Arvon Presbyterian Church
239
Morgan's Hill Road, Arvonia, VA
Etching by Elizabeth Nattingham Jones
This
is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
~Psalm 118:24~
~Psalm 118:24~
Directions:
From Route 15: Follow Circle Drive (Route 715) to Arvon Road (Route
675) Take Arvon
Road west past the Arvonia Post Office, Arvonia United Methodist Church
and
Arvonia Fire Hall. Turn right on Morgan's Hill Road. Arvon
Presbyterian Church is about 1/4 mile on the left.
Email: ChristParish@kinex.net
A Brief History
According
to a church history written by the Reverend Eugene B. Fernald, A.B.,
M.Div. on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the church in 1985...
Rugged individualists from Wales came to Buckingham County, Virginia in the 1800's in order to quarry the outstanding and large mines of slate available and awaiting individuals of ingenuity, initiative and painstaking commitment. Hence as early as 1867 a small hamlet was founded by the Cymry (Welsh countrymen).
A slate manufacturer, John Williams, made the suggestion with which various other settlers in the Commonwealth concurred, that in honor of Caernarvon, Wales, this hamlet should be named Arvon. This occurred circa 1867, but in a very few years, it became necessary to avoid confusion between Arvon and Arvon, Virginia; therefore, Arvon became Arvonia -- although church names in the vicinity remained Arvon.
An article pulished July 26, 2020 in the Richmond Times Dispatch detailed some of the history of the Buckingham Slate Company, the present owners of the quarry.
Even to this day, the Welsh flag flies proudly over the little Arvon Cemetery, located across the road from the Arvon Presbyterian Church.
Many members, largely Welsh in background, of Trinity Church in New Canton wanted religious services to be held in the immediate vicinity of the "Slate Quarries."
As early as November 10, 1883 the Trinity Church Session Minutes note receiving several members into full communion from "a Church in Wales." Those same minutes also reflect transferring the membership of John Edwards to "The Slate Quarries..."
On August 10, 1884 ordination and installation services were held for an Elder and a Deacon at "The Welsh Chapel."
What was then West Hanover Presbytery officially organized the Arvon Church on September 26, 1885.
On September 13, 1889 a joint committee of Elders and Deacons from Trinity and Arvon were appointed to begin the construction of a Manse across the road from the Arvon Church. This home still stands, but is now privately owned.
On October 9, 1960 an Annex to the Sanctuary portion of the church was dedicated, adding classrooms, a social hall and a kitchen.
On January 15, 2009 the Sanctuary portion of the building was almost completely destroyed by fire.
On June 9, 2009, at a Special Called Meeting, the Arvon Session voted to begin the rebuilding process.
By August 1, 2009, the damaged portion of the building had been removed, and the reconstruction phase begain in April 2919.
Rugged individualists from Wales came to Buckingham County, Virginia in the 1800's in order to quarry the outstanding and large mines of slate available and awaiting individuals of ingenuity, initiative and painstaking commitment. Hence as early as 1867 a small hamlet was founded by the Cymry (Welsh countrymen).
A slate manufacturer, John Williams, made the suggestion with which various other settlers in the Commonwealth concurred, that in honor of Caernarvon, Wales, this hamlet should be named Arvon. This occurred circa 1867, but in a very few years, it became necessary to avoid confusion between Arvon and Arvon, Virginia; therefore, Arvon became Arvonia -- although church names in the vicinity remained Arvon.
An article pulished July 26, 2020 in the Richmond Times Dispatch detailed some of the history of the Buckingham Slate Company, the present owners of the quarry.
Even to this day, the Welsh flag flies proudly over the little Arvon Cemetery, located across the road from the Arvon Presbyterian Church.
Many members, largely Welsh in background, of Trinity Church in New Canton wanted religious services to be held in the immediate vicinity of the "Slate Quarries."
As early as November 10, 1883 the Trinity Church Session Minutes note receiving several members into full communion from "a Church in Wales." Those same minutes also reflect transferring the membership of John Edwards to "The Slate Quarries..."
On August 10, 1884 ordination and installation services were held for an Elder and a Deacon at "The Welsh Chapel."
What was then West Hanover Presbytery officially organized the Arvon Church on September 26, 1885.
On September 13, 1889 a joint committee of Elders and Deacons from Trinity and Arvon were appointed to begin the construction of a Manse across the road from the Arvon Church. This home still stands, but is now privately owned.
On October 9, 1960 an Annex to the Sanctuary portion of the church was dedicated, adding classrooms, a social hall and a kitchen.
On January 15, 2009 the Sanctuary portion of the building was almost completely destroyed by fire.
On June 9, 2009, at a Special Called Meeting, the Arvon Session voted to begin the rebuilding process.
By August 1, 2009, the damaged portion of the building had been removed, and the reconstruction phase begain in April 2919.
And all God's people said, "Amen!"
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