1983

Courtland Community Building

The vision began on April 24, 1983, at the Courtland Community Building in Spotsylvania County where 33 people met to develop a new church. By August of that year, the new church was named Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church and in September, regular weekly worship services began at the Educational Building at Elizabeth Morrison's Hazelwild Farm. Leadership included Rev. H. Carson Rhyne, Jr., pastor of Summit Presbyterian Church in Stafford, and Rev. Dr. Clyde Carter, retired professor at Mary Washington College. Sunday School classes and fellowship events soon followed with a building fund established in December of that year.

1984

In January 1984, forty-five people signed the roster as charter members and in March the group began meeting at the Cow Palace of Hazelwild. Hanover Presbytery had purchased a seven-acre building site in 1982, and the congregation celebrated on the site in July. The Building Committee was formed in August and Henry Johnson was hired as Architect in November.

1985

1985 began with SPC serving the community by collecting canned goods for the needy in January. This mission continues in the church today with the first Sunday of each month designated for the collection of food and clothing which are distributed by SECA. On April 21, Ground-Breaking Services were held. On May 19, the church celebrated its charter under the Hanover Presbytery by ordaining and installing the first class of elders and deacons.

1986

On February 2, 1986, Rev. Kenneth Hicks, who had been called as the first pastor, preached his first sermon. He was installed on March 16. On May 18, SPC celebrated the anniversary of its charter by laying the cornerstone of the building! Countless hours and the labor of many loving hands were given by members and friends of the church. That, and the cooperation and commitment of area sister Presbyterian churches (Fredericksburg, Summit and Hartwood), made the completion of the building and establishment of its ministries possible. Finally, on November 23, the dedication of the building and first worship service was held. By now the congregation had grown to 175. The first Christmas Eve service was held that year, followed by an open house at Hazelwild Farm.

1987

With the building complete, the church continued to be blessed with both spiritual and population growth in the community. In March, 1987, an 8:30 a.m. service was added on Sunday mornings. The first Vacation Bible School was held. Paid staff positions were added. To accommodate the Sunday School overflow, the church had to utilize neighboring Minnieland.

1991

Campaigns were begun to expand the facility.

1993

In the spring of 1993, Rev. Ken Hicks accepted a call to pastor another church. Rev. Howard Leming served as Interim Pastor until once again, God provided for our needs.

1994

In 1994, Rev. Alan R. Hager accepted the call to serve SPC. He delivered his first sermon in November, 1994, and he was installed March 19, 1995. Under Rev. Hager's leadership, the church reviewed its vision through extensive long-range planning and began a major building expansion program. This program would triple the size of the facilities, adding much-needed education, administration, and support spaces which included a large fellowship and activities building to support the increasing ministries of the church within the community.

1996-1997

The ground-breaking ceremony for the expansion was held on April 28, 1996, and construction completed in the fall of 1998. During the summer of 1997, SPC went "on-line" when it launched its own website. The church website's internet address is: "http://www.spotsypresby.org"

1998

SPC's outreach is not only within our community, where it hosts several innovative ecumenical youth outreach programs, but is worldwide, supporting numerous foreign and domestic missions. Its members have participated in numerous mission trips abroad, including a July 1998 trip of 18 youth and adults to Cite' Soleil, Haiti, to conduct a Vacation Bible School.

1999

In November, 1999, SPC took a step toward providing more complete ministry to its members and community with the calling of Rev. Mike Motsko as its first Associate Pastor. The youth ministry was enhanced when Tim Habecker began serving as the full-time Youth Director.

2000

During the summer of 2000, missions teams traveled to West Virginia and Haiti witnessing for Jesus Christ and providing practical assistance to the people of those communities. Other special summer events included Vacation Bible School and a Youth Sports Camp. The VBS program has become so popular that there are now two one-week sessions in July to accommodate the demand. In September 2000, SPC added Wednesday night programs including dinner, fellowship, and special Bible study classes.

2001

In September, 2001, the Sunday worship schedule was amended to add a third, "blended" worship service at 9:45 a.m. The two "traditional" service times were changed to 8:15 and 11:15 a.m. The church selected Nora McIntire to be the Worship Director for the new blended service. Additional Sunday School classes were added during the 11:15 hour, and two special fellowship times were added between each of the three services.

Today

SPC's membership has grown to over 600 members. Its weekly worship attendance is nearly equal to its membership numbers. Weekly and monthly Bible studies and programs are offered for men, women, and children. SPC's outreach is not only within our community, where it hosts several innovative ecumenical youth outreach programs, but is worldwide, supporting numerous foreign and domestic missions.

For a more complete history of the founding of Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church, click on the link to the left to download "A Brief History of Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church, 1985 - 2005.