Centerville Baptist Church was founded seven years after the Civil War, along
the "Great Road" that connected the village of Great Bridge to the Northwest
River. The well worn road allowed families traveling in mule-drawn wagons
and horseback riders to join together in worship.
Centerville's roots originate with Northwest Baptist Church, organized in
1782, and Pleasant Grove, established in 1845.
the "Great Road" that connected the village of Great Bridge to the Northwest
River. The well worn road allowed families traveling in mule-drawn wagons
and horseback riders to join together in worship.
Centerville's roots originate with Northwest Baptist Church, organized in
1782, and Pleasant Grove, established in 1845.
Centerville Baptist Church began as a Sunday School, organized by Griffin Jennings and William Pritchard. Mr.
And Mrs. William Jackson donated one acre of their farm land for the first sanctuary in 1871.
The Jackson farm was called "Center Hill." The deed dated 1871 conveyed the acre of farm land to the Trustees of
"Center Hill Baptist Church."
And Mrs. William Jackson donated one acre of their farm land for the first sanctuary in 1871.
The Jackson farm was called "Center Hill." The deed dated 1871 conveyed the acre of farm land to the Trustees of
"Center Hill Baptist Church."
The lumber for Centerville's first sanctuary was transported by barge through
the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal. The barge sank, en route, and the
"baptised" lumber was salvaged and used.
The original wooden sanctuary was sold to another congregation during the
period of 1923 to 1935. It is still serving the needs of a faithful congregation
and is located along rural Mount Pleasant Road.
the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal. The barge sank, en route, and the
"baptised" lumber was salvaged and used.
The original wooden sanctuary was sold to another congregation during the
period of 1923 to 1935. It is still serving the needs of a faithful congregation
and is located along rural Mount Pleasant Road.
The church purchased additional property from the S. Wright family on the north side of the property.
The lower level of the existing structure was used by the pastor's family. The upper level was used as
classrooms for the growing rural congregation.
In 1959, construction began on a new Education wing, kitchen and fellowship hall. A modern
parsonage was built and the upper level of the Wright House was converted into temporary housing
for foreign missionaries home on furlough. An enclosed pavilion was constructed to facilitate
church-wide fellowship around the American tradition of cook-outs, picnics, families and children.
The lower level of the existing structure was used by the pastor's family. The upper level was used as
classrooms for the growing rural congregation.
In 1959, construction began on a new Education wing, kitchen and fellowship hall. A modern
parsonage was built and the upper level of the Wright House was converted into temporary housing
for foreign missionaries home on furlough. An enclosed pavilion was constructed to facilitate
church-wide fellowship around the American tradition of cook-outs, picnics, families and children.
During the early 1970's, as the church neared the 100th
Anniversary, the community began to transition from rural
agriculture to suburban.
The Upper Room Sanctuary overflowed with the faithful. Closed
circuit televisions were installed in the Fellowship Hall, located on
the lower level, to accommodate the masses as well as the elderly
and infirmed that could not navigate the staircases.
Anniversary, the community began to transition from rural
agriculture to suburban.
The Upper Room Sanctuary overflowed with the faithful. Closed
circuit televisions were installed in the Fellowship Hall, located on
the lower level, to accommodate the masses as well as the elderly
and infirmed that could not navigate the staircases.
Construction of the current sanctuary began in September 1975, It is located on the
site formerly occupied by the Wright House.
The sanctuary was constructed in the shape of a Greek Cross and seats
approximately 500 people. In 1978, the church purchased the Burfoot house and the
four acres of land on the south side of the church property. The Burfoot House
served as a Group Home for youth of the community for 30 years. As the City of
Chesapeake relinquished the lease of the facility, the church has assumed full
responsibility for the structure and has renovated it for ministry purposes.
site formerly occupied by the Wright House.
The sanctuary was constructed in the shape of a Greek Cross and seats
approximately 500 people. In 1978, the church purchased the Burfoot house and the
four acres of land on the south side of the church property. The Burfoot House
served as a Group Home for youth of the community for 30 years. As the City of
Chesapeake relinquished the lease of the facility, the church has assumed full
responsibility for the structure and has renovated it for ministry purposes.
As the church encountered the new millennium, a new phase of church growth began.
The Herman Hall family donated ten acres of land on the south side of the church,
expanding the church grounds to twenty-seven acres of land.
The completed construction project expanded the church facilities and now encompasses
a Children's wing with large, bright classrooms, a restaurant quality kitchen, half-court
gymnasium/fellowship hall and flex spaces. A commons area connects the newest wing
to the sanctuary and historic education wing and Upper Room Sanctuary.
The Herman Hall family donated ten acres of land on the south side of the church,
expanding the church grounds to twenty-seven acres of land.
The completed construction project expanded the church facilities and now encompasses
a Children's wing with large, bright classrooms, a restaurant quality kitchen, half-court
gymnasium/fellowship hall and flex spaces. A commons area connects the newest wing
to the sanctuary and historic education wing and Upper Room Sanctuary.
In 1957, Centerville Baptist Church organized and founded
Centerville Baptist Church Kindergarten. Mrs. Mildred
Fentress and Mrs. Alma Ford began the tradition of ministering
to the children of the community with the early childhood
education program. Their legacy continues to thrive with the
current staff and students.
The first class of twenty-one children have recently celebrated
the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of their Kindergarten class.
Centerville Baptist Church Kindergarten. Mrs. Mildred
Fentress and Mrs. Alma Ford began the tradition of ministering
to the children of the community with the early childhood
education program. Their legacy continues to thrive with the
current staff and students.
The first class of twenty-one children have recently celebrated
the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of their Kindergarten class.
A two-story brick church was erected to replace the first wooden sanctuary. The "Upper Room" Sanctuary features beautiful stained glass
windows. The lower level housed education classroom facilities.
windows. The lower level housed education classroom facilities.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Centerville Baptist Church 908 Centerville Turnpike South, Chesapeake, VA 23322 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | |  | |  |