Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church sits at 1902 Perry Street, a block from Duke University's East Campus on the edge of Durham's Ninth Street district. The congregation belongs to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is part of The Fellowship Community, a network of churches and leaders within the denomination called to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each Sunday the sanctuary fills for two identical services that follow a traditional Christian liturgy, while on weeknights the building is in constant use for Bible studies, prayer meetings, small groups, and gatherings of every kind. About a quarter of Blacknall's annual budget supports ministry partners in Durham, on college campuses, and around the world.
From an Abandoned Barroom to Perry Street
Blacknall's story begins in the 1890s, when brothers Richard and James Blacknall, elders at Durham's First Presbyterian Church, and their wives rode the train out to the Erwin Textile Mill village to conduct Sunday School in an abandoned barroom. By 1916 the mission had grown enough to construct a frame building, and the congregation was formally established as a Presbyterian church with the Blacknall family memorialized in its name. That first building was later destroyed by fire, and in 1923 the congregation moved to its present location on Perry Street, a few blocks east of the mill village and strategically placed a block from Duke's East Campus.
During the 1960s, as the textile industry began to fade, Pastor Bob Henderson turned the church's attention toward reaching Duke students and engaging the city's struggles with integration. Under his leadership Blacknall became known as a distinctly evangelical congregation that welcomed students from every local university. Ed Henegar later expanded the congregation's footprint numerically and physically, and in 1985 the congregation hired a second pastor, Allan Poole. In 2000, following Ed's retirement, Peter Hausmann joined the staff and shepherded the church through a significant building and renovation project. David Dunderdale came on as associate pastor in 2008, and Allan Poole was joined by a second associate, Goodwyn (Goodie) Bell, in 2016. Allan Poole retired in June 2021, and Goodwyn Bell returned to the staff as Senior Pastor in September 2024. The church has been rooted on Perry Street ever since.
Two Identical Sunday Services
Sunday worship is the heart of life at Blacknall. Two services are held each Sunday at 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and the two are intentionally identical so that members and visitors grow together in unity. Each service averages about 75 minutes and is built as a covenant renewal: the Holy Spirit gathers the congregation, worshippers kneel in confession and receive forgiveness, God speaks through Scripture and the sermon, the people respond in song and prayer, and everyone is invited to the table for weekly communion by intinction (bread dipped in a communal cup). After receiving God's Word and the Lord's Supper, the congregation is sent forth in blessing.
The musical offering each week blends a band that leads traditional hymns (and retunings), reflective songs rooted in Scripture, and original works created by an in-house team of musicians and vocalists. The 8:30 a.m. service is livestreamed on the Blacknall YouTube channel, with recordings posted afterward for anyone who missed the live broadcast. Visitors who want to dress casually are welcome; jeans and a T-shirt are as common as Sunday best, and the sanctuary is air conditioned for the long North Carolina summers.
Children, From the Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Blacknall's Children's Ministry exists to disciple children in the way of Jesus, to help adults and children worship together, to integrate children into community life, and to strengthen the home-church partnership. Programming is offered during both Sunday services and during the Sunday School hour from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Children are always welcome to stay with their family in the sanctuary if that works best, and fidget toys, books, and coloring pages are available in the back to aid in that.
For children three and under, the nursery opens 15 minutes before each service, and check-in happens at the nursery desk downstairs. Pre-K (4) through second graders are invited to sit with their parents in the sanctuary for the first part of the service, then come forward for the Children's Blessing before being escorted downstairs to age-appropriate Children's Worship in Rooms 105 and 112. Third through fifth graders typically worship with the whole congregation. Sunday School classes are divided by age on the ground and first floors, and the elementary classes use the "DWELL" curriculum, which engages children in God's story through interactive games, dramatic storytelling, and reflection.
