Centreville United Methodist Church sits at 6400 Old Centreville Road in the heart of Northern Virginia's Centreville, a church that has welcomed neighbors into worship since 1854 and has never stopped adding new ways to serve them. Two Sunday services, a preschool, an extensive music program, a hostel of small groups, and a web of local mission work all flow from the same stone-and-glass building in the Centre Ridge community.
Rooted in Centreville Since 1854
Long before Centreville became a busy Northern Virginia crossroads, a small stone church stood where the village gathered for worship. That 30-by-40-foot building, raised in 1854, is the documented beginning of the congregation now known as Centreville United Methodist Church. Even before the stone walls went up, circuit riders were preaching in the area. One legend holds that the first Methodist sermon in Centreville was delivered by William Duke at the Eagle Tavern; another points to an upper room above a blacksmith shop. Written records begin in 1850, when "K. Adams" is listed as the circuit preacher for 1850 to 1851. Circuit preaching served the community for more than a century, until 1956.
During the Civil War the little church served as a hospital, and the walls were torn down during the Second Battle of Bull Run. In 1870 the people of the community rebuilt those stone walls by hand, and they still stand today. A Sunday School wing was added in 1945, and by the 1960s the growing congregation needed more room. In 1966 the David Lawrence family donated 6.88 acres; a new building was completed in 1973; the sanctuary was enlarged in 1982; and in 1984 the church opened the Centreville Day School preschool. The present home of the congregation was built in 1992 on land donated by developer Milt Peterson in the new Centre Ridge community. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held on February 16, 1992.
The 1992 sanctuary was designed to feel intimate: the architects built it wide rather than deep so that those seated in the last pew still felt close to the center of worship. Glass expanses in the fellowship hall and narthex give the building a welcoming feel. A small chapel, a library, and a two-story education wing sit on one side; the administrative offices flank the other. In 2006 the Recreation and Outreach Center, known affectionately as the ROC, was added onto the end of the building nearest Route 28. The ROC is home to Upward Basketball, an indoor playground for the preschool, and a host of other monthly and yearly activities.
Mission has been part of the church from the start. As the community grew, the church joined local food pantries, hosted a summer Backyard Bible School in a neighborhood nearby, and became a partner with Centre Ridge Elementary School. That same spirit now stretches from Centreville to El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti, and back to the lawn outside on a Sunday morning.
Two Sunday Mornings of Worship
Centreville UMC worships two ways on Sunday morning: a 9:30 AM Traditional service and an 11:00 AM Blended service. Both are offered in person and livestreamed online for those who would rather worship at home.
The Traditional service draws on Methodist heritage, with prayer, liturgy, and hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing filling the sanctuary. Vocal and handbell choirs, the pipe organ, and the sanctuary piano lead the music. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Children ages three through sixth grade begin in the sanctuary with their families, then head to Kids Quest for their own time before the sermon. Nursery care is available for children under three.
The Blended service mixes hymns with contemporary praise music and choral selections. Holy Communion is shared each week. The Blended Worship Leader, working alongside the music staff, helps cultivate a vibrant atmosphere. Children begin in the sanctuary with their families before joining Kids Quest, and nursery care is offered for the youngest worshipers.
Between the two services, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM, coffee and light refreshments fill the Fellowship Hall. The Food and Fellowship time gives neighbors a reason to linger. On the first Sunday of the month the gathering turns to packing weekend food bags for elementary school children who often go hungry between school meals.
Parking is plentiful, and special visitor spaces are reserved close to the front doors. Greeters wait inside the narthex, and a Welcome Table just inside the doors holds information for newcomers. Visitors may leave contact details so a pastor can reach out with a personal note.
A Music Ministry for Every Age
The music ministry is one of the most visible arms of the church. From the Cherub Choir for the youngest singers to adult handbell ensembles ringing opening voluntaries, music fills every corner of the building. The sanctuary houses a three-manual Moller pipe organ, Opus 11791, built in 1992.
Children's choirs and handbells
Children in kindergarten through second grade sing in the Cherub Choir, directed by Jen Ita, rehearsing Sundays from 4:30 to 5:15 PM. The Carol Choir for grades three through six, directed by Laura Hesse, shares that rehearsal slot and sings at the 9:30 service every five or six weeks. Beginning handbell ringers in grades three and up can join the Rejoicing Ringers; those with two or more years of experience become Joyful Noise Ringers. The children's choirs close the program year with the Spring Sing and Ring on the first Sunday of May.
