KING'SGRANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

745 Little Neck Rd, Virginia Beach VA 23452-5813

Phone: 757 340-2840
Fax: 757 431-1770
Email: info@kgpc.org

The Rev. J. Selden Harris Jr. , Pastor

Janet Phelps, Director of Music

Office Administrator, Donna Perry

Claudia Moorad, Assistant Director of Music

Donna Perry, Assistant Web Master

In the early 1960's, the Norfolk Presbytery purchased five acres of property where the Church is located. The plan of the Presbytery was to establish congregations in some strategic locations of growth. It was thought that Lynnhaven Presbyterian Church would relocate; however, the congregation voted no. A small group of people, committed to the establishment of a new church, began meeting to pray and discuss plans to organize. On September 3, 1961, the first worship service for this group was conducted by the Rev. Raymond Flitton, Organizing Pastor, called by the Home Mission Committee. The congregation met in King's Grant Elementary School.

In 1962, an Organizational Committee and a Building Committee were formed with James C. Spencer and William Sale, respectively, chairmen.

In July, 1964, Raymond C. Flitton was installed as Pastor of King's Grant Presbyterian Church. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on September 12, 1965, and, on November 27, 1965, the cornerstone of the church was laid. This was an exciting and blessed time in the life of the new church. However, Pastor Flitton died suddenly in October, 1967. The sanctuary was dedicated as the Raymond Cole Flitton Memorial Chapel.

In August, 1968, Stan Sizemore became Pastor and served until September, 1975. Janice Eggleston became the first woman Clerk of Session, the first church newsletter was published, the first Youth Club was formed, Pioneer Youth Fellowship was established and a lay renewal was held in 1972. The congregation approved an addition to the church (Fellowship Hall, kitchen and storage room) and enlarged the sanctuary. Harry C. Mayo chaired the Building Committee, construction was completed in April, 1974 and a dedication service was held on June 9, 1974.

In 1975, Mary Ellen Sale and Judy Marshall, with the help of the Women of the Church, developed the tradition of the Chrismon Tree.

Dr. Edward A. McLeod began his pastorate of King's Grant Presbyterian on March 1, 1976. He served until March, 1992. During this period, the church held its first Lay Renewal and Faith Discovery Weekend, Janet Phelps became organist and Choir Director and Selden Harris, Jr. became KGPC’s first Associate Pastor. A new pipe organ was installed in 1985. The Planning and Development Committee issued a five-year plan and the new education and office wing was constructed in 1990. Church membership grew to over 400. In 1992, Dr. McLeod retired and was elected Pastor Emeritus. J. Allen Johnson became Interim Pastor and served until September, 1993. In October 1993, Dr. Brian Dill became Pastor. In the same year KGPC celebrated its 30 the Anniversary. The new stained glass windows and Columbarium were dedicated. The Last Supper reenactment was presented by the men of the church on Maundy Thursday, the youth performed the Story of Daniel and the LOGOS program was launched. Church membership grew to over 500. In 1998, Dr Dill submitted his resignation and Rev. Joan Wooten became the Interim Pastor until December 1998 when Rev. Selden Harris, Jr. was called to the pulpit.