This coming Sunday, June 7, we will gather for one of the most meaningful celebrations in the life of our church—Heritage Day. Each year, this day gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the faithfulness of God across the generations of Huguenot Road Baptist Church. 

This year carries a double significance. Not only are we celebrating the 62nd anniversary of our founding (June 10, 1964), but we are also marking the 40th anniversary of the dedication of our sanctuary. These two milestones invite us to remember where we have come from, to appreciate what God has provided, and to recommit ourselves to the mission He has placed before us. 

At the very first congregational meeting in 1964, charter member Dot Thacker made a motion that this new body of believers be called Huguenot Road Baptist Chapel. That simple yet meaningful decision marked the beginning of a journey of faith. In time, the chapel became a fully chartered church, and the name we now cherish—Huguenot Road Baptist Church—was born. 

Like many churches, our beginnings were humble. We were launched as a mission church, gathering first in a home located at 2829 Monteith Road, just across from where our campus now stands (photo: above right). As God blessed the congregation with growth, that home quickly became too small. The church then moved to Bon Air Elementary School, where worship and ministry continued to expand (photo: left). 

In 1967, the congregation took a significant step forward, moving into its first permanent building—the Wallis Building, named in honor of our first pastor, Dr. Russell M. Wallis. That space served as a foundation for ministry and growth for many years (photo: below right). 

As the church continued to grow, additional facilities were needed. In 1979, the Child Development Center and Family Life Center were added, (photo: below left) providing space for both ministry and community engagement. Yet even with these additions, it became increasingly clear that more space was needed—especially for worship. 

By the mid-1980s, the church had grown to over 1,000 members, and Sunday School enrollment had surpassed that same milestone. Worship services were being held in the gymnasium, which also doubled as classroom space. Temporary partitions attempted to create order, but the need for a dedicated sanctuary was undeniable. 

On Heritage Day, June 9, 1985, a pivotal moment arrived. Ground was broken for a new Sanctuary—a visible sign of God’s ongoing work among His people. That day was marked not only by construction plans, but by a deeper spiritual commitment. Dr. Pollard preached from Hebrews 10:24, calling the church to “consider how to stir one another up to love and good works.” The ceremony itself reflected the heart of the church, bringing together leaders, long-time members, and even its youngest generation—symbolizing both heritage and hope. 

Just over a year later, on September 21, 1986, the Sanctuary was dedicated (photo: below right). What stood before the congregation was more than a building—it was a sacred space designed to focus hearts on Christ.  

With seating for approximately 850 people arranged in a fan-shaped design, attention was drawn to the pulpit and the communion table—visible reminders of the centrality of Christ and His saving work. 

Above it all stood a nine-foot copper-clad cross atop the steeple, proclaiming to all who see it that the message of this church is rooted in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. 

The dedication service itself was a powerful testimony to the church’s connection to the broader body of Christ. Pastors and leaders from across the community and Baptist life gathered, underscoring that this sanctuary would not only serve this congregation, but also stand as a witness to the wider community. In the words spoken that day, the people dedicated not only the building, but themselves to the service of God. 

In the months that followed, the worship life of the church was further enriched with the addition of a grand piano and, in 1987, a pipe organ from the Reuter Organ Company. That instrument, dedicated in a service of worship and praise, has helped lead generations of believers in lifting their voices to God. 

Through the years, our campus has continued to evolve. The Wallis Building has been renovated to expand educational space, and in 2013–2014, a major renovation added a welcoming commons area, multipurpose space, updated offices, an elevator, and additional restrooms. Each improvement has been a reflection of a growing and active congregation seeking to serve both its members and the community with excellence.  

Yet as we reflect on these physical spaces, we are reminded that buildings are never the ultimate story. They are tools—places where lives are changed, where the Gospel is proclaimed, where children are taught, where families are strengthened, and where people encounter the presence of God. 

For forty years, this sanctuary has been the setting for countless moments of worship, prayer, celebration, and even grief. It has echoed with hymns and prayers, sermons and testimonies. It has been a place where people have come to faith, where marriages have been celebrated, and where we have entrusted loved ones into God’s care. 

What makes this space sacred is not simply its design or its history—but the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of His people who have gathered here. 

As we celebrate Heritage Day this year, we do so with gratitude. We honor those who came before us—those who sacrificed, served, and stepped out in faith so that we might enjoy what we have today. At the same time, we recognize that we are now the stewards of this legacy. 

God has planted Huguenot Road Baptist Church in this community for a purpose: to be a light in Bon Air, throughout Chesterfield County, across the city of Richmond, within the Commonwealth of Virginia, and ultimately to the ends of the earth. 

The question before us is not simply, “What has God done?” but also, “What will God do next—and how will we be a part of it?” 

As we gather this Sunday, may we give thanks for 62 years of God’s faithfulness and 40 years of worship in this sanctuary. And may we dedicate ourselves anew—just as those before us did—to love God, to serve others, and to carry the message of Christ into the world. 

Source: The History Of Huguenot Road Baptist Church—50 Years Of Spreading the Gospel  

Written by Eric Millirons. 

Happy Heritage Day!