Orange is one of the prettiest small towns in Central Virginia; and in the middle of its commercial district, there is a red-brick Gothic building which houses the Baptists. With its tower the Orange Baptist Church sits like a sentinel, watching over the passing scene. Those who enter find a friendly welcome and are quickly “put to home” in a building which from living room to dining room is as inviting as Grandma's house. Every Sunday is a homecoming in Orange.
The living room is a large sanctuary and the dining room is paneled with knotty pine and, appropriately, called the Pine Room. The walls of the Pine Room are lined with family pictures including photographs of the patriarchs, the former pastors. Included are some familiar names and faces to old-time Virginia Baptists: Frank C. Riley, Stuart Grizzard, Paul Watlington, Jr., and Stuart Kersey. The church early gained the reputation of attracting and holding highly educated and capable ministers.
When members gather around tables in the Pine Room, it is always a great family affair. In March, a luncheon was held following a heritage day service. Someone managed to silence the happy folks long enough to welcome back home an old friend, Orene Todd. Without benefit of a microphone, she could be heard around the tables, bringing the folks up-to-date on her life.
Orange Baptists have been celebrating their 150th anniversary all year long. In April, the choir and many previous members formed a mass choir for the musical “Celebrate Life” which drew a large attendance. On Oct. 8, the “grand celebration” included John V. Upton Jr., executive director of the General Association, as guest preacher, and several guest musicians including two former music directors, Althea Pace and Horace Danner. The youth of the church prepared a time capsule. For three Sundays this fall, former pastors will come home again to preach from their former pulpit: Stuart Kersey on Oct. 15; Ben Wagener, Nov. 5; and Stanley Johnson, Nov. 12.
The theme for the anniversary has been “Celebrate the Past…Embrace the Future.” John Farrar served as interim pastor during the anniversary and the theme acquires special meaning with the coming of a new pastor, Rick Clore. “There is a tremendous heritage upon which to build,” says Clore, “They know who they are as Baptists.”
Dorothy Cluff, a member of the anniversary committee, shares the new pastor's sentiments. She also felt that the anniversary afforded an opportunity ‘for bringing so many friends together.”
Indeed, Orange Baptists do have an interesting family history. A dozen brave and ambitious folks constituted a church and proceeded with plans for a building. The cornerstone of the original building was laid on Oct. 15, 1856. The first pastor was Charles Quarles who preached twice a month and received $150 a year.
In 1871 the church building was destroyed by fire and another was erected. The earlier cornerstone was used once again. On a Sunday morning in Nov. 1908, the church building again was destroyed by a fire which swept through most of the central area of the town. It was the same Sunday on which the Baptist church had planned a dedication of their new pipe organ. Less than a year later, another church building was built; and William E. Hatcher, the grand old preacher, was the dedicatory speaker in August 1909. Orange Baptist Church had proven that it could not be destroyed.
Hatcher reported on the church's “resurrection” in the Religious Herald. He wrote of the “multitudinous congregation” which assembled for the dedication. He described “the lovely auditorium, snug Sunday school room and concreted basement.” He marveled over the dinner which was “enormous, delicious and exhaustless.” Thankfully, some things do not change!
Hatcher was famous as a fundraiser. During his visit, he lifted offerings which totaled $1,200. He reported: “This will not cover the entire debt, but we need not feel uneasy about the Baptists at Orange. They have shown almost marvelous courage and greatness in what they have already done, and they can be trusted to do the rest in the due course of time.” And so they have.
The church experienced growing pains through the years. Additions were added to the building for educational space; and in time, the auditorium (which most Baptists now call “the sanctuary”) was enlarged to double the space for seating. From the sidewalk, the church just kept pushing back further and further.
The old homeplace changed from time to time but the family kept true to its recognizable traits as Baptists. As he begins his pastoral ministry in Orange, Rick Clore has shared with the people four values which he holds high: priesthood of the believer, leadership providing vision, congregational decision making, and consensus building. These are old values which characterize Baptists and which instantly make Baptists feel at home wherever they are.
Fred Anderson is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies. He may be contacted at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.