© 2015 Southminster Presbyterian Church, USA

In mission partnership with The Church of St. Giles

Our Mission • To seek by teaching, learning, exploring and inspiring. • To care by supporting our members and our community. • To serve by participating in church activities and mission outreach. History Southminster Presbyterian Church was chartered February 25, 1945, as a United Presbyterian of North America congregation of 83 members. Southminster has since been a part of two reunions with other branches of the same confession; in 1958, with the PCUSA (North) and in 1983, with the PCUS (South). Today it is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Our founding Pastor, Dr. James L. Cottrell, evangelized the Brookside neighborhood on bicycle in 1944-45, since gas rationing was still in effect. The original wooden prefab building was about 32′ deep by 64′ long and was located east of the Fellowship Hall. The original sanctuary was completed in 1949, and has since been remodeled. The Fellowship Hall and educational wing was built in 1952, and later also remodeled. Dr. Cottrell left in 1958 for another church and subsequently retired. Cottrell Hall was completed in 1958, and named for him. Membership was 600 when Dr. Cottrell left. Past pastors: Dr. Herbert B. Anderson, Dr. Lorenz W. Huenemann, Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher, Drs. J. David Fletcher and Judy Fletcher (co-pastors), Dr. Stephen Smith.

History and Mission of St. Giles: Mission The mission of the Church of Saint Giles is to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Transportation – Saint Giles has two vans that are equipped with lifts to transport persons using wheelchairs. In addition to providing transportation, we loan our vans to persons whose lift equipped van is being repaired. Independent Living Program – Saint Giles works with Ability Resources, another local disability related organization, to help persons transition out of a nursing home back into the community. We collect furniture and other household goods and help with the actual moving. Saint Giles has provided assistance to 54 individuals or families in the last three years. Health and Wellness Outreach – Rev. Webb assists groups of runners and walkers with advice and encouragement. One group is children ages 6 – 18, many of whom have special needs such as ADHA and autism spectrum disorder. A variety of health care and fitness experts and organizations have joined us in our projects and initiatives. Rev. Webb is co-chair of the Tulsa Interfaith Disability Task Force. History Legend has it that Saint Giles lived about 700 AD in France and served as the first abbot of the monastery of Saint Giles du Gard. Saint Giles was someone who provided assistance to the poor. The fact that his leg was “crippled” in a hunting accident drew many disabled beggars. This resulted in Saint Giles becoming the patron saint of beggars and those with disabilities. Over the centuries, a number of hospitals and safe houses for the impoverished and disabled were constructed in England and Scotland and many were named for Saint Giles. One of the most famous was the Saint Giles hospital and chapel in London, founded about 1100 AD by the wife of Henry I. Today this facility is known as the church of Saint Giles In The Fields. The most famous of the Saint Giles churches is the Saint Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, consecrated in 1243 AD. During the Reformation, John Knox served as its minister. Saint Giles of Edinburgh is generally considered the mother church of Presbyterianism.