A Small Church with a Big Calling on Bain School Road
Tucked into the rolling landscape of Mint Hill, just east of Charlotte, Philadelphia Presbyterian Church has been a steady presence in the community since 1770. The congregation describes itself as a small church with a big calling: to spread the Kingdom of God through the gospel of Jesus. Members and visitors gather weekly around the Apostles' teaching and carry that faith into the surrounding neighborhoods through mission, hospitality, and everyday service.
Philadelphia is one of the oldest churches in Mecklenburg County, with a heritage that stretches back more than 250 years. The current sanctuary was dedicated in 1976, the physical home for a congregation that has outlasted generations of change in this corner of North Carolina. The church belongs to the Presbytery of Charlotte and the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic within the Presbyterian Church (USA), a nationwide connection that brings global mission partnerships and a structured denominational life to a congregation that still feels local and personal.
Vision, Mission, and the People in the Pews
Philadelphia's vision is simple and direct: God calls us to bless others as we have been blessed. Five words shape that vision - Believe, Love, Evangelize, Share, Serve - and they show up in everything from Sunday School curriculum to food pantry logistics.
The mission statement picks up the same thread: growing the Kingdom of God by spreading the Good News, serving the least among us, working for justice, and teaching future generations. Pastoral staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers take that statement seriously. The church's communications describe a community that looks inward and reaches outward, gathering frequently and in a variety of ways around what the Apostles taught about Jesus.
Transitional Pastor Toby Mueller leads the staff after more than 30 years of ministry in Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee, and North Carolina. She and her husband, who is also a minister, have two daughters and five grandchildren. When she is not pastoring or grandparenting, she is usually on a hiking trail, working a jigsaw puzzle, reading, or relaxing on her kayak.
Sunday Mornings: A Blend of Hymns and Praise Songs
Sunday is the heart of the week at Philadelphia. Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 10:15 a.m., with classes for children, youth, and adults. Adult classes include Pairs and Spares, Philadelphia/Ralph Leete, Seekers, Second Chance, and the Lounge class - each gathering in a different spot across the campus, from the Fred Brown Room in the upper level education wing to the Kerr Building lounge. Visitors are welcome to drop in and try different classes to find a fit.
At 10:30 a.m., the congregation gathers in the sanctuary for worship. The service is intentionally blended, weaving together liturgy, traditional hymns, and contemporary songs led by choirs of all ages, musicians, and a praise team. Worship includes a children's message before the sermon, along with congregational prayers, scripture readings, and a biblical message from the pastoral staff. The service wraps up around 11:30 a.m. The dress code is casual: come as you are. Both sides of the sanctuary offer parking, including handicap-accessible spaces.
For those who can't be in the pews, services are livestreamed on YouTube, with a recorded archive of recent services available on the church's worship videos page.
MDWK: A Midweek Reset for the Whole Family
Philadelphia's midweek program is called MDWK, and it is the second major gathering point of the church week. Each Wednesday evening, the campus comes alive as children, students, and adults step away from work, school, and the demands of home to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
MDWK Kids runs from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for preschool through fifth grade. Children meet in the Christian Education Building for a midweek boost of fun, faith, and friendship. The current study walks kids through The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung. Each gathering includes hands-on activities, music, Bible stories brought to life, and a light snack.
MDWK Adults meets at the same time, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., for The Pastor's Class - a Bible study, prayer, and discussion time designed to help adults deepen their faith and apply Scripture to everyday life. The format is built for conversation, whether participants are new to faith or have walked with Christ for decades.
MDWK Students gathers from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel. Middle school and high school students get a midweek pause that includes fellowship, games to break the ice, small groups for real conversation, and worship and biblical teaching. Childcare is available from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. every Wednesday night.
Kingdom Kids and Student Ministry
Philadelphia's children's ministry is called Kingdom Kids, and it runs on Sundays and Wednesdays. On Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour, children from preschool through fifth grade meet in the Kingdom Kids room, downstairs in the administration building, for Bible stories, games, and activities that help them learn about God's love. The program emphasizes caring for one another just as God cares for us, taught by leaders with a background in early childhood education.
All children's ministry staff complete thorough background checks, and the church follows established campus security protocols, including monitored entry points, regular safety checks, and rapid response procedures.
