Sixteen Candles was a popular song for the teen and college set in 1959 and was among the repertoire of a singing group at the University of Richmond known as The Jeters. (Readers of this column and UR alums recognize Jeter as the name of the 19th-century Baptist leader Jeremiah Bell Jeter for whom one of the dormitories at UR was named.) Formed in the summer of '58, at first the group played “just for laughs” and for various gigs, including a dance at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg. The Jeters were on their way to New York to consider entering the music business when one of them had to make a career decision.
Paige Allan Young, sociology major at UR, decided to step aside and enter the ministry. After graduation, he entered Southeastern Seminary; and when he completed his seminary training in 1963, he immediately accepted the pastorate of Ferry Farm Baptist Church in Fredericksburg. He has been there ever since and plans to retire in June after 44 years of ministry.
Paige Young
Although he abandoned The Jeters, Paige Young never quit singing. Actually, it may have been Young's singing voice which brought him to Ferry Farm. When he would visit his wife's church, Fredericksburg Baptist, Pastor Bob Caverlee would call him forward to sing a solo. “Dr. Bob” arranged for Young to be a guest preacher at Ferry Farm and the rest is history.
Young also is known for breaking into song in his annual Christmas Eve sermon. He has sung with a barbershop quartet and produced two albums. But along the way, he became better known for pastoral care, church growth and sermonizing.
Since Ferry Farm is Young's only pastorate, his resignation also was the only one he ever gave. He reflects: “It doesn't seem that it has been that long. Time, it goes away so fast.”
Ferry Farm began as a mission of the Fredericksburg Baptist Association. The concept was to build new churches in developing subdivisions. The chosen site placed the new church off any main road and without visibility. Even the new pastor was lost trying to find the church.
Fred Anderson
Constituted in 1959, Ferry Farm already had experienced two pastorates prior to Young's arrival in June 1963. He came into a situation where conflict existed. There were about 100 members on roll yet only about half attended. To meet the tight budget of $17,000 the church needed gifts from the local association and the Virginia Baptist General Board. The sources were withdrawing support.
Young came to the Baptist Board and met with William B. Denson, secretary of associational missions, who bluntly told him: “Ferry Farm was the biggest mistake which Virginia Baptists ever made. Why didn't they tell you before they called you? That church is going down and you will be going down with it. We are fed up.” Young pleaded and persuaded and performed; and after a year, the church started growing and got off all aid.
Describing the situation, Young admits: “I was 26 years old and didn't know any better.” He conceived of a plan by which there would be a change in leadership by all deacons, officers and Sunday school teachers. The pastor visited homes and explained that all conflict must cease. Some accused him of being on both sides, but he felt that he was “where I should be, in the middle.” But he persevered. “If you don't step out on faith,” says Young, “you slide back!”
The church turned around. Soon the pastor felt that a new sanctuary was needed. When he shared his vision with the deacons, the chairman said: “Are you out of your mind? We can't pay our bills. We only took in $25,000 last year.” Young responded: “The Lord has led me to say that it is time for a sanctuary.” He reflects: “My mantra has been that we walk by faith and not by sight. God has provided!”
“In the process,” says Young, “the people have built a unity there that is unique. They became a united, loving, supportive people. I've never had a job! It has been a way of life!” Paige and Sylvia Young reared their two children at Ferry Farm so indeed the church and their family are intertwined.
Today the church lists a membership of 1,159, a Sunday school of over 500 and annual receipts exceeding $1 million. It consistently sends generous gifts to denominational and missions causes. It operates a preschool with 260 children enrolled and others on waiting lists. It offers hands-on missions opportunities.
There were invitations to accept other pastorates. A denominational friend once advised him to stay, saying: “In the final analysis you will be doing the same thing elsewhere. As long as your pastorate is going so well, you should stay where you are.” Doug Freeman, a long-time member, once declared that Paige Young “was born to be pastor of Ferry Farm.” Young muses: “He's right. I never really thought of it but what a nice thing for him to say. It's all I have ever done.”
Paige Young may have been born for one church. Along the way there were many who nurtured him. His father was a grocery man in Salem and taught him “how to get along with people.” In their own way, his contemporaries in Salem who lived “on the hill” at the Virginia Baptist Children's Home taught the boy about acceptance of others and compassion for the needy. Tabernacle Baptist Church in Salem was a steady influence. It was affirming when the teenager went forward and testified that he felt called to the ministry. His father brought him to the Baptist school, the University of Richmond, and Dean Pinchbeck—a legendary campus figure—encouraged the young man to enter. Like so many others, Young was aided by the Keesee Fund and he worked in the summers to help pay tuition. Blessings were his all along life's journey.
Paige Young early caught a song within in his heart, shared it with one church family for four decades yet kept it fresh for all the tomorrows. He cared and the melody remains.
Ferry Farm Baptist Church will host a celebration in honor of their pastor on Saturday, May 19, at 4 p.m. and everyone is invited. Contact the church at (540) 371-2954 for further information.