Youth choirs and the Praise Band
Voices In Praise, for grades seven through twelve, leads worship once or twice a month at the Traditional service, sings at the Christmas Eve services, and prepares a spring musical. The youth Praise Band leads contemporary elements in the Blended service under the direction of Dave Brown. Three handbell choirs serve teens: Revelation Ringers, Jubilation, and Agape Ringers, all directed by Becky Jackson and Bev Bissell. The annual Handbell Dessert Concert is the musical calendar's sweet centerpiece.
Adult choirs and ensembles
The Chancel Choir leads worship at the Traditional service from September through June under the joint direction of Laura Hesse and Jason Moon, rehearsing on Thursdays from 7:45 to 9:30 PM. The Good News Ringers adult handbell choir rehearses on Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM and hosts the NOVA Handbell Festival each year. Agape Ringers rehearse on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:15 PM. The Brass Ensemble gathers as needed, and instrumentalists frequently join Sunday morning worship and special services throughout the year.
Music Camp
Each summer, Music Camp welcomes children entering grades two through six for a week of singing, ringing, and instrument exploration. Recent Music Camps have added the ukulele. The week ends with a culminating performance, and the entire weekend feels like its own small festival on the church campus.
Children at Worship and Kids Quest
CUMC welcomes children in worship as full members of the body. Children begin the service with their families and join Kids Quest before the sermon. Kids Quest is a Bible exploration program for children ages three through sixth grade. During Kids Quest, children hear, act out, or watch puppets tell a Bible story, play games, make crafts, and talk about what God is teaching them. On the first Sunday of the month children return to the sanctuary for Holy Communion. Adult teachers work in teams of two, and youth volunteers serve as Kids Quest Assistants. All adult volunteers pass a background screening and adhere to Safe Sanctuary guidelines adopted by the Church Council.
Nursery care is offered for children under three during both Sunday services and during church-sponsored events. Child care for ages three through ten is available during small-group meetings. The Child Care team is staffed by experienced paid providers who are First Aid and CPR certified.
Vacation Bible School and family events
Each summer, Vacation Bible School fills the church with energy. Past themes have included "Snowball Mountain Challenge." The 2027 theme, "On the Boardwalk: Where Friendship Starts with Jesus," builds on 1 John 4:7. Other family-focused events include Blessing of the Backpacks, Presentation of Bibles to third graders, Bible Fest, Family Movie Night, Trunk or Treat, Family Advent Activities, an Easter Egg Hunt, Parents' Day Out, and the Christmas Pageant.
Children are encouraged to serve. They may serve as acolytes, offering helpers, greeters, or readers. The Children's Ministry Director, Blessy James, can be reached at bjames@centreville-umc.org.
Youth: Sunday Nights, Mission Trips, Confirmation
The Youth Ministry gathers teenagers on Sunday nights for fellowship, Bible study, and conversation that takes real life seriously. The Director of Youth Ministry, David Raich, leads the program. Sunday morning youth Sunday school and Thursday-evening Confirmation classes in winter and spring walk students through the basics of Christian faith.
Teens Opposing Poverty and mission trips
Once a month during the school year, the youth team meets at the church at 10:00 AM to prepare, package, and distribute meals in Washington, D.C. through Teens Opposing Poverty. They return by 1:00 PM having shared a meal with residents experiencing homelessness along the way. Each summer a mission team of youth and adults travels to Sneedville, Tennessee, to serve alongside Jubilee Project through construction, backyard Bible school, and a women's program. A second team serves with Appalachia Service Project in Central Appalachia, providing home repairs and additions for families in need.
Friday Night Lights and more
Throughout the fall, the youth ministry gathers at local high school games to cheer on students, support the teams, and build community. Monthly Sunday afternoons bring service projects, recreation, and time just to be together.
Centreville Day School
Centreville Day School has been a ministry of the church since 1984. The preschool welcomes children ages three through five and offers a Lunch Bunch program for an extended day. Director Diane Formica and her team describe the school's philosophy as encouraging the development of the whole child: social, emotional, spiritual, physical, language and literacy, and cognitive growth, woven together through student-led and teacher-guided play. The preschool is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education, follows Fairfax County Public School weather decisions, and admits students of any race, color, or national and ethnic origin. Chapel lessons, taught by Pastor Matthew, are part of every week. Tours are by appointment; the preschool office can be reached at (571) 522-1875.
