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The first congregational service
of The Nor'kirk was held on Sunday, October 22, 1975, in the Dale B. Davis
Elementary School in Carrollton, with the Rev. Earl Price presiding.
The four-acre property located at the junction of Josey Lane and Rabbit
Run Road in North Carrollton was obtained by the Grace Union Presbytery in
1973 and was presented to the congregation when the Church was commissioned. The young congregation, in an effort to identify the property, erected a
large, wooden, Celtic cross at the southern end of the property, prior to
Palm Sunday 1976.
Seventy-eight parishioners made up the charter roster when The Nor'kirk
Presbyterian was formally commissioned on Sunday, June 12, 1977, with the
Rev. Earl Price installed as the charter pastor.
The first structure erected on the North Josey site was procured from
Highland Park Presbyterian of Dallas. During the period between April 1978
and April 1979, four temporary class rooms used during construction of
additions to the Highland Park church were moved onto the site and
reconstructed into a sanctuary that could seat 100 parishioners, a church
office, an activities room, a nursery, and two classrooms.
Prior to Rev. Price's retirement in October 1982, a successful campaign
to raise funds to construct Phase I of a permanent building program was
conducted. On July 17, 1983, the Rev. James McKay Davis was formally
installed as the new pastor, and on that same day ground was broken for the
new building.
The new building included a sanctuary that holds 225 parishioners, the
church offices, the pastor's study, a library, a kitchen, and two class
rooms. It was officially consecrated on Sunday, July 22, 1984. The "
temporary building" was refurbished and is used for Sunday School, a
"Mother's Day Out" program, and other youth activities. It is called the
"Earl Price Hall" in recognition of our first pastor.
On Sunday, May 12, 1985, the three stained-glass windows in the sanctuary
were dedicated. They were designed by Dallas artist Torg Thompson, who is
known for the tapestry and production at the Dallas Biblical Arts Center
entitled "The Miracle at Pentecost." He is a friend of Pastor Earl Price. At the dedication Thompson stated, "The Incarnation" (window #1) symbolizes
the time when God broke directly into mankind; the Resurrection (window #2)
symbolizes the forgiveness for man; and at Pentecost (window #3), man became
free -- that's when the church began."
In the Spring of 1990, ground was broken for Phase II of The Nor'kirk's
permanent facilities. The new addition opened in November 1990. This new
wing included an administrative office for the education department, four
preschool classrooms, and a large multi-purpose room that could be used for
church dinners. The original flexible walls in the multi-purpose room
have been replaced with fixed walls, to create five more classrooms used for Sunday
School and the preschool.
The Rev. Linda Sharp served as the interim pastor from July 1992 until
June 1994. The Rev. Dan Fullerton was called to serve this
congregation as its next pastor, and he was officially installed on July 10, 1994. During his service
a board of deacons was created, Price Hall was
completely refurbished and upgraded, and small group ministries were
established.
The Rev. Marney Wasserman served as the interim pastor from July 1,
1999, until February 24, 2002. Under Rev. Wasserman's interim
leadership our youth groups gained new members and our congregation
continued to grow. The Rev. Dr. William Parr was called as the
next pastor, and his term began on Easter Sunday 2002.
On Sunday June 9, 2002, Founder's Sunday, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Charter of our
congregation. The weekend included a "70's" style dance in
the education wing, a reception, a golf tournament, and honoring
of some special members of the Kirk. Honored that year
were Bernie Manley, Helen Besedick, and Kay Swartout. All
three were in worship when honored. Bernie and Helen were
both members of the Charter group, and both have been faithful
members of the Kirk. Kay was a long-time member who served
as a Deacon, Elder, Trustee, and on the PNC which called Dr.
Parr.
As the congregation continues to grow we
have had to add many new programs and opportunities to service.
During the summer of 2003 we once again took mission seriously
in the form of a mission trip. While some of our youth
have gone on Presbytery Mission Trips, it was time for the
opportunity for families to gather and go out with God's summons
to service. In summer 2003 and the summer of 2004, members
of the Kirk traveled to Albuquerque New Mexico to the Menaul
School. Starting with worship at historic Second
Presbyterian in Albuquerque, a group representing over 10% of
our congregation spent a week working on the grounds, and in the
buildings of the School. Menaul is a Presbyterian-founded
school dedicated to the education of Native American and
Hispanic children. During the summer of 2005, the mission
group will travel to Kingsville, Texas, to the Pan American
school to spend a week helping to prepare this Presbyterian
founded institution prepare for the coming school year.
Also in 2003 and 2004 we have had a Family
Spiritual Retreat in Oklahoma at the Texoma Lodge. The
retreat is an opportunity for families to get away from the
daily activities of Carrollton, and spend time exploring
spiritual aspects of being members of family, church, community.
This event is being expanded in 2005 to a weekend event and
follow-up one day gatherings. The Spiritual Retreat is an
opportunity to be reminded that all aspects of our lives can
have Spiritual meaning. Special Worship services and
prayer events have included annual Blessings of the Animals and
Services of Wholeness and Healing.
On Founder's Sunday 2004 we added the name
of Bill Vazquez to those honored for their work within the life
of the congregation. Bill has been instrumental in working
with Mission, both our ongoing work at the Austin Street
Shelter, as well as our trips to Menaul and Kingsville. He
is most known for his time spent around the church as a general
"fix it" man. If something needs to be built, repaired, or
painted, Bill is one of two Bills generally called upon.
Organizations which have added to the life
of the congregation include our Kirk Orchestra, the Kirk Bells (Handbell
Choir), Craft nights, Men's Fellowship outings, Women of the
Church, Young parents outings, Drama Groups, Bible Studies
during the week, and even a gathering around the table to play
"42." Because of all the activities of the congregation,
we have changed the designation of Program Director to that of
Director of Christian Education. Our DCE, Nancy Pratt, has
been instrumental in the blossoming of activities within the
congregation, and to help her with all that is going on, one of
the Sessional Assignments has been changed to Programs.
We have a special "Red Envelope" offering
on the first Sunday of every month, for the sole purpose of
paying off the debt on the building. At the same time the
Session at its regular March meeting in 2005 voted to call
together a "Building Committee" with the purpose of researching
out the possibility of adding to our present facilities.
The Nor'kirk has been honored for its
ministries by a grant from Grace Presbytery for our work with
the TAMS students, and a $1,000 award from Union PSCE in
Richmond, VA for Effective Youth Ministry. The Nor'kirk
continues to examine the ways that it can serve Christ among His
people, and within our community.
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