History of Covenant Presbyterian Church

Covenant Presbyterian Church, nestled in the heart of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, boasts a profound history shaped by a commitment to unwavering truth. In the crucible of controversy over doctrinal fidelity, a pivotal moment unfolded in May of 1973. Under the visionary leadership of Pastor John Sartelle and Ruling Elders Earl Fletcher and Thurman Raines, a resolute majority of 68 members from Cedar Bluff Presbyterian Church chose to sever ties with their denominational affiliation—the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
Driven by deep convictions and a desire to uphold the doctrinal standards, these believers found themselves at a crossroads where their understanding of Scripture clashed with prevailing views within the denomination. Central to their concerns was the erosion of the Bible’s significance—the very Word they believed to be God’s infallible guide, sufficient to instruct humanity in matters of faith and duty.
The congregation found a new home within the folds of the newly established Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in July 1973. The PCA, guided by a commitment to being “true to the Scriptures, and the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ,” provided a fitting sanctuary for those seeking fidelity to their foundational beliefs.
Initially known as the Cedar Bluff Church, the congregation, on a significant Sunday—June 21, 1975, decided to embrace a new name: Covenant Presbyterian Church. This name encapsulated the essence of their collective journey—a covenant with God and each other, a visible body of Christ committed to obeying His Word. Each member publicly vowed to believe in Jesus Christ as the sole Lord and Savior, and to support the church in its worship, work, and communal life.
This commitment extends to the responsibility of Christian nurture when children are baptized—a sacred undertaking that binds the members together as a covenant community with God at its core. The covenant with God implies a steadfast obligation to obey Him in all aspects, as revealed in His Word. Scripture takes precedence in the life of Covenant Church, guiding its members to live in accordance with God’s will recorded in its sacred pages.
The mission of the Church, as illuminated in Scripture, involves ministering on three fronts simultaneously: worshiping God through service, ministering to the world through evangelism, and building itself up in Christlike maturity. This profound commission necessitates the unwavering devotion of each member to the collective journey.