About Us

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Westminster Presbyterian Church in Harrisville first organized as the First Presbyterian Church of Harrisville on September 10th, 1878.  A petition of seventy interested individuals was delivered to the Presbytery of Saginaw.  The Rev D. D. VanDyke was the organizing and first pastor.  There were nineteen charter members, two were elders and five others were trustees.

The contract for the building was established on July 27, 1879.  Two lots were donated on the corner of Jefferson and 2nd St.  The initial cost was estimated at $6000.  The first session held at the church was January 2, 1880.

A second organization of the church happened on June 24, 1906, under the name of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In 1993 Westminster entered into its' current yoking agreement with Spruce Presbyterian church.  Our current pastor was installed in December 2016 as pastor of both locations.

Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways.  They adhere to a pattern of religious thought known as Reformed theology and a form of government that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members. ​

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Our Staff

Reverend Karen Thompson


The Reverend Karen Thompson comes to us from the Episcopal Church, where she was ordained thirty five years ago.  She is well known to Westminster, as she has been doing pulpit supply here for about twenty years and was our last interim pastor for about two years, about eight to nine years ago. Before moving north twenty three years ago, Karen was a jail Chaplain for eight years in Macomb County and she was a hospice Chaplain here for fourteen years, 

Karen enjoys preaching and has preached for the local Lutheran, Methodist, American Baptist and United Church of Christ parishes, and including First Presbyterian in Alpena. She is also enthusiastic musician, playing violin in the Alpena Symphony and singing for twenty three years in the The Thunder Bay Arts Council Community Chorus, as well as in church choirs

She lives in Presque Isle with her beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Mitzi.  Karen's husband Jack was also known to us, but unfortunately he passed away in August 2023. They were married for forty four years. She has two stepchildren, a grandson, and a new great-grandson.

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Office Manager
Bonnie Nedwash

 Bonnie Nedwash is the Office Manager for Westminster Presbyterian in Harrisville.  She handles all the office needs for the church including printing the bulletins and announcements, updating the church directory and ordering church supplies.  If any church position or committee has a need she will try her best to accommodate.  She is diligent about finding ways to be more efficient and effective.   Bonnie is also the treasurer for the church.  She is the most important staff member we  have, we would not operate smoothly if we did not have her with us.
     Bonnie is a long time resident of Mikado.  She enjoys reading, taking long walks with her dogs and caring for her four chickens. 

You can contact Bonnie in the office on Mon.-Wed. from    10:00 am-2:00pm by phone: 989-724-6734, or by email: [email protected]
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Music Director
Linda Knight

Music is one of my loves in life and always has been.  I took piano lessons for three years when I was in elementary school.  Over the years, I have played for many weddings, funerals, concerts, musicals in theaters and most of all, in churches.  I have played for churches for over fifty-five years.

I am married to a wonderful music person, Buck Knight, who has led me in different directions in music and in life.  We are blessed to have 8 children between us, 20 grandchildren and 27 greats.  I am very thankful for the gift of music which God has given me.