A Snellville Congregation with a Three-Fold Mission
Westminster Presbyterian Church sits just off Highway 78 in the heart of Snellville, Georgia, a few blocks east of South Gwinnett High School. Since its founding in 1978, the church has gathered a multi-generational, 350-member congregation that shapes everything it does around a single, three-part purpose. The congregation's own words describe it best: Westminster exists to BRING people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, GROW them in the knowledge and love of God, and SEND them into ministry wherever the Spirit directs. Senior Pastor Allison Per-Lee puts it plainly in her welcome: "Jesus welcomes all and so do we! At WPC you will find a loving community of Spirit-filled believers, relevant and inspiring teaching, and opportunities to serve God and others."
The church belongs to the Presbyterian Church (USA), within the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, and calls its worship space "beautiful" - a sanctuary that opens onto a Parents' and Babies' Room used for prayer, a Children's Wing, a Parlor, a Fellowship Hall, and a chapel where Wednesday night dinners are served. Handicap accessibility, sound amplification for the hearing impaired, and projection screens for the visually impaired are part of the standard setup for every service.
Sunday Mornings at 10:30
Sunday is the centerpiece of the week at Westminster. The single worship service begins at 10:30 AM in the sanctuary and blends praise music with traditional hymns. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The choir rehearses each Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM to prepare music for Sunday worship, and a Bell Choir rehearses after the service each Sunday to lead worship as well. A Praise Team rehearses as members' schedules permit and leads about once per month. Soloists, instrumentalists, and young singers are always welcome to join any of the groups.
Children are woven into the service rather than separated from it. After a Children's Moment in worship, children ages 2 through 11 are dismissed to Children's Church in the Children's Wing, which runs from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. On the first Sunday of the month, only Nursery children leave for childcare because the rest of the congregation joins in Communion. Kindergarten through fifth grade follow a worship setting designed just for them - active prayers, praise songs, and a craft that ties into the day's Bible story.
Before the service, the church gathers for Sunday Morning Prayer Time at 10:00 AM in the Parents' and Babies' Room at the back of the sanctuary. The hour is described as a simple time to lift up thanks for the new day the Lord has made. A separate stream takes place at 9:30 AM in the form of Sunday Church School, when the nursery opens at 9:15 AM and classes for all ages meet. Adults have several options: the Acts 29 Bible study class in the Board Room (Rooms 16-18), the Christian Living book study in Room 19, seasonal electives, and an Exploring the Church class that introduces visitors to what it means to be Presbyterian, the mission and ministry at WPC, and the spiritual practices of Christians and members.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday evenings are a second front door to the church, and they begin with food. From September through April, the church gathers for a home-cooked dinner at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. After the meal, the youth move to Bible study, games, and interactive activities from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Younger children are invited to the Jubilee Choir at 5:00 PM, where Mr. Mark and Mrs. Andra lead elementary-age children (ages 5 to 10) in songs, music theory, and games that prepare them to lead in worship.
Adults have their own Wednesday option in Truthseekers, a mid-week Bible study led by Rev. Allison Per-Lee. Books of the Bible are studied from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the Parlor, and everyone is welcome to bring a Bible. Wednesday Night Semester Studies fill out the calendar, and Lenten In-Home Studies, Holy Conversations, and Summer Dinner and Devotions round out the year's offerings.
The Chancel Choir also rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM, preparing music not only for Sunday worship and special services but also for two major cantatas each year at Christmas and Easter.
Children's Ministry from Cradle through Elementary
Westminster takes the spiritual formation of children seriously, with programs running every Sunday morning, most Sunday evenings, and Wednesday nights. Sunday Church School at 9:30 AM uses age-appropriate, interactive curriculum. Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) work through Bible Zone Live from Cokesbury, learning through storytelling, singing, and acting. Elementary students in first through fifth grade use the Cornerstones curriculum called Cornerstones in a learning environment called Route 252, which integrates different learning styles. Veggie Tales videos, snacks, energizers, and crafts round out the morning for the intergenerational group that meets from 9:30 to 10:15 AM.
