OUR STORY AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN:

On February 3, 1897, the Pastor from the Brazeau Presbyterian Church met with ten people from Perryville to discuss the formation of a Presbyterian Church in Perryville. These ten “Charter Members” officially organized First Presbyterian Church of Perryville, Missouri on February 17, 1897. The final order of business at that organizational meeting was a prayer asking for “God’s divine blessing on this little vine, that it may grow in God’s service.” The Charter Members responded with a joyous “Amen”!

 

The small congregation continued meeting in Perryville. In January 1901, a lot at 6 East Ste Maries St. was purchased for $600 and a new church was built and completed on August 19, 1901. On September 15, 1901, the group held their first worship service in the new church for approximately 25 members even though the interior of the church was not completed! The church was dedicated on Sunday August 19,1906 when the building debt was paid.

 

The membership continued to grow and in 1948 a large addition of office, Sunday school classrooms and library was undertaken and after completion was dedicated on May 28, 1950. Women of our church have had a vital role in the organization mission and service. They organized a Ladies Aid and Missionary Society in 1897. At a meeting of the congregation held in January 1972, the first two women were elected and later ordained as elders in the church. The elders comprise the session which is the governing body of the congregation in the Presbyterian Church, and women continue to play a leadership role in the church today.

 

In 2022, First Presbyterian Church of Perryville entered a “yoked” arrangement with First

Presbyterian Church PC(U.S.A.) of Chester, Illinois. Yoked churches share pastors and the expenses related to the pastor.

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First Presbyterian celebrates 125 years as an organized church in 2022.

 

To learn more about the history of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), visit https://www.history.pcusa.org/