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BAYSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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History of Bayside

Bayside Church Historian:  Pam Spillman
A Brief History of Bayside Presbyterian Church
Bayside Presbyterian Church (then called Robbins Corner Chapel) held its first service in 1948 under the leadership and vision of the pastor of the East Ocean View Presbyterian Church, Reverend Gordon Riggan.  Several monetary gifts, as well as a lot at the corner of Bradford and Rutherford Roads, allowed members to begin work on the construction of a concrete block building seen at right. Work on this building was slow, completed by volunteers, and only accomplished as funds became available.  Attendance at the first service led by Rev Riggan was thirty-three.

Rev Riggan left in 1949 and leadership passed to an elder, another pastor, and in 1951, Reverend S.K. Emurian, who was 77 years old when he accepted the call. In 1953, Robbins Corner Chapel organized as Bayside Presbyterian Church by the Commission appointed by Norfolk Presbytery.  Shortly thereafter, Rev. Emurian returned to his evangelism work, and in 1955 Captain John E. Johnson, U.S. Navy Chaplain Ret., accepted the call to Bayside.  Under his leadership, construction on the present church building began on five acres of land given by Norfolk Presbytery.  The congregation moved into the building in 1963.  By 1967 when Captain Johnny retired, membership was at 508.

The Reverend Fletcher C. Hutcheson was called as pastor in 1967.  He continued to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors, adding more classrooms to the building, calling an assistant pastor, a secretary and a sexton.  It was during Rev Hutcheson's fourteen year tenure that our service to the community expanded.  

Rev. Hutcheson died unexpectedly in 1981; he was followed by an interim pastor, Rev. Susan Haugh, until Rev. Dr. Richard Keever accepted a call in September of 1982.  Dr. Keever served Bayside for 27 years.  During his tenure, a Director of Educational Ministries and a Director of Music Ministries were called, an administrative wing, a music wing, a youth activities wing, a new fellowship hall, an up-dated kitchen, and an expanded Sanctuary were added to the building.  In addition, membership grew to over 1200.  Upon Dr. Keever's retirement in 2008, several interim pastors served the Church until the current pastor, Rev. Dr. David Rollins accepted a call to Bayside in 2010.  




"The Heritage of our Past is the Seed that Brings Forth the Harvest of the Future."
  Archives, USA, Washington, DC
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Our first church building, 1948-1964
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Our present church building, 1964-present.
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THIS IS MY CHURCH 
It is composed of people like me. 
We make it what it is.  
It will be friendly if I am. 
Its pews will be filled, if I help to fill them. 
It will do great work, if I work. 
It will make generous gifts to causes, if I am a generous giver. 
It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship if I bring them. 
It will be a church of loyalty and love, 
of fearlessness and faith; 
and a church with noble spirit 
if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these. 
Therefore, with the help of God, 
I shall dedicate myself to the task 
of being all the things that I want  
my church to be. 
-Author Unknown
Found in the 1968 Bayside Church Scrapbook


Bayside Presbyterian Church      
Picture
1400 Ewell Road, VA Beach, VA  23455
Office:  757-460-1188
​Preschool:  757-464-0292
Website:  www.baysidepresby.org

Email:  bayside@baysidepresby.org
Office hours:  9am-5pm Mon-Fri
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Worship With Us
    • What We Believe
    • Our Pastors, Directors and Staff
    • Leadership
    • Becoming a Member
    • We Can Help >
      • Pastoral Care
      • Stephen Ministers
      • Weddings
      • Funerals
      • Bayside Prays
    • 2020 Vision Completed
    • History of Bayside
  • Connect
    • Scouting Programs
    • MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
    • Presbyterian Men
    • Presbyterian Women
    • Sisters in Spirit
  • Serve
    • Bayside >
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Join a Music Ministry
      • Assist with Worship
      • Serve on a Ministry Committee
      • Help with Education
    • Community >
      • Food Pantry
      • School Supplies
      • Easter Baskets
      • Winter Shelter
      • Thanksgiving Baskets
      • Angel Tree
      • Blood Drive
    • World
  • Resources
    • Internet Sites
    • Community Resources
    • Addiction and Substance Abuse Support
    • Youth Scholarships
  • Members
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    • Historical Session Documents >
      • Historical Session Documents 2023
      • Historical Session Documents 2022
      • Historical Session Documents 2021
      • Historical Session Document 2020
      • HISTORICAL SESSION DOCUMENTS 2019
      • HISTORICAL SESSION DOCUMENTS 2018
      • Historical Session Documents 2017
      • Historical Session Documents 2016
    • Session Working documents >
      • 2023 Working Session Documnents
      • 2022 Working Session Documents
      • 2021 Working Session Documents
      • 2020 Working Session Documents
      • 2020 Vision
      • 2019 Working Session Documents
      • Archived Session Documents - 2018 and prior
  • Donate Online