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History of Downtown Churches United |
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Petersburg, Virginia | |
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Introduction |
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Downtown Churches United has experienced an illustrious history, attempting to solve common problems of the member churches, engaging in services of worship, and promoting community outreach programs. Throughout the years, many persons and organizations have provided a wealth of information and services to assist DCU in achieving its mission. Certainly, the historical account that follows is not inclusive of all that has transpired within the operation of the organization, but highlights many significant events and activities. Sources used were minutes of the early stages of DCU, a "History of Downtown Churches, INC." by David N. Henderson, anniversary notes, and information provided periodically by Alice P. Lewis. --Peggy E. C. Lee | | As a follow up to a conference of the Petersburg Clergy Association in November of 1969 on "The Future of the Inner-city Church," pastors and two lay persons from ten churches met to consider the following proposals:1. Get the churches together to organize for group action. The council of laymen and clergy, to be layman dominated. 2. There should be continuous dialogue and communication among the people of the ten churches, across denominational and racial lines. 3. Secure outside professional guidance from TRUST (Task Force for Research and Urban Strategy and Training). 4. Present a united front of concerned Christians seeking to deal with needs of downtown people. The cooperation of the entire congregation is needed. 5. Each church should have a social ministries or outreach committee to take the initiative in leading the church into the community. 6. Church members should keep uppermost in their minds the matter of "People renewal." |
| Dr. Robert Vaughan and the late Reverend John Cameron Grainger, former Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, were instrumental in calling an initial meeting on Monday, November 24, 1969, at Second Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Robert Vaughan presiding. Prayer was offered by Rev. Clyde Johnson of First Baptist Church, Harrison Street, after which Rev. Kenneth Bryan of First Baptist Church, Washington Street, summarized concerns discussed in the conference of the clergy. A motion was made, seconded, and carried that "Downtown Churches United" be adopted as the name of the organization. Temporary officers elected were: Co-Chairmen, Dr. Edward W. Whitlow and the Rev. Kenneth Bryan; Secretary, Peggy E. C. Lee; and Treasurer, Captain James Waller. |
| The following churches/persons constituted that initial meeting:First Baptist Church (Harrison Street), Rev. Clyde Johnson, Peggy Lee, Herbert V. Coulton First Baptist Church (Washington Street), Rev. Kenneth B. Bryan Gillfield Baptist church, Rev. Grady W. Powell, Edward W. Whitlow, H. E. Fauntleroy Oak Street AMEZ Church, Rev. Aaron L. Johnson The Salvation Army, Captain James Waller St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Rev. William R. Dennis, W. K. Johnson, Rev. John C. Grainger Second Presbyterian Church, Rev. Robert Vaughan, Evelyn Peeble, Joe Jones Trinity United Methodist Church, Rev. C. Bailey Jones, John Sayers, Sanford Turner Washington Street United Methodist Church, Rev. Andrew J. White, William H. Scott, John O. Cole. |
| The twofold purposes for organizing the Downtown Churches United were:1. To provide a forum for identifying, understanding, and sharing common concerns and problems in our ministry to this area. 2. To cooperate in such programs of worship, study, fellowship, and service as many be deemed expedient by the member churches that wish to participate. Membership is open to all churches located in the downtown area of Petersburg, who express a desire to affiliate, and to take positive action to become participating members. Representation from the member churches shall include the ministers and two lay persons. The officers of the organization include: a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. The tenure of office for each officer is one calendar year. |
| A few years following organization, Downtown Churches United became aware of the fact that the Federal Housing Authority planned the razing of substandard houses in the Gillfield area. That presupposed the need for low cost housing for families that would be displaced. Federally subsidized housing seemed to be the answer to the problem, so the members of DCU took on that project.The ten member churches that accepted the challenge and paid the $1,000 each to initiate the project were: First Baptist Church (Washington Street), First Baptist (Harrison Street), Gillfield Baptist, Oak Street A.M.E. Zion, Second Presbyterian, St. Paul's Episcopal, St. Stephen's Episcopal, St. Joseph's Catholic, Washington Street U.M.C., and Zion Baptist. Member churches giving strong moral support at that time were St. John's Episcopal, Memorial United Methodist, and Trinity United Methodist. Dr. Elwood B. Boone, Sr., was named chairman of the Gillfield Corporation. High commendation was accorded him for having guided the project to its successful completion in 1982. Other churches admitted to membership between 1980-1985 were Good Shepherd Baptist, Tabernacle Baptist, Mt. Olivet Baptist, Greater Faith AME Zion, and Bethesda Bible Way. |
