Central Steele Creek Presbyterian has been active in the Steele Creek community for over 200 years. We are a unique church in that we have not always been at this site and have not always been a Presbyterian Church.
Members of our first church were mostly second generation Scots-Irish Presbyterian who settled in the community in the 1750s and 1760s. The members of our church had roots with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland but there was not a sufficient number of them to have a church of their own. For over twenty years, they worshiped at Steele Creek Presbyterian but when enough had arrived in the area by 1790, they formed their first church which was located on Harris property on the North Carolina/South Carolina line near Carowinds Blvd.
The church was formed in 1793 and called Steele Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) but later referred to as Blackstock ARP, being named for their first minister, Rev. William Blackstock who was sent to them from the Presbytery of Down in Ireland.
By 1809 some of the ARPs had problems with changes like fasting before communion, singing of Watt s hymns, and several other issues. Of the five founding elders, two, William Ferguson and Jimmy Grier, broke from old Blackstock and formed a new church which was located on Sandy Porter Road in Steele Creek. That church was known as Little Steele Creek Associate Presbyterian (AP). These churches operated under separate presbyteries for almost forty years until the northern Associate Presbyterians asked the southern churches to release and free their slaves. At that point, all of the southern Associate Presbyterian churches reunited with the Associate Reformed Presbyterians. The two churches, Little Steele Creek and then called, Lower Steele Creek ARPs shared a minister.
In 1883 both churches were sold and the two chose a location centrally located between them and a new church, Central Steele Creek Associate Presbyterian, was dedicated in 1884 at the present location on the Yorkville Road.
By 1911, many of the members had moved into Charlotte to take jobs and the membership of the church dropped to 39 members. The remaining members voted to join with the Mecklenburg Presbytery of the Presbyterian faith so they could join with Pleasant Hill Presbyterian church in calling a minister to be shared by them. The relationship with Pleasant Hill remained through the ministry of Dr. Raymond A. Young until 1956.
Our church grew during that period of time until the one room church was no longer large enough to accommodate the growing needs of expanding Sunday school and other activities that had grown. A new sanctuary (the present sanctuary) was dedicated on July 3, 1949. After Dr. Young retired, Rev. Joe Stowe became our pastor and the church continued to grow. A new education building was dedicated in January 1958. A new rotation system of elders was instituted in 1957. Up until that time Elders and Deacons served for life after being elected. The following year, 1958, a rotation system for Deacons was started.
Because of programs with the teens, men s organization and an active women s organization were growing, a new Fellowship Hall was built and dedicated in 1960. Also, during that time period of Rev. Stowe, a new manse was built on property adjacent to the sanctuary.
At that time, as always before and since that time, the Woman of the Church was a strong organization that had been formed in 1883 and continues to be strong yet today. The men s organization of the church came into being during Rev. Stowe s time and continued for many years after he left. After the rotation of elders & deacons began, that organization became less active.
Rev. Christopher Murphy was our pastor for two years and Dr. Zane Moore followed shortly after that. Because of our growing church, chairs were being brought in for Sunday morning worship service, it was decided to enlarge the present sanctuary instead of building a new one. The extension of the present sanctuary with the addition of offices, resource center, parlor and kitchen was completed and dedicated on May 11, 1980.
At the time of the completion of the extended sanctuary, Dr. William (Chip) Summers, Jr. (1979 1983) was our minister and a new emphasis was put on social programs in the community such as the Battered Women s Shelter, the food banks and other programs. Another attempt at active youth groups was increased.
Dr. Joseph C. McCutchen joined us in 1984. He and his family lived in the manse until 1987. They purchased a home in the community on Delshire Lane. Thereafter, the manse was occupied by tenants. (Presently, the Steele Creek YWCA uses this facility for an after school program and teaching English and economics to people new to the US and to Charlotte.) During Dr. McCutchen's ministry, our church was involved with Charlotte's locaal CROP WALK and Habitat for Humanity.
