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92-481: Began in 1956 by a group of thirty-five members, including Jerry Falwell , Thomas Road now claims more than 24,200 members. The first meeting of Thomas Road was held on June 17 at Mountain View Elementary School. On June 24, 1956, The church held its first service in what was the former Donald Duck Bottling Company building. In 1964, Thomas Road moved into its second auditorium that seated 1,000 people. In 1969,

184-415: A historic site . To avoid the many visitors at Monticello , Thomas Jefferson in 1806 developed a plantation and house near Lynchburg, called Poplar Forest . He often visited the town, noting, "Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be useful to the town of Lynchburg. I consider it as the most interesting spot in the state." In 1810, Jefferson wrote, "Lynchburg is perhaps the most rising place in

276-472: A school voucher system which would allow parents to send their children to either public or private schools. In his book America Can Be Saved he wrote that "I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won't have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them." Falwell supported President George W. Bush 's Faith Based Initiative , but had strong reservations concerning where

368-744: A segregation academy and as a ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church. The Liberty Christian Academy is recognized as an educational facility by the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Virginia State Board of Education, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools , and the Association of Christian Schools International . In 1971, Falwell co-founded Liberty University with Elmer L. Towns . Liberty University offers over 350 accredited programs of study, with approximately 13,000 students on-campus and 90,000 online. The Moral Majority became one of

460-483: A Soviet-backed revolution. He also urged his followers to buy up gold Krugerrands and push US "reinvestment" in South Africa. In 1985 he drew the ire of many when he called Nobel Peace Prize winner and Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu a phony "as far as representing the black people of South Africa". In 1994, Falwell promoted and distributed the video documentary The Clinton Chronicles: An Investigation into

552-513: A bond of friendship to the gay and lesbian community. We've said go somewhere else, we don't need you here [at] our churches. " In February 1999 a National Liberty Journal article (the media attributed it to Falwell) claimed that Tinky Winky, a Teletubby , was intended as a homosexual role model. The NLJ is a publication of the university he founded. An article published in 1998 by the Salon website had referred to Tinky Winky's status as an icon for

644-525: A celebration in heaven." He later denied saying this. Falwell also regularly linked the AIDS epidemic to LGBT issues and stated, "AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals, it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals." After comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian, Falwell referred to her in a sermon as "Ellen DeGenerate". DeGeneres responded, "Really, he called me that? Ellen DeGenerate? I've been getting that since

736-606: A downtown area referred to as the "Buzzard's Roost." Methodist preacher and later bishop John Early became one of Lynchburg's civic leaders; unlike early Methodist preachers who had urged abolition of slavery during the Great Awakening ; Early was of a later generation that had accommodated to this institution in the slave societies of the South. On December 3, 1840, the James River and Kanawha Canal from Richmond reached Lynchburg. It

828-558: A four-season humid subtropical climate ( Köppen Cfa ), with cool winters and hot, humid summers. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 35.9 °F (2.2 °C) in January to 76.0 °F (24.4 °C) in July. Nights tend to be significantly cooler than days throughout much of the year due in part to the moderate elevation. In a typical year, there are 27.4 days with a high temperature 90 °F (32 °C) or above, and 6.2 days with

920-461: A group headed by Jerry Falwell purchased $ 10 million in commercials on southern radio and TV to brand me as a traitor to the South and no longer a Christian." As head of the Moral Majority, Falwell consistently pushed for Republican candidates and for conservative politics. This led Billy Graham to criticize him for "sermonizing" about political issues that lacked a moral element. Graham stated at

1012-423: A high of 32 °F (0 °C) or below. Snowfall averages 11.6 inches (29 cm) per season but this amount varies highly with each winter; the snowiest winter is 1995–96 with 56.8 in (144 cm) of snow, but the following winter recorded only trace amounts, the least on record. The average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity. The plant hardiness zone

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1104-419: A household in the city was $ 32,234, and the median income for a family was $ 40,844. Males had a median income of $ 31,390 versus $ 22,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,263. About 12.3% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over. Lynchburg ranks below the 2006 median annual household income for

1196-686: A line in the Norfolk and Western Railway , and last as part of the Norfolk Southern Railway . The Orange and Alexandria Railroad stopped in Lynchburg. During the American Civil War , Lynchburg served as a Confederate transportation hub and supply depot. It had 30 hospitals, often placed in churches, hotels, and private homes. In June 1864, Union forces of General David Hunter approached within 1-mile (1.6 km) as they drove south from

