Like all Presbyterian churches In Danville, Shelton Memorial — which celebrated its centennial In June — emerged from the outreach of the First (Presbyterian) Church. In the 1880s then-First Presbyterian pastor Dr. Alexander Martin led periodic services in the original mission on Farrar Street. A chapel was then built on upper North Main Street with the Rev. Mr. McLean of Chatham holding services once a month. In June of 1889 the mission was organized into a church of 35 members, with three elders and three deacons. The Rev. Mr. Doggett who had led the mission since December of 1888, was called as first pastor. Owing to the generosity of Mr. W. N. Shelton, the church purchased the corner at North Main Street and East Thomas and began work on the present church, which was completed and dedicated the following summer. Mr. Shelton, a prosperous leaf tobacco dealer, was an early trustee of First Presbyterian, founded In 1826. Since 1908, when the Rev. Mr. Doggett stepped down after two decades of service, Shelton Memorial has been blessed with a number of distinguished pastors, none however with longer tenure than Dr. Paul W. Hodge, who was called to the church in 1927Just after graduation from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond; he remained in this pastorate until 1961. Now 97, Dr. Hodge (currently serving as pastor of Red House Presbyterian Church) was guest speaker for Shelton Memorial’s Centennial Celebration last June 25. The Rev. Mr. Adolf Otersen, Jr., has been pastor for some 16 years. 

Lauded In Russell Wright’s 1971 Architectural Inventory as a NOTABLE example of a late-l9th-century brick church in the Gothic Revival style, Shelton Memorial looks much as it did a century ago. Only the Fellowship Hall built in 1954 departs from the original design. The original red brick exterior, has been painted for a number of years, most recently in a soft Candlelight Ivory shade. One arresting feature of the church is its round-headed windows with Victorian stained art-glass windows, predominantly in liturgical shades of gold and purple, with red and pink accents. In 1985 these windows, valued conservatively at $78,000, were repaired, restored, and sealed with storm glazing. Their vibrant colors enliven the serene sanctuary ornamented with clustered columns and simple Victorian-design vaulting. The ornate pulpit and a matching stand nearby are original furnishings. Beautiful chimes In the balcony were Installed as a memorial gift in 1952. 

Of special interest during the holidays is the white and gold Crismon tree which dominates the sanctuary. Also, for the centennial the women of the church fashioned a Centennial Quilt — a year in the making — which hangs in the entrance Just behind the sanctuary. Downstairs In the Fellowship Hall, where refreshments will be served, is another, earlier quilt made in 1927. Many of the names of members from more than 60 years ago are carefully stitched into its colorful squares.