Presbyterian Church (USA)
Church Information Form
Part I – Church Profile
- Name and Address of Church
Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church Date Forms Completed…………02-09-03
3413 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road Date Church Organized 12/19/1891 Charlotte, NC 28216 PIN………………………………………….
Position………………Associate pastor
Phone Number: (704)399-7735 Synod …………………………….Mid-Atlantic
Fax Number: (704) 399-0823 Presbytery ……………..Mecklenburg
Email:
Website:
B. If yoked, indicate names(s) and address(es) of other churches.
Attach a separate Church Profile for each church, AND part 1A
–Supplement for Yoked Churches. N/A
C. Introductory Statement about the Church.
Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church was organized more than 100 years ago as a mission church of Paw Creek Presbyterian Church. The Reverend George Cook, who served the congregations of both churches, was our first minister, hence the name, Cook’s Memorial. The church is located on the northwest side of Charlotte near the intersection of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and Brookshire Blvd (Hwy 16 North) snd is part of the Mt. Island area of Charlotte.
Our neighborhood is changing faster than we would have ever imagined a few short years ago. The largely rural community of years past has rapidly converted to a suburban environment with additional explosive residential growth coming. The city boundary is now just across the street. Approximately 10,000 new homes will be built within 5 miles of the church over the next 3-5 years. A new upscale, 250 unit apartment complex is planned for the property adjacent to the rear of the church. Another 230 units have been built directly in front of the church. A
new shopping center has recently been built across from the church. A community for senior citizens is planned one mile east of the church. In a very short time, Cook’s Church will literally be at the center of a new community. Our goal is to be the spiritual resource center of this new community.
The growth around us means opportunities for new ministries, new programs, the raising of finances sufficient for the expanding needs of the church, the reallocation of space, etc. In recent years, Cook’s has added a Fellowship Hall and a new pipe organ for the sanctuary. Plans are being developed for a Family Life Center and a Child Development Center.
Traditional programs such as Homecoming, Vacation Bible School, and the special services related to Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are well supported. Periodically, special studies are conducted for the entire congregation, from the children to the elderly.
Based on Mark 12:28-31 and Matthew 28:16-20, we are striving to live the Great Commandments and to follow the Great Commission. In seeking to accomplish our purpose, the church is engaged in the exciting opportunities associated with blending long-term members with strong family ties over many generations with those who are new to the area and come from a variety of denominational and ethnic backgrounds.
The people of the congregation worship together, meet socially, and frequently work side by side on a variety of local projects. Many are involved with area school programs, working with the PTA or helping with sports teams. They are active in community causes and most live in close proximity to the church. The congregation at Cook’s has a long tradition of taking care of its own, but it also reaches out in a friendly and serviceable fashion to serve the whole community. It is a center for activities such as an extensive Scouting program for boys and girls, AA, playschool, Kindermusik, aerobics sessions, and voter location. The church often serves as a meeting place for area homeowner associations and the Mountain Island Neighborhood Organization (MINO). These activities bring in people to our campus who are not necessarily members of the church. The congregation participates in Crop Walk, Meals on Wheels, Operation Christmas Child and Room in the Inn.
Cook’s seeks an associate pastor who desires broad experiences, especially ministry to youth and newcomers, making them an integral part of the church community. It seeks to be knowledgeable about the wider work and witness of PCUSA. Cook’s wants an associate pastor who is an informed Presbyterian, who will teach the Word with conviction, and who will model the life of a committed Christian.
D. Introductory Statement about the Neighborhood
This congregation serves a community which encompasses an area within 10 miles of the church. (Some members are as far away as 20 miles.)
Total population of the town, city, or rural area in which the church is located:
Charlotte: 504,637 (US Census Bureau, July, 1998), 25th largest city in the US
Mecklenburg County: 630, 848 (US Census Bureau, July, 1998)
Projected County Population: Year 2000 – 661,091 (Charlotte Chamber of Commerce)
Year 2005 – 748,688
Metropolitan Area (Incl. Rock Hill and Gastonia): 1.3 Million (US Census Bureau, July, 1998)
Describe the area by checking any of the blanks below which apply:
Inner City ____ Urban (Downtown) ____ Urban (Residential) _X_ Suburban __X_ Town ____ Rural ____ College ____ Retirement ____
Recreational/Resort ____ Agricultural ____
E. Membership
Current Church Membership: 449 Church Membership five years ago: 461 (from Session minutes or Minutes of the General Assembly, Part II)
Note: The decline in church membership reflects a recent “cleaning-up” of the church rolls.
Number of members who are Women: 245, Men: 159, Youth: 45 (6th – 12th grade)
Average Sunday Morning Attendance: Worship: 257; School: 142
Other Services of Worship (list and include approximate # of participants):
Christmas Eve Candlelight: 312, Maundy Thursday: 61, Homecoming: 309
Thanksgiving Eve & Easter Sunrise – Ecumenical Wednesday Lenten Services (noon) - Ecumenical
Ethnic composition of this congregation: Predominantly Caucasian
How do these figures compare to the Racial Composition of the community?
