Welcome to the Bellamy Avenue Church of God. We are a community-focused church located at 112 Bellamy Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia.

Our congregration exists to promote God's Kingdom by worshipping God in response to his Word, equipping God’s people for service, and witnessing to God’s world in word and deed that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

 

History

Church dedication plaque located on the exterior of the current building. Photo by Absolon Kent (c)On September 27, 1957, a group began meeting in the home of Mrs. Olivia Taylor and her mother, Sis Adell Worrell on Woodis Avenue in the Atlantic City section of Norfolk, Virginia. After a few weeks of worshiping on Friday nights, the group began meeting on Sunday for Sunday School and Morning Service. Morning Service was presided over by Brother John Davis, Sr.

On November 12, 1957, a store front was rented at 1207 Hanson Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia for $50 a month. Reverend Robert L. Hill, the Church of God of Virginia’s State Chairman, visited and advised that one should be chosen to be the leader. John D. Davis was chosen and declared his call to the ministry. He became the first pastor and was ordained as a minister on March 15, 1959.

During the early years of the church, the Church of God of the state of Virginia supported the mission generously. Financial help also came from the Church of God at Timmonsville, South Carolina. Reverend John Lassiter of Boykins, Virginia, contributed pews and a pulpit to the church and Brother Ulysses Dove transported the pews and pulpit from Pendleton, North Carolina to Norfolk, Virginia. Brother Oscar and Sis Thomasena Mason donated the first piano to the church.

The first church revival was held in 1959 with evangelists Reverend J.T. Alexander, Reverend Robert and Sister Myrtle Hill.

Church exterior of the current building. Photo by Absolon Kent (c)In July 1961 the church purchased the property at and moved to 112 Bellamy Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia, the current location of the church.

Reverend Davis served faithfully as pastor for 30 years, before retiring in August 1989.

On February 3, 1991, Revend Calvin Peterson of Newport News, Virginia was ordained and installed as pastor.

Source: Bellamy Avenue Church of God 50th Anniversary Souvenir Book

 

Significant Events Timeline

September 27, 1957 - First meeting at the home of Adell Worrell and Olivia Taylor on Woodis Avenue in the Atlantic City section of Norfolk, Virginia

November 22, 1957 - A store front is rented at 1207 Hanson Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia for services

January 1958 - First business meeting held

March 15, 1959 - John D. Davis is ordained as a minister and is installed as the first pastor

1959 - First revival held; evangelists are Reverend J.T. Alexander, Reverend Robert Hill, and Sister Myrtle Hill

1960 - Second revival held; evangelist was Reverend Allen Mack of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

July 1961 - Church moves to 112 Bellamy Avenue

1974 - Tulension paneling installed; basement floor tiles and ceiling panels installed

1975 - Exterior church sign, exterior bricks and aluminum siding installed, and church doors and entrance improved

1976 - Carpet installed in the church's sanctuary and foyer areas

August 1987 - First of the original church members (Elizabeth Davis) passes

August 1989 - Reverend John Davis resigns as pastor

February 3, 1991 - Reverend Calvin Peterson ordained and installed as pastor

January 1994 - Church's first van purchased

October 1996 - Church's pews were padded

September 14, 1996 - First pastoral appreciation service for Pastor Peterson is held

August 10, 1997 - First church homecoming service is held; evangelist is Rev. Dennis Kidd of Hampton, Virginia

1998 - Audio system purchased and installed

August 2004 - Church purchases a new van and donates the original van to a local church in the Berkeley community of Norfolk, Virginia

2004 - Exterior of the church is remodeled to include new driveways on both sides of the church, a new walkway to the rear of the church, gutters, and a drainage system

2005 - Church basement remodeled into a fellowship hall; improvements included a new kitchen, tiled floors, ceilings, renevations to the men's bathroom, a rear exit door, windows, seating, electrical system improvements and painting (interior and exterior)

2005 - Sanctuary and foyer remodeled to include new carpeting, refinished wood floors, paining, and windows and ceiling fan / light fixture improvements

2006 - Elevator / lift system installed

2006 - New piano purchased

2007 - New roof installed and a cross installed on the exterior along with a church plaque

September 15-16, 2007 - 50th Anniversary Celebration held

 

Source: Bellamy Avenue Church of God 50th Anniversary Souvenir Book