April 18 Today in OPC History

On this date in 1971, Bethel OPC, Leesburg, Virginia was organized by the Presbytery of Philadelphia as an official congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Edwin Urban installed as the pastor. Four years earlier, Mr. Urban, then employed as a Christian school teacher in Fairfax, Virginia, had been asked to lead a Bible study at the home of Gerald and Mary Ann Botkin. The Bible study grew and the group was formed into a OPC chapel. Mr. Urban and his wife, Gwen, then rented a large house in Leesburg which served as the group's meeting place as well as home to the Urbans and the Christian school they ran.

In 1977, the Rev. Edward Kellogg, father-in-law to Mr. Urban, was called to serve as Associate Pastor. Mr. Kellogg retired in 1983, and Mr. Urban stepped down as pastor the next year. The Rev. Douglas Felch served as pastor from 1984-1992. The Rev. George "Chip" Hammond became pastor of Bethel OPC and served until 2025.

Picture: Chip Hammond