History of our Church

Our story is a testament to God's faithfulness through the years. From humble beginnings to the vibrant church family we are today, each generation has helped shape our mission of worship, service, and community. As you explore our history, we invite you to celebrate milestones and moments that have guided our journey and strengthened our commitment to sharing Christ's love. These are the highlights from each decade from two separate churches who now worship as one as united brothers and sisters in Christ.

Northminster Presbyterian Church

The Beginning

The need for a Presbyterian Church in the northwest area of Roanoke was first discussed by Dr. C. C. Campbell pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke (1881-1924). Dr. Campbell along with Mr. A.M. Coulter would donate 2 lots of land on the northwest corner of Williamson Road and Huntington Boulevard for the purpose of a church building. The church was to be called Northminster.

It would be many years before Northminster came into being. On March 1, 1942 Northminster Presbyterian Church was formally organized in a meeting held at William Fleming High School (which is present day Breckenridge Middle School) by the congregation of the new church. Dr. Charles Logan a retired missionary, was chosen to lead this church due to his ability to organize and build churches. There were 65 charter members. Worship services were held at Oakland School until the new church building could be built.

In June 1942, the Montgomery Presbytery gave the church enough lumber to construct the sanctuary and several Sunday School classrooms. The congregation moved from Oakland School into the new building in September 1943. The first service was held in the basement of the Church on September 26, 1943.

The 1950s

After Dr. Logan left Northminster, the Church continued to thrive in the 1940s and 1950s. During this time, Northminster created its first softball team, hosted its first Brownie troop, hosted the Community Christmas Tree, and hosted “Race Relations Sunday”, where the pulpit would be exchanged with Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. This tradition would continue for at least 2 decades. Social activities for young adults were extremely popular during this time. Many events were hosted at Lakeside Park or Bedford Park, members’ homes, and the church basement.

Youth club was also popular during the 1950s. The youth regularly attended rallies and conferences, participated in the city’s Christmas parade floats, hosted Halloween parties and more.

In 1956, with over 450 members, the congregation voted to purchase land along Greenland Avenue and Avalon Avenue, which is the present-day location. On October 4, 1959, groundbreaking services and ceremonies were held at the new location.

The 1960s

The congregation moved from the Williamson Road location to the present location on August 10, 1960 and conducted the first worship service in the new building on August 14, 1960. The first wedding in the new building took place in the first in the first 30 days. During this time, the Church had a vibrant youth group called the Presbyterian Youth Fellowship. This group participated in the youth choir, hosted a sunrise service, participated with a float in the Christmas parade, and started a Church library. The church also supported its own Vacation Bible School, led worship services at the Rescue Mission, had an active adult choir and many family night events. In the late 1960s, Northminster worked with TAP to open a daycare center at the Church, but it eventually closed.

The 1970s

The 1970s brought changes to our Church. Early services were conducted and Sunday School was discontinued during the summer months. Northminster hosted seminary students as well. The most exciting event took place in 1973 when the Church celebrated the burning of the indebtedness note.

In 1976, the groundbreaking for a new and bigger sanctuary took place. The new sanctuary opened in April of 1977. This is the sanctuary that is used today for worship.

Along with opening the new sanctuary, the Church continued to thrive in the 1970s. The Church was the headquarters for Meals on Wheels, hosted family events at Camp Fincastle, hosted social dinners at member’s homes, and offered a Mother’s Day out program.

The 1980s

Northminster continued to flourish in the 1980s. The youth presented elaborate Christmas pageants, families participated in monthly family night suppers, members participated in talent shows, attended conferences, became missionaries, and hosted fellowship events at member’s homes. In the 1980s, a sentimental tradition started for children being baptized in the Church. A cross-stitched baptismal sampler is presented to the parents on the day of the child’s baptism. This precious gift is hand crafted by the Presbyterian Women group.

Another tradition started was our annual Moravian Lovefeast. This special service is celebrated during Advent. Servers were responsible for distributing the buns and lemonade, prepared well in advance so that there is no interruption to the flow of service. The choir sings several anthems while the congregation partakes in the simple feast. When the meal was finished, the servers collect the emptied items. Lighted candles are then distributed to the congregation after the meal to use at the conclusion of the service. It’s a very simple, but meaningful service. While the Lovefeast is not held in the traditional format today, a service of lessons and carols is presented each Advent season with special music by the choir.

