A Partial History of the First Church of God in Richmond (with emphasis on Southside)
And, a brief history of the Church of God Movement...
Historian John W.V. Smith says in the twelve years between 1916 and 1928,
the Church of God Anderson, began an organizational revolution. So in 1917,
the Church began an annual Yearbook as an orderly way to chronicle the
movement of the Church. Three years later, the name of Ira A. Tucker appears
in the Yearbook as associated with the Church in Richmond, Virginia. He lays
a ten-year foundation which later became a solid work on Lumbardy, Greyland,
Rowland Streets. In 20 years the Church is settled on Stockton Avenue with
Joseph C. Teele as Pastor.
By the 40’s the message of the Church began to reach out to new Christians
with three local Churches on Stockton Avenue, Grove Avenue, and Marshall
Streets. Not all the names of those who labored are recorded. Nor are all the
places and homes of worship recorded. But we owe our deepest gratitude to
those like Ira Tucker, Joseph C. Teele, C. F. Diezel, Roy W. Potter, and H.
Melvin Wampler. These men and co-workers labored to solidify ground for the
Kingdom of God in Richmond.
The Church in Atkins, established in 1913 by A. G. Ridde (1899-1944), is one
of the oldest Churches of God in Virginia. A. G. Riddle came from Tennessee
and was a close friend of H.M. Riggle. As WWII began, out of that Atkins
Church came H. Melvin Wampler who came to Richmond and along with
Charles Richardson began more evangelistic work (probably with M. L.
McNeil) in the North Side of the city. Meeting in a large house, then moving to
a house in a park, a Church was established meeting on Lakeside Avenue, then
to 2900 Grove Avenue during those WWII years.
Perhaps from these efforts, from 1944 through 1949, W.H. Taylor was the
pastor of the new congregation at 3306 East Marshall.
John Osteen says Wampler attempted to begin a work in the South Side to
established a First Church of God on Hull Street. We have no written records of
this and the Year Book files are also silent, but a South Side Church was
established by 1956. Wampler was known as a “good preacher” and had “a
good work.” Later, he went to New York City and became a well known and
beloved minister in that area for helping immigrants off “the boat” to get
established. When Brother Wampler died, he was brought back to Atkins by
people from New York City. Others came to pay their respects to this friend of
man and friend of God. When Wampler left the South Side Richmond Church,
someone else did follow him as pastor but they didn’t stay very long. And the
Church was ‘on again’ and ‘off again’ and still never really became firmly
established at this time.
Uncle Liburn (about 1880-1972) and nephew George Musser (1899-1972) were
tanners and were also in the Church at Atkins. Both men came to the Richmond
area and Liburn stayed and worked in a furniture factory near Ashland. Liburn
was known as a faithful Christian. When he moved to Decader Street in
Richmond, he began a Church in his home. Liburn’s first wife, Macey, was
known as a saint. After she died Liburn married Suzie and they later lived on
Warwick Road. Liburn continued to work in the furniture factory and became
its Superintendent. He and his family worked hard and supported the South
Side First Church all his life.
This time, in a the work began in earnest and George Musser first came and
preached in the new “Home Church” in 1947 or 1949. This information
provided by G.C.Musser of the Atkins Church. G.C’s father was George
Musser and G.C.’s grandfather was A.G.Riddle. At that time there was no
permanent pastor so the pulpit was often filled by John C. Osteen from the
Tidewater area, Don Pickett from Reedville, Harvey Edge and George Musser
from time to time.
In 1955 Reverend B.O.Privett was called as the pastor for the small group of
twelve Christians. They met on Thursday nights at Brother Musser’s house on
Warwick Road.
What follows next details a little history taken either directly or in part from the
Dedication Service program of April 5, 1964 for the First Church of God at
6517 Walmsley Boulevard in Richmond, VA. The Church now really began to
take roots in 1955 under the leadership of B.O.Privett. He and a few families of
the faith bought a lot at 184 Belt Boulevard and built a new small cinder block
building near South Side Plaza.’ Privett led the small group until the summer of
1957 when he resigned. Reverend Privett and his family, and daughter Margie
in particular, continued to help the Church for sometime even after he had
accepted the charge at the Mountain View Church of God in Lynchburg, VA.
After Pastor Privett left, Reverend Alfred L. Conner accepted the oversight of
the church. He remained as Pastor until the spring of 1960. Upon the
resignation of Reverend Conner, the Reverend Malcolm L. Lavender became
Pastor. Reverend Lavender remained as pastor until his resignation in August,
1961.
