Benn’s Church, Riverview in Rescue, and Oak Grove in Sugar Hill from 1922 until 1951. The parsonage was owned by Benn’s Church. All of the churches were in Isle of Wight County except Wesley Chapel. Wesley Chapel had only two church services a month at that time but had Sunday school every Sunday. Benn’s became a one point charge in1951 and at the same time, Wesley Chapel became a two charge with Ebenezer in Crittenden. They built a parsonage in Crittenden, across the road from Ebenezer, with joint ownership. By 1954, Ebenezer became a one point church and bought Wesley Chapel’s part of the parsonage.
By the 20th century, attendance steadily climbed. In 1950, an educational building was added and dedicated by the Bishop at that time, Dr. Paul Garber of Richmond. The event took place 100 years after the completion of the original building. Strong leaders at that time who contributed in many ways were Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Saunders, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. J .R. Kirk and Rev. Robert Casey.
A new organ was purchased in the early 1950s. Katherine Spady was the organist from 1947 until 1955 when she and Frank moved to Georgia for 3 years. When they moved back to Chuckatuck, she continued until Betty and Sam Glasscock moved to the village in 1959. Betty Glasscock was the organist and director in 1960 with Katherine as an assistant. When Carolyn Melchor came to Wesley Chapel, Betty did the directing while Carolyn played. Louise Pickard, Betty’s friend also helped her when she was not able to play. Betty continued directing until her death in 1997; Carolyn Melchor played from 1985–1999 and at Betty’s death, became the director. Debbie Bryant is our director today, with the assistance of Teresa Kelly and Carolyn Melchor. There was no way the church could have paid any of these ladies according to their talent. All had excellent training and because of their efforts, Wesley Chapel was truly blessed with the most beautiful music possible. Wesley Chapel had a husband and wife team two years (sometime in the above time frame), who were the only paid directors ,organist and piano players that Wesley Chapel had ever had.
In the 1990s an A. K. KAWAI baby grand piano was left to the church from the Louise Pickard estate. Mrs. Pickard was a musician from the core city of Suffolk and a friend of Betty Staples Glasscock, the music director at that time. The piano was placed in the church where it remains today.
Reverend Robert Casey was a strong leader in the 1950s, even though he had a three point charge. He lived in Chuckatuck. In 1954, he was single, but married his fourth year and was granted one more year of service in order to live in the new parsonage, which was built during his last scheduled year of service, 1958. The membership increased during that time. After the late 1950s, membership again began to decline.
Rev. Melvin Ott Davis was the minister from 1969-1973. He was a very good pastor and minister and attendance improved during that time. He was transferred to Deep Creek Methodist Church and was a great asset to them also.
By 1980, attendance had improved and the entire sanctuary was renovated with replacement of new foundations and footings. The existing pine floors were removed, resurfaced and replaced. A new electrical system was installed; new heat pumps for heating and cooling were installed; old wall finishes removed and replaced with drywall and wood wainscoting; the choir area was enlarged; entire interior painting done; pews and the chancel rail were cleaned, painted or refinished, as needed. This was a time when membership was at its peak. Our very capable leader at that time was Reverend Edwin Clever. He was gifted in youth ministry. Wesley Chapel had a very active MYF and youth coral group, as well as an adult choir. Betty Glasscock was the organist and choir director at that time. Katherine Spady was always willing to help Betty when needed. During that time, Wesley Chapel became a one point charge for the first time in history of the church. It has kept that status since then.
In the next ten years, membership fluctuated as many of the children became adults and either moved to follow vocations or choose other churches after marriage. In the next thirty years, the stain glass windows of the 1800s were protected as necessary on the outside; glass was removed and soldered/glazed at a later date; restroom was remodeled; the chancel rail was split to allow better access to altar and easier movement for the minister.
During 1988-1993, the first female minister, Layne Wadsworth, was assigned to Wesley Chapel; two more women followed, Rev. Kathryyn Pigg and Rev. Gretchen Nelson. The first cross cultural minister, Rev. Ileana Rosario, started in 2009 and remains as minister today. Through the years, many other ministers began their initial years as a pastor with Wesley Chapel.
In May 2000, Wesley Chapel celebrated its 150th year of continuous service with dinner on the ground and the presence of four previous ministers, the Reverends Robert Casey, Charles Dameron, Lane Wardsworth, and Kathryn Pigg, the then present minister. A former District Superintendent of the Portsmouth District, Reverend Carl Haley, was also in attendance. A time capsule was placed under the stairwell by the president, Charles Wynn and members of the United Methodist men in the restroom, to be opened in May of 2005. Members and invited guest enjoyed a service and dinner on the beautiful spring day on the 3rd Sunday in May that was always the church homecoming day. The trustees at that time were Frank A. Spady, Jr., John W. Bradshaw and Betty C. Prelow.