Another wonderful tradition was started in 1989. Northminster’s annual apple butter program has been going strong for over 30 years and continues to be held each October. Originally started to support Christian Education at the church, it has developed into a time of fellowship and reunion. Also, the Church celebrated the mortgage retirement by paying off the final mortgage note in 1987.

The 1990s

The main event of the 1990s was Northminster’s 50th anniversary. To celebrate, each church family contributed a representative square on a large quilt. The quilt was put together by our very own church quilters. The quilt frame was constructed by member Jack Vinent in honor of his late wife, Janice, who was a faithful member of the church quilting group. The quilt is still on display in our Fellowship Hall and is a wonderful reminder of members and families over the years.

Also, the first Shepherding program began to keep church members connected. To keep the church’s rich history organized, the Heritage room was created to house all church archives and memorabilia. This room is still updated and used today. Many fun events took place at Church, such as, line dancing classes, Christmas Eve pageants, fall festivals, more apple butter making, tutoring for Huff Lane students and Maundy Thursday pancake dinners. Meanwhile, the Church started participating first Operation Christmas Child boxes and participated in a Hunger Buster program for the Presbyterian Community Center.

The 2000s

The turn of the century in 2000 brought exciting opportunities to the Church. The new Renaissance organ was dedicated. And we participated in a joint church service of all Roanoke area Presbyterian churches at the Roanoke Civic Center. In addition to our traditional library, a video library was stocked. We opened our doors to Huff Lane Middle School (now closed) to host their graduation exercises and provided after-school tutoring services to their students. The Youth group participated in mission trips and many members participated in “The Year of the Bible”.

The 2010s

In 2012, our sanctuary was renovated. The choir moved from the loft of the Sanctuary to the front of the church. The pulpit area was expanded to provide more room for the choir and communion table. To support the local community, Block Parties were hosted during back-to-school season, Trunk or Treat events took place on campus, and a mitten tree was decorated during winter. The mitten tree collects cold weather items such as hats and gloves, and they are distributed to local agencies in need. The mitten tree is continued today to support local community organizations. In 2019, Northminster merged with Green Ridge Presbyterian Church. Both congregations are now one entity and worship together each week. The Green Ridge church building was sold and we now worship together at our Greenland Avenue location.

The 2020s

In 2012, our sanctuary was renovated. The choir moved from the loft of the Sanctuary to the front of the church. The pulpit area was expanded to provide more room for the choir and communion table. To support the local community, Block Parties were hosted during back-to-school season, Trunk or Treat events took place on campus, and a mitten tree was decorated during winter. The mitten tree collects cold weather items such as hats and gloves, and they are distributed to local agencies in need. The mitten tree is continued today to support local community organizations. In 2019, Northminster merged with Green Ridge Presbyterian Church. Both congregations are now one entity and worship together each week. The Green Ridge church building was sold and we now worship together at our Greenland Avenue location.

Green Ridge Presbyterian Church

The Beginning

In October 1955, the Montgomery Presbytery authorized a Commission to launch a campaign to build churches within the Presbytery’s reach. In 1956, the Presbytery tasked Rev. Bernard Bain to begin three new churches in Roanoke, VA. Green Ridge Presbyterian was one of the churches to be opened in the Peters Creek Road area in Roanoke County.

In May 1956, the first worship service was held at a residence on Vivian Avenue. Also, Presbytery purchased land along Alpine Road for a future building. On July 29, 1956, Green Ridge Presbyterian Church was officially organized with 32 charter members. The year was spent organizing the church by filling the pulpit with a permanent minister, electing elders, and setting up the Women of the Church group.

Groundbreaking for a new church building took place in 1957. The Church continued with the development phase with Churches within the Presbytery donating items such as a Hymn Board, mimeograph, choir robes, and more. The church was able to double in size within its first year.