Reaching Out Locally
Centreville United Methodist Church runs one of the most extensive local outreach networks in the area. The Director of Mission Ministries and Communications, Rev. Phil Mohr, oversees a team that includes food ministries, refugee support, ESL and citizenship classes, a Centre Ridge Elementary mentoring program, and partnerships with a dozen other organizations.
Food for the community
The church operates multiple avenues to feed neighbors in need. Grace Ministries distributes groceries through a drive-thru distribution. UFOs, or You Feed Others, packs weekend food bags for students at Centre Ridge and Bull Run Elementary Schools. Holiday Food Baskets brighten Thanksgiving and Christmas for many families. On the third Tuesday of each month the Hot Meals team prepares and packages a hot dinner for more than 100 unhoused men, women, and children living in local motels and along Route 29. Monthly support for New Hope Fellowship Church includes lunches, toiletries, and gift support through the Angel Tree at Christmas. The church was one of twelve founding congregations of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries in 1987 and remains a strong partner today.
ESL, citizenship, and refugee support
English as a Second Language classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and evenings in two semesters each year. A twelve-week U.S. Citizenship class helps students prepare for the naturalization exam. Refugee Support ministries continue ongoing efforts with refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other regions, providing food, clothing, furniture, and other essentials as needs arise.
Hypothermia Shelter and the homeless
Each winter the church partners with St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Burke to host the Hypothermia Prevention Response Program for one week. The church also supports The Lamb Center, a daytime drop-in shelter in Fairfax, and stands alongside FACETS in its year-round hot meals program.
Centre Ridge Elementary mentoring
Centre Ridge Elementary is less than a mile from the church building, and more than half of its students live in poverty. A mentoring partnership pairs adults with students for thirty minutes a week of listening and encouragement during the school year. The church also provides UFOs bags and back-to-school backpacks and welcomes Centre Ridge students into the life of the congregation throughout the year.
Recovery and support groups
The church hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at 8:30 PM, an Al-Anon group on Fridays at 8:00 PM, and Sexaholics Anonymous on Fridays at 7:30 PM. Pastoral counseling referrals are available through the church office, and short-term counseling is offered by the pastoral team for those who would like it.
Mission Beyond Northern Virginia
Across the country and around the globe, Centreville UMC supports missionaries and partners through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Appalachia Service Project and Sneedville
Each year a team of youth and adults travels to Central Appalachia with Appalachia Service Project to provide home repairs and additions. In June, a separate team travels to Sneedville, Tennessee, to serve alongside Jubilee Project. During the week the Sneedville mission team builds relationships through a nursing home ministry and a women's program, with construction projects and backyard Bible school during the day.
Missionaries supported
The church is in covenant partnership with four missionaries. Ellyn Dubberly serves as a UMC General Board of Global Ministries missionary in Ahuachapán, El Salvador, coordinating leadership development for the Evangelical Methodist Church there. Edwin Campomanes Ramirez serves as Institutional Development Lead with the United Methodist Mission in Honduras. Grace Dennis works with Cru at George Mason University, helping college students grow in faith. Caleb Taddeo, a recent Centreville UMC summer intern, joined InFaith as a missionary serving small towns across the country.
Haiti and disaster response
The church has supported the Holistic Haitian Alliance, formerly Helping Haitian Angels, since 2013, contributing to school libraries, a STEM program, fruit trees, chickens, school supplies, sewing machines, and student sponsorships in the village of Dekle, near Cap-Haïtien. Cleaning kits and flood buckets are assembled for UMCOR through its cleaning kit program. The church's Early Response Team has members trained to deploy through UMCOR in disasters, clearing debris and making homes safe and secure in the wake of floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Adult Connection: Small Groups, Men, Women
Small groups are the backbone of adult connection at Centreville UMC. Groups meet on Zoom, in homes, and at the church, with Bible studies, prayer, and fellowship woven through each gathering. Rev. Geitra Mickelson, the Associate Pastor, encourages anyone interested in joining a group or starting a new one to reach her at gmickelson@centreville-umc.org. Adult Sunday morning classes cover a wide range of Bible studies, and several studies run throughout the year on weekday evenings.
