On April 21, 1964,
fifty persons from Vineville Presbyterian and First Presbyterian churches signed a petition to organize a Presbyterian church on what was then the north side of Macon, Georgia. Augusta-Macon Presbytery, the regional body of churches, granted that petition and Northminster Presbyterian Church was officially launched. The presbytery gave to this new congregation a clear mission:
“Develop a church that will provide opportunities for worship, that will enable people to grow in their faith, that will be a living community and example of God’s presence and love on earth and that will seek to share the good news with all people.”
On June 14, 1964, the sixty-five founding members held a formal organizational service and installed our first church officers. Rev. Charles Hasty became the first pastor in December 1964, and served until August 1973. Since Rev. Hasty, our pastors have included Rev. Charles Horne (1974-1979), Rev. Richard Caldwell (1979-2000), and Rev. Dr. C. Jarred Hammet, Jr. (2001-2016).
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the original sanctuary and educational building in September 1966, and the first service was held in the facility in 1967. In 1976, the first expansion was completed, tripling the church school classroom space. In 1980, the present sanctuary was completed and dedicated, and in March 1990 a new pipe organ was installed. The educational building was further expanded in 1998 to provide more classrooms and accessibility to all persons.
In the cradle of our building, over the years we grew in people, faith, and service. Worship, education, youth, and several fellowship groups have been balanced with a strong commitment to serve the needs of others in our community. Such ministries include Loaves and Fishes, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Backpack Ministry, Macon Recovers, blood drives, and support of missionaries in global settings.
Today, the mission statement of Northminster is “to make disciples, grow in faith together, and serve others in Christ.” The Rev. Dr. Ralph Hawkins was installed on October 14, 2018 as our current pastor, and with his leadership we are looking forward with excitement and faith to the life and ministry that God is calling us to in the years to come. We feel truly blessed by God and want to carry Jesus’ light into the world as Presbyterian Christians.