The first mortar was laid in January 1958. Articles were placed in the corner stone and included were: history of the Church, flowers from the hills of the Holy Land, the worship service bulletin, a silver dollar representing freedom of worship, and a boy scout and cub scout pin. The first worship service in the new building was held in 1958. Within 2 years, the Church had tripled in size. During this time, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops started at the Church. The youth were very active participating in pageants, choirs, and their own fellowship activities.

The 1960s

Green Ridge Presbyterian Church expanded again in 1966 by adding new Sunday School rooms. At this time, membership had reached over 300 people. The church continued to support fellowship of its members by hosting family retreats at Camp Montgomery and family nights suppers. Also, Green Ridge had extremely active men’s and women’s groups. The Youth were also active through their Presbyterian Fellowship Youth group by participating in retreats and Christmas caroling at the Veteran’s Care Center. The church continued to host scouts and even had their worship services hosted on W.S.L.S radio during the summer months.

The 1970s

In the 1970s, Green Ridge continued to develop its building by adding a church steeple.. In addition to adding the Steeple, the church body itself continued to thrive. The Church hosted many events such as family night suppers, the first homecoming service, Youth-led worship services, special Cantatas hosted by the choir, softball and basketball teams, Vacation Bible School and special Tenebrae services. One of the most exciting events was the annual family event hosted at Camp Montgomery.

The 1980s

In the 1980s, the Church was able to support many upgrades to the facility. The fellowship hall was remodeled into the new and permanent sanctuary. On the bottom level of the church, a new and updated fellowship hall and kitchen were completed. Later, a new parlor and library were opened. The dedication of members and the local community even supported a Thanksgiving Day service held at the Church for many years. The most exciting event during this time was the 25th anniversary of the church which was celebrated with several days of special events. Roanoke was also celebrating a milestone by turning 100. Green Ridge participated in the parade to celebrate Roanoke’s centennial. We didn’t know at the time how two churches would merge in the future. However, maybe it was God’s plan because Green Ridge also hosted an apple butter boiling too. Just across town their future brothers and sisters in Christ at Northminster also began their apple butter tradition.

The 1990s

The 1990s continued to be a busy and exciting time at Green Ridge. The church began its tape ministry for members and guests to listen to services even if they weren’t able to attend Church on a given Sunday. The continuation of cherished traditions of Camp Fincastle family picnics, Christmas cantatas, hanging of the greens, and more connected members. To honor former pastor Bob Wells, the church created “Bob Wells Day” and celebrated with a special service and celebration. The biggest celebration during this time was the 35th anniversary of the church.

The 2000s

The turn of the century provided many exciting opportunities at Green Ridge. Green Ridge participated in the large worship service at the Roanoke Civic Center with the other presbyterian Churches in Roanoke. The local community was supported through donations to the Presbyterian Community Center, offering Bible school each summer, and hosting the Blue Ridge Embroidery Guild each month. The time-honored traditions of our thanksgiving luncheon, Christmas caroling and Sweetheart dinner were enjoyed by church members. The first shepherding program was developed and implemented which kept the community connected to each other while away from Church.

The 2010s

At the start of 2010, the church continued to bless the community and its members. Support was provided through the Hunger Buster program at the Presbyterian Community Center. In addition, the Church supported Elijah’s Backpack with other local churches by providing snacks and light meals for students in local schools to take home over the weekend. Each week, the Presbyterian Center was blessed with bread donations to support their weekly client needs. Many traditions continued such as the Fall Festival, Christmas carol singalong, and hanging of the greens. The path with Northminster crossed again as we joined together for Bible School at Northminster over the summer.

The 2020s

God often sets His plans in motion long before anyone realizes it. Many times over the years from 1942-2019 the paths of Northminster Presbyterian Church and Green Ridge Presbyterian Church crossed for a variety of reasons. The paths would cross permanently in 2019. In December of 2019, Green Ridge Presbyterian Church and Northminster Presbyterian Churches merged to one single church which operates under the name Northminster Presbyterian Church located on Greenland Avenue in Roanoke. Looking back, it is clear that God was preparing the way all along, bringing these two congregations together to strengthen their ministry and witness for years to come.