Reverend Sheldon C. Johnson became pastor in February, 1962. Upon the
arrival of Reverend Johnson, it was seen there was a need for a change of
location for the church. The present location was fast becoming a business
district. After some months, with many locations being considered, the Church
finally decided to buy the property in the South Side at 6517 Walmsley
Boulevard. In the spring of 1963 the property at 184 Belt Boulevard was sold.’
Their insight was right on the mark as a Burger Chef fast food restaurant soon
moved in right next door and an insurance office took over the old church
facility.
Brother Johnson’s son, James Owen Johnson, an accomplished architect who
designed the tabernacle dome for the Campgrounds in Anderson, IN, donated
his time and work and drew up the plans for a new contemporary brick house
of worship. The design was pleasing to the eye, functional, and served the
congregation for many years. On September 1, 1963, ground was broken for
the new church which was later dedicated April 5, 1964.
About this time work in other areas of the country began to slack off, but
Richmond’s magnetism seemed to be the opposite. Or perhaps it was the Lord
working to bring in good people to help build and sustain “His Church.”
After Simeon R. Green’s ten-year labors, the Association’s work was continued
by Brothers Allen L. Mack, Thomas Green, W.H. DeLaine, Lloyd G. Linton,
and Irnishel P. Drew. Brother Linton was killed in a car crash while on his way
home on a Sunday night. Other helpers and Associates in the North Side have
been Alden Simmons, William L. Brady, Simeon Green, Don Oree, Rick
Futtrell, Crystal Atkins, Brian K. Beverly and the Parkers. While much
advanced in her life, Simeon’s wife, Dr. Lucille V. Green, became Dean
Emeritus for the Leadership College of the Church of God in Virginia. I know
there were probably more, so please forgive if their names aren’t included.
In the early 60’s, Brother Sheldon Johnson’s daughter, Bernice, and her family
relocated to Richmond and quickly became another living stone for the Church.
The Caldwells migrated from Southwestern Virginia where Brother Johnson
had been Pastor. The Woodwards chose Richmond to be their new home even
though Woody’s roots were always in Maine and Esther’s roots were deep in
Ohio. These and many more wonderful people would become the very “core”
of the church for years to come. A deep appreciation should also be mentioned
for the Morris’ and E.O. “Joe” Chapman, the Building Fund Treasurer, who
served as the catalyst-through the Lord, that somehow money was available to
pay the bills that come with building and the unexpected situations that always
come up. Notable mention should also be made for Esther Flynt and of course
Liburn Musser and his “saintly” wife for their continued support and dedication
to see the church go forward. Thus, these “living stones” have born much fruit
over their years for the Lord by their faith, love, and support for the message
the First Church of God has help spread “into all the world.”
The following is a reprint of a report on Richmond which appeared in the state
newspaper, The Virginia Light, December 1964. “We in Richmond are very
thankful for our new church building and location. Also, we are thankful for the
interest and faithfulness already shown by neighbors in this area. Rev. Joe
Crane, from Missions Board in Anderson, Indiana, held meetings here on
December 5th and 6th. In spite of inclement weather, it was a very profitable
meeting. We were happy for the good attendance. Most gratifying of all was
the fine altar service. We look forward to the time when our friend in Christ,
Rev. Crane, can be with us again. Our attendance at the close of this year is
almost double that of last year. This is a challenge for all of us to work a little
harder this coming year. Our Christmas family Dinner on December 13th was a
time of fine Christian Fellowship. We appreciate these times when we can
become better acquainted with each other. We pray that as a body of Christians,
we can point the way to God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Given by Ms Esther Oesch
Woodward.”
Reverend Howard Benson, with his large growing family, followed as Pastor
from late 1965 to June 1970. Next Reverend John C. Osteen, who had helped
the young struggling church years before, now became their pastor for eight
years. Brother Osteen died at the age of 101 in 2016. Reverend Art Clawson
became the next pastor and after staying only eight months, returned to
graduate school. Reverend Don Kelly was pastor from July 1979 and left after
he was ordained in August 1981. Reverend William E. Weaver, of Lynchburg,
assumed the pastorate from January 1983 to May of 1984. Reverend Fredrick
D. Clements was pastor from July 1984 through1986.
With Clements, the Church accepted the sponsorship and care of six Ethiopian
men through the Church of God Refugee and Relief Services. The Church was
expected to provide food, clothing, and assist the six men finding employment.
None of the refugees had any money, nor family in America, and couldn’t
speak English.
