SMPC's History
SMPC’s first worship service was held February 24, 1991 at McAlpine Elementary School, with Dr. Stephen Caddell as founding pastor. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, a collection of individuals with varied faith experiences was transformed into a community of faith, believers in the sustaining power of God’s grace.
Only two years after its first worship service, SMPC had grown to 180 members and moved into a new multi-purpose church building at its present site. Steady growth continued and in the year 2000 we began construction of the present Christian education building and fellowship hall. By the year 2002 it was necessary to alleviate crowding once again, and we added a mobile “classroom cottage” which is used for Christian education space.
In August of 2004 we welcomed Dr. Matthew S. Brown as our new pastor. A life-long Presbyterian, Matt is originally from Missouri and is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA and has held pastorates in Charlotte, Hickory and Morganton, NC.
July 2005 marked the arrival of the Rev. Katherine Buckley Harrington, our Associate Pastor of Christian Education. From the time Katie entered Princeton Theological Seminary in the fall of 2001, she thrived in the dual degree program, focusing on Christian Education and youth ministry. After working at Princeton’s Institute for Youth Ministry, Katie graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with an M.Div. and M.A. in youth ministry in May, 2005.
Rev. Lynne Frech joined us in August of 2008 as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care. In May 2007, Lynne graduated from Columbia with a Master of Divinity degree. For a year after her graduation, Lynne worked on CPE residency at Crossroads Hospice where she cared for patients in their final days of life, and their families.
In September of 2006 we completed construction of an 8,200 square foot administrative building, which includes offices, additional Christian education space, a 50 seat chapel and a choir wing, and in September 2008 we broke ground on a 675 seat permanent sanctuary, with fellowship and gathering space, three classrooms and a parlor.
Our first worship service in our new sanctuary was held on Sunday, November 8, 2009.
Today we have grown from a new church development to a dynamic community of more than 1000 members. We literally have come from east and west, north and south to form a community of faith in this place: from California to Ohio to New York and New Jersey to Florida, as well as South Africa, Finland, Great Britain and Jamaica. Children are everywhere—over 70% of our 450+ families have children under 18 years old.
What a blessing to be a part of what the Lord of History has done and continues to do for us! Together we look forward with great joy and anticipation to our future in this corner of God’s kingdom.
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