Biographic

Earl (mother’s name was English) and Laura (Williamson) Bland Dr. Bland is the pastor of the Charleston Presbyterian Church, an ECO church (Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians) worshiping at 232 Calhoun Street (Stuhr’s Chapel) in Charleston on Sundays at 10:00AM.  He retired from the James Island Presbyterian Church and the PCUSA on October 31, 2014, (Reformation Day).  He had served as pastor of the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the Morrow Presbyterian Church in Morrow, Georgia, the McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church in Covington, Virginia, and the Cameronian Presbyterian Church in Rockingham, North Carolina.  Before his ordination in 1989, Dr. Bland was the student pastor of the New Providence Presbyterian Church in McAfee, Kentucky from 1987-1989 while also attending full-time at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Bland holds two bachelor degrees in music (B.M.C.  Bachelor of Music Composition and B.M.T. Bachelor of Music Theory) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City – graduating in 1982.  In 1989 he graduated with a Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  In 1992 he completed a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary on the subject of lay witness. During 28 years in the pastoral ministry, he has held pastorates in Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and South Carolina.  He has held spiritual renewal services in Methodist, AME, Baptist, and Presbyterian Churches.  He has been heard on local radio and television in North Carolina and Virginia.  Since his call to Charleston, he has participated in many ecumenical services and has preached in Baptist, Christian, and other Presbyterian churches. He is married to the former Laura Ann Williamson, and together they have 5 children: Craig, Shaun, Rebekah, Scott, and Maddie.  Earl and Laura have 5 grandchildren. They also have a Great Dane named Maggie.