Getem Services Celebrates 100 Years

NORFOLK, Va.  - Getem Services, Norfolk, Va., has been celebrating 100 years in business in 2022. The business was founded in 1922 by Luther Church Sr., and is still owned and operated by the Church family.

When Luther Church founded Getem in 1922, Norfolk was a Navy town and Portsmouth sat across the Elizabeth River, while the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk didn’t exist yet. Since then, the region’s population has swelled to more than 1.5 million people.

Getem also has evolved during this time from a company that manufactured pesticides and cleaning products to a full-service residential and commercial business that services the entire Hampton Roads region.

Getem's first location was the basement of the Church family home at 218 E. 39th Street in Riverview. The company then moved downtown to Front Street before landing in its current location. Since 1947, the business has been in Lambert’s Point on 42nd Street near the campus of Old Dominion University. 

One of Luther Church’s lasting legacies was as a founder of the Virginia Pest Management Association, in 1948. Luther Church served as the first president of VPMA and Charlie Church served as president in 1998, which was the organization's 50th anniversary year.

Getem services today is run by third-generation owner Charlie Church, along with son Chaz and daughter Carley Church, both graduates of James Madison University. They are all deeply involved in the family business, including the business and operation sides.

This year, Getem was the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce 2022 Norfolk Small Business of the Year as well as the 2022 Hampton Roads Regional Small Business of the year. 

Charlie Church said the company is “beyond honored” to have been chosen for these awards. “It truly shows the wonderful team we have created over the years. We hope to continue to service the Hampton Roads community for another 100 years," he said.