St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

“History in the Making” proclaimed the first church bulletin on July 24, 1960. In response to an expanding population and the petition of interested people – mostly enthusiastic, determined young mothers – who wanted to form a church… be a church… the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. established a congregation on Lavista Road. The church’s first worship service, in the Tucker Elementary School cafeteria, was exciting news. People knew at the time that this was a moment of historic significance. Much of what St. Andrews Presbyterian Church shares today has its foundation in the vision and sacrificial giving of those who came before – Christians who were willing to venture forward in faith and to build in their time for the sake of a future time.

In response to filling a need of the church members and the community, a Preschool was established in the mid-1960’s; the first year, twenty-five children were enrolled. In 1991, an Extended Day Program was offered. In 2004, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church took over the Creative Community Services after school program. The Preschool, Extended Day, and After School Program became the St. Andrews School and have grown to serve approximately 200 children. Phyllis Jennings has been the director since 2004.

From the first day, St. Andrews has been a church with a sense of purpose, seeking to serve Christ through Worship, Education, Fellowship, and Mission. In addition to prayer and financial support, the youth and adults of the church have traveled around the world on Mission Trips including Brazil, Palestine, Haiti, Zambia, and France. St. Andrews is working with other churches for disaster relief, with Six Star Refugee and Change for Children. St. Andrews is currently supporting the construction of an eighth-grade school in Zambia. Locally, the church has partnered with other churches to serve the Youth Prison Ministry, Prison Ministry with Women, a day camp for Grady Homes’ Boys and Girls Clubs, Creative Community Services, Open Door, AIDS ministries, homeless ministries, and hunger walks. Church members continue to volunteer their time and talents at Druid Hills Night Shelter, NETworks Cooperative Ministry, and together with another church, St. Andrews’ members began the Initiative for Affordable Housing.

Under the ministry of Dr. J. David Kivett, Pastor, Rev. Morgan Morse Hay, Associate Pastor, and the staunch support of its members, this community church has embarked on a renewed venture of faith, “Extending this Home of Peace and Welcome.” May God continue to find the members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church willing servants.