Clover Hill Baptist Church
(Personal testimony of Clover Hill members)(Clover Hill mission trip to Chiappas, Mexico)
Clover Hill Baptist Church was established in September 1968 under the temporary name Gospel Crusade Baptist Church. A group of believers began meeting for the purpose of organizing a new Independent Baptist congregation. Services were initially held in a building that formerly housed a Cabinet shop, near the entrance of what is now Brandermill. On November 24, 1968, Reverend Calvin T. Eaves was called to pastor the church. With his guidance, a formal organization meeting was held on Sunday, February 9. 1969. Members of the new church met at the makeshift church for a number of years before eventually constructing their new place of worship in Richmond. After thoroughly searching for land for a suitable building site, the church purchased a ten-acre tract on Courthouse Road, overlooking Rockwood Park. The church began with a full program of activities and ministries, including Sunday school, Deaf Ministry and missionary support. The first Vacation Bible School was held in July and the first revival in September. The first Old Fashioned Day, now called Homecoming, was conducted on October 26 and declared an annual occasion. In April 1971, the permanent name of Clover Hill Baptist Church was selected and building plans were adopted. The new building was occupied on March 26, 1972 and dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 2.
Clover Hill Baptist Church holds morning and evening worship services on Sundays along with a morning Sunday school. On one weekday evening there is a Bible study for members of all ages. The church also offers a “New Connections” class that is required for anyone interested in membership at Clover Hill Baptist Church. Although growing in membership, the church still includes many of there original members of the 1960s cabinet shop church. The church currently has about 400 members and an active membership of about 350 members. Their congregation is predominantly Caucasian, with a small percentage of other ethnic groups. About half of the congregation is over 50 years of age.
On May 12, 1976, the church voted to assume ownership of Richmond Christian School and its properties on Newby’s Bridge Road in Midlothian. The school experienced steady growth through the years and is currently one of the largest independent evangelical Christian schools in the Richmond area. After assuming control of the Richmond Christian School, the church voted to purchase the Gill School property on Belmont Road in 1983. Noticing that the congregation was again becoming larger, the board felt that this would be a logical step in the expansion process. A bond was issued in the amount of $1.1 million to purchase and renovate the existing property. The church administered the school until July, 2005 when the church sold Richmond Christian School to a group of Richmond Christian School parents. The parents have continued the legacy of the school as a conservative, evangelical Christian school.
Clover Hill established the Clover Land Preschool and Day Care Program in 1978 with one class of ten students. It has now expanded to become one of the largest church-related day cares programs in the state. The church offers full and half day care services to parents of church members and others in the community. The program employs approximately twenty-five employees and accepts children between the ages of two and five.
Clover Hill Baptist has numerous ministries for all ages. For children there is a preschool, Cloverland, that has grown to become one of the largest church-based preschool programs in Virginia. Olympians Kids Club is for elementary students and focuses on scripture memorization, daily devotionals, and Bible lessons that are intended to draw children closer to Christ. SPARK (Students Proclaiming a Righteous King) student ministries was organized for students in grades six through twelve to create a new generation of Christ followers who will use their God given gifts and abilities to impact their world for Jesus Christ. Zex College Ministry offers fellowship for singles and college students. The Golden Age Ministry offers a way for senior citizens to meet and enjoy fellowship. Clover Hill Baptist reaches out to the community in many ways. The congregation has an annual Vacation Bible School each summer. Their Spark Ministry helps the homeless in various ways. They church also supports an Empty Stocking Outreach through which it provides Christmas dinner and toys to families who need help financially. There is a food pantry that provides food as well as financial assistance to people in need.
Clover Hill Baptist Church
3100 Courthouse Road
Richmond, VA 23236
(804)-745-0660
Sources:
Clover Hill Baptist Church youth pastor
Clover Hill Baptist Church website
Profile prepared by Kimberly Jones
Profile prepared by James Wilson
September, 2009