1288-542: A line of distinction, we should not attempt to cross that line. In 1977, Falwell supported Anita Bryant 's campaign, which was called by its proponents " Save Our Children ", to overturn an ordinance in Dade County, Florida , prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation , and he supported a similar movement in California. Twenty-eight years later, during a 2005 MSNBC television appearance, Falwell said he

1380-1301: A low concrete wall at the Pickeral Café. Falwell met Macel Pate on his first visit to Park Avenue Baptist Church in 1949; Macel was a pianist there. They married on April 12, 1958. The couple had sons Jerry Jr. (a lawyer, and former chancellor of Liberty University) and Jonathan (senior pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church) and a daughter Jeannie (a surgeon). Falwell and his wife had a close relationship, and she supported him throughout his career. The Falwells often appeared together in public, and they did not shy away from showing physical affection. Reflecting on his marriage, Falwell jokingly commented, "Macel and I have never considered divorce. Murder maybe, but never divorce." Macel appreciated her husband's non-combative, affable nature, writing in her book that he "hated confrontation and didn't want strife in our home   ... he did everything in his power to make me happy." The Falwells were married nearly fifty years until his death. He graduated from Brookville High School in Lynchburg, and from then-unaccredited Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri , in 1956. He enrolled there to subvert Pate's relationship with her fiancé who

1472-518: A magic bag which the NLJ and Salon articles said was a purse. Falwell added that "role modeling the gay lifestyle is damaging to the moral lives of children". Lynchburg, Virginia Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. First settled in 1757 by ferry owner John Lynch , the city's population was 79,009 at the 2020 census , making Lynchburg

1564-652: A promise to ride the water slide at Heritage USA. Despite this, Falwell was unable to revive the ministry from bankruptcy and he resigned in October 1987. Defunct Newspapers Journals TV channels Websites Other Economics Gun rights Identity politics Nativist Religion Watchdog groups Youth/student groups Miscellaneous Other Falwell advocated beliefs and practices influenced by his version of biblical teachings. In 1989, he told Liberty University employees that membership in his church and tithing were mandatory. Falwell felt

1656-486: A tobacco trading, then commercial, and much later an industrial center. Eventually the state built a canal and towpath along the river to make transportation by the waterway easier, and especially to provide a water route around the falls at Richmond, which prevented through navigation by boat. By 1812, U.S. Chief Justice John Marshall , who lived in Richmond, reported on the navigation difficulties and construction problems on

1748-526: A train was continuously run up and down the tracks while drummers played and Lynchburg citizens cheered as if reinforcements were disembarking. Local prostitutes took part in the deception, misleading their Union clients about the large number of Confederate reinforcements. Narcissa Owen ( Cherokee ), wife of the president of the Lynchburg and Tennessee Railroad , later wrote about her similar deception of Union spies. From April 6 to 10, 1865, Lynchburg served as

1840-437: Is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 5 °F (−15 °C). Temperature extremes range from 106 °F (41 °C), recorded on July 10, 1936, down to −11 °F (−24 °C), recorded on February 20, 2015 . However, several decades may pass between 100 and 0 °F (38 and −18 °C) readings, with the last such occurrences being July 8, 2012 and February 20, 2015, respectively. One of

1932-785: Is not a liberal or conservative value. It's an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on." Falwell's relationship with Israeli prime minister, Menachem Begin was reported in the media in the summer of 1981. His staunch pro- Israel stand, sometimes referred to as " Christian Zionism ", drew the support of the Anti-Defamation League and its leader Abraham Foxman . However, they condemned what they perceived as intolerance towards Muslims in Falwell's public statements. They also criticized him for remarking that "Jews can make more money accidentally than you can on purpose." In his book Listen, America! Falwell referred to

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2024-920: Is one of the country's largest institutions of higher education and the largest employer in the Lynchburg region. The university states that it generates over $ 1 billion in economic impact to the Lynchburg area annually. Lynchburg has ten recognized historic districts, four of them in the downtown residential area. Since 1971, 40 buildings have been individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Downtown Lynchburg has undergone significant revitalization, with hundreds of new loft apartments created through adaptive reuse of historic warehouses and mills. Since 2000, downtown has attracted private investments of more than $ 110 million, and business activity increased by 205% from 2004 to 2014. In 2014, 75 new apartment units were added to downtown Lynchburg, with 155 further units under construction, increasing

