Seeking God, Sowing Faith, and Serving Others: A Brief History of Christ Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee

Introduction
Originating in the late-1980s, Christ Presbyterian Church of Tallahassee, Florida celebrates more than 30 years of Christian ministry. It is a congregation of the Florida Presbytery, the Synod of the South Atlantic, and the Presbyterian Church USA. The current decade – CPC’s fourth – represents an important juncture for leaders and members: a good time to reflect and learn from the past. While a natural, generational “shift” is underway, this is a good time for the church to build toward the future, based on many tenets of its founding. During the 2020-22 years of pandemic adjustment, CPC created new mission and vision statements to help guide members into the future: “Seeking God/Sowing Faith/Serving Others.”
Mid-1980 - 1989
In the mid-1980s, the Presbytery of Florida and local Presbyterian (USA) churches in Leon County recognized that significant population increase was likely to occur soon in the beautiful, rural, northeast area. In anticipation of rapid growth, several acres of property on Bannerman Road were purchased as the site for a new Presbyterian church. The North Florida Presbytery appointed a church development committee to make plans and create a mission statement. A key aspect of this mission emphasized how the new church would focus on Outreach, not only to the local community, but to the world: “Worship and Work; Nurture and Fellowship; Outreach to Community and World.”
Beginning on January 15, 1989, a group of interested congregants held worship services at Gilchrist Elementary School on Timberlane Road. The Rev. George Nichols, an affiliate with Faith Presbyterian Church’s Counseling Center, led the first service. After several services, officiated by different pastors, the Presbytery agreed to the New Church Development Committee’s request that James L. Peacock, Jr. be called as interim pastor, until the new group could call an organizing pastor. Leaders also pledged to establish a meeting space on the Bannerman Road property within one year.
Secured in 1989, a small, historic chapel, built in 1910 and serving the Wacissa Florida Methodist Church until the 1960’s, was moved to the Bannerman Road property. Architect Rick Barnett was hired to draw the remodeling plans, and Buddy Searcy served as general contractor to oversee the work, which included restoring the 100-year-old heart pine flooring, cedar shake roof shingles, and the original steeple bell, which was rung each Sunday morning before Sunday School. In those early months of church formation, the title “No Name Church” was enthusiastically embraced by congregants, after a youth play was presented with the same name.
In the fall of 1989, the Rev. Ashton Edwin “Ed” Ayers, Jr., was called as organizing pastor. Soon after, by majority vote, the name of Christ Presbyterian Church was adopted.
1990 - 1999
At the May 8, 1990, North Florida Presbytery meeting, held at First Presbyterian Church in Monticello, Christ Presbyterian Church’s charter was received. On May 13, 1990, a service of organization, where charter members were received and Elders elected, was held at Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee. On June 3, 1990, Rev. Ayers was called to remain at CPC as first, full-time pastor.
Chapel renovations were completed by mid-summer, including the addition of a Presbyterian (Celtic) cross placed atop the bell tower. The first worship service in the renovated chapel was held on July 1, 1990. By September 9, 1991, participation in worship had increased steadily, and required two Sunday morning chapel services.
Planning for a new church building began with a ground-breaking ceremony on January 29, 1994. The first worship service in the present-day sanctuary was held on September 11, 1994. Sanctuary dedication took place on October 2, 1994. The chapel was then converted to administrative offices.
Vibrant ministries developed and grew: Worship and Music (adult, youth, children’s, and handbell choirs), Christian Education for children, youth, and adults, Fellowship for members and guests, local Outreach (feeding the homeless, Alternative Christmas Markets, the building of the Presbyterian Habitat House), and trips abroad to help build churches and minister to their fledgling congregations.
2000 – 2009
In December 2001, the Rev. John Dillon was called as CPC’s second full-time pastor. During the search, the Rev. William Lee served as Interim Pastor. Rev. Dillon is a native of Scotland, and CPC benefitted from his knowledge of Presbyterian history and his own family heritage.
By 2006, In the Carpenter’s Footsteps – an Outreach project started and coordinated by members Buddy and Patty Searcy – motivated volunteers to raise money and share their faith and love of Christ in such areas as Appalachia, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Nevis, and Costa Rica. They shared their varied talents and expertise to build and refurbish churches, education buildings, and child-care and sewing centers; they dug wells and set up water systems; they learned how to make and install stained glass for church windows; and they led and shared worship and music during these visits. This challenging but fulfilling ministry continues today and inspires volunteers from churches throughout the Tallahassee area.
Another wide-reaching but more local Outreach ministry also thrived in the mid-2000s: an Alternative Christmas Market, started by volunteers in 1996. By 2008, CPC opened its doors to 30 charitable agencies from the community. Each agency set up booths, where “shoppers” could donate money in honor of loved ones for Christmas. Similar Christmas mission markets continue today.
