History of Three Oaks Fellowship United Methodist Church

The foundation is poured.

With the symbolic turn of a golden shovel full of dirt, the newest chapter in the life of the life of Three Oaks Fellowship United Methodist Church was begun. The ground breaking ceremony on Saturday, June 18, 2005, was the culmination of years of planning and prayer that began in the late 1990’s.

The walls go up.

The congregation of Belmont United Methodist Church, facing an uncertain future and dwindling membership, gave prayerful consideration to several options. They could combine with another United Methodist congregation, disband their church and close their doors and they could decide to relocate to another area.

Under the leadership of Pastor Sam McPhail, they made the courageous decision to relocate to another area that was in need of ministry. With the formation of Joshua Teams several possibilities were explored and a study revealed a need in the growing community of Hardy, Virginia.

Work continues with a new roof.

With the arrival of Pastor Debra Lucas in 2002, a wonderful property consisting of a little over 21 acres, was made available to the congregation. Located at the intersection of Gravel Hill Road and Hardy Road, the property has a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and a stand of three mighty oak trees. Hence the name Three Oaks Fellowship United Methodist Church was selected.

The steeple is raised.

The property was acquired in the Fall of 2002, and a Building Committee was formed and met for the first time in April of 2003. The Building Committee changed it’s name to the Visionary Committee and began working on the ministries that would be conducted from the new building. The number and types of ministries would determine the size and shape of the initial building.

The Visionary Committee began acquiring the required zoning permits from Bedford County and in February 2004, selected Structures/Design Build as our General Contractor. Along with architect Jon Fulton, Structures President Adam Cohen, developed a long range plan for the property that included a preschool, family life center, new sanctuary, an administration center and a Heart Havens House.

Almost there.

The design of our first building was a Worship Center with multi function capability and the Visionary felt it needed to be larger. The building plan was redrawn and approved in October 2004. The process of getting permits and approval from local government was began and finally completed in March 2005.
 

Look at us now!

Actual work began on the site on June 20, 2005. The project is estimated to cost $418,000 and be completed by Spring 2006. Three Oaks Fellowship United Methodist Church is blessed to be able to fund the project without acquiring any additional debt.

Please come and visit our new church and help us continue to grow God’s ministries in the Hardy area.