Learn About Our Mission and History

Our Mission & Vision

Our vision and mission is to help connect people to faith

The foundation of Mitchells Presbyterian Church is God’s grace. We worship the God who seeks to give to us all the time and in many different ways. We trust in God’s generosity and welcome anyone who wants to visit our church and share in God’s blessings with us. As Jesus is God’s gracious gift to us, we want to pass on this Good News to anyone who enters our sanctuary and church in Mitchells, Virginia. Welcome all who ask, seek, and knock for God’s truth and comfort.

What We Believe 

Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job – ministers and lay people alike – to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.

– Paragraph taken from www.pcusa.org

To read more about the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), go to
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/what-we-believe/theology/ 

For general information and/or history about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), visit http://www.pcusa.org/101/

Mitchells Presbyterian Church – Safety and Security Committee Introduction Video

Learn about what MPC does to make sure you feel safe and secure at our house of worship.

Historic Timeline

Mitchells Presbyterian Church began around 1844 in Orange County and was known as the Rapid Ann Presbyterian Chapel. On October 18, 1867, the congregation was granted permission by the Presbytery of Rappahannock to organize as Rapidan Church. Due to the rising of the Rapidan River, the congregation from Culpeper County decided to relocate to “this side of the river.” The present sanctuary was dedicated in 1879 and the name was changed to Mitchells Presbyterian Church in 1888.

In the years between 1892-1899, Joseph Oddenino was commissioned by the church to paint the interior walls. He used the technique of trompe-l’oeil (from the French meaning “deceive the eye”).The church is a registered landmark on both the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

After the death of Dr. Thomas W. Hooper in 1954, the church was served by students from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.

In 1960, we were yoked with Waddell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Rapidan, sharing a pastor. We built our first addition in 1965, giving us a pastor’s study, Sunday School rooms, kitchen, fellowship hall, and running water. We continued as a yoked field until 1973 when the two churches voted to go their separate ways.

From 1981-1983, we completely restored the sanctuary with grants and contributions from many members and friends.

In 1999, we began another wing that included a larger kitchen, additional Sunday School rooms, larger fellowship hall, and new bathrooms. This addition was dedicated in October 2000.

In 2009, a memorial gift provided the paving of the parking lot.

In 2014, a new Viscount organ and a new sound system for the sanctuary and fellowship hall were given to the church.

In 2017, new choir robes were given to the church.

In 2018 the church created a safety and security
team. Since then, many physical safety
improvements and practices have been
implemented. Members have been trained in
security and first aid, equipment has been upgraded
and security cameras have been installed.

Technical upgrades since 2020 have allowed for
sermons to be recorded and viewed on the website.

In 2022, the Dorothy A. Faulconer pavilion was
constructed providing even more opportunities for
onsite events.

contact us

Mitchells Presbyterian Church

We are located at

12229 Mitchell Road
Mitchells, Virginia 22729

Send mail to

PO Box 98
Mitchells, Virginia 22729

Reach out to us at

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