About us

 

Springville Christian Church, located on the hill across from the old Springville Elementary School on Route 19/460 is believed to be the oldest christian church in Tazewell County. The church building is half-way between Bluefield and Tazewell, Virginia on a lovely setting that includes approximately 25 acres of land.

 

The first meeting place of the congregation was a log building erected in Bluestone Valley about five miles from the present site. This log building known as the Old Antioch House served as a meeting place for the church for many years. Later, the members formed new congregations in other neighborhoods and services were abandoned at this site.

 

The records of the church indicate that the remaining members moved to a community church at the present location in Springville. Susanah Wallace deeded a parcel of land and a house on January 20, 1881 to be supervised by the trustees. They were R.B. Tabor, representative of the christian church, R.F. Harmon, representative of the Methodist/Episcopal south church, and Daniel Carter, representative of the missionary Baptist church. The three groups shared the building until the present church structure was built by James Brown, uncle of Harry D. Wallace in the early 1900's. The church was originally called Fairview Christian Church and later adopted its present name around 1900....Springville Christian Church.

 

Twenty-nine men of God have served the pulpit as minister. Two of these were note worthy ministers that resulted in growth and expansion because of their longevity with the church...Charlie Sublett and Johnnie Elmore.

 

Charlie Sublett served the congregation from June 1938 to May 23, 1971. He also served Horsepen, Mudfork and Grassy Spur churches, preaching four times each Lord's day after driving up from Mountain Mission in Grundy, Virginia.

 

Johnnie Elmore served for 44 years at Mudfork Church of Christ following graduation from Johnson Bible College. He began his ministry at Springville Christian in Fall of 1986 and served until his death in December 2013. Both were admired and respected as real servants of Christ. The present minister is Tony L. Reed.

 

A parsonage was constructed in 1973 and a picnic shelter was built in 1995.