Who We Are
We are a fellowship of believers centered on Christ, preaching the full Gospel message and seeking to live Spirit-filled lives.
The first group of worshipers gathered in 1942 in the garage operated by Bruce Eldreth, Kitts & Neel, and later River jack recycling. Pastors Chalmer and Bonnie Conley were the first leaders, followed by William Ellis in late 1942. The land where the church is now located was purchased in 1943. For several years, the congregation met in the basement portion of the original structure.
Pastor W.W. Watson served from 1949 to 1984 when the congregation became known as the First Church of God at Riverside. During this time the upstairs was built onto the original structure. That section later became the fellowship hall and kitchen area. It was also during this time that the gospel group The Revivalaires was formed; they became popular in the area, and recorded several songs. A member of the group, Louise Bailey, played piano in the church for more than 50 years. Along with Jean and Bill Earls, Doris Pollard, Doug and Eunice Doss, and Oakley and Marie Price, among others, were members of the assembly since the 1940s.
In 1990, Robert Buckles became pastor and led the move to build a new addition to the church. This started in 1993 and was completed by the early summer of 1994 with a new sanctuary and office spaces. Over the years, the congregation conducted baptismal services in the Clinch River and local creeks, but the new sanctuary included a baptistery for the services to be conducted indoors. Jack Bundy was responsible for many of the construction activities. During this time, Gladys Hoops was also an active member who helped with publicity from many church functions. Rex Tester became music director, led several programs and cantatas as well as singing and playing for services for more than 20 years. A generation ago, church members annually participated in making apple butter as both a fellowship activity and fundraiser. A very active women's ministry group was a vital part of the worship activities during this time period.
A modern heat pump has long since replaced the old coal furnace, and the wooden pews were padded years ago. The parking lot was expanded twice and paved by the time of the most recent construction in the summer of 2002. Billy Waddle, a long-time member of the board of trustees, has been instrumental in maintaining the church property in recent years. Kyle Pucket served as Sunday school superintendent for 18 years. John Thompson served as the long-term assistant pastor. Karen Tester directed Vacation Bible School and various other positions for several years. Sheila Johns conducted many special services including the annual Christmas lighting ceremony, and the congregation hosted several community-wide Veterans’ Day programs.
Frank Webb helped to finance the construction of the current sanctuary when he and the trustees from the First Church of God in Richlands donated their building. It was sold in 1996 to Dickie and Donna plaster, and the money was used to help with the remaining debt. Brian Webb, Frank’s son, later assisted with the financing and payment schedule as an officer at the bank where the church was financed.
The congregation voted to become an independent church and change the name to Riverside Community Church in 2006. In January 2009, Robert Buckles left the pastorate, and Randy Fielder became the full-time pastor in December of that year.
In December 2015, Randy Fielder resigned from the pastorate and Matthew Hale has served as the current pastor since April 2016. Melissa Waddle and Lynn Christian have faithfully served the church for several years now as secretary and treasurer, respectively. In April 2017, Cassie Matney filled the position of music director and has led congregational worship as well as coordinated special singings, and Christmas and Easter programs. The youth attendance continues to grow with weekly children’s ministry, monthly family meetings, and Vacation Bible School directed by Jeremy and Leah Call.
The church property expanded once again in the summer of 2018 with the purchase of the adjacent property to extend the parking lot. After the passing of long-time member, Doris Pollard, her estate donated the funds to compensate the total purchase of that property. The old house on the property was demolished, and the lot was leveled. In the fall of 2020, the church membership voted to use this site for the intended construction of a new fellowship hall.
Continuing today, we have a burden to present the Resurrected Life of Jesus Christ to be the Answer! Christ is Life to the least, the last & the lost. It is our calling to be those ministers in whatever way that God burdens and enables us.
We are focused on outreach to the local community that God has placed us in with a mission especially to reach the unreached with the Gospel and the love of Christ.
Pastor W.W. Watson served from 1949 to 1984 when the congregation became known as the First Church of God at Riverside. During this time the upstairs was built onto the original structure. That section later became the fellowship hall and kitchen area. It was also during this time that the gospel group The Revivalaires was formed; they became popular in the area, and recorded several songs. A member of the group, Louise Bailey, played piano in the church for more than 50 years. Along with Jean and Bill Earls, Doris Pollard, Doug and Eunice Doss, and Oakley and Marie Price, among others, were members of the assembly since the 1940s.
