Small Church with a BIG Mission
The History of the First 50 Years
of Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church

by Margaret G. Bigger and Katherine M. Dunlap

Originally Published in 1995 by A. Borough Books
A. Borough Books P.O. Box 15391 Charlotte NC 28211

ISBN 0964060620

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number  9579297
Printed in the United States of America

Not merely a mission church ... A church with a mission:

COMMUNITY MINISTRY IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

Across the street from Piedmont Courts, Charlotte’s first all white public housing, Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church flourished. From 1945 to 1964, its membership grew to a healthy 350. But immediately after the 1964 Civil Rights Act, ”white flight ” scattered members almost overnight (literally!). The remnant of 60 declared that ”The Lord opened the doors to this church, and He hasn’t told us to close them.”   Their courage and commitment overcame incredible hardships, poverty, prejudice and fear. Volunteers mustered to support their successful multifaceted community ministry. Yet, the congregation was more than 50% white and their numbers were few during ”America’s most segregated hour.”   Now, 50 years after those doors opened, the church’s bond of Christian love ties together a diverse 200 people from ”the Courts ” and various parts of Charlotte all committed to an even more innovative community ministry.

Their stories along the way will
ripple your throat with laughter
widen your nostrils with shock
moisten your eyes with tears
and caress your heart with the love of the Lord!’

Contents

• Introduction

• Part One: Building a Congregation (1941-1964)
  by Margaret G. Bigger

  • From Chapel to Church

  • The Snyder Inspiration

  • Growing the Church

• Part Two: Redefining Community Ministry (1965-1983)
  by Margaret G. Bigger

  • Turmoil and Traumatic Transition

  • Sowing the Seeds

  • Growing the Ministry

• Part Three: Moving from Darkness to Light (1984-1995)
  by Katherine M. Dunlap

  • The Rough Side of the Mountain

  • We’ve Come This Far by Faith

  • Go Tell It on the Mountain

• Index

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

• Margaret G. Bigger labored as a liaison between Seigle Avenue and Myers Park Presbyterian Churches, a nearly fulltime volunteer job, for 25 years. The author of three books and the editor of three more, she is best known for ‘s No Such Thing as a Perfect Wedding’, now in 7th printing.

• Katherine M. Dunlap, PhD, ACSW, an 11year member of Seigle Avenue, studied Seigle Avenue’s preschool for her doctoral thesis. She is Clinical Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.