United Methodist Men
The United Methodist Men, grounded in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20, worship together as greeters, lay readers, communion stewards, and ushers. They gather for the Old Men's Group on Wednesday mornings for Bible study and fellowship, the Men's Breakfast Group at IHOP in Centreville on Friday mornings at 7:15 AM, a Saturday morning Zoom study on the third Saturday of the month, a Sunday morning prayer group at 8:30 AM, the New Covenant Men's Group for younger fathers on the first and third Mondays, and weekly basketball on Wednesday evenings in the ROC. They serve through Grace Ministries, Holiday Food Baskets, Rebuilding Together, Rise Against Hunger, and Upward Basketball, and they keep up with maintenance and repair projects around the building.
United Women in Faith
The United Women in Faith has three circles that meet monthly from September through June: the Fannie Harrison Circle for luncheon, the Felicity Circle for packing hygiene kits for Hot Meals, and the Morning Glory Circle for monthly brunch. Annual events include the Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair on the first Saturday of November, featuring dozens of vendors, Grandma's Attic, the Holiday House, a silent auction, and a bake sale. The Bazaar benefits the church's food ministries, the church Crisis Fund, UMCOR, and Just Neighbors.
Pathfinders young adults
Pathfinders gathers singles and couples ages eighteen to thirty-five for dinner and games on Friday nights once a month and a second monthly outing in the region. Coordinators Garrett Youmans and Ben Ivy welcome new friends.
Moms Group, Yarn Ministry, and more
MOMS, or Moms Offering Moms Support, gathers mothers of little ones about twice a month for playdates with childcare or a grown-up outing. Yarn Ministry welcomes knitters and crocheters, no experience needed, to make hats for the unhoused and baby items for new mothers. A Book Club, Crafts and Conversation, Pizza with the Pastors, and Blessing of the Animals round out the calendar of opportunities to connect.
Walking Together: Care Ministries
Congregational Care, gathered under the words "Take care of my sheep" from John 21:16, is the responsibility of the whole congregation. Prayer Partners form a confidential prayer chain for those asking for healing. Prayer requests can be submitted online and remain active for several weeks or longer. The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates shawls, caps, and prayer squares for those in need. Trained Congregational Care Ministers make hospital visits, telephone persons in need, and meet for prayer and encouragement. Pastors are available for pastoral care needs during office hours and through an emergency line outside of office hours. The Tea Ministry visits homebound members and nursing home residents with tea, cookies, and fellowship. Angels on Call steps in for transportation, meals, and visits at moments of crisis. A College Student Ministry keeps cards, care packages, and gift cards flowing to young adults enrolled in college or trade school and to those serving in the military. Support Groups, formed as needed, address specific life issues in a structured environment.
The Building, the ROC, and Special Services
The building was designed so that everyone, even those seated in the last row, would feel close to the center of worship. The Fellowship Hall and Chapel host everything from the Holiday Bazaar to monthly Grief Support gatherings. The Recreation and Outreach Center, attached to the building nearest Route 28, includes a full-size gym and indoor space for children's programs.
Weddings, funerals, and baptisms
Church members can schedule weddings up to a year in advance; non-members can schedule up to six months in advance. A Wedding Coordinator is assigned after the date is set to assist with planning the service and directing the rehearsal. Funerals and memorial services are arranged with one of the pastors through the church office. Baptisms are welcomed at any age, from infants through adults, as a celebration of God's claim on every life. The church regularly offers grief support groups and can connect families with local counseling organizations.
Special seasonal services
Throughout the Christian year, special services mark Advent and Lent, often with the Chancel Choir and handbell choirs providing music. Recent sermon series have included "WHY? Why Jesus? Why Church? Why Bother?," Summer Internship sermons on Solitude, Community, Service, Generosity, and Witness, "Influencers: Methodist Saints," "More Than Words," "Sacred Soundtrack," "Among the Trees," "Hidden Figures," and "Start Smart: Lessons of Solomon."
Endowment and Annual Scholarship
The Endowment Fund provides vital support for the church's vision. Recent grants have gone toward the food ministry, the preschool, musical equipment, Kids Quest, building repairs, and an annual scholarship of $1,000 to $3,000 that students can apply toward tuition and books. Online giving is available through Pushpay, and pledges for the year are received each fall. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM at 6400 Old Centreville Road.