Parkview Methodist Church on Briarfield Road in Newport News is known for an independent Methodist identity shaped by more than eight decades of neighborhood life, a commitment to Charles Wesley's traditions, and service extending from local hunger relief to mission work in Mongolia. Its rhythm is direct: Bible study at 9:30 AM, worship at 11:00 AM, shared meals, and practical support for people and families in need.
Eight Decades on Briarfield Road
Parkview's story begins in the summer of 1944, when Barbara Summerville and student minister Harold surveyed the Parkview area with the goal of planting a Methodist church. The first prayer meeting followed on September 2 in a neighborhood home, and other meetings gradually shifted into the homes of interested neighbors. By spring 1945, the group had secured a rental unit at Briarfield Manor and began holding Sunday School for children and Bible School for adults.
Virginia Conference superintendent Dr. Lipscomb initially questioned whether the group was large and organized enough to merit continuing support, but six organizers met in a neighborhood home, elected officers, and demonstrated their determination. Lipscomb agreed to allow the work to continue and promised conference assistance. Rev. Boyd E. Hudson conducted the first worship service in December 1945, and Hudson Hornsby took over. On March 31, 1946, Hornsby became the first regular Virginia Conference pastor appointed to the congregation. He served until 1950 while attending Emory University, and his work laid the foundation for Parkview's organization and growth.
On July 28, 1946, the church was officially organized during a service at a Presbyterian church on Briarfield Road, with Dr. Lipscomb officiating. Fifteen charter members were formally recognized: thirteen by transfer and two through profession of faith and baptism. Five additional people whose transfer letters had not arrived were also counted as charter members. A quarterly conference followed, and officers were formally elected. These dates place the beginning of Parkview's organized life in 1946 within a story that began with prayer and planning in 1944.
A Church Built from Fundraisers and Faith
The first Briarfield Road building was sold in 1947. The congregation met rent free in the Dr. Pepper building on Jefferson Avenue, and leaders arranged transportation by renting a school bus and driver to pick up members from the old location. Sunday morning and evening services began there. When Hornsby was unavailable on an evening, members kept the service going with songs, Scripture reading, and prayer. In November 1948, the church established a Finance Committee, organized the Woman's Society, and formed a Board of Education.
Later that year, J. M. Dozier offered land on Briarfield Road if the church would build on it. Members raised money through rummage sales, a bazaar in the Coca-Cola plant, dinners at other churches, and baked goods from their homes. A groundbreaking ceremony honored the two oldest members, but the first contractor soon declared bankruptcy, taking $1,500 from the project. The church preserved the doors and steeple in a garage, obtained bids from other contractors, and accepted an $11,450 bid from T. A. Watson and Son. Two $1,500 gifts, a Crusade for Christ grant, and other funds made construction possible.
The completed building had no benches at first; surplus seating from Langley Air Force Base filled that gap before the first worship service in the sanctuary on February 19, 1950. A larger sanctuary was built and consecrated on December 12, 1965. The former sanctuary was joined to it and remodeled as a fellowship hall and kitchen, while a Sunday school room honored a leader who had worked to make the larger building possible. The congregation acquired three parsonages between 1950 and 1965 and served under nine pastors during that period.
Remaining Methodist by Choice
When the Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church formed the United Methodist Church in 1968, Parkview joined and became Parkview United Methodist Church. It belonged to the Virginia Conference for 55 years, and the conference appointed 15 pastors. As debates over ordination and marriage grew within the denomination, Parkview's members chose a different course. They sought to remain what they called a Biblically Sound church, affirmed male and female as God's created order for one another, and voted to complete the disaffiliation process.
On December 31, 2023, Parkview ended its connection to the United Methodist Church and returned to the name Parkview Methodist Church. Clyde Leon Basham, Jr., the final pastor appointed by the Virginia Conference, retired from the denomination and continued serving Parkview's people as the church's first independent pastor. The church links its decision to changes approved by the 2024 United Methodist General Conference, including ordination for LGBTQ+ people and the removal of barriers to same sex marriage in United Methodist churches.
The independent church says it tries to keep to the traditions of Charles Wesley, the English clergyman and hymn writer who helped begin the Methodist movement with his brother John. Wesley's ministry included preaching in colonial Georgia and the publication of more than 4,500 hymns, including “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.” Parkview places itself in that Methodist inheritance while choosing independence from the denomination.
