This interview series will be exploring a pillar in our community: religious organizations. The News-Gazette prints a “Rockbridge Area Worship Services” page and there are no less than 70 items on that list. The services represent numerous denominations, including but not limited to: Methodist, Baptist, Non-Denominational, and even Buddhist. Locations of these services can be as far away as the Greek Orthodox Church in Roanoke, but about 30 of these services are right here in Lexington.
In this series, we’re going to talk with the area leaders of a wide breadth of denominations, religious organizations, and groups. We’ll learn about how they view their place in this area, the diversity of beliefs in our community, and their opinion of how religion affects people and their community.
This week, I spoke with Jared Huntsman and Bill Braddy from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lexington.
How long has this church been here in Lexington and how long have you been with this church?
Huntsman: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had an influence starting in 1840. There were missionaries that had come to this area and started to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1883, there was a small group of individuals that had joined the church in the Collierstown area, and that was the first official organization of members in the area.
Braddy: Two families came together, the Irvine family and the Potter family. One family donated the plot of land (The Potters) and the Irvines donated timber off of their farm. It was milled to build this beautiful little white, mountain church. That chapel existed from about 1890/1900 until just a few years ago. It was taken down and is being archived for historical purposes. That little branch was really the start of a Rockbridge County congregation.
Huntsman: Then in Lexington specifically, it was in 2006 that the church building, at 1340 Thornhill Road, was dedicated. The presence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been here since the early 1800s. I moved here in 2009 and have greatly enjoyed living in this area. For me and my family, this is like a piece of Heaven. I think that this area is predominantly an area of God-fearing people who truly love the Lord, and are striving to live Christian lives.
Braddy: My wife Elizabeth and I moved here in January of 2011. She came later that summer and I came in January '11 and started employment with Southern Virginia University.
Why do you think there are so many churches in the area, and especially just in Lexington?
Braddy: I believe it's because people, and families in this area, were brought up with wonderful values. Based on their faith in believing in God and seeking to know and to do his will, regardless of their faith, so many Christians believe and trust in a loving God and their Savior Jesus Christ and they were brought up with that faith. Ingrained in them are high character and values and that's one of the reasons we love living in this area.
Huntsman: We believe that religion should be protected and that people have the right to be able to worship the almighty God according to the dictates of their own heart, you know? We love the commonality of worshiping Jesus Christ as our Lord and our savior, and I think that's what brings us together.
Why do you think churches are typical elements in all cities, big or small?
Huntsman: You know, I think you'll see a lot of churches in the center of the city because they believe that Christ should be at the center of their heart. I think it’s a symbol. A lot of times you'll see churches downtown, whether they're big or small. I think it's a reflection of how we should have God in our life: he should be in the center of our life. That's another reason why I love Lexington. You walk downtown Lexington and you see so many different churches. It's a constant reminder that 'my belief should be centered in the Lord Jesus Christ and my life should reflect those beliefs.'
Braddy: Exactly what I was going to say. Throughout Europe, cities and villes from 300-400 plus years ago, the churches and cathedrals were placed in the city for exactly what President Huntsman just said. I believe that because much of our heritage has come from Europe, and other parts of the world but specifically Europe, we follow that pattern. Churches are at the center because Christ should be at the center of our lives.
What do you think your religious organization brings to our area?
Huntsman: There are many things I think the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brings to this area. I think it brings a people who are rooted in a relationship with the Savior. I think it brings faith, I think it brings hope, I think it brings happiness.
Braddy: I think it gives us, our congregations, the opportunity to love one another, to serve one another, and to worship together, united in our faith. As far as the benefit of that in the community, we invite all who are interested in worshiping their savior Jesus Christ to join us. Whether you're a member of our church or not, visitors are always welcome. We invite individuals that have a common interest of living a good, clean life, with virtues and values centered around the Savior Jesus Christ to worship with us. If not, then come serve with us. Come help us lift the community, as families and individuals, and make the lives of everyone around us better.
How would you describe your congregation’s demographics?
Huntsman: Currently we have six different family congregations in Rockbridge County and a Spanish group. Then there are also an additional six young single adult congregations in Rockbridge County.
Braddy: Specifically in our area, just in the six family congregations, plus the Spanish group, we represent individuals that are in their 90s approaching 100 years old, down to new infants. We have young marrieds that don't have children yet and young families with 1-7 children. Then we have empty-nesters, like President Huntsman and myself, that have raised our families and now enjoying grandchildren, and then we have other individuals that are single and/or maybe widowed. So we're very diverse in each congregation.
We have many people that are multi-generational; their roots go back a hundred years in Rockbridge County. We call them our heritage members. They're the foundation of what's happening here. Then we have transplants like, Jared came from out west and I came from North Carolina. Very diverse congregations which, in my opinion, adds to the joy of meeting together because we're always learning from other people that have different backgrounds, different cultures, different experiences.
Huntsman: Currently we have about 2050 members on record in Rockbridge County, plus an additional thousand, I would guess, from the young single adult congregations. The approximate population of Rockbridge County is about 37,000 people. We're roughly around eight percent of people of faith in this area.
How has your service attendance been over the years?
Huntsman: This area continues to grow. So within the last 100 years, it's been amazing to see the growth of the church in this small area.
Braddy: I'll add: specifically in the last 30 years. From that one congregation, to the 12 that are here, has all happened in the last 30 years. So, it's been in this area for over a hundred years, but in the last 25 or 30 years we've seen that growth. And these are not congregations of 30 or 40. These are congregations of a couple of hundred plus, and still growing.
Although we've grown a lot, the numbers and the growth is not what really matters. What really matters at the end of the day is the personal one-on-one relationship that each person has with their Savior Jesus Christ.
Have you seen any changes, shifts, or evolution of the area?
Braddy: It seems like over the last 15 or 16 years, I've noticed an increase of people seeking a good area like this to come and move to. They're seeking a beautiful, safe area, a good community where they can bring their family, where they could retire. I think people are noticing or seeking out this type of community, Rockbridge County. There's been growth all over the community - in the business arena, all three higher education institutions, and in other areas.
Huntsman: You know, I think one of the things that I've enjoyed recently is being welcomed at the Rockbridge Ministerial Alliance. We're religious leaders, coming together from all faiths, we share a common belief in the Savior Jesus Christ, and look for opportunities and ways to bless the community. I'm very grateful for the graciousness of other church leaders who are willing to open their arms to all people of faith and they say, "Let’s come together for the benefit of the community."
How do you see the future of this area?
Huntsman: I am very much an optimist. I like to see the good in everyone. I think that the direction of the world is going to continue to be unstable, you know, to have problems. But I love that we can come together and there will be strength as Christians in this community. As we lock arms, serve and strive to bless one another regardless of denomination, the more that we can become united, we will continue to grow in strength.
Braddy: I'm also an optimist, but also a realist and I agree with President Huntsman that there are probably some interesting times that lie ahead for the country and the world. Here's what I believe: when we, as a community here, stay centered in our hearts on God the Father and his son Jesus Christ, we are blessed. Love one another, serve one another, first serve our God - we're going to be great. Now, will there be some interesting times around us, probably. I believe in our community, we're going to be fine. The future is very, very bright.
