On a quiet stretch of Benn's Church Boulevard just outside the small town of Smithfield, Virginia, Benn's United Methodist Church has been gathering for Christian worship for more than two centuries. The congregation traces an unbroken line to 1789, when an active Methodist society was already meeting on the property that George Benn would later give for a house of worship. Today the church is known across Isle of Wight County for two distinct Sunday services, a thriving preschool that has shaped local families since 1974, a long-running food-pantry partnership with the Christian Outreach Program, and a slate of recovery meetings that make its Family Life Center a busy place seven days a week.
Three Centuries on Benn's Church Boulevard
The history of Benn's is unusually well documented. The Virginia Annual Conference Historical Society has verified an active Methodist congregation at Benn's by 1789, and a church historian concluded the group was originally known as Concord Meeting House. In 1964 the conference presented Benn's Methodist Church with a citation recognizing 175 years of service to God and to the people of this community.
The founding members and their ancestors had been members of Newport Parish Church, long known as St. Luke's, located a few hundred yards to the north. Construction of St. Luke's concluded in the 1680s, though local tradition holds its roots reach back as far as 1632. George Benn, who owned the land, erected the first Benn's house of worship in 1800. Wood-clad churches replaced it in 1828 and 1888, and the present brick building was constructed in 1924. An education wing followed in 1967 and the Family Life Center was completed in 1993. In 2019 the old roof was replaced with a green metal roof meant to last for decades, and during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 the entryway steps and walkway to the Sanctuary were improved for safety and appearance.
The full set of historical documents and photographs is preserved in a public folder linked from the church's history page.
Two Sunday Services, Two Styles
Benn's offers two Sunday morning worship services designed to meet different preferences while sharing one pastor and one mission.
- 9:00 to 9:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship in the Family Life Center. The Crossroads Praise Band leads music in a contemporary style for this service.
- 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary. The Chancel Choir leads music in a more traditional format.
- 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., Sunday School for all ages. Adult classes, children's classes, and youth classes meet in this hour between the two services.
The 9:00 a.m. service is also livestreamed on the church's Facebook page for those who want to worship from home. Worship bulletins are posted online each week. Online giving is available through the church's giving page.
Music in Three Ensembles
Music has long been a hallmark of Benn's. The Music Ministry is directed by Music Director Jean Harrell and features three active ensembles:
- Chancel Choir sings at the 11 a.m. Traditional service. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The choir presents an annual Christmas Cantata and other seasonal programs.
- Crossroads Praise Band plays and sings at the 9 a.m. Contemporary service. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
- Handbell Choir rehearses on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in room 207 and adds another layer of musical variety to services and special programs.
Pianist and Organist duties are shared by Cathy Barnard and Hunter Jones. Anyone interested in joining an ensemble, singing a cantata, or helping with sound and media technology is encouraged to contact the church office.
Sunday School for Every Age
Sunday School at Benn's runs through the same hour on Sunday morning as Sunday School classes everywhere, but the church offers a full spread of options for every stage of life.
Adults can choose from four classes that meet on the upper floor:
- Seeker's Class (room 205, 10 a.m.). Uses the Adult Bible Studies curriculum from the United Methodist Church with four rotating teachers. On months with a fifth Sunday the class heads out for brunch together at a local restaurant.
- Navigators Class (room 202). A discussion-based format where members share ideas about the Biblical topics and navigate their growth as Christians. Open to singles, couples, and parents of Sunday School-aged children.
- Mom's Connect Class (room 206, 10 a.m.). Designed for mothers, with most members in their late twenties to mid-fifties. Uses a variety of curricula and plans at least one monthly activity outside the church. Single parents are welcome.
- Adult Fellowship Class (room 210). Studies Old and New Testament scriptures from the Cokesbury Adult Bible Studies under teacher Woody Crook, a Biblical scholar and historian. The class supports the Isle of Wight Christian Outreach Program with canned goods and donations and contributes to the Mile of Pennies missions program.
Children and youth are also well covered:
- Crib room (room 102, downstairs). A paid attendant cares for infants through one year old.
- Toddlers through kindergarten. Meet together and can be divided by age. Lessons use Bible storytelling, role play, puppet shows, games, crafts, and song. Special-needs children are welcome. The class is offered at 10 a.m. and again during the 9 a.m. service for families who need an earlier option. Leaders are Carly Saunders, Susan Saunders, and Judy Gardner.
- Elementary, 1st through 5th grade (room 204). Studies the Cokesbury Kids "Big Faith" curriculum under Cindy Vaughan and Ann Woleben.
- Middle School, grades 6 through 8 (room 100, downstairs). Uses the Be Bold Be Fearless Preteen Curriculum with Teresa Collette.
