Frank Barker, Who Helped Found Presbyterian Church in America, Dies at 89

Frank Barker, who hosted the founding meeting of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), died on Monday, Dec. 27, according to MinistryWatch, which cited his daughter, Peggy Barker Townes. She confirmed the death to AL.com. Barker was 89 and would have turned 90 in January.

Barker led Briarwood Presbyterian Church from its founding in 1960 until his retirement in 1999. MinistryWatch reported that he oversaw construction of a $32 million hilltop campus in 1988, and that a $5.5 million expansion was added 10 years later. Roy’s Report said the congregation grew to 4,000 members and built the campus in 1988. The two reports do not give the same membership details, and Roy’s Report is the only source for the figure.

In 1973, Barker hosted the founding meeting of the PCA. Roy’s Report said the denomination was formed in response to a perceived liberal shift within the Presbyterian Church and opposed the ordination of women. MinistryWatch did not describe the church’s reasons for forming. In 1978, Barker helped found Campus Outreach, which MinistryWatch said now has 122 chapters.

After Barker retired, the Rev. Harry Reeder replaced him as senior pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian. Barker continued to serve the congregation and Christians in Alabama in retirement, according to MinistryWatch, until shortly before his death. He led a small group Bible study that concluded a couple of months before he died, a long-held calling carried into his later years (Colossians 3:23).

Reeder, who succeeded Barker as senior pastor, called him a mentor in Gospel ministry.