By Jennifer Conley
After more than a year of planning, North Pamunkey Baptist Church celebrated its 250th anniversary on the weekend of September 13-15. It was a wonderful time of music, fellowship,
and food, with many out-oftown former members attending, including those with community
connections to Macedonia Christian Church and Shady Grove Baptist Church.
The event kicked off Friday night with the singing group, The Crestmen. It was a toe-tapping and hand-clapping good time for all in attendance. Several special items were on display,
including a stone, engraved and installed by Bob Clore, bearing the names of all the ministers of the church dating back to the beginning. In the Sunday school wing, old photographs lined the walls for guests and congregants to take in. One Sunday school room was transformed into a museum with artifacts such as clothing, Bibles, scrapbooks, and more.
Saturday began with an historical program highlighting the long history of North Pamunkey and its founders, Elijah Craig and Aaron Bledsoe. Speakers included former pastors Dr. Marvin Gobble and Dr. Mike Hatfield, as well as Shelly Long of Shady Grove. The keynote address was delivered by Travis Witt, Director of Strategic Outreach at Liberty University’s Standing for
Freedom Center. His talk, entitled “There Comes a Time,” covered the history of religious freedom and itsimportance today.
After a brief intermission, the crowd stayed to hear several groups and individuals provide
special music selections, including a performance by Shady Grove’s choir and followed by a group hymn sing. And then everyone went outside for a community feast under a massive tent.
Celebrants returned Sunday morning, many dressed in colonial garb, for our Homecoming service.
Pastor Tim Jarrell preached to a full house, and the choir performed music that tied our celebration to the founding of America. Many people, who had not been in attendance
the night before, stayed to have another special meal, this one provided by Cooper’s Cookin’ and Catering of Orange.
This was a special event, blessed from above! Every word spoken, every prayer prayed, evEry connection forged between members of the congregation was perfectly in tune with the spirit of the celebration.
Pictured, clockwise from top: Many attendees Sunday showed up in colonial garb.
The Shady Grove Baptist Church choir was one of many musical performances enjoyed
during the weekend. Jennifer Conley presented a history of the 250-year-old
church.