Guilford Park Presbyterian History

Today's Guilford Park Presbyterian Church traces its history back to 1947. In that year, as Greensboro grew to the northwest, one of the city's oldest churches, Buffalo Presbyterian, assisted there in the formation of the Fairfield-Kirkwood Chapel. The first services at the chapel were held outdoors under the oaks at the southeast corner of Fernwood Drive and Fairfield Avenue.

The congregation began with a welcoming spirit and has retained it over the years as it has grown. Currently, Guilford Park members and friends participate in an expanding range of ministries involving worship, biblical study and education, pastoral care, service and mission, and fellowship opportunities for people of all ages.

The Rev. J. W. McGinnis was installed as the first pastor of the Guilford Park Presbyterian Chapel in 1948. The first wooden chapel was soon outgrown, and new facilities were built in succeeding years on the northwest corner of the intersection of Fairfield and Fernwood drives. Today, the site of the old chapel has become a playground beneath the oaks, and sometimes an overflow parking lot.

From the first, Guilford Park members shared in its work and mission to the fullest. Members assembled the church's German-made tracker organ. They decorated the sanctuary with wood carvings of beautiful intricacy. Women saved coupons for kitchen utensils and equipment while establishing circles for worship and service, supporting missions at home and overseas, and taking increasing part in the governance of he church.

Members speedily established a nursery and preschool program, joined in annual ecumenical services with area churches and in 1973 began one of the city¹s first senior citizens programs. Guilford Park has also fostered the Disciple program offering in-depth Bible study to strengthen the faith service activities of members. Sunday School classes invite fellowship and study each week, using Bible study and topical studies on contemporary faith issues. A yearly enrichment series is held which brings in expertise for a weekend of spiritual growth and development. Youth ministry has continued to expand, with both middle school and high school youth participating in yearly mission trips, summer conferences, and leading worship. An intergenerational vacation Bible school operates each summer for a week in the evenings.

In 2003, Guilford Park, in collaboration with the United True Holiness Church, built its first Habitat house. Refugee families from Kosovo and Vietnam have been supported by Guilford Park¹s efforts. A Prime Timers group for those 55 and over is in its fourth year of fellowship and faith development. In 2002, Guilford Park became a partner in "Faith in Action", sponsored by Hospice of Winston-Salem, which seeks to educate and support individuals and families who are faced with 'end-of-life' decisions.

For several years, early services exploring new music and new ways of communicating the faith are were during the seasons of Lent, Advent, and during each summer. In September of 2004 the YES! (Year-round Early Service) began and services are now held at 9 am every Sunday.