Art Club, dance, and choir ministries meet on Sunday nights for elementary-age children and contribute to Sunday morning worship. The ministry also publishes Curious Catechism, a deck of cards and booklets with 52 questions about the Christian faith drawn from the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, the Westminster and Heidelberg Catechisms, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Presbyterian Book of Confessions. Families can pick up a deck any Sunday at the back of the sanctuary; the catechism is licensed under Creative Commons for other churches to use.
Youth Ministry for Middle and High Schoolers
Blacknall's Youth Ministry walks with students in grades six through twelve as they grow in faith, friendship, and purpose. On Sunday mornings, middle schoolers and high schoolers meet separately during the Sunday School hour. Middle schoolers read Scripture together and discuss how it speaks to their lives, currently working through the lives of Aaron, David, and Elijah as Old Testament pictures of Christ. High schoolers read entire books of the Bible and dig deep into context, with this fall's focus on the church drama of 1 Corinthians. Confirmation is offered each spring for high schoolers who want to learn what it means to be a Christian, a Presbyterian, and a member at Blacknall.
Sunday night youth groups gather during the academic year for Bible study, small groups, storytelling, games, and peer-led worship. Recent themes have included decision-making, politics, and prayer. Snacks are typically on hand, and laughter and honest discussion are part of the rhythm. The Great Escape, an annual summer camp in East Tennessee, brings middle schoolers together with students from other regional churches. High schoolers spend a week of their summer on retreat, and the ministry also organizes social and service events across Durham, including volunteering at the Emanuel Food Pantry and cooking meals at Reality Ministries. All staff and volunteers have passed background checks and completed child-abuse prevention training.
Young Adults in a City of Transitions
For undergrads, graduate students, young professionals, and young parents, Blacknall's Young Adult Fellowship offers a place to be rooted in the gospel amid the pace of life in the Triangle. The group gathers for coffee in the Upper Atrium, hangs out at The Well in the Lower Atrium, and enjoys warm mornings outside the building. Each Sunday at 10 a.m., the Young Adult Fellowship class meets in the Parlor and moves beyond easy answers to engage with Scripture and theology in a way that speaks to their stage of life. Recent studies have moved through books like 1 Samuel, James, and Ephesians, and have explored the Heidelberg Catechism and questions of Christian decision-making and hospitality.
Beyond Sundays, small groups made up solely of young adults, as well as intergenerational groups, meet throughout the week in homes across Durham and Chapel Hill. There is at least one low-pressure hangout each month, and the community stays connected through a weekly newsletter and a Discord group. Bri Looper, Blacknall's seminary intern, welcomes newcomers, often on Sunday mornings, and is glad to invite people to lunch or coffee during the week.
Women's Ministry: Bible Study, Retreats, and the Betty
Blacknall's Women's Ministry has long been a cornerstone of the church family, encouraging women to grow in the love and call of Jesus, fostering spiritual friendship, praying together, and serving one another and the community. Classes include teaching by Blacknall women, with fellowship, worship, and small group time woven through the morning. Anyone can join at any point in the semester.
Every fall the women head to the mountains of North Carolina for a weekend retreat at the Valle Crucis Conference Center near Banner Elk. The Betty is a separate storytelling event that has become its own tradition: women gather to share readings, poems, sketches, or stories about a time they encountered Jesus, with serious reflections and humor both encouraged. Recent themes have included "Deliverance" and "Here's what's not crazy..." Becky Gould, Blacknall's Director of Congregational Care, oversees the ministry's pastoral connections.
Men's Ministry: Monday Mornings, Mentoring, and the Retreat
Men's Ministry at Blacknall centers on the conviction that "iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." The ministry gathers men of all ages for fellowship and mentorship through social events, small groups, retreats, and a year-long mentoring program called Deep Dive Mentoring. Each Monday from 7 to 8 a.m., Monday Morning Men meets in The Commons at Blacknall to casually discuss the previous Sunday's sermon, with coffee and bagels provided and no sign-up required. Hikes at Duke Forest, Johnston Mill Preserve, the Eno, and other parks are a regular feature, as are evenings of Hi-Fi Listening, pancake breakfasts, and the occasional Durham Bulls game.
