Our History
Home > Our History
Our Story
“History in the Making” proclaimed the first church bulletin on July 24, 1960.
An enthusiastic, determined group of young people established a Presbyterian USA congregation on Lavista Road. While first meeting at what was the Tucker Elementary School cafeteria, the congregation grew and started building next door, renovating and expanding over the years to the current facility. Much of what St. Andrews Presbyterian Church shares today had its foundation in the vision and sacrificial giving of those who came before: Christians who were willing to venture forward in faith and to build in their time for the sake of the future.
In response to filling a need of the church members and the community, a Preschool was established in the mid-1960’s. The first year, 25 children were enrolled, and today the school serves more than 200 children in pre-school, a Summer Camp, an Extended Day and After School program.
From the first day, St. Andrews has been a church with a sense of purpose, seeking to serve Christ through Worship, Education, Fellowship, and Mission. In addition to prayer and financial support, the youth and adults of the church have traveled around the world on Mission Trips to Brazil, New Orleans, Alaska, Palestine, Haiti, Zambia, Honduras and France. St. Andrews is working with Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) , a mission supporting education in Zambia. Locally, church members continue to volunteer their time and talents at Clifton Sanctuary, NETworks Cooperative Ministry, and together with another church, St. Andrews’ members also co-founded the Initiative for Affordable Housing, which provides permanent, affordable housing for homeless/low-income families.
In 2008, church members embarked on a renewed venture of faith, “Extending this Home of Peace and Welcome.” St. Andrews decided to make the whole church more welcoming and open by enlarging the Narthex and renovating the sanctuary. A Youth Wing was added in the front of the church, and renovations were made to an existing hallway to create open meeting rooms and a Middle School Center.
When the new sanctuary neared completion and the church approached its 50th year, the 50th Anniversary Committee asked Margaret Williams, a gifted and creative quilter, to create a new banner to celebrate. Margaret’s main objective was for the banner to represent the community. Members of the congregation donated blue or white items that were meaningful to them to be used for the banner. It contains pieces of wedding and baptismal gowns, baby blankets, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, fabrics from several different countries, various items of clothing, and even a sock. Margaret quilted the St. Andrews banner that commemorated our 50th anniversary and now hangs in Heffner Hall.
Also to commemorate our 50th anniversary, another talented artist in our church family, Earl Meeks, created a bronze piece with hands striving upward. This beautiful sculpture was placed in Heffner Hall to dedicate our fellowship hall when it was renamed Heffner Hall in honor of Ted Heffner, a rock of St. Andrews.
With God’s help St. Andrews strives to be “the hands and feet” of Christ on earth.
Celebrating 60 Years
“Our church came into being as a result of the interest shown by a group of Presbyterians in the Tucker area. Members of the Church Extension of the Atlanta Presbytery met with us at the home of Dr. George W. Bohne on July 10, 1960 and it was determined to begin services on Sunday, July 24, 1960 at the Tucker Elementary School. Because of the enthusiasm and support of our group, Atlanta Presbytery, meeting in Griffin on September 27th, appointed a commission to organize our congregation. The members of this commission are:
Rev. Kirk N. Nesbit, Rev. S. H. Christopher, Rev. R. E. Randolph, Rev. Hubert Wardlaw, Rev. Bonneau Dickson, Rev. J. W. Newton
Theron L. White, Sr., Robert F. Head, Ben M. Butler, J. R. Carmichael, and Merritt Duncan.
Read More
The Commission met with the proposed congregation at a Fellowship Dinner at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Otis L. Baskette on October 5, 1960. It was unanimously voted by the Commission that the congregation be organized, this being the 99th Church in the Atlanta Presbytery.
The church was organized October 23, 1960, four Elders and Deacons were installed, and 67 charter members were received. The name St. Andrews was the unanimous choice of the congregation. Lettie Hudson is the charter member who is still active in the life of the congregation.
Rev. J.W. Newton served as supply minister from the beginning until Rev. F. Clay Doyle came in August 1961. Rev. Newton returned as supply pastor in January 1963 until Rev. Richard A. Dodds came to St. Andrews in January 1964. Rev. Dodds served until July 1973. From December 1972 until June 1974, Rev. Edward C. Langham Jr. came as the first Associate minister.
The church grew from 67 members to 1200, a 9-acre tract of land was purchased, an interim sanctuary and fellowship hall was provided in early 1966. A nursery-kindergarten-children’s building was completed in June of 1969. The completion of that building program afforded the possibility of beginning a Weekday Kindergarten. With a vote by the session, St. Andrews School began 1969 and has continued to evolve to provide a safe, nurturing, Christian environment for young children in the community to grow and learn.
Rev. Dr. Joe Sandifer, Jr. accepted a call to Andrews on April 1, 1974.
In 1974 a youth building was constructed and later became the Office building.
The pastors following Joe Sandifer (’74-’83), were Bruce Robertson (’84-87), Rush Otey (’86-’93), Steve Montgomery (’94-‘00), Dave Kivett (’00-’13), and now Camille LeBron Powell (’15- present). Associate Pastors have been Jim Watkins (’75-’82), Rush Otey (’82-’85), Jeff Clayton (’88-’92), Jeff Reynolds (’93-‘94), Rindy Trouteaud (’89-‘98), Nancy Mikoski (’99-’03), Carla Pratt Keyes (’04-’05), and Morgan Hay (’08-’13).
A re-working of the existing buildings, an addition of Heffner Hall, a remodeling of the old office wing into youth classrooms also resulted in re-orienting the sanctuary by rotating the space 180 degrees. This moved the entrance from facing LaVista Road to the west parking lot side. In 2010 the Sanctuary was enlarged to more seating with a larger Narthex, restrooms and a parlor/bride’s room.
In the 60 years since the charter, St. Andrews has lived out its commission to be Christ’s hands and feet through a long, strong tradition of supporting mission and outreach programs locally, nationally, and internationally. The music ministry of the church has also been an essential part of the life of the congregation. Vocal and instrumental solos, ensembles, and groups have led the congregation in worship with song. The music ministry has also been a place for fellowship, care, and education for people of all ages and abilities. Of course, none of these pastors, programs, or projects would be possible or worth noting if not for the faithful members through the years who, when God asks, “Whom shall I send?”, like Isaiah answer, “Here I am, Lord!”
We give thanks that God continues to call faithful pastors, staff, elders, deacons, leaders, and community members to be the church together, loving God and loving our neighbors at St. Andrews