History
Rocky Mount First Church of the Brethren began as a vision in the minds of dedicated individuals who loved God. They saw the need for a congregation of the Church of the Brethren in the town of Rocky Mount. Virginia. After careful consideration to move forward with the plans for a new congregation became real.
The new fellowship held its first meeting on February 3, 1957 in the home of Posey and Hilda Altice. Fifty-three people from twenty-one families worshipped together under the ministry of Eugene Lenker. Brother Lenker received the call as the first Pastor for the new congregation on July 1, 1957.
The congregation needed a permanent meetinghouse and chose a building committee. Careful consideration of several sites within the town limits occurred, with the current location of 405 Tanyard Road being the final selection. The first service in the new Meetinghouse occurred on march 2, 1958 and June 8, 1958 marked the building dedication.
Rocky Mount First continued to grow under the blessing of God. On June 14, 1987 ground was broken for an enlargement program with the addition of our current Sanctuary. Once construction was completed the first meeting of the renovated Meetinghouse was held on April 17, 1988 and the new Sanctuary was dedicated on June 19, 1988.
The next project was the addition of the new Church Steeple. The dedication of the church steeple was on June 7, 2009 and it was dedicated in memory of a devoted and well-loved church member, Alfred J. Law.
The most recent project was the addition of the media projection system. The dedication of the media system was on May 17, 2015 and it was dedicated in memory of a devoted and well-loved church member, Eugene W. Akers.
We were also lovingly blessed by the Doris Nichols family by the gift of her home and property at 130 Center Street as the parsonage to the church.
The new fellowship held its first meeting on February 3, 1957 in the home of Posey and Hilda Altice. Fifty-three people from twenty-one families worshipped together under the ministry of Eugene Lenker. Brother Lenker received the call as the first Pastor for the new congregation on July 1, 1957.
The congregation needed a permanent meetinghouse and chose a building committee. Careful consideration of several sites within the town limits occurred, with the current location of 405 Tanyard Road being the final selection. The first service in the new Meetinghouse occurred on march 2, 1958 and June 8, 1958 marked the building dedication.
Rocky Mount First continued to grow under the blessing of God. On June 14, 1987 ground was broken for an enlargement program with the addition of our current Sanctuary. Once construction was completed the first meeting of the renovated Meetinghouse was held on April 17, 1988 and the new Sanctuary was dedicated on June 19, 1988.
The next project was the addition of the new Church Steeple. The dedication of the church steeple was on June 7, 2009 and it was dedicated in memory of a devoted and well-loved church member, Alfred J. Law.
The most recent project was the addition of the media projection system. The dedication of the media system was on May 17, 2015 and it was dedicated in memory of a devoted and well-loved church member, Eugene W. Akers.
We were also lovingly blessed by the Doris Nichols family by the gift of her home and property at 130 Center Street as the parsonage to the church.
Pastors - Past and Present
Eugene Lenker 1957-1960
Clarence Moyers 1960-1966
William Switzer (interim) 1966-1967
Mike Hall (interim) 1969
Maurice Wright 1969-1973
Paul Eller 1973-1977
Earl Stovall 1977-1983
Chris Bennett 1983-1984
Gerald Manning 1984-1991
William M. Pugh 1991-1998
Harry W. Shelton 1998-2004
John Culp (associate) 2001-2007
John W. Collins 2006-present