During this time Ron Carr, acting Worship Leader, introduced the Church to
“Praise Worship.” He had come to Richmond to train as a Certified Hospital
Chaplain. Unfortunately, he met with a violent death by a BB Gun and
Hunting Knife at the hand of two young men. The two were on drugs and
alcohol at the time. Ron was previous Pastor in Charleston, West Virginia and
Jackson, Mississippi.
Reverend Byrum C. Lee became Pastor of the church from March 1987 until
March 1989 when he became the State Coordinator for the Virginia Assembly
of Church of God in Virginia. Reverend Paul R. Phelps first came from North
Carolina in April 1989 and returned to North Carolina in October 1990.
Reverend William “Bill” W. Wilson came to Richmond in November of 1990.
For many years the folks in the congregation recognized that the facility,
although nice, was severely limited for future growth. In the plans James
Johnson had made, there had been an education wing designed to go on to the
western side of the building. The property was large enough for this addition.
When Phelps was pastor, the people had a mind to expand their building,
however no consensus could be reached the on the debt the church could bear.
Now when Brother Wilson arrived, different approaches were pursued.
The beautiful modern split-level parsonage on Twain Lane was sold within a
matter of hours after being on the market. A new and larger brick parsonage
was built to the west of the church. An additional “small” loan was taken out
and the worship building size was doubled out to the rear. Pastor Bill’s two fold
responsibility now included Pastor and the Job Superintendent while his family
lived in the church during the construction of the parsonage. The additional
space allowed for much needed class rooms and a Fellowship-multipurpose
room. All the furniture, tables, and cabinets were bought new, and the Lord
provided them for free! Spiritual growth was also going on during this time.
In 1991 the Church at Walmsley called Gerald Hilton to be its first Associate
Pastor. Hilton put together a computer and programmed it to make telephone
calls to the local area. The message was a simple invitation and the computer
called 35,000 homes. From that, the Good family became identified with the
Church for the next 30 years! In 1996, Hilton, after being a part of the
fellowship for twenty-seven years, left to begin a Kingdom Builder work in the
West End. Jim Davidson became the pastor, but the Church folded in 2001.
Bill Wilson became bi-vocational by driving a School Bus and coaching
basketball. He left in June of 2000, after almost ten years as pastor. From 1999
to 2000, Reverend Alden Simmons was the Assistant Pastor. And, for the
second time, Reverend Paul Phelps came in October 1, 2000 and this time he
stayed until January 11, 2004.
Peter Canciglia, became the Interim Pastor on April 4, 2004, then a little later
the Pastor. “Pastor Pete” was bi-vocational and maintained a home in
Spotsylvania. Under his leadership the Church became more “Mission
minded.” For forty years, since moving to Walmsley the Church had been a
“Neighbor Church.” The Church had a traditional program of annual Revivals,
Concerts, Bible Schools, and Church dinners. Now, as the finances grew the
Church was able to support the work of Church all over the world. The Church
became a leader of strong support in the State. At home, the facilities were
upgraded and rented to Hispanic and African churches for their worship.
Gerald Hilton returned as the Associate Pastor in July 2008. In 2009, after
being in the congregation for 46 years, Esther Oesch Woodward, moved to be
near her daughter in King William. Esther had served the Church as Treasurer
and Sunday School Teacher for most of her faithful tenure. The Church became
Richmond First Church of God Incorporated on September 30, 2009. In 2011,
Minister Julia Candia came on staff as Music Minister for about a year. In
2012, the Sunday School and Morning Worship times were moved up one hour.
Regardless of who we are or even what we think, God has “His Church.” Over
the years, many people have come and gone through the Richmond South Side
Walmsley Boulevard Church in Richmond. She has served her purpose and
continues to serve her purpose. Many thanks for the people who worked and
are working to uphold and sustain the work and fill in the gaps between the
Shepherds. As for me and my house, “I will be eternally grateful for the First
Church of God in Richmond… To God be the Glory“
Sources: John C. Osteen, G. C. Musser, Margie Musselman, Dr. Lucille V. Green, Vivian
Miemen of the Archives and Special Collections at Anderson University, and Gerald W.
Hilton who compiled and Revised this work on August 31, 2018.(Richmond FCG History 180831.rtf)
A brief history of the Church of God Movement...
On October 1, 1881, a group of about thirty people met together in a church in the little village of Beaver Dam, Indiana. The village sat on the shore of Yellow Creek Lake in Kosciusko County in the northern part of the state. One of the people, a man named Daniel S. Warner, rose to his feet to speak to the group.
