Mount Calvary Community Church

Here follows an article excerpted from the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum in 2004 and written by Sue Patterson:

HISTORY OF THE FRANCONIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Prior to 1896, the Methodist and the Baptist held services in the same building called the Union Church on Beulah Road (now Beulah Street). In 1896, the church burned down and the congregations were left without a place of worship. At that time, Mr. Levi Rogers gave the land and a Church was built and dedicated as the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church North. According to the conference minutes, the church was on the Accotink circuit. By 1912, the Church was part of the East-Fairfax Charge of the Baltimore Conference.

In 1942, the members of Bethel purchased the present site on Franconia Road from Mrs. Kathy Higham for $1500. In September 1950, ground was broken and the church name was changed to Franconia Methodist Church. The first service was held in the new sanctuary in December 1954.

This older building on Beulah Street is still being used by another denomination.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2006 "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

“FIRST LADY OF FRANCONIA” - Clara Agnes Bradley Walter
Written by Jac Walker

When the family moved to Franconia, they felt as many do that it was like a big family. This writer can attest to this as I was fortunate to be a part of it. My mother, Ruby Cooke, referred to Clara Walter as the “First Lady of Franconia” as she was very involved in every phase of church and community growth. Over the years, Clara and James were never complacent; they spearheaded many church and community projects in Franconia.

Clara was reared a Catholic and it was not until after her mother passed away that she joined the Franconia Methodist Church, as she thought it to be the friendliest church. The church was located on Beulah Road. She served four years (1951-54) as president of the Franconia Methodist WSCS (Women Society of Christian
Service) now known as United Methodist Women, and nine years as Treasurer.

She organized the first Circles (group meetings in members homes) in the 1950’s when they were part of the
WSCS. She became a great business and salesperson for the church. The building fund for the present church on Franconia Road grew with sales of vanilla, brooms, baskets, and many, many boxes of Jello. Clara sold everywhere, which was not accepted by some who considered her to be “a money changer in the temple." Daughter Joyce recalls picking up newspapers in her wagon every Saturday for the building fund. Joyce also recalls there was a cake made to sell every day.

Clara fondly remembers bringing the pump organ by truck to the grounds of the new church foundation on Franconia Road for a sunrise service in 1947. She also recalls the purchase of a new organ (more Jello sales), and pledges from neighbors for a window or a bench. James made nameplates identifying the church donors. He also filmed the ground breaking and other significant events of the church.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Fall 2013 "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

MILDRED “Millie” COOPER FACCHINA’S STORY
She also remembers many happy times at the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church on Beulah Road where her parents and siblings were members. There was a group who gathered weekly to sing the old hymns at the home of Boyce and Virgie Rogers. Both of them could play the pump organ which is still in the home of their daughter, Margaret Rogers Welch. She remembers fondly a quartet consisting of Arthur Bowling, Virgie and Boyce Rogers and Dick Dodd. She remembers the big picnics spread out under the trees. She, her mother and sisters were always busy preparing meals for the church dinners, a huge source in sustaining the church. In 1947 the present site on Franconia Road was purchased. Three years later, on March 18, the cornerstone was laid for the “Basement Building” of Franconia United Methodist Church which was completed in March 1951.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Mount Calvary church website:

Mt. Calvary Community Church came into existence when a group of seventeen people met together and a fellowship of believers was formed ... the date was July 9th, 1975. Dr. Marvin H. Cave and Edward E. Campbell were instrumental in forming the group. After meeting in various homes for several weeks, Edward Campbell assumed the position of minister. The number of interested parties increased to such a degree that it was considered feasible to begin our own local church.

October 1, 1975:
On this date the name of Mt Calvary Community Church was chosen as the official name. It was also decided that a place of public worship be found as soon as possible. After worshiping in different homes, on October 12 1975, the first public service was held at Mt Eagle Elementary School. One year later the Mt Calvary congregation agreed to purchase the church property ay 6731 Beulah Street. Originally built in 1901, it was occupied by the Franconia Assembly of God from 1954 to 1979. In October 1976 both churches agreed to rent the church and for Mt Calvary to hold Sunday afternoon services and the Franconia Assembly of God to continue with their regular service until the completion of their new church.

