Opening Doors to Serve Christ on Whiskey Road
South Aiken Presbyterian Church sits on Whiskey Road on the south side of Aiken, South Carolina, where it has been a fixture since 1955. A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the church follows a traditional order of worship drawn from the PCUSA lectionary, offers Christian education for every age group from nursery through adult, and runs an in-house preschool and kindergarten that has served local families for decades. Its mission statement is short and direct: "We believe that Jesus Christ is the resurrected Son of God; that we are saved through God's grace alone; and that all are welcome to worship." The church's own motto, "Opening Doors to Serve Christ," sums up an active ministry of community service that includes a long-running holiday gift program, a food and supply blessing box on the parking lot, a children's clothing closet, and international mission partnerships in Honduras.
From a "Chapel on Wheels" to a Six-Decade Congregation
The story of SAPC begins with the post-World War II growth of the Savannah River Site, the U.S. government's nuclear materials complex that brought thousands of new residents to the south side of Aiken. First Presbyterian Church, in downtown Aiken, responded to the surge by planting a daughter congregation. SAPC was formally founded in 1955, but its earliest expression was a "Chapel on Wheels" - a portable chapel run out of a mobile home to support construction workers building the local plutonium manufacturing facility. The Reverend Russell W. Park, Sr., later oversaw construction of a permanent building, and on June 5, 1955, the first worship service was held in what is now the Fellowship Hall.
The church's early members included both families transferring their memberships from First Presbyterian and newcomers who had moved to Aiken for the Site. SAPC became an independent congregation almost immediately, though it retains a warm relationship with its founding parent church. In its first sixty-three years, SAPC has been served by ten installed pastors, three associate pastors, and two parish associates. A small but beloved bit of Presbyterian heritage lives on in the congregation's occasional Kirkin' O' the Tartan service, a Scottish-American tradition of blessing clan tartans that dates to the years after the 1746 Battle of Culloden and was popularized in the United States by Dr. Peter Marshall, a former U.S. Senate chaplain, during the early years of World War II. Those curious about the deeper history can borrow "Opening Doors to Serve Christ: A History of the First Fifty Years of South Aiken Presbyterian Church," by Barbara E. Johnson and Stephen E. Stine, from the church library.
What the Church Believes
SAPC teaches the historic Christian faith through a Presbyterian lens. Its statement of beliefs begins with Jesus Christ, quoting the Apostle's Creed: "We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead." The church affirms the Trinity, holding that God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - one God in three persons, an analogy often illustrated with the shamrock of Saint Patrick. The Bible, with its sixty-six Old and New Testament books, is treated as the inspired Word of God and the guide to understanding God's promise, faithfulness, and hope.
The church practices the two sacraments recognized in the Reformed tradition. Baptism is celebrated as the sign and seal of God's covenant in Jesus Christ. Both infants and adults are baptized, with parents, sponsors, and the whole congregation joining in welcoming new members into the body of Christ. Communion, also called the Eucharist or Lord's Supper, is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month in February, April, June, August, October, and December, with the table open to all of God's children regardless of age or membership. The church is governed by the PCUSA constitution, comprising the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order, with the Bible superseding both.
A Vision Statement Built on Four Pillars
In 2023, after nearly a year of prayerful discussion, SAPC adopted a vision statement organized around four concepts. The first is an inclusive, intergenerational congregation in which the youngest and oldest members learn from one another, following Jesus' example of welcoming children and encouraging all ages to follow him together. The second is revolutionary, Christ-like hospitality, an echo of Jesus' willingness to welcome those whom the religious establishment had excluded. The third is diverse styles of worship, embracing music, preaching, prayer, and other forms through which different members can connect with God in their own ways. The fourth is tech-based relational outreach, meeting people where they are in a connected society and building meaningful relationships both near and far. The church does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or lifestyle, and welcomes everyone interested in learning about and worshiping Christ.
The Shape of Sunday Morning Worship
The Sunday service at SAPC follows the traditional PCUSA pattern and is livestreamed on YouTube at 10:00 a.m. each week, with recordings available afterward. The order of worship begins with a prelude and the chiming of a handbell three times, a small reminder of the Trinity that signals the formal start of worship. A brief introit hymn opens the service, followed by a call to worship in the form of a prepared psalm read responsively. After a prayer of confession - both communal and a moment of quiet personal reflection - the congregation hears an assurance of forgiveness while water is poured into the baptismal font, a tangible reminder of baptism and cleansing.