Superintendents of Sunday school from 1922 -2011 were: Mr. Mills from Meador Lot Lane, J. R. Chapman, J. R. Kirk, Joshua Pretlow, C. J. Moody, Frank Spady, Billy Whitley, and Kirk Pretlow who serves presently.
Wesley Chapel has always been blessed to have excellent Sunday school teachers. (It was customary for a child and young adults to call all ladies, “Miss”, even if married.) Teaching in the early 1920s were Mrs. Mattie Godwin, (wife of Captain Charlie Godwin and grandmother of Judge James Godwin); Mrs. Annie Lee Gilliam and Mrs. R. T. Gilliam (Miss Dot), who were the grandmother and mother of Nancy Gilliam Lambdin, Frances Gilliam Tappin and Judith Gilliam Cobb. (Nancy is still a member of Wesley Chapel and lives in Chuckatuck; Judith resides at “Lake Prince” in Suffolk; Frances lives in Texas).
In the late thirties, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Kirk both taught Sunday school classes at Wesley Chapel. The Adult class was named the Russell Kirk Bible Class in honor of Mr. Kirk’s devotion to Wesley Chapel. Mrs. Kirk taught in the intermediate classes. He and Mrs. Kirk belonged to the Saint John’s Episcopal Church as well and attended services at both churches every Sunday.
Before the educational building was built all Sunday school classes were held in the Sanctuary. Maroon curtains were hung to separate the classes. Both vestibules were also used. There were classes for all age groups and were well attended at that time. After the educational building was completed, the second story of the educational building accommodated all these classes plus the adults who met downstairs
Wesley Chapel has always been blessed with dedicated leaders through the years. Edna Blough taught children’s classes for many years. Other teachers were Janet Wynn, Lila Pretlow, Betty Glasscock, Ellen Glasscock, Marie Melton, Beverly Whitley, Teresa Kelly, Jo Anne Barlow, and David Goodrich. For the last years as children’s attendance dwindled, there have been only a few classes for small children. The remaining classes were for teens. At the present time, no children attend Sunday school. In the 1950s C. J. Moody taught the older teens. Mrs. Edna Saunders taught a Young Adult class in the 60s; Charles Hinton followed, until he moved away and the class disbanded. The Adult class has continued and is the only Sunday school class at the present time. Since 1960, it has been taught by Joshua Pretlow, Sam Glasscock and Joshua Pretlow, Jr., Tom Hines, Gene Corson, Mary Kay Miller and Drexel Bradshaw have recently been substitutes. Dorothy Bradshaw was president of the Adult Class for many years.
In recent years, Wesley Chapel has had many active groups within the church: United Methodist Women; United Methodist Men; MYF for the youth; community activities during summer, when there were only a few youth; Christmas and Easter Cantatas; Patriotic Music programs for the community; Sunday school picnics; Valentine Dinners for missions by David and Eva Goodrich; Bible Studies by the ministers; Fifth Sunday luncheons for the church; Share Fest and bazaars. Bible School was always popular in the summers for the children of the village; several years the adults were included. In recent years, Bible School has not been held.
The 2000s brought many challenges. The last ten years have found Wesley Chapel with Sunday school only for the adult class of ten to fifteen, with only three teenagers, with an older congregation, with average attendance of thirty- fifty (including choir of fifteen members), a new vivacious minister, 6 new members this last year, wonderful music and hope for the future.+++
*** Recent church leaders have been:
Lay Leaders: Sam Glasscock, Joshua Pretlow, Jr., Janet and Charles Wynn, and Mary Kay Miller.
Trustees: J. R. Kirk, W. G. Saunders, Edna Saunders, Joshua Pretlow, Betty Cross Pretlow, John Bradshaw, Frank Spady, Drexel Bradshaw, Beverly Whitley, Kirk Pretlow.
Administrative Council Chairpersons: Joshua Pretlow, Jr., David Goodrich, Gene Corson, Shelley Barlow,
Treasurers have been: Katherine Moody, 25 years; Ann Berard, 5 years; Pam Byrd, 11 years; Allen Bryant, 7 years and remains in that office today.
*** (above is for church Information that may need adding of more names)
+++ Excerpted mainly from, “Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church 1850-2000: A Brief History”, Written by Katherine and Frank Spady, Members of Wesley Chapel. Excerpts made by Beverly Whitley for GCHF project in 2011. Information that is after the year 2000 and some since 1958, entered as remembered by Beverly Rogers Whitley, a member of Wesley Chapel, with help from involved people and families. Many active members’ names may not be included only by lack of memory or by accident.