History

This is the story of our church and how we began...

In January 1921, the Wythe Chapel began as an outpost Sunday School. Mr. W. H. Rohrbach, Mr. Alexander McCrea, and Mr. E. B. Eberly from the Session of the First Presbyterian Church in Newport News, VA. with several Sunday School teachers came out to the Wythe Chapel on Cottonwood Ave., Hampton, VA at 3 pm to hold Sunday School Classes. Miss Ruth Neff came to play the piano. This continued for 19 years. On Nov. 10, 1940, the Wythe Chapel was organized into Wythe Presbyterian Church. We were self supporting, and chartered by Norfolk Presbytery, (now Presbytery of Eastern Virginia). Dr. W. E. Davis was ordained as the Pastor-Evangelist in charge. We began a building fund and completed construction of our own building nine years later. We moved into our new building in Sept. 1949.
The charter members are as follows:

Mrs. John Bolt
Mrs. Bert Johnson
Miss Frances E. Austin (Wolf)
Miss Bernice V. Austin (Matthews)
Miss Frances Eggleston (Thompson)
Miss Grace Zenter
Mrs. E. M. Daley
Mrs. Blaine Crum (Mercedes)
Mrs. T. R. Austin (Katie)
Mrs. C. T. Eagle (Lila)
Mrs. L. C. Smith (Alma)
Mrs. N. A. Adams (Catherine)
Mrs. J. F. Haughwout (Alberta)
Mrs. C. A. Schmidt (Cassie)
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Gsell<
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Eggleston
Mr. Luther Eggleston
Mr. & Mrs. Percy Sutton
Mr. & Mrs. Louis Davis
Mr. W. H. Rohrbach
Mr. Clifton Davis

In the evening at 7:30 pm, alternating Seminary Students came from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA to preach. To name a few: Mr. Charles Pratt, Mr. Reverly, Mr. John Walker, and Mr. Reynal.

As you walk through the halls of our church today, you can view the portraits of our dear Pastors through the years.

Rev. Howatt E. Mallinson - Apr. 1953 - Oct. 1979
Rev. Kenneth Boyer - Apr. 1980 - Apr. 1991

Rev. J. Mark Stanley - Aug. 1992 - Aug. 1996

Rev. Suzy Cothran - 1999 - Dec. 2009

There are a few more additions to the original building, like the fellowship hall and wheelchair ramp, but the charm of the original building can still be appreciated in the Sanctuary. A virtual tour of the stained glass windows of our church, is available for viewing on this site.

We welcome you to partake of the warm, rich feeling of our church home and congregation at Wythe.