Student ministry serves grades 6 through 12. Students meet in the chapel on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour for a relaxed time to hang out, grow with peers, and explore faith. On Wednesday nights, MDWK Students picks up that same spirit, and throughout the year students have opportunities for mission trips, retreats, and service projects that stretch their faith and help them grow into who God has created them to be.
Philadelphia Presbyterian Preschool: Six Decades of Early Childhood
Tucked into the same campus is Philadelphia Presbyterian Preschool, a program that has served Mint Hill families for more than 62 years. The preschool welcomes children ages 2 through 5 in a nurturing environment that sets high standards while letting each child develop at his or her own pace.
The program follows the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school calendar and runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The curriculum blends academic, social, physical, emotional, and Christian/Bible lessons, with each unit built around a theme, letter, color, shape, and Bible story. Children learn by doing - through art, puzzles, writing, music, and group activities. A weekly chapel time led by Pastor Rich introduces Bible stories, songs, and dance. A twice-weekly Music Exploration Class adds rhythm and instruments to the mix.
Tuition runs on a four-day or five-day schedule, depending on age, with a one-time $115 non-refundable registration fee. The preschool follows Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' closing schedule for inclement weather, though staff retain the right to evaluate closures independently. Director Dana Blakeslee oversees the program and can be reached through the preschool office.
Music: Choirs, Praise Team, and Handbells
Music is woven into nearly every corner of Philadelphia's ministry. The adult choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and leads the congregation in hymns and responses each Sunday morning and at special services throughout the year. The Praise Team rehearses on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary and brings contemporary music to the same Sunday services, along with performances at celebration services and events.
The handbell choir, known as the Philabells, rehearses on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. and is open to teens and adults, regardless of music-reading experience. The bells participate in worship several times a year.
Younger musicians are not left out. Children's choirs rehearse on Wednesdays at various times for children ages 3 through eighth grade, with a focus on singing, dance, simple instruments, and listening. A Student Worship Team rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and leads worship during MDWK Students each week.
Music Director Stephanie Knott, who came to Philadelphia after earning a Master's in piano performance from the University of South Carolina, oversees the music ministry. Organist Leslie Anderson and Children's Choir Director Melinda Johnston round out the leadership team.
Food Outreach: Backpacks, a Pantry, and a Blessing Box
For more than ten years, food insecurity has been a stated priority at Philadelphia, and the church runs three connected ministries around it. In Mecklenburg County, 11.8 percent of households face food insecurity, and nearly half of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students qualify for free school meals.
Backpacks of Love launched in 2015 to meet the weekend food needs of students referred by guidance counselors and social workers. The program started at Clear Creek Elementary and has grown to include Bain Elementary and Lebanon Road Elementary. Each weekend bag contains six small meals - fruit cups, ramen, Vienna sausages, peanut butter, mac and cheese, granola bars, and similar items - enough to carry a child through days when school meals are unavailable. During the 2024-2025 school year, the church prepared and delivered an average of 83 bags each week, with options for families to pick up bags during holiday weeks and over the summer.
The PPC Neighborhood Pantry launched in June 2022 as a way to meet summer food needs for students who received Backpacks of Love during the school year. The pantry is currently open on the third Thursday of each month, offering free produce, shelf-stable foods, milk, cheese, eggs, and pantry staples like sugar, flour, and oil. The goal is to expand to twice a month with more fresh food.
A weatherproof Blessing Box sits on the PPC campus, clearly marked and open to anyone who needs a hand. The motto is simple: take what you need, leave what you can. The box has expanded beyond food to include desperately needed household items like toothpaste, soap, laundry detergent, and feminine hygiene products.
Missions Beyond the Food Ministry
Philadelphia partners with three major mission organizations that extend the congregation's reach across the Charlotte region and into Central Appalachia.
Bright Blessings was founded in 2005 by PPC members John and Amy Cervantes and their three sons. The organization serves homeless and impoverished children through programs like Bless-A-Birthday, Bless-A-Baby, Gift of Literacy, and Gift of Care, reaching more than 27,000 children in 2022. The PPC family supports Bright Blessings year-round - Sunday School classes and the youth group wrap gifts and pack bags, members make weekly deliveries to schools, and the Presbyterian Women collect baby items for Bless-A-Baby through a collection area in the administration building.
Claire's Army supports Charlotte-area families with children fighting cancer, providing emotional, financial, and logistical help. The Presbyterian Women sponsor the Festival of Tables event in Claire's honor, and congregation members volunteer by delivering meals and Claire Care Bags.
