Our Vision
SACPC is embarking on a capital campaign to secure enough commitments to be free of debt, or close to it, upon completion of our campaign. Our theme is Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected: Strengthening our Covenant. Enriching our Community. We believe this theme honors who we are as a congregation, where we have been, and the extra commitments we need to continue God’s call on our congregation.
Sacred things happen here.
Joyfully Present &
Prayerfully Connected
Our story begins in 1858 when Presbyterians felt called to expand further into Wilmington by creating a new worship community called Second Presbyterian Church. In 1889, this congregation built a new church and renamed itself St. Andrews Presbyterian. In 1917, during the midst of World War I, another Presbyterian congregation formed at the corner of Market St. & 15th St. called the Church of the Covenant. Then, in 1944, during World War II, the congregations of St. Andrews and Church of the Covenant merged to become St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church. Global instability didn’t stop these believers from heeding the stirrings of the Holy Spirit, and they trusted in God’s plans for hope and the future.
Strengthening our Covenant
Our property has a rich 100+ year history that includes four major renovations. In 1920, we built the Kenan Memorial Building, which today houses our preschool, Sunday School classrooms, and community meeting spaces. In 1955, the sanctuary went through a significant renovation project which brought air conditioning to our worship space, among other changes. In 1980, our congregation faithfully embarked on a capital campaign to add a new kitchen and more HVAC equipment. In 1993, we expanded our campus further by building Brown Hall, more classrooms, and office spaces. Our property represents more than a building; it represents our covenant with God, and it’s time to strengthen our physical space.
Enriching our Community
SACPC is more than a historic building worth preserving. We provide sacred spaces to celebrate and wrestle through life’s major milestones. From baptism and confirmation, to marriage and funerals, our building provides safe spaces to prepare our people to be the spiritual heartbeat of the community we serve. The very word “sanctuary” comes from the Latin word sanctus which means holy. Sacred things happen within our walls and we are now being called, like those before us, to generously invest in its renewal so we can continue our mission to remain faithfully present within our community.
Investing in things we cannot see.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
“Much of the work being done to our property we will not see, but we will feel it. We will hear it. We will experience the benefits.”
- Rev. Katherine B. Harrington
SENIOR PASTOR & HEAD OF STAFF
- Rev. Katherine B. Harrington
SENIOR PASTOR & HEAD OF STAFF
"Through God's strength, the beautiful foundation laid before us and our present determination, I believe our congregation can leave a legacy for worship for years to come."
- Russell Herring
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR
- Russell Herring
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR
"The sanctuary refresh will preserve years of special memories while providing an enriched worship experience for everyone."
- Kathy Denlinger
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR
- Kathy Denlinger
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR
Debt Reduction
Our heating and air conditioning system (HVAC) is 70 years old, well used and now failing. In 2024, the Session approved the need for a new HVAC system and we obtained a 10-year loan for $2.3 million, with an interest rate of 6%. In July of 2024, work to replace the HVAC system in most of the building began and will continue through early 2026. This investment will provide us with a more energy efficient system, and serve us well for generations to come.
Old system underneath the Sanctuary
Old system underneath the Sanctuary
Sanctuary Renovations
Due to the nature of how the original sanctuary HVAC system was installed, we learned the floor would need to be opened. An opportunity arose to consider additional sanctuary renovations. A Sanctuary Task Force was formed and after months of prayer and study, they recommended a new platform to elevate the communion table and worship leaders, refurbish pews, and update the lighting and sound system.
Raised Platform: Improve sight-lines and enhance worship experience.
Angled and Refurbished Pews: Restore original pews, widen space between pews, extend aisle, provide wheelchair access.
AV Updates: New sound system and lofted AV station, new hearing aid assistance, choir loft monitor, new pulpit lighting, and multidirectional livestream cameras.
Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected
Capital Fund Allocations
In August 2024, we secured a 10-year loan for $2,300,000, with an interest rate of 6%, to begin work on the HVAC replacement. We have been paying interest only the first year. Total interest on this loan is $876,000. Our Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected campaign will significantly reduce, or eliminate, our interest payments over the remaining 9 years.
