A History of West Presbyterian Church
Building on Faith, Breaking New Ground
by Charlene McGrady
"Some people see things as they are and ask, 'Why?' I see things as they could be and ask, 'Why not?'"--Robert F. Kennedy
The members of Wilmington's West Presbyterian Church have been
asking "Why not?" since the congregation's founding in 1868. And in
the nearly 130 years since, they have actively worked to make the
future they envisioned a reality. In so doing they have demonstrated
an abiding faith in and commitment to the city, its people and
things as they could be.
Why Not Think Big?
Many were dubious in 1870 when the 108-member congregation broke
ground for a soaring Gothic brick edifice that could hold 1,200
people. Eyebrows also were raised over the proposed location, at the
corner of Eighth and Washington streets, which was far from the
center of town. But the faith of the congregation never wavered, not
even during the Business Panic of 1873-75, when members mortgaged
their homes to save the church from Sheriff's Auction.
Why Not Embrace Newcomers?
As the century moved toward its close, the congregation grew and so did the city, swelled with European immigrants. West Church, once on the edge of Wilmington, suddenly was at the center of the city's downtown west side. To serve the immigrant families in the surrounding neighborhood, West established a mission school in 1894 and an Italian-language mission church a decade later at Seventh and Scott. The mission closed in 1924 with the establishment of the Independent Italian Presbyterian Church.
The late '40s and early '50s were a time of phenomenal growth in
membership at West. This growth was fueled in large measure by the
personal greetings extended to newcomers by Dr. Albert H. Kleffman,
who served as pastor from 1927-1963 and pastor emeritus until 1981.
West's longest-serving pastor, Dr. Kleffman was known for his
Biblical scholarship and preaching, which helped attract new
members.
Why Not Break Down Racial and Class Barriers?
That post-war congregational growth began to erode toward the end of Dr. Kleffman's tenure when the face of the neighborhood changed. Middle-class, home-owning West Center City whites began moving to the suburbs and low-income African Americans moved into rental units carved out of the homes they left behind. Although many wanted West to join the exodus, a majority of the then all-white congregation decided that "to leave the neighborhood would be to disregard a responsibility."
Dr. Kleffman asked the session to call another minister to
spearhead the effort to transform West from an urban church with a
suburban congregation to an inner city church with an integrated
congregation. They chose Rev. Thomas F. Luce, who became co-pastor
in 1960 and was pastor from Dr. Kleffman's retirement in 1963 until
1969. If the erudite Dr. Kleffman was West's head, Rev. Luce became
its heart and soul.
During his tenure, Rev. Luce agitated to end de jure segregation
in Delaware's public accommodations -- he was arrested during a
sit-in at a Smyrna diner in 1963 -- and de facto segregation in the
pews at West Church through a new policy of inclusiveness. Under his
leadership, West became the site of voter registration programs,
Planned Parenthood birth control clinics, an all-day daycare and
preschool, after-school tutoring and other community service
programs. The bonds he helped forge between the church and the
African American community were so strong that not a single window
of West was broken during the riots that followed the assassination
of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
Why Not Return From Ashes To Action?
As new urban problems of drug addiction and homelessness arose in
the '70s and '80s, West remained a symbol of hope and an anchor of
stability in a community more accustomed to abandonment. The church
reaffirmed its commitment to West Center City in 1993 after a fire
ravaged its 122-year-old building. The 148-member congregation voted
unanimously to rebuild on the original site and pledged more than a
quarter of the $400,000 needed to fill the gap between the insurance
coverage and the cost of rebuilding. The new building, which was
dedicated January 26, 1997, and allocates more than 60% of the total
space for community-based programs and activities, is a clear
reflection of the church's priorities.
Why Not Continue to Break New Ground?
The longstanding tradition of community involvement in support of
those seeking justice and inclusion continues to this day at West, a
"More Light" congregation that encourages the full participation of
gays and lesbians in the life of the church. Programs supported by
the multi-ethnic congregation include Saturday breakfasts for the
hungry and homeless, and bi-monthly meals and fellowship for people
with AIDS and HIV, and leadership in a county-wide church-based
community organization.
Whatever the future brings, the faithful people of West Presbyterian Church will continue to see things as they could be and ask, "Why not?"