Patterson Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church

The first Seventh-day Adventist church in Richmond, Virginia was established in 1895 by twenty-eight individuals. The group began meeting in the Virginia Tract and Bible Society building on 25th Street. As membership increased, the church relocated in 1904 to 33 rd Street near the Church Hill area. Over the next several years, evangelistic tent meetings produced church growth as a result of a number of baptisms. In 1909, the church decided to seek a larger building in response to congregation growth. A church building in the West End on Morris Street, the West Christian Church, was purchased because many church members lived in the West End. Between 1911 and 1912 the church established a secondary school Richmond Academy with the purpose of supplying the congregation and members of the community with a Christian Education.

During this period the church was known as the Richmond First Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Continued growth forced the church to hold two services and Sabbath Study (adult Bible study classes) were held outside, with the students seated in their cars while the teacher stood on the sidewalk. Overcrowding in the Morris Street location led to a decision to sell the building and hold services in the William Fox Elementary School while a new site for the church was located. In 1938, the church purchased the land of its current location on Patterson Avenue for $20,000. On August 11 th the ground was broken and the first service was conducted on December 30, 1938. The school continued to meet in the basement of the church until 1950 when a building adjacent to the church was completed. In 1975, the church was officially named Patterson Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, and over the succeeding years the building has been renovated and expanded. The Patterson Avenue church has been instrumental in the formation of four new Seventh-day Adventist churches at Courthouse Road, Meadowbridge Road, and Far West End Seventh-day Adventist Churches

Patterson Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church
3901 Paterson Avenue
Richmond , VA 23221
(804) 353- 2331

Profile prepared by Rosalyn James
September, 2006

Sikh Gurdwara Sacvi

In the late 1970s, there were only about thirty Sikh families in Richmond; most had moved to Richmond to attend the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. By the late 1980s, they began to organize and plan to construct a Gurdwara. Their search for land was complete by 1998, and ground was broken for the Gurdwara in 2000. The Gurdwara was available for use in 2001 and by 2002 a Granthi (priest), Bajakuljaeet, had been appointed. In 2003 the congregation divided due to a growth in the Sikh population to about 200 practicing families, with a resulting overcrowding of the existing Gurdwara. A second Gurdwara was established , the Guru Nanak Dev Foundation. Most of those who attend the Gurdwaras are in the professional class with occupations primarily in the medical fields.

Upon first entering the Gurdwara, Sikhs remove their shoes and leave them either outside or in a small room designated for that purpose. Men usually are wearing their “Pugs” (turban-like head coverings) and women will wear a shawl like covering over their heads. Men who do not cut their hair will wear a handkerchief over their head.

When Sikhs enter the Gurdwara, they proceed to the front and either bow their heads in respect/prayer or kneel to the floor and touch their heads to the ground in front of the Granth Sahib. There may be a box nearby for donations.

Men and women take seats on opposite sides of the Gurdwara and remain separated. This practice is intended to prevent distractions and allow worshipers concentrate on God and prayer. The “sermon” is performed first in Punjabi with readings from the Granth Sahib, and then explained and translated in English. Usually a power point is provided with the text in both Punjabi and in English above the Granthi and Granth Sahib. At the end of the service, a sweet (Prushad) is passed around to everyone to replenish the energy spent in worship. Everyone then rises and moves to an adjacent room. Everyone again sits on the floor in front of place mats. Plates filled with food are then passed to everyone. This part of the ceremony is designed to build community as well as offer charity. In India, this would be an occasion at which the homeless or less fortunate would be provided a meal. In the United States the ceremony usually involves only members of the Gurdwara.

Profile prepared by Stephanie Warren
November, 2006

Sikh Gurdwara Sacvi
45 Marty Blvd
Richmond, VA
(804) 271-1771

Unitarian Universalist

Community Church of Glen Allen
Unitarian Universalist

History
The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Glen Allen (UUCC) was established to provide a stimulating and inclusive environment for people to explore liberal religious beliefs in Richmond’s northwest suburbs. First chartered in 1993, construction on the current church located on Cauthorne Road began in October 2000. The first service in this building was held on July 1, 2001. The UUCC of Glen Allen continues to strengthen in membership and establish itself within the community.

