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 Parish Associate VOur Staff
Our Mission
The congregation of Government Street Presbyterian Church, as the people of God called to worship and work in the center city of Mobile, pursue our mission to use our unique resources and opportunities to love, to honor, and to glorify God and to give hope, comfort, instruction and inspiration to all persons that they may become joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. Our members participate actively in the church's commitments through urban ministries, international ministries, Baytreat ministries, worship, education and fellowship.
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:
photographs
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.
Dr. Al Reese returned to GSPC in March of 2006.
He previously served as Interim Pastor at GSPC in '93 and
'94. Since then he has done interims in Mississippi,
Alabama,
and Florida.
Al's primary call as Parish Associate is to provide pastoral care for the family units in the congregation who, for a variety of reasons, now connect with the church through home visits. He will also preach when George is away and teach Sunday School.
Al and his wife Helen reside in Pensacola, but have a local residence for his Sunday, Monday and Tuesday schedule at GSPC. On a more personal note, since he is still a "yellow dog" democrat and Helen a republican, they practice a lot of grace and forgiveness on a daily basis. The GSPC congregation warmly welcomes Al and Helen back to their Mobile home.
Director of Evangelism and Membership
Ryan Jensen joined
Government Street on June 16, 2008. When Ryan completes the
requirements for his ordination this fall, there will be a
Congregational Meeting to issue his formal call. Ryan's
ordination and installation as GSPC's Associate Pastor is
expected following the February meeting of South Alabama
Presbytery.
Ryan and his wife Laura moved to Mobile from Austin, Texas where Ryan graduated from Austin Seminary in May. Ryan is a native of Shelbyville, Tennessee, was awarded a full four-year scholarship to The University of Memphis where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1996. After a two year stint with the Army Corps of Engineers in Memphis, Ryan returned to his home church in Shelbyville serving as youth director, liturgist, and assistant to the pastor. Laura has a Master degree in Education from Oglethorpe University and teaches elementary school.
The Jensens live in the Leinkauf District of downtown Mobile.
Our Seminary Intern
Andy
King, a graduate of Columbia Seminary in Decatur,
Georgia, began his one year internship with GSPC on August
18. Andy, a graduate of Purdue University (he has a BA in
English), is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in
Indianapolis, Indiana and is a Candidate for Ministry under
the care of Whitewater Valley Presbytery. He will work with
our Urban Ministry teams including the Baytreat Summer Urban
Mission Camps; he plans to teach; provide worship
leadership; and assist with pastoral care. We are glad
to welcome Andy this year!
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
ninth 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 Youth and Christian Education
Kara Olson GSPC officially
welcomed Kara to Mobile on June 25, 2007. "Officially" because Kara had already
spent a week with 14 GSPC youth and friends at Montreat earlier that month. Kara
is an ordained deacon and served the Crescent Springs Presbyterian Church in
Crescent Springs Kentucky prior to entering the College of Wooster (Ohio) where
she double majored in History and Religious Studies.
After being awarded a fellowship to conduct field research in Paris, Kara wrote
for her senior independent study a 100 page paper titled Filling the Cup;
Voltaire, C.S. Lewis, and the Inclusion of Religion in the Public Sphere.
The study explored the idea of religious discourse occurring in public places,
specifically coffee shops and pubs.
Kara joins a great education team. Charlotte Crockett will continue her work
with the Workshop Rotation; and after family leave, Amanda Murray will resume
her work with children's programs. While Kara's primary focus will be youth
ministry, she will also staff the CE Committee and oversee the education
of GSPC's youth and adults.
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 a three year old daughter, Ella and an baby son, 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
24 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."
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 weekly newsletter, keeps the Master Calendar, and is the go-to person for information on church happenings.
Laura's office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5:00 PM.
Bobby Purifoy, Sexton
Bobby performs and directs all of the church maintenance and cleaning. He helps Shelia every morning with Coffee Club, and with Fellowship Hall preparations for special meals and events. Bobby assists members with many of their volunteer efforts, such as bread delivery. He works many evenings as security detail for after hours committee meetings, choir rehearsals, and special services. Bobby has been a full time, much loved GSPC staff member for over five years.
Mr. Donald H. Stewart, Director of Music Emeritus