On a summer afternoon in 1968, a small and diverse group of seekers met at the home of Tony and Scrip Anthony to talk with an ex-Airborne Lieutenant Colonel named Howard Bowles, a Methodist minister who had been given the task of establishing a “different” kind of church by Columbia District Superintendent David Reese. The District Superintendent had sensed Howard’s impatience with the traditional church and had given him an assignment more suited to his enthusiasm and style. Those gathered there that afternoon accepted Rev. Bowles’ challenge and plans were begun to establish a church on the corner of Alpine Road and Windsor Lake Boulevard on four acres of land purchased by the conference.

Realizing that churches are not built overnight, the group that was to become Windsor, rented the school cafetorium at E. L. Wright Middle School, just across the street from the church property, for a weekly sum of $25.00. Sunday, September 15, 1968, was set as the date for the first service in the “new” church.

During the summer months Howard Bowles was a busy man, for he took it upon himself to visit as many homes in the area near the church as he could and in the homes of many others who had expressed an interest in becoming a part of a new church. The first newsletter was published in August 1968. In this newsletter a “Mission Statement” was established for Windsor.

On September 15, 1968, the church that was to become Windsor met in the E. L. Wright cafetorium for its first formal worship service. Tragically, Rev Bowles fell victim to a stroke during the early part of the service and died several days later.

With such a sad beginning event, Windsor could have faltered in her mission. However, with the help of Louie Fowke, Conference Director of Youth Work for the Conference Board of Education in the Methodist Center, who served as an interim pastor, the church moved ahead with plans for their chartering service, held on October 13, 1968, and in June of 1969 Edgar A. Fowler, Jr. was sent to Windsor. For the next seven years Ed and his wife Betty and daughter Patti, would be an integral part of Windsor, inspiring us, challenging us, and becoming a part of us.

In 1970, with the help of our good friend and neighbor from Francis Burns Methodist Church, Sam Gadsden, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the corner and Windsor’s first permanent building began to grow. Over the next decade and a half, Windsor would twice take time out from its mission of outreach and service in the name of Jesus Christ to expand its boundaries, first with an educational wing in 1973-1974 and finally in 1989 with a 5500 square-foot sanctuary with a seating capacity of 340.

Over the years Windsor has been fortunate to be assigned ministers that have worked to fulfill the Mission of Windsor. In June 1976, Rev. Bob Clyburn; in June 1979, Rev. Franklin Buie; in June 1982, Rev, Richard Allen; in June 1993, Dr. Austin Watson; and in Feb 1997, Rev. Michael C. Walker. Windsor has a current membership of 425, this is far more than the original handful that began the mission.