Valley Community Church, Divine Science
5000 Carriage Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
(540) 774-5512
5000 Carriage Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
(540) 774-5512
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Our History
Our church began because one woman could not find a church where she felt
comfortable. Ebba Polfelt had only participated in one or two services at the First Divine
Science Church of Denver before her husband accepted a job in Roanoke. After they
moved here in 1965, she visited a number of churches but none seemed quite right for her.
She brought up the subject many times to her husband, John, who finally asked her,
"Have you ever been to a church you really liked?" She answered, "I really liked that
church in Denver. (The Mother Church of Divine Science)" John suggested she call
church in Denver. (The Mother Church of Divine Science)" John suggested she call
Denver and ask where the nearest Divine Science Church to Roanoke could be found.
Two telephone calls put her in touch with Dr. Grace Faus, the Divine Science minister in
Washington, D.C. Dr Faus suggested that Ebba invite some of her friends over to read and
discuss the denomination's text book. Dr Faus sent her several copies of "Divine Science
It's Principle and Practice" compiled by Fannie B James and Malinda E Cramer, two of the
founders of Divine Science.
Ebba began inviting friends to her home on Sunday afternoons. She always served coffee
in elegant little demitasse cups, along with her delicious homemade ginger cookies.
Friends started bringing other friends for the lively discussions that took place and the
group gradually outgrew the Polfelt living room. The meetings were moved to the Patrick
Henry Hotel and eventually the members decided to call the group, The First Divine
Science Church of Roanoke. Dr Faus and other members of the Washington D.C. Church
made many trips to Roanoke, periodically speaking on Sundays and teaching some of the
basic Divine Science classes. A succession of Divine Science ministers served in the
Roanoke church, stayed for various periods of time and finally left.
In 1972,After finding that there were no more Divine Science ministers available to move to
Roanoke, Maurita Wiggins, one of the original members became the lay leader of the
group, and began providing a Sunday morning sermon. Maurita took Divine Science
courses by correspondence and through summer courses. She became a licensed
minister in 1977 and was ordained in 1979.
In 1980, after meeting at the Patrick Henry Hotel for some thirteen years, the congregation
purchased two acres of land and built a sanctuary at 5000 Carriage Drive in southwest
Roanoke County. The name of the church was changed to Valley Community Church,
Divine Science in 1987.
Our church began because one woman could not find a church where she felt
comfortable. Ebba Polfelt had only participated in one or two services at the First Divine
Science Church of Denver before her husband accepted a job in Roanoke. After they
moved here in 1965, she visited a number of churches but none seemed quite right for her.
She brought up the subject many times to her husband, John, who finally asked her,
"Have you ever been to a church you really liked?" She answered, "I really liked that
church in Denver. (The Mother Church of Divine Science)" John suggested she call
church in Denver. (The Mother Church of Divine Science)" John suggested she call
Denver and ask where the nearest Divine Science Church to Roanoke could be found.
Two telephone calls put her in touch with Dr. Grace Faus, the Divine Science minister in
Washington, D.C. Dr Faus suggested that Ebba invite some of her friends over to read and
discuss the denomination's text book. Dr Faus sent her several copies of "Divine Science
It's Principle and Practice" compiled by Fannie B James and Malinda E Cramer, two of the
founders of Divine Science.
Ebba began inviting friends to her home on Sunday afternoons. She always served coffee
in elegant little demitasse cups, along with her delicious homemade ginger cookies.
Friends started bringing other friends for the lively discussions that took place and the
group gradually outgrew the Polfelt living room. The meetings were moved to the Patrick
Henry Hotel and eventually the members decided to call the group, The First Divine
Science Church of Roanoke. Dr Faus and other members of the Washington D.C. Church
made many trips to Roanoke, periodically speaking on Sundays and teaching some of the
basic Divine Science classes. A succession of Divine Science ministers served in the
Roanoke church, stayed for various periods of time and finally left.
In 1972,After finding that there were no more Divine Science ministers available to move to
Roanoke, Maurita Wiggins, one of the original members became the lay leader of the
group, and began providing a Sunday morning sermon. Maurita took Divine Science
courses by correspondence and through summer courses. She became a licensed
minister in 1977 and was ordained in 1979.
In 1980, after meeting at the Patrick Henry Hotel for some thirteen years, the congregation
purchased two acres of land and built a sanctuary at 5000 Carriage Drive in southwest
Roanoke County. The name of the church was changed to Valley Community Church,
Divine Science in 1987.
Patrick Henry Hotel
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Our current Church
Roanoke, Virgina
Roanoke, Virgina
FOLLOWING THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS