CHURCH HISTORY

History of South Norfolk Christian Church

South Norfolk Christian Church (SNCC) was established in 1904, serving the Lord in the Hampton Roads area for over 100 years.

Herbert Sholtz, Pastor of First Christian Church in Berkley, started a Sunday School a block from here in an old school house just back of Mr. E. M. Tilley’s residence. On May 29, 1904, the people of that Sunday School decided to organize a church.

Rev. J. O. Cox became pastor in 1905 and a house of worship was built in1906.

In 1909 Rev. D. A. Keys became pastor.

Rev. L. L. Lassiter became pastor in 1914 and then in 1915 O. D. Poythress started as pastor and served for 43 years. In 1918 the church building was paid off and the lot next to the church was purchased.

The present building was started on April 11, 1925 and the Cornerstone was laid on April 3, 1926. But finally on June 6, 1926 the building was formally opened and dedicated to the Lord with 716 members.

Almost 20 years later, through dedication, hard work, and trust in God the present building was finally paid off in 1945.

In 1957 the property next to the church was purchased and Rev. John Truitt Jr. became pastor in 1959.

Rev. William A. Cousins became pastor of South Norfolk United Church of Christ in 1961 and the social hall and kitchen were renovated and air conditioning was added to the sanctuary in 1963.

Rev. James D. Rumley, Jr. became pastor but in 1966 Willis Joiner started as pastor and served for 19 years.

The elevator was installed in 1967, and 1968 saw the church become an independent church and the name was changed to South Norfolk Congregational Christian Church.

1968 was also the year the World Missions Conference started.

The seventies started with the new electronic Conn organ replacing the pipe organ in 1970, the educational wing was added and two new lots next door were purchased for parking and South Norfolk Congregational Christian School was founded in 1972.

The pews were refinished by the men of the church in 1975, a new sound system was installed in 1976, the AWANA club was started in 1977, and the church decided to buy property in Indian River to construct a building for the school in 1979.

In 1985, South Norfolk Congregational Christian Church selected Rev. Nelson Hodges to become pastor of this church.

The church purchased the home on the corner of Jackson and Poindexter and Mrs. Mildred Bunch donated her home at 1417 Seaboard Ave. Both were used for missionaries and families in need.

Rev. Willis Dowling became pastor in 1992 then in 1996 Rev. Amos Eby became our pastor.

The Harvest Soup Kitchen Ministry was started in 1998, and the house on 1607 Jackson Ave was dedicated on July 11, 1999 to replace the other mission’s home that was torn down in 1998.

Then on June 3, 2001 South Norfolk Congregational Christian Church celebrated the 75th anniversary of this church building.

In May of 2015 Jake Tromburg moved from Minnesota with his family to become pastor here.

In October 2022, along with an updated constitution and by-laws, the church reverted back to its original name of South Norfolk Christian Church.