2116-877: The Haudenosaunee , or Iroquois Confederacy based in New York, defeated them. The Seneca had ranged south while seeking new hunting grounds through the Shenandoah Valley to the West. At the Treaty of Albany in 1718, the Iroquois Five Nations ceded control of their land east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Lynchburg, to the Colony of Virginia ; they confirmed this in 1721. First settled by Anglo-Americans in 1757, Lynchburg

2208-578: The 11th most populous city in Virginia . Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River , Lynchburg is known as the " City of Seven Hills " or the "Hill City". In the 1860s, Lynchburg was the only city in Virginia that was not recaptured by the Union before the end of the American Civil War . Lynchburg lies at the center of a wider metropolitan area close to

2300-742: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) founded Lynchburg Christian College (later Lynchburg College ) in what had been the Westover Hotel resort, which went bankrupt in the Panic of 1901 . During the 2018–19 school year, the college's name was changed to the University of Lynchburg , reflecting its expansion of graduate-level programs and research. Lynchburg's first public library, the Jones Memorial Library , opened in 1907. During World War I,

2392-446: The Lynchburg and Tennessee Railroad . By the 1850s, Lynchburg (along with New Bedford, Massachusetts ) was among the richest towns per capita in the US. Tobacco (including the manufacture of plug tobacco in factories using rented slave labor), slave-trading, general commerce, and iron and steel manufacturing powered the economy. Railroads had become the wave of the future. Construction on

2484-525: The Shenandoah Valley . Confederate troops under General John McCausland harassed them. Meanwhile, the city's defenders hastily erected breastworks on Amherst Heights. Defenders were led by General John C. Breckinridge , who was an invalid from wounds received at the Battle of Cold Harbor . Union General Philip Sheridan appeared headed for Lynchburg on June 10, as he crossed the Chickahominy River and cut

2576-528: The South River Friends Meetinghouse . Quakers later abandoned the town because of their moral opposition to slave-holding. Presbyterians took over the grounds of the meetinghouse in 1899, and adapted it as a church, later building a new church adjacent to the site, and restoring the Quaker meetinghouse to the buildings historical appearance. The meeting house and burial ground are now preserved as

2668-787: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 49.6 square miles (128.5 km ), of which 49.2 square miles (127.4 km ) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km ) (1.0%) is water. The first neighborhoods of Lynchburg developed upon seven hills adjacent to the original ferry landing. These neighborhoods include: Other major neighborhoods, with more upside, include Tinbridge Hill, Boonsboro, Trents Ferry, Rivermont, Fairview Heights (Campbell Ave corridor), Jackson Heights, Federal Hill (Federal Street, Jackson Street, Harrison Street) Fort Hill, Forest Hill (Old Forest Rd. Area), Timberlake, Windsor Hills, Sandusky, Sheffield, Linkhorne, Cornerstone and Wyndhurst. Lynchburg has

2760-661: The United States Supreme Court in Buck v. Bell . She was classified as "feeble-minded" and sterilized while a patient at the Virginia State Colony. Sterilizations were carried out for 35 years until 1972, when the operations were halted. Later in the late 1970s, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a class-action lawsuit against the state of Virginia on behalf of the sterilization victims. In

2852-664: The Vietnam War was being fought with "limited political objectives", when it should have been an all out war against the North . In general, Falwell held that the president "as a minister of God" has the right to use arms to "bring wrath upon those who would do evil." On his evangelist program The Old-Time Gospel Hour in the mid-1960s, Falwell regularly featured segregationist politicians like governors Lester Maddox and George Wallace . About Martin Luther King he said: "I do question

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2944-542: The Virginia Central Railroad . However, Confederate cavalry under General Wade Hampton , including the 2nd Virginia Cavalry from Lynchburg under General Thomas T. Munford , defeated his forces at the two-day Battle of Trevilian Station in Louisa County, and they withdrew. This permitted fast-marching troops under Confederate General Jubal Early to reach within four miles of Lynchburg on June 16 and tear up

3036-521: The civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and the racial desegregation of public school systems by the US federal government. Liberty Christian Academy (LCA, founded as Lynchburg Christian Academy) is a Christian school in Lynchburg which was described in 1966 by the Lynchburg News as "a private school for white students". The Lynchburg Christian Academy later opened in 1967 by Falwell as

