Peakland's History

 

 

Live Intentionally.

Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.

 

"If what they teach and do is merely on their own, they will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them..."                                                                                     

                               
Service and teaching were two of the cornerstones of ministry born 1951 as the Community-Collegiate Church which met in the house at 3128 Rivermont Avenue.  With the support of the District Superintendent and a grant from the Board of Missions and Church Extension, the first pastor was appointed in November 1952.  Serving as a place to worship on the lower level and the parsonage on the second floor, this church ministered to the Randolph-Macon community from 1951-1954.


When the congregation needed a church building, district leaders recommended moving to the Peakland area to serve as a suburban, community-centered church.  The small congregation began building both their membership and their new building.  By 1955 ministry focused on both the building of a congregation and a physical structure. The name " Peakland Church" first appears in written records of official Board Minutes on June 19, 1956. The consecration of the new church was celebrated on January 6, 1957. Church growth resulted in the addition of the education wing and the purchase of a parsonage in the late fifties/early sixties.


In 1963, the Hancock property located on Boonsboro Road beside the church was purchased. The house was first rented as two apartments and later housed the Activity Center of the Mental Health Services as well as the Youth Center. It was later torn down and the land became our present parking lot and playground.


From 1965-74 the church continued to grow and to reach out to the community.  Programs in Scouting, Meals on Wheels, Church World Service, Inner City Mission and the Lynchburg Training School were typical of the kind of programs which continue today.By the mid-seventies, the education wing was again expanded and the early worship service was initiated. With the eighties came the building of the new fellowship hall, which was used for worship while renovations were made to the sanctuary.



Beginning in 1974 and during the next nine years the church experienced rapid growth in members and programs.  An extensive long range study in 1975 gave the congregation the plan to buy a new organ, purchase a new parsonage, and enlarge the church.




 In 1980, ground was broken for the project and by November 1981 the congregation had moved into its new fellowship hall, kitchen, classrooms, and enlarged sanctuary. On November 8, 1981, an ingathering of the church in the enlarged sanctuary rejoiced, gazing in thanksgiving and humility at the unveiling of the cross, symbolic of Peakland's purpose and ministry, embracing the future.  The communion table and suspended cross were hand crafted from the oak beams removed from the old sanctuary at the time of renovation. 


During this time, the church also brought two refugee families to Lynchburg and helped them establish new homes in this country.  Many service projects continued from 1983 - 97.  Both youth and young adults participated in the Prison Ministry and in Appalachian Service Projects.   During 1990-94, the congregation had a successful capital funds program and built two houses with Habitat for Humanity.



 In July, 1997, a Renovation/Expansion Task Force was created, and a capital funds campaign began for the renovation of our existing facilities and the building of new program space.  Service and teaching continued to be cornerstones of ministry as, once again, Peakland undertook a Christian education wing expansion program and renovation of existing facilities in 2002, bringing with it expanded mission and Christian education opportunities.  In 2003 a new entrance court and the education and administrative wing were  consecrated. The next year, spring 2004,  our steeple went up.



It is an exciting time in the life of the church!
As God's vision continues to emerge around us, Peakland Church is ever mindful of ministry inspired by the will of God and thankful for the leadership of all of the following pastors:
 
 

James W. Reynolds, Jr.	1951-1954
Lewis C. Shurbut	1954-1955
William A. Moon	1955-1957
Trevor D. Turner	1957-1961
Albert J. Schrader	1961-1965
William O. Webster	1965-1970
Gary J. Shelton	1970-1974
Raymond W. Chamberlain, Jr.	1974-1983
Robert J. Regan	1983-1985
William R. Kyle, Jr.	1985-1990
Steven R. Jones	1990-1994
Steven W. Burgess	1994-1997
Creed (Bud) S. Davis	1997-2001
Timothy R. Gerde	2001-Present