A Church on the Corner of Charles City and Laburnum
Fort Lee Baptist Church stands at the corner of Charles City Road and Laburnum Avenue in Henrico, minutes from Richmond International Airport. The congregation has gathered at 2727 Charles City Road since 1920, growing from a one-room schoolhouse into a brick sanctuary flanked by generations of additions. Members simply call the place Fort Lee, a name that traces back to a Confederate earthwork once located at the Charles City Road railroad crossing during the Civil War defenses of Richmond.
From the Fort Lee Mission to a Brick Sanctuary
The story begins with the Fort Lee Mission, a Sunday School that met in a one-room schoolhouse around the turn of the century. Worshipers at the time held their church membership at Hardy Central Baptist Church until the summer of 1920, when careful prayer and thought led the group to organize a church of their own, closer to the Sunday School they loved.
One acre of land was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Aigner, Sr., and the first meeting in the new building was held on August 28, 1921, with a dedication service on September 9, 1921. The original structure was a white, framed building with a tin roof, stained-oak interior woodwork, dark pews, and a dark wood ceiling. Inside sat a large teacher's desk that served as a pulpit, with a wood stove in the middle of the room. Members of the Aigner family went on to serve the congregation for decades as trustees, clerks, and Sunday School teachers.
The first called pastor was Rev. Charles Dansey, who served the church at a wage of $100 per year and preached every other Sunday while also serving another congregation. He was followed by a long line of University of Richmond students, including Rev. N. B. Farris, Rev. Robert Mann, and Rev. H. F. Hamilton, Jr. Sunday School rooms were added to the back of the original building under Rev. Matt A. Cumby and completed in 1932. Wings were added to the sanctuary during the tenure of Rev. James M. Harvey to accommodate a growing congregation.
In 1953, the church called its first full-time pastor, Rev. Clyde H. Cooke. Members built a cinder block Sunday School building in 1957 with their own labor. The defining construction project came under Rev. Donald L. Matheny, called as full-time pastor in 1965. On March 4, 1970, the congregation voted to build a brick sanctuary adjacent to the original building. Ground was broken on Easter morning, March 29, 1970, and the new sanctuary was dedicated on July 11, 1971. Rev. H. John Johnson followed in November 1990 and led the church for eleven years, and Rev. G. Michael Jordan was called as pastor in August 2002.
Sunday Mornings at Fort Lee
Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m. with classes for all ages, so the whole family can gather before the worship service. The nursery is staffed every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by workers hired through River City Sitters, who have completed background checks.
The Sunday morning service begins at 10:30 a.m. Three ways to join are offered: in the sanctuary, on Facebook Live, and on YouTube. The church welcomes all ages to its pews.
Wednesday Nights in the Sanctuary
Bible study meets Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Members and visitors can take part in the sanctuary, on Facebook Live, or on YouTube.
Children, Youth, and the Nursery
Children's events bring families together for crafts, games, snacks, and seasonal celebrations such as an Easter egg hunt. A memorial scholarship fund named for David S. Parrish and Richard Corey Henderson, Jr. supports graduates each year. The nursery is staffed every Sunday morning so that parents can attend worship and Sunday School with peace of mind.
Youth Group is open to all middle and high school students. Youth meet on the first and third Friday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Evenings include dinner, Bible study, games, and fellowship.
Music Through the Choir
The choir sings every Sunday, and several members volunteer to perform solos. Two annual highlights are the Easter Cantata and the Christmas Program.
A Building Shaped by Generations
What began as a single room with school benches has grown into a brick sanctuary, Sunday School wings, and a Family Life Center where youth gather on Friday nights. The church is located at the corner of Charles City Road and Laburnum Avenue, just minutes from Richmond International Airport. Members who wish to host a private event in the building can request a reservation form from the church office.