At that time Daniel Warner was the pastor of a church in Indianapolis and editor of a religious newspaper called the Gospel Trumpet. Earlier in his life he had been a soldier in the Civil War. Then in 1865 he decided to become a Christian and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Soon after that he became a minister. He was a pastor in Ohio and Indiana, and he worked as a home missionary in Nebraska in the 1870s when that state was still part of the "Wild West."
All eyes in the room turned to Warner as he asked for permission to speak. His exact words were not written down, but we know that his speech attacked a problem in the lives of Christians in America. D. S. Warner saw that the problem was that Christians had divided into too many different church groups, "Why should there be so many different churches?" he asked himself and the people around him. "Why must we divide ourselves into Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and all the others? Why can we not live together as brothers and sisters in one great church family under God?"
Warner believed that it was possible for Christians to live together in the unity that comes when God's love is present in people's hearts. At the Beaver Dam meeting he stood up to say that he was forever finished with all religious groups that divided Christian people from each other. From then on, he said, he would be part of God's church (or, the Church of God) and not other.
Warner asked the group if any others felt the way he did. Five people said they agreed with him. Two weeks later, in Carson City, Michigan, Warner made much the same speech. He had been invited there by Joseph and Allie Fisher, who agreed with him. Out of these two meetings, one in Indiana and the other in Michigan, the Church of God movement was born.
Early Church of God people were very determined not to be organized like the churches of their day. So they did not have church buildings and congregations as we do today. Instead they often met outdoors in what were called "brush arbors" when the weather permitted them to be outside. In these early days they had neither church buildings nor pastors, as we think of them. Early Church of God ministers wanted to spread their message of the unity of God's people as fast and as far as possible. Because of their desire they were called the "Flying Messengers." They often traveled, either by train or wagon, in "evangelistic companies" made up of four or five men and women.
A company would travel into a town, sing a few songs, and announce that they would be holding a series of religious services (often called a "meeting"). At these services they would preach the message of the Church of God movement and they would sing songs written by men and women of the movement who put the message into poetry and music. Then the company would invite people in the audience to "take a stand" for the Church of God movement. At the end of the meeting, which might last as long as two weeks or a month, the evangelistic company would leave town and travel on to the next place they felt God wanted them to have a meeting. These were great days in the Church of God, because the flying messengers and the Gospel Trumpet enabled the young movement to spread the word very fast. Before long little groups were meeting from coast to coast.
The Civil War was fought from 1860-1865 to end the slavery of black people in the southern states. During the war President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves were free. In spite of these events black people continued to be treated unjustly by white people, especially after 1875, just about the time when the Church of God movement came into being.
Flying messengers like Lena Shoffner preached the message of Christian unity in the southern states just as they had everywhere else. Black people were especially interested in this message, because they believed that if Christians really followed that teaching, then blacks and whites would be able to worship together in the same church.
In 1897 at the Alabama Camp Meeting, Miss Shoffner preached on the Bible verse that says "Christ has broken down the dividing wall of hostility." As she preached someone let loose a rope that separated the black and white sides of the congregation. Then all the worshipers, blacks and whites together, gathered at the altar to pray as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Some of the neighbors in the surrounding area became angry when they learned that blacks and whites worshiped together at the Church of God Camp Meeting. They threw rocks and tried to disrupt the meetings. They even dynamited some of the Camp Meeting buildings. But the saints held fast their stand on Christian unity.
More than ten years before these exciting events a black woman named Jane Williams led a small gathering of black men and women in the Church of God way in Charleston, South Carolina. There were also congregations of black people in Augusta, Georgia in the 1890s.
After 1900 black Americans began moving to the great cities of the north--places like Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and New York. Church of God black people were part of this move to the north and began worshiping with white people in the north. But congregations made up of only black people were begun in Chicago in 1915 and Detroit in 1916. By 1926 there were 62 black congregations and 2,276 members. At about the same time the National Association of the Church of God came into being. Since 1917 it has sponsored a Camp Meeting at West Middlesex, Pennsylvania. Large numbers of black Christians attend this meeting every year.
This article is from A Look at the Church of God for Children : The Story of the Church for Children 1880-1930 by Merle D. Strege. 1987. Warner Press, Inc., Anderson, Indiana (Vol. I, pp. 1-8).
P.S. In 2004 the the Virginia Assembly of the Church of God and the Virginia Association of the Church of God became completely united in body, fellowship, and worship under the Church of God in Virginia.' Gerald W. Hilton