ABOUT US
We enter the stream of life here at SMPC at different points, carrying with us a variety of faith stories and life experiences.
From these entry points we embark on a journey together, irresistibly drawn to the God who made us and claims us.
Regardless of your faith journey or age, there should be a point where every person may step into the flow
at SMPC and join us in journeying toward maturity in Christ. - Dr. Matthew S. Brown, Pastor
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South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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Church Office Hours
Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, closed
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For assistance on Fridays, call Mary Katheryne Zagora at 980.265.2840.
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OUR STORY

Our first worship service was held on February 24, 1991 at McAlpine Elementary School on Pineville-Matthews Road in Charlotte, NC. Two years after that first worship service we moved into a new multi-purpose building at our present site, 8601 Bryant Farms Road, in what is now the Ballantyne community.
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We have experienced exponential growth through the years, with current membership reaching more than 1,100 plus 450 children. Our members hail from more than 30 states as well as Finland, Great Britain, Jamaica, and South Africa.
To accommodate our growth, we built constantly: a preschool wing and fellowship hall (2000); classroom cottage (2002); and administrative offices, additional classrooms, a chapel and choir wing (2006). In 2008 we broke ground on a 675-seat permanent sanctuary and held our first worship service in the sanctuary on November 8, 2009.
Our staff has grown as well and includes Dr. Matt Brown, senior pastor; Rev. Whitney Bayer, associate pastor for congregational care; Rev. Diane Giannola, parish associate; Rebecca Guzman, director of spiritual formation; Rev. Jessica Tidwell, director of youth ministry; and Zach Boyer, director of music and organist. Support staff includes Nancy Metzler, director of hospitality and connection; Donna Rogers, director of communications; Freda Smith, property administrator; and Mary Katheryne Zagora, business administrator.
At SMPC we emphasize strong worship services in the Reformed tradition, based upon Scripture and the Sacraments. We provide inspirational preaching and a vibrant music program at two worship services every Sunday morning, at 8:10 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. On the first Sunday of every month at 9 a.m. we also offer Common Ground, a worship service for families with special needs.
We offer a variety of Christian education programs for children, youth and adults on Sunday mornings including Faith Practice, an innovative, interactive and intergenerational approach to the traditional Sunday school hour. The Joy Class offers Bible study, and All Things Considered offers discussion of contemporary Christian issues. Our eighth graders continue their faith journeys in a year-long confirmation class.
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We also offer a variety of Bible studies, book studies, and discussion groups throughout the week, including Monday Morning Bible Study, Pastor Matt Brown’s Wednesday Morning and Evening Bible Studies, an early morning men’s group, women’s circles and our Rain or Shine Moms’ Group.
Our Board of Deacons seeks to bring Christ’s love to those who are homebound, ill, those who are caregivers, and the grieving. Ministry teams include bereavement, transportation, home assistance, food teams, prayer chain, care mail, baby ministry, and more. Our deacons also host a continuing series, Living Well, with speakers on a variety of topics, including most recently on Alzheimer’s disease.
We provide many opportunities to enjoy fellowship together, including Lemonade on the Lawn, Coffee Grounds, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, lunch on the grounds, golf outings, and special receptions. Small groups include softball teams, supper clubs, a photography group, and a book club. SMPC Meetups offer ways to make connections based on special interests in an informal setting: International Dining, Hops Around Town, Take a Hike, Ballantyne Business Group, Lunch Bunch, and more.
We support the greater community with our time, talents and financial resources through organizations such as The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, where we prepare and serve meals, and A Child’s Place, where we are tutors, lunch buddies and snack providers. Roof Above: Our Shelter Ministry uses discarded prescription bottles to package laundry soap, body wash, and shampoo for Roof Above (formerly The Urban Ministry and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte). We provide conduct food drives for Loaves & Fishes, serve as tutors at area elementary schools, and hold quarterly blood drives for the American Red Cross. We have a long-standing commitment to provide support to a church and school in Bayonnais, Haiti; child sponsorships are available.
Additionally, we open our campus to a number of community groups and organizations, including Boy and Girl Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, and various HOA’s and other non-profits.
As we continue to move forward, our prayer is that we remain a vibrant and growing congregation, welcoming to all, full of energy and eager to serve God faithfully in this corner of God’s kingdom. It is an exciting journey we are on as we seek to follow Jesus Christ. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!
OUR PASTORS
DR. MATT BROWN
Pastor
REV. WHITNEY BAYER
Associate Pastor
REV. DIANE GIANNOLA
REV. JESSICA TIDWELL
Parish Associate
Director of Youth Ministry
OUR STAFF
Director of Music & Organist
ZACH BOWYER
REBECCA GUZMAN
Director of Spiritual Formation
NANCY METZLER
Director of Hospitality & Connection
MARY LYNN RAWLS
SMPC Preschool Financial Administrator
DONNA ROGERS
Director of Communications
FREDA SMITH
Church Administrator
CAROL WATKINS
SMPC Preschool Director
MARY KATHERYNE ZAGORA
Financial Administrator
OUR LEADERSHIP
SESSION
Class of 2020
Mary Elledge
Guy Gosnell
Greg Hobby
Melissa White
Class of 2021
Meghan Bartholomew
Curtis Guy
Nancy Parrish
Doug Rhodes
Class of 2022
Andrew Brown
Geoffrey Lee
Jake Royster (Youth Elder)
Wendy Sinclair
Denise Wilcox
Moderator: Matt Brown
Clerk of Session: Mary Elledge
Recording Clerk: Geoffrey Lee
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BOARD OF DEACONS
Class of 2020
Brad Alford
Kathy Gahagen
Tricia Gosnell
Brenton Hartman
Curtis Ireland
Carol Palmgren
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Class of 2021
Donna Brown
Jennifer Hurlburt
Judy Jameson
Bill Ramsey
Ron Stephany
Manny Villa
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Moderator:
Moderator: Tricia Gosnell
Secretary: Donna Brown