History

Laurel Street Church was organized in October, 1849 and enjoyed a long history of faithful ministry. In 1888, Laurel Street helped to organize Monument Methodist Church at Park and Allen Avenues, and in 1896 it assisted in the formation of Byrd Park Methodist at Idlewood and Addison Streets. (Monument later merged, after a fire, 'With Union Station to form Reveille Church, and Byrd Park relocated at the old Monument property to become Park Avenue Church.)                                                                       

 

     Grace Methodist Church had its beginnings in July, 1963 when the Reverend Timothy Goodman was appointed to organize a new congregation in the far West End.

Services were first held in the Jackson-Davis School. In 1964, the present 10.3 acre property on Fort King Road was purchased by the Richmond District Board of Missions and Church Extension as the site for the new Grace Church. Early in 1965, a relocated aluminum building was placed on the property to serve as a temporary sanctuary. (That building has since been given to Westview-on-the-James, our Richmond District Camp.)

During the night of January 14, 1968, the Laurel Street Church building was destroyed by fire. The cause for the fire was determined to be arson. The congregation met for some months in borrowed facilities and then, after many weeks of study and prayer, voted to merge with Grace Church on the Grace property.

On the Day of Pentecost, June 2, 1968, Saint Andrew's Church was born as Grace and Laurel Street churches celebrated a Uniting Conference. Reverend Goodman preached the morning message. Bishop Walter C. Gum appointed Arthur P. Cooley as the new pastor, and he served Saint Andrew's until 1971.

Ground was broken for the new building on March 9, 1969. The new facilities were first used on December 14, 1969, and a service dedicating the new sanctuary for worship was celebrated February 8, 1970. Richmond District Superintendent Dr. George S. Lightner gave the sermon. In 1998, a new addition to the church building which houses the fellowship hall/gym, kitchen and Sunday School rooms was completed.

The Reverend Eugene B. Wright was appointed as our pastor in June, 1971, and he served until 1977. Other clergy who have served Saint Andrew's since then are: William Pollok, 1977-85; Charles Harless, 1985-88, Norman Chattin, 1988-91; Kenneth P. Wallace, 1991-97, and Keith Ritchie 1997-2005.