About Us
Government Street Presbyterian Church was founded in 1831. The present sanctuary was constructed in 1836 and for 176 years we have been worshiping God and serving our neighbors on this same corner. Our sanctuary is the oldest in Mobile, and has been designated a National Landmark, one of only two buildings in Mobile to have such an honor. We are delighted when anyone wants to visit our church and view our sanctuary. Tours can be arranged with just a few days notice. GSPC is handicapped accessible. Click here for more detailed information about the architecture and history of the church.
VBaptism VBecoming a Member VThe Guesnard House VOur Pastor VOur Associate Pastors VOur Staff
Our Mission
We are called by the Spirit
to glorify God,
so that all may become
joyful disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Seven Habits of Disciples
Prayer, Worship, Bible Study, Service, Fellowship, Tithing, Testimony
Click here to read about What We Believe.
About Presbyterians
This congregation is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA),
the oldest and largest Presbyterian denomination in the
United States, with nearly 3 million members nationwide. We
are one of 31 churches of the Presbytery of South Alabama,
and are known as the mother of Presbyterianism in southern
Alabama. Presbyterians trace our roots to the Protestant
Reformation of the 16th century, and to theologian John
Calvin of Geneva and reformer John Knox of Scotland.
Presbyterians were highly influential in the religious and
political climates of colonial America.
Presbyterians practice both infant and adult baptism. Most parents bring their infants for baptism because we believe that baptism is a sign of grace and that God's grace is extended to the children of believers even before children can articulate their faith. However, some Presbyterians choose to be baptized at the time of their profession of faith. Presbyterians baptize by sprinkling.
We welcome anyone who believes and trusts in Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior to become a member of our church family.
We receive members in three ways:
The Guesnard House was built in 1855 by Theodore Guesnard, a prominent Mobile jeweler, and his wife Zeline. Mr. Guesnard was one of the incorporators in 1854 of the famous "Can't Get Away Club" an organization that functioned for the relief of the city in the yellow fever epidemic.
The house, situated on the corner of Conti and Jackson streets, follows the mode in Mobile townhouses of that period. Dominating the double parlors are walnut and gold cornices with matching pier mirrors. Throughout the house are the original pine floors. In the second parlor, both the Italian black marble mantel and the gas chandelier of brass, now electrified, are original the the house. The chandelier in this room is typical of the era. The handsome woodwork is Greek revival, and the ceilings are fourteen feet high.
The Guesnard House is owned by GSPC, and the Presbyterian Women are responsible for restoring this typical town house. A recent revitalization has taken place and a VIRTUAL TOUR will soon be available. The House is available for members and their sponsored guests for showers, receptions, small weddings and meetings. Contact Linda Killilea, Director of Hospitality, at 434-9326 to make reservations.
Dr. George R.
Sinclair, Jr.
was
installed as Pastor of Government Street Presbyterian
Church on December 8, 2002. A North Carolina native,
George earned his undergraduate degree in religion and
philosophy from Highpoint University in 1975. He holds a
master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degrees from
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Before coming to Mobile, George served Presbyterian churches in Warsaw, IL, Lenoir, NC, and LaGrange, GA. He and his wife, Paula, have two married children. Their daughter, Meredith, is a PhD candidate at the University of North Carolina and their son, Sean, is the Chef at the Washhouse Restaurant in Point Clear, AL.
George enjoys woodworking, hunting, fishing, and is an avid bike rider. Paula is employed at UMS Wright where she teaches 8th grade Algebra. She is an Elder and currently teaches GSPC’s Senior Highs. The Sinclairs reside at 1105 Savannah Street in the Oakleigh Garden District of Mobile.
Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Discipleship
Reverend
Ryan Jensen joined
Government Street on June 16, 2008.
He leads evangelism and membership efforts at GSPC and is very active in the church's World Mission and Urban Ministry programs.
Ryan and his wife Laura moved to Mobile from Austin, Texas where Ryan graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in May of 2008. Ryan is a native of Shelbyville, Tennessee, and graduated from The University of Memphis in 1996 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Prior to seminary, Ryan served as a youth director and staff member at First Presbyterian Church, Shelbyville and First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee.
Ryan was ordained and installed at GSPC on March 1st, 2009.
Laura has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. Laura works as a Reading Specialist for the Lower School (grades 1&2) at St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile.
The Jensens live in the Leinkauf District in Midtown Mobile.
Associate Pastor for Youth and Christian Education
Rev. Kathryn Threadgill joined GSPC on August 3, 2009.
