Our Story, 70 years and counting

Bon Air Baptist Church began when Woodland Heights Baptist Church conducted a prospective member survey in the summer of 1952, in the Bon Air area. In late August of that year, Bon Air Baptist Chapel held the first Vacation Bible School for children then established Sunday School for all ages and later began worship services in the old Bon Air Community House. This was the beginning of our history.

Rev. Dr. Phillip Rodgerson served as the first pastor from 1953 to 1966. On the first Sunday, 25 persons became members, and the Sunday school enrollment was 35. The following spring, ground was broken for the first unit of the present building. The Bon Air Chapel was organized as Bon Air Baptist Church and received into the Richmond Baptist Association in August 1957. One year later, the church was debt free and started making plans for the next unit of the building program. Bon Air Baptist, having always been a mission-minded church and aware of what Woodland Heights had done for them, voted to sponsor a mission in the Old Gun Road area in April 1964, resulting in the establishment of Huguenot Road Baptist Church. During his pastorate of 13 years, the membership rose from 25 to approximately 900, and Dr. Rodgerson baptized over 300 believers.

Rev. Robert F. Cochran served as Pastor from 1966 to 1986. The church continued to grow, adding a south wing, pipe organ and additional sanctuary space in the form of transepts, bringing the seating capacity to 1,100. A nursery school was established with Kindergarten and 4-year-olds. The prison ministry was added, bell choirs and orchestra for special events, English as a Second Language, and adoption of a sister church in Massachusetts under Rev. Cochran.

Rev. James D. Pardue served as Pastor from 1988 to 2001. Highlights of these years include planting Woolridge Road Mission which became Woolridge Road Baptist Church, the establishment of a mission partnership with Goshen Baptist Association, and new ministries--counseling, internationals, multi-housing, and Rainbow class for special needs adults. Partnerships were established with the Japanese School of Richmond, St. Joseph’s Villa, and Celebrate Recovery, known today as NorthStar Community. Bon Air established two missionary residences adjacent to its property. 

Rev. Dr. Travis Collins served as Senior Pastor from 2002 to 2014. A multi-site strategy was developed to strategically plant worshiping communities. Sunday worship services included seven separate services among four campuses. The church purchased property (9.3 acres) with a 5,000 square ft. structure that was renovated to house the James River Campus.

Rev. Dr. Tom Stocks served as Lead Pastor from 2015 to 2022 after serving as the interim pastor for the 18 months prior. Under his leadership, Bon Air Baptist Church continued its long-standing tradition of missions in our community and the world. Proclaiming the Grace of God – Growing Followers of Christ, striving to be a place to belong and a place to become, along with embracing the culture of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality to help us in our journey. Two campuses with worship services, Sunday classes for all ages, weekly small groups and discipleship classes have helped our congregation create community, learn, and grow together.