Fort Hill Presbyterian Church

What Fort Hill Presbyterian Church does

Fort Hill Presbyterian Church is a 130-year-old religious nonprofit congregation organized on July 21, 1895 by the Presbytery of South Carolina as the first church serving the Calhoun and Clemson communities in upstate South Carolina. It is a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) within the Foothills Presbytery, governed by a Session of elected ruling elders and led by Pastor Rev. Laura Smith Conrad (the 11th installed pastor since June 2009). The church operates from its main campus at 101 Edgewood Avenue, Clemson, SC, with a second location, the PSA Student Center at 401 College Ave, supporting university ministry.

The church delivers a comprehensive suite of ministry programs across the full life span: Children's Ministry (nursery through elementary), Youth Ministry (grades 6-12), University Ministry via the Presbyterian Student Association (PSA) serving Clemson University, Tri-County Tech, and Southern Wesleyan University students, Adult Ministry with multiple Bible study classes, and a Fort Hill Presbyterian Preschool for ages 2-4. Additional programs include Music Ministry, Fellowship events, Sacraments (Baptism and Communion), the Pansy Duke Scholarship, and both local and global mission support through the Christian Action Ministry (CAM), which distributed $55,000 in 2024 to 16 local and 5 international missions. Technology infrastructure is minimal: the church uses Realm for member management and giving, YouTube for livestreaming worship, and standard social media channels—no proprietary technology, AI capabilities, or software products are disclosed.

The revenue model is nonprofit and donation-based. Primary inflows come from voluntary tithes and offerings (recurring and one-time) processed through Realm, preschool tuition ($1,080-$2,610 per family annually depending on program), special designated offerings (One Great Hour of Sharing, Mother's Day, Joy Gift), and estate/endowment gifts (Mission Endowment, University Ministry Endowment, General Endowment). The church has 9 employees and a lean operating structure. In April 2026, the Session adopted a 2026-2030 Strategic Plan establishing four strategic directions: Belonging and Connections, Bridging Generations for Faith Formation, Community Engagement and Partnerships, and Building on the Foundation.

Name

Fort Hill Presbyterian Church

Legal name

Fort Hill Presbyterian Church

Website

https://forthillchurch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1895

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fort Hill Presbyterian Church is a 130-year-old PC(USA) congregation in Clemson, SC offering worship, faith formation, preschool, and university ministry programs funded through tithes, offerings, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Christian faith formation
• Preschool education
• Community outreach ministry
• University campus ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Clemson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: The primary revenue stream comes from congregation members giving financially through weekly/offering donations, annual pledges, and special offerings (One Great Hour of Sharing, Mother's Day offering, Joy Gift offering). Members can give through the church's Realm platform with recurring gift options.
2. Preschool Tuition: The Fort Hill Presbyterian Preschool generates tuition revenue from families. Tuition rates range from $1,080 to $2,610 annually depending on program (2-day, 3-day, or 5-day per week). Early Morning Care is available for additional monthly fees of $10-$50 depending on days needed.
3. Christian Action Ministry Budget Support: The Christian Action Ministry distributed $55,000 in 2024 to support 16 local and 5 international missions. This is funded through congregation contributions and designated special offerings.
4. Estate/Endowment Gifts: The church encourages members to leave memorial gifts or include Fort Hill in their wills. They maintain Mission Endowment, University Ministry Endowment, and General Endowment funds.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fort Hill Presbyterian Church provides weekly Presbyterian worship services (in-person and via YouTube livestream), multi-generational faith formation programs for children, youth, adults, and university students, a licensed early childhood preschool, pastoral care, and community/global mission outreach. The congregation, located in Clemson, SC, was founded in 1895 and operates as a member-supported 501(c)(3) religious nonprofit offering sacramental and educational services to its members and the surrounding community.

Product overview

Fort Hill Presbyterian Church offers a comprehensive suite of ministry programs and services centered around its core mission to 'Glorify God, Grow Disciples, Meet Human Needs.' The church provides traditional Sunday worship services in its Sanctuary, with livestreaming via YouTube. Faith formation programs span all ages: Children's Ministry (nursery through 5th grade with Wee Kirk and Bible W.O.W.), Youth Ministry (grades 6-12 with Sunday group and summer trips), University Ministry through the Presbyterian Student Association (PSA), Adult Ministry with various Bible study classes, and Fort Hill Preschool for early childhood education. The church supports community outreach through its Christian Action Ministry (CAM) with local and international mission partnerships. Additional programs include Music Ministry with multiple choirs, Fellowship Ministry with social events, Sacraments (Baptism and Communion), and the Pansy Duke Scholarship for students. The church utilizes Realm, an online ministry tool, for member management and giving.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services
• Fort Hill Preschool
• University Ministry (Presbyterian Student Association)
• Pansy Duke Scholarship
• Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper)

