The Welborne Story
In 1954 Mrs. Myrtle A. Welborne, a member of Broad Street Methodist Church, donated $5,000 and a little over two acres of land for construction of a church at the southwest corner of Ridge (now Parham) Road and Patterson Avenue. In June 1954 the Virginia Methodist Conference gave its sanction, and in September Dr. Starke Jett, Jr. was asked to organize a congregation. Dr. Jett commenced work by knocking on doors and one afternoon during the World Series, he secured his first member. On October 17, 1954, some fourteen worshipers attended Welborne's first Sunday service. By November, Sunday services were conducted regularly at Ridge Elementary School on Three Chopt Road.
Construction of the church was begun in 1955 and on Palm Sunday, March 25, 1956, charter members attended services in the new sanctuary. Membership increased rapidly during the next few years. This period witnessed the purchase of a parsonage at 1401 Blue Jay Lane, additional land, construction of an educational building and enlargement of the sanctuary.
Due to Welborne's continued growth, a new site containing 9.2 acres at Maybeury Drive and Patterson Avenue was obtained in 1966. The present parsonage was occupied that year, the sanctuary in 1968 and the activities and educational building in 1970. From 1968-70 Sunday School was conducted at the old site and on April 12, 1970, all Welborne activities and programs moved to our present location.
Welborne United Methodist Church is a busy place. Sunday School is offered for ages 2-adult, nursery care for infants is provided by our caring staff, and Jr. and Sr. High United Methodist Youth Fellowship groups meet regularly. United Methodist Men and Women offer programs for adults. Welborne's Christian Preschool serves our members and community by providing affordable preschool education. Scouting and community groups also use the facilities regularly.
Since our earliest days, Welborne has supported mission work by helping with salary support of Milton (now deceased) and Ruth Ann Robinson (now retired) and Dr. David and Lidia Jensen in Bolivia. We are currently helping to support Steve and Diantha Hodges in Tennessee and Dwala Ferrell in Petersburg, Virginia. Welborne Church was one of the four original churches that sponsored Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter (CARITAS) and looks forward to serving this way each winter and spring. In the summer our youth groups participate in a variety of mission experiences, both locally and out of town.
Ministers who have proved leadership, guidance and inspiration: Starke Jett, Bill Watkins, Les Nave, Walt Green, Ed Garris, Ernest Hogge, Larry Tingle, Rick Geoghegan, Buzz Moore, Chancellor Hamilton and Peter Vaughn. Doug Akers served as the first associate pastor, followed by Rhonda VanDyke Colby, Gina Wyse and Dwala Ferrell. Currently John Andrews, Lisa Sykes and Earle Paylor serve as our Pastors.