In 2007, the Rev. Danny Dieth was called to serve as Christ Presbyterian Church’s third, full-time pastor. The Rev. Frank Beall of Pensacola served as Interim Pastor during the search.
2010 - 2019
In 2010, CPC celebrated its 10th Anniversary with special events throughout the weekend of May 20, 2000. Festivities included dinner, an anniversary video, dancing, and music by a host of celebrity musicians. The 100 petitioners who had originally requested formation of CPC and had signed the church’s charter in 1989 were recognized.
During their twelve years at CPC, Rev. Dieth, his family, and CPC’s growing staff nurtured the strength and growth of ministries, especially PYF (Presbyterian Youth Fellowship). An annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch were created to help CPC students attend youth conferences at PCUSA’s spiritual retreat in Montreat, NC. The festival and pumpkin patches continue to be popular and bring more community members onto CPC’s campus than any other annual activity. Through these projects and other efforts, CPC has sponsored well over 1,000 youth to attend summer sessions at Montreat.
Membership continued to increase (to approximately 275), with enthusiastic leadership on both the Session and Diaconate. Christian Education flourished w/Sunday school classes for all ages, annual Confirmand classes for middle and high school youth, and music classes. As the congregation grew, Fellowship became more important, and CPC gained a reputation for friendliness and family nurture. Wednesday night suppers expanded to include Bible study and guest speakers from the community.
Music ministry gained special prominence, as it had from the beginning, under the dedicated talents of Mrs. I.B. “Mikki” Harrison. By the mid-2000s, music during worship and at special concerts brought renowned local and visiting musicians to campus. CPC began a partnership w/Florida State University to offer training and experience in music ministry to music education students. Music continues to hold a special place at CPC, where congregants enjoy enthusiastic singing during worship with excellent piano and instrumental accompaniments, and where music scholarship students share their vocal and instrumental talents.
Dedication to Outreach became a hallmark of “the little Presbyterian Church on Bannerman Road.” Outreach volunteers develop friendships as they share in such activities as Tallahassee’s annual Crop Walk, weekend food delivery to elderly residents at Westminster Gardens, feeding the homeless at The Shelter of Tallahassee and the Kearney Center, providing food and books for area residents in need at outdoor “Blessings Boxes”, assisting Boy Scout Troop #114 with service projects, and frequent service trips to Thornwell’s Children’s Home in Clinton, S.C.
In 2015 administrative offices were relocated from the Chapel to the main building. Work to allow the Chapel to again serve as a worship space began with volunteers donating most of the demolition work. The pine floors and bench seats were refurbished. Authentic lighting and window treatments were added, along with a communion table handmade from recycling the original outdoor shutters. Volunteers hand-painted and installed stained glass window panels on the back walls and above the doors. Services are now held there regularly during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, along with weddings and special ceremonies.
The peaceful, lovely Memorial Garden, located on campus behind the main building, was refurbished in 2016. Services in the Garden include the dedication of a memorial brick to honor a deceased loved one, and they can also celebrate the burial of cremains. The Memory Garden also serves as a quiet, private spot for prayer or a peaceful moment.
In 2019, the Worship and Music ministry expanded to include visual Worship Arts: the modern, open design of the sanctuary lends itself to a variety of visual arts expression, from wall and banner hangings, to nativity scenes and communion table displays.
In January 2018, Rev. Dieth became Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, GA. A two-year-long search began, with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Little of Bainbridge, GA, serving as Interim Pastor.
2020 - present
In May 2020, Christ Presbyterian Church gratefully and happily called the Rev. Sheldon Steen to serve as fourth, full-time pastor and to lead the work of the church into a spirit-filled, resourceful, and confident future.
Both Rev. Little and Rev. Steen led the church during one of the nation’s most difficult times. The Covid-19 pandemic, beginning in early 2020, took the lives of almost one million fellow U.S. citizens and thousands more were adversely affected by it. As a result, the role of churches, including CPC, was more needed than ever within the community. During Covid, online worship opportunities were added and continue to present date.
In 2024, CPC welcomed numerous new members, created an endowment fund, and improved facilities. As 2025 begins, plans at CPC are underway to re-envision ministries and the roles of leadership. The future holds many challenges in the coming years, but also the joys and celebrations of lives lived as a church family and in the love of God and his son, Jesus Christ! Officers and members of this congregation continue Christ’s ministries with passion and commitment. Doors are wide open for those who seek God, those who wish to grow in and share their faith, and those who wish to jointly bring the love and teachings of Christ to as many people as want to participate. All are welcome here!
