Wintergarden Presbyterian Church PC(USA)
Port Charlotte, Florida
Our Congregation responds with JOY to the call of GOD through the Holy Spirit, to reach out in Christian Love and Fellowship to one another, the community, and the world.
Contact us
Located at: 18305 Wintergarden Ave, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Mailing address: PO Box 380564 Murdock, FL 33938
PH: (941) 743-5335
Fax: (941)743-7278
E-Mail: wintergardenpc@yahoo.com
Suggested links
Peace River Presbytery
Presbyterian Today
Presbyterian Church USA
Our History
Once apon a Church...!
On October 3, 1985 Southwest Florida Presbytery took its first
step toward establishing a new church in west Port Charlotte. The first attempt to
establish an NCD was led by the Rev. James Blackwood and on February 1, 1987 the first
worship service of the “Murdock Presbyterian Mission” was held at Peace Lutheran
Church and later at the cafeteria of Port Charlotte High School until it was disbanded a
few months later. Almost two years passed before the vision of a new church development in
Murdock was picked up by the newly formed Peace River Presbytery.
The Rev. Bob Veley, was called to lead the “Murdock NCD” on January 1, 1991. On February 17, 1991 the first worship service of the “Murdock Presbyterians” was held in the Elks Annex in Port Charlotte. The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte adopted the NCD and became Murdock’s “Mother Church” and thirty members of First committed to at least three years of participation to “seed” the new congregation. Peace River Presbytery loaned the Murdock Presbyterians $50,000 without interest to purchase a tri-wide modular unit and develop the Wintergarden Avenue site. The presbytery subsequently designated its first ever Pentecost Offering for the new church - a gift of more than $29,000. The first worship service in this location was held on August 2, 1992 and on November 22, 1992, the Wintergarden Presbyterian Church in the Pines was officially organized with ninety eight charter members.
On December 31, 1994 Pastor Bob retired, leaving behind architectural plans for a permanent church building. The Rev. Dr. Bill Clark agreed to serve as Interim Pastor for six months. During his tenure, the addition of a double-wide modular unit to provide Sunday School and office space and a nearly 20% increase in active membership occurred.
On July 1, 1995 the Rev. Larry Barnes, a Methodist Pastor, accepted a Call to serve Wintergarden as Designated Pastor. He resigned nine months later and the members of the church had a real concern for the future.
The Rev. Dr. Myles MacDonald, the Rev. Homer Ogle, the Rev. Tim Stewart and Interim Pastor John Hunt filled the gap as a search began for a new Designated Pastor. Under their direction, the new church began to heal and a faithful core of people stood firm. A new chapter began when the Rev. Kathi Wiggins was called as Designated Pastor with a three-year contract beginning September 15, 1996. Pastor Kathi was subsequently installed as Pastor on February 28, 1999.
The Session took a bold step in November 1996, designating $25,000 for a Church Building Fund. The congregation pledged three years’ mortgage payments in a separate Mortgage Fund and $100,000 was drawing interest in the Construction Fund. Design concepts by member Peter Arnoldt were hung in the church and members had an opportunity to offer input through a series of “Town Hall” meetings.
On July 12, 1997 Wintergarden Presbyterian Church celebrated its long-awaited ground breaking. Five months and a mere $320,000 later, on the Sunday before Christmas, the congregation moved in. Thanks be to God! On November 19, 2002 the congregation retired its debt and paid off the building.
October of 2002 saw another building project begin. A combination 3 stall garage with attached Memorial Garden was built under the direction of Elder Peter Arnoldt to whom the building was dedicated on September 14, 2003.
In early summer 2003, Kathi Wiggins resigned as Pastor and a search was instituted for a new Pastor.
A six month search was culminated when the Rev. Lawrence D. Yerger was called as Pastor and began his work on February 1, 2004. Just as the new ministry was getting established, Hurricane Charley blew through Port Charlotte on Friday, August 13, 2004. The church received some damage, losing many pine trees and having to have the roof replaced and other minor repairs. The main loss was in the members, friends and visitors who could no longer attend due to the lack of housing in Port Charlotte. Pastor Larry and his family also loss the use of their Port Charlotte home and had to move to Venice, Florida for more than a year while rebuilding took place.
The church has slowly rebounded from devastation and begun to re-examine its mission and purpose. The Presbyterian Church through One Great Hour of Sharing has helped financially the damaged churches in Port Charlotte - Wintergarden receiving over $30,000. The church has reached out to the community by opening its doors to AA and to a Hispanic Church and reinstituting the yearly vacation bible school for neighbor children. Other missions and ministries are begining as people find a need to give back a portion that has been given to them in aid and assistance. Due to damage to the grounds, a beautification project has begun with planting of palm trees near the entrance and the Memorial Garden has been replanted and beautified.
Times have been difficult, but through the grace of God and dedication of the leadership of Wintergarden, the church continues to survive and thrive.