Rituals and Activities
Sunday services are held year-round; services are held at 9 am and 11 am September-June and at 10 am during July and August. The service format is similar to other UU churches: the service convenes with the sounding of the gong and includes hymns, prayer, the lighting of the chalice, candles of community (where people light candles in front of the congregation to celebrate joys and/or express sorrows), an offering, a sermon, and concludes with a benediction. The church also
offers religious education classes for adults. Class offerings and times can be found on the web page. Past classes for adults have included “Sanctuary of Stillness” (focusing on meditation, relaxation and chanting), “Exploring the Essence of Nature” (trip to Bryan Park), and “Building Your Own Theology” (readings and discussions about theological ideas). Also, children can participate in their own religious education classes during the Sunday service time and there is a youth group (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) for high school students. The church further involves children through its Navigators USA scouting program for those in grades 1 through 12. This group meets biweekly at the church and incorporates traditional scouting activities with community service to build self-esteem and social responsibility.

Fellowship is also an important aspect of church activities. After each service there is a Fellowship Hour for members and visitors to socialize. The church also has several interest groups, one such being the UUCC Book Group. In addition, church activity often revolves around social action and community service projects, several of which are listed in the programs and outreach section below.

Associated Units
The UUCC of Glen Allen maintains a close association with First Unitarian Universalist Church, sometimes co-sponsoring events. UUCC is also associated with the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond and is a member of this organization of 21 different faith groups celebrating both unity and diversity.

Programs and Outreach
UUCC maintains active involvement within the community through its Social Action Ministry. The Care Committee provides support for members and friends of the congregation experiencing difficult times. UUCC is also extending its outreach to gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people by becoming a Welcoming Congregation. This program provides workshops for people to explore their knowledge about sexual orientation and gender identification and combat their own homophobia and heterosexism. The church also participates in the Fair Trade Coffee Project. This project ensures that low-income coffee farmers receive a fair price for their goods by
purchasing coffee directly from the fair trade organization Equal Exchange. The church participates in Share the Bounty as well, a partnership with Panera to distribute leftover bread to the needy. Outreach also focuses on the environment through projects like Adopt-a-Highway. Even the children are involved in outreach, dedicating their time to programs like Read to Feed, in an effort to purchase livestock for needy families.

Unique Features
About once every month the UUCC becomes the Shady Grove Coffeehouse, featuring acoustic, family-friendly concerts. The mission is not only to raise funds for the church but to bring the best in acoustic music to the far West End. A schedule of upcoming shows can be accessed from
the UUCC’s website.

Membership Size and Composition
Approximately 215 people of primarily European-American descent are members of the UUCC of Glen Allen.

References
Information for this profile was drawn from UUCC of Glen Allen website

11105 Cauthorne Road
Glen Allen, VA 23059
(804) 752-6005
http://uuccglenallen.org

Prepared by Megan Donald (June, 2005)

Unitarian Universalist

First Unitarian Universalist Church
Unitarian Universalist

History
First Unitarian Universalist Church has quite a complicated history in Richmond, undergoing numerous changes before the current church building and congregation emerged. The story begins in 1830 with the arrival of John Dods in Richmond and his uniting of the local Unitarians and Universalists to establish the Unitarian Universalist Society of Richmond. The first church was built in 1832 and the name was subsequently changed to the First Independent Christian Church. This church underwent some tumultuous times due to the local adversity to liberal ideas and by 1903 the church was sold. But, in 1893 the Reverend George L. Chaney traveled to Richmond from Atlanta to aid in establishing a Unitarian Church. Indeed, a congregation was formed and services were regularly held in Belvidere Hall. Thus, the First Unitarian Church of Richmond was established December 31, 1893. This church, too, struggled during its early inception; but, by the arrival in 1904 of the minister John L. Robinson the situation looked more promising. In 1906 a church building was completed on Floyd Avenue and Harrison Street and membership growth resulted. Throughout the following years the church emphasized its focus on social service and gained a solid reputation. However, the Depression and World War II once again provided setbacks for the church. Nevertheless, the church survived and membership grew once again during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The current church on Blanton Avenue was built in 1972 and even won an architectural award for its design. The church’s name was changed to the First Unitarian Universalist Church in 2004, reflecting just how much the church has changed and grown since its beginnings over a century ago.

Rituals and Activities
First Unitarian Universalist Church maintains an active schedule throughout the year. There is an hour-long service every Sunday at 11 am. According to the church’s website, a typical Sunday service follows this format: welcome, prelude, opening words, hymn, the lighting of the chalice, music, meditative reading, silent meditation, music, sermon, offertory, closing words, and a postlude. A description of each Sunday’s sermon, as well as archived sermons, can be found on the church’s homepage. There are also religious education classes that children can attend instead of the service. These classes introduce children to various faith traditions. Prior to the 11 am service, at 9:45, there is a “Contemplation and Conversation” service. It is somewhat similar to the traditional 11 am service; but, during this service a guest speaker addresses a chosen topic, including everything from political to health to religious issues. A discussion ensues. Fellowship follows both of these Sunday morning services.