In 1990, Robert Buckles became pastor and led the move to build a new addition to the church. This started in 1993 and was completed by the early summer of 1994 with a new sanctuary and office spaces. Over the years, the congregation conducted baptismal services in the Clinch River and local creeks, but the new sanctuary included a baptistery for the services to be conducted indoors. Jack Bundy was responsible for many of the construction activities. During this time, Gladys Hoops was also an active member who helped with publicity from many church functions. Rex Tester became music director, led several programs and cantatas as well as singing and playing for services for more than 20 years. A generation ago, church members annually participated in making apple butter as both a fellowship activity and fundraiser. A very active women's ministry group was a vital part of the worship activities during this time period.
A modern heat pump has long since replaced the old coal furnace, and the wooden pews were padded years ago. The parking lot was expanded twice and paved by the time of the most recent construction in the summer of 2002. Billy Waddle, a long-time member of the board of trustees, has been instrumental in maintaining the church property in recent years. Kyle Pucket served as Sunday school superintendent for 18 years. John Thompson served as the long-term assistant pastor. Karen Tester directed Vacation Bible School and various other positions for several years. Sheila Johns conducted many special services including the annual Christmas lighting ceremony, and the congregation hosted several community-wide Veterans’ Day programs.
Frank Webb helped to finance the construction of the current sanctuary when he and the trustees from the First Church of God in Richlands donated their building. It was sold in 1996 to Dickie and Donna plaster, and the money was used to help with the remaining debt. Brian Webb, Frank’s son, later assisted with the financing and payment schedule as an officer at the bank where the church was financed.
The congregation voted to become an independent church and change the name to Riverside Community Church in 2006. In January 2009, Robert Buckles left the pastorate, and Randy Fielder became the full-time pastor in December of that year.
In December 2015, Randy Fielder resigned from the pastorate and Matthew Hale has served as the current pastor since April 2016. Melissa Waddle and Lynn Christian have faithfully served the church for several years now as secretary and treasurer, respectively. In April 2017, Cassie Matney filled the position of music director and has led congregational worship as well as coordinated special singings, and Christmas and Easter programs. The youth attendance continues to grow with weekly children’s ministry, monthly family meetings, and Vacation Bible School directed by Jeremy and Leah Call.
The church property expanded once again in the summer of 2018 with the purchase of the adjacent property to extend the parking lot. After the passing of long-time member, Doris Pollard, her estate donated the funds to compensate the total purchase of that property. The old house on the property was demolished, and the lot was leveled. In the fall of 2020, the church membership voted to use this site for the intended construction of a new fellowship hall.
Continuing today, we have a burden to present the Resurrected Life of Jesus Christ to be the Answer! Christ is Life to the least, the last & the lost. It is our calling to be those ministers in whatever way that God burdens and enables us.
We are focused on outreach to the local community that God has placed us in with a mission especially to reach the unreached with the Gospel and the love of Christ.
Pastor Matthew, Sister Tiffany, Judah, J. Hudson, Josephine, and Jayne HalePastor Matthew was raised in a Christian home and has had a strong desire for God from a young age. At the age of 15, he began to feel the burden for ministry, and at the age of 17, he preached for the first time. Since that time, he has continued in prayer and studying the Word of God in order to communicate the Gospel as the Holy Spirit guides. He has served faithfully in local churches, traveled for short-term evangelistic missions to South America and Africa. God has now placed the call on his life to the town of Tazewell and the surrounding communities. As pastor of RCC, he preaches and teaches weekly, ministers in the Tazewell Regional Jail, and serves the community in whatever opportunities God provides. Pastor Matthew more recently received the Master of Arts in Ministry degree from Piedmont Divinity School at Carolina University in 2021.
Sister Tiffany is a faithful woman of God who supports and serves in whatever capacity she can for the Kingdom of God. She also has a long history of the call of God on her life from a young age. She leads in worship, children's ministry, and has a burden to encourage fellow women and mothers. They are blessed to have two sons Judah (8 yrs) and Jonas "Hudson" (6 yrs), and two beautiful daughters, Josephine (5 yrs) and Jayne (2 yo). |