The Nursery serves children from six weeks of age through Pre-K on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 11:45 AM, with the requirement that a parent remain in the building while the child is under care. Kindergartners through fifth-graders are encouraged to attend Children's Church or remain in the sanctuary with their guardians.
Family events are a hallmark of the children's ministry. The October Fall Festival welcomes people of all ages with crafts, games, a Varsity food truck, and trunk-or-treat. Hanging of the Greens in late November transforms the sanctuary when the congregation decorates for Advent and Christmas. The annual Chili Show Music Ministry Fundraiser and Talent Show highlights the gifts of the congregation. Family Fun Nights bring trivia, dancing, or games, and potluck lunches and dinners are a frequent occurrence. Vacation Bible School closes out the school year with its own celebration Sunday.
Youth Ministry for Grades 6 through 12
The middle school and high school years are treated as a formative season, not a waiting room. Westminster's youth ministry meets on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings, with extra events that include service projects, outings, mission trips, and summer camps.
Middle school students (grades 6 to 8) gather on Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 9:30 AM, then return in the evening from 5:15 to 7:15 PM for Youth Fellowship - games, ice breakers, and Bible study. Wednesday evenings begin with the church-wide dinner at 6:00 PM, followed by Bible study from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
High school students are an integral part of the wider Sunday worship. They work in the sound booth, perform special music, serve as ushers, sing in the choir, read Scripture, and create and lead an annual Youth Sunday Service. Throughout the year they take part in service projects, outings, lock-ins, retreats, and off-site events such as Top Golf, escape rooms, and sports outings. On Sunday evenings they join the same 5:15 to 7:15 PM Youth Fellowship block.
Music, Bells, and a Jubilee Choir for Kids
The Music Ministry at Westminster is led by Mr. Ben Drennan, Organist and Accompanist. Three ensembles form the backbone of the program. The Chancel Choir rehearses every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM to prepare music for Sunday worship, special services, and the Christmas and Easter cantatas. The Bell Choir rehearses after worship on Sundays and leads services in turn. The Praise Team rehearses as members' schedules permit and leads worship about once a month.
Soloists, instrumentalists, and young singers are always needed, and the Jubilee Choir is the church's intentional pathway for elementary-age children (ages 5 to 10). Under Mr. Mark and Mrs. Andra, the Jubilee Choir rehearses on Wednesday afternoons from 5:00 to 5:45 PM, learning anthems, hymns, and music theory in a setting that ties music, games, and fellowship into spiritual formation.
WestMen, Women of Westminster, and Small Groups
Adult ministry at Westminster is intentionally multi-layered. Sunday Morning Adult Education Classes meet at 9:30 AM and include Acts 29 (Bible study), Christian Living (book study), Seasonal Electives, and Seasonal Forums during Advent and Lent. Weekday and week-night options multiply the offerings: Holy Conversations (a women's book group that meets twice a month on Monday evenings), Lenten In-Home Studies, Stephen Ministry Care Studies, Summer Dinner and Devotions, Truthseekers on Wednesdays, and Wednesday Night Semester Studies.
The WestMen ministry welcomes all men who attend the church, whether members or friends. The purpose is threefold: help men come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and grow as His disciples, grow strong relationships with other men, and support the ministry of WPC on and beyond its campus. WestMen Bible Study meets on the first and third Thursdays at 6:30 PM in the Parlor or Brides Room. Two men-only small groups meet weekly to discuss a relevant Christian book. A Monday Morning Men's Small Group gathers for discussion over breakfast at McDonald's in Grayson. The WestMen also meet monthly for BBQ lunches at local restaurants and a Saturday morning Men's Breakfast on the third Saturday of the month at 7:30 AM for coffee and an 8:00 AM breakfast in the Fellowship Center, with a $5 suggested donation and free breakfast for first-time guests.
Women of Westminster (WOW) bring the women of the church and community into relationship with one another through Bible study and fellowship outside of daily life. Two Bible study circles anchor the program. Hannah Circle meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 7:00 PM in the Bride's/Prayer Room across from the Parlor. Ruth Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM at the home of Liz Gray. WOW also hosts seasonal luncheons after church, with a formal winter luncheon featuring china tables and a guest speaker, plus a casual summer paper-plate luncheon. Trips to places like the Madison Tea Room, Gibbs Gardens, the Aurora Theater, and La Madeline's Restaurant build fellowship, and the annual WOW Retreat in North Georgia gathers the women for a weekend of study, prayer, hiking, yoga, and shared meals.