Mecklenburg County: 70.4% White
26.6% Black
2.6% Asian/Pacific Islander
2.4% Hispanic
(These numbers are from the US Census Bureau, but they add up to more than 100%)
F. Sunday School:
Grades/Ages Average Attendance Members Materials Used
Nursery 7NA
4 Yr Olds & K 8 Bible Discovery
Grades 1 and 2 8 Bible Discovery
Grades 3,4 and 5 6 Bible Discovery
Younger Youth (6-8) 12 Bible Discovery
Older Young (9-12) 12 Bible Discovery
Adult Bible Class 18 Uniform Lesson Series
Covenant 28 Various Religious Authors
Joy 12 Uniform Lesson Series
New Horizon 6 Uniform Lesson Series
Spiritual Life 14 Uniform Lesson Series
Viewpoint 14Bible Expositor and Illuminator
Office 1
Total: 142
G. Organizations within the Church (List Boards, committees of Boards, and number of members on each)
Session 15 members
Deacons 15 members
Church Ministries are…
Administration Ministry (Finance, Personnel, Planning)
Christian Life Ministry (Worship, Education, Fellowship, Youth and Older Adults)
Congregational Care
Missions/Community Outreach Ministry
Nominating Ministry
Physical Properties Ministry
Other organizations, men’s/women’s groups, choirs, etc.
Adult Choir Meals on Wheels
Boy ScoutsNurses Ministry
BrowniesOperation Christmas Child
Cherub ChoirPlayschool
Children’s ChoirPresbyterian Women (2 Circles)
CropwalkQuilting Bees
Cub ScoutsSenior Adult Fellowship
DaisiesSoftball Team
4th and 5th Grade FellowshipVenturing (scouting program)
Girl ScoutsYouth Hand Chime Choir
Hand Bell ChoirYouth of Christ – high school 9th – 12th
KindermusikYouth of Christ – middle school 6th – 8th
Has your Session Adopted the “Commitment of Peacemaking”? YES
H. Total Annual Budget for the current year, 2003: $425, 004
Church Information Form
Part II – Narrative Information
Surrounded by shady oaks, Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church, with its white column exterior, is the picture of Southern charm and warmth. Cook’s is a traditional church both visually and spiritually. For more than one hundred years, the congregation has served our Lord and is eager to serve many more years. The sanctuary is the center of our grounds in the same way we seek to make the scriptures central in the lives of our members. The Cook’s congregation is a blend of lifetime members and newcomers from a growing community. Cook’s Church, as well as the community, is facing the challenge and opportunity of rapid growth and change. The church family is eager to expand and continue its service to the Lord.
THE CHURCH
Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church is spread out on 12.5 acres of land and built in a campus style setting. The buildings are brick veneer with the sanctuary, built in 1954, at the center. In 1966, a new Christian education building was connected to the east side of the sanctuary. Our most recent addition, in 1990, was the Fellowship Hall to the west of the sanctuary. Fellowship Hall supplemented the facilities provided by Rowan Hall, which although built in 1936, is still a valuable asset to the church. The manse has been converted to the church offices and library. Behind the buildings lies a large tract of open land, part of which is the church cemetery.
The congregation is predominantly Caucasian, and is drawn primarily from within a ten-mile radius of the church. The majority of our members are middle class with varying educational backgrounds. Some occupations represented among the members are engineers, bankers, nurses, carpenters, plumbers, teachers, doctors, homemakers, business administrators, and sales and marketing personnel. The congregation is fortunate to have a variety of talents providing an array of skills and knowledge.
THE COMMUNITY
Cook’s is located off N. C. Highway 16, North in a suburban/urban setting about ten miles from uptown Charlotte. Two main interstates, I-85 and I-77, make travel to and from the area easy. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is approximately twenty minutes from the church.
Charlotte is one of the country’s leading banking and financial centers. “More banking resources ($950.1 billion) are headquartered in Charlotte than in all but one other U.S. city. Six of the nation's top 150 banks operate in Charlotte;
two of them rank in the top 5 and are headquartered here, including one that ranks as the nation's largest bank in terms of total banking deposits.“ (Charlotte Chamber of Commerce)
The central location of Charlotte in the Carolinas makes travel to the mountains a short trip of two hours and the drive to the coast around four hours. Local recreation is available at Mountain Island Lake, as well as at nearby Lake Norman, one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. “Just as Charlotte’s location offers residents the benefits of both the mountains and the ocean, it also offers the best of all worlds in weather. This makes the city’s weather one of its strongest assets, attracting visitors and new residents alike. The year is filled with days which invite you outside to enjoy the clear blue sky and bright sun; the perfect backdrop to Charlotte’s beautifully landscaped neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks and lakes. The area’s climate can best be described as moderate, pleasant and sunny. Forget about the winter blues of our northern neighbors or the stifling summer heat of our southern friends. In Charlotte, the weather entices you outside all year round.” (Charlotte Chamber of Commerce)
Charlotte offers a diverse selection of entertainment possibilities for the entire family. The avid sports fan has choices ranging from pro football and basketball to minor league soccer and AAA baseball. Many fans are drawn to the area to enjoy NASCAR racing, and golf courses are numerous. For those who prefer the arts, Charlotte offers quality operas, concerts, theater and dance. Spirit Square and the Mint Museum house high caliber art for viewing and opportunities for learning. Children, both young and old, can enjoy the variety of adventures available at Discovery Place, Carowinds, and the Nature Museum.