3128-621: The congregation to assume his father's duties as senior pastor of the church. Jonathan Falwell had previously served as the church's executive pastor since 1994. Thomas Road Baptist Church was initially affiliated with the Baptist Bible Fellowship International . However, since 1998, it has a dual affiliation with the Baptist Bible Fellowship and the Southern Baptist Convention , having entered

3220-617: The Alleged Criminal Activities of Bill Clinton . The video purported to connect Bill Clinton to a murder conspiracy involving Vince Foster , James McDougall , Ron Brown , and a cocaine - smuggling operation. The theory was discredited, but the recording sold more than 150,000 copies. The film's production costs were partly met by "Citizens for Honest Government", to which Falwell paid $ 200,000 in 1994 and 1995. In 1995 Citizens for Honest Government interviewed Arkansas state troopers Roger Perry and Larry Patterson regarding

3312-505: The Jewish people as "spiritually blind and desperately in need of their Messiah and Savior." In the 1984 book Jerry Falwell and the Jews , Falwell is quoted saying: I feel that the destiny of the state of Israel is without question the most crucial international matter facing the world today. I believe that the people of Israel have not only a theological but also a historical and legal right to

3404-462: The U.S. as a whole, which was $ 48,200, according to the US Census Bureau. In 2009, almost 27% of Lynchburg children lived in poverty. The state average that year was 14%. Of Virginia's larger metro areas, Forbes Magazine ranked Lynchburg the 5th best place in Virginia for business in 2006, with Virginia being the best state in the country for business. In the same survey, Lynchburg achieved

3496-411: The U.S.... It ranks now next to Richmond in importance...." Early Lynchburg residents were not known for their religious enthusiasm. The established Church of England supposedly built a log church in 1765. In 1804, evangelist Lorenzo Dow wrote: "...where I spoke in the open air in what I conceived to be the seat of Satan's Kingdom. Lynchburg was a deadly place for the worship of God'." That referred to

3588-488: The United States. In 1880, Lynchburg resident James Albert Bonsack invented the first cigarette-rolling machine. Shortly thereafter Dr. Charles Browne Fleet , a physician and pharmacological tinkerer, introduced the first micro-enema to be mass marketed over the counter. By the city's centennial in 1886, banking activity had increased sixfold over the 1860 level, which some attributed to slavery's demise. The Lynchburg Cotton Mill and Craddock-Terry Shoe Co. (which would become

3680-557: The accuracy of the claims made in The Clinton Chronicles ." Falwell condemned homosexuality as forbidden by the Bible. Homosexual rights groups called Falwell an "agent of intolerance" and "the founder of the anti-gay industry" for statements he had made and for campaigning against LGBT social movements . Falwell supported Anita Bryant 's 1977 "Save Our Children" campaign to overturn a Florida ordinance prohibiting discrimination on

3772-705: The area for over 10,000 years, driving the Virginia Algonquians eastward to the coastal areas. Explorer John Lederer visited one of the Siouan villages ( Saponi ) in 1670, on the Staunton River at Otter Creek, southwest of the present-day city, as did the Thomas Batts and Robert Fallam expedition in 1671. Siouan peoples occupied this area until about 1702; they had become weakened because of high mortality from infectious diseases. The Seneca people , who were part of

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3864-424: The area. Lynchburg lost its bid to gain access to an interstate highway. In the late 1950s, interested citizens, including Virginia Senator Mosby G. Perrow, Jr. , asked the federal government to change its long-planned route for the interstate highway, now known as I-64, between Clifton Forge and Richmond. Since the 1940s, maps of the federal interstate highway system showed a proposed northern route, bypassing

3956-595: The basis of sexual orientation and a similar movement in California. In urging the repeal of the ordinance, Falwell told one crowd, "Gay folks would just as soon kill you as look at you." When the LGBT-friendly Metropolitan Community Church was almost accepted into the World Council of Churches , Falwell called them "brute beasts" and stated that they are "part of a vile and satanic system" that "will be utterly annihilated, and there will be

4048-492: The behest of the SEC, in which the court exonerated the church and ruled that there had been no intentional wrongdoing. In 1989, Jerry Falwell told Liberty University employees that membership in the church and tithing were mandatory. 37°21′27″N 79°10′24″W  /  37.35750°N 79.17333°W  / 37.35750; -79.17333 Jerry Falwell Jerry Laymon Falwell Sr. (August 11, 1933 – May 15, 2007)

