The History of Westkirk

 

Beginnings

In 1985, a group of about 50 Christians, seeking a new way to honor the Father in worship, and hungering for a better understanding of the Word of God, gathered in Urbandale, Iowa at the Living History Farm's pioneer church to talk about the feasibility of organizing a new congregation to meet these needs. About fifty people shared ideas and dreams, and an infant church was born! Leadership was put into the hands of twelve individuals who were constituted as the Steering Committee.

 

As with the early Christian churches of New Testament times, the group met in the home of a member. By 1986, Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive was home to the group, and later they moved to Clive Elementary School in Windsor Heights.

 

Also in 1986, the group called Wayne Hoffman, an Evangelical Presbyterian Evangelist, to serve as their pastor, shepherd them through the throes of birthing a new church and to guide in establishing a permanent place of worship. On Christmas Eve, 1986, the State of Iowa issued a Certificate of Incorporation for a not-for-profit group called the Westkirk Fellowship. Westkirk became a member of the international Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1987. The congregation continued to grow and moved its services to McLaren's Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines while they planned a permanent facility.

 

Westkirk Evangelical Presbyterian Church formed a building committee in 1990 and named it the Nehemiah Committee after the Old Testament prophet who rebuilt Jerusalem. Pastor Hoffman, during a site-scouting trip, spotted a sloping patch of land for sale just off Colby Woods Drive in Urbandale, Iowa, which was owned by the West Des Moines School district.  The land was purchased and to help finance the construction of the church building, it was decided to divide part of the land into 16 lots for homes.

 

The architectural firm of Savage VerPloeg was selected to design Westkirk in 1990. The design chosen provided for a building almost as it appears at the present time, with the exception of a desired basement.  The architectural firm of Savage VerPloeg was selected to design Westkirk in 1990.  The design chosen provided for a building almost as it appears at the present time, with the exception of a desired basement.  The setting was readied for church construction.  Finally, a memorable ground-breaking ceremony was planned.  The tall grass was mowed to allow members to stand around the future sanctuary site.  A bagpiper led the Session and Nehemiah Committee to the site by playing “Amazing Grace” and the entire congregation then sang “On Holy Ground.”  Construction started immediately following the ground breaking.  Very few delays were encountered during the construction, which ended with the lifting of the steeple to its final resting place.

 

The keys to Westkirk were officially turned over to the members at a dedication ceremony held October 28, 1992.  The towering steeple pointing to God on High introduces one to the symbolism that surrounds the Westkirk family throughout the building.  Few churches include as many reminders of their roots as have been thoughtfully provided at Westkirk. 

 

New members were added steadily until it was apparent that additional space was required – especially to accommodate our Sunday School and social activities.  The decision was made in 1996 to add a west wing to the building, but only on a pay-as-you-go basis.  So, in 1997, when funds were available, a ground-breaking ceremony was held and the shell was erected.  Many hours of volunteer labor, several fund raisers and generous contributions later, the debt-free wing was dedicated on May 23, 1999.

 

A Season of Change

After a difficult experience of doing ministry together as a church family in 2001, two significant events in early 2002 marked the beginning of a season of change in the life of Westkirk.  First, in early January, Pastor Hoffman announced plans to retire.  Preaching pastors were to fill the pulpit beginning in March until a new pastor would be selected.  Second, February saw the initial steps taken to sever the relationship with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Mid-America Presbytery.  In July, a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) was elected.  During this interim period the church was led by the Acting Moderator and the Clerk of the Session.

 

On August 5, 2002, the congregation voted to disconnect from the denomination and return to an independent Presbyterian status.  Through that transition, Westkirk has continued the founding principal of Reformed theology and Presbyterian government and has added members that are dedicated to deepening and demonstrating their faith in concrete ways to the world.  In November, Wayne Hoffman was named the Pastor Emeritus and called to serve as Interim Pastor until a new senior pastor was selected.  The search for a pastor continued through 2003, with the PNC (led by David O. Durlam) patiently looking for the person who would be just the right fit for Westkirk.  Michael L. Mudlaff was selected on February 8, 2004 and began serving the church on March 1.

On March 21, 2004, a beautiful ordination/installation service was held to officially call and recognize Michael Mudlaff as Pastor and Head of Staff at Westkirk Presbyterian Church.  With the following words spoken by Acting Moderator of the Session, Chuck Heitbrink, and with assistance from Elder Jason Hoffman, son of the founding pastor, Westkirk received Pastor Mudlaff:   By the authority of the Session, I declare that Michael Mudlaff has been ordained to the Gospel Ministry of Westkirk Presbyterian Church, and that he has been duly and properly installed as Pastor of this congregation, agreeable to the Word of God and the laws of this Church.  As such he is entitled to be given support, encouragement, honor and obedience in the Lord.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.”

