WELCOME

There’s nothing like a “test drive” to help you discern if a particular congregation is the right spiritual home for you. So, we encourage you to visit for worship a few times to get a feel for the variety we offer, since our services are different. While you’re here, introduce yourself to the pastor, and join folks in the “hall” for coffee between services. 

Worship Service Times

Sunday Worship Services – 8:30 and 10:45 am

 

We are Lutheran. That means that our focus is on God’s love and care for everything God has created – the earth and all its creatures; humanity in all of its rich diversity. It also emphasizes that God’s grace, God’s YES, is offered freely to all in Jesus Christ. 

There are a variety of musical styles, traditions, and instrumentation, from organ to electric guitar. The two services are different musically, as well as, in style of worship.

Services use the historic order of the liturgy (Gathering, Word, Communion, and Sending) with inclusive language and contemporary settings.

Children are welcome – wiggles and all. We believe that faith is passed on in song, prayer, and by being present in the worshipping community. Children’s sermons are part of the service, and children’s church is offered for young children during the adult sermon.  Nursery care is available for children under age 3 for those times when children or caregivers need a break.

We gather around Jesus’ table for Holy Communion every Sunday morning. All who wish to take part are welcome – without exception.

 

We hope you’ll feel welcome no matter what activities you try. If you also discover that Pisgah is the community in which you’d like to live out your values, wrestle with life’s challenges, nurture your faith, and help others, then contact the Pastor about joining.

Our Story

Pisgah Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1879 by the Reverend Barnabus "Barney" Kreps (1829-1887). Pastor Kreps served Pisgah, as well as, Union and Bethlehem in Leesville for five years following the organization of the congregation (1879-1884). Pisgah was begun on a tract of land given by two sets of brothers – John J. and Martin Luther Kyzer, and John J. and Martin Luther Taylor. It remains on this same tract near the intersection of Pisgah Church and Rawl Roads, west of the town of Lexington.

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Pisgah's name (Piz'-gah) is a Hebrew word which means "top" or "head" and comes from a mountaintop in the Holy Land which was the highest peak of Mt. Nebo from which Moses saw the Promised Land. It was here that God called Moses out of this world to dwell eternally with Him in Heaven.

The first Parish Register was begun in 1880. The original constitution containing ten articles was adopted at the date of organization and was written in longhand. It is kept in Pisgah's safe deposit box. The first sanctuary was dedicated on Sunday, September 25, 1886.

A parish/educational building was built and dedicated on Sunday, October 24, 1954.

Pisgah became a self-supporting congregation in 1964. The congregation was without a pastor during her first year of independence. Worship was conducted by students and faculty of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, SC. 

The Rev. William E. Stone became the first fulltime Pastor of Pisgah on June 6, 1966. A Planning Council was named to make a comprehensive study of the need for a new church. The Rev. Dermont Fritz Swicegood was installed as Pisgah's Pastor on July 20, 1969. A Building Committee for a new church sanctuary was approved on October 26, 1969.

Groundbreaking was held on Sunday, October 4, 1970. The new sanctuary was completed and the cornerstone laid on Sunday, November 21, 1971. The contemporary design brick structure with a free-standing altar is a masterpiece in architectural craftsmanship. There is extensive use of wood and wrought iron. The church was officially dedicated to the Glory of God on Passion Sunday, March 19, 1972. A gymnatorium was constructed in 1977.

Fire, caused by lightning, destroyed the educational wing of Pisgah on Saturday, August 9, 1980. Pisgah was without the leadership of a pastor at the time. Pastor Swicegood returned to hold services for the congregation in the gym the following morning.

The Rev. Henry Mahone Moody, Jr. was installed as Pisgah's fifteenth Pastor on December 14, 1980. It was with his leadership that ground was broken in February 1981 for the reconstruction of the educational/administrative wing.

The Rev. Clarence Kesler Derrick, Jr. became the Pastor of Pisgah on January 15, 1991. Pastor Derrick served until his retirement in June 1995.

The Rev. Gerald Daniel Bacon was called as the seventeenth Pastor of Pisgah on May 1, 1996. It was during his tenure that Pisgah's Child Development Ministry was started. The Groundbreaking ceremony was held on Sunday, August 26, 2007, for construction of a new educational wing to house the CDM, a new kitchen, and incorporate the existing gymnatorium.