We worshipped on Sunday at the Mechanicsville Baptist Church located in rural Louisa County, Virginia. The church is more than 180 years old. I had the privilege of serving as their interim pastor several years ago. It is good to go back and visit with long term friends.
The building dates back to pre-civil war days. Prior to 1858 the church was known as the Free Union Baptist Church. That year significant slave membership decided to move down the road and start there own church. They took the name of the church with them which implies that they had the larger membership. The church then took on the name 'Mechanicsville' because there were a number of blacksmiths and wheelwrights located along this stretch of road. The old slave entrance (now sealed) is still visible on the right side of the building.
Ultimately a church is not about the building but about the people. It represents the 'fellowship of believers.' Above is Margaret Morris with my wife Charlotte. I performed the funeral for Margaret's husband over ten years ago.
Butch and Barbra Morris have been through a terrible legal ordeal over the past year. Butch has a powerful testimony about how how God has transformed his life and how the fellowship has supported him through his ordeal.
Bea Ornduff (top) and Hattie Crebbs are two of the saints that have invested a lifetime into the ministry of the church. Hattie was the church organist for many years. She told me once that she was the organist for twelve years before she needed to formally join the fellowship. Before that she had been a member of the Episcopal Church and played the organ in both places
Ultimately a church is not about the building but about the people. It represents the 'fellowship of believers.' Above is Margaret Morris with my wife Charlotte. I performed the funeral for Margaret's husband over ten years ago.
Butch and Barbra Morris have been through a terrible legal ordeal over the past year. Butch has a powerful testimony about how how God has transformed his life and how the fellowship has supported him through his ordeal.
Bea Ornduff (top) and Hattie Crebbs are two of the saints that have invested a lifetime into the ministry of the church. Hattie was the church organist for many years. She told me once that she was the organist for twelve years before she needed to formally join the fellowship. Before that she had been a member of the Episcopal Church and played the organ in both places
During my time as interim pastor, Bea and Hattie would spend the afternoons visiting the sick and the shut ins. It was common that I would go and visit someone and Hattie and Bea would have just been there.
Mechanicsville is a multi generational church. Above are three of the youth present on Sunday, they are Angel, Katie and Elizabeth with Samuel peeking through from behind. Angel and Katie are tenth graders in Louisa High School, Elizabeth is transferring to Messiah College in Pennsylvania this Fall. Samuel is a fourth grader.
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Mechanicsville is a multi generational church. Above are three of the youth present on Sunday, they are Angel, Katie and Elizabeth with Samuel peeking through from behind. Angel and Katie are tenth graders in Louisa High School, Elizabeth is transferring to Messiah College in Pennsylvania this Fall. Samuel is a fourth grader."Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4: 3-5
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