Indian View Baptist Church: The Past, Present, & Future

Thanks to Joanie Faulkner for collecting and composing this synopsis of Indian View.

INDIAN VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH

Indian View Baptist Church’s existence began as a Sunday school, originating in 1920, through the help of Mr. Charles Hogan and Mr. Emmet Farmer, members of Sharon Baptist Church of King William County.

Sunday school was held in the Sharon Indian School building. Reverend George Sherriff, pastor of Sharon Baptist Church, held services for the Upper Mattaponi Indian people. While holding services in Sharon Indian School, the congregation was organized. Reverend Sherriff stayed on until his health failed and he passed away.

At this point, Rev. Bennie Madison, a seminary student, was accepted by the congregation. Rev. Madison initiated our first revival which was serviced by the Reverend Harold Borttett. Many souls were saved, resulting in numerous baptisms.

The Upper Mattaponi people had been members of the Pamunkey Reservation Baptist Church and the Mattaponi Reservation Baptist Church and a few were members of Colosse Baptist Church. Some attended Sharon Baptist Church.

In 1941 the Reverend Burt Nuckles introduced the newly organized congregation to Reverend Louis Kalincheck and his wife, a young couple interested in the Upper Mattaponi people and in building a new church. A meeting was held – the treasury at that time held only $18 – the body agreed to build a church on faith alone.

Mr. Lee Henshaw donated the ground adjacent to the school. Men, women and children volunteered and started immediately clearing the ground. With the help of some neighbors, churches, and friends supporting us with supplies and financial aid, the building of the church was under way. The church building was completed in 1942 and named “Indian View” by one of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe’s women.

In April 1942, the first service was held under the pastorship and leadership of the Rev. Louis L. Kalincheck and his wife. The first revival was held in September of that year by the Rev. F. Whitt. Indian View Baptist Church was received into the Dover Association on April 16, 1946. Membership at that time was 56. In 1948, membership grew to 63.

Indian View has continued to grow through the years and is still home for many members of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe as well as many non-tribal members. The church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention and has Sunday school and Worship each Sunday as well as Wednesday activities from October – April each year. We feature 5^th Sunday luncheons with special music. An annual homecoming and revival is held the first Sunday of August.

Indian View recently began construction of a fellowship hall – again a decision made on faith alone. It is nearing completion and has already been used for Homecoming and several other events. Many people have donated their time, talents and materials to the construction of our fellowship hall.

Indian View welcomes everyone to join us for worship and activities.