THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411220180
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
After six months of planning, the Norview Presbyterian Church celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend with former and current members.
Anniversary co-chair Margaret Hoots said some charter members joined in the services along with past members and children of the church.
Nearly 300 members and guests turned out for the services. ``It really went beyond our expectations,'' Hoots said. ``Absolutely it was outstanding.
``It went beautifully and we had beautiful weather. Everyone had a wonderful time.''
Bettye and Damon Coble, who are charter members of the church, agreed that the service was excellent.
``We saw people that have not been able to be in the church for years,'' said Bettye Coble, 82. ``We still love the church. It has been our life.''
Bettye Coble said everything from the decorations to the refreshments was terrific.
``(The best part was) the love that is in Norview Presbyterian Church and the concern for all its members,'' she said. ``It was really beautiful.''
Along with Frances Clark, Hoots said she worked hard to commemorate the anniversary. Clark manned the computer while they responded to the flow of inquiries and designed name tags for the expected members.
``We're really a wonderful team,'' she said.
The anniversary, Hoots said, sets the church in a positive direction for the future.
``We're just moving right along, and it's now coming to a head,'' she said. ``We're really excited.''
Norview Presbyterian held its first worship service in April 1944, but it was organized with 160 charter members on Nov. 19, 1944.
Since it was founded, the church has undergone many changes. In just the past eight years, under the Rev. J. Bradford Langdon, Norview Presbyterian has raised funding for a new parking lot, new roofs for the sanctuary and connecting wing, painting of the church steeple and the installation of two new boilers. by CNB