Our History
The First Presbyterian congregation was first organized on May 20, 1826, and in the spring of 1845 a new church building was begun at the site of the present one. It fronted on Washington Street and a bell hung from its white steeple. In 1869, a parsonage was built and in 1872 extensive remodeling was done in the building.
Then in December 1876, during a social gathering in the church, the furnace became overheated and a serious fire caused such great damage that the members were faced with a difficult decision. They were forced to choose between erecting a new building or spending a great sum on the old one. It was decided that a new building was the best solution. The new building was dedicated on June 5, 1881. It had cost nearly $19,000 to build. In 1896 the auditorium (sanctuary) was refitted and redecorated, and a pipe organ was installed.
In July 1907, disaster struck again. A tornado struck the church, and the east gable of the tower was blown down, crashing through the roof and on to the floor of the audience room. It took nearly two years to complete the repairs. The tower was rebuilt, not as it was before with a pointed spire, but as it is today. During this period, services were held in the courthouse.
Although women were not admitted into the higher boards of the church during this time, no one could doubt their influence. Their organizations have been very busy in every emergency. Many conveniences of the church have been paid for by the handiwork of the women in various organizations. They have contributed generously to missions, and at a time when women's work was most often unpaid, they contributed their time and efforts. An undertaking of which they were most proud was a mission school operated by many women of the church. It was begun in 1890 and was in existence for thirty years.
After the end of World War II attendance grew in volume. The church was not large enough for extra classes. People began to feel the need for more room for the church school; a new kitchen, and a larger social room were needed. After a long discussion, a financial drive begun. The members accepted the need for sacrifice and gave generously to build an addition to the church which was dedicated on May 4, 1958.
At the end of 1964, a unicameral Session was created. The traditional separate boards of deacons and trustees became committees of the Session. The church building was air-conditioned in 1965 and an elevator was installed in 1966. A new church library was organized in 1979 with over 1,900 titles, although an earlier church library was catalogued in 1878 listing 400 books.
In 1987, another addition including a nursery, classrooms, and a meeting room was dedicated. The added 4000 square feet completed the second level above the 1958 addition over the downstairs kitchen, classrooms and Fellowship Hall.
With a history of almost 190 years and worshipping in the same building for the past 133 years, the members of this congregation face the future with Christian faith and stewardship dedicated to God and with a resolve to uphold the faith of those who worshipped here before us, those who now worship with us, and those who will worship here after us.
Then in December 1876, during a social gathering in the church, the furnace became overheated and a serious fire caused such great damage that the members were faced with a difficult decision. They were forced to choose between erecting a new building or spending a great sum on the old one. It was decided that a new building was the best solution. The new building was dedicated on June 5, 1881. It had cost nearly $19,000 to build. In 1896 the auditorium (sanctuary) was refitted and redecorated, and a pipe organ was installed.
In July 1907, disaster struck again. A tornado struck the church, and the east gable of the tower was blown down, crashing through the roof and on to the floor of the audience room. It took nearly two years to complete the repairs. The tower was rebuilt, not as it was before with a pointed spire, but as it is today. During this period, services were held in the courthouse.
Although women were not admitted into the higher boards of the church during this time, no one could doubt their influence. Their organizations have been very busy in every emergency. Many conveniences of the church have been paid for by the handiwork of the women in various organizations. They have contributed generously to missions, and at a time when women's work was most often unpaid, they contributed their time and efforts. An undertaking of which they were most proud was a mission school operated by many women of the church. It was begun in 1890 and was in existence for thirty years.
After the end of World War II attendance grew in volume. The church was not large enough for extra classes. People began to feel the need for more room for the church school; a new kitchen, and a larger social room were needed. After a long discussion, a financial drive begun. The members accepted the need for sacrifice and gave generously to build an addition to the church which was dedicated on May 4, 1958.
At the end of 1964, a unicameral Session was created. The traditional separate boards of deacons and trustees became committees of the Session. The church building was air-conditioned in 1965 and an elevator was installed in 1966. A new church library was organized in 1979 with over 1,900 titles, although an earlier church library was catalogued in 1878 listing 400 books.
In 1987, another addition including a nursery, classrooms, and a meeting room was dedicated. The added 4000 square feet completed the second level above the 1958 addition over the downstairs kitchen, classrooms and Fellowship Hall.
With a history of almost 190 years and worshipping in the same building for the past 133 years, the members of this congregation face the future with Christian faith and stewardship dedicated to God and with a resolve to uphold the faith of those who worshipped here before us, those who now worship with us, and those who will worship here after us.