After several years of worshipping at a
local elementary school, a group of intrepid Presbyterians, under the
sponsorship of First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, petitioned the Presbytery of Savannah to duly constitute a church in the island
region of Savannah. On April 28,
1963, seventy two members
signed the charter, and Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church was begun. Rev. William Johnson, who was the organizing
pastor, became the first installed pastor, and served from 1963 to 1968. In 1965, the first two buildings on the WIPC
campus – the sanctuary (now Fellowship Hall) and the office building – were
built. Two years later the youth
building was added.
Rev. Johnson was followed by Rev. Tom Dunlop,
1969 to 1977. He was followed by Rev. Tino Ballesteros, 1978 to
1998. It was under Rev. Ballesteros that the church and its campus continued to
expand. The current Sanctuary was
dedicated in 1982 and the Children’s Ministry building was erected in 1988. In 1991, WIPC dedicated the Joanne H. Roberts Memorial Garden, a beautiful, tranquil setting in the
middle of our campus. Rev. Mark Guiliano was called to the church in 2000, and in 2004, the
church called and welcomed Rev. Andy Meeker.
Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church is very proud of its outstanding staff. The Chancel Choir has been under the
direction of Paul Fischer for almost thirty years. Worship is also enhanced by Harcourt Waller,
an experienced and accomplished organist and pianist. We recently added Rev. Nelle Bordeaux to our staff who is directing our Christian education efforts to
all ages.
Another asset of the church is WIPC
Preschool under the direction of Gail Spence.
The fully accredited half-day program for 150 two, three and four year
olds is considered one of the best in the area.
The environment of love, understanding and Christian beliefs helps to
nurture the skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to enable each child to
continue to achieve his/her best potential.
The
future holds great promise for members and friend of Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church.
Spirit-filled worship, opportunities for education and spiritual growth,
regular times for service and many occasions for fellowship are readily
available, and new programs are sprouting up all the time.
This is an exciting time in the life of the Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church as we seek to be faithful to the One who calls us
and claims us.