The Passing of the Peace comes next, with congregants greeting one another through waves, handshakes, or peace signs. Children are then invited forward for a Children's Moment led by Kim Goetter, the Children and Families Ministry Coordinator, who offers a brief lesson tied to the day's sermon. Children may remain in the sanctuary or follow their teacher to Children's Sunday School in the Fellowship Hall for the rest of the service. A Prayer for Illumination prepares hearts for Scripture and sermon, both of which follow the PCUSA lectionary so that SAPC worships alongside Presbyterian congregations around the country and the world. After the sermon, the congregation affirms its faith, usually by reciting the Apostles' Creed, and then shares prayers of intercession and the offering. A Prayer of Thanksgiving precedes the Charge and Benediction, which commissions worshipers to carry the love of Christ into the week ahead.
The Passing of the Peace is gentle and welcoming, and ushers greet visitors at the door. Ushers can walk first-time visitors through the bulletin. Worship bags for children are available in the Narthex and on a table behind the sanctuary. For those who need assistance, wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids are kept at the front entrance, and auditory aids with headphone packs connect directly with the sanctuary's audio system. Visitors simply ask an usher before the service begins.
Pastoral Leadership and the Staff
The Rev. Jason Hammersley has served as Pastor and Head of Staff since September 2019. A graduate of Indiana University and Ball State University, Rev. Hammersley came to ordained ministry through chaplaincy residencies at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia, before serving as an Associate Pastor of Family and Children in a new church development in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and then as Solo Pastor at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Coats, North Carolina. He holds a Certificate of Spiritual Formation from Columbia Theological Seminary and is completing a Certificate in Church Administration from Union Seminary. His wife Susan, an interior designer, is enrolled in the CRE program at Union Presbyterian Seminary; they have three children, Rachel, Lucas, and Sam.
The wider staff supports the work of ministry across every age group. Phillip Hare has served as Director of Music since May 1996 and is also a longtime choir director. Olga Kuzmenkova serves as accompanist. Kim Goetter coordinates Children and Families ministries and is interim Youth Ministries Coordinator as the church prepares to hire a successor for the retiring youth leader. Anthony Williamson serves as Youth Programs Coordinator. Carina McGee is Communications Specialist for both the church and the preschool. Dawn Thurston is Kindergarten Director, with Cissy Kelley as Assistant Kindergarten Director and Childcare Coordinator. Monica Grindle is the church secretary, Rebecca Ferguson is the Financial Manager, and Kirk Callan serves as Sexton.
Music as a Cornerstone of Worship
Music sits at the heart of the Sunday service. The adult SAPC Choir rehearses every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and warms up briefly at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings before the 10:00 a.m. service. Phillip Hare directs, and Olga Kuzmenkova accompanies. Members come from many walks of life - among them retired educators, lifelong church musicians, and newer members who simply love to sing - and the choir's roster reflects the broader life of the congregation in Aiken. A digital hymnal is linked through Hymnary.org so worshipers can follow along with lyrics and listen to hymn excerpts, and bulletin PDFs posted each week include the hymns for that Sunday.
Sunday School for Every Age
SAPC's Christian education program runs year-round, though the schedule has shifted in recent years. Children aged zero through twelve now learn during Children's Church, held in the Fellowship Hall during the 10:00 a.m. service immediately after the Children's Moment. Youth from eighth grade through twelfth grade gather for Youth Group at 6:00 p.m. on Sundays in the Youth Room in the Family Life Center. The Lectionary Sunday School class meets at 9:00 a.m. in the Library, working through the same PCUSA scriptures the pastor will preach on, in a discussion format with lesson outlines emailed to members each Friday. The class is also available online on YouTube in the "Sunday School Lesson - Lectionary" playlist. The Presby-Cafe Adults Class meets at 9:00 a.m. in the Pastoral Conference Room for a discussion-based look at Christian living and the Presbyterian faith, with coffee in hand. Seasonal offerings include Presbyterian 101 and 102, a Sticky Faith parents' class, and the two-year Bethel Bible Series, which covers the whole Bible in a class scheduled to resume next the start of a new series. Confirmation class is offered for middle school students.
Children's Ministries and Vacation Bible School
SAPC aims to be a place where children and families feel welcomed, valued, nurtured, and recognized as vital members of the community. The nursery is open during Sunday services for children from birth through age two, with singing, prayer, Scripture, Bible stories, and time for play in the preschool rooms down the hallway behind the Sanctuary and to the right. Worship bags with Bible-themed activities are available in the Narthex for older children, and all children are welcome to remain in the sanctuary for the entire morning if their families prefer.