Deep Dive Mentoring matches groups of four to six men, typically in the same stage of life, with two older co-mentors. Over eleven months, groups gather once a month for a three-hour meeting, share two overnight retreats, work through monthly reading assignments, memorize Scripture, and meet one-on-one for lunch or coffee. The annual fall retreat brings the men to the Montreat Conference Center in the North Carolina mountains, where Rev. Nathan Walton spoke most recently on "Cultivating Habits that Foster Spiritual Maturity and Wholeness."
Sunday School for Every Age
Sunday School meets from 10 to 10:45 a.m. between the two worship services, with no registration required and classes open to all, including visitors. For adults, the fall lineup includes a study of the Lord's Prayer called "God's Reign and Our Response" using the video series "The Sacred Thread"; "Glimpsing the Kingdom: The Parables of Jesus"; "Global Christian Voices: The Diversity and Wonder of the Body of Christ"; the Young Adult Fellowship in the Parlor; a College-Age Class; "Word Alive" (this fall reading Revelation); and "Growing in Grace," which meets on Zoom and in Room 404 and is continuing through the Gospel of Matthew.
Middle schoolers meet in the Youth Room and high schoolers in the Corner Room, Room 101. Children's classes span the Nursery Hall and the Commons, with separate rooms for two-year-olds (Fish), three-year-olds (Birds), four-year-olds (Bugs), kindergarten and first grade, second grade, and boys and girls in third through fifth grade. Deacons in bright red vests are easy to spot if anyone needs help finding a classroom, and The Well in the Lower Atrium is a gathering point for those who want a hand.
Small Groups in Homes Across Durham and Chapel Hill
Small groups of eight to twelve people meet in homes across Durham and Chapel Hill on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings. Each group has its own personality, but most follow a simple rhythm that focuses on Scripture and prayer, often reflecting on a recent sermon and diving into God's Word together. Some groups are geared toward young adults, others are intentionally intergenerational, and some include childcare.
Anyone interested in joining can register with their location and availability, and the ministry will help place them in a group that fits their schedule. Non-members are welcome, and people can join at any time. Groups typically stay together long enough to form deep friendships and to share one another's burdens. A small-group leaders' summit held each summer helps train, encourage, and resource those who lead.
A Rhythm of Prayer Throughout the Week
Blacknall offers many ways to pray for the congregation, the city, and the world. On the second Sunday of each month, a 2nd Sunday Prayer gathering from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall lifts up the dozens of Blacknall-supported mission partners serving in Durham, on campus, in Congo, and around the world, sometimes paired with a potluck meal. An Evening Prayer Service from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary gathers for a contemplative service of prayer, worship, and reflection; it does not meet every month, so the prayer calendar is the best place to check the schedule. Parish Associate Chris Blumhofer helps lead this contemplative rhythm.
During the week, an intercessory prayer group meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. for confidential prayer for fellow congregants, and on Saturdays at 8 a.m. the Prayers for Renewal group gathers on Zoom to pray for Blacknall, campus workers, missionaries, Durham, and the local ministries Blacknall supports. Outside the building, monthly Community Prayer for Racial Justice gatherings are held at the Durham Bull Bronze Sculpture downtown, drawing Christians from across the city to pray for God's care and provision for the poor and most vulnerable.
Blacknall Arts and the Ministry of Music
Music is woven into nearly everything at Blacknall. The in-house team of musicians and vocalists has produced a steady stream of original albums and singles through Blacknall Arts, including "Living Water," "Lessons & Carols Live from Blacknall Church," "Spirit Songs Vol. 1," and "Joy." A "Singing Church" YouTube playlist gives a feel for what worship is like week to week. Wen Reagan serves as Director of Music & Worship, Nat Stine leads the choir, and the worship band changes its lineup each week to bring variety in instrumentation and style.
