History 

Elder Albert Zellars, a dedicated layman, always had a zeal for spreading the Everlasting Gospel. Elder Zellars was a member of the DuPont Park SDA Church in SE Washington DC, where Elder John C. Smith was the pastor. One of the members of Dupont Park Church, sister Johnnye Thomas asked Elder Zellars to go with her to Brandy Station to meet a group of believers who had been part of a Seventh-day Adventist Company that had disbanded in 1975. After a time, these precious
souls decided that they would get together and pray and start a new company in the Brandy Station area.

They met in the home of Regina Barksdale, who lived in Brandy Station. The group continued to grow and had to be moved into the basement of Sister Carrie Williams’ Rest Home. The group realized the need for organization so that the work could continue to grow. They wanted to remain
a laymen group under the umbrella of the Allegheny East Conference. Sis Johnnye Thomas took the matter to Elder John C Smith. Elder Smith presented the request for the organization of this group to be continued by laymen. Elder Smith was appointed by the Allegheny East Conference to come down and organize the group into a company in April 1976.The group desired that Elder Zellars continue to be the leader of the company. Albert Zellars was ordained as an Elder and given his credentials under the Pastorage of O. S. White, district Pastor of the Rocky Mountain and Wilson NC Diocese, South Atlantic Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

After the Company was organized in Brandy Station in 1976, they decided on a name. PENUEL became our name, taken from Genesis 32:30-31, meaning “The Face of God.” After worshipping for many months in the basement of Carrie Williams’ home, the believers had a mind to build. Pledges were made, and monies began to flow into the building fund. Sister Regina Barksdale donated the land, and she and Sister Carrie Williams donated the bricks for the construction of the new church building. In July 1980, a dedication service was held by Elder Mead Van Putten and Elder Paul Cantrell who was appointed to serve as liaison between Penuel and the conference.

The Lord prospered Penuel spiritually as well as financially. On June 20, 1987, the mortgage burning ceremony was held. We give all praises to God. Yes, God’s movement is going to triumph in the
end. We, at PENUEL hope to be a part of it when the ”Saints Go Marching In.“