LET'S DIVE BACK 100 YEARS

 James Dillon settles in the area that was first nicknamed Sewertown, but later became known as Purcellville, once a post office was opened in Purcell's Store in 1822.

After many attempts, Purcellville finally becomes incorporated.

The Washington and Old Dominion
(W & OD) Railroad was extended to Purcellville, quickly building on the merchant culture already established.

The U.S. Census shows Purcellville's population to be 549.

Rev. E.J. Bulgin, a nationally known evangelist from Oregon, preached at a revival service at Bush Tabernacle Meetinghouse. Over 550 were saved or reclaimed for the Lord.

With such an overwhelming response to the revival, thirty individuals signed their name to commit to establishing Purcellville Baptist Church.

After 4 short years, PBC built its first church building on Nursery Avenue, and continued to worship there for 80 years. Now this building is the town hall.

Purcellville Baptist Church (PBC) first worshiped at Hampton Hall (known locally as the White Place) that is now recognizable as the restaurant on the corner of 21st Street and Main.

Rev. C.T. Taylor put a special message in the bulletin to invite PBCers during a month of Tabernacle revival services

The Evening Star, a Washington, D.C. newspaper, reported that 245 people were enrolled in PBC Sunday School.

Vacation Bible School was first held in 1930 in conjunction with three Purcellville area churches: Purcellville Baptist Church, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and Harmony Methodist Church. PBC’s history of working with local churches extends to its early years.

Rev. Jacob Gartenhause, a Baptist Evangelist, was invited to speak about his evangelistic work among the Jewish people living in the U.S.

By this time, due to the spread of infantile paralysis (polio), a town ordinance was passed banning public gatherings. After citizens persuaded the town council to lift the ban on August 13, 1935, Mayor Adams "expressed pleasure that so many citizens were anxious to get to church!"

On the anticipated day of invasion in Europe (I-Day) during WWII, PBC was selected by the state to be a community house of worship, hosting public prayer meetings. A year later, on May 8, 1945, PBC once again opened its doors to the war-weary in celebration and praise to God for deliverance through the war, a date that became to be known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

PBC reopens after a new addition was built to accommodate a growing church family.

PBC joined with other local churches to begin broadcasting Sunday morning worship service on the local radio station WAGE in Leesburg.

The World Mission Society (WMS) sponsored a clothing drive to meet the needs of 100,000 refugees from Hong Kong, China.

WMS sponsored the School of missions for primaries through adults. It was "designed to give a deeper knowledge of Christ's Great Commission, an appreciation of our missionaries, and an opportunity to see what our support means to people of the world." Seven different missionaries presented representing Virginia, America, and foreign countries.

During a culturally turbulent and divisive time in our country, PBC led the way in reaching out for unity in Christ. Rev. Kenneth Schmidt invited Washington Redskins’ Chaplain, Tom Skinner, to speak, filling the church to overflowing.

The first record of a conference for families.

PBC leadership began to challenge the now better unified attendees with hard questions regarding church mission and vision. To re-establish the church mission towards the community, it was discovered the needs were Youth, Daycare, Persons facing homelessness AND Persons dealing with addiction

To carry out the new vision of PBC, Pastor David Janney was called to Senior Pastor, “Pastor Dave” went on to serve 25 years, the longest of any previous pastor.

PBC's first youth pastor, Pastor Dan Morgan, was brought on staff.

In response to the increased load of pastoral care, Caring Ministries was created. At first this involved hospital visitations, but later included Meals Ministry, Transportation Ministry, Stephen Ministry, and Griefshare.

After a few years of prayerfully considering how world missions at PBC could be revisioned, the World Missions Team was created. The vision was to put a face to each missionary, which led to direct PBC support of missionaries around the world. It also led to short term mission trips to support those missionaries, as well as the development of the Missionary Intern program that would launch those in PBC who had a calling to be a career missionary.

With the church growing once more, the church building on Nursery Avenue outgrew two services and moved to three services, eventually leaving the church building altogether and conducting Sunday worship services at the Bush Tabernacle. During this time, the children's program was held at the church building, with the youth at the Loudoun Valley Community Center down the street, while the church office was on Pickwick Drive. Land was purchased for construction of a bigger church building to house all the ministries under one roof on Sunday mornings, and throughout the week.

The Mother’s Day Out Preschool was formed. It is the first formal preschool program of PBC. It ministers to families of the community BY teaching educational basics and school readiness within the framework of God’s Word.

During the construction of the new church building, a large windstorm caused the roof rafters to cave in. The collapse revealed the roof rafters were installed incorrectly, and it was acknowledged that this could have happened even years later, collapsing perhaps while many people were in the building. It was considered to be God's divine protection for this to be discovered and corrected.

The PBC Elder board voted to set aside 10% of contributions for the poor and needy of the community, and Tree of Life Ministries was created. Later, it became its own organization, partnering with over 40 churches and covering 3 regions in Loudoun County.

To address the needs of those dealing with addictions, Celebrate Recovery, a nation-wide program, was established.

Woven had its beginnings as a Life Group solely devoted to minister to families experiencing fostering or adoption. This grew into Woven Ministries with a focus on adoption grants, Care Communities, and fellowship.

PBC’s The Potter’s Players biblical theatrical ministry had its roots as a small group in fall of 2017. Now, The Potter’s Players is a ministry producing a Christmas Play, a Good Friday play, and a Summer Showcase.

Winshape Camps, created by Chick-fil- A's founder, was brought to PBC. Winshape proved to be a useful tool to reach the unchurched in our community.

After a National Emergency was declared due to Covid-19, PBC did not hold public services for over 2 months, and went to livestream. This created another avenue to reach the unchurched in our community and beyond.

After a previous attempt had been made in 1993, PBC once again partnered with Hamilton Baptist to plant the current Lovettsville Baptist Church.

PBC celebrates 100 years!

For the first time, youth were seen as a special population in the church family that required special focus. The Youth Committee was created to help create and plan activities for the youth.