HISTORY OF HUDSON MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
On June 1, 1956, the Presbyterian Urban Council of Raleigh (PCUR) paid $10,000 for five acres of land on Six Forks Road, five miles from downtown Raleigh, for the building of a Presbyterian Church. In recent years, as part of Hudson’s Matthew 25 commitment, we have learned some of the history of the land our church sits on. In the 19th and early 20th century the land was a part of the 500-acre Wake County Poor Farm. We continue to do research on this farm and on the people who lived, worked and died on the land.
On January 13, 1957, the first meeting was held for those interested in starting a Presbyterian church. Services and Sunday school began to be held at Millbrook and Aldert Root Schools. On October 27, 1957, Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church was born with sixty charter members. The church is named after Karl G. Hudson, Sr. whose family generously donated the brick for Presbyterian buildings all over North Carolina.
Education and faith formation has always been an important aspect of Hudson’s ministry. The first building erected in 1959 was not a sanctuary but a Christian education building we now call Geneva Hall. The early church leadership saw a need in Wake County for a school for children who had Down Syndrome and other special needs. What is now called the Frankie Lemmon School was birthed at Hudson in 1965. It was named after the youngest child of our first minister, Frank Lemmon. Today, the school is flourishing with its own building near Wake Med Hospital off New Bern Avenue. In 1966, Hudson Memorial Preschool was born. After 58 years, early childhood education is still enthusiastically provided on our campus for 153 children by 36 teachers.
Hudson has always had a heart for living out their faith with acts of service. To that end, the church was a part of the first Habitat for Humanity build in Wake County in 1983. The church was the birthplace of the Raleigh Ringers Handbell choir. Staff and members have always valued the ecumenical relationships with other churches along Six Forks Road. This group of churches not only worship together twice a year, their clergy go to lunch on a monthly basis, and in 2006 they came together to start North Raleigh Ministries to help individuals and families who are financially vulnerable.
In recent years, we have we have had two major capital campaigns to upgrade our facilities so they continue to be useful for ministries, to neighbors, and groups that need space to meet. We have two labyrinth prayer walks on the campus and a beautiful memorial garden with a new sculpture called Port by North Carolina earth-caster Thomas Sayre.
Our building continues to be open to serve community groups like Al-Anon, Ala-teen, Ala-kid, Adult Children of Alcoholics, the Boy Scouts, American Pilgrims on the Camino Raleigh chapter, hobby and charity groups, foster parent training and we are a polling station for elections. We are discovering our continued calling as a Matthew 25 congregation with a Hunger Action commitment and we annually participate in the Wake County Habitat for Humanity Interfaith builds.
Hudson’s mission is to know, love and serve God in Jesus Christ. To that end, we are committed to transformative worship, engaging faith formation, attentive congregational care, inclusive fellowship and active outreach.
IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN HMPC HISTORY
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In June 1, 1956, the Presbyterian Urban Council of Raleigh (PUCR) paid $10,000 for five acres of land on Six Forks Road, five miles from downtown Raleigh, for a Presbyterian church.
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On January 13, 1957, the first meeting was held for those interested in starting a Presbyterian church. Services and Sunday School were held at Millbrook and Aldert Root Schools.
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On October 1, 1957, Frank Lemmon began his ministry as the first pastor.
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On October 27, 1957, Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church was born with sixty Charter Members, named by the members to honor Karl G. Hudson, Sr., for his generous contributions to this and many other Presbyterian churches throughout North Carolina.
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The cornerstone of the first building was laid on June 14, 1959. On that cornerstone it reads, “To know Christ and to make Christ known.”
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In October 1962, $93,000 was pledged to build a sanctuary. Ground was broken in August 1963, and in August 1964, the Sanctuary was dedicated to God.
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The Frankie Lemmon Memorial Preschool for children with cognitive and developmental disabilities which was founded at Hudson in 1965 in memory of the Lemmon’s youngest son.
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Hudson Memorial Preschool began at Hudson in 1967 and continues to serve children from all parts Raleigh. It has provided early childhood education for over 12,000 children in almost 60 years.
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Bob Fields was called to be the 2nd installed pastor at Hudson in 1972.
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In 1977, a third building was completed with Westminster Hall and kitchen, adult class meeting space and offices.
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In 1989, HMPC partnered with other congregations to build the first Habitat For Humanity house in Wake County.
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During Bob Fields’ tenure a Memorial Garden was established and provides a beautiful setting for members who wish to have their remains inurned here. The buildings were opened to nonprofit groups and many of them, including Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, still meet at Hudson.
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Bob Fields retired in 1998 and was honored for his many years of faithful service.
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Al Krummenacher became the third installed pastor and head of staff in 2000 and served until 2006.
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In 2000, HMPC helped re-establish the Maleng-Agok Primary School in Southern Sudan. This support has continued for 24 years, presently funding teacher education for four student.
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With a coalition of other Six Forks congregations the North Hills Crisis Center (now North Raleigh Ministries) was started in 2004 in a house the church owned, to provide financial aid for north Raleigh residents.
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On October 26, 2018, HMPC celebrated its 60th anniversary.
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In 2009, Mac Schafer was called to be the fourth installed pastor and head of staff
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From 2012 to 2015, Hudson launched and successfully completed a 1.6 million dollar capital campaign to repair and enhance the church physical plant.
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In 2014, Hudson Memorial Preschool dedicated a beautiful new Playgarden for outdoor learning.
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In 2014, The Reverend Dr. Bob Fields was given the honorary distinction of Pastor Emeritus.
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In 2015, HMPC participated in the first Interfaith Habitat For Humanity build in Wake County.
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On September 2025, HMPC will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Frankie Lemmon School.
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Between 2019 and 2022, Westminster Hall, the Chapel (formerly the Parlor) and the Memorial Garden underwent major renovations to improve the utility and aesthetic appeal of these important spaces.
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In 2023, a cross sculpture entitled "Port" was installed in the Memorial Garden. This was created by North Carolina artist, Thomas Sayre. Funding provided by HMPC's "Garden & Glass Campaign" and member Marilyn Webb.