Vacation Bible School is a highlight of the summer. The program, held in late June each year, is open to children aged four (by September 1) through rising sixth graders and includes music, arts and crafts, story time, science, recreation, and snacks, all organized around a yearly theme and a mission project that lets children share God's love with others. Adult volunteers must be trained in the church's Kids First child protection policy. The same policy and a Sexual Harassment policy apply across all of SAPC's work with children, youth, and persons with special needs; all volunteers in these areas are records-checked and trained.
Youth Ministries
SAPC's youth ministry welcomes any student currently in middle school or high school. The Sunday evening Youth Group alternates between traditional gatherings with food and discussion in the Youth Room and outings into the community for service and fellowship. Recent and ongoing activities have included trips to trampoline venues, a corn maze at Clinton Sease Farms, and regular fundraising for local charities. Youth can serve as audio, videography, or ushering volunteers during Sunday worship. Communication is handled through the general South Aiken Pres social media pages and the Spirit Express newsletter; anyone with questions can contact Kim Goetter.
Adult Ministries: Food, Grief, Fellowship, and Faith
The adult ministry calendar at SAPC is full of small groups and short-term studies. The Food for Thought series gathers the church five Wednesday nights each spring and fall in the Family Life Center for a free catered dinner (donations accepted) at 5:30 p.m. followed by a discussion on a topic affecting the church today from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Children's and youth activities are provided. GriefShare, a fourteen-week program of videos, workbooks, and group discussion, meets weekly in the library for those processing grief in any of its forms. Presbyterian Women is an inclusive community of women committed to God's promise of wholeness; members teach, lead circles, sing in the choir, serve as pulpit assistants, visit hospital and home-bound members, provide meals, and support peace and justice ministries. Prayer Shawls meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays during its season to knit and crochet shawls, baby blankets, hats, and other items given to those who are ill, grieving, or simply in need of a hug. Living in Faith Together (LIFT) is a monthly small group for young women of the church, meeting in the church building or at local restaurants for devotions, prayer, and community. The Chapter Chat Book Club meets on the first Thursday of every month to discuss a shared title.
Senior Ministries
Older members of the congregation have their own community within SAPC. Young at Heart Seniors organizes group travel, with recent trips including dinner theater at Fort Gordon and excursions to nearby towns for meals. The Greying Into Life series offers lunchtime discussion on topics of particular interest to older adults and their caregivers, including long-term care, assisted living, wills and trusts, and home health options.
Community Outreach: Secret Santa, the Blessing Box, and KINDer Closet
SAPC's commitment to its neighbors shows up in several long-running ministries. The Secret Santa program is the best known. Founded by SAPC in 1987, the program provides wrapped Christmas gifts to children in need in Aiken County. Children may request three items with a total value of about fifty dollars, and sponsors - individuals, churches, civic organizations, and businesses - purchase gifts from the wish lists. Since its inception, Secret Santa has served more than 25,000 children in the county. Application takes place in person on designated days each fall, and gifts are distributed in a drive-through event the Saturday before Christmas. SAPC continues to serve as the program's managing organization.
The Blessing Box stands near the front of the parking lot on Whiskey Road and is open to anyone in the community. Stocked with non-perishable food and basic supplies, it operates on a simple principle: leave what you can, take what you need. Year-round items include pancake mix, rice or pasta, one-box meals, dried fruits and nuts, crackers, granola bars, baby food, individually packed foods, kitchen staples, shelf-stable milk, instant oatmeal and grits, condiments, can openers, small kitchen utensils, personal hygiene items, laundry supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, and baby supplies. Canned items, nut butters, and protein drinks are added in spring and fall when temperatures stay between about 35 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Glass, sharp objects, damaged or expired items, age-restricted items, used or opened items, repackaged items, clothing, medicines, and harsh cleaning supplies are not accepted. Overflow donations can be dropped off at the church office.
KINDer Closet, which grew out of a SAPC women's Bible study, provides handpicked wardrobe sets of interchangeable outfits for children from newborn through age six, with a limited number of specialty items such as shoes, outerwear, and holiday wear available as supplies allow. Items are donated by community members and carefully checked for quality. Families in need can request support through a request form on the church's resources page; volunteers also assemble packages and connect with families.