Marriage Ministry and the Five Dates Initiative
Marriage Ministry at Westminster centers on an initiative called Five Dates. Over six months each year, one evening per month is set aside for married or engaged couples to connect, communicate, and celebrate their commitment to one another. Each evening opens with a catered candlelight dinner, followed by engaging activities, and ends with helpful tips from professionals at the Covenant Christian Counseling Center on communication, conflict management, gratitude, and other practices that encourage marital health and satisfaction. Couples receive Five Dates Workbooks, share at dinners through "Table Time," and use "Tiny Talk" Cards for prompts with one another and with other couples. The cost is $25 per couple per month, with reservations made per event. Annual additions to the calendar include guest speakers, fun-and-games nights, and a Vow Renewal Service.
Care Ministry and Stephen Ministry
Westminster's Care Ministry provides Christian care and support to people in times of need through the Pastoral Staff, Stephen Ministers, and Deacons. The care team reaches out to members of the church family and the wider community with concern and compassion for those who are hurting, grieving, or facing difficult life challenges. Prayer, small group meetings, and personal visits are the day-to-day tools. The team grounds its work in Galatians 6:2: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Stephen Ministry is a flagship of that care. Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide confidential one-to-one care to those experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or other difficult seasons. They meet regularly with same-gender individuals and share a passion for bringing Christ's love and care to people in need. Stephen Ministers are available each Sunday after worship for prayer. The ministry is coordinated by Margaret Leeper and operates under the pastoral oversight of Rev. Allison Per-Lee.
Local Mission: Snellville, Gwinnett, and Beyond
Westminster's local mission outreach takes several forms. The church partners with the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry to provide food and support for community families, sending volunteers weekly and supplying food for the months of April and October. The Co-Op serves 400 to 500 families each month and distributes roughly 27,000 cans of food alongside $18,000 in financial assistance. Collection bins and a buggy outside the church office allow year-round donations.
The church also partners with Family Promise of Gwinnett County, a nonprofit interfaith organization that brings shelter, meals, and support services to families without homes. The church partners with Habitat for Humanity Gwinnett as a faith build partner, assisting in raising funds for a local home build and providing volunteers for work days. The congregation supports the American Red Cross and encourages blood donations, and it supports the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund.
Community-facing events round out the year. The church takes the lead each year on the Community Easter Sunrise Service on the Snellville Town Green at 7:00 AM on Easter Sunday. The annual Craft Fair welcomes the community to the campus, as does the Falls Prevention Event held in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Emory University.
Global Mission: A Twenty-Year Partnership with Honduras
Westminster's global mission is anchored by a long-running relationship with Honduras Outreach, a non-denominational Christian organization dedicated to building life-changing relationships between the people of the Olancho province and caring North Americans. The partnership spans more than twenty years and reaches both the Agalta Valley and San Lorenzo. Most Hondurans in the Agalta Valley live in small one- or two-room homes of sticks, mud, and clay, where running water and electricity are luxuries. Projects the church has helped with include replacing dirt floors with concrete, wooden roofs with tin, digging latrines, and installing kitchen stovepipes.
The church offers an annual global mission trip to Honduras. Members are encouraged to be Prayer Partners, pray for the team, and give donations. Family Bag donations - candles, kitchen towels, oven mitts, sewing needles, individually wrapped candy (no chocolate), aluminum foil, clothes pins, two-gallon Zip-Lock bags, bars of soap, and washcloths - can be dropped off in the box located in the Narthex. A list of over-the-counter clinic items, including aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, multi-vitamins, prenatal vitamins, and similar medications, supports the medical work in the field.
Calvin Cove, Adult Respite Program
Calvin Cove is celebrating more than two decades as an outreach ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Since 1999, the program has served hundreds of participants with the help of 318 volunteers and directors who have a heart for seniors. Calvin Cove provides a respite program for caregivers of older adults, giving them time to rest, recharge, and engage with friends. The ministry is designed to meet the social and emotional needs of older adults with mild to moderate impairments - many of whom live with early stages of dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, the aftermath of strokes, cerebral palsy, mental disabilities, or general frailty.
