A church rooted in Franklin since 1878
Sycamore Baptist Church sits along Sycamore Church Road on the outskirts of Franklin, Virginia. The congregation organized in October 1878, originally under the name "Olivet" before the first church conference in March 1879 settled on Sycamore. Soon after, Allen and Elmina Cotton and Washington and Mary Holland gave land for a house of worship, and the first building went up. The Reverend James Jones became the first pastor in 1878 and began building alliances with other Baptist associations.
In 1924 a larger sanctuary replaced the original structure. By 1956 the congregation voted to "go full time," accepting a plot from Mr. and Mrs. Otto Harcum and Mr. and Mrs. Otis Harcum for a parsonage, and welcoming the Reverend Vivian Evans as the church's first full-time pastor. The parsonage was occupied in 1957. An education building followed in 1961 behind the sanctuary, providing Sunday School space and a fellowship hall.
Through the following decades Sycamore transitioned from a church ministering to a fairly localized community into a congregation reaching many families in this and surrounding communities. A new building completed in 1986 added an elevator, kitchen, fellowship hall, and additional educational space. Further work in 1991 renovated the downstairs educational area and expanded the parsonage, and a 1998 renovation refreshed the choir and pulpit area of the sanctuary. Membership passed 430 by 1992, and Sycamore continues to point its ministry outward through the Blackwater Baptist Association, the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV), and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Loving God, Touching Lives
The church's vision statement is "Loving God, Touching Lives." Its mission statement reads "Striving to be God's hands, feet, and voice in our community and beyond, demonstrated through deeds of loving Kindness and words of Truth." Rev. Tracey R. Pugh serves as pastor.
Sunday morning: Sunday School and blended worship
Sunday School meets at 9:00 a.m. with a class for every age from birth to senior adult. The full slate includes a Nursery (birth to age 2), Preschool (ages 2 to 5), grades 1 through 5, a Youth class for grades 6 to 12, an Up & Coming Class for singles and couples in their twenties and up, a Mixed Adults class for singles and couples in their forties and up, and a Men's Class. Together the classes learn, grow, and fellowship around God's word. A stained glass window depicting Jesus with children in a pastoral setting looks down on the gathering space.
The 10:00 a.m. worship service is a blended service that weaves contemporary praise songs with classic hymns. Music is led by the Adult Choir, accompanied by organist Ira Witt, pianist Tricia Davis, and guitarist Charlie Harcum. A nursery is available for all services.
Wednesday Family Night around the table
Wednesday evenings revolve around Family Night, which begins with a shared dinner at 5:45 p.m. (adults $5, children $3, with a maximum of $12 per family). Adult Study II follows at 6:15 p.m. At 6:45 p.m. the church splits into several tracks: a Men's Bible Study, Mission Friends and Children in Action for preschoolers through grade 5, and World Changers for grades 6 to 12. The evening closes with Adult Choir rehearsal at 7:45 p.m. Family Night is organized by HerMission (also called Women on Mission), and the evening together is the heart of the church's midweek life.
Mission groups for every age
Mission emphasis runs through age-graded groups that meet most weeks. Mission Friends introduces preschoolers (ages 2 to 5) to missionaries through stories, songs, and play, raising a basic awareness of God's love for all people. Children in Action gathers grades 1 to 5 for missions study, prayer, support, and hands-on mission work, with the chance to attend CentriKid summer camp. World Changers is a co-ed mission group for grades 6 to 12 that meets Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. for Bible study and hands-on mission action, anchored by 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
The youth sponsor monthly BINGO at East Pavilion, pack bags for the Backpack Program that sends food home with local students in need, and join the IMPACT summer mission camp for construction and outreach.
Children and youth ministries
The Children's Ministry offers Sunday School for birth through fifth grade at 9:00 a.m., a nursery for all services, and yearly events such as Easter Egg Hunts, Vacation Bible School, Fall Festivals, and Summer Camps. The Youth Ministry adds the World Changers mission group, a Small Jobs Ministry that rakes leaves and cuts grass for church and community members, and Bible study twice a month at rotating locations that include the church, members' homes, coffee shops, and the beach. Outings through the year include lock-ins, beach trips, and lake trips.
Brotherhood and HerMission
Men gather as Brotherhood on the fourth Sunday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for breakfast and planning. The Brotherhood builds wheelchair ramps for those in need, hosts a yearly sausage sale to support youth missions, and sponsors the Rice Bowl campaign in May to fight world hunger.
Women come together as HerMission on the first Sunday of each month at 11:30 a.m., with lunch provided. HerMission organizes Wednesday Family Night and gathers monthly collections for partners including Franklin Cooperative Ministry, area schools, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, and the yearly Thanksgiving Meal Ministry. HerMission also supports the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Offering for Global Missions and the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions, a joint venture with BGAV and WMUV.
Music ministry
The Music Ministry carries the motto "Tune Thy Heart to Sing Thy Grace." The Adult Choir leads worship in a blend of traditional and contemporary songs each Sunday, with accompaniment from the organist, pianist, and guitarist. Two cantatas are presented each year during the Advent and Easter seasons. The annual SongFest brings the choir and congregation together for an evening of favorite hymns, praise songs, and special anthems, capped by a fellowship time featuring homemade ice creams and cakes.
Deacon teams that care for the congregation
A Deacon Team Ministry organizes pastoral care through several focused teams. The Bereavement Team ministers to families after the loss of a loved one. The Casserole Team prepares and delivers meals for members and neighbors in times of need or crisis. The Hospital and Homebound Team visits those who are homebound, in health care facilities, or in retirement centers. The Prayer Team leads an active prayer chain, and the Transportation Team provides rides to church, doctor visits, and the hospital.
Prayer ministry that reaches beyond the walls
Prayer is woven through the life of the church, anchored by 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your worries on Him, because He cares for you." Prayer Request Boxes are placed in the church vestibule and elevator lobby. A Community Prayer Box sits at Checkerboard Corner, at the intersection of Delaware Road and Sycamore Church Road. Requests can also be sent by email. Requesters can mark a request as confidential, share it only with the prayer chain, share it with the whole congregation, or remain anonymous.
Tithes and offerings, including gifts to mission offerings supported by Sycamore, can be given online through Tithe.ly.