Church History
THE HISTORY OF SHANDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Shandon Presbyterian has a rich heritage that goes back to 1913, when a group of Shandon folks began meeting for worship and Sunday School. In May 1916 this group formally organized as Shandon Presbyterian Church with 53 members and met at the Shandon Public School. Within a few months a brick building was built at Maple and Wheat Streets where the work and worship of the Shandon Church grew with the Shandon neighborhood.
In 1929 a new building was built on Woodrow Street. As growth in membership and ministry continued under outstanding leadership, expansion programs in 1953, 1958, and the late 1960s were needed to enable the mission and ministry to grow as well. The latest building expansion in the mid-1990s include the Activity Center, greatly expanded space for the music program and youth ministry.
Shandon's weekday ministry with children began with one half-day kindergarten class for five-year-olds in 1958. Today the Child Development Center (CDC) is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and serves almost 300 children. It has three programs, a Full-day program for children 8 weeks through 5 years old, a Half-day program from 9 a.m.-12 for Toddlers through 5 year olds and an Afterschool program for Kindergarteners through 8th graders. Shandon's fleet of six buses picks up almost 150 students from six local elementary schools and Crayton Middle School, while Hand Middle students walk over. The middle school students meet in the McDonald Youth Center. See the CDC website at www.shandonprescdc.org for more information.
Other community ministries include: the oldest continuously chartered Boy Scout Troop in the state, Cub Scouts, the Columbia Pastoral Counseling Center and, at the University of South Carolina, the Presbyterian Student Association (PSA). Shandon also participates in a number of community service ministries such as Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, the Cooperative Ministry, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Washington Street Soup Kitchen, Family Shelter and Helping Hands. The Shandon campus is host to numerous community service organizations.
Today Shandon's members and visitors may worship at two Sunday services. An ever-expanding music ministry includes: the Chancel Choir (11 a.m. service), two adult handbell groups, a number of instrumental ensembles, and choirs and handbell groups for children and youth. There are Sunday School classes for all ages, including adult. Wednesdays at Shandon (WAS) provides a time for fellowship meals, Bible studies, and programs for all ages.
Shandon's multi-faceted program succeeds because of the commitment of its members and staff. Shandon challenges all its members to find their particular place to serve in the church and in the community and they can witness to their faith, seeking to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
