On a quiet stretch of Albemarle Road in East Charlotte, Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church has been a steady presence for decades, marked by a simple three-part motto: In Christ, In Community, Growing Disciples. The congregation gathers each Sunday morning for blended worship that pairs traditional hymns with modern praise songs, anchors its week in Bible study and youth ministry, and reaches outward through long-standing partnerships with schools, a Guatemalan sponsorship program, and one of Charlotte's largest homeless service organizations.
Sunday Morning Worship at 10:00 am
The Sunday service begins at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. It is a blended service, weaving together modern praise songs, traditional hymns, prayers, and a sermon from Pastor Jason Robbins. The church describes its gathered worship as single-purposed in glorifying and praising Jesus Christ, and members of all ages are encouraged to be present together.
Children are welcome in worship. For younger ones, a loving nursery is offered during both Sunday School and the worship hour. After the service, families can connect through the youth ministry or head to one of the church's fellowship opportunities.
For those who cannot attend in person, the full service is livestreamed on Facebook Live at 10 am each Sunday, with no Facebook account required to view it.
What to Wear and Where to Go
Visitors will see a mix of attire on Sunday morning, from casual clothes to Sunday best, so guests can come as they are most comfortable. The church campus includes the Sanctuary, Calvin Hall, the Education Building, and the Family Life Center. Those arriving for worship can enter through the Sanctuary entrance, with Calvin Hall and the Education Building offering access to Sunday School classes.
A Church of the Great Commandments and the Great Commission
Albemarle Road Presbyterian is a congregation of ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Its mission statement centers on two biblical texts: the Great Commandments (Matthew 22:37-40), to love God with heart, soul, and mind and to love neighbor as self, and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), to go and make disciples of all nations.
To live out that calling, the church organizes its ministry around five rhythms: worshipping God, studying Scripture, fellowshipping together, serving others, and doing so everywhere and always, through the power of the Holy Spirit and in covenant partnership with one another.
Study and Discipleship for Every Age
Bible teaching runs throughout the week. Sunday School meets from 9:00 to 9:50 am, with adults and youth gathering in the Chapel and children meeting in their own space in the Education Building. A separate Zoom Sunday School class meets at 1:00 pm, using the Standard Lesson series. It began as an adaptation during the COVID years and remains a popular option for those involved in Sunday morning preparation or members with mobility concerns.
On Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm, Pastor Jason leads a Zoom Bible Study open to anyone who would like to join.
Children and Youth at the Heart of the Church
Children and students are woven into nearly every part of the church's life.
- Weekday School. Founded in 1979, the Albemarle Road Presbyterian Weekday School provides a Christian preschool program for children ages two through PreK. Classes run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, with options for two, three, or five days a week during the school year (September through May), plus a summer session in June and July. Each week includes a chapel time led by Pastor Jason for the three- and four-year-olds, with singing, a story, and prayer. Nancy Parker has been the school's director since 1987 and has served the church since 1974.
- ARPC Youth. Middle school and high school students meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm in Calvin Hall. The youth ministry is built around three goals: connecting relationally with one another, loving and serving the community, and growing in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Maggie Blackwelder serves as Youth Director.
- Vacation Bible School. Each summer, the church opens its doors to neighborhood children for Vacation Bible School, with a new annual theme that blends recreation, the arts, music, and Bible storytelling.
A Unified Music Ministry
Music is a cornerstone of worship at Albemarle Road, described as gospel-centered and committed to glorifying God, declaring His truth, and uniting His people. The church maintains a unified style that includes classic and modern hymns, praise and worship music, choral anthems, and classical selections.
- The Chancel Choir leads congregational singing on Sundays and offers choral anthems drawn from a range of styles but always rooted in biblical truth. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The choir welcomes high school students and adults, and kicks off each fall with a retreat in Montreat, NC in preparation for the Christmas season.
- The Praise Team, led by Greg Moore, brings together singers and instrumentalists who lead contemporary congregational singing and join the Chancel Choir for Christmas, Easter, and other special services. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
- The Audio/Visual Team handles the technical side of worship, from running the soundboard and projectors to managing video recording and slides. The team welcomes volunteers ages 14 and up, with training provided.
Presbyterian Women: A Threefold Calling
Presbyterian Women have played a central role in the life of the church from its earliest days. Their work is organized around three commitments: nurturing faith through prayer and Bible study, supporting missions and outreach, and joining in Christian fellowship. Throughout the year, PW provides meals for families during times of illness or loss, visits homebound members, and supports high school and college students. The group meets in circles, including Circle #3, Circle #4, Circle #5, and Circle #6, each with its own chairwomen, and gathers under a slate of officers including Moderator Robin Silipigni, Vice Moderator and Spiritual Nurturer Dana Baker, and Secretary Jan McReynolds.
Missions That Reach Near and Far
The church's mission work stretches from Charlotte to Guatemala, organized through long-term partnerships.
- Children's Hopechest. ARPC partners with Children's Hopechest to support underprivileged children in Guatemala through financial giving, child sponsorship, prayer partnership, and mission trips. Sponsored children and their families gain access to better education, adult mentors, and new skills.
- Room In The Inn. From December through March on Wednesday nights, the church partners with Roof Above to host guests experiencing homelessness. Volunteers serve a hot meal, offer a bath, and provide a warm place to sleep, treating each guest as welcome royalty.
- Operation Sandwich. Started in 2021, this ministry fills the gap in the warmer months when Room In The Inn is on hiatus. Once a month, the congregation prepares 200 lunches that go directly to the Roof Above lunch program.
- Community Partners. ARPC works alongside East Charlotte Presbyterian Church, Central United Methodist Church, Albemarle Road Middle School, Albemarle Road Elementary School, the Simmons YMCA, Charlotte Eagles, and Beloved Community Church.
Leadership and the Session
The church is governed by a session of elders organized into three classes, each elder chairing a specific ministry area. Current elders include Sandy Blackwelder (Worship), Rob Chambers (Evangelism and Hospitality), Joe Leischner (Property and Grounds), Jan McReynolds (Mission), Art Parker (Stewardship and Business Administration), and Natalie Sielaff (Fellowship) in the Class of 2026; and Erik Blackwelder (Property and Grounds), Jeni Carder (Congregational Care), Cindy Eccleston (Communications), Mike Hall (Personnel), Vickie Massey (Fellowship), and Kevin McLemore (Christian Education) in the Class of 2027.
Pastor Jason Robbins is a Charlotte native and East Charlotte native who earned his Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2000. He has spent more than two decades in ministry, primarily with youth and young adults, and lives with his wife Katie and their two daughters, Julia and Abbey.
Visiting, Giving, and Getting Connected
Sunday worship is the front door of the church, but there are many ways to get involved during the week. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, reachable at (704) 537-1204 or info@arpres.org. Visitors with questions about the Weekday School can call 704-536-3384 or email weekdayschool@arpres.org.
Giving can be done in person through the offering plates during worship, online through the church's Realm giving page, by texting GIVEARPC to 73256, or by mailing a check to the church office. Prayer requests can be submitted through the church's online form for inclusion in the congregation's prayers.