There is also Vespers, a half-hour evening service on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm. According to the church’s website, a typical Vespers service follows this format: gathering music, opening words, song, meditation reading, silent meditation, sharing, musical response, closing words, and a postlude.

Numerous social action committees also meet at the church, many of which are listed in the programs and outreach section below. Fellowship is also an important aspect of First Unitarian Universalist. A Loss Support Group meets twice a month (at 12:45 pm on the second and fourth Monday of each month) to offer support to anybody grieving a loss. Some of the more lighthearted fellowship groups include the quilting club Quuilters, the Writer’s Group, an investment club called the Univestors, the Dining Out Group, and many more. The church even has its own softball team, the Unibombers. On any given week the UU Singers can be heard practicing in the church library in preparation for their Sunday service performances.

Associated Units
First Unitarian Universalist is associated with the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond and is a member of this organization of 21 different faith groups celebrating both unity and diversity. The church has spun off two other affiliated congregations with which it retains close ties, the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Glen Allen and the Jenkins Memorial Fellowship in Petersburg.

Programs and Outreach
First Unitarian Universalist Church is characteristic of many Unitarian Universalist communities in its involvement in social progress and change. The Social Responsibility Council is an organization that oversees several church committees. One such group is the Earth Committee, focusing on environmental stewardship through education and projects. Some groups are more concerned with human relations, like the Racial Harmony Committee, ensuring a multicultural and anti-racist congregation within the church as well as the larger community. There is also a Welcoming Congregation program that seeks to make the church more welcoming of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people. Other types of social groups abound within the church, such as the Richmond Coalition for a Living Wage and the Unitarian Universalists for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. This latter group tracks capital punishment issues through the Virginia General Assembly and holds vigils outside of prisons on the nights of executions. The Virginia Unitarian Universalist Voice is also politically active and even holds training sessions for UU members across Virginia, making a liberal voice heard in Virginia legislative issues. PeaceAndJustice is another group interested in social justice matters and also manages the Fair Trade Coffee Project. This project ensures that low-income coffee farmers receive a fair price for their goods by purchasing coffee directly from the fair trade organization Equal Exchange. The public can buy Fair Trade Coffee on the first and third Sundays of each month. The church is also involved in several community service projects. One of these is Mitten Tree, in which members of the congregation buy Christmas presents for mentally disabled adults. Non-perishable goods are also collected through M.A.R.C.H. and eventually distributed to needy Richmond families. One of the church’s largest projects is CARITAS, during which the church’s basement is transformed into an adult homeless shelter for one week. Several more committees/service projects not listed here are described on the church’s website, linked at the top of this page.

Unique Features
First Unitarian Universalist Church is home to Gallery, an annual art exhibition and sale. Every October the church is transformed into an art gallery, featuring over 4,000 pieces of watercolors, oil paintings, crafts, pottery, sculptures, et cetera.

Membership Size and Composition
Almost 450 people of primarily European-American descent are members of First Unitarian Universalist.

References
First Unitarian Universalist Church website

1000 Blanton Avenue
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 355-0777

Prepared by Megan Donald (June, 2005)

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the world and is believed to be the first monotheistic religion. It was founded by Zarathushtra sometime between 1500-1000 BCE in Persia, present day Iran. This religion has had an enormous influence on Christianity, Islam, and Judaism not just in the fact that it is monotheistic but also the concepts of heaven/hell, god/satan, the soul, the virgin birth of the savior and many others. When Muslim Arabs invaded Persia many Zoroastrians escaped to India. India now has the largest concentration of Zoroastrians worldwide. Zoroastrianism teaches people to have good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. The Zoroastrian New Year is widely held on the vernal equinox (the first day of Spring) while other Zoroastrians celebrate August 20.

Currently there are only a few dozen Zoroastrians residing in the Richmond area. There are no formal religious observances being held at this time, but members of the community do gather informally to maintain ties and celebrate significant religious occasions. Zoroastrians held a celebration in Richmond at a neighborhood community center on the vernal equinox.

There were approximately 35 people at the celebration from Richmond and the surrounding areas. Some came as far as Charlottesville. Most of the people in attendance brought their entire family, young and old. Drinks mixed with pomegranate juice and fruit were served because pomegranate is an auspicious fruit. Most members of the community, in a potluck fashion, brought traditional Parsi food. When everyone had arrived the food was set on a table and everyone recited a traditional prayer that was said to translate roughly as, “Have good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.” After the prayer everyone helped themselves and then sat at tables enjoying the food and one another’s company. Time was spent catching up with one another. There are not many occasions where all of the local Zoroastrians come together; generally it is just the New Year celebration.

