First United Church of Christ
1017 Todds Lane, Hampton, Virginia 23666
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A History of First United Church of Christ
The sermon on that blustery March 3 was entitled "The Church at Work." The Rev. W. C. Wicker, organizing pastor, was in the pulpit. The 11 am. service followed 9:30 Sunday School. A Sunday evening service was scheduled, with a revival meeting set for Monday.
The year was 1901.
A century has passed since that first service at North End Christian Church. Due to denomination mergers, the church has been renamed and has changed locations three times.
But today's First United Church of Christ still echoes the theme of Rev. Wicker's opening message. It is, truly, a church at work.
From the elegance of the candlelight Christmas Eve Service to the ambience of a real country bazaar. From the bell ringers to the kindergarten choir. From the pastor to the acolytes. From uplifting music that causes a soul to rejoice to silent meditation that prompts prayers of thanksgiving. From festive weddings to heart-warming baptisms.
Like all families, First Church is indebted to its ancestors, such as the Christian Missionary Association, which in December 1899 recommended the establishment of a Christian Church in Newport News.
The first house of worship was constructed on Lafayette Avenue, between 46th and 47th streets.
With many members living in the East End, another Christian Church was established at 23rd and Roanoke Avenue with 47 charter members. In 1906, the North End and the East Ed congregations merged to for the Newport News Christian Church.
Thanks to God's blessing the church prospered, and a larger structure was erected across Roanoke Avenue, The first service was conducted in February 1930.
Eleven years later, the Christian Church merged, and the Newport News Christian Church became the First Congregational Christian Church. In 1943, the church purchased the old Elliott house near 23rd and Roanoke, razed it, and by December 1945 and educational center for the church family stood at the site.
Our most recent name change occurred in 1957, when the Congregational Christian and the Evangelical and Reformed denominations merged. The United Church of Christ was born, and we became the First United Church of Christ.
In 1964, First Church decided to relocate to Todds Lane, and the English Colonial structure with its towering, 130-foot steeple has become a Peninsula landmark.
The building was consecrated September 26, 1965. Among the attendees that morning was Rev. Victor Hayes of the Warwick UCC. A decade earlier, First Church had encouraged a group of young Christians to establish the Warwick Church, which still flourishes today.
In May of 2004, First Church began offering a contemporary worship service called The Potter's Place.
First Church continues to minister to all who walk humbly through its doors, from fourth-generation members to visitors in search of a Christian home.
With a grand sanctuary, serene chapel, numerous classrooms, beautiful gardens and fellowship hall, First Church is blessed with superb facilities. But its primary asset remains its people, who have made Rev. Wicker's vision a reality: We are a church at work.
Pastors 1900 to Present
1900 Rev. W.C. Wicker, D.D.
1901 - 1906 Rev. N.G. Newman, D.D.
1906 - 1911 Rev. M.W. Butler
1911 - 1915 Rev. W.D. Harward, D.D.
1915 - 1918 Rev. J.V. Knight
1918 - 1920 Rev. H.J. Fleming
1920 Rev. E.H. Rainey
1920 - 1921 Rev. C.J. Felton
1921 - 1926 Rev. B.J. Earp
1926 - 1931 Rev. M.F. Allen
1931 - 1936 Rev R.L. House
1936 - 1946 Rev. J.H. Dollar, D.D.
1947 - 1950 Rev. H.S. Hardcastle, D.D.
1950 Rev. N.G. Newman, D.D.
1950 - 1955 Rev. A.L. Granger Jr.
1955 - 1964 Rev. J.H. Dollar, D.D
1964 - 1984 Rev. C.E. Wallace
1984 - 1985 Rev. D.L. Wilson (Interim)
1985 - 1989 Rev. T.O. Dekle
1990 - 1991 Rev. R.B. Marr (Interim)
1991 Rev. T.H. Britton (Interim)
1991 - Pres. Rev. L.G. Diehl
1994 - 1995 Rev. B. Jacobi, German Intern
2001 - 2005 Rev. L. Gaul, Minister of Education & Youth
2005 - Pres. Rev. L. Gaul, Associate Pastor
Welcome to the history of
the
First United Church of Christ.
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