Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church sits on Audelia Road in northeast Dallas, a congregation shaped by an unusual origin story. On January 17, 1999, three Presbyterian churches - Colonial Presbyterian, Northminster Presbyterian, and Lake Park Cumberland Presbyterian - closed their individual chapters and opened a new one together. Their combined history reached back more than two hundred years across East Dallas. The vision was simple: a single Presbyterian presence in the Lake Highlands neighborhood, stronger together than any of the three could be alone.
Two Denominations at Once
LHPC holds dual membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a heritage carried over from the merger. The church is also an active member of More Light Presbyterians, an organization that centers the lives and leadership of LGBTQIA+ people in the church, and participates in the Matthew 25 movement of the PC(USA), committing to building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. A public Confessional Statement of Purpose names the congregation's resolve to learn about and confront the inequities faced by Black communities and other communities of color.
A Sunday That Begins at Ten
Christian Education starts at 10:00 AM and runs until about 10:50 AM. During that hour, infants through pre-K are cared for in the nursery from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, children in kindergarten through fifth grade gather for the All-in-One Class (a Bible story, a guided activity, and a choice activity), and adults can join either the Reflections Adult Class or the Ad Hoc Bible Discussion led by Joe Landry, which is also open to anyone in sixth grade and older. Worship follows at 11:00 AM.
Two Worship Styles, One Pulpit
Sermons from Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Perryn Rice anchor the morning. The service itself alternates by week. On the first and third Sundays, the sanctuary fills with hymns, responsive prayers, and the traditional creeds of the church, accompanied by a pipe organ and a chancel choir singing everything from classical choral music to newer anthems. On the second and fourth Sundays, the same hour takes on a more relaxed shape with a Praise Team leading music that ranges from early contemporary favorites to current worship songs. Dress varies in both services - Sunday best, business casual, and jeans all appear on Sunday mornings.
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry supports every service and special occasion in the life of the church. Choir Director Lucho Romero leads the Chancel Choir; Nate Collins directs the contemporary Praise Team; Jessica Lee serves as organist and accompanist. Together they provide the range that allows the same sanctuary to host a creed-laden traditional liturgy one Sunday and a guitar-led praise set the next.
Adults Keep Studying Through the Week
Pastor Perryn leads a Bible study series several times a year, often offered both in person and online. Recent series have worked through the Gospel of John; handouts are posted online and the Zoom link goes out in the church's e-blasts. Midweek, the Women's Bible Study meets at the church at 10:00 AM on the third Wednesday of each month for Scripture, discussion, and shared experience.
Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturdays
Each Saturday at 8:00 AM, the men of the church gather at Well Grounded Coffee on Garland Road for a prayer breakfast that runs until 9:30 AM. Fellowship, a short devotional, and prayer fill the back room, and a Zoom connection is open for those who cannot attend in person.
Congregational Care
A standing Congregational Care committee walks alongside members and neighbors in difficult seasons. The Caregivers Connect and Grief Support group meets on the third Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM and welcomes anyone from the Dallas area dealing with caregiving, grief, loss, or other hardships. The committee also maintains a prayer chain for people in time of need. Inquiries can go to congcare@lhpres.org.
Missions and Outreach
The congregation's outward life is hands-on and wide-ranging. Volunteers serve meals twice a month at The Stewpot, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas that serves homeless and at-risk neighbors. Teams support White Rock Center of Hope by working the thrift store, interviewing clients, stocking the pantry, sorting clothing, and donating non-perishable food (the September collection focuses on breakfast items). Church members deliver meals through Meals on Wheels on a regular schedule. The Gifford Fund, a benevolence fund managed through Missions and Outreach, helps members and non-members facing hunger, transportation gaps, job loss, or difficulty paying utilities. LHPC also supports Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services and Cumberland Youth and Family Services.
The Green Team
A volunteer Green Team educates and acts on sustainability at the church and in the wider community. Twice a year, members head to White Rock Lake for lake cleanups, and each May the church hosts a community shred and recycle event that draws neighbors from across the area.
Child Development Center
Sharing the campus, the LHPC Child Development Center runs Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and serves infants starting at eight weeks old through the summer after elementary school. The center uses the Frog Street curriculum, which addresses cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language development. Infants pay $305 per week; preschool children ages 1 to 4 pay $255 per week; the after-school program, with transportation from select elementary schools, is $120 per week; and the schooler summer program with STEM/STEAM activities and field trips is $255 per week. Director Nicole Muraoka can be reached at nicole@lhpres.org or 214-343-2103.
Stay Connected Any Day of the Week
Worship is livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. Pastor Perryn also records a weekly reflection - the LHPRES To Go podcast - available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Audible. Giving is available online, by text to 844-752-4053, or by mail to 8525 Audelia Road. The building stands at 8525 Audelia Road, Dallas, Texas 75238, and the main phone line is 214-348-2133.