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 In
the early 1960's, the Norfolk Presbytery
purchased five acres of property where our
Church is located. The plan of the Presbytery
was to establish congregations in some strategic
locations of growth. It was thought that
Lynnhaven Presbyterian Church would relocate;
however, the congregation voted no.
A
small group of people, committed to the
establishment of a new church, began meeting
to pray and discuss plans to organize. On
September 3, 1961, the first worship service
for this group was conducted by the Rev.
Raymond Flitton, Organizing Pastor, called
by the Home Mission Committee. The congregation
met in King's Grant Elementary School. |
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| In
1962, an Organizational Committee and a Building
Committee were formed with James C. Spencer
and William Sale, respectively, chairmen. |
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| In
July, 1964, Raymond C. Flitton was installed
as Pastor of King's Grant Presbyterian Church.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held on September
12, 1965, and, on November 27, 1965, the cornerstone
of the church was laid. This was an exciting
and blessed time in the life of the new church.
However, Pastor Flitton died suddenly in October,
1967. The sanctuary was dedicated as the Raymond
Cole Flitton Memorial Chapel. |
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| In
August, 1968, Stan Sizemore became Pastor
and served until September, 1975. Janice Eggleston
became the first woman Clerk of Session, the
first church newsletter was published, the
first Youth Club was formed, Pioneer Youth
Fellowship was established and a lay renewal
was held in 1972. The congregation approved
an addition to the church (Fellowship Hall,
kitchen and storage room) and enlarged the
sanctuary. Harry C. Mayo chaired the Building
Committee, construction was completed in April,
1974 and a dedication service was held on
June 9, 1974. |
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| In
1975, Mary Ellen Sale and Judy Marshall, with
the help of the Women of the Church, developed
the tradition of the Chrismon Tree. |
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Dr.
Edward A. McLeod began his pastorate of King's
Grant Presbyterian on March 1, 1976. He served
until March, 1992. During this period, the church held its first Lay Renewal and Faith Discovery Weekend, Janet Phelps became organist and Choir Director and Selden Harris, Jr. became KGPC’s first Associate Pastor. A new pipe organ was installed in 1985. The Planning and Development Committee issued a five-year plan and the new education and office wing was constructed in 1990. Church membership grew to over 400.
In 1992, Dr. McLeod retired and was elected Pastor Emeritus. J. Allen Johnson became Interim Pastor and served until September, 1993.
In October 1993, Dr. Brian Dill became Pastor. In the same year KGPC celebrated its 30 the Anniversary. The new stained glass windows and Columbarium were dedicated. The Last Supper reenactment was presented by the men of the church on Maundy Thursday, the youth performed the Story of Daniel and the LOGOS program was launched. Church membership grew to over 500.
In 1998, Dr Dill submitted his resignation and Rev Joan Wooten became the Interim Pastor until December 1998 when Rev. Selden Harris, Jr. was called to the pulpit.
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