 

A New Era

But maintenance is not our goal!  God established the Church to be a living and growing organism!  Today, Westkirk Presbyterian Church is celebrating a renewed spirit of growth – spiritual and numerically!  New families, of all ages, are making Westkirk their church family.  Joining the ministry staff in 2004 was Karen Admussen, Director of Children’s Ministries.  The following year, a Youth Ministries Director was added to lead this growing church demographic into the future.  Westkirk now also celebrates our Savior and Lord with an additional, once a month, non-traditional worship service called, “Sunday Night at the Kirk.”  This service of worship began in the fall of 2006, has a distinctly Westkirk flavor and incorporates traditional worship elements and clearly Reformed themes, with a more contemporary music background, in order to enable Westkirk to reach out in a fresh way to our neighborhood and community with the claims of Jesus Christ. 
 

The year 2007 became the year Westkirk finalized plans to complete the original dream of her beautiful building and campus.  The FINISH! campaign culminated with over $425,000 in pledges over three years to obtain that goal.  The parking lot was expanded, sanctuary seating added in the mezzanine, and office and education space created as we expanded our facility towards the east.  Member and architect, Alvin Stecker, as well as Ken Bratney, chair of the building committee led the charge.  The committee selected the Pinnacle Construction Group of West Des Moines as general contractor.  As Westkirk continued to grow in space and number, a groundbreaking to celebrate the new campus expansion was held on warm Wednesday evening in September.  And then, the covenant family of faith invited friends and special guests to join them for a beautiful service and celebration, on Reformation Sunday, October 28, 2007.  To celebrate God’s current blessings upon the ministry, look back at the first 25 years, and forward to the future, Westkirk received Pastor Emeritus, Wayne Hoffman, and his wife Helga to make the event complete.  The construction was completed in July of 2008.

 

Westkirk Presbyterian Church now enjoys a revitalized Children’s Ministry; a new emphasis on preparing our youth for life in the faith community; the continuing growth of our weekly adult Bible class, ‘Van and the Bible in the Morning;’ a new, second adult fellowship, called genesis; the fruit of small gatherings of believers in homes called House Kirk; and an commitment to local and global evangelism through the Alpha Course and a growing missions program.  Through it all, we maintain a desire to reach beyond ourselves and make an impact in our community and around the world through the preaching of the Word, service to others, and the sharing of our resources.  The commitment to the beauty and reverence of a Sunday morning, traditional, yet relevant corporate worship remains.

 

In addition to Karen Admussen, our part-time Director of Children’s Ministries, we have also welcomed a second, full-time staff member, Steve Randall, who will work with our youth, as well as lead our congregation in the areas of Evangelism and Fellowship.  Pray with us as we seek to be faithful to God’s will and leading for our future!

 

To Know Christ and Make Him Known!
 

 

Symbolism of Westkirk

 

The Steeple.  Standing seven stories above the grade level, pointing to Almighty God on High. 

 

The Celtic Cross on the steeple is also called the Eternity Cross.  The circle is emblematic of God who, like the circle has no beginning and no end.   Often called the Presbyterian Cross, it is the official cross of the Church of Scotland, our theological forbears.

 

The Entrance Pillars.  As you enter Westkirk, you pass by twin pillars like those in the Temple of Jerusalem where Jesus taught.  Jesus is the faculty of one at Westkirk.

 

The Crescent Window in the chancel above the pulpit reminds us of the fertile crescent in the Middle East where Abraham journeyed from Ur down to present-day Israel.

 

The Budded Cross.  Above the canopy is the budded cross used by the early Church.  Westkirk is a young, budding congregation.

 

The Canopy was used by the colonial and Reformed churches for sound amplification.

 

The Framework around the pulpit is symbolic of the Throne of God before whom all will stand in judgment.

 

The Pulpit occupies the center of the chancel because, for us, the Word of God is central in Reformed theology, with the preaching of the Gospel always under the influence and power of the cross.  The pulpit is shaped like the front of a ship, reminiscent of Noah’s Ark in which His chosen safely abide.

 

The Lord’s Table is directly below the pulpit - reminding us that Holy Communion grows out of the preaching of the Gospel.  The table is twelve feet long – reminding us of the first twelve disciples.  Supporting the table are three pillars symbolic of the Holy Trinity.  The two candles stand for the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ.

 

The Baptism Font is fashioned like the Communion Table.  Standing on the same level as Holy Communion, baptism is our welcome into the Family of God and communion is the means of our nurture.

 

The Pews are turned in toward each other to enhance the fellowship of God’s people.  We are not spectators but family who bring our worship to the Lord.

 

The Carpet is the traditional color of the season of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit, like fire, danced on the new believers.

 

The Acorn Pediments above the doors at each end of the narthex are symbolic of our faith in the future.

 

The Chancel Chairs are patterned after authentic colonial Windsor chairs – reminding us of our pioneering heritage.  They are painted with milk paint.

 

The Clear Windows in the sanctuary welcome LIGHT – the first element of creation.

 

The High Ceiling gives us a feeling of the majesty of God – high and lifted up.

 

The Blue Color takes us back to Scotland when Mary, Queen of Scots, compelled by order of the Crown, declared that all Presbyterians become Roman Catholics to which they replied, ‘nuts.’  They were called ‘those recalcitrant, true-blue Presbyterians.’  Hence, the color blue stands for non-compromising fidelity to our beliefs.