Providence Presbyterian Church

Here follows an excerpt from the church's 50th anniversary booklet:

A Brief History of Providence Presbyterian Church

THE BEGINNING
In the early 1960s, Fairfax was a rapidly growing county with many government and military families relocating to more affordable housing outside Washington, DC. In 1963, aware of this rapid growth, the Presbytery of Washington City purchased a 7.9 acre lot on Route 236 for $55,000. The owner of the property stipulated that he didn’t want to be paid all at once due to the income tax burden and that he also wanted his son to live in the old white farmhouse on the property for the next two years. Both of these requirements were agreeable to Presbytery since it would be at least two years before any construction could begin. Thus the stage was set for the establishment of a new Presbyterian Church which was initially to be called Bethany United Presbyterian.

In June of 1963, The Rev. Kenneth Holmstrup received a letter from Presbytery’s Director of New Church Development inviting him to come and discuss an opportunity for the establishment of a new church. The Rev. Holmstrup, who was currently the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Seneca Falls, NY held degrees from Yale University (BA History), Cornell University (BS Agriculture) and Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. He had also served in the US Navy for three years.

The Rev. Holmstrup accepted the challenge of church-building and moved his family to the area ultimately residing at 4416 Braeburn Drive in Fairfax. The Board of National Missions of the Presbytery agreed to pay his salary during the first year of service.

The Rev. Holmstrup immediately began knocking on doors in the vicinity of the proposed church, inviting people to attend the new services. The response was wonderful and on November 3, 1963 the first service of worship was held at Wakefield Forest School with 100 people present — 80 in the congregation and 20 in the visiting choir from John Calvin Presbyterian Church.

The ushers that day were members of the Presbytery’s Advisory Commission which was composed of one ruling elder from ten United Presbyterian churches appointed to serve until the new congregation could officially organize. Wives of Advisory Committee members acted at greeters. Lewinsville Presbyterian Church printed the first bulletins. Fairfax Presbyterian Church loaned a cross and candlesticks for the first service; on the second Sunday, the new church received its own beautiful cross and candlesticks, a gift of Jean and Howell Farnworth.

Shortly thereafter, Presbytery notified The Rev. Holmstrup that the name of the church had officially been changed to Providence United Presbyterian Church to better reflect the name of the district in Fairfax County in which it was located.

By January of 1964, Providence was ready to end their dependence on other churches for music. A five voice Chancel Choir was formed, led by Betty Meng and accompanied by Ann Rogers, our first pianist. Sunday School began and Natalie Franz was the first child baptized in the new church.

A charter petition was signed by 134 members representing 55 families, and on May 3, 1964, during an afternoon service, Providence United Presbyterian Church was formally organized. Six men were elected by the congregation to be ordained and/or installed as officers: Robert DeBoskey, Martin Farmer, Robert Franz, Donald Meng, William Hildbold, and Robert Rogers.

The Rev. Charles E. Carson, the Chairman of Presbytery’s Advisory Commission and presiding minister over the service of organization said, “It looks like all of Fairfax County is here.” In June, the first newsletter was published by The Rev. Holmstrup named The Good News. A teen club for youth was started under the direction of CAPT and Mrs. Spell. They met at the newly purchased parish house at what is now 4018 Guinea Road. The house served as a meeting place and the pastor’s study.

In August of 1964, the congregation voted to officially call The Rev. Holmstrup as Pastor and he was installed by Presbytery on October 11th. In personal notes, The Rev. Holmstrup noted that he almost missed his own installation. He had attended the World’s Fair in New York and his train was detoured due to a wreck, providing some stressful moments.

By December 1964, the church’s membership had grown to 200. That same month the congregation moved its services to the newly opened Robert Frost Intermediate School where the congregation met for the next two years while preparations were underway for construction of a new church building. Over the next few months the chancel choir grew to 18 members under the direction of Karen Johnston with William Murray as pianist. Mr. William Mickelsen began as Sunday School Superintendent and a fine basketball team was established coached by Bill Hildebrandt and Bernie Panella. Betty Downey led various activities of the women of the church.

