Covenant Presbyterian Church

The Rev. Dean Waychoff was called to Covenant Church in 1960. In 1961, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the church as the northeast corner of 28th and Ashworth. Members contributed time and talents in completing much of the interior work. Over 100 children attended the first Vacation Bible School.

In 1964, the east wing was added. The same year Rev. J. Whitfield Sloan came to serve Covenant. By 1967, Covenant had 382 members on the membership roll when Rev. Alfred Drake came. Rev. John Folkers arrived in 1970, and in 1972 Re. Jack Peters answered the call of serve the church.

The Rev. Don Elly served the church from 1978 to 1980 and was followed by an interim pastor, Rev. Ward Conklin. Marilynn Johnson was hired as administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator in 1979. The Rev. John Severson was called to the church in June, 1981. In August of that year, the Session proposed to the congregation that they begin a special capital fund for building new facilities for Covenant which would include a Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, classroom and bathrooms. The Congregation approved the proposal and Grounding Ceremonies were held in the summer of 1982. The new facilities were dedicated in April of 1983. In October of the same year, Lynne Severson was hired as Resource and training Specialist. A second youth choir was begun in 1985 by choir director, Susan Eck and Julianne Lawrence became the Organist.

Mission has always been a strong component of Covenant Presbyterian Church both local and international. The congregation leased an apartment for our “Adopt-A-Homeless Family project. Later a HUD Home was leased. Two more additions were added in the late 80”s and the early 90’s: the west classroom wing and the north office and classroom area.

In 1997, after Marilynn Johnson retired, Rev. Bernie Sayler was hired part-time as associate for calling and pastoral care ministries. The rotation model of Sunday School was started in 1998. Covenant Presbyterian Women earned $14,000 for mission by preparing lunch for the Montessori School children, a project started in 1983. The latest addition to our facilities was the Chanel which was completed in 2000. Rev John Severson  retired from Covenant in 2001, after 20 years of serving the congregation. The Rev. Dr. Richard Harbert served as interim Pastor. The memorial stained glass windows were installed in the chancel by Easter of 2002.

The Rev. John Gallatine was called in 2003. Weekly Wednesday night dinners with classes for all ages began in 2004.  The Montessori School moved to a new facility after using our facilities for 37 years. Drake Head Start classes moved in that same year. A Position of Director of Christian Growth was established. In 2006, a family Vacation Bible School was held with 90 persons of all ages attending. In June, 2006, the Rev. David Schneider was called to serve as interim Pastor, remaining in that position until January 2008.

In January 2008, the Rev. Jan Scott was extended the Call to become our Pastor by the Congregation. Currently, Wednesday night dinners are still being served, followed by classes, meetings and rehearsal for the Chancel Choir and the Crescendo hand Bell Choir. Over 30 women attend monthly circle meetings and the men’s breakfast and study continues to grow. Renae Woodworth serves as the Director of Christian Education. Our strong emphasis continues with Church opportunity Group, serving meals at the Eddie Davis Community Center,  working for Habitat for Humanity, working with WDM Human Services, CROSS ministries, DMARC and our sister church in El Salvador.