Originating in the late-1980s, Christ Presbyterian Church of Tallahassee, Florida celebrates more than 30 years of Christian ministry. It is a congregation of the Florida Presbytery, the Synod of the South Atlantic, and the Presbyterian Church USA. The current decade – CPC’s fourth – represents an important juncture for leaders and members: a good time to reflect and learn from the past. While a natural, generational “shift” is underway, this is a good time for the church to build toward the future, based on many tenets of its founding. During the 2020-22 years of pandemic adjustment, CPC created new mission and vision statements to help guide members into the future: “Seeking God/Sowing Faith/Serving Others.”
Mid-1980 - 1989
In the mid-1980s, the Presbytery of Florida and local Presbyterian (USA) churches in Leon County recognized that significant population increase was likely to occur soon in the beautiful, rural, northeast area. In anticipation of rapid growth, several acres of property on Bannerman Road were purchased as the site for a new Presbyterian church. The North Florida Presbytery appointed a church development committee to make plans and create a mission statement. A key aspect of this mission emphasized how the new church would focus on Outreach, not only to the local community, but to the world: “Worship and Work; Nurture and Fellowship; Outreach to Community and World.”
Beginning on January 15, 1989, a group of interested congregants held worship services at Gilchrist Elementary School on Timberlane Road. The Rev. George Nichols, an affiliate with Faith Presbyterian Church’s Counseling Center, led the first service. After several services, officiated by different pastors, the Presbytery agreed to the New Church Development Committee’s request that James L. Peacock, Jr. be called as interim pastor, until the new group could call an organizing pastor. Leaders also pledged to establish a meeting space on the Bannerman Road property within one year.
Secured in 1989, a small, historic chapel, built in 1910 and serving the Wacissa Florida Methodist Church until the 1960’s, was moved to the Bannerman Road property. Architect Rick Barnett was hired to draw the remodeling plans, and Buddy Searcy served as general contractor to oversee the work, which included restoring the 100-year-old heart pine flooring, cedar shake roof shingles, and the original steeple bell, which was rung each Sunday morning before Sunday School. In those early months of church formation, the title “No Name Church” was enthusiastically embraced by congregants, after a youth play was presented with the same name.
In the fall of 1989, the Rev. Ashton Edwin “Ed” Ayers, Jr., was called as organizing pastor. Soon after, by majority vote, the name of Christ Presbyterian Church was adopted.
1990 - 1999
At the May 8, 1990, North Florida Presbytery meeting, held at First Presbyterian Church in Monticello, Christ Presbyterian Church’s charter was received. On May 13, 1990, a service of organization, where charter members were received and Elders elected, was held at Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee. On June 3, 1990, Rev. Ayers was called to remain at CPC as first, full-time pastor.
Chapel renovations were completed by mid-summer, including the addition of a Presbyterian (Celtic) cross placed atop the bell tower. The first worship service in the renovated chapel was held on July 1, 1990. By September 9, 1991, participation in worship had increased steadily, and required two Sunday morning chapel services.
Planning for a new church building began with a ground-breaking ceremony on January 29, 1994. The first worship service in the present-day sanctuary was held on September 11, 1994. Sanctuary dedication took place on October 2, 1994. The chapel was then converted to administrative offices.
Vibrant ministries developed and grew: Worship and Music (adult, youth, children’s, and handbell choirs), Christian Education for children, youth, and adults, Fellowship for members and guests, local Outreach (feeding the homeless, Alternative Christmas Markets, the building of the Presbyterian Habitat House), and trips abroad to help build churches and minister to their fledgling congregations.
2000 – 2009
In December 2001, the Rev. John Dillon was called as CPC’s second full-time pastor. During the search, the Rev. William Lee served as Interim Pastor. Rev. Dillon is a native of Scotland, and CPC benefitted from his knowledge of Presbyterian history and his own family heritage.
By 2006, In the Carpenter’s Footsteps – an Outreach project started and coordinated by members Buddy and Patty Searcy – motivated volunteers to raise money and share their faith and love of Christ in such areas as Appalachia, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Nevis, and Costa Rica. They shared their varied talents and expertise to build and refurbish churches, education buildings, and child-care and sewing centers; they dug wells and set up water systems; they learned how to make and install stained glass for church windows; and they led and shared worship and music during these visits. This challenging but fulfilling ministry continues today and inspires volunteers from churches throughout the Tallahassee area.
Another wide-reaching but more local Outreach ministry also thrived in the mid-2000s: an Alternative Christmas Market, started by volunteers in 1996. By 2008, CPC opened its doors to 30 charitable agencies from the community. Each agency set up booths, where “shoppers” could donate money in honor of loved ones for Christmas. Similar Christmas mission markets continue today.
