Fall Ball gives a boost to church building campaign

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Fall Ball gives a boost to church building campaign

Posted on 09 September 2012.

Entertainment during the ball at Charles Mack Citizens Center in Mooresville included praise dancers from Expressions of Praise Dance Ministry. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

MOORESVILLE – Longtime members and friends of Davidson Presbyterian Church gathered at the Charles Mack Citizens Center Saturday night for food, fashion, comedy and fellowship at a Fall Ball that was part of the church’s $1 million capital campaign to help raise money for a new sanctuary.

The 120 or so guests came from Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius and Charlotte, among other places, to dine on fried or baked chicken, deviled eggs, crudites, and pasta salad accompanied by lemonade and sweet tea.

Delores and Rev. Darrell Van Pelt. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Praise dancers from Expressions of Praise Dance Ministry entertained, and Charlotte comedian David Singletery offered a monologue poking gentle fun at SBCs – small black churches – and their traditions.

Berthine Ross helped organize a fashion show, with fall stylings from Katherine’s, Maurice’s and Kohl’s department store, all in Mooresville. Members of the church filled the roles of fashion models, including Davidson Presbyterian’s pastor, the Rev. Darrell Van Pelt, and his daughterBrittany.

The fashion show and all the evening’s proceedings were emceed by WHIP-AM radio personality Vivian Brandon. DJ Rhonda Henderson spun tunes all night.

The African American congregation on Depot Street in downtown Davidson is in the midst of a $1 million campaign to replace its aging sanctuary. The structure was built in the 1940s, and a second education building and fellowship hall was built in 1962.

Church volunteers served dinner. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

The church was founded in 1894 as Davidson College Colored Presbyterian Church. It changed its name to Davidson United Presbyterian Church in 1934 and is now known as Davidson Presbyterian Church.

“We’re looking to break ground within the next year,” the Rev. Van Pelt said Saturday night, in between strolls down the runway in the latest casual fall fashions. “Were still going through the process of getting our plans approved by the town.”

It wasn’t clear Saturday night now much money the Fall Ball raised. Through a similar gala last year and fundraising church breakfasts and suppers, the church so far has banked about $50,000 toward the project.

RELATED COVERAGE

April 10, 2011, “Fun, fashion and fundraising at Davidson Presbyterian gala.” – Coverage of last year’s gala, with photos.

Feb. 4, 2011, “Davidson Presbyterian sets sights on a new home.”