Saturday, April 25, 2009
Congregation close-up of the month: Riverland Road Baptist Church
A series of profiles that run on the fourth Saturday of each month. Please submit your suggestions for congregations, large or small, that you would like to know more about, or recommend yours.
Kyle Green The Roanoke Times
Mary Martin (right), holds her sleeping son, Will Martin, 5, as they wait to talk with Donald Summerville (left), the senior pastor at Riverland Road Baptist Church in Roanoke. The church is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Sunday.
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Archive
Riverland Road Baptist Church
- 4529 Riverland Road
- Roanoke
- (540) 427-3067
About the staff
Senior pastor: Donald Summerville
Choir director: Brinda Booe
Youth director: Mary Etta Summerville
Church history
Members of the church first met in February 1959 at the home of Harding Patsel and bought two parcels of land where the church stands today. The first service at the church's current location was held in March of that year in a two-story home on the property. When construction for the church began, the house was demolished. The Rev. Walter Lubinsky was called in May 1959 as the church's first pastor, and Donald Summerville, the church's sixth pastor, was called in 1995.Service times and types
Sunday school: 9:45 a.m.
Sunday morning worship: 11 a.m.
Sunday evening worship: 6 p.m.
Physical description
The church is a brick, ranch-style building with parking facilities that allow easy access to the sanctuary, which is on the ground level. The sanctuary has true California redwood beams that were hauled in by rail. The Sunday school classrooms for children of all ages are in the basement, while the senior women's class meets in a room off the sanctuary for easier access. The fellowship hall, kitchen and restroom facilities are also downstairs. The church has an excellent sound system and offers aids for the hearing impaired.
Personality of the congregation
The congregation is a group of Christians of all ages that welcomes anyone who worships with them. Services include traditional music and contemporary chorus music with messages from God's word. The membership is mission-minded, supporting a seminary in India, sending members to different areas in the country and maintaining regular support of the cooperative program. Members celebrate the church's 50th anniversary on Sunday, and the Rev. Rick Via will lead them in a revival Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m. each night.
Pastor's favorite Scripture
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