January 21, 1979:
Mt Calvary assumed possession of the church building at 6731 Beulah Street, Alexandria Virginia. As a group it can be said in agreement with the Psalmist: "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." Psalms 118:23

Mt. Calvary Community Church also known as "the little church by the side of the road" or the "Church with the sign" has been a staple in the Franconia Rd/Beulah St community for over twenty years. The 100+ year old building has seen a lot of changes and growth in the area, but it still serves its purpose of creating a place where people can come together for the Praise and Worship of our God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus. An interdenominational church, Mt Calvary members come from a variety of faiths and backgrounds creating a unique family with a strong bond.

Mt Calvary has also been hosting Southern Gospel concerts for many years. Every year we send a representative to the National Quartet Convention to find new groups and to keep in contact with the groups that have become regulars. The church hosts more than 10 concerts every year, with each group offering a wonderful blend of humor, song and worship.

Edward Campbell - Pastor Emeritus
Charlie W Wood, Jr. - Senior Pastor
Matt Lanham - Assistant Pastor


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The Cemetery at Mt Calvary Community Church:

The cemetery was established by JOSEPH E. SCHURTZ c. 1945 and was being maintained under the direction of a group of trustees. The cemetery contains 120+ headstones and a number of unmarked graves.

The Talbert cemetery on Van Dorn Street was moved to Mt. Calvary Community Church in the late 1960's, during the construction of Rte. 495. There were 38 markers lined up in a row by the eastern fence. Most of the stones were contemporary granite markers placed at the time of reinternment, though a few were original marble headstones that were moved with the remains.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Fall 2022 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

Newest Member of Franconia Museum
Board of Directors — Charlie Wood

Charlie Wood got a full-time education while growing up in Franconia! He lived in the old elementary school house and went to school in the new one just down the street. He has spent most of his life here, so there is little he has missed. Charlie has agreed to share his knowledge of the area as a member of the Franconia Museum Board of Directors.

Charlie was born in old Alexandria Hospital on Duke Street and spent his early days living with his parents, Charlie Wood, Sr., and Edith Burnell Wood, in Burgundy Village. When Charlie was six, the family moved to what was the original Franconia School located on Old Franconia Road near the railroad. His dad worked for Virginia Roofing and his mom later was a cafeteria worker at Key Middle School and Forestdale Elementary.

After elementary school, Charlie went to Twain Middle School and Edison High School, graduating from the latter in 1974. He then attended Luther Rice College, which was co-located with Franconia Baptist Church at Franconia Road and South Van Dorn Street. When Luther Rice closed, he transferred to Valley Forge (PA) Christian, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with a Ministerial major. He came back to the area after college and spent 39 years in condominium maintenance and management at the Tivoli project in Cardinal Forest. Having played in the Pioneer Baseball and varsity basketball at Edison and Luther Rice, he continued sports activity as a softball player, golfer, fisherman and hunter.

Charlie was a teammate of fellow Museum Board member Don Hakenson on adult softball teams named Alexandria Buggy Works, Diamond Fever and Orange Crush for 25-plus years. Don, Charlie and their teammates often get together to recall their career highlights, sometimes at the Franconia Museum.

Charlie began attending Mt. Calvary Community Church at Beulah Street and Fleet Drive in 1982 and was named pastor in 2002. Soon thereafter, he heard about a musician named Terry Lee Ryan, who had escaped New Orleans just before Hurricane Katrina and moved with his family to Northern Virginia.

The two met during one of Terry Lee’s performances at the Elks Lodge on Route #50 in Falls Church and a bond quickly developed. Charlie and Terry Lee, and their singing partners have become a highly successful group with a sizeable following in gospel and standard music. Charlie says he never had any formal voice or music training, but the result pleases his audiences, and that’s all that matters. He and Terry Lee have been featured at numerous Franconia Museum events.

We are pleased to welcome Charlie to the Board of Directors of the Franconia Museum. He has been, and will undoubtedly continue to be a great asset to the Board as we endeavor to discover and preserve the history of our beloved Franconia.