WHO WE ARE
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of Cheraw.
We would like to welcome you to First Presbyterian Church, Cheraw. It is our hope that through involvement with our church, you can join us in being rooted in Christ through love, grow in God’s Spirit and go into the world in God’s mission.
Our Mission
By the Grace of God, we are rooted in Christ through love. We grow in the Spirit by worshipping, by studying, and by cultivating relationships with Christ and others. As stewards of God’s gifts and affirming our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we share God’s Mission of reaching out with Christ’s Love.Vision & Values
First Presbyterian Church of Cheraw is rooted in Christ through love…growing in the Spirit…and sharing God’s mission.Join Us
You are invited to come and visit First Presbyterian Church, Cheraw, on any Sunday morning. We hope our worship will benefit you and draw you closer to God.During this time of COVID-19, you can also worship with us by watching our recorded service on our Facebook page.Loving God. Loving People.
Our Leaders
Rev. Dr. Dan Sansbury
INTERIM PASTOR
Mary Louise Baker
MUSIC DIRECTOR/ORGANIST
Mary Louise Baker holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance with a Minor in Piano Performance from Salem College where she studied with Dr. Jack Mitchener and Ms. Barbara Lister-Sink. At Salem, she was named the A.J. Fletcher Scholar, the highest award for music scholars at the college, and was the recipient of the President’s Prize in 1999. She earned a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and Literature from the University of Notre Dame under the instruction of Dr. Craig Cramer in 2001. At the prestigious music school at Notre Dame, she was awarded a full scholarship, serving as assistant director of the Women’s Choir, Liturgical Choir, and assistant organist for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. She completed further organ studies in Germany and Canada. In 1997 Mrs. Baker was chosen to perform at Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary, Canada, for an audience of over 1200 in the “Organ a la Carte Recital Series." She has served on the panel of judges for the regional hymn-playing contest at Methodist College and performed many recitals throughout the years. In 2003, Mrs. Baker earned her certification in Kindermusik, a musical training program for children. She has many years of experience serving as organist, directing choirs, and teaching at the college level. Mrs. Baker is currently the Organist and Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, Cheraw, SC, and music teacher (8 years) at Marlboro Academy, Bennettsville. Mrs. Baker enjoys living in Laurinburg with her husband, Sam, of twenty-three years, their four children, Sadie, Jessie, Sam, and Lainey, and two dogs, Benji and Olive.
Carolyn West
CHURCH SECRETARY AND FINANCIAL SECRETARY
Carolyn joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church in August of 2007. She and her husband, Steve, attend Westside Baptist Church where Steve is pastor. She enjoys reading, working in her flowers, bird watching and spending time with family and friends.
James Kendall
CHURCH SEXTON
James is a native of Cheraw, SC. He joined the staff of FPC in 2014. He is a 1969 graduate of Long Jr. High School and worked at the Pepsi Plant for 19 years. James is married to Arnetha. They have one daughter and three grandchildren. James loves fishing and traveling. He is a deacon at Word of Life Fellowship Church.
Arnetha Kendall
HOUSEKEEPER
Arnetha is a native of Morven, NC. She joined the staff of FPC in 2014. She is a 1970 graduate of Bowman High School in Wadesboro, NC and worked at Stanley Tools for 4 years. Afterwards she started her own sewing business which lasted 12 years. Arnetha attends Word of Life Fellowship Church, along with her husband, one daughter and three grandchildren.
Kim Brabham
DIRECTOR OF MOTHER'S MORNING OUT PROGRAM
A Cheraw native, and a member of First Presbyterian Church her entire life, Kim is a graduate of Winthrop University. She has been married to David, a self employed residential contractor, for 35 years. She and David have 2 children. David Jr. is a Clemson graduate and a senior project engineer for Thompson Turner Construction. He and his wife, Hannah, a Nurse Practitioner live on John’s Island and have one son, Clark. Their daughter, Laura, a Clemson graduate, and her husband, Zain live in Austin, Texas. Laura is a corporate recruiter with Google and Zain is a marketing director at Canva.
Debbie Jewart
MOTHER'S MORNING OUT ASSISTANT
Debbie was born and raised in Pennsylvania. In 1985, she married her husband Randy and moved to Cheraw in 1986. Randy works for McLeod Hospital. They have two children, Nathan and Sara. They are grandparents to Mackenzie and Addie Jewart, daughters of Nathan. Debbie has worked with the Mothers’ Morning Out Program for a number of years. She loves working with children, both watching and playing with them.
Mary Gulledge
NURSERY DIRECTOR
Mary has served as First Presbyterian Church nursery worker since 1997. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from USC in Columbia, SC and a Masters in Education from George Peabody - College of Vanderbilt University. Mary and her husband, Tommy, live in Cheraw and have one grown son.
Paige Coates
MOTHER'S MORNING OUT ASSISTANT
Paige Coates is a life-long Cheraw native. She has been married 28 years to Donald Coates and they have two children. Beth lives in Greenville, SC and works with children with autism. Marlee is a sophomore at Francis Marion University and is majoring in education. In her free time Paige enjoys helping others, spending time with friends and family members, and being outside.
Our History
FPC has been blessed with long pastorates including one of fifty years in length. Thirteen ministers and three interim ministers have led the church in over 187 years of ministry.
Throughout its long history, First Presbyterian has had a tradition of excellence in organ, choral, and (in recent history) hand bell music, particularly in 1986 with the addition of The Memorial Organ built by Gabriel Kney & Co., of London, Ontario, Canada. Continuing in the tradition of excellence, a strong emphasis on Christian Education and missions to others both far and near have become vital parts of the church’s ministries. The strength of the church has always been in active members who have committed themselves to civic matters and remaining focused on doing the work that Jesus Christ calls us to do
Worship with us
Please reach out with any questions you have. We can't wait to meet you.