Westminster Presbyterian Church - Spartanburg, SC

Church History

Our Beginning

1956 Our property was purchased by Enoree Presbytery and First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg. A survey indicated 27 families interested in starting new church.
1959 The Reverend Leonard Topping of First Presbyterian Church leads these families in worship service at Spartanburg High School (125 members). In October, a petition was presented to Presbytery to formally charter the Church on December 30, 1959.
1960 The Reverend Joe Brooks becomes first full-time pastor. In January, Building Committee appointed to raise $53,000 for Fellowship Hall and 15 classrooms. The church was incorporated on June 6 as Westminster Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Inc.
1962 Our first service held in Fellowship Hall on June 10th.

Dr. Fred Poag, Minister First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, SC

Watch Us Grow

- 1965 A Building Committee was appointed for more Sunday School classrooms and a sanctuary.

- 1970 Our sanctuary and Sunday School classrooms were completed.

- 1983 Our offices moved to the house which was the original manse at 104 Pineville Road. Also, T.O.T.A.L. Ministries was launched by church members.

- 1985 The 'Emory Road House" (105 Emory Road) was purchased. It was used as a manse for the associate pastor. The "Emory Road House," as it is affectionately known, is now the youth meeting rooms and youth staff offices.

- 1987 Our gym and kitchen were added to the existing church structure.

- 1988 Our partnership with Young Life began.

And we continue in our growth and service to our community...

- 1991 Added parking, a new playground, and other projects. Also, our organ was dedicated in the sanctuary.

- 1994-1995 Our fellowship hall, gymnasium (sound), and parlor were remodeled

- 1995 Steve Wise was ordained and installed as Pastor to Youth and Youth Outreach.

- 1996-1999 Financial Freedom Campaign began as a means to become a debt-free church

- 1999 Celebrated a debt-free church. The church also started a Capital Fund with Spartanburg County Foundation to stay debt-free

- 2000 Charles Horne retired after 20 years of service.

- 2002 Paul M. Petersen was installed as our fourth senior pastor.

- 2006 Start of our Contemporary Worship service in August.

- 2011 Our current mission and vision statements were approved.

- 2012 New bylaws were adopted.

- 2013 Westminster moved from the PCUSA to ECO to better align with our theological and reformed identity.

- 2014-2016 Developed strategic objectives:

Lead children to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and provide for their spiritual growth by establishing the highest comprehensive gospel-centered programs.
Develop engaged young adults to help them spiritually grow.
Invigorate everyone’s faith by encouraging connections to smaller communities.
Strengthen marriages and families.
Study the feasibility and implement a plan to plant an ECO church.

- 2017 A Master Plan Steering Committee began the discerning work of building expansion and impact on our local neighborhood. This work allowed WPC's leadership to understand and prepare for future building needs.

-2018 WPC's Session (leadership board) was reduced from 30 to 18 elders, with a new emphasis on Ministry Teams to lead various ministries throughout the church.

- 2019 Rev. Dr. Paul Petersen retired after 17 years of ministry;
Rev. Dr. Steve Wise was installed as WPC's fifth senior pastor.

- 2020 WPC began streaming services in response to COVID but continued to meet for weekly worship.

- 2021 Membership surpassed 1000 covenant partners.

- 2022 Launched a new Parent Ministry to engage young parents and provide resources to help them grow as spiritual leaders.

- 2023 The Session approved relocating office space to a rennovated home nearby to make room for future small groups. Over 270 children participated in Vacation Bible School.

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