A Faith Held in Common
Parkview's statement of faith begins with one God as creator and sustainer of all things, source of goodness, beauty, truth, and love. Jesus Christ is confessed as God in the flesh, teacher, example, redeemer, and Savior. The church also affirms the Holy Spirit as present for guidance, comfort, and strength; forgiveness of sins; a life of love and prayer; and grace sufficient for every need. Scripture in the Old and New Testaments is understood as sufficient for faith and practice.
The church describes itself as united in the living Lord for worship and service, looking for the reign of God to be realized in human society and the family of God. It believes in the final triumph of righteousness and life everlasting. Its statement also affirms the natural order of creation, quoting Genesis 1:27: “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him: male and female he created them.”
Parkview states that same sex marriages are not performed within its structure or on its grounds. On sin, the church points to Romans 3:23 and teaches that people have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. It holds that only God defines sin, but that God's love means people are accepted as they are and not left as they are. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, those who stumble are called to turn from sinful behavior, seek forgiveness, and grow toward God.
Bible Study Before the 11:00 AM Service
The church's schedule places Bible study before worship. The class runs from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, and the pastor's wife leads it with prepared questions and answers. The study moves through both the Old and New Testaments. Parkview describes the sessions as lively discussions of biblical stories and says participants may speak or simply listen.
Parkview describes worship gatherings as “Inspiring Gatherings” centered on God's Word. After worship once a month, the fellowship hall hosts a free covered dish lunch. A separate monthly dinner starts at 6:00 PM with pizza or food prepared by church members. The $5 dinner is served all you can eat, and a Christian film with a faith theme follows at 7:00 PM. The fellowship hall's large screen and sound system allow the whole room to share the film.
Twice a year, members cook a fish fry for the community. The meal begins at 5:00 PM and ends at 7:00 PM, with fresh fish, coleslaw, baked beans, hushpuppies, tea, and dessert. The fellowship hall therefore serves three roles: a place for shared food after worship, a monthly dinner setting, and a screening room for a Christian film.
Partnerships That Put Faith into Action
Parkview supports a network of charities with financial contributions. The Society of St. Andrew directs produce through food distribution programs such as the Gleaning Network, Harvest of Hope, and the Seed Potato Project. The Henderson Settlement distributes toys to disadvantaged children in Appalachia, while the Lackey Clinic provides free charitable health care. The church also contributes to Samaritan's Purse, UMCOR's global disaster relief and recovery work, and LINK, which helps people experiencing homelessness.
Two local partnerships focus on food and school needs. Members work with Hearts and Hands Community Church to buy school supplies for children at the beginning of the school year and nonperishable food to distribute to people in need around Thanksgiving. Parkview also gives to THRIVE, a store that supplies free food to those in need, and to the Peninsula Food Bank. These partnerships extend the church's support for families in Newport News and the surrounding region.
Reaching the Lost is a Christian ministry begun by Lee Lasher, who grew up attending Sunday School, worship, and youth activities at Parkview. The ministry seeks people who do not know Christ and are dealing with drug or alcohol addiction, depression, helplessness, fear, anger, or thoughts of suicide. Its purpose is to help turn lives around by leading people to Jesus.
Parkview has also provided financial support to missionaries Jon and Julie Longacre, who served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Julie taught social studies to middle school students, while Jon taught and oversaw administrative duties. Their mission included schooling students and sharing the gospel with students and families, and their assignment was connected to InterVarsity's affiliate at Wooster College in Ohio. Parkview's missionary work also includes InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA.
Two Congregations at Briarfield Road
Parkview is also the meeting place for Hearts and Hands Community Church. The Rev. Melvin D. Futrell leads a worship schedule there at a different time from Parkview's 11:00 AM service. Members of that church serve through school supply drives, food drives for hungry people, and other Christian activities. The shared address allows two congregations to worship and serve from Briarfield Road.
Across more than eight decades, Parkview has moved from prayer meetings and borrowed rooms to a permanent place on Briarfield Road, an independent place within Methodism, and a network of relationships reaching across Newport News, Appalachia, Mongolia, and communities around the world. At 912 Briarfield Road in Newport News, Parkview Methodist Church remains centered on Scripture, worship, shared tables, and service to people near and far.