4140-463: The boosters who wanted Lynchburg to become the junction of that valley line and what became the Norfolk and Western Railroad , so the junction was moved to Big Lick. This later developed as the City of Roanoke . In the latter 19th century, Lynchburg embraced manufacturing (the city being sometimes referred to as the "Pittsburgh of the South"). On a per capita basis, it became one of the wealthiest cities in

4232-463: The canal and towpath. The General Assembly recognized the settlement's growth by incorporating Lynchburg as a town in 1805; it was not incorporated as a city until 1852. In between, Lynch built Lynchburg's first bridge across the James River, a toll structure that replaced his ferry in 1812. A toll turnpike to Salem, Virginia was begun in 1817. Lynch died in 1820 and was buried in the burial ground of

4324-684: The capital of Virginia after the Confederate government fled from Richmond. Governor William Smith and the Commonwealth's executive and legislative branches escaped to Lynchburg as Richmond surrendered on April 3. Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse , roughly 20-mile (32 km) east of Lynchburg, ending the Civil War. Lynchburg surrendered on April 12, to Union General Ranald S. Mackenzie . Ten days later, Confederate Brigadier General James Dearing died. He

4416-400: The church became a megachurch . In the same year, he began The Old-Time Gospel Hour , a nationally syndicated radio and television ministry. When Falwell died, his son Jonathan inherited his father's ministry, and took over as the senior pastor of the church. The weekly program's name was then changed to Thomas Road Live . During the 1950s and 1960s, Falwell spoke and campaigned against

4508-502: The church broke ground for two educational buildings plus a new 3,000-seat sanctuary. In 1971, the church founded Lynchburg Baptist College, now known as Liberty University , as well as Liberty Christian Academy in 1967 (known as Lynchburg Christian Academy until it moved and was renamed in 2005). Until 2004, the church was the location for a nationally syndicated religious broadcast known as The Old-Time Gospel Hour . This program now airs only locally in Lynchburg. Selected sermons from

4600-563: The city was 63.0% White , 29.3% African American , 0.2% Native American , 2.5% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.63% from other races , and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population. There were 25,477 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who

4692-626: The city's factories supported the war effort, and the area also supplied troops. The city powered through the Roaring Twenties and survived the Great Depression . Its first radio station, WLVA, began in 1930, and its airport opened in 1931. In 1938, the former fairgrounds were redeveloped as side-by-side baseball and football stadiums. Lynchburg's factories again worked 24 hours daily during World War II . In 1955, both General Electric and Babcock & Wilcox built high technology factories in

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4784-555: The convention by way of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia . Jerry Falwell started Lynchburg Baptist College by selling bonds to a small group of private investors. However, in 1972, the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated the bonds alleging Falwell's church committed "fraud and deceit" in the issuance of $ 6.5 million in unsecured church bonds. The church won a 1973 federal court case prosecuted at

4876-569: The fourth grade. I guess I'm happy I could give him work." Falwell's legacy regarding homosexuality is complicated by his support for LGBT civil rights (see "civil rights" section above), as well as his attempts to reconcile with the LGBT community in later years. In October 1999, Falwell hosted a meeting of 200 evangelicals with 200 gay people and lesbians at Thomas Road Baptist Church for an "Anti-Violence Forum", during which he acknowledged that some American evangelicals' comments about homosexuality entered

4968-597: The funding would go and the restrictions placed on churches: My problem is where it might go under his successors. ... I would not want to put any of the Jerry Falwell Ministries in a position where we might be subservient to a future Bill Clinton, God forbid. ... It also concerns me that once the pork barrel is filled, suddenly the Church of Scientology, the Jehovah Witnesses [ sic ],

5060-512: The geographic center of Virginia locally known as “the Lynchburg area”. It is the fifth-largest MSA in Virginia, with a population of 261,593. It is the site of several institutions of higher education, including Virginia University of Lynchburg , Randolph College , University of Lynchburg , Central Virginia Community College and Liberty University . Nearby cities include Roanoke , Charlottesville , and Danville . Monacan Indian Nation and other Siouan Tutelo -speaking tribes had lived in

5152-434: The lack of churches, which was corrected the following year. Itinerant Methodist Francis Asbury visited the town; Methodists built its first church in 1805. Lynchburg hosted the last Virginia Methodist Conference that bishop Asbury attended (February 20, 1815). As Lynchburg grew, prostitution and other "rowdy" activities became part of the urban mix of the river town. They were often ignored, if not accepted, particularly in

