Westminster's Story
Westminster is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a member of Shenandoah Presbytery. A community of faith with 300 members and friends, set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Westminster offers a place to grow in your faith with God our Creator, Jesus, our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer, both in the church and in the world.
From its origins as a colonized church, through dynamic growth as part of a growing city, into a time of redefining our vision and mission; Westminster Presbyterian Church has been, and continues to be a strong spiritual community. A combination of ministry, programming, and outreach has provided opportunities for spiritual growth.
Westminster began as a church plant from First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro.
An excerpt from our History Book, “A Dream Realized: 1954-1984 shares the vision established for the church:
“Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. We honor God as we witness to His love through Christ and advance the work of His Church and Kingdom. Presbyterian tradition constrains us and inspires us to keep in step with the times and to measure up to the challenging opportunities which are now at hand. We are all working together for a common cause and are united in faith, in love and in consecration to the task that lies before us.”
In 1954, the congregation began meeting in a house located on the present site in a developing neighborhood in the western part of Waynesboro. In the early days, the house also served as the parsonage and later became the Church Office. In 1956, the Chapel and Social Hall were built, while the Sanctuary and classrooms were completed in 1963. As the neighborhood developed, Westminster was a focal point. Membership grew dramatically through the 1970’s and a variety of programs engaged all ages. Missions and outreach also became an important effort of the congregation.
The area’s population stabilized in the 1990s and the Westminster congregation settled at approximately 300 members. Programs such as the Westminster Preschool and Summerlee Mission demonstrated continued ministry efforts. A capital projects program was completed in 2006 that included an elevator and Chapel renovation to accommodate an earlier contemporary service. Our music program continued to develop until it now includes 75-80 members finding an opportunity to participate. In 2007, a second worship service was added providing contemporary music in the renovated chapel. This allows for a variety of worship styles to be appreciated and celebrated within one body of faith.
During the spring of 2014, the congregation completed a Vision and Mission
Study that targeted six themes, providing new insights and direction for our future. Our Session continues to address these themes and is developing a sequential plan for further implementation. One of the benefits that we have already realized, is renewed growth through initiatives such as beginning to restructure the later worship service to include a more blended style of worship and renewal of the Christian Education Program now run by a full-time licensed Christian educator.
We are committed to creating a community of mutual support and ministry that is faithful witness to the world for Jesus Christ. Join Westminster Presbyterian Church on this spiritual journey as we pursue loving God and loving neighbor together.
