Who We Are

Our Staff

Pastor Gregg Keith Montreat Presbyterian Church Montreat, NC

Rev. Keith Grogg

Pastor pastor@montreatchurch.org
Vivian Hare Director of Music Montreat Presbyterian Church NC

Vivian Hare

Director of Music music@montreatchurch.org
Lynn Bledsoe Montreat Presbyterian Church Montreat, NC

Rev. Lynn Bledsoe

Pastoral Visitor visitor@montreatchurch.org
Bonnie Shoemaker Office Secretary Montreat Presbyterian Church Montreat NC

Bonnie Shoemaker

Office Administrator office@montreatchurch.org
Presbytery of Western NC

Our Heritage

Montreat Presbyterian Church was formed in 1906 as an outgrowth of the interdenominational fellowship, Montreat Church of Montreat, which was chartered in 1902 with 37 members. In 1905, the Rev. Dr. J.R. Howerton of Charlotte vigorously pursued the idea of the Presbyterians purchasing Montreat as a retreat for Bible study and spiritual renewal, and the first meeting of the stockholders of the Mountain Retreat Association under the ownership of the Presbyterians was held on November 21, 1906, in the parlor of the First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Dr. J.R. Howerton was elected President. The interdenominational church was reorganized as Montreat Presbyterian Church, with 25 charter members on December 13, 1906, and enrolled in the Asheville Presbytery. Services were held in the Community Building built in 1900 which now houses the Montreat Post Office. Our church has worshiped in various locations in Montreat, but for over one hundred years has never owned its own sanctuary.

Our Core Values

WORSHIP—Meaningful worship is the heart of our life together.

FELLOWSHIP—We share life, encourage each other, grow as friends, meet Christ together and face some of the difficult moments of life together.

GROUNDED YET OPEN—Our mission and ministry respect the Reformed tradition yet are open to leadership through the Spirit and the Word.

IN PARTNERSHIP—Relationships with others enhance our ministry, and while we are ecumenical in spirit, we celebrate our bond with the Presbyterian Church (USA), our ties to the life of the Montreat Conference Center, and our partnerships with others seeking to serve God and the larger community.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE—We are called to serve the future as we serve the present, so we embrace and nurture all ages. We seek creative ways to strengthen our church and our denomination.

MISSION—We serve God by giving of our time, talent, and treasure, and we offer comfort to those in need. We trust that our actions will spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and claim justice for all. Through our earth ministry, we commit to being good stewards of God’s creation.

DISCIPLESHIP—We are a learning community, studying God’s word and learning from one another. Laity and clergy share the teaching and nurturing roles.

DISCERNMENT—Alert to the mystery of God’s presence in our lives, we seek to follow God’s call with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.

Our Session

Montreat Presbyterian Church 2024 Session

Lynn Gilliland and Grace Nichols (Class of 2024)

Ellen Henschen and Lisa Rome (Class of 2025)

John Casper and George Sawyer (Class of 2026)

Ellen Dean, Clerk of Session

Keith Grogg, Moderator