History
The Independent Presbyterian Church of Memphis was incorporated on March 17, 1965. [1] The church met at the Plaza Theatre on Poplar Avenue for a little more than the first two years of its existence. [2] The Reverend Leonard T. Van Horn served as the church's first pastor. In May 1968, the Reverend James E. Moore was hired to serve as the senior minister. By this time, the church had moved to its current location on Walnut Grove Road. During Jim Moore's tenure, the church began a ministry with Palmer Home for Children. In July 1974, the Reverend Robert C. Laman became senior minister. Robert Laman and Louis Powell, a deacon, added a Wednesday evening family dinner and Bible study to supplement its Sunday services. The Reverend John P. Sartelle Sr. began his service as senior minister of the church in November 1977. Under his leadership, a College and Career ministry began, the church's membership grew to 2,200. Construction also commenced to include an expanded sanctuary, a large fellowship hall, educational and office space, and a gymnasium. As the church grew, so did its staff and ministries,which include those for children, youth, women, senior adults, music, and missions. In the year 2000, the church's congregation voted to join the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) after 35 years of congregationalism. In 2006, Dr. John Hardie was called upon to serve as senior minister and in 2009, the Reverend Richie Sessions became the sixth senior minister to lead the church. Since January 2017, Dr. Sean Michael Lucas has been the senior pastor at Independent Presbyterian Church. [3]
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