A Pop-Up Summer Choir each August invites anyone of any age or skill level to join in for an evening of singing, and children have their own choir that contributes to Sunday morning worship. A Blacknall Arts Showcase benefit concert has raised thousands of dollars for ministry partners serving Durham's homeless. The church's music ministry is also a place where people share testimony; one worship team member has written about how serving on the team has become one of the deepest spiritual practices of her life.
Counseling and Pastoral Care
Blacknall's Counseling Ministry holds that spiritual health and emotional and psychological health are intimately tied. The ministry offers pastoral care from the pastors, Parish Associate, and Director of Congregational Care, grounded in compassionate listening, Biblical wisdom, and prayer. For those who want to work with a licensed mental health professional, the ministry can connect them with local therapists who are accepting new patients and can provide some measure of financial assistance for a set number of sessions. If desired, the ministry can also make an immediate connection with a Blacknall member who works in counseling for an emergency consultation. All communications with Blacknall staff are confidential, and all communications with a therapist remain under therapist-client protocols.
The Durham Ministry & Engagement Team
The Durham Ministry & Engagement Team (DMET) coordinates Blacknall's involvement with local ministries tackling hunger, homelessness, and community development. About a quarter of the church's annual budget supports these partnerships, alongside space for programming, prayer, and volunteer hours. Blacknall has entered Deep Common Journey partnerships with three organizations: Families Moving Forward, which helps families in the crisis of homelessness find their way home; International Students, Inc., which shares Christ's love with international students, scholars, and their families through meals, airport pickups, and friendships; and Reality Ministries, which creates opportunities for adults with and without developmental disabilities to experience belonging and the love of Christ.
Beyond those long-term commitments, Blacknall partners with Durham C.A.N., DurhamCares, Durham Habitat for Humanity, Durham Public Schools Foundation, El Futuro, Gateway Women's Care, Housing for New Hope, Iglesia Emanuel Presbyterian Church and its food pantry, Jubilee Home (which bridges the gap between incarceration and full independence), JusticeMatters, the Mt. Level Community Partnership for Racial Justice, Pregnancy Support Services, Samaritan Health Center, St. Joseph's Episcopal Church (which hosts a Monday-Wednesday-Friday breakfast for neighbors experiencing homelessness), StepUp Durham, Urban Ministries of Durham, Walltown Neighborhood Ministries, and World Relief Durham. The NAE (National Association of Evangelicals) is a partner beyond Durham. Anyone can join DMET's email list to hear about service opportunities and local events.
From Durham to the Congo and Beyond
About a quarter of Blacknall's annual budget supports ministry partners around the world. Congo Initiative, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is Blacknall's Deep Common Journey partner globally and works through the Christian Bilingual University of Congo to equip the next generation of leaders through education and community engagement. The church also supports a long list of international partners through prayer and financial giving, including missionaries and ministry leaders in Honduras, Spain, South Africa, Nigeria, Greece, Morocco/Israel/Palestine, Israel/Palestine, India/Nepal, Tonga, and West Africa. International ministry partners visit Blacknall regularly to share updates, and Blacknall members host visiting partners in their homes.
On Campus: Duke, NCCU, UNC, and the High Schools
Blacknall's roots near Duke's East Campus have long made campus ministry a centerpiece of its identity. The church supports a wide network of partners serving Duke, North Carolina Central University, the University of North Carolina, NC State, and Durham and Chapel Hill high schools. These include InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), the Navigators, Presbyterian Campus Ministry, Every Nation, Young Life International, Leadership Edge, Crossroad, the North Carolina Study Center, the Center for Christianity & Scholarship, and Young Life. Three Blacknall families serve with International Students, Inc. on multiple campuses. Michael Whisenhunt coordinates the campus ministry team.
Alpha: A Space for Honest Questions
Started in the UK in the late 1970s, Alpha brings curious people together to share a meal, ask honest questions, and talk openly about life and faith in a safe, welcoming space. Blacknall held its first Alpha group in years earlier in 2026 and was astounded at the community response, with dozens of people coming for the eleven-week course. Alpha meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, with meals, childcare, and hospitality provided free of charge. There is a Saturday day retreat in late October. No commitment to all eight weeks is required; people are welcome to come for any part of the journey, and people of any or no faith background are welcome.