Daily activities include morning devotionals, arts and crafts, music therapy, "senior Cize" chair exercise, inspiring conversation, games, and visits from special guests. A morning snack and a balanced hot lunch are served daily, with all drinks caffeine- and sugar-free. Calvin Cove is a not-for-profit program serving all economic levels, ethnic backgrounds, and religious beliefs. The program operates Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
WPC Preschool and Before- and After-School Care
Westminster Children's Weekday Ministries (WCWM) operates a full-day and half-day preschool care program for children ages six weeks through four years old, with summer programming for children up to age twelve. Hours are 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and the school is a three-star Quality Rated childcare facility. WCWM has been in operation since 1992, serving the children of the community in a Christian environment.
WCWM follows the Creative Curriculum, which is designed to provide high-quality early childhood education in a secure, nurturing Christian environment, and offers a Georgia Pre-K Program, weekly chapel and Spanish, healthy morning and afternoon snacks, a hot lunch, and a playground and indoor play area. All teachers are certified in CPR and First Aid and continue their education throughout the school year. The preschool is in session during the school year following the Gwinnett County Schools calendar, with a few minor exceptions, and serves the South Gwinnett community with a before- and after-school program for elementary and sixth-grade students. WCWM transports to and from Britt Elementary, Brookwood Elementary, and Trip Elementary. The school serves all children regardless of race, creed, or color.
The WCWM Summer Camp is a weekly, theme-based summer camp in a state-licensed Christian environment, following all Georgia DECAL guidelines as recommended by the CDC. It serves children ages 12 weeks to 4 years and ages 5 to 12, with a nutritious lunch and two snacks provided. Summer Camp 2026 registration opens in March or April.
Leadership, Beliefs, and the Wider Congregation
Senior Pastor Rev. Allison Per-Lee was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia, the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and Columbia Theological Seminary, and has spent her entire ministry in the Presbyterian Church, serving at Friendship Presbyterian in Athens, Overbrook Presbyterian in Richmond, Decatur Presbyterian Church, and First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta before being called to Westminster as Interim Pastor in 2015 and as Senior Pastor in 2017. Her strengths are in pastoral ministry and in ministry to youth and young adults, and she has served in Honduras since 1990. Rev. George Rogers, a native of Kentucky who was ordained by the UPCUSA in 1980, came out of retirement in 2019 to join the pastoral staff after a career that included pastorates in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas, and Georgia and service as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Eli Brawner serves as Director of Children and Youth Ministries, Nick Benson as Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries, and Ben Drennan as Organist and Accompanist.
Westminster's Statement of Faith describes the church as a Christ-centered community called to be "a community of grace, a people of praise and worship, and a loving congregation of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ." Grounded in Holy Scripture, the congregation "is open to the Holy Spirit in all we say and do, and is commissioned to share Christ's hope and salvation with all people, serving to the glory of God." Elder classes serve three-year terms, with Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 presently active, and Deacon classes mirror that structure. The Board of Trustees oversees finances, personnel, building and grounds, and the work of the Session.
Plan a Visit to Snellville
Visitors will find the church easy to reach right off Highway 78, with plenty of parking. The facility is handicap accessible, sound amplification devices are available for the hearing impaired, and projection screens assist the vision impaired. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:30 AM, with nursery care from 9:15 AM. Sunday Morning Prayer Time gathers at 10:00 AM in the Parents' and Babies' Room. Worship begins at 10:30 AM, and Children's Church dismisses after the Children's Moment. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and closed on Friday. Online giving is available through Abundant Giving, and past services can be viewed on the church's YouTube channel.
Adults who want to explore membership can attend the Exploring the Church class, which meets in the Parlor as needed with the pastors and the Welcoming Committee. Visitors, newcomers, and those curious about Westminster are warmly welcomed into the church's Bring-Grow-Send rhythm - the heartbeat of a Snellville congregation that has gathered around Word, Sacrament, and service since 1978.