Children, Youth, and a Preschool Founded in 1974
Younger families are a central part of life at Benn's. The Benn's United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF), known simply as the Youth Group, is open to middle school and high school students and meets on Sundays in the Youth "Fish Tank" room (#100). The group is led by Youth Group Coordinator Keith Royston, a parent of two, and operates under the church's Safer Sanctuaries policy. Its goals are to foster youth participation in the life of the church, take part in community service, schedule both on-site and off-campus activities, and provide devotional and worship time together, with the youth themselves taking turns leading the devotional. Each summer the church also offers Vacation Bible School with kid-friendly interactive themes designed to help elementary children learn about God's love for them and the importance of helping and serving others.
Downstairs, Benn's Church Preschool has been caring for and teaching the area's youngest children since 1974. The preschool, led by Director Elisabeth Laucht, occupies bright and cheerful classrooms at the church and is open to children from the wider community regardless of church membership. The program recognizes the value and sacredness of each child and treats every one as an individual. Learning is built around play and developmentally appropriate activities, with daily group time in language, math, music, and science, plus generous time for children to choose their own activities and playmates. Children leave the program ready for kindergarten, with skills in cutting, proper pencil grip, recognizing the alphabet, shapes, and colors. Tuition for the 2025/2026 school year is set at $220 per month for the four-day Monday-Thursday program (9 a.m. to noon) and $200 per month for the three-day Tuesday-Thursday program, plus a $110 yearly supply fee. The staff are cheerful, patient, and supportive, attend training throughout the year, and are required to hold current Basic First Aid and Child CPR certifications.
The preschool is a separate ministry of Benn's United Methodist Church and has its own Facebook page and Wix site, where families can find enrollment information and up-to-date details.
The Shepherds, the Acolytes, and the Caring Meals Team
Benn's takes seriously the practice of caring for one another in tangible ways. Three long-running ministries reflect that commitment.
The Shepherd Ministry pairs every new member with a Shepherd who attends the same worship service. The Shepherd's task is to help the new member connect with others and learn about the many ways to get involved in the life of the church. Shepherds keep in touch with their "flock families" through chats at church, phone calls, handwritten notes, email, planned visits, and greeting cards for holidays and special occasions. The Shepherds gather once a year, typically in April, to plan and host the last Wednesday Night Dinner of the season in May. Those interested in becoming a Shepherd can contact Sherri Gill.
The Acolyte Ministry involves children and youth who carry in the light of Christ, the processional cross, banners, or Bible at the 11 a.m. Traditional service. Acolytes may also assist the pastor and other worship leaders with communion, baptism, and other duties. Youth age ten and older can receive training to serve, and adults may serve as well. Ann Woleben coordinates the program.
The Caring Meals Ministry prepares once-monthly meals for members recovering from illness or surgery or who are homebound, and the team delivers the food and visits with the recipients. In a single recent year the team prepared 146 meals and made 89 deliveries and visits. The team is led by MN Saunders and includes Sherri Gill, Susan Sadler, Mary Lou Bowen, Sarah Perez, Rita and Danny Belott, with Emma Jean Brady and Hunter Jones contributing homemade desserts and rolls.
Wednesday Suppers and Yearly Fundraisers
Wednesday Evening Fellowship Suppers have long been a Benn's tradition. Suppers are served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, September through May (there is no December supper). The cost is $4 per person with desserts available for $1. Each supper is hosted by a different group within the church, from the Chancel Choir to the Adult Fellowship Class to the United Methodist Men. Highlights of the year include a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in February and an Easter Sunrise Breakfast Potluck in March or April. Reservations are taken by the church office.
Fundraisers support mission work both inside and outside the church. The biggest events are the Chic-A-Que, a chicken-and-barbecue fundraiser hosted twice a year in spring and fall; the Spaghetti Feast, hosted by the United Methodist Men each February; and the Fall Craft and Vendor Show, with lunch and baked goods for purchase. A long-running Watermelon Rind Pickle Sale takes place each August.
Two long-standing fellowship organizations round out the calendar. The United Methodist Men (UMM) meets monthly on the fourth Sunday for breakfast in the Family Life Center and a program about events or ministries in the Tidewater area. Bill Gill is the contact. The Pam Stagg Day Circle of United Women in Faith (UWF) meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon in the Family Life Center; contact Mary Nancy Saunders. The UWF prepares birthday cake kits for the COP food pantry, assembles teacher appreciation bags for the preschool, and has recognized long-serving members as honorary UMW life members.
A Sit and Stitch ladies group meets on Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. in room 205 or the Family Life Center lobby to quilt and crochet blankets and shawls for shut-ins, the homeless, and children in hospitals. Contact MaryJane Richter.
Recovery, Grief, and Weight Support in the Family Life Center
The Family Life Center at Benn's is in almost continuous use by groups that serve the wider community regardless of church membership. Alcoholics Anonymous meets in the Family Life Center on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a ladies' group on Fridays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and a men's group on Saturdays from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. An Al-Anon group meets on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in room 210 upstairs, and Narcotics Anonymous meets on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. All are free and open to everyone.
A Grief Support Group meets on Mondays from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center lobby and is facilitated by Ms. Akilah Bray and Chaplain Paul Alston. It is open to the church and the local community at no charge. Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in room 210.
