West Raleigh Presbyterian Church

"A community of God's people, nurtured in the love of Jesus Christ, supporting each other and reaching out to the campus, city and world beyond."

27 Horne Street, Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 828-5468

Our history can be summarized by noting the significant directions the church has gone under the leadership of each of our seven pastors. Rev. Joseph Walker served as Organizing Pastor. Seventy-eight members signed the charter for the new church in 1927.  The congregation met on the NC State Campus (State College) in Pullen Hall until, by 1932 and with $2000.00, the Little Brown Church was built as a temporary structure.

 

Under the leadership of its second pastor, Rev. John Grey (1934 – 1944), West Raleigh’s long history of community involvement was established. The first Raleigh unit of Alcoholics Anonymous began meeting in the building. Boy Scout Troop 303 began meeting in 1934 and continued into the 1980s.

The church took on a strong evangelical emphasis with Rev. Ed Agsten (1945-1954). An “outpost” Sunday school class successfully nurtured a new congregation into being: Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church. West Raleigh also began a long-standing commitment to missionaries when it supported a missionary couple to Brazil. In 1952, WRPC celebrated the building of the much-needed new sanctuary.

The arrival of Rev. John Brown coincided with a whole new area of ministry opening up for West Raleigh. In 1959, WRPC christened a new Christian Education Building and Campus Christian Life Center. This became a home for Sunday school classes and a Day School for children - West Raleigh Presbyterian Children’s Center.  WRPC’s emphasis on children was also seen in its involvement with programs such as Head Start and Loaves & Fishes. 

         

The “outward journey” of socially-conscious ministry that remains a strong character trait of this church took shape under the leadership of Rev. Al Dimmock. He, along with leaders of the congregation, had a hand in the building of Capital Towers, an apartment for low-income elderly. Al was the first president of the Raleigh Urban Council. The early 1960’s were a time of great racial tensions, and WRPC was on the forefront of seeking reconciliation. The church worked with the black community in organizing daycare at Halifax Court, a housing project. Members also worked with the city on the Southside redevelopment plan, a plan that sought to meet the housing needs of poor, mostly black individuals. During this time, the church commissioned the memorial stained-glass windows that adorn the worship of God in the sanctuary each week.

          

The “inward journey” became the focus of ministry with the Rev. Sandy McGeachy (1978-1989). Sandy was enthusiastic about the human potential movement and incorporated these philosophies into his ministry.  

          

Rev. Joseph Ward, our pastor since 1991, has sought to nurture an integration of worship and mission—inward and outward journeys, combined. New mission groups have emerged in response to concerns for the homeless, women emerging from prison, and the need for transportation in our area. Campus Ministry, no longer a program of the Synod, has become more directly related to West Raleigh and other congregations of in the area. Along with the ministry of Presbyterian Women, it has added congregational care through Stephen Ministry and Martha Ministry. Disciple Bible Study groups and small groups called Renovare also serve to nurture the faith journeys of its people.

          

The foundation of our forefathers and foremothers has made it clear that God has worked powerfully in the past to bring healing and transformation to all of God’s people – both inside and outside the walls of the church. God is not yet finished! 

Raleigh | Durham | Research Triangle Park | North Carolina State University

© 2008 West Raleigh Presbyterian Church.™ All Rights Reserved.

West Raleigh Presbyterian Church was founded in 1927 to serve two communities: the growing college student population and the growing neighborhoods of Cameron Park and Fairmont. It was the hope that the students would find in West Raleigh Presbyterian a home church away from home. In effect, the church sought to reach out to two groups, binding them together in ministry to each other.

A Brief History

WRPC is a member congregation of Presbyterian Church (USA).