Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church: Gathered 1983-84 ~ Chartered 1988
A Brief History:
Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church was organized in 1984, when former Presbyterians in the Kearsarge Lake Sunapee region realized they could form the nucleus of a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation. They first met as a fellowship at Colby-Sawyer College. With the support and encouragement from the Presbytery of Northern New England, gathered for worship, and was soon flourishing and proving the viability of a new church development project. KCPC was chartered by the Presbytery of Northern New England on January 23, 1988 with 74 members. The congregation moved from Colby-Sawyer into their present location on King Hill Rd. in the Fall of 1989.
Pastoral leadership began when the Rev. George Pomeroy was appointed as the first stated supply pastor through the end of 1984. The Rev. John Wall became the organizing and first installed pastor from 1986 until July 2000. The Rev. Dean Kemper served as interim pastor September 2000 until July 2001. On August 1, 2001, the Rev. Bob Merrill began his ministry as the congregation's second installed pastor. Bob was honorably retired by the Presbytery of Northern New England on Sunday, September 26, 2021.
Children's education has been a critical part of the congregation's life. From those early beginnings in the the mid 1980s until the summer of 2001, the Sunday School was organized and staffed by volunteer directors and teachers. Often meeting in very limited space, including restrooms and kitchens! As the congregation built and enlarged their buildings, learning conditions improved and enrollment continued to grow.
By the turn of the new century, the congregation was ready for professional leadership in this area. Since then we have been ably staffed. First Colleen Ross served as Sunday School Coordinator 2001-2004. Julie Emery then served as Minister to Youth and Education from 2004-2008. Roberta Hollinger, a charter member of the church, has served as the Director of Christian Education since July 2008.
Pastoral leadership began when the Rev. George Pomeroy was appointed as the first stated supply pastor through the end of 1984. The Rev. John Wall became the organizing and first installed pastor from 1986 until July 2000. The Rev. Dean Kemper served as interim pastor September 2000 until July 2001. On August 1, 2001, the Rev. Bob Merrill began his ministry as the congregation's second installed pastor. Bob was honorably retired by the Presbytery of Northern New England on Sunday, September 26, 2021.
Children's education has been a critical part of the congregation's life. From those early beginnings in the the mid 1980s until the summer of 2001, the Sunday School was organized and staffed by volunteer directors and teachers. Often meeting in very limited space, including restrooms and kitchens! As the congregation built and enlarged their buildings, learning conditions improved and enrollment continued to grow.
By the turn of the new century, the congregation was ready for professional leadership in this area. Since then we have been ably staffed. First Colleen Ross served as Sunday School Coordinator 2001-2004. Julie Emery then served as Minister to Youth and Education from 2004-2008. Roberta Hollinger, a charter member of the church, has served as the Director of Christian Education since July 2008.