Our History

In the year of 1864, a few Christians in the neighborhood of Princess Anne County built a small house dedicated to God for a House of Prayer. They named this church Mt. Calvary House of Bethel. The building was a white wooden frame with a wooden outhouse in the back. This building was then located on the North Landing Road, which is now Winston Avenue. They did not have a special pastor or choir, so they used any minister that they could get.

Some people walked as far as five miles to church. Some people came on horses and carts. The average offering was about $.01, $.02, or $.50 a Sunday because the average salary was about $.35 - $1.00 a day. Some families were shoeless and went to school 1-3 days a week, but the church services went on. Revivals were once a year, the 4th Sunday in August, and were conducted by different ministers. The congregation praised the Lord in word and song. The shouting was heard about a mile down the road. Prayer meetings were held once a week at people’s homes. Visitors came often to Campbell's Chapel. Once a group of Quakers stopped by as they were passing by.
Sometime during 1873 - 1883, the name Mt. Calvary House of Bethel was changed to Campbell’s Chapel, and the church was moved from Old North Landing Road to 603 Indian River Road, also known as 2421 Indian River Road, the same spot where it stands now. This structure was built in 1883. At this time, the church was not a member of the A.M.E. Conference. Sometime during the years of 1883-1952, the old wooden structure of the church was demolished. The building became unsafe to have service. Rev. James became was the pastor at this time. He was the Pastor of Mt. Zion and Campbell’s Chapel because Campbell’s could not afford a Pastor.
In 1952, the A.M.E. Conference sent a Pastor to Campbell’s. His name was Rev. D. S. Strong. During his leadership, Campbell's Chapel was able to destroy the old wooden structure and build the current main structure. Rev. Strong laid the blocks along with other members. He pastored from 1952-1957. This marked the first time of our independence from Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church.
Rev. Tide pastored from 1957 to 1959. He traveled from Richmond to Virginia Beach. He stayed at the YMCA in Norfolk.
Rev. A. B. Graves pastored from 1959 to 1974. Rev. Graves was responsible for the new addition to the church. He pastored Campbells for about 16 years. When he first came, he laid the foundation for the new part and through God, Rev. Graves, Franklin Holley, David Holley, Rev. Felton, Robert Lee Holley, Golden Harris, Rev. Clifton Wilson, Herbert Scott, Robert Stevenson, and a host of children helped to build the new part. They painted and did whatever they were told to do. Rev. Graves paid notes and contributed money to help Campbell's.
Rev. Linwood Daughtry became the pastor in 1974-1977. He was an ambitious pastor and successful in the history of Campbell’s. He reorganized the twenty ushers of the Usher Boards into: Senior Usher Board #1, Usher Board #2, Junior Usher Board, Male Usher Board, and the Combined Usher Board.

Some of the past Pastors were: Rev. Duckett, Rev. Randolph, Rev. Robertson, Rev. Roberts, Rev. Walker, Rev. Williams, Rev. Upshaw, Rev. Fairley, and Rev. James. Some other pastors include:
Rev. Rufus Mosley
Rev. Jonathan Thomas
Rev. Baxter
Rev. E. N. Taliaferro
Rev. John Clark
Rev. Jacqueline Hardy Harris
Rev. Abraham Mackey
Rev. Myra Burton (Payne)

On April 13, 2019, Rev. Alan F. White was appointed pastor of Campbell’s Chapel during the Virginia Annual Conference held in Portsmouth, Virginia. This would be Rev. White’s first pastoral appointment. During Rev. White’s first year at Campbell’s, the church purchased 16 pews, five chairs for the pulpit, and a new piano/organ. A financial system using vouchers was incorporated. Because of the COVID-19, Bible Study was held using Zoom. Morning services were provided through Facebook Live. Rev. White began the Tuesday Noon Day Prayer also using Facebook Live. The most significant event to be noted during 2020 - 2021, was the beginning of the enormous Building Repair project at a cost of $107,550. Mr. E.F. Gregory was our contractor. During the 2021 - 2022 conference year, the air conditioning/heat system was transformed to a total electric air conditioning/heating unit. The First Lady, Sis. Debra White, served as the Women’s Missionary
Society President.

On July 11, 2021, pastor, Rev. Alan F. White, unexpectedly entered his eternal home in heaven. Presiding Elder Chester W. Morris served as Supply Pastor, July 12th, 2021 - July 14th, 2022.

Thursday, July 14th, 2022, at the 2022 Planning Meeting and Summer Summit in Greensboro, NC, Rev. Tashara S. Void was appointed pastor.