During the 1980's, there were several traditions started that have remained. VIP's, which represented retired individuals in our church, was organized by Elmer Garrett. Leadership continued with Lena Young in 1989, Toni and Greta Lambert in 1995 and Marge Caselli became the leader in September 2005. This group enjoys monthly meetings, interesting speakers, trips, attend local events in Charlotte and usually ends with a good lunch and good fellowship. A yearly Christmas luncheon was started by Rozanna Lawing and Circle of Friends. It is held on the first Saturday in December for our senior members and retirees. A wonderful meal is planned and entertainment is provided. It has grown from 36 guest to 118 in 2005. Deborah Circle now joins us in planning the decorations and favors. In 1983 our Christmas Breakfast served on Sunday morning became a tradition. In 1984, Central Steele Creek Preschool program was organized by Diane Wilson and continues today serving our church members and community. We celebrated our 100th anniversary on May 20, 1984. Our first van was acquired April, 1986 Land was sold to the city so that Station #26 could be built in 1989. We have Sunday School lessons with these men and women on Sunday morning.
In 1990 the Mighty Acts Sunday School Class Golf Tournament began in the Spring. The proceeds help families during the holidays and with various church projects and expenses.
Dr. Jim Cockerham became an interim assistant pastor to Rev. McCutchen in November 1991. Rev. McCutchen resigned in February, 2005. Dr. Cockerham left in April, 1995. Dr Cockerham was very active in mission work, enjoyed Habitat for Humanity, was involved with our Bicentennial celebration in 1993 and organized a trip to Florida after Hurrican Andrew.
Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church was debt free in July, 1993.
In 1995, Rebecca Treadaway became the Director of Preschool.
In May, 1995 Dr. Charles R. MacDonald became Interim Minister and served us for one year.
Dr. James R. Young came in July, 1996. He expanded our spiritual growth and the involvement of our members in the church and community was growing. A need for a good youth program was a priority and the Rev. Carrie Evans joined us in 2003. Because of programs needed for the youth and a need for a larger facility to be used for community programs, it was decided to build a new Family Life Center which could serve not only our youth but more programs dedicated to serve our community.
During Dr. Young's ministry, Sheila Fetner became our choir director, the church BBQ in the fall began, Pine needle sales was started by The Mighty Acts of God Sunday School Class, Joy Cheek started The Disciples (men's chorus) in June of 1999 and Central's Trio was formed in September of 2002. The Disciples grew to 17 men's voices (not all of them from our church) and are led by Linda Blackwelder. Two or three concerts sponsored by these groups are open to the public each year.
The new family life center was dedicated on June 22, 2003. It was immediately put to use by the youth and various community activities. A partnership with the YMCA was formed.
Two very important traditions were started at Central when Eric and Joyce Smith joined our congregation. To prepare our church for Christmas there is the "Hanging of the Greens" and during Easter, Joyce introduced the "Tenebrae" (Service of Shadows).
Dr. Young accepted a call to a Virginia church and left us in 2005.
Dr. Joanne Sizoo became our Interim Minister on January 1, 2005. She is very involved in the life of our church, having a scheduled luncheon with members at least twice a month. The Session and Diaconate's responsibilities have been reorganized. Three persons have been added to the churches' staff, Sarah Grace Montgomery, Director of Christian Education started in August 2005, Peggy Blaine was hired as Secretary and Tom Schmutzler was hired as our Associate Director of Music. In August 2005, Morris Lawing with "Living the Word" Sunday School Class started a Cabaret held in our Family Life Center. A pasta buffet is served to over 200 guest and entertainment featuring church talent and a special appearance by Elvis impersonator, Mark Woodward.
On the second Friday on every month, Wray Moxley introduced Music Fest. This is open to the community. Hot dogs and hamburgers are served up with gospel music from around the Carolinas. The Disciples and Central Trio have also performed for this occasion.
This September, we are starting a Wednesday night program which will include supper, our regular choir schedule, Disciples' practice, activities for children, classes for adults (such as "Being a Caregiver" and Disciples' Bible Study). This will go through October and begin again in January 2007.
By Linda Blackwelder and Judy Brown