MOMENTS IN HISTORY

1983 - 2020

On May 15, 1983, several members from Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, PCUS left not knowing where they were going but trusting the Sovereign God to raise up another church in Kingstree.

The first organizational meeting was held on Thursday, May 19, 1983, at the home of

Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kellahan. Thirty-nine people attended this meeting to discuss a possible association with Presbyterian Church of America. The group became known that night as the Kingstree Presbyterian Mission Church.

The first church service was held the following Sunday night, May 22, 1983, in a building previously used by the Western Auto Store. With unity of purpose, it was transformed into a place of worship. Reverend John Ropp, pastor of Westminister Church, Sumter, S. C., became the organizing minister for Kingstree Presbyterian Mission Church which on August 14, 1983, was constituted as Kingstree Presbyterian Church in America in Calvary Presbytery with 75 charter members. On November 6, 1983, Reverend Joseph Cleveland Sullivan was called to be the first minister and began his tenure at the beginning of 1984.

On December 2, 1984, the congregation voted to buy a parcel of land to be the future site of Kingstree Presbyterian Church.

By November 1985, the congregation numbered 100.

On May 31, 1987, the groundbreaking was held at the site of the new church and on

June 26, 1988, the first service was held in the new sanctuary. The dedication was held

August 14th with a sense of thankfulness and awe for all the Lord had provided.

Reverend Sullivan resigned December 31, 1989. Reverend John R. Dodd became the second pastor and was installed August 26, 1990.

The 10th anniversary and first Homecoming was held on August 15, 1993. With 195 in attendance, the mortgage was burned leaving the church debt free. Immediately a new building fund was established for the second phase - a fellowship hall.

On August 1, 1996, the new Youth Director, John R. Krueger, began his work, and at the end of August 1996, Reverend John R. Dodd retired.

On August 17, 1997, Reverend John-Gregory Farrell was welcomed into the pulpit following a unanimous congregational vote.

Meanwhile, the faithful work of Youth Director, John Krueger, was reaping dividends.

There was an average of about 20 each Wednesday for Bible study and "What Presbyterians Believe" and a Kid's Club for younger children was enthusiastically attended. There were many and varied activities. For the first time many were committing to have daily devotions; truly a time of growth, both in numbers and in knowledge of the Lord.

In 1998 a Youth Building on the rear of the property was completed. With a compact kitchen area, room for small group meetings and much needed storage, this new building, and its cemented area for cookouts, became the center for activity, study, meetings.

On April 26, 1998, the church voted to concentrate its efforts on the building fund that began in 1993 and focus on the new Fellowship Hall. By the middle of 1999, this fund totaled $184,000.00 and the Building Committee was submitting plans to contractors for bid!

Reverend John Gregory Farrell resigned in July 1999, to accept a call to Christ's Church PCA, in Katy, Texas. A Pulpit Search Committee was immediately formed and is diligently seeking God's will for a new pastor.

The church next called Reverend Dennis Nolen. Five youth ministers served the church during this period as well. Chronologically, they are, John Kruger, Lee Smith, Reverend Shelby Moon, Brandon Lutz, and Reverend Dan Doll. Reverend Nolen retired December 31, 2018, from ministry.

In April 2019, the Reverend Robert Jolly was called to serve as the fifth pastor of Kingstree Presbyterian Church. The following spring, May 2020, the church called Joe Womack to serve as Assistant Pastor of Youth and Families.