Kathryn grew up in Fairhope, after being adopted into a family of 13 brothers and sisters from all over the world. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Montreat College in Montreat North Carolina where she majored in Bible and Religion with the concentration in Youth Ministry. Kathryn graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2008 with a Masters of Divinity. She spent the past year serving as Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministries with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. Kathryn was ordained in June 2008 at her home church, Spanish Fort Presbyterian.
To read more about Kathryn in an article featured in Mobile's Press Register, click here.
Please contact Kathryn at 434-9322 or via email at: kathryn@gspcmobile.org
Our Seminary Intern
Scott
Spence, a student at Austin Presbyterian
Theological Seminary, began his one year internship on
August 17th. He is a graduate of Centre College (BA in
History) and is a member of University Presbyterian Church
in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is currently under
care of the Presbytery of New Hope. He will work with Urban
Ministry teams during his year at Government Street.
He will lead the Urban Mission Summer camps at Baytreat,
teach, provide pastoral care, and assist in worship.
Scott wife, Tara, has BS in mathematics from Centre College, and a Masters Degree in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has taught high school math in the past and will be working for the University of Phoenix while in Mobile. Scott and Tara are looking forward to the birth of their first child in October. They live in West Mobile.
Please contact Scott at 434-9328 or email at: scott@gspcmobile.org
Director of Music and Fine Arts
Mr. Terry D. Maddox, M.M. holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Music and Religion with an
emphasis in
organ performance, from the University of Evansville in
Indiana; and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting
from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a
member of the Mobile Chapter of the American Guild of
Organists. Terry has served as an educator for three private
Christian school systems in the position of Director of Fine
Arts for twelve years of his career. He is currently in his
tenth year at GSPC where he serves as organist, choir
director, and administrator of the music and fine arts
programs of which the Mobile Community Chorus is a part.
Terry also serves as Assistant to the Cantor for Touro
Synagogue of New Orleans, Adjunct Professor of Organ and
Liturgy Studies for the University of Mobile, Artistic
Director for the Eastern Shore Choral Society of Fairhope,
Adjunct Professor for Spring Hill College's Chorale program
and Music Education program, and organist for St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
Director of Children's Ministries
Amanda
Neff Murray Working with CE, she r
esources children and adult
educational activities, and works with congregation advisors to provide for the
Presbyterian Youth Connection. She continues in her Children's Church role that has endeared her to so
many of our youngest members, as she oversees Children's Ministries. She supervises the baby and toddler nurseries; works
side by side with Charlotte Crockett to coordinate and implement the Rotation
Sunday School program monthly; and has developed a new toddlers' program. Amanda
also coordinates special children and family events.
Amanda is married to Ian Murray and they have two young children, Ella and August James. Amanda is the daughter of Teresa and Dusty Neff and grew up at GSPC. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of South Alabama, she went on to achieve a Master's degree from Loyola University in Music Therapy.
Director of Hospitality
Linda Killilea handles all the wedding planning and event coordination, and she is the go-to person for any special service need. Linda is extremely dedicated to the congregation, her responsibilities, and is always just a telephone call away when you need her. She has graciously been serving GSPC for more than 20 years now, and is a member of the congregation.
Food Services Director
Shelia Smith came to Go
vernment Street
25 years ago. Her first three years here she worked in the nursery. She says, "the only cooking experience I had was at
home growing up. Mom had each of the girls do a night in the
kitchen. She would teach us how to make this and that."
Shelia grew up in Mobile, the second of seven children.
Every weekday morning she arrives at work at 5:30 and begins cooking breakfast for Coffee Club. Between 80-100 homeless people from the streets of Mobile turn up each morning to eat. After Coffee Club, Shelia prepares several dozen sandwiches and hot meals for the Meals on Wheels deliveries. Shelia is the chef for most all of the church functions throughout the year, including the Forums, Urban Mission Camps, holiday events, special services, and Sunday coffee hour. As she leaves each day for home she says, "if the creek don't rise, I'll see y'all in the morning."
Debbie Bruker joined the GSPC staff on August 3, 2009. She assists Ryan and the Evangelism and Membership Committee with community outreach projects, and helps to share Government Street's story with the community.
Bonnie Johnston joined the GSPC staff in August of 2007. She and her husband moved to Mobile from Duncanville, Texas. Bonnie was the bookkeeper and office manager for her previous church, Christway Ministries.
For Baytreat information and reservations, please call Bonnie. Her office hours are: Monday-Thursday, 9 AM- 3PM.
Laura Holland Seymour joined the GSPC office team in November of 2005. She works with office volunteers supporting church reception duties. Building maintenance, computer administration, and security issues are directed to Laura. She produces the Sunday bulletin and keeps the Master Calendar.
Laura's office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 AM-4:00 PM.