A congregation
of seventy charter members formed Bon Air Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in 1963. Located at 2071 Buford Road
in historic Bon Air Virginia, the sanctuary was originally
built in 1882 and served as the Bon Air Union Chapel in this
Victorian resort community. It is one of only two public
buildings that remain from Bon Air's resort era. In 1884,
the Bon Air Land and Improvement Company, which had erected
the chapel, offered it to any congregation that would maintain
it. Since most of the worshippers were Presbyterian, the
Union Chapel became the home of the newly formed Bon Air
Presbyterian congregation.
By
1890, the congregation was able to add a bell tower and two wings.
The bell was used to summon help in the event of fire and to
call people to worship services. Following wedding ceremonies
in the church, the bride and groom would stop in the narthex
to ring the bell announcing their marriage. At some point, the
Ladies' Aid Society and the Sabbath School gave two stained glass
windows to the church. An addition was erected in the 1940s to
house Sunday School classes. In 1963 the Bon Air Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) congregation was formed and moved into
the building.
Our
Sanctuary has been renovated over recent years to meet the needs
of an active and growing congregation. In 1992 a building campaign
entitled "The Second Hundred Years" funded major renovations
of the entire facility. A spacious fellowship hall and kitchen
were built in an architectural style consistent with the unique
historical character of the church building. This addition allowed
the entire congregation to meet together for meals for the first
time. Since it's dedication, the fellowship hall has served us
well in celebration of various occasions in the lives of our
members, and in the ongoing life of this church and the surrounding
community. Other enhancements have included updates to the office
and classroom areas. Finally, most importantly and central to
our faith, a baptistery was added to the Sanctuary in 1992.
This
lovely Victorian Church is a popular location for weddings. Bon
Air Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) actively ministers
to the surrounding community and participates in projects such
as Habitat for Humanity, CARITAS, refugee resettlement, support
of homeless shelters, the Christmas Mother and more. Outreach
extends to the world through the missionary work of The Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ). In the Disciples tradition, we
welcome into our membership all those who believe that Jesus
is the Christ.
Ann
Murfee Allen, a member of the congregation, gave this charming
painting to the church in 1980. She described her painting: "Historic
Bon Air Christian Church was the scene of my daughter's wedding
on a cold, sleety January day. In the church, wall candles
burned brightly and the spirits of these two young people were
united in love. Outside, a double rainbow shown in the heavens
which was unusual on such a cold winter's day.
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