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Presbyterian Church (USA)coreOthersFort Hill is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA), formed in 1983 from the merger of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church in the United States. This affiliation provides theological identity, denominational resources, mission connections, and connection to the broader Presbyterian network.
• Foothills PresbyterycoreOthersFort Hill Presbyterian Church is a member of Foothills Presbytery, which is composed of every minister and at least one Elder from each of the Presbyterian congregations in the upstate of South Carolina. The presbytery provides oversight, support, and connection to member churches.
• Bethlehem Ministry – HaitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBethlehem Ministry works with Haitians to overcome poverty through educational, economic, environmental, and healthcare initiatives. They help build capacity of Haitian communities to utilize their talents and resources for sustainable, positive change.
• Frontera de Cristo – MexicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorder ministry led by Mark Adams and his wife Miriam, serving those attempting to enter the United States. Located at the US-Mexico border.
• Water Mission InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering relief and development Christian non-profit providing sustainable access to safe water in developing countries and disaster areas. Fort Hill supports their mission to provide safe water and share the 'Living Water' message.
• Clemson Community CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization established by local ministers to support low-income individuals to overcome financial crises and become self-sufficient. Fort Hill was a founding member and continues to support this organization in the Clemson community.
• Clemson Child Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit pre-school established for the Clemson Community. Fort Hill supports this school through the budget of Christian Action Ministry.
• Clemson Free ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency providing primary health care, pharmacy, and specialist referrals to people in need within the Clemson Community. Fort Hill works to ensure the facility is well-kept and provides financial support throughout the year.
• Habitat for Humanity of Pickens CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHabitat's mission is to eliminate substandard living conditions while partnering with families and community volunteers to provide decent affordable housing.
• Thornwell Children's HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Clinton, South Carolina, Thornwell Children's Home serves children who have been abused or neglected and seeks to reunite families. Has a long history with Fort Hill Presbyterian Church.
• Scout Troop 235minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChartered scout organization at Fort Hill that serves the community and instills life-long lessons for scouts. Church provides leadership, facilities use, and monetary support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• First Presbyterian Church, Clemson SC: PC(USA) congregation in the same Clemson, SC market, directly competing for the same Clemson University students and local members. Most direct geographic and denominational peer to Fort Hill.
• Trinity Presbyterian Church: Mid-sized PC(USA) congregation with comparable multi-generational ministry structure including children's, youth, and adult education programs in a college-town-adjacent setting.
• Madison Presbyterian Church, Madison GA: PC(USA) church explicitly named as the previous congregation of Fort Hill's Associate Pastor Colin Pettigrew. Same denomination, comparable small-town congregation size and program structure.
• Eastminster Presbyterian Church: PC(USA) congregation with a similar size profile and traditional mainline Presbyterian worship plus youth/children's ministry emphasis — directly comparable to Fort Hill's program offering.
• Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village KS: Mid-sized PC(USA) congregation known for comprehensive children/youth/family ministries and preschool-style programming — directly analogous to Fort Hill's multi-generational ministry model.
• Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Tampa FL: PC(USA) congregation explicitly referenced as the previous employer of Fort Hill's Coordinator of Faith Formation Kelly McCord. Similar multi-generational program structure and denominational alignment make it a strong operational peer.

Regional players

• Highland Presbyterian Church: PC(USA) congregation operating traditional worship with extensive children's, youth, and adult programming — same denominational identity, similar program mix, and comparable regional footprint to Fort Hill.
• Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenville SC: Larger PC(USA) congregation in the same Foothills Presbytery / Upstate South Carolina region. Operates similar children, youth, and music ministries, and provides a regional benchmark for Fort Hill's program depth.

Broad incumbents

• Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale FL: Large PC(USA) congregation with extensive media/digital reach and multi-generational programming. Illustrates the upside trajectory for a PC(USA) church that successfully scales digital ministry — a model relevant to Fort Hill's YouTube-based livestream approach.
• Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago: Large, well-known PC(USA) congregation offering a much broader portfolio of programs. Useful as a broad-incumbent benchmark for the upper end of where Fort Hill's program model could scale over the long term.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@forthillchurch
• Facebookfacebook.com/forthillchurch
• Instagraminstagram.com/forthillchurch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fort-hill-presbyterian-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fort Hill Presbyterian Church