A year later, the white farmhouse on the 7-acre lot was now vacant. Therefore, the parish house on Guinea Road was sold and the pastor’s study and administrative offices were relocated to the farmhouse at 9019 Little River Turnpike, the new church address.

A PERMANENT HOME, NEW PASTORS
In August 1966, ground was broken to begin the construction of a permanent church. The architectural firm of Strang and Childers worked with contractor J.L. Lawrence Co. to construct two connected, ground level, colonial style buildings. One building was to consist of a Sanctuary-Fellowship Hall seating 240 people with a choir of 40 in the balcony as well as a Moller pipe organ. The other connected building was to be used for classrooms and a kitchen. The total cost for both wings was $190,000.

The first service was held in the new buildings the last Sunday of April 1967, and the Service of Dedication was held on May 14, 1967. A knock on the new church door initiated the 3:00 pm dedication service. The ceremony continued as The Rev. Holmstrup and the now widely acclaimed choir under the direction of Ben Trotter moved into the Sanctuary-Fellowship Hall singing lyrics written by The Rev. Holmstrup to the tune of God of Our Fathers.

The Rev. Graydon McClellan, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Washington City, delivered the sermon for the dedication. Alfred Exton, Jr., the chairman of the Providence Building Commission, delivered the keys to the building to The Rev. Holmstrup stating, “I deliver to you the keys to these buildings erected by our congregation for worship and teaching, for service to the community, and for the up-building and unity of the Church Universal. I pray you now to dedicate these building to the glory of Almighty God.”

In June 1970, $82,000 was pledged for a new Christian Education Building, and in November the congregation approved the plans and directed officers to proceed with construction. The education wing was dedicated in November 1971 and named Williamson Hall in memory of COL John “Jack” Williamson, age 42, who served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Ruling Elder, Choir Member and Church Treasurer. An announcement of his untimely death in The Good News newsletter stated, “The doors of heaven swung open to welcome Jack Williamson, one of the bravest and most inspiring Christians I have ever known …. He kept his church very much in the center of his thoughts, and he gave his great energy, imagination and abilities without ever thinking of himself ….”

With new buildings to clean, the first custodian, Albert Rott, was hired on a part-time basis and made his home in the old farmhouse which was now vacant when the new church administrative wing was constructed. Mr. Rott was replaced by Richard Mudd who also moved into the farmhouse with his family in 1975; Richard continues to serve as custodian.

The Rev. Jeanne E. Clark joined the church staff and was ordained on January 8, 1972. The Rev. Clark prepared for the ministry at Virginia Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria, VA and received her degree from Colgate-Rochester Seminary in Rochester, NY.

Upon her ordination, The Rev. Clark became the first woman Presbyterian minister in the newly formed National Capital Union Presbytery and the 104th woman minister in the Presbyterian denomination out of a total 12,000 clergy. Women were permitted to be ordained by the denomination in 1956. Mrs. Lois Stair, the first woman to be elected as Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, delivered the sermon at the ordination and installation service.

The Rev. Clark shared the leadership of Providence with The Rev. Holmstrup and carried a portion of the preaching schedule, preaching once a month, working with Session and committees, and directing Christian Education. Even though there was some resistance to a female pastor, The Rev. Holmstrup firmly supported including women in ministry and had it written in the job description that The Rev. Clark would be permitted to do everything in the ministry that he was allowed to do.

In January 1974, Providence, which was affiliated with both Presbyterian Church, U.S., and the United Presbyterian Church, decided to drop the word “United” from its name.

When The Rev. Clark resigned in 1976, there were six applicants for that open position and The Rev. Alice Ogden Bellis was the unanimous choice. The Rev. Bellis attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and received a B.A. in Religion from Duke University. She graduated with her M. Div from Howard University in 1974. She was installed as the Assistant Minister on June 12, 1977 and continued her studies at the Semitics Department of Catholic University, receiving her M.A. in September 1977.

