Members from churches spanning seven counties gathered at New Highland Baptist Church in Mechanicsville Oct. 26 to commemorate the historic 225th anniversary of the Dover Baptist Association.
The event, three years in the planning, celebrated Dover's long and storied history. To illustrate this history, the evening began early with time for perusing display tables which boasted numerous historical items spanning several eras. Dover churches were invited to submit artifacts for the display.
Dover Association's Executive Director of Missions, Steve Allsbrook, brings greetings and gives thanks for Dover's 225th anniversary.
The Dover Selection, a hymnbook commissioned by Dover and compiled by Andrew Broaddus around 1828, was displayed. A nearby table featured samples of the Dover minutes from meetings long past. Several historic photographs of churches and their members were on exhibit before the dinner meeting and celebration began.
Wanting to ensure a meaningful recognition of their anniversary, a 225th anniversary celebration team was formed.
“There was a lot of responsibility placed on the planning team. This is a very exciting time. Dover's connection to Baptist life is deep and meaningful,” said Steve Allsbrook, Dover Association's executive director of missions.
Celebration team members created a timeline featuring significant points in national and international history, while also featuring significant Baptist and Dover occasions. Another exhibit traced the early roots of Dover churches in a church family tree.
“[One of the] earliest churches in Dover, Boar Swamp Church in Henrico [now Antioch], planted First Baptist Richmond,” Darlene Herod, celebration team member, shared. The church family tree charted the beginning, merging and disbanding of Dover churches.
After the dinner business meeting, the festivities continued in the sanctuary where guests and members were treated to a hymn sing, special recognitions were made, distinguished guests were recognized and the Dover history was shared.
Guest speaker Fred Anderson, executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, shared highlights from Dover's notable history.
The McDurham family finally was home.
Aggie Goodman and Puchie Mantlo from Black Creek Baptist enjoy the display of Dover Association's minutes from years past.
“Baptist associations began as an experiment. Baptists are jealous and zealous about their freedom,” Anderson said. “However, churches were lonely and wanted to join together.”
According to Anderson, Baptists were concerned about losing their autonomy when forming an association. “It required a great deal of trust to come together as an association. There was no hierarchy. In the early years to very recent, Baptist associations operated only with an elected moderator. They didn't have a paid executive.” In fact, Dover did not call a full-time missionary leader until 1955.
The Dover Association formed, and community and counsel were established for the churches. The original association hosted 21 counties with 21 churches widely scattered throughout the region. For a while, Dover was the largest association in the country.
In recent history, Dover has grown to 65 churches covering all or part of seven counties, including Henrico, Hanover, and Goochland.
Allsbrook is confident of Dover's future. “Our values have never changed. We want people to know about missions and want to help our churches and their leaders have resources to fulfill their missions. Helping people to know Jesus is important to us. We celebrate God's work, and we work together to accomplish it.”
Overheard at Dover's 225th anniversary:
“Missions has always been an integral part of the Dover Association.” — James Allcock, director of the hymn sing and retired minister of music from Heritage Baptist, Farmville.
“I encourage you to be faithful in your response to the Dover Association.” — Governor Tim Kaine during a video address to the association.
“200 years ahead, what will be the cumulative impact of Dover? To think what yet can be done, look back at your legacy.” — Glenn Akins, representative from the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
“God has seen fit to put us together; let's make music that neither of us has heard before.” — Bob Mackey, director of Baltimore Baptist Missions, referring to the new partnership between the Dover and Baltimore associations.
“I am very grateful and I thank God for each of you. Only God has allowed us this opportunity.” — Steve Allsbrook, Dover's executive director of missions.
“Serving on the Dover program committee gives the opportunity to know people and share your views and get to know others.” — Virginia Wermuth, program committee chairman.
“I was surprised, and I was overwhelmed.” — Aggie Goodman upon being recognized in The Dover Review.
“Dover has meant everything to me. It is the greatest affirmation of my ministry. My philosophy was working through leadership and involving the churches and their members.” — Richard Moore, Dover's executive director of missions emeritus.