Elders, Deacons, and Staff
Blacknall is governed by elected elders (presbyters), who join the pastors in discerning the vision and direction of the church, and deacons, who lead ministries of hospitality, care, and facility stewardship. Three classes of elders serve alongside three classes of deacons, with the Class of 2027, 2028, and 2029 currently represented on both boards. Elders include Warren Gould, Lauren Holahan, Cullen Rodgers-Gates, Stephanie Wheatley, Michael Whisenhunt, Melissa Hartemink, Mark Paulson, Katie Reeder-Hayes, Mark Atkinson, Rich Frothingham, Pete Gerend, Ron Manila, and Susie Meghdadpour. Deacons include Will Brewbaker, Heather Hodge, George Olaru, Ruth Owens, Rachel Stine, Caleb Wagner, Rebecca Alberti, Kris Barman, Chuck Hoover, Cory Pikaart, Robert Smith, Hadley Taylor, Phil Mullins, Maureen Petersen, Chris Reeves, Candy Richardson, Jessica Steinbrenner, and Chris Zhang.
The staff team is led by Senior Pastor Goodwyn Bell and Associate Pastor David Dunderdale, with Chris Blumhofer serving as Parish Associate. Directors lead Children's, Youth, Music & Worship, Communications, Operations, Congregational Care, and Children's Ministry Coordination. A library housed in the church is maintained by Administrative Associate and Librarian Mindy Lance, and the church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What Blacknall Believes
Blacknall describes itself as Christian, Reformed, Evangelical, Presbyterian, Thoughtful, and Mission-oriented. The congregation proclaims that its lives have been interrupted by the grace of God and that it recognizes both its sin and God's transforming forgiveness and renewal through the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is Savior, Lord, and the one the congregation follows together. Reformed identity shapes the church's theology, with an emphasis on the unique authority of Scripture, the sovereign grace of God, and the Lordship of Christ over all. By "Evangelical" the church means a commitment to the centrality of the atoning death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, who is alive today to be encountered by the power of the Holy Spirit. "Presbyterian" means the church is governed by elected elders and connected to other churches in the local presbytery and the denomination. "Thoughtful" reflects a love for thinking deeply about belief and a recognition that questions and doubt are part of faith. "Mission-oriented" means a long history of sending missionaries abroad and supporting local missions, with the congregation personally and extensively involved in a wide range of ministries in the city, on campus, and across the globe.
The mission that drives the work is shared each Sunday in worship: Blacknall is called to glorify the Triune God, to make known the crucified and risen Christ, and to advance the Kingdom that God is building in us, in Durham, and around the world.
Giving, Facilities, and Visiting
Gifts from members, regular attenders, and friends support every part of Blacknall's life together, including worship, teaching, fellowship, and outreach. Online giving is available through Church Center, with one-time and recurring options (weekly, every other week, monthly, or twice-monthly) by credit or debit card or ACH. Automatic recurring check payments can be set up through most major banks' Bill Pay services, and cash or checks can be placed in offering plates on Sunday or in offering boxes in the Narthex and Atrium. Gifts of stock or from an IRA account are welcome; the Financial Administrator, Kristin Stults, can help with instructions. There is no required dress code, and the sanctuary is air conditioned for summer.
Blacknall is located at 1902 Perry Street in Durham, a block from Duke's East Campus and near the Ninth Street district. Free weekend parking is available on surrounding streets including Iredell, Perry, and Ninth, with a gravel lot at 714 Iredell Street and, on most weekends, a Duke University parking lot across from the church on Iredell at the Duke Human Resources building (subject to university events). New visitors are warmly welcomed and can fill out a visitor form or sign up for the weekly newsletter, Life Together. Prayer requests can be shared through a prayer request form, anonymously if desired.