The History of Carmel Presbyterian Church 
The first service was April 1, 1962 at Charlotte Country Day School. Sunday School met for the first time on Sunday, April 29, 1962. On Sunday, September 30, 1962 the Commission of Presbytery organized Carmel Presbyterian Church with Dr. J. J. Murray serving as Interim Minister. The ordination and installation of officers took place on October 28, 1962 with the first Session Meeting on November 4, 1962. Membership was 101 on November 25, 1962. Reverend Jack Laughlin became the pastor in April 1963. Sunday, May 29, 1963 was set as Dedication Day for the first building, which is now the Fellowship Hall. Loonis McGlohon became the choir director in 1966. Total membership as of December 29, 1968 was 306.
Carolyne Coates becomes the first church secretary in January 1974 and Reverend Wendell Ligon was installed as pastor on March 3, 1974. Construction for a 500 seat Sanctuary began October 1975 and was dedicated on January 9, 1977. The Women of the Church contributed a wall hanging made by Jose Fumero, a well-known artist from Blowing Rock for the sanctuary. The total church membership as of December 1979 was 585. The original Youth Activities building was dedicated October 1979.
Beginning March 1984, the appointed Building Committee began actively planning for a new Fellowship Hall, with groundbreaking occurring on April 24, 1988. Membership reaches a total of 736, representing 262 families at the end of 1984.
Linda Mitchell joined the staff in August 1990 as Administrative Assistant, serving as the liaison to the Columbarium Committee. Dr. Bob McMullen (who served in World War II as a pilot) became the part-time Associate Pastor in January 1989.
Carol Harris joined the staff in 1989 as the part-time Director of Christian Education. Membership reaches 822 in March 1990. Upon his retirement, a reception was held for Reverend Wendell Ligon after church on January 27, 1991, honoring him for his many years of service. Dr. Donald Mitchell became the Interim Pastor effective February 1, 1991. Reverend Steve Cathcart was installed on October 18, 1992 and retired in February 2004.
Dr. Bill Katibah joined the staff as Interim Pastor in March 2004 and served as Parish Associate Pastor through February 2010.
Reverend Jim L. Szeyller was formally installed as Senior Pastor at Carmel Presbyterian May 22, 2005. Paul Reynolds joined the staff on January 1, 2007 as the Director of Music, which includes Adult Choir, Children’s Choir, Handbells, and the Carmel Praise Team. Dr. Anne Trenka Hilborn joined the staff as Associate Pastor in December 2008.
On June 28, 2009, the Cathcart Center and Ligon Hall were dedicated. In December 2009, Dan Moore joined the staff as Youth Director and College Age Ministries. In April 2010, Linda Mitchell retired after serving twenty years as Carmel's Administrative Assistant.
Throughout our rich history, Carmel is blessed to have a diversity of age groups with activities for all ages. We believe the Bible is God's inspired Word to us and that Christ, our Savior and Lord is at the center of every part of our ministry. We invite you to worship and study with us at Carmel, where we are "called by God to make a difference".
