A WELCOMING COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith is people, people committed to God and to each other as members of the body of Christ. We are people of different occupations and interests, of varied economic and social backgrounds. Christ is our common link, uniting us in a fellowship of those who want to grow together in their understanding and practice of Christian faith and life, in loving God and our neighbors.
First Presbyterian is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. It is a church of all ages. Children and Young People are an important part of our church life and have been the focus of recent ministry initiatives. Worship Services are a blend of the traditional and emerging styles both set within the Reformed Tradition.
Our doors are open to all who are seeking a church home, whatever their former affiliations. We have beautiful and well-maintained facilities and a dedicated church staff to assist members in discovering their ministries within the congregation and beyond in the community and the world. We have programs to offer you, but we also provide an opportunity to help shape and implement those programs.
A BELIEVING AND WORSHIPING COMMUNITY
The Presbyterian Church (USA) states its faith and bears witness to God's grace in Jesus Christ in the creeds and confessions of the Book of Confessions. In these confessional statements the church declares to its members and to the world: who and what it is; what it believes; and what it resolves to do.
WORD AND SACRAMENTS
Presbyterians recognize that the Word proclaimed is also affirmed in the two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both sacraments are administered by ministers of Word and Sacrament. Baptism, the sign and seal of God's grace and our response, is the foundational recognition of Christian inclusion into the household of faith. As such, it may be understood as the basic ordination to Christian service. It is offered to believing adults or their children. The Lord's Supper or Holy Communion is celebrated monthly at our 8:45 a.m. service and about eight times a year at the 11:00 a.m. service. Ours is an "open table," open to all baptized believers. Communion is regularly offered to the homebound and may be requested at other times by contacting one of the pastors.
AN HISTORIC CHURCH OPEN TO THE FUTURE
Although we were organized in 1846, our Church is an open, growing Church -- open to new people and to diverse viewpoints. We do not claim to answer all the questions which thinking, sensitive Christians ask, but we can offer you the context, the resources and the group processes for working on those answers together. Above all, we can offer you a loving community of Christians who care about one another and support one another's search for truth.
First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1846 by the Rev. W.K. Marshall with only four members, three came by letters of transfer from older churches and one on profession of faith. The small congregation worshipped in a little frame chapel, called "Union Chapel," perched on top of a red clay embankment on North Second and "B" Streets, known then as Washington and Mulberry.
In 1850 the Rev. Cephas Washburn became the pastor and served the church until 1857. Rev. Washburn was one of the early missionaries in Little Rock to the Indians. Since that time, fifteen pastors and eight associate pastors have served First Presbyterian.
In 1876, ground was broken on the corner of Eighth and "B" Streets, the church being completed the same year at a cost of just $6,000. The present church was erected and completed in 1900 and worship was soon begun in our beautiful Scotch Gothic sanctuary. The Education Building was added in 1920, the Orr Building (Hobson Preschool) in 1962. The 20,000 square foot Family Center was completed in 1988 after razing two other buildings used for youth activities.
In 2003 a major restoration of the sanctuary and parlor was undertaken. The successful “Preserving the Legacy” Campaign resulted in more usable and beautiful space for worship, fellowship and Christian education. The Fellowship Hall was renovated in 2006 to enhance the congregation’s outreach through hospitality and to provide space for the newly instituted DayOne worship service.
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith is people, people committed to God and to each other as members of the body of Christ. We are people of different occupations and interests, of varied economic and social backgrounds. Christ is our common link, uniting us in a fellowship of those who want to grow together in their understanding and practice of Christian faith and life, in loving God and our neighbors.
First Presbyterian is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. It is a church of all ages. Children and Young People are an important part of our church life and have been the focus of recent ministry initiatives. Worship Services are a blend of the traditional and emerging styles both set within the Reformed Tradition.
Our doors are open to all who are seeking a church home, whatever their former affiliations. We have beautiful and well-maintained facilities and a dedicated church staff to assist members in discovering their ministries within the congregation and beyond in the community and the world. We have programs to offer you, but we also provide an opportunity to help shape and implement those programs.
A BELIEVING AND WORSHIPING COMMUNITY
The Presbyterian Church (USA) states its faith and bears witness to God's grace in Jesus Christ in the creeds and confessions of the Book of Confessions. In these confessional statements the church declares to its members and to the world: who and what it is; what it believes; and what it resolves to do.
WORD AND SACRAMENTS
Presbyterians recognize that the Word proclaimed is also affirmed in the two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both sacraments are administered by ministers of Word and Sacrament. Baptism, the sign and seal of God's grace and our response, is the foundational recognition of Christian inclusion into the household of faith. As such, it may be understood as the basic ordination to Christian service. It is offered to believing adults or their children. The Lord's Supper or Holy Communion is celebrated monthly at our 8:45 a.m. service and about eight times a year at the 11:00 a.m. service. Ours is an "open table," open to all baptized believers. Communion is regularly offered to the homebound and may be requested at other times by contacting one of the pastors.
AN HISTORIC CHURCH OPEN TO THE FUTURE
Although we were organized in 1846, our Church is an open, growing Church -- open to new people and to diverse viewpoints. We do not claim to answer all the questions which thinking, sensitive Christians ask, but we can offer you the context, the resources and the group processes for working on those answers together. Above all, we can offer you a loving community of Christians who care about one another and support one another's search for truth.
First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1846 by the Rev. W.K. Marshall with only four members, three came by letters of transfer from older churches and one on profession of faith. The small congregation worshipped in a little frame chapel, called "Union Chapel," perched on top of a red clay embankment on North Second and "B" Streets, known then as Washington and Mulberry.
In 1850 the Rev. Cephas Washburn became the pastor and served the church until 1857. Rev. Washburn was one of the early missionaries in Little Rock to the Indians. Since that time, fifteen pastors and eight associate pastors have served First Presbyterian.
In 1876, ground was broken on the corner of Eighth and "B" Streets, the church being completed the same year at a cost of just $6,000. The present church was erected and completed in 1900 and worship was soon begun in our beautiful Scotch Gothic sanctuary. The Education Building was added in 1920, the Orr Building (Hobson Preschool) in 1962. The 20,000 square foot Family Center was completed in 1988 after razing two other buildings used for youth activities.
In 2003 a major restoration of the sanctuary and parlor was undertaken. The successful “Preserving the Legacy” Campaign resulted in more usable and beautiful space for worship, fellowship and Christian education. The Fellowship Hall was renovated in 2006 to enhance the congregation’s outreach through hospitality and to provide space for the newly instituted DayOne worship service.
A PRESBYTERIAN U.S.A. CONGREGATION
The word "Presbyterian" comes from the New Testament word "presbuteros" which means "elder," and refers to the practice of choosing spiritual leaders from among the members of the church. The Presbyterian Church has a representative form of government. Elders are elected from among and by the members of the congregation. With the pastors, these elders constitute the church session. First Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and a member of the Presbytery of Arkansas and the Synod of the Sun.
First Presbyterian Church Annual Report, February 15, 2009
Presbytery of Arkansas www.presbyteryofarkansas.org
For an online copy of the Presbytery of Arkansas newsletter, "The Banner" http://presbyteryofarkansas.org/frmNewsletter.aspx