Church History

LPC History Lexington Presbyterian Church began with a meeting held in October of 1974 at the Lexington Elementary School. About 40 people attended this first meeting to organize the church. On November 10, 1974, the first worship service was held in the Ted O. McGee Personnel Recreation Center, located one-and-a-half miles west of Lexington off U.S. Highway No. 1. Mr. Ken Reid, of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Columbia, led the worship service. He continued to lead the services until a full-time pastor was secured in late 1975. Under the leadership of Calvary Presbytery and the able counsel of the Reverend Bob Korn and the Reverend Pat Patteson, the Session began to be formed at LPC. In January of 1975, the Women in the Church group was organized. In October of 1975, Calvary Presbytery examined the Reverend Eulice Thomas and appointed him to be the organizing pastor of LPC. By November of 1975, there were 35 members on the rolls committed for the growth and continuance of its ministry.

In 1976, the year began with 49 members. In December the church purchased a six-acre tract of land for the future site of the church building. In January of 1977, the lot was cleared and the Building Committee proceeded to search for plans for a building. On February 12, 1977, a ground breaking ceremony took place, and the first service in the new church was held on July 30, 1978. The church continued to flourish as Sunday School classes for all ages, Women in the Church, children's choirs, and other activities were begun. As the Pioneer Girls and Boys' Brigade groups were formed, Easter arrived in 1980 and there were 126 in attendance at the morning service and 91 at Sunday School.

In 1981 the Reverend Eulice Thomas was called to another work, and in November of that same year, the Reverend Joseph V. Novenson became the second pastor of LPC. In April of 1989, there was a ground breaking service for the new sanctuary, and on September 5, 1990, the first worship service was held. The service was acknowledged by the President of the United States, George Bush, by a letter sent to the congregation. Letters were also received from the South Carolina Governor's office, as well as the mayor of Lexington. By 1995 membership was just over 500 and attendance at morning worship services were just over 500, as well. Christian Education Hour attendance was at approximately 420. In December of 1995, Pastor Novenson announced that he had been called to serve at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He remained at LPC until March of 1996. Assistant Pastor Tuck Bartholomew led the congregation during the search for a new pastor.

In June of 1996, lightning struck the Christian Education building, causing a total loss. A ground breaking ceremony was held on May 4, 1997 to build a new two-story Christian Education building.

On April 20, 1997, LPC called Dr. David G. Sinclair, Sr. to be the new pastor. On Sunday, January 18, 1998, a ground breaking ceremony was held for a new Fellowship Hall, which was generously donated to LPC.

In the summer of 2007, David Sinclair took a call to Clemson Presbyterian Church. We were without a senior pastor for 18 months until Rev. Clay Werner was called and began his ministry on February 1, 2009.

LPC is a member of the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) and Palmetto Presbytery.

For more information about our denomination, visit the PCA website or the PCA news site, byFaith online.