In the fall of 1979, The Rev. Holmstrup accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Grants, NM. The Rev. Bellis was appointed Interim Senior Pastor while a search for a new senior pastor began. On September 14, 1980, the congregation voted to call The Rev. Dr. John Barclay Burns as Head of Staff. The Rev. Dr. Burns was educated at the Universities of St. Andrews and Glasgow and served churches in Scotland and Canada. His installation at Providence was in January 1981. He had a wonderful Scottish brogue and his sermons were well received. He loved the theatre and produced several plays with Providence members as the cast with proceeds going toward the purchase of a new organ.

GROWING AND EXPANDING
By 1982 it was apparent that the church’s continuing growth required an expanded physical plant. With professional architectural assistance, a committee developed a master plan for expansion, consisting primarily of a new sanctuary to the north of the original building and an extension of Williamson Hall to the south for additional classrooms. The congregation approved the plan in January 1984, and voted to proceed with construction if $500,000 in pledges over the following three years could be obtained in a fund-raising campaign. That goal was reached.

In May of 1986, The Rev. Dr. Burns requested that the National Capital Presbytery dissolve his pastoral relationship with Providence, ultimately to take a teaching position in religious studies at George Mason University. The Rev. Dr. Bellis, now with a Doctor of Philosophy degree, was again appointed Interim Senior Pastor while the Pastor Nominating Committee conducted its search. In September 1986, The Rev. Dr. H. Richard Neff came to Providence as the Interim Associate Pastor. Also on staff at that time were organist Mary Hilbert; Christian Educator Sheila Irwin; and Director of Music Dr. Robert Baxter. Meanwhile, ground was broken for the new facilities at a ceremony on June 8, 1986. The first regular worship services were held in the new sanctuary on May 23, 1987 and the new facilities were dedicated on June 7th. Composer Dr. Jean Berger was commissioned for the dedication service and presented Introit for a Happy Occasion (brass quartet) and Sing Unto Him (mixed chorus).

A cornerstone was placed in the left outside wall at the front entrance of the church. In it were placed copies of the organizational bulletin of 1964 and many other “first” documents, including the wedding program for Susan Lawson and Dana Bell whose wedding was the first service held in the new sanctuary. A magnolia tree was planted near the front entrance to honor the church’s first pastor, The Rev. Holmstrup.

During the construction of the new sanctuary, the large maple tree in the front property had to be taken down. A tree that was incorporated into the design of the new stained glass window at the front of the sanctuary reminds many of that maple tree. A plaque with the names of members who contributed to purchasing the window is located in the Sanctuary. Pews made of northern elm wood that had been used in Fellowship Hall were modified and used in the new sanctuary. Additional pews were purchased by individual members whose names appear on brass plates on each pew. The Needlepoint Guild dedicated red seat cushions for the pastor benches. Each cushion holds 85,100 stitches and took 503 hours to complete.

CHANGING ROLES
The Rev. J. Carter Hiestand, III became Providence’s third senior pastor in 1987. In September of 1988 Carol M. Hovis, a recent graduate of New York Theological Seminary, was hired as a part-time Director of Youth. In May of 1990, she became the full-time Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults and was ordained on July 22, 1990. In December of 1991, The Rev. Dr. Bellis left her position to become a full-time professor. More pastoral changes came in November 1992, when The Rev. Hiestand left his position as Senior Pastor to accept a position at Princeton Theological Seminary. The Rev. Fred C. Lyon became the Interim Senior Pastor on February 1, 1993. Terry Stoneberg became the Director of Music in 1994.

The Pastor Nominating Committee selected The Rev. Albert Butzer III to become Providence’s fourth senior pastor and he was formally installed on September 25, 1994. A graduate of Tufts University near Boston, The Rev. Butzer held two degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to his call, he served churches in Short Hills, NJ and Oak Park, IL.