Zoroastrianism
No local address

Sources:
Richmond Zoroastrian members

Profile prepared by Kalie Sneed
May, 2009

All Saints Apostolic Ministries
(TeachingbyDr. LornaRogers at ASAM)

All Saints Apostolic Ministries is a small and lively church on the outskirts of Richmond. All Saints is considered an Apostolic church and therefore is located within the Pentecostal tradition. Apostolic Pentecostals believe, teach and receive all that transpired on the birthday of the original Pentecost church in 33 A.D. In the Apostolic tradition believers identify with the notion of “new birth” or “Pentecostal” experience. Apostolic Pentecostals teach their congregation that individual lives are transformed through faith in Jesus, water baptism must be in Jesus name, every believer should receive the Holy Spirit (evidenced through speaking in tongues), and that Jesus will return to raise his people from the dead.

All Saints Apostolic Ministries was originally formed in 1949 in a small rented store located in the downtown Richmond area. Starting with only eight in the congregation, the small church remained in the location until a new location was found outside the downtown area. The church began to grow and eventually was able to build a church in late 1999. The congregation settled into its now permanent home on Royal Avenue in early 2001. The church decided to also support educational services for the community. Shortly after construction ended on the main areas of the church, construction began on an educational wing. After its move, the church decided to rename itself from All Saints Pentecostal to All Saints Apostolic. To the church this appeared to increase numbers of followers exponentially, which has now increased to 127. The congregation is predominantly African American.

Normal services of the church run on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. On Sunday the church offers both morning and evening service. The morning service is tailored for a general congregation and the public while the evening service is geared toward specific ministries of the church for its members. The church offers a Bible study session and an intercessory prayer and orientation for new members on weekday afternoons.

Missions within the church include men’s, women’s, and youth ministries, and these ministries are used to strengthen bonds within these groups. The church is affiliated with the Association of Christian Schools International, Virginia Council for Private Education, and ABEKA to provide a school for parents interested in enrolling their children in a school that follows the church’s teachings. ABEKA is a text book and DVD curriculum that has been used by home-schooling parents and institutions for over fifty years. It is considered one of the best religious-centered curricula by in-home school and private schooling communities. Classes are taught in a traditional classroom setting by certified instructors of the church . The church has the personnel and size to accommodate up to 175 students and has a strict policy of no discriminating on the basis of race, color, sex or creed. The school accepts students from ages six weeks to two and one half years in the pre-school section and children who fall between grades K and third grade in the main schooling area. The church has made plans to expand to include higher grade levels.

All Saints Apostolic Ministries
2001 Royal Avenue
Richmond, VA 23224
(804)-232-3159

Sources:
All Saints Apostolic Ministries pastor
All Saints Apostolic Ministries secretary
All Saints Apostolic Ministries members
All Saints Apostolic Ministries website

Profile prepared by James Ryan Wilson
November, 2009

Dr. Lorna Rogers preaching at All Saints Apostolic Ministries

This video presents a Christadelphian member discussing
the church’s theological beliefs

Christadelphian Ecclesia
(Video describing Christadelphian beliefs)

The Christadelphians grew out of the Disciples of Christ. John Thomas immigrated to the United States from England in 1832. According to Christadelphian history, when Thomas’ ship encountered a series of dangerous ocean storms, Thomas promised to devote his life to God if he made it safely to America. Upon arriving in New York City, Thomas joined the Disciples, but he left in 1844 over disagreements on biblical doctrines. Thomas re-baptized himself in 1847. He formed a series of groups after 1844 that were dedicated to restoring primitive Christianity and that culminated in the Christadelphians (Bretheren of Christ) around 1848.

The Christadelphians understand their church to be the only true expression of Christianity. They combine Adventist and Unitarian theologies and accept the Bible as inerrant truth. The Christadelphians are non-Trinitarian, believing that Jesus was born to Mary through the power of God (the Holy Spirit) and therefore is the Son of God and not God the Son. They believe in the imminent return of Jesus, who will decide the fate of all those living and dead and will grant immortality to those who have lived righteous lives. Rather than believing that the soul will reside in heaven, Christadelphians believe that humans are mortal and therefore Christ will reign over the Kingdom of God here on earth, most likely centered in Israel. Baptism is required for all new members.

Local congregations are referred to by Christadelphians as ecclesias and are presided over by “serving bretheren” rather than ordained ministers. There is no central authority or hierarchy in Christadelphianism. Serving bretheren are the more mature or senior members, who preside over the church in a rotating fashion. Christadelphians decline public office, military service, and participation in electoral voting.