In 2007, the Rev. Danny Dieth was called to serve as Christ Presbyterian Church’s third, full-time pastor. The Rev. Frank Beall of Pensacola served as Interim Pastor during the search.
2010 - 2019
In 2010, CPC celebrated its 10th Anniversary with special events throughout the weekend of May 20, 2000. Festivities included dinner, an anniversary video, dancing, and music by a host of celebrity musicians. The 100 petitioners who had originally requested formation of CPC and had signed the church’s charter in 1989 were recognized.
During their twelve years at CPC, Rev. Dieth, his family, and CPC’s growing staff nurtured the strength and growth of ministries, especially PYF (Presbyterian Youth Fellowship). An annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch were created to help CPC students attend youth conferences at PCUSA’s spiritual retreat in Montreat, NC. The festival and pumpkin patches continue to be popular and bring more community members onto CPC’s campus than any other annual activity. Through these projects and other efforts, CPC has sponsored well over 1,000 youth to attend summer sessions at Montreat.
Membership continued to increase (to approximately 275), with enthusiastic leadership on both the Session and Diaconate. Christian Education flourished w/Sunday school classes for all ages, annual Confirmand classes for middle and high school youth, and music classes. As the congregation grew, Fellowship became more important, and CPC gained a reputation for friendliness and family nurture. Wednesday night suppers expanded to include Bible study and guest speakers from the community.
Music ministry gained special prominence, as it had from the beginning, under the dedicated talents of Mrs. I.B. “Mikki” Harrison. By the mid-2000s, music during worship and at special concerts brought renowned local and visiting musicians to campus. CPC began a partnership w/Florida State University to offer training and experience in music ministry to music education students. Music continues to hold a special place at CPC, where congregants enjoy enthusiastic singing during worship with excellent piano and instrumental accompaniments, and where music scholarship students share their vocal and instrumental talents.
Dedication to Outreach became a hallmark of “the little Presbyterian Church on Bannerman Road.” Outreach volunteers develop friendships as they share in such activities as Tallahassee’s annual Crop Walk, weekend food delivery to elderly residents at Westminster Gardens, feeding the homeless at The Shelter of Tallahassee and the Kearney Center, providing food and books for area residents in need at outdoor “Blessings Boxes”, assisting Boy Scout Troop #114 with service projects, and frequent service trips to Thornwell’s Children’s Home in Clinton, S.C.
In 2015 administrative offices were relocated from the Chapel to the main building. Work to allow the Chapel to again serve as a worship space began with volunteers donating most of the demolition work. The pine floors and bench seats were refurbished. Authentic lighting and window treatments were added, along with a communion table handmade from recycling the original outdoor shutters. Volunteers hand-painted and installed stained glass window panels on the back walls and above the doors. Services are now held there regularly during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, along with weddings and special ceremonies.
The peaceful, lovely Memorial Garden, located on campus behind the main building, was refurbished in 2016. Services in the Garden include the dedication of a memorial brick to honor a deceased loved one, and they can also celebrate the burial of cremains. The Memory Garden also serves as a quiet, private spot for prayer or a peaceful moment.
In 2019, the Worship and Music ministry expanded to include visual Worship Arts: the modern, open design of the sanctuary lends itself to a variety of visual arts expression, from wall and banner hangings, to nativity scenes and communion table displays.
In January 2018, Rev. Dieth became Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, GA. A two-year-long search began, with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Little of Bainbridge, GA, serving as Interim Pastor.
2020 - present
In May 2020, Christ Presbyterian Church gratefully and happily called the Rev. Sheldon Steen to serve as fourth, full-time pastor and to lead the work of the church into a spirit-filled, resourceful, and confident future.
Both Rev. Little and Rev. Steen led the church during one of the nation’s most difficult times. The Covid-19 pandemic, beginning in early 2020, took the lives of almost one million fellow U.S. citizens and thousands more were adversely affected by it. As a result, the role of churches, including CPC, was more needed than ever within the community. During Covid, online worship opportunities were added and continue to present date.
In 2024, CPC welcomed numerous new members, created an endowment fund, and improved facilities. As 2025 begins, plans at CPC are underway to re-envision ministries and the roles of leadership. The future holds many challenges in the coming years, but also the joys and celebrations of lives lived as a church family and in the love of God and his son, Jesus Christ! Officers and members of this congregation continue Christ’s ministries with passion and commitment. Doors are wide open for those who seek God, those who wish to grow in and share their faith, and those who wish to jointly bring the love and teachings of Christ to as many people as want to participate. All are welcome here!