SAPC also partners with ACTS (Area Churches Together Serving), a consortium of about eighty Aiken County churches that provides emergency assistance with food, clothing, utilities, and basic home furnishings; with Golden Harvest Food Bank, where members volunteer to sort, stock, and assist with special projects; and with Kairos Prison Ministry, an interdenominational ministry to state and federal correctional institutions, by baking cookies for distribution to inmates. Volunteers can join in baking twice a year or by attending Kairos Retreat weekends. Each year, SAPC's monthly canned-goods collection supports ACTS, with July's donation request being canned fruit.
Global Missions: Honduras, Disaster Response, and Sudan
SAPC's mission footprint extends well beyond Aiken County. The Honduras Agape Foundation began as an international outreach of the church to Quimistan, Honduras, after the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1999, and has grown into an ecumenical effort involving several churches. Up to five mission teams each year partner with local community members on construction, education, and other needs in the area. The church also supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the PCUSA's emergency and refugee program that supports communities affected by crisis and catastrophic events, and participates in the Sudan Ministry of Trinity Presbytery, which has been working to broaden awareness of the Sudanese church and meet spiritual and physical needs in the region since 1987.
The Partnership with Friendship Baptist Church
In a quiet witness to Christian reconciliation, SAPC and Friendship African Baptist Church have built a partnership over the years that includes two joint worship services each year, in spring and fall, along with shared local outreach efforts.
The South Aiken Presbyterian Kindergarten (SAPK)
Sharing the SAPC campus, the South Aiken Presbyterian Kindergarten (SAPK) is a preschool and kindergarten program that has served families in the area for decades. SAPK accepts children from six months old through kindergarten age and structures classes by both age and developmental readiness. Children begin in the Nursery and 2K classrooms with routines that build sharing, connection, and fine motor skills. Three-year-olds move into the 3K classroom (or 3K Plus, for older threes) using the Letters to Learn curriculum with multi-sensory play-based learning that includes music, letter stories, tracing, air writing, and mystery letter games. Four-year-olds work through seven units of holistic, interactive lessons in 4K or 4K Plus. Five-year-olds in the 5K kindergarten classroom use the guided-reading approach developed by reading specialist Jan Richardson to support literacy and a love of reading.
School hours run from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for nursery and preschool and from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for kindergarten, with early drop-off at 7:30 a.m. and extended care through 2:00 p.m. available through the host church. The school year typically runs from August through May. Registration for the next year opens in February and classes fill quickly, so the school encourages families to reach out early. Discounts are available for SAPC members and for families paying tuition in full at the start of the year. Tuition is billed monthly and can be paid through the BrightWheel app. Beyond the classroom, SAPK publishes a yearly hardbound yearbook with class photos and candids, and offers family and business advertisement pages as keepsakes.
Pastoral Counseling, Weddings, Membership, and Getting Involved
The pastor and elders are available for pastoral conversations, including those leading to baptism, confirmation, or marriage. Weddings at SAPC are open to members and non-members, and inquiries about scheduling a ceremony or reception on the campus can be sent to the church secretary. Baptisms, including infant baptism, are scheduled with the pastor after a brief preparation meeting. Those interested in church membership are invited to speak with an usher, elder, deacon, or the pastor; new members meet briefly with elders and deacons to discuss the faith before being formally welcomed during a service.
The church is governed by an elected session of elders and an active diaconate. Elders lead teams for Administration and Stewardship, Christian Education, Communications, Mission and Membership, Worship and Music, Long-Range Planning, and Property. The diaconate serves in three classes rotating through 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Visiting SAPC
Visitors are warmly welcomed at any service or event. Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and is followed by fellowship. Sunday School classes for adults meet at 9:00 a.m. Children participate in Children's Church during the service, and youth gather on Sunday evenings. The church office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; the pastor is not available on Fridays. Giving is available online through Vanco, and recorded services, sermon videos, and the Lectionary Sunday School lessons are posted on the church's YouTube channel. A weekly newsletter called the Spirit Express keeps subscribers informed of events and ministry opportunities. For those who want to see the building itself, the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are the heart of the campus on Whiskey Road, with the preschool classrooms down the hallway behind the Sanctuary, the library mid-hallway, and the Family Life Center providing additional space for youth, adult ministries, and Food for Thought dinners. Sanctuary flowers can be dedicated in honor or memory of loved ones, with bouquets available for pickup after the service or donated to homebound members and those going through difficult times.