5244-551: The land. I am personally a Zionist, having gained that perspective from my belief in Old Testament Scriptures. I have also visited Israel many times. I have arrived at the conclusion that unless the United States maintains its unswerving devotion to the State of Israel, the very survival of that nation is at stake   ... Every American who agrees Israel has the right to the land must be willing to exert all possible pressure on

5336-437: The largest political lobbies for evangelical Christians in the United States during the 1980s. According to Falwell's self-published autobiography, the Moral Majority was promoted as being "pro-life, pro-traditional family, pro-moral, and pro-American" and was credited with delivering two thirds of the white evangelical vote to Ronald Reagan during the 1980 presidential election . According to Jimmy Carter, "that autumn [1980]

5428-760: The largest shoe manufacturer in the South) were founded in 1888. The Reusens hydroelectric dam began operating in 1903 and soon delivered more power. In 1886, Virginia Baptists founded a training school, the Lynchburg Baptist Seminary. It began to offer a college-level program to African-American students in 1900. Now named the Virginia University of Lynchburg , it is the city's oldest institution of higher learning. Not far outside town, Randolph-Macon Woman's College and Sweet Briar College were founded as women's colleges in 1893 and 1901, respectively. In 1903,

5520-414: The lifestyle, but that has nothing to do with the civil rights of that part of our constituency", said Falwell. When Carlson countered that conservatives "are always arguing against 'special rights' for gays," Falwell said equal access to housing and employment are basic rights, not special rights. "Civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera,

5612-537: The manufacturing centers at Lynchburg and Roanoke. But federal officials assured Virginia that the state would decide the route. Although initially favoring that northern route, Virginia's State Highway Commission eventually supported a southern route from Richmond via US-360 and US-460, which connected Lynchburg and Roanoke via US-220 from Roanoke to Clifton Forge, then continued west following US-60 into West Virginia. However, in July 1961, Governor J. Lindsay Almond and US Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges announced that

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5704-404: The mentally retarded for the purpose of eugenics . The operations were carried out at the institution. An estimated 8,300 Virginians were relocated to Lynchburg and sterilized there, making the city a "dumping ground" of sorts for the feeble-minded, poor, blind, epileptic, and those otherwise seen as genetically "unfit". Carrie Buck challenged the state sterilization, but it was finally upheld by

5796-400: The ministry until the scandal died down, but Falwell barred Bakker from returning to PTL on April 28, and referred to him as "probably the greatest scab and cancer on the face of Christianity in 2,000 years of church history". Later that summer, as donations to the ministry declined in the wake of Bakker's scandal and resignation, Falwell raised $ 20 million to keep PTL solvent and delivered on

5888-461: The most prominent nicknames of Lynchburg is the "City of Seven Hills." This is due to one prominent feature of its geography, the seven hills that are spread throughout the region. The seven hills are: College Hill, Garland Hill, Daniel's Hill, Federal Hill, Diamond Hill, White Rock Hill, and Franklin Hill. Note: the U.S. Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from

5980-541: The murder conspiracy about Vincent Foster. Perry and Patterson also gave information regarding the allegations in the Paula Jones affair . The infomercial for the 80-minute videotape included footage of Falwell interviewing a silhouetted journalist who claimed to be afraid for his life. The journalist accused Clinton of orchestrating the deaths of several reporters and personal confidants who had gotten too close to his supposed illegal activities. The silhouetted journalist

6072-521: The new Liberty University School of Law , and the Liberty Christian Academy. The church offers a variety of events and speakers, such as a creationist conference by Answers in Genesis . Founding pastor Falwell served as its senior pastor until his death on May 15, 2007. In a special business meeting called by the board of deacons on June 3, 2007, Jonathan Falwell was unanimously elected by

6164-430: The new Lynchburg and Tennessee railroad had begun in 1850 and a locomotive tested the track in 1852. A locomotive called the "Lynchburg" blew up in Forest, Virginia (near Poplar Forest) later that year, showing the new technology's dangers. By the Civil War, two more railroads had been built, including the South Side Railroad from Petersburg . It became known as the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad in 1870, then

6256-405: The number of housing units downtown by 48% from 2010 to 2014. In 2015, the $ 5.8-million Lower Bluffwalk pedestrian street zone opened. Notable projects underway in downtown by the end of 2015 include the $ 25-million Virginian Hotel restoration project, a $ 16.6-million restoration of the Academy Center of the Arts, and $ 4.6-million expansion of Amazement Square Children's Museum. According to