| Significant Activities/programs of DCU include the following:In 1980, an outstanding program chaired by Bartlett Dorr at First Baptist Church (Washington Street) which included: Puppet show on "The Lost Sheep," by Mrs. Ellen Hardy; Display of Christian Education books, exhibits of history of each member church of DCU; thanksgiving service and praise celebration with Covenant Players as guest performers. In 1981, the building permit for construction of Gillhaven Manor was granted on August 7, with construction beginning soon thereafter. Rev. Bartlett Dorr was DCU President. In 1982, a successful year/bake sale was held at First Baptist Church (Washington), The Walk Against Hunger drive was held. Dr. Ector Lee Hamrick initiated a radio program dealing with "Reflection" in 1983. Also, that same year, Rev. Charles McLendon, Associate Minister of First Baptist Church, Washington Street, was appointed to serve as liaison between DCU and the General Assembly of Virginia; and DCU donated $500 toward the beginning of CARES (Crisis Assistance Response Emergency Shelter). Pat Scarborough and Christine Petri worked diligently with CARES. In 1984, Easter Sunrise Service was held, with Rev. Mackey of Oak Street AME Zion delivering the message. DCU participated in the Petersburg Nostalgia Fest, represented by Dr. and Mrs. Hamrick. In 1984, initial plans for by-laws for DCU were developed. A 15th Anniversary celebration was held on October 6th at the Washington Street U.M.C. at 6:00p.m. Alden Aroe of Radio Station WRVA was the featured Speaker. |
| The feeding program for the "Street People" has had enormous growth throughout the years with DCU member churches and non-member churches participating. The feeding program has been housed in St. Stephen's Episcopal, The Salvation Army, St. Joseph's Catholic (Quinn Hall), and Memorial Methodist Church. As of 2001, feeding location include St. Paul's Episcopal, Washington Street U.M.C., Trinity United Methodist Church, Gillfield Baptist Church, and Third Baptist Church. Other churches have made their facilities available when there were scheduling problems.In cooperation with the Petersburg Tourism Department, summer vesper services have been held at the Old Blandford Church by member churches of DCU. These services have provided and extension of the religious and cultural outreach to the Tri-City area as well as to tourists. Thus, from its inception through around 1985, DCU activities and programs included: Pre-Thanksgiving Services, Easter Sunrise Services, Eucharistic Fellowship Services, weekly inspirational devotional services conducted at Sycamore Towers, the Mass Concert Choir Concerts, the Feeding Program, and the Gillhaven Housing Program. An all-encompassing and dynamic influence of DCU has been felt through its active involvement in a multiplicity of humanitarian causes and cultural events. |
| Since 1985, the following projects have been supported by DCU:1. Delegates were sent to the "Neighborhood Awareness Date Convention" September 19-20, 1986. 2. The feeding program. 3. The Clothes Closet: Housed at the First Baptist Church, Harrison Street, and diligently supervised by volunteers from the church. 4. CARES (Crisis Assistance Response Emergency Services). 5. Walk Against Hunger: Held annually during the month of November. 6. The Easter Sunrise Services. 7. Vesper Services at Old Blandford Church. 8. Christian Unity Week Observance. 9. Christmas Toy Distribution for Children. 10. The Prescription Drug Project. 11. Gillhaven Manor: The housing project that DCU provided "seed" money to the Federal Housing Authority in order to receive the grant that would enable us to proceed with the project. 12. Adopted theme song: "We Are One in the Spirit." 13. Monthly (except July and August) luncheon meetings held at member churches. 14. Tri-Cities Crisis Pregnancy Center 15. Martha for the Homeless, Inc. 16. Salvation Army, Men's Shelter High Street United Methodist Church and St. Andrews Reformed Episcopal Churches were welcomed into DCU membership in 1989. After a tornado struck sections of Petersburg in 1993, DCU established a DCU Tornado Relief Fund. Donations were received from many organizations and individuals. As a result of tht fund, DCU presented a check for $9,477.18 to the Pocantas Chapel on July 29, 1997. The chapel was destroyed by the 1993 tornado. By-Laws of Downtown Churches United were adopted on January 12, 1971; amended on January 19, 1982; and last amendment adopted May 20, 1998. |
| | Presidents who have served Downtown Churches United: |
1970-1971 Dr. Edward W. Whitlow
1972 Rev. John C. Grainger
1973 Mr. william H. Scott
1974 Mr. Hermanze E. Fauntleroy, Sr.
1975 Dr. Robert C. Vaughan, Jr.
1976 Rev. Clyde Johnson
1977 Mrs. Karen VanDyke
1978 Dr. Andrew J. White
1979 Dr. James H. Bailey
1980 Rev. James A. King
1981 Rev. Bartlett Dorr
1982 Dr. Procher L. Taylor, Jr.
1983 Dr. Ector Lee Hamrick
1984 Rev. Eugene Setchell/
Ms. Peggy E. C. Lee
1985 Mr. John O. Cole
1986 Rev. Ernest Priddy
1987 Mr. Connie L. Claiborne | 1988 Rev. Thomas K. Spense, Jr.
1989 Rev. Sylvester Bullock
1990 Dr. Grady W. Powell
1991 Father Jerome Burns
1992 Sister Lucille Baker
1993 Dr. William S. Edmonds
1994 Rev. David H. Teschner
1995 Dr. Procher L. Taylor, Jr.
1996 Dr. Donald Campbell
1997 Mr. Cleveland Rodgers
1998 Mrs. Mary Brooke Estes
1999 Rev. Larry Robinson
2000 Dr. Dean R. Frazeur
2001 Rev. Larry Robinson
2002 Dean Freeburn
2003 Dean Freeburn
2004 Dean Freeburn/Rev. Larry Robinson
2005 Rev. Larry Robinson
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