Our Forebearers: The Amazing Vanguards!

Our Church was originally named in honor of the excellent community work of a maverick Sunday School Class.  “The Amazing Vanguards” of First Church of Raleigh,* sought to help educate children and build worship in the area around the turn of the 20th century. 

Over the course of several years, beginning in 1917, these “vanguards” grew a community church and school. The Vanguard Class made clever use of their acreage, and by selling it, they were able to build a new church near the county seat. 

The 200 seat chapel building was erected in 1921 at the intersection of Whitaker Mill and Reaves Roads. Led by the Assistant Minister of First Church of Raleigh, Rev. William Bartlett Sullivan, the church officially organized with 33 charter members in 1923. The church was named North Vanguard Presbyterian Church. In this same year, two other Presbyterian Churches were organized from First Church of Raleigh.

In 1927 and 1928, led by Pastor Cotye Hunter, a manse was constructed on the church grounds. In response to demand for additional education and fellowship facilities, the church erected “The Hut”, which stood for 30 years until it was replaced. 

The Chapel was redecorated in 1938 and pews were installed. 

A Change from North Vanguard to Westminster

The name of North Vanguard gave way to the new name, Westminster Presbyterian Church, in 1948, when the present Sanctuary was constructed. 

Several years later, in 1954, the original manse built under Pastor Hunter was sold, and a new manse was constructed on the corner of Cooleemee Drive and Royster Street, solving space issues from a growing congregation (This manse was later sold in 1966).

In 1961, the church saw the dedication of the C. C. Mangum Christian Education building, in honor of one of the first Elders of the North Vanguard Church. It housed library and parlor rooms, and at the same time, a new Sanctuary organ was purchased. 

In 1967 and 1968, the church renovated the Chapel and erected the 76-foot bell tower, equipped with the Verdin electronic carillon of bells and boasting a beautiful ten-foot Celtic Cross. 

The Westminster Foundation was formed in 1969, and continues to contribute to and support Christian causes. The Westminster Weekday Kindergarten was also established in the late 1960s.

Korean Ministry Partnership with Westminster

We revere the incredible generosity of the Westminster congregation, who offered space to grow a small Korean church. In 1977, under the leadership of Pastors Curtis Pollock Harper, Jr. and Rev. Jong Pyo Lee, Evangelist, Westminster united two congregations at its church. In a covenant with the Korean congregation, Westminster promised to help grow and foster their church until they could afford their own.

The position of Associate Pastor for Korean Ministries was established, with Wee Yong Gil Maeng (1976) and Matthew Whong (1980) serving as Associate Pastors for the Korean ministries.  

For this five years, Westminster existed as one Church with two congregations, which ordinarily worshipped separately and simultaneously, with Korean-language services in the chapel and English-language services in the Sanctuary!

The Church School was integrated and its childrens’ classes were conducted in English. Joint fellowship activities brought the two congregations together, and by 1982, the objective of the two congregations was reached. Westminster was proud to see the 95 Korean members able to organize and form Duraleigh Presbyterian Church, which had over 200 members by the end of 1990.

Major Renovations in the Nineties.

In 1990, the church began a major building and renovation project, dedicated in 1991, which included:

• Modernization and expansion of kitchen and fellowship hall 

• New administration area including the office, a work room, and an attractive lobby.  

• Walled patio, elevator, modernized rest room facilities and wheelchair ramp.