You are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together.

Ephesians 2:19-21

Our Vision
Our mission is to build a community of believers united through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of personal and world salvation. In response to God’s love, our aim is to be a warm, open, Christ-centered church in our worship, growth, and service.

Therefore, we strive to embody:

• a growing, vibrant Passion for Christ

• a genuine, deepening Compassion for One Another

• a committed belief in God's Word for All.

Our History

As early as 1950, a need was seen for another Presbyterian church in Charlottesville, and in 1962 a new church was organized with the assistance of members from First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian Churches. The first worship service was held on May 6, 1962 at the Mountain Bowl bowling alley on Millmont Street, where the Residence Inn by Marriott is now located.

Groundbreaking Ceremony,
Angus Road, November 10, 1963

The congregation continued to meet at the bowling alley while construction of a manse and the church was underway. The Rev. James A. Payne, Jr. began serving in October 1962 at the bowling alley and was installed as the first minister of Meadows Presbyterian Church on November 4, 1962. The Lexington Presbytery formally confirmed the congregation of 87 charter members that same Sunday.

A manse for the minister and his family was built on Angus Court, within walking distance of the future location of the church, and by September of 1963, the Payne family had moved in. The groundbreaking ceremony for the church building on Angus Road took place on November 10, 1963.

Ten months later, on August 2, 1964, the first worship service was held in the new church, by which time the congregation had grown to 227 members. The new building was officially dedicated on September 13, 1964 as Meadows Presbyterian Church.

Meadows Presbyterian Church
August 1964

First Service
August 2, 1964

Six ministers have served Meadows during the years since its founding. James A. Payne, Jr., the organizing minister, served from 1962 to 1968, and was followed by Charles C. Talley from 1969 to 1975. Jack W. Heintzleman was our minister from 1975 to 1983. David H. Smith was then called to serve from 1985 to 1996, and during his tenure a new wing was added to the original building, the manse was sold and the sanctuary was redesigned. Our fifth minister, Jeffery O. Neufeld, served from 1998 to 2000, followed by our current minister, Thomas A. Goodrich, in June 2003.

Rev. Payne

Rev. Talley

Rev. Heintzleman

Rev. Smith

Rev. Neufeld

Rev. Goodrich

The Meadows congregation has joyously celebrated the years marking our 10th, 20th, 25th and 40th anniversaries. With the increase in the membership and community use of the church facilities, a Bold Plan was proposed in 1987 to raise money for expansion of the original structure. Construction for the new addition began in 1989, was completed in 1991, and added a new foyer, a fellowship hall, a large kitchen, a conference room, an office suite, three classrooms, and a choir room. The sanctuary was also redesigned and renovated, and pews were installed.

Rev. Smith and Elizabeth Wenger, widow of the
architect of the original building, at the
groundbreaking ceremony June 25, 1989

A second capital campaign, The Bold Plan – Continues (1998-2001), funded air-conditioning of the building, paving the parking lot, classroom renovations, and the major renovation and decoration of the Dogwood Room (originally the church kitchen).

Meadows Presbyterian Church with new wing added on right

Today, the congregation continues to thrive under the leadership of Rev. Thomas A. Goodrich and Chris Stine, the Director of Youth Ministries. Meadows offers both contemporary and traditional services each Sunday, as well as Sunday School for children and adults.

Meadows is a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Updated Sept. 22, 2006.
www.meadowspc.org

Our Vision Our mission is to build a community of believers united through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of personal and world salvation. In response to God’s love, our aim is to be a warm, open, Christ-centered church in our worship, growth, and service.

Therefore, we strive to embody:

• a growing, vibrant Passion for Christ

Our History

Our Vision
Our mission is to build a community of believers united through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of personal and world salvation. In response to God’s love, our aim is to be a warm, open, Christ-centered church in our worship, growth, and service.