Quality public education is available as well as a wide selection of private schools. Four major colleges, UNCC, Johnson & Wales, Davidson, Queens University, and Johnson C. Smith are nearby. The last three have ties to the Presbyterian Church. In fact, “The first institution of higher learning south of Virginia was established in Charlotte in 1771. The school, Queens College, began the city’s strong commitment to education.” (Charlotte Chamber of Commerce) There are several more private and community colleges in the area making higher education easily accessible. In addition, Union-PSCE at Charlotte Seminary is located here. For information about the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system, refer to the following web site:
The city is served by three major medical hospitals located in the heart of the city. However, many branch hospitals have recently opened to better serve the populated outlying areas.
There are numerous sites on the Web which provide various information about Charlotte and the surrounding community. We suggest the following as good starting points.
PROGRAMS
The doors of Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church open on Sunday mornings to offer classes for all ages. Sunday School is from 9:45 to 10:45. There are 6 adult classes, each having a unique blend of members. For the children and youth, classes are divided by age and grade levels. The structured classes begin at age four and continue through twelfth grade. Nurseries are available for infants and toddlers, birth through three years.
Worship service begins at 11 o’clock. The children’s sermon is usually delivered by the Pastor who relates the message of our Lord to the youngsters in an understanding manner. After the children’s sermon, thirty plus leave the sanctuary to attend their own worship center. The Children’s Worship Center was created and based on the teaching of Dr. Bearman who established the concept of the Children’s Church.
The youth programs, Youth of Christ – Middle School and Youth of Christ – High School, currently meet on Sunday nights. The memberships consist of 22 Middle School and 28 Senior High youth. A student lead bible study is held on Wednesday evenings. “Cottage meetings” occur once a month on a Sunday evening.
The Adult Choir and Handbell Choir meet on Wednesday evenings. The choir consists of around 25 members, predominantly women. The music director is extremely talented and uses her gifts to create quality musical arrangements for every worship service. Cook’s is fortunate to have a person in this position who is capable of serving the congregation’s choirs as music director, organist, handbell, and hand chime director. The handbell choir consists of five octaves of handbells with 8-10 members.
The other weekday program at Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church is the playschool. It reorganized in 1989 and has grown to serve over 115 children. Playschool operates in the Christian education building. The school is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 12:30. The regular program runs September through May with an abbreviated summer schedule.
OUTREACH SERVICES
Boy Scouts of America has been an active part of community service at Cook’s Church for over fifty years. Girl Scouts were reorganized at Cook’s in 1994, and like the Boy Scouts and Cubs, have a very active program with dynamic and energetic leadership.
The church also provides facilities for Alcoholics Anonymous and associated programs which meet every Tuesday and Saturday evening.
Our senior citizens are able to take advantage of a periodic health clinic at Cook’s provided through the Mecklenburg County Health Department (sponsored by the Nurses Ministry).
Approximately eight years ago, a Meals on Wheels program was established. Today, it delivers meals to people in the neighborhood weekly.
Beginning in 1999, Cook’s began hosting homeless guests each Saturday night in the Room in the Inn program administered by Urban Ministries in Charlotte from December through March.
In 1993, Cook’s Church took the challenge of building a Habitat for Humanity House in Charlotte. This was a huge undertaking for the entire congregation. More than $35,000 was raised by various groups through craft sales, a golf tournament, and attic sales. Included in the fund raising effort was the organization of the Charlotte Charity Horse Show for saddlebred horses, which the church continues today, having just completed the tenth annual event over the July 4th weekend. The horse show is conducted at nearby Latta Plantation Park where Mecklenburg County has an equestrian center. Over the ten years, approximately $90,000 has been raised for church charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Montreat College and the ‘future’
Cook’s family life center and a child development center.
The church has benefited from a golf tournament and an antique auto show.
Currently at Cook’s Memorial, there are a variety of special interest activities. The Quilting Bees meet on Wednesdays in Rowan Hall for a day of quilting and fellowship. They quilt for the public, charging a reasonable fee for their creations, and donate their proceeds to special projects.
Also at Cook’s, a group of men softball players represent the church in community leagues. They play at area parks and are supported by numerous members and fans.
Community aerobics is offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 6:00pm in