The Rev. Hovis’s departure in 1997 led to the hiring of The Rev. Mary E. Rodgers as Associate Pastor in September of 1998. The Rev. Rodgers holds a Masters degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and had a career as a special education teacher before being called into ministry.

FAITHFUL SERVICE AND VISION
The church paid off its mortgage on the sanctuary and Williamson Hall extension in December 1995 and purchased two underdeveloped lots adjoining the property on the northeast corner at Elizabeth Lane. The white farmhouse which had remained on the property was deteriorating and was ultimately demolished in 2000.

In 2001 a Visioning Committee was appointed to lead the congregation in discerning God’s call for the church for the next five years. The congregation identified its strengths as: meaningful Sunday worship services, inspiring music, thoughtful sermons, supportive pastoral care and active missions. Areas selected for growth included: youth ministry, officer training, and prospective members.

Upon receipt of the Visioning Committee report, the Session prioritized the recommendations and began implementing the top priorities. The area of improving youth ministry involved both Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry. In 2002, the Children’s Ministry Committee decided to revamp Sunday School by initiating Sojourners, a rotation workshop approach intended to increase children’s biblical knowledge and understanding using various media and experiences for the same lesson over several weeks. The Youth Ministry program added new activities such as the mission project with Hosanna Industries’ Triple Blitz Build at spring break, and summer camps for the junior and senior high students.

It was still a challenge to attract youth who attended one of the six local high schools. To develop a program, The Rev. Lisa Rzepka was hired and installed as Associate Pastor for Educational Ministries in July 2003. The Rev. Rzepka graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary. In September 2003, a new program was started to further address the goals of the Children’s and Youth ministries. It was called LOGOS, an intergenerational program designed around Christian theology and relationships presented through Bible study, fellowship, meal sharing, and worship which included singing.

The Sanctuary Choir eagerly accepted the Visioning Committee’s challenge to lead in worship through music, and it continues to inspire the congregation through its excellent musical offerings. Another large initiative was the addition of a worship service in a contemporary format which was implemented in September of 2008. Mr. Rick Thiele was hired as the Music and Technology Coordinator to lead this new, successful style of worship.

Mission was expanded, especially with international mission trips. In 1998, the church initiated a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico to a Presbyterian Church, Iglesia Verdad y Fe, and added a second annual trip to Tijuana, Mexico, to work with the Presbyterian Border Ministry. In 2001 a work group traveled to Karai Orphanage in Kikuyu, Kenya. The congregation financially adopted the majority of the children in the orphanage until the orphanage closed. Local mission efforts have included monthly furniture collection for the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), clothing drives for families in need, and food preparation for the homeless at Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter. A Comfort Shawl Ministry was established to provide shawls for people suffering personal hardship, blankets for those celebrating a birth, as well as hats and scarves for children in need and for the homeless community.

A desire for an expanded community space, a new organ, and a renovated kitchen became the impetus for another building effort for Providence. After much planning, ground was broken in March of 2007. The organ was the first part of the renovations and was custom built by the Lively-Fulcher Pipe Organ company. A concrete slab was poured to support the organ which gave many church members the opportunity to sign their names and write special prayers for our church. A large community space named Mission Hall was built to provide much needed floor space for church functions and mission activities such as Upward Basketball and “Stop Hunger Now” events. A new kitchen provided the space for preparing food for church and community events, including the weekly LOGOS dinners.

In 2007, after a thirteen year tenure, The Rev. Butzer left Providence to accept a call in Virginia Beach, VA. The Rev. Roger Shoup became the Interim Senior Pastor until the hiring of our current pastor, The Rev. Dr. Michael P. Burns on July 8, 2009. The Rev. Dr. Burns earned his M. Div degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, with a major in Preaching. He conducted his further studies through the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) and McCormick Theological Seminary, completing the Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching in 1999. The Rev. Dr. Burns served as Head of Staff at Northbrook Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills, MI and brought with him unexpected musical talent in the form of percussion skills.

