Remember When …
1960–69
1970–79
1980–89
1990–99
2000–present
September 18, 1960
104 people attend a worship service in the cafeteria of the Highland Park Elementary School; 28 people sign on as charter members of the church.
January 22, 1961
Gary Lee Galbraith receives the church’s first baptism, performed at Highland Park Elementary School.
June 18-22, 1962
Covenant holds its first vacation Bible school.
August 1964
We break ground for construction of the first unit of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Contributions for the project total $28,500.
June 6, 1965
About 350 people attend the first worship service held at the new building.
1969
Construction begins on the Education Building (which becomes “Children’s Hall”).
February 1969
The tradition of placing a rosebud in church to announce a birth begins.
January 1970
Covenant begins to help the St John’s community. The “Fish Group’s” first project is to help with the St. John’s neighborhood clothing project.
September 1971
Covenant begins its cooperative nursery school to serve three and four-year-olds; 30 children enroll.
1972
The Education Building becomes home to the Webspinners, a weekly meeting of square dancers from the church.
January 6, 1980
Covenant breaks ground on site of the “Sanctuary Building.” The current sanctuary becomes Eaton Fellowship Hall.
September 1980
First communion class held for children and their parents.
November 23, 1980
First service is held in the Sanctuary Building.
August 15, 1982
Rev. R. Richard Baldwin III is installed as Senior Pastor at Covenant.
1987
Rev. George Cladis becomes our third senior pastor. During Rev. Cladis’ 11 years at Covenant, the church budget grew from $500,000 to $1.3 million and membership reached 1,500.
1991
Retired Senior Pastor Carl Eaton is made Pastor Emeritus.
1993
Covenant members go to Estonia as part of a choir tour. On a subsequent trip, provide hymnals and materials to fix country’s transformer. Estonians give us an iron cross, still on display at the Fellowship and Education Building.
1997
Covenant members make their first trip to Cuba, a mission that continues today.
1999
The Reverend Dr. James Singleton came to Covenant as our fourth senior pastor.
2000
Covenant membership reaches 1,675 and the 2000 budget grows to $1.9 million.
2003
Gayla Zachry is named Director of Children’s Ministries.
Palm Sunday 2004
Covenant starts its Park and Shuttle System.
2004
James Lee was called as Associate Pastor for New Church Development. New Covenant Fellowship is chartered in 2009.
August 26, 2004
Covenant recognizes Jane Mack and Mary Jim McDonald for their faithful service to the Church’s, presenting them with Honorary Life Memberships in Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
April 6, 2006
Rick Murray joined Covenant as Senior Pastor.
April 2009
The first event is held in the Fellowship and Education building. The building has provided meeting and practice space for more than 100 different organizations from the city.
March 27, 2011
Covenant celebrates its 50th anniversary with high-energy, celebratory worship services.