History of Evergreen Community Church

Our History

In August of 1996, three months after graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Bill and Cindy Finley were heading back to New England and began discussing God’s future for their lives and ministry. During this conversation, the possibility of planting a church somewhere in the South arose and an excitement grew within them. They decided to pursue this opportunity with faith and action. After attending a Church Planting Assessment Center in mid-September, the Finleys were recommended by the Baptist General Conference to move forward in seeking a place to start a new church. In light of their backgrounds, gifts, and style of ministry, they prayerfully determined that a southern college town with a growing population of young families would be the best location for a new church. Among several potential cities that fit this description, they sensed God's leading towards Charlottesville , Virginia. So, in November 1996, the Finley family packed their belongings and relocated to Charlottesville , Virginia.

Shortly after arriving, the Finleys were driving on Skyline Drive to spend some time as a family. Through the winding roads and ups and downs they noticed the bleakness and dismal atmosphere of the trees around them. Dead and lifeless the trees stood, barren of their leaves and color. It was only the evergreen that brightened the mountainside - tall, green and full of life. From season to season it does not change, wither or fade. As they drove along and reflected, they realized that this image embodied their dreams of what the Church is and could be. God designed the Church to be like the evergreen: to remain a faithful and fruitful community of believers, no matter what the season of life. And in this manner was born the name . . .

"O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like an evergreen tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."

Hosea 14:8

In July 1998, six folks began meeting weekly for worship at the Center for Christian Study near the campus of the University of Virginia . By the fall of 1998, the church needed a larger facility and began meeting in the newly renovated Doubletree Hotel in northern Charlottesville . By the fall of 1999, we had completed our first membership class as we began preparation for a series of outreach services, a small groups program, and the initiation our first Sunday School program for adults and children. In the first half of 2000 we adopted our Constitution, conducted an affiliation council, and were formally welcomed into the Baptist General Conference. In the spring of 2003 we moved to our present location at The Covenant Lower School in order to be more centrally located to the city, the university, and the downtown area.