6348-420: The powers that be to guarantee America's support of the State of Israel at this time. Falwell repeatedly denounced certain teachings in public schools and secular education in general, calling them breeding grounds for atheism , secularism , and humanism , which he claimed to be in contradiction with Christian morality . He advocated that the United States change its public education system by implementing

6440-509: The previous year (and President George Washington was given stock, which he donated to charity) in order to "improve" the river down to Richmond , which was growing and was named as the new Commonwealth's capital. Shallow-draft James River bateau provided a relatively easy means of transportation through Lynchburg down to Richmond and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. Rocks, downed trees, and flood debris were constant hazards, so their removal became expensive ongoing maintenance. Lynchburg became

6532-407: The public education established under Virginia's Reconstruction-era legislature and Constitution of 1869, and built four new public schools. Previously, the only education for students from poor families was provided through St. Paul's Episcopal Church . Floods in 1870 and 1877 destroyed the city's bridges (which were rebuilt) and the James River and Kanahwa Canal (which was not rebuilt). The towpath

6624-605: The pulpit of the Thomas Road Baptist Church are now featured nationally on a syndicated program from Liberty University known as Live from Liberty . The church occupied a new multimillion-dollar facility on July 2, 2006. The new building is connected to an over 800,000 sq ft (74,000 m) facility formerly owned and operated by GE and Ericsson Mobile Communications to manufacture mobile phones and other telecommunications equipment. The existing building has been renovated to house offices, university classes,

6716-429: The racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. As of the 2010 census , there were 75,568 people, 25,477 households, and 31,992 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,321.5 people per square mile (510.2 people/km ). There were 27,640 housing units at an average density of 559.6 units per square mile (216.1 units/km ). The racial makeup of

6808-430: The realm of hate speech that could incite violence. At the forum, Falwell told homosexuals in attendance, "I don't agree with your lifestyle, I will never agree with your lifestyle, but I love you" and added, "Anything that leaves the impression that we hate the sinner, we want to change that." He later commented to New York Times columnist Frank Rich that "admittedly, evangelicals have not exhibited an ability to build

6900-576: The route would not be changed. Lynchburg was left as the only city with a population in excess of 50,000 (at the time) that was not served by an interstate. The Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded (now known as the Central Virginia Training School), was established outside Lynchburg in Madison Heights . For several decades throughout the mid-20th century, the state of Virginia authorized compulsory sterilization of

6992-429: The same movement. In response, Steve Rice, spokesperson for Itsy Bitsy Entertainment, which licenses Teletubbies in the United States, said, "I really find it absurd and kind of offensive." The UK show was aimed at pre-school children, but the article stated "he is purple–the gay pride color; and his antenna is shaped like a triangle –the gay-pride symbol". Apart from those characteristics Tinky Winky also carries

7084-549: The settlement, victims received formal apologies from the state and counseling if they chose, but the judiciary denied requests for the state to pay for reverse sterilization operations. In 1994, Buck's sterilization and litigation were featured as a television drama, Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story . The Manic Street Preachers address the issue in their song "Virginia State Epileptic Colony" on their 2009 album Journal for Plague Lovers . Liberty University , founded in 1971 as Lynchburg Baptist College and renamed in 1985,

7176-586: The sincerity and non-violent intentions of some civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mr. James Farmer, and others, who are known to have left-wing associations." In speaking of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, he said, in 1958: If Chief Justice Warren and his associates had known God's word and had desired to do the Lord's will, I am quite confident that the 1954 decision would never have been made. The facilities should be separate. When God has drawn

7268-541: The sons of Helen Virginia ( née Beasley) and Carey Hezekiah Falwell. His father was an entrepreneur and one-time bootlegger who was agnostic. His father shot and killed his own brother Garland and died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1948 at the age of 55. His paternal grandfather was a staunch atheist . Jerry Falwell was a member of a group in Fairview Heights known to the police as "the Wall Gang" because they sat on

7360-437: The time of Falwell's death, "We did not always agree on everything, but I knew him to be a man of God. His accomplishments went beyond most clergy of his generation." In March 1987, Pentecostal televangelist Jim Bakker came under media scrutiny when it was revealed that he had a sexual encounter (and alleged rape) with Jessica Hahn and had paid for her silence. Bakker believed that fellow Pentecostal pastor Jimmy Swaggart