The Christadelphians do not celebrate religious holidays nor do they practice Christmas because it is not mentioned in the Bible. However they are active in the community through Sunday-School programs and summer camps and are encouraged to do so. They are taught to be tolerant of other religious groups, along with intermingling, but are forbid from participating other religious group’s activities.

John Thomas lived in Richmond during the early days of the church and left an enduring impression on those he spoke to and on the community. He first lived in Richmond in 1846, the year before he founded the church. After two years in England, he returned to Richmond in 1850 and served as a writer for the magazine, Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, before moving to New York City. The Christadelphian community in Richmond has sustained 200-250 members since the 1850s with roughly 70-100 attending the chapel on Ellwood Avenue. The ecclesia’s first service was held in May, 1925. Most Christadelphian congregations do not build their own churches; the Richmond ecclesia is an exception, and the debt on the building was retired within its first seven years. The church holds a Sunday school early on Sunday morning followed by a late morning memorial service to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. During the service, hymns are sung, prayers are given and received, along with a recounting of the message by a senior brother of the community. Following these observances, the community partakes in the bread and wine.

The community is close-knit, and the church this year has organized food and blood drives along with feeding the homeless through the aid of The Freedom House (a local homeless shelter). Along with these contributions, the ecclesia has recently begun a partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. The chapel is also a supporting member of the Virginia Christadelphians Youth Camp in Chase City, along with the Williamsburg Christadelphians Foundation, and holds youth camps during the summer months.

Sources:
Christadelphian website
Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry website
British Broadcasting Company website
Christadelphian ecclesia members

Christadelphian Ecclesia
3001 Ellwood Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23221
(804)-358-7277

Profile prepared by Carson Lucarelli
April, 2009

Church of the Living God
(Video of a Praise Break)

The Church of the Living God originated in a vision that its founder, Rev. Stephen K. Gyermeh, reported receiving in 1982. Gyermeh, a native of Ghana, had preached the Gospel since he was sixteen years of age and pioneered several churches. According to Gyermeh, God spoke to him in 1982, stating that he should “Postpone all of your scheduled meetings and wait on me for further directions.” Gyermeh then spent the next 21 days praying and fasting as he awaited instructions. Gyermeh reports that he then had a vision in which he walked with Jesus and the disciples and was led into a sea filled with drowning people. Jesus stated, “All these are my people perishing, but they don’t know what to do to save themselves. Go and show them how it’s done…” The following year Gyermeh established the Church of the Living God with just fifteen converts and no place of worship. The Church of the Living God is now headquartered in Hyattesville, Maryland, has over 1,500 members, and has established eleven additional congregations in the U.S. Members come from both African and non-African nations, such as Venezuela, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Gyermeh refers to the Church of the Living God as an “all-nations church.”

The Church of the Living God Richmond is one of eleven branches that have been established through out the United States as full gospel churches. It was first established on October 5, 1997 as a Bible study group and then evolved into church. Members met for a number of years in rented facilities such as the Holiday Inn and Maude Trevette Elementary School until the current church was established in 2007.

The Church of the Living God in Richmond states that its primary mission is to bring different groups of people together to worship and learn about the Bible. The church is working towards the goal of being an international place of worship in the Richmond area, and the majority of the 120 members who make up the congregation currently are immigrants from African nations, such asGhana, Nigeria, and Liberia. There are also African American members.

The Church of the Living God Richmond holds two Sunday worship services, an early morning and noon service. Between these two services the church offers new membership classes, which focus on teaching new members about the history and mission of the church, and a foundation class, which caters to the individual who have never been to church and are not religious. There is also a Sunday School Program, which provides a setting for the congregation to learn more about the Bible and to ask questions, and a Family and Marriage Class, which offers education about marriage and commitment as well as assistance to already married couples.

The Church of the Living God supports several programs that reach out to the community in various ways. There is a Holy Communion every month and feast day celebrations. The annual Anniversary Program features a revival and fundraising. The annual Picnic of Celebration and Teaching is held each summer to bring the general community together and offer information about the church. There is also a prison ministry that provides gospel service in the prisons, and a Virginia Commonwealth University Bible study group, New Generation for Christ.

Church of the Living God Richmond
1 Brenton Street
Richmond, VA 23222
(804)-553-8200

Sources:
Church of the Living God Richmond representative|
Church of the Living God Richmond website
“African missionaries to the U.S.” Christian Century, August 13, 1997

Profile prepared by Salem Mengistu
May, 2009