THE PRESENT
Following the completion of all the construction efforts, focus shifted to painting, landscaping and installing updated audio-visual systems in the church. Due to its enhanced presence, Providence has developed a reputation as a hospitable place for outside groups to meet and enjoy fellowship.

Recently, Fellowship Hall was officially renamed “Taylor Hall” in memory of long time member William “Bill” Taylor, a well loved and active supporter of Providence. Which brings us to today, May 4, 2014 – our 50th year:

We are grateful to The Rev. Ken Holmstrup for having accepted the enormous challenge of church-building. We remain indebted to the 134 charter members for their perseverance, faith and vision. Those charter members still with us today are to be congratulated for 50 years of steady attendance. We remember many past Providence members who, though knowing that their tenure here in Fairfax would be short, still generously shared their time and talents to pave the way for us to be celebrating here today. And we honor 50 years of faithful ministry at Providence from past and current staff members who use their gifts daily to further Christ’s great commission and continue to provide good counsel and resources for our membership.

As always, we move forward together … and what we accomplish in Christ’s name in the years to come is a story that will be told by others. For today, though, HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY TO PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN … and all God’s people say “AMEN!”

Staff—Past and Present

Pastors:
Rev. Kenneth Holmstrup – Sr. Pastor (1964 – 1979)
Rev. Jeanne Clark MacKenzie – Assistant Pastor (1972 – 1976)
Rev. Dr. Alice Ogden Bellis – Associate Pastor (1977 – 1991)
Rev. Dr. John Burns – Sr. Pastor (1981 – 1986)
Rev. Carter Hiestand – Sr. Pastor (1987 – 1992)
Rev. Carol Hovis – Associate Pastor (1990 – 1997)
Rev. Albert Butzer – Sr. Pastor, Head of Staff (1994 – 2007)
Rev. Mary Rodgers – Associate Pastor (1999 – )
Rev. Lisa Rzepka – Associate Pastor (2003 – 2008)
Rev. Dr. Mick Burns – Sr. Pastor, Head of Staff (2009 – )

Interim Pastors:
Rev. Alice O. Bellis, Interim Sr. Pastor (1979 – 1980; 1986 – 1987)
Rev. Dr. H. Richard Neff, Interim Assoc. Pastor (1986 – 87)
Rev. Fred C. Lyon, Interim Sr. Pastor (1993 – 1994)
Rev. Ruth Reinhold, Interim Assoc. Pastor (1998)
Rev. Roger Shoup, Interim Pastor (2007 – 2009)

Christian Education:
Sheila Irwin, Dir. of Christian Ed (1983 – 1988)
Diane Hutchins, Dir. of Christian Ed (1990 – 1992)
Diane Hutchins, Interim DCE (1992)
Beverly Baily, Dir. of Christian Ed (1992 – 1997)
Fran Kashey, Interim Dir. of Christian Education (1997 – 1998)
Shannon Somers, Dir. of Christian Ed (2000 – 2002)
Holly Marcario
Meg Mann
Carol Dahnke, Interim Dir. of Children’s Ministry (2003)
Holly Marcario, Dir. of Children’s Ministry (2008 – 2011)
Leigh Burke, Interim Dir. of Children’s Ministry (2011 – 2012)
James Cubie, Dir. of Children’s Ministry (2012 – 2014)

Youth Ministry:
Carol Hovis, Dir. of Youth Ministries (1988 – 1990)
Elizabeth D. Harden, Dir. of Providence Youth Fellowship (1996 – 1998)
Doug Mar, Dir. of Youth Ministries, (1998 – 2001)
Sheryl Acterhof, Interim Youth Dir. (2001)
Sarah Richards, Dir. of Youth Ministries (2001 – 2004)
Jane Sanford, Dir. of Youth Ministries (2004 – 2006)
Mary Ellen Moss, Dir. of Youth Ministry (2007 – )

