Westminster Presbyterian Church Centennial Books

Rev. Al Bixler 1972 - 1980

I don ’ t think he was ever called Alfred, and most of the time he was not called Rev. Bixler. He was Al. Just like Westminster ’ s first three pastors, Al was the son of

missionaries. He had been born in Brazil, and came to America at the age of 16, and he had not quite

grasped the skill of speaking the English language. This young man had impressive credentials -- a graduate of Davidson College and Columbia Theological Seminary. He had a number of very successful pastorates at some very large churches, because Al had the mindset that you only stayed at a church for eight years. Succeeding a pastor who had been here for 26 years is a tough act to follow. The church leaders made this observation early in his time here. Dr. Patterson ’ s long service left Westminster united and thoroughly prepared for the kind of evangelistic approach for when Al arrived in 1972.

Roger and Joy came alongside us, mentored us, and became good friends. Westminster is where we learned how to live a life of faith and how to walk with the Lord. Our three children also came to know the Lord at Westminster and had wonderful people to mentor them there.

Al had a distinctive accent, what some would label as “ Carolina Portuguese. ” Al love brightly colored ties. He loved his cream colored suit, almost white, but not quite, with a bright red shirt. And what is it with preachers and their cars? Last week, we told a Dr. Pat driving story, this week, almost every person I talked to had an Al Bixler driving story. I ’ ll share just one. Jo Bruce and

Suzanne Bovenizer

Ephesians 6:18 tells us to keep on praying. No other church sets a better example than Westminster. Is there room for improvement? Maybe. But for now, the Blevins household has become a praying family because Westminster is a praying church.

Katherine were traveling on Oakhurst, ready to turn left into their driveway, and Al ran right into the back of their car. Eight year old Katherine fell to the floor of the car and exclaimed, “ That was fun, let ’ s do that again! ”

On arrival at Westminster the new minister told church officers -

Rita Blevins

Adult Choir, 1977

One member recalls, “ you couldn ’ t be around Al Bixler for very long without definitely knowing that this man deeply loved Jesus and that he cared for you, too. At the Sunday evening services, he loved to direct the singing, an area where he probably was not gifted. But with deep and genuine enthusiasm, he embraced this moment as the hymns were played on the piano in Patterson Chapel. ”

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