7452-504: The tracks of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad to inhibit travel by Union reinforcements, while Confederate reinforcements straggled in from Charlottesville. On June 18, 1864, in the Battle of Lynchburg , Early's combined forces, though outnumbered, repelled Union General Hunter's troops. Lynchburg's defenders had taken pains to create an impression that the Confederate forces within the city were much larger than they were in fact. For example,

7544-408: The various and many denominations and religious groups—and I don't say those words in a pejorative way—begin applying for money—and I don't see how any can be turned down because of their radical and unpopular views. I don't know where that would take us. In the 1980s Falwell said sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa would result in what, he felt, would be a worse situation, such as

7636-440: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.92. The age distribution of the city had: 22.1% under the age of 18, 15.5% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 79.1 males. The median income for

7728-665: Was a native of nearby Campbell County and descendant of John Lynch; he had been wounded on April 6 at High Bridge during that Appomattox campaign. Mackenzie had visited his wounded friend and former West Point classmate, easing the transition of power. The railroads that had driven Lynchburg's economy were destroyed by the war's end. The residents of the city deeply resented occupying forces under General John Irvin Gregg , and worked more readily with his affable successor General Newton Martin Curtis . Thomas J. Kirkpatrick became superintendent for

7820-543: Was a student there. Falwell was later awarded three honorary doctorates: Doctor of Divinity from Tennessee Temple Theological Seminary , Doctor of Letters from California Graduate School of Theology , and Doctor of Laws from Central University in Seoul , South Korea. In 1956, aged 22, Falwell founded the Thomas Road Baptist Church . Originally located at 701 Thomas Road in Lynchburg, Virginia, with 35 members,

7912-523: Was an American Baptist pastor, televangelist , and conservative activist. He was the founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church , a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia . He founded Lynchburg Christian Academy ( Liberty Christian Academy ) in 1967, founded Liberty University in 1971, and co-founded the Moral Majority in 1979. Falwell and his twin brother Gene were born in the Fairview Heights area of Lynchburg, Virginia , on August 11, 1933,

8004-559: Was attempting to take over his ministry because he had initiated a church investigation into allegations of his sexual misconduct. To avoid the takeover, Bakker resigned on March 19 and appointed Falwell to succeed him as head of his PTL ministry, which included the PTL Satellite Network , television program The PTL Club and the Christian-themed amusement park Heritage USA . Bakker believed Falwell would temporarily lead

8096-516: Was extended as far as Buchanan, Virginia in 1851, but never reached a tributary of the Ohio River as originally planned. Lynchburg's population exceeded 6,000 by 1840, and a water works system was built. Floods in 1842 and 1847 wreaked havoc with the canal and towpath. Both were repaired. Town businessmen began to lobby for a railroad, but Virginia's General Assembly refused to fund such construction. In 1848 civic boosters began selling subscriptions for

8188-456: Was named for its founder, John Lynch . When about 17 years old, Lynch started a ferry service at a ford across the James River to carry traffic to and from New London , where his parents had settled. The "City of Seven Hills" quickly developed along the hills surrounding Lynch's Ferry. In 1786, Virginia's General Assembly recognized Lynchburg, the settlement by Lynch's Ferry on the James River. The James River Company had been incorporated

8280-530: Was not troubled by reports that the nominee for Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John G. Roberts (whose appointment was confirmed by the US Senate) had done volunteer legal work for gay rights activists on the case of Romer v. Evans . Falwell told then-MSNBC host Tucker Carlson that if he were a lawyer, he too would argue for civil rights for LGBT people. "I may not agree with

8372-484: Was subsequently revealed to be Patrick Matrisciana, the producer of the video and president of Citizens for Honest Government. "Obviously, I'm not an investigative reporter", Matrisciana admitted to investigative journalist Murray Waas . Later, Falwell seemed to back away from personally trusting the video. In an interview for the 2005 documentary The Hunting of the President , Falwell admitted, "to this day I do not know

8464-483: Was used as the bed for laying the rails of the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad , a project conceived five decades earlier. The city limits expanded in 1874. In 1881 that railroad was completed to Lynchburg, and another railroad reached it through the Shenandoah Valley . Lynchburg had a telegraph, about 15,000 residents, and the beginnings of a streetcar system. Many citizens, believing their city crowded enough, did not join

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