Organists/Pianists:
Ann Rogers, Pianist (1963)
William Murray, Pianist
Marti Rideout, Organist (1970)
Carol Bishop, Organist (1986)
Mary Hilbert, Organist (1973 – 1999)
Jane Kaye, Organist (1999 – )

Choir Directors/Worship Leaders:
Mrs. Charles Vondra (1964)
Betty Meng (1964)
Karen Johnston
William Murray
Ben Trotter (1965 – 1967)
Carol Bishop (1967)
Marti Rideout (1970)
Doran Christensen
Robert Baxter (1986)
Cindy Hunt
Terry Stoneberg, Director of Music (1994 – )
Gene Kaye, Director of Providence Singers
Rick Thiele, Contemporary Worship Leader (2008 – )

Children/Youth Choir Directors:
Virginia Vondra, Chapel Choir (1970s)
Marti Rideout, Carol Choir (1970s)
Cindy Carlton
Sara Bennett
Arwen Norman (2010 – 2012)
Carol Miller (2012)
Daniel Miller (2012)
Caleb McClay (2013 – )

Business Managers/Financial Secretaries
Cindy Forsberg, Fin. Secretary ( – 1983)
Mary Ellen Wright, Fin. Secretary (1983 – 1999)
Bill Sargent, Treasurer (1983 – 1989)
Casey Naatjes, Treasurer (1989 – 1999)
Joe Moss, Bus. Manager (1999 – 2012) Fin. Manager (2013 – )
Reg Babcock, Bus. Mgr. (2012 – 2013)

Facilities Managers:
James Cubie, (2013 – 2014)
Lee Faber, (2014 – )

Secretaries:
Barbara Timmis (1964 – 197?)
Eloise Gabler
Gail Terry
Shirley Sweeney
Kay Richardson
Mary Landon Walton (1987)
Sally Offen (1992 – 1996)
Donna Barksdale (1999 – 2000)
Darlene Dolbey (2000)
Denise Weidele (1996 – 1999;
2000 – 2005)
Joan Volk (2001 – 2003)
Linda Wood (2003 – 2004)
Mary Ellen Moss (2004 – 2007)
Kathy Knorr (2007 – 2014)

Communications Coordinators:
Kathy Knorr (2014 – )

Sextons / Custodians:
Albert Rott ( – 1975)
Richard Mudd (1975 – )


About Providence’s Stained Glass Window

The stained glass window is approximately 16 feet by 9 feet, with an arched top. It was designed by artist Brenda Belfield, whose studio is the ARTWORKS Gallery & Studio Studios in Reston, VA and Port Republic, MD. Brenda has a number of stained glass commissions in this area, notably 60 windows for the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Her walls of glass are seen across the U.S. and in places as varied as the American Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the NATO base in Sicily, Italy.

The window was fabricated and installed by the Louisville Art Glass Studio in Louisville, Kentucky. It is of facetted dalle glass rather than leaded glass; consequently, it is thicker and less susceptible to breakage. This obviates the need for a protective sheet of tempered glass over it. With facetted glass, heavy grout is used between the glass pieces rather than lead.

The window design, developed by Brenda after extensive consultation with members of the Building Committee, incorporates a Celtic Cross and a Tree of Life in an open, not densely colored design reflecting the feeling of spaciousness in the sanctuary. The diagonals repeat those established by the architecture of the chancel area. The cross itself is offset to the left to complement the light slanting into the sanctuary through skylights on the right. The cross is repeated several times with lesser intensity. Clear rays symbolizing hope and redemption radiate from it. Below the cross, new green life springs up, symbolizing the Tree of Life.

The window is contemporary in style to echo the contemporary design of the sanctuary. Since the window faces north, the colors used have been kept rather light and bright, a color motif that also reflects an airy, open feeling. Special donations from individual church members financed most of the cost of the stained glass window. Appropriate plaques identifying the donors have been affixed to the rear wall of the sanctuary.