History of Riverside

he original congregation met in a building known as “The Church on the Boulevard” in Fredericksburg. This building was built during the height of the depression, and was completed by the late 1930’s.

After enjoying a number of years of slow but steady growth, the founding pastor, Rev. A.G. Littek, retired. It was around this time, November of 1963 that the The Arwood Church of God was formed. First meeting in a room above a local business, by the spring of 1964 they were meeting in two houses in Stafford County. While meeting in Stafford, lots were being purchased at the intersection of Stafford Avenue and Seacobeck streets in Fredericksburg, clearing the way for a new church building to be erected.

From the summer of 1964 until the church building was completed in January of 1968, the growing congregation met in the VFW building near Falmouth bridge in Fredericksburg. The Arwood Church of God celebrated the building dedication on January 7, 1968.

The church, over time, has been privileged to benefit from the unique gifts, talents and leadership of several pastors. It was under the leadership of Pastor Ed Beck, in 1982 that the congregation was able to purchase the 10 acres of land on Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg that would eventually be the home of Riverside First Church of God.

It was under the leadership of Pastor Rick Mooney that the Arwood Church of God, in late 1999, began to move forward with plans to build a new, larger church building at the Fall Hill site. Pastor Mooney passed away in July of 2000 before the project he envisioned came to fruition.

The Arwood church building was sold in Fall 2000 and the congregation began meeting in Fredericksburg Christian high school while construction was taking place on the new facility. Pastor Larry Locke served as pastor during this time of transition, and the first service in the new sanctuary of the now Riverside First Church of God, took place in December 2002.

Today Riverside First Church of God is led by Pastor Matt Taylor. Pastor Matt and the congregation invite you to come and join us this Sunday and become a continuing part of the history of Riverside First Church of God!