BUILDING A LEGACY...

CHERISHING THE PAST, EXPERIENCING THE PRESENT, ENVISIONING THE FUTURE

Laurel Hill United Methodist Church is rich in history as a church family committed to a life in Christ.  We began in the heart of Varina almost 150 years ago; the church has grown through its existence as a church-hospital in the Civil War, as a circuit church, and survived a disastrous fire which destroyed the sanctuary about 50 years ago.  Then, dedicated, Spirit-filled Christians worked hard together to build a new sanctuary.  That hard work has continued with many new improvements including a new addition connecting the sanctuary and educational building, the installation of an elevator providing total accessibility throughout both buildings, remodeling the education building and the installation of 18 stained glass windows.  Faithful clergy and laity ministering together have established a legacy of dedication and service which enables Laurel Hill to be a beacon of light in our community, in our world and to all who follow for generations to come.  

  David & Becky Torrence arrived at Laurel Hill as our Parsonage Family in July 2003.  God called them into full-time pastoral ministry in June 1974 and David was hired as the Associate Pastor at Timberlake UMC on the Lynchburg District in February 1975.  Having completed pre-requisites, they were appointed by Bishop Goodson in June 1976 as Pastor of the Bedford-Springs Campbell Charge in Evington, Virginia, serving until June 1979, at which time they were appointed to the New Kent Charge, consisting of Providence UMC and Pamunkey UMC, on the Ashland District.  They remained at Providence for 19 1/2 years, leaving in January, 1999, to serve Asbury-Memorial UMC in Chesterfield County.

David & Becky are proud of their family, consisting of their daughter, Sherri and her husband Tim & their daughter, Alexandra; their son, Burt and his wife, Terri & daughters Jaelin and Shae; and their son, Gene and his wife, Heather, & their three daughters, Stephanie, Kirsten and Grayson.

David & Becky firmly believe that God called them into ministry together and have endeavored to serve the God they love as a team.  They continue to look forward to being a part of what God has in store for His church in the Varina community.