DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, Petersburg police arrested Reverend Dr. Curtis Glendell Mathews, 50, in his home in the 7700 block of Rolling Hill Road of Hopewell.
Mathews is charged with two felony counts of using a communication device for facilitating sex with a minor. A guardian of the female teen prompted the investigation after notifying police.
He is the pastor of Springfield Baptist Church in Dinwiddie County, which was established in 1867, and considered one of the oldest black churches in the South.
The church motto listed on the website is “A Church Where Everybody is Somebody and Christ is All,” as well as “A Service of Excellency.”
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday morning, Curtis is still listed as the Reverend.
Petersburg Commonwealth Attorney Cassandra Conove said Mathews was charged with "using communication means, computer, cellphone, any phone, to communicate messages of a sexual nature to a minor."
Conove also said two items were confiscated by police at his Prince George County home.
"We're dealing with at least a computer and a phone," she said.
Mathews is being held without bond in the Riverside Regional Jail.
Church members said they do not believe the teenage girl is related to the church.
"The relationship between the two at this point, is still being investigated to see if they knew each other prior to the contact online," said Petersburg Police's Esther Hyatt.
Members changed locks on the church's doors Wednesday afternoon, even though a search of the building by police Tuesday night did not turn up any evidence.
But what happened, is still a hot topic around town and among church goers.
Carolyn Diggs, who attends Springfield Baptist Church, said Curtis has been about the best pastor the church has ever had.
Diggs said she also spoke with the pastor's wife.
"I just told her you know, we're just have their family in prayer, just as well as our church family, we're just keep each other in prayer," said Diggs.
