About us

On September 18, 2001 an interracial group of ten friends met at Pastor Liz’s home to discuss founding a church that welcomed everyone including: gays, lesbians, transgender folk, addicts, alcoholics, ex-offenders and their families and supporters. We began with two Bible studies, Wednesdays at Pastor Liz’s home and Sunday nights at UVA.  These groups continue on Thursday nights, focusing on the Old Testament taught by Rev. Greg at the church, and studying New Testament themes with Pastor Brenda on zoom. We also continue to host the New Beginnings TV show on Channel 13 on Tuesdays night at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 1:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.

Within six months, we had grown into a congregation of twenty-five and secured Barrett Day Care Center for their our worship service on Palm Sunday. At the end of the year we had outgrown Barrett and moved to the Blue Ridge House. In 2004, the church relocated to the Monticello Event and Conference Center and then in 2007 expanded to Clark Elementary School. In 2014, we finally rented a full time facility downtown on 1130 East Market St.

Concern for our hungry members led Peggy Mayo and Maureen Littlepath to start our Food Ministry, which has expanded from Sundays to four days a week, now feeding 300 people.  From the beginning we have been teaching Bible studies and visiting inmates at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Regional Jail. We also host PACEM, our movable homeless shelter and work with the Haven in caring for those who are living on the streets and in their cars. The church gives a large percentage of our income in emergency assistance to those who are struggling with: eviction, utility bills, funeral expenses, car repair and insurance and medications.

As part of the American Baptist Churches, USA, we have supported flood victims by sending volunteers to Rainelle, W.V. ,  plus helping a family who survived Hurricane Harvey in Houston. We also dedicate some of our funds to national and international ministries work with refugees and victims of natural disasters. Social justice is important to us as members of the Interfaith Clergy Collective and IMPACT, working for equality and affordable housing for all.