Robert has served as Interim Pastor of this church since the spring of 2006.  He is a native of North Carolina where he received his high school and college education.  His was a theology student at Union Theological Seminary, Richmond Va., and Pittsburg Theological Seminary in Pittsburg, PA.  From 1966 to 1997 he served pastorates in Virginia and West Virginia.  He was called to professional Interim Ministry in 1997 and served congregations in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia and Maryland. He and his wife Doris have three children.  Robert Jr. is a Presbyterian Pastor at Grove City OH, Donna is an educator, and Paul is a Neo-natal Respiratory Therapist in Children’s Hospital at the University Of Virginia Medical School. Bob and Doris live at 243 Henderson Court, Abingdon, VA 24210.  He often says that “the best history of this church may be in the future.” Such is the goodness of The Lord.

Most of those who come to this web page have found their way here through the pages of the book, The Man Who Moved a Mountain, which tells the story of the life of a Presbyterian preacher, Bob Childress, a son of these mountains, who improbably worked his way through seminary, and wrought unimaginable changes in the life and culture of these mountain folk, through God and the rock churches he built in which to worship Him.  This church is the first of those he eventually constructed.

If you haven't read the book, you have some enjoyable evenings ahead of you. Regardless, we hold services 10:00 AM Sunday mornings, and have a fellowship meal after the service the first Sunday of each month.  We have visitors from all over the world, and encourage you to sign our guest book just inside the front door.  There's plenty of fine parking available, and room for motor homes or busses.The church is located at 2102 Childess RD Wills VA 24380.

Please, come, and join us in worship. 

Pastor Robert Tolar

Lacie is a member of the original founding congregation, and saw our church built. She's still in attendance on every Sunday!  Her smile lights up the church every bit as much as the morning sun through the stained glass windows. She continues to live in her own home and is as independent as you are!   At age 97!  

 

Lacie Kemp Age 97 

2007

Arrangements may be made in advance for a tour of our church.  The parking area can hold approximately 30 cars or several tour busses.  Paul Childress, the son of Bob Childress, and his wife Anna, may be available to speak. 

The cemetery, diagonally across the street from the church, is the burial site for the Childress family.  Buffalo Mountain is on the horizon to the northeast, behind the cemetery.The church is located at 2102 Childress RD Wills VA 24380.

Copies of the book, The Man Who Moved a Mountain, and other items will be available inside the church.

 Contacts to arrange these tours are:

 Jack Price               540 745 3411  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Myrna McGlamery  276 728 0868   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Man Who Moved a Mountain by Richard C. Davids 

The book can be previewed on the Amazon.com site and used copies are generally available at little cost.  It's a wonderful story of who we are, where we came from, and how we've changed.