Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., has renamed itself Myers Park Covenant Church.
A news release from the congregation said the name change years of discernment regarding the word “Baptist.”
“While historically meaningful, the name had become a barrier for some seeking a spiritual home, as it carried associations that no longer reflect the church’s inclusive and ecumenical character,” the statement said.
The change was affirmed by a congregational vote in June.
“This is an exciting and joyful time for our church,” said Nancy W. Hudson, chair of the church’s board of deacons. “Our cherished Church Covenant remains a touchstone for our members. It is not a list of rules, but rather a statement on how to live and grow together on our spiritual journey.”
That statement declares, in part: “We covenant to be a community of God’s new creation and affirm that we are open to all and closed to none.”
The church was founded in 1943 and is affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists. The congregation currently is pastorless, after the departure of Benjamin Boswell in 2024. Associate Pastor Carrie Veal left in 2025 to become senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. Three of the four ministerial positions at Myers Park are currently filled by interims, including Interim Pastor Tim Moore.
The church has a long legacy of progressive positions on social and theological issues and is located in one of the most affluent neighborhoods of Charlotte.
The trend of Baptist churches dropping denominational identity from their names dates to the 1980s but largely has been done by more conservative evangelical congregations.