We are a country Presbyterian church on Main Street.
Country
Culturally we have agrarian roots in Rockbridge County with generational family names dating back to the Civil War and even some to the Revolutionary War period. Our lives are characterized by hard work, fellowship, education, service to God and community, good food, inter-woven generational ties, and deep affection for one another. Loving God and loving our neighbor is what is important to us.
Presbyterian
Our denominational affiliation is Associate Reformed Presbyterian. We hold a high view of God’s Word and a theological commitment to the teaching of the Westminster Confession of Faith. We aim to fulfill the teaching of the Shorter Catechism – Question #1. Our chief end is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Our sermons seek to blend clear exposition of the Bible’s teaching with real-world application for living the Christian life. In other words, we want to educate both the head and the heart for service to Christ and His Church.
Main Street
In 1923, Dr. David Lauderdale fulfilled the mandate of our General Synod to act as an evangelist and pastor by planting an ARP church on Main Street. Although we have multi-generational families, we are an expanding welcoming family known as the “Body of Christ.” We want to love God, love God's Word, love his people, and love the lost. Reoccurring themes of our time together in worship and fellowship are salvation and sanctification – the gospel of Jesus Christ and being re-shaped into his holy image.
Pastor and Staff
Rev. Benjamin W. Dowling, III
“Pastor Ben” is our solo pastor. He is a second generation Presbyterian pastor descending from parents who served on the foreign mission field in Brazil and then in three pastorates in the U.S. A graduate of Montreat-Anderson College, Wheaton College, and Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, he has served as the senior chaplain for a prison ministry and after seminary has served three ARP pastorates prior to coming to Lauderdale. His wife, Ethel, is a graduate of Sweet Briar College and Fuller Seminary and served for six years on the staff of Young Life. She is currently the local Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. They have two college-age children who both graduated from Rockbridge County High School.
Jennifer Mason
Administrative Assistant
Bobby Walters
Custodian
Our Church Facility
We are located at 300 South Main Street, Lexington, Virginia. South Main Street is one way in front of our church heading north. Our parking lot is in the back and most people drive up Randolph Street and enter the parking lot, which also happens to adjoin Oak Grove Cemetery. The cemetery was originally the private property of Lexington Presbyterian Church but was eventually sold to the City of Lexington. Many famous residents of Lexington and Rockbridge County are buried there along with some our own former church members. Consequently, our parking lot is often used by visitors coming to explore the history and heritage of Lexington. We are easy to find – just ask anyone where Oak Grove Cemetery is and you will find us.
Our church building includes our sanctuary, administrative offices, Sunday school rooms on three floors, and our fellowship hall and kitchen downstairs. We have an elevator and handicap access. Entrances are through the front doors into the sanctuary, the south side of the building up the ramp into our main hallway, and the basement stairs, off from the parking lot that lead into the kitchen and fellowship hall.
front
Facing Main Street
back
South Randolph Street
JOINING OUR CHURCH
The first step toward membership at Lauderdale ARP Church is regular attendance at our Worship services and participation in our church activities. When you are ready, you can join through one of several routes:
Want to worship with us?
Reach out and let us know if you are thinking of joining our community.