Appalachia Service Project brings high school youth and adults into the Appalachian mountains each summer to repair homes for families in need. Philadelphia partners with Blair Road United Methodist Church for the trip, which is open to all skill levels and meant to build relationships and lasting impact. Ed Jubb coordinates the PPC summer trip.
Adults: Sunday School, Small Groups, Presbyterian Women, and Men of the Church
Adults at Philadelphia have a long menu of ways to grow in faith together. Sunday School classes meet at 9:45 a.m., with options across the campus. MDWK Adults gathers on Wednesday evenings for The Pastor's Class, and small groups meet throughout the year for study and fellowship.
Presbyterian Women is the women's organization of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The PW at Philadelphia nurture faith through prayer and Bible study using the Presbyterian Women's Horizon Bible Studies, support missions locally and worldwide, and gather in small groups called Refresh Groups. Current Refresh Groups meet on the first and second Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and on the first Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Ann Hutton serves as PW Moderator.
Men of the Church is the men's ministry, with a mission to lead men into a vital relationship with Christ, strengthen their role in the community through mission work, and live into the call to be their brother's keeper. The men serve at local charities, assist with church events, care for the sick and shut-in, and help with campus upkeep. Jerry Mullis coordinates the ministry.
The Annex Shoppe: Crafts, Pottery, and Mission Giving
The Presbyterian Women sponsor The Annex Shoppe, a craft venture featuring jewelry, seasonal décor, glassware, quilted goods, and pottery from Mint Hill's own Doc the Potter. Items are created by local artisans and crafters from the PPC family and the wider Mint Hill community. The Shoppe is open several times a year, with the Annual Craft Bazaar in November as the biggest event. A weekly Craft Workshop on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the chapel annex invites women of all ages to share creativity and Christian fellowship. All proceeds go directly to local and global missions.
Scouts and Basketball: Building Community on Campus
Philadelphia sponsors a robust scouting tradition. Boy Scout Troop 65 has spent more than 65 years serving Mint Hill, with more than 50 boys currently in a patrol-based, boy-led troop affiliated with Cub Pack 65. Matt Hall serves as ScoutMaster, with Shaun Cross leading the Cub Pack. Girl Scout Troop 1333 also calls PPC home, meeting weekly in the chapel building and serving the community alongside their cookie tradition. Marnie Gallagher leads the troop.
Basketball is another way the church builds community. Open Gym runs every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Kerr Building, open to high school students through adults for casual play and fellowship. Each winter, Philadelphia participates in Playbook for Life, a youth basketball league that brings together dozens of Charlotte-area churches for Saturday games, weekday practices, and lessons in teamwork, character, and community.
Scholarships for the Next Generation
Philadelphia administers several named scholarships for graduating high school members and Mint Hill residents pursuing higher education. The James Lee Miller, Jr. Scholarship offers undergraduate and graduate awards based on scholarship, financial need, character, and at least a 3.0 GPA. The Frances McEwen Hunter Scholarship, founded in 1991 in memory of a lifelong Philadelphia member and Mint Hill business owner, is a financial-need-based award totaling $4,000 over four years.
The Elizabeth Caldwell Junker Scholarship, established in 1986 and the first endowment at PPC, awards up to $16,000 over four years based on scholarship, community service, and character. The Anne Tweed and Baxter Bigham Scholarship and the Olin Tweed Flowe Scholarship, both established in 2018, continue the tradition with annual awards for Mint Hill residents and PPC members.
First-Time Visitors and Practical Details
Philadelphia welcomes first-time visitors warmly. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon, reachable at 704-545-6172. The preschool line is 704-545-3439, ext. 122. Email reaches the office at ppc@philadelphiachurch.org. Greeters are happy to guide visitors, and tours can be scheduled in advance.
Giving is available online through the church's Realm portal, by texting PPCMH to 73256, by mail, or through a secure dropbox in the administration building. The church also maintains an endowment fund with multiple named funds supporting ministry and scholarships.
For those wanting to keep up with what's happening, a weekly newsletter, calendar, and worship video archive are all available, and the church maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Whether a visitor arrives for Sunday worship, drops by on a Wednesday night, sends a child to Kingdom Kids or preschool, or simply wants to walk through the Annex Shoppe during a craft bazaar, Philadelphia Presbyterian Church has been a steady presence on Bain School Road for more than two and a half centuries - and the doors are still open.