Our Story
Formed by Christ and Blessed by God
In recognition of the rapid population growth east of the Beaufort River, the Sea Island Presbyterian Church was chartered as a New Church Development (NCD) by the Charleston – Atlantic Presbytery in October of 1988. With a founding charter and a dedicated group of founding members, we celebrated our first worship service on the first Sunday in October 1988 in what is now the Unitarian Fellowship Campus on Sam’s Point Road. The Rev. Tom Baughman was the organizing pastor. The congregation then moved to the Lady’s Island Elementary School in the fall of 1989. God blessed our fledgeling church, and we began plans for a new church campus.
Steve Keeler accepted the call to be our Pastor, and the Keeler Family arrived in the Beaufort community in July 1991. With the Fellowship Hall and administrative wing under construction, Wednesday Kirk Night began at the Keeler residence in September 1991 with a schedule for Soup & Sandwich, Recreation, Bible Study, and Choir Practice.
We conducted our first worship service in our current location the Sunday before Christmas 1991 in our newly constructed Fellowship Hall. The Sanctuary and Christian Education wing were completed in October of 1995. In 2000, we added the Christian Education Building – now housing our Day School – and added classrooms to the Fellowship Hall. We have been blessed with healthy growth since our founding. Over the years, thousands have come to worship with us and to participate in the life of Sea Island Presbyterian Church.
Modeled After the Work of the Reformers
With respect to the work, mission, and ministry of the church, we emphasize Sunday morning worship, educational opportunities for learning and fellowship, and quality pastoral care. This particular model follows the model used by the reformer John Calvin in Geneva, Switzerland as he continued the work of the Reformation first initiated by Martin Luther in Wittenburg, Germany.
Engaged in Mission Work
SIPC has shown through the years a special interest in mission work that is conducted locally and internationally. We have traveled to New York City, to assist the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in their work to to help the poor. Our teams have car-pooled to Pedras Negras, Mexico, in affiliation with “Construction for Christ”, to build a home for a family in just five days. We have traveled to the Dominican Republic to share the gospel and conduct a Vacation Bible School for the underprivileged. Our congregation currently supports missionaries in Brazil, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Australia, and Sudan.
Serving the Needs of Our Community
The campus continues to host a very successful Day School in addition to Family Promise, Safe Haven after school program, and a number of non-profit organizations when they need appropriate meeting space. We are a church whose mission is to love God, love others, and reach out.
Our Vision Statement
As we move forward in the 21st century as an evangelical Presbyterian congregation rooted in the Reformed tradition, we envision a vibrant congregation where each person is maturing in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and living that faith as a disciple in the world through worship, prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and compassionate service to build up the Kingdom of God on earth.
Mission Statement
Jesus sends us into the world to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching everything that he has commanded us. (Matt. 28: 19)
The Sea Island Presbyterian Church is a family of faith formed by the grace of Jesus Christ, called to joyfully worship and love God, serve Jesus Christ, share the Good News, and shape disciples equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit to participate in God’s mission of compassion, reconciliation, justice and peace.
