About

On the leading edge of redefining “church” by uniting community development and ministries, non-profit and free enterprise, The Park Church meets the spiritual and practical needs of the local Charlotte community and the church in America through innovative strategies.

Founded in 1913 as a prayer group, Gilfield Missionary Baptist Church was led by Rev. Winfield S. Scott. The congregation remained in tact through World War 2, moving to North Myers Street in 1932.

Due to tremendous growth, the church moved again in 1953, and was renamed Mt. Olivet Baptist Church under Rev. M.L. Davidson. Six years later, the church was destroyed by fire. The congregation met in the cafeteria of First Ward Elementary for two years before completing the rebuild of its new church, which was renamed University Park Baptist Church in 1961.

Having had a strong presence in north Charlotte for 90 years, University Park Baptist Church, known as “The Park” expanded its reach by opening a location in the south Charlotte community. Park South,  now The Park Church South Charlotte, the church offers many of the same programs as its north Charlotte campus, and has grown from a small bible study to more than 600 congregants in just seven years.

In 2006, The Park Church purchased the Charlotte Merchandise Mart, making it one of the few churches in the nation to fuse enterprise and ministry models. With the addition of The Park Expo and Conference Center (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart), The Park Church offers a multi-faceted destination that includes conference and banquet space, restaurant and retail development as well as exhibition space for trades shows.

Totaling 529,000 square-feet across three buildings, The Park Expo and Conference Center is designed to fund ministry expansion through profits generated by trade shows, local and national conferences, concerts and other business endeavors.

Offering more than 90 programs - from cradle to retirement - The Park Church intersects with people at every age and stage of life at all three campuses.

The Park Church exists to extend the Love, the Life and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, to everyone, in every way, in every place, at every time we have the opportunity.

  • For more than 25 years, The Park Church has assisted those who suffer with AIDS - providing meals, driving patients to doctor’s appointments and offering friendship - through a partnership with the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (R.A.I.N.).
  • Offering support to those in need The Park Church has programs and groups to help people struggling with grief, divorce recovery, finances, parenting challenges and more. The Park Church also hosts workshops and job fairs for the unemployed and underemployed.
  • In 2008, The Park Church began a full-time program to serve the spiritual and practical needs of people living in Kenya through drilling wells, holding church services, building recreational facilities, and offering medical care.