Starmount Presbyterian Church History
1951 In February, representatives from Orange
Presbytery, Church of the Covenant, and First
Presbyterian Church began work toward the organization of a Presbyterian church in west Greensboro.
1952 Construction of a chapel began in August on land given by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Weaver. An invitation was extended to all interested people and on November 16, meeting at Church of the Covenant, the new church was formally organized with 96 people received into membership. On the following Sunday, the name Starmount Presbyterian Church was officially adopted.
1953 In February Dr. Frank Elder came to serve as temporary supply pastor and regular worship services were held at First Moravian Church. In March the new building was in use and on May 17 the structure was dedicated; the charter roll was closed at 263. In August the Rev. Allen C. McSween was called as first pastor. Starmount’s Women of the Church was organized with Mrs. R. M. Jackson (Nevlyn) as president.
1954 The first fundraising campaign was held, a manse was purchased on Waverly Way, and the church’s property was increased by 50 percent through a gift of land from the J. P. Stevens Company. Ozelia and Walter Vassar continued their work as church organist and choir director.
1956 Construction began in March on a building providing office space, Sunday School rooms, and a pastor’s study. The new building was dedicated on the church’s fourth anniversary with the membership at 533.
1957 Mildred Mallard came in August as Starmount’s first Director of Christian Education. Plans were begun for a kindergarten.
1958 Starmount’s kindergarten opened for students.
1960 In March Boy Scout Troop 120 was organized at Starmount and in the summer, the first Vacation Bible School was held with an average daily attendance of 100.
1961 In November the last phase of planned construction began to draw the two existing buildings together and to provide additional Sunday School rooms, a kitchen, fellowship hall, prayer room, and parlor.
1963 A planning committee for a larger sanctuary was appointed with Mack Arnold, Sr. as chairman, and a manse was purchased on Nutbush Road West.
1964 Starmount’s first female elder, Mrs. Joseph Vincent (Willene) was elected.
1965 In June the Rev. Carl May became Starmount’s first associate pastor. The Women of the Church presented their first honorary life membership to Mrs. Daniel T. Caldwell (Cora).
1966 Mrs. Sam D. Scott (Lib) was elected as Starmount’s first female deacon.
1968 The congregation was composed of 958 members.
1970 The new sanctuary, which more than doubled the seating capacity for worship, was dedicated in May.
1971 Dr. Joseph Garrison served as interim pastor from January until June. The Rev. G. Daniel McCall was then installed as senior pastor in July.
1972 In September the Rev. Ernest Johnson, III, became associate pastor.
1976 Dr. Garrison again served as interim pastor before the Rev. George C. Carpenter began as senior pastor in November.
1977 The Rev. Benjamin West became associate pastor in September.
1978 Starmount’s membership was 977.
1979 Michael Rudd became organist/choir director in July. Starmount’s preschool opened with Susan White as director.
1980 Starmount began its involvement in refugee resettlement with a group from Laos. In the following years, this work has helped refugees from Vietnam (Montagnards and Nung), Bosnia, Somalia, Kosovo, and Sudan.
1982 Martha Lou Anderson came as director of Christian education, and Robert Blocker took over as choir director/organist in May.
1983 Loretta G. James became director of music ministries in September.
1985 The first of the Bach’s Lunch series was held in March. In June Krista Lovell began her service as director of Christian education.
1986 Dr. Cynthia R. Higgins became associate pastor in December, after having earlier served as interim associate.
1987 In August a group of adults and youth went to Peto, Mexico, on a mission of teaching and building; subsequently, mission trips to Peto were taken every other year until 1997.
1988 Leslie McLeod began her service as director of Christian education. Under the leadership of Carol Carpenter, the OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) was formed.
1989 Starmount’s participation in building Habitat for Humanity homes was begun. “Slicers and Duffers”, interested men golfers at Starmount, had their first outing.
1990 John Truitt, Jr., began work as interim pastor in March.
1991 In May Dr. James. E. Layman was installed in senior pastor.
1992 Debra Paulsen and Cynthia Bathgate came in July to share Christian education duties—Debra for adults and Cynthia for children and youth. Starmount celebrated its 40th anniversary in November with 1243 members.
1993 John Truitt rejoined the staff as parish associate in January. In September a class for baptized children who desired to participate in the sacrament of communion was begun.
1994 Bonnie Lamberth arrived as director of educational ministries in March. Also in March, our first Stephen ministers were commissioned after lengthy training with John Truitt. That same month, ground was broken for extensive renovations and additions to the existing physical plant. Starmount’s leadership changed to a unicameral system of governance. In July Dr. Erich W. Thompson began his service as associate pastor.
1995 In January the recently completed addition/renovation was dedicated; it included more office space, up-to-code preschool and parents’ morning out rooms, enlarge library, and a columbarium. Space was left for an elevator which was soon installed.
1997 Dr. John A. Wilkerson began serving as interim pastor in January. Our year-end statistical report showed membership at 728.
1998 Dr. Michael Shelton came as senior pastor in June.
1999 In the summer, a group of youth and adults went on a worship and work mission to La Romano, Dominican Republic.
2000 Susan McConnell began her work as director of educational ministries in July. In September Starmount joined 12 other Greensboro churches in GIHN (Greensboro Interfaith Hospitality Network) to house homeless families.
2001 A relationship was formed in Iquitos, Peru, resulting in a summer work mission there; a return trip is planned for 2003.
2002 Starmount celebrates its Jubilee. Jane Whitlow joins the staff as music assistant. Starmount launches its first website.
2003 The chapel is renovated. Starmount moves from two pastors to one.
2004 Dr. Carl Utley came to Starmount as interim pastor. Mary McNeal joined the staff as a parish visitor to help with pastoral care. We also went from two services to one at 10:00 a.m.
2005 We had many “new” things this year: new website, new logo, new mission statement (Called to worship, empowered to serve). We also retired the debt on the last building addition. The Prayer Shawl Ministry was begun.
2006 The Reverend John Odom is welcomed to our staff. Susan White, founder and director of our preschool, retires after more than 25 years.
2007 We welcomed Cynthia Pugh as our new parish visitor. Starmount purchased a 15-passenger van. We held the first Blessing of the Animals and celebrated Starmount’s 55th anniversary. Bob Overman joined the staff as director of music ministries. Peter Hazelrigg, UNCG campus minister, became a parish associate for Starmount.
2008 We embarked on a $974,000 Capital Campaign, Faithfulness to All Generations. This campaign will revitalize our 40 year old sanctuary. It will provide funding for a director of youth, evangelism and family ministries, and will provide additional resources for our growing program life. Starmount is committed to a bold future proclaiming God's Faithfulness to All Generations.