Our History

Our History

In 1981 Mark and Nancy Beliles led a church-planting team here that was sent by the campus-oriented Maranatha Christian Churches.  The church was officially established the next spring and initially met in the University Chapel.  The Providence Foundation, a teaching ministry, was established in 1983, and Stephen McDowell moved here in 1984 to lead it.  Its goal is to equip the Body of Christ at large in a Biblical worldview so as to mobilize Christian leaders for effective service in every sphere of public life.

In 1985 church ministry began to expand to the community.  The student ministry continued under the name of Cavalier Christian Fellowship.  We also planted new churches in Tidewater, VA, France, Philippines, etc.  The Providence Foundation began to significantly influence many countries desperate for answers to their social problems. The church began to lead Charlottesville in community initiatives such as racial reconciliation, trans-denominational unity, pro-life work and training of parents in home-schooling.

In 1992 GCC adopted its present name and affiliated with Grace Network of Churches in the U.S. and over 200 other related churches overseas.  An annual event began in 1994 in downtown Charlottesville that uses dramatic arts, music and crafts to celebrate our city’s history and culture.  This Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival, held each November, now draws over 5000 people each year to over 70 events.  The campus ministry began to grow significantly again in 1997 under the name of Cavalier Life with new young people coming into full-time ministry to lead this outreach. The church also continued to lead in initiatives in the community such as the Franklin Graham Festival, the annual March for Jesus and Prayer Breakfasts.

In 2002, the church celebrated 20 years of ministry with a grand reunion.  To date over 50 people have been trained for full-time ministry through this church and most have been sent out where they serve other churches and ministries today. In 2002 our church secured a new worship location and strategic training and outreach facility in downtown Charlottesville, which includes a Prayer Center in cooperation with other churches.