Preserving Our Home for Generations to Come
In 1963, Williamsburg United Methodist Church at 500 Jamestown Road opened its doors for the first time. Sixty-two years have passed since that day, and in those decades, tens of thousands of people have entered this sacred space to worship, learn, heal, and serve.
Think of what these walls have witnessed—more than 3,000 Sunday worship services, over 5,000 Scout meetings, and upwards of 10,000 AA gatherings. This building has provided comfort, safety, and a place for transformation for so many.
But after 62 years, time takes its toll. To some of our longtime members, six decades may not seem so long. But we all know from personal experience that after 62 years, things start to wear out. That’s where we are with our church building today.
The original plumbing, electrical systems, heating, air conditioning, and structural elements are showing their age. Some things need repair, while others require full replacement.
So why has it come to this? Why are we facing so many critical needs at once? The answer is simple: There’s only so much money available in our annual budget. Each year, we must make difficult decisions—do we fix a leaking roof, or do we invest in our 91 ministries? Could we patch a failing system one more time and redirect funds to outreach?
For years, we have patched and repaired. But now, our 62-year-old systems are beyond repair. They must be replaced.
More Than What Meets the Eye
As Chair of the Trustees, I often hear people say how beautiful our church is. And it is. The sanctuary’s beautiful windows, the warm woodwork, the inviting spaces—we have done our best to maintain the beauty of this sacred place. But beauty can be deceiving.
What you see looks well cared for. What you don’t see is what keeps me up at night.
The reality is that beneath the surface, our church is in need. The time has come to act—not just to preserve the building we love, but to ensure that Williamsburg UMC can continue to serve as a home for ministry and community for generations to come.
That’s why we are launching this capital campaign.
I encourage you to visit the campaign website, watch the videos, or—better yet—join us for a tour during one of our upcoming campaign dinners. See for yourself what needs to be done.
Investing in Our Future
As a church family, we have always set the bar high in our commitment to ministry and community. Now, we must make the same commitment to our church home.
If we reach our campaign goal, we will have the funds necessary to make essential repairs and improvements—without reducing our commitment to ministry. We will also establish a capital reserve that will carry us well into the next decade.
By coming together, we can preserve Williamsburg UMC—not just for today, but for the future. If we succeed, we won’t just be fixing a building. We will be safeguarding a place where lives are changed, where hope is restored, and where God’s work continues.
This is our moment. Let’s save our church for generations to come.
~ Russ Henke