As Myers Park Baptist Church stepped into 1952, it did so with a spirit of hope and transformation. The dedication of the sanctuary, the rise of new musical leadership, the opening of the Educational Building, and the embrace of community gatherings all reflected a congregation deeply committed to being a beacon of freedom, learning, and love.

Dedication of the Sanctuary
At the heart of the year stood a moving Prayer for the Dedication of the Sanctuary (February 17, 1952), calling the church to be a home for seekers, for those burdened by guilt or grief, and for families and children alike. It envisioned a church of freedom, healing, and unity—a place where faith becomes like song and prayer connects the lonely to community.

Music as Ministry
Music marked the rhythm of the church’s life. On the evening of Friday, March 28, a celebratory concert formally dedicated the new organ. The program featured works by Robert Schumann, J.S. Bach, Alexander McCurdy, Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Georges Jacob, Paul de Maleingreau, David Stanley York, and Marcel Dupré—an offering of sacred sound to match the sanctuary’s spirit.

In September, the church welcomed Mr. Harvey L. Woodruff as the new Minister of Music. Trained at Juilliard, Columbia, and other esteemed institutions, Mr. Woodruff brought a fresh chapter of musical excellence. His appointment followed a unanimous recommendation by the Music Committee and a vote by the Board of Deacons, marking a thoughtful transition after the departure of Mrs. Alice Berman, whose nine years of leadership had cultivated a strong and beautiful choral tradition. Her assistant, Miss Fenwick, also departed after remarkable service as organist and children’s choir leader. To support the new music ministry, Anna Royer, a graduate of Westminster Choir College, was appointed assistant in music.

Hospitality and Community
In the fall, Myers Park Baptist hosted the Mecklenburg Baptist Association meeting for the first time, welcoming representatives from fifty-two churches. Members prepared food and fellowship for a joyful community gathering and picnic on the church grounds—complete with fried chicken, sandwiches, cakes, pies, and “everything else that goes with a picnic.”

A New Era in Education
By December, the congregation celebrated a long-awaited milestone: the opening of the new Educational Building. Designed to serve children, youth, and adults, the building embodied the church’s commitment to spiritual formation. An Open House the following Sunday invited members to explore the new classrooms and hear the vision for teaching and growth that would take root there.

The church also celebrated Nan Leonard’s appointment as instructor of Religious Education at Wake Forest College. Her influence on youth and children’s ministries left a lasting mark on the church’s educational life.

1952 was not just a year of milestones, it was a year that reaffirmed the church’s calling to be a sanctuary for the soul and a home for all who seek belonging.