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History of the Kirk
The Kirk of the Hills has been a positive influence in the St. Louis community and the Kingdom of God for over thirty years.  We have enjoyed many milestones of growth along the way!

1966:
Central Presbyterian Church of Clayton, Missouri purchased land on Ladue Road in West St. Louis County and called Rev. L. Vern Trueblood to organize a church on the property.

1968: 
The 120-seat chapel was completed and the first worship service was held on September 8 with 169 charter members affiliated with the Presbyterian Church United States (PCUS).

1974:
The Kirk Preschool was established in September.

1975:
A new education wing, built west of the chapel, was completed in the fall.

1979:
A new 500-seat sanctuary was completed west of the education building.

1982:
In May, the congregation voted to withdraw from the PCUS to join the young and thriving Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

1985:
Senior Pastor Dr. L. Vern Trueblood retired in May and became Pastor Emeritus.

1986:   
Dr. W. Wilson Benton Jr. came in January from Cleveland, Mississippi to serve as Senior Pastor.

1987:
The Center for Biblical Counseling & Education (CBC&E) began.

1987:
The small group ministry was organized and launched as K-Groups.

1988:
The first Missions Conference with the Faith Promise approach to funding was held.

1992:   
Dr. Benton was elected as Moderator of the 20th General Assembly of the PCA.

1992:
The Kirk Preschool was organized as the Kirk Day School (KDS), expanded to include first and second grades with an enrollment of 95 students, and designed to assist the Christian parent in the nurture of covenant children.
1993: 
The Kirk Pantry began as a volunteer ministry to supply food to ministries serving the needy.

1993:
Construction of an expanded Christian Education facility was completed.  The "New Day Dawning" project included remodeling and expanding the sanctuary, the nurseries, the office complex, and the addition of the Family Life Center and additional classroom space.

1996:
The Mission House at the corner of Ladue and Mason Roads was purchased.

1996:
The Kirk Day School enrollment grew to 264 students.  The gym and classroom expansion was completed and KDS began adding multiple classes per grade.

1997:
The Kirk Pantry became fully supported by the Kirk of the Hills.
1998:
The expanded, renovated 900-seat sanctuary and new choir room were completed through a "Pursue the Purpose" capital campaign.  The Kirk Day School neared capacity at 360 students.

1999:
The Kirk steeple interior space was leased to mobile phone companies to install antennas, with the proceeds directed to others' ministries through the Jabez Fund.

2000:
Land was purchased and members received to establish Grace Presbyterian church in St. Charles, Missouri.  Over the past 20 years, the Kirk of the Hills has helped establish other new PCA congregations in the St. Louis area including Heritage in Pond, Good Shepherd in South County, and Crossroads in Richmond Heights.

2002:
Reformed Campus Fellowship was formed to train leaders to minister to local college students.

2004:
Promise Christian Academy was formed as an educational outreach ministry for children who need alternative instructional approaches.

2006:
The "Bridge to the Future" campaign raised capital commitments to retire debt, make needed repairs and upgrades to the facility, and enhance ministry through media technologies.

2006:
In October, Dr. W. Wilson Benton, Jr. retired and became Pastor Emeritus after 21 years of faithful ministry.
 

2007:

The Mission House at the corner of Ladue and Mason Roads was converted to a Youth House.  Through a generous donor, a new Mission House (condominium) in Chesterfield was purchased.

2008:

Center for Biblical Counseling and Education was renamed Wellspring Christian Counseling.  The Kirk Pantry was renamed the St. Charles Food Banc (ceased operations in 2009).  Promise Christian Academy moved to a separate site to accommodate growth.  To enable broader community impact, these three ministries that were “incubated” at the Kirk became independent entities retaining healthy Kirk association but with diminished formal ties.

 

2009:

Rev. Mark D. Kuiper was installed as Senior Pastor on July 12.