Local Outreach Across Smithfield and Western Tidewater
Benn's frames its work in the language of its mission: "Daring to be transformed by the spirit of God and Sharing Christ's ministry, Benn's Church will make Caring disciples for Jesus Christ." That mission takes concrete shape through a network of local partners:
- Benn's Church C.O.P. Food Pantry. Food donated by Benn's members is collected weekly and delivered to the Christian Outreach Program (COP) food pantry at 402 Grace Street in Smithfield, as well as to local individuals and families in need. Canned soup, bags of rice, dry spaghetti, boxed mac and cheese, paper bags, and seasonal items like cranberry sauce and stuffing are collected in baskets outside the Family Life Center. Volunteers are needed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to sort food, fill bags, deliver to cars, pick up or deliver furniture, and unload food deliveries. Larry Davis coordinates the collection.
- United Christian Ministries. A group of local churches that pool resources to help with rent or utility bills for those facing a serious but temporary need.
- Souper Saturday. Each year on the second Saturday in October, COP sponsors a community soup lunch at Trinity FAC to raise money for winter heating assistance. Benn's members contribute large pots of soup, desserts, and other dishes.
- Genieve Shelter. A local ministry providing a safe refuge and supportive environment for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking, with education and training services aimed at ending the cycle of violence.
- Grazn' Acres. A local nonprofit offering therapeutic riding, driving, AT-risk programs, and other equine-assisted activities for children and adults with physical, intellectual, emotional, and learning disabilities. Benn's Pam Stagg Day Circle supports the program.
- Western Tidewater Free Clinic. A health home for uninsured, underinsured, and underserved adults in Western Tidewater.
- Wesley Community Service Center. A Virginia Conference mission responding to needs in the Portsmouth Southside community; Benn's provides clothing, handmade blankets and shawls, food, and funds.
- Red Cross Blood Drives. Benn's volunteers provide snacks and assist with check-in during drives held at the church.
National Outreach and Disaster Response
Benn's participation in the wider United Methodist connection runs through the Virginia Conference and out to national ministries:
- Red Bird Mission. A long-standing mission in Kentucky supported by Benn's through the Henderson Settlement Project.
- Kits for Conference. An annual conference-wide collection of school kits, hygiene kits, and other supplies.
- Society of St. Andrew. A gleaning network that connects surplus produce with people facing hunger.
- United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The denomination's disaster relief and humanitarian aid arm, supported by Benn's through prayer and giving.
Beliefs and Affiliation
Benn's United Methodist Church believes in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. The congregation teaches that God created us to be in fellowship with Him, that our sins separate us from His love because He is perfectly righteous, and that His love is so great He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins so we can once again be in fellowship with Him. The church affirms that through the Holy Spirit God leads us and helps us understand His will, and that the gift of eternal life and an abundant life on earth is only obtainable through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and personal Savior.
The church is part of the United Methodist Church and is affiliated with the Virginia Annual Conference through the York River District. It points to John Wesley and the early Methodists' emphasis on "practical divinity," putting faith and love into action, and to the denomination's global reach of more than 12 million members on four continents. Worship and discipleship at Benn's are rooted both in Sunday worship and in the ways members love and serve the people around them every day.
Leadership and Staff
Benn's is led by Pastor Rev. Ileana Rosario, who joined the church in July 2021. She was born in Puerto Rico, where she was an active member of the United Methodist Church, and earned a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in 1999. Before coming to Benn's she served as an Associate Pastor at Culmore UMC, where she founded GRACE Ministries; planted a Spanish-language United Methodist congregation called Gracia UMC in the Arlington District in 2001; served as Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries for the Virginia Conference beginning in 2007; and led Wesley Chapel UMC in Chuckatuck and Lower United Methodist Church. She was the first Latina pastor elected as a Virginia Delegate to the General Conference and Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving as a delegate from 2008 until 2019.
The Music Ministry is directed by Music Director Jean Harrell, with Cathy Barnard and Hunter Jones sharing the pianist and organist duties. The Youth Group is coordinated by Keith Royston. Ann Woleben is the contact for the Acolyte Ministry. Cindy Vaughan and Ann Woleben lead the elementary Sunday School class, and Teresa Collette leads the middle school class. Elisabeth Laucht directs Benn's Church Preschool. Kim Phelps serves as Church Secretary and is the main point of contact for most inquiries during office hours, which run Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A First Visit to Benn's
First-time visitors will find a historic brick sanctuary at 14571 Benn's Church Boulevard with a green metal roof installed in 2019, an education wing added in 1967, and a Family Life Center added in 1993 that houses the contemporary service, the preschool, the food pantry donation baskets, and a long list of weekly recovery and support meetings. Sunday mornings begin at 9:00 a.m. with a contemporary service in the Family Life Center, continue with Sunday School for every age at 9:45 a.m. (or 10 a.m. depending on the class), and conclude with the traditional service in the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. Child care is available during both worship services for infants through kindergarten, and the 9 a.m. service is livestreamed on Facebook for those joining from home. A map of the campus is available on the church's contact page, and online giving is set up through the church's giving page for those who wish to support the ministry.