History

For a long time, Presbyterians in this area have felt the need for a new Prebyterian church in the fast-growing southeast section of Gastonia. With the encouragement and support of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, a pastor for the developing church was called to begin the effort. Rev. Jerry Bron moved to the church field in October, 1993, from First Presbyterian Church, Washington, NC. A task force of volunteers called some 8,000 south Gastonia residents inviting them to visit the new church to be formed.

The first church service of Southminster Presbyterian was held on January 09, 1994 at the old Orthopedic Hospital auditorium in Gastonia, North Carolina. Two hundred twenty two (222) people were in attendance at the first service.

Sixteen acres of land was purchased at 1401 Hoffman Road by the Western North Carolina Presbytery to build the church. In the fall of 1994 Southminster begins plans to build a church.

On October 2, 1994-155 people stand to pledge their commitment and become members of Southminster Presbyterian and the church is officially chartered as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on Chartering Sunday.

On March 24, 1996 ground was broken for the construction of our new Church Facility. This phase 1 facility was completed and worship began there on Easter Sunday, 1997.