|
Our Presbyterian Church roots extend back to
1836, when we were organized as a Presbyterian-Congregational
Religious Society. Forty-eight years later in 1883, this
relationship was severed when the Presbyterian Elders found
objection to the unorthodox doctrines of its pastor the Rev.
Reed Stuart. A complaint was drawn up and the Lansing
Presbytery met in the local First Methodist Church on May 25,
1883. After careful consideration, they authorized the
formation of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek.
|
 |
Church services were held in Hamblin's Opera House and the Dutch
Reformed Church with Professor J.F. Loba of Olivet College serving as
Pastor. In September, the church bought property at the northeast corner
of West Michigan Avenue and McCamly Street. Construction of a chapel
took place during 1884. The month of December proved to be a momentous
one for the congregation as they dedicated their new chapel and
installed their first resident minister, the Rev. George F. Chipperfield.
During his four year pastorate the membership was doubled and the church
became debt free.
Rev. William S. Potter |
 |
| |
First Presbyterian Church, 1896 |
In the autumn of 1888, a call was extended to the Rev.
William S. Potter of Ionia. He accepted the call and served our church
for nearly twenty-three years. During this period, the main portion of
the old church was erected and dedicated on February 5, 1896. At the
close of Rev. Potter's pastorate, it was noted that the original
membership of eighty-seven had grown to seven hundred and three.
|
Rev. George E. Barnes
|
Rev. John F. Horton served our church from 1911 -
1912, resigning due to ill health. He was followed by the Rev.
George E. Barnes (1912 - 1918). It was during the Rev. William
H. Phelps' pastorate (1918 - 1924) that the congregation felt
the need to build a larger church. Ideas were investigated,
plans were tabled until 1926.
In August 1924 we welcomed our 6th pastor, the Rev. Aladar T.
Tomshany. Under his leadership our church had the largest Men's
Bible Study Class in the state and their chicken pie dinners
were a popular community wide event. |
A building campaign was launched in 1926 and on Thanksgiving
Day, 1927, the cornerstone of our present church was laid.
Dedication services were held on November 18, 1928.
1934 brought changes as the Rev. Tomshany left on January 31 and
the Rev. N. Dan Braby came in November. During these lean
depression years, Rev. Braby kept the church financially sound
and improved our sanctuary with a new loft for choir and organ.
In 1950 our church called the Rev. J. Herbert Garner and
installed him on February 16, 1951. During Rev. Garner's
pastorate additional improvements were made including the
addition of a set of Carillonic Bells. |
Rev. Aladar T. Tomshany
|
|
|
|
|
First Presbyterian Church 1928
|
Rev. J. Herbert Garner
|
|
|
First Presbyterian Church celebrated its 75th
birthday in 1958 and received our ninth pastor, the Rev. Dr.
Alan J. Weenink in March. Some highlights of Dr. Weenink's
pastorate, which spanned twenty-four years, included: helping to
establish Pennfield and Westlake Presbyterian Churches;
establishment of the First Presbyterian Church Pre-School;
building of the Retreat Center on Waubascon Road; creation of
our Mission Work Caravan Program; reaching the "Two Plus
One" local and mission giving goal. |
| Rev. Dr. Allan J. Weenink |
|
In 1983, our church celebrated its 100th anniversary. We chose
"Counting In His Service" to remind us of past
influence, present involvements and future commitments to the
service of Christ.
The year also marked a change for our church as we extended a
call to the Rev. David W. Robertson to become our Senior
Minister. Under Pastor Robertson's twelve years of leadership,
major improvements were made to the church facilities, an
elevator addition with full barrier free accommodations; window
restoration and replacement; rebuilding of the Dobson organ and
choir loft enhancement; eleven members flew to Mwandi to aid in
the building of a doctor's residence; additional parking was
made available. |
Rev. Dr. David W. Robertson |
| In addition the following programs were
established: Stephen Ministry, Bethel Bible Study, Children and
Worship; and a corps of trained Hospital Visitors. We also began
ongoing participation in the Soup Kitchen and the Franklin Food
Pantry, and a Youth Outreach Ministry to the Battle Creek
Community. Dr. Robertson left our church in August of 1995.
The Rev. William M. Drew was installed as Senior Pastor on
October 20, 1996. Rev. Drew was instrumental in the purchase
of the property at 15 Frelinghuysen for construction of the Youth
Center.
|
|
On May 23, 2004, the congregation of
First Presbyterian Church called its twelfth pastor.
The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey S. Carlson accepted the call and
began serving as Senior Pastor, Head of Staff on August 1, 2004.
|
Compiled by Martin Ashley, Church Historian
Each month Church Historian Martin L. Ashley
writes an historical article for the church newsletter, The
Carillon.
To read the latest article,
click here.
Articles from previous newsletters:
April 2007 Sunday School Certificates
(1925-1937)
March 2007 Rev. Jim Hill (1964)
February 2007 Rev. Dr. Allan Weenink (1962)
January 2007 Rev. Robert Dan Braby "Second
Generation Ministers" (1950)
December 2007 Rev. George F. Chipperfield
(First Pastor) (1884)
November 2006 Rev. William S. Potter
(1888)
October 2006 Interim Minister, Rev. John M.
VanderMeulen (1982)
September 2005 Rev. J. Herbert Garner (1957)
August 2005 "First Wedding in the Parlor" (1929)
July 2005 "First Mission Trip for Senior High Youth"
(1965)
June 2005 Original Church Building Constructed
(1895)
May 2005 Chartering Pennfield Presbyterian Church (1960)
April 2005 Philathea Bible Study Class (1946)
March 2005 Roger Sweet, Minister of Music (1964)
February 2005 Rev. Dr. George F. Pope (1968)
January 2005 Rev. J. Herbert Garner (1951)
December 2004 Rev. Dan Braby (1934)
November 2004 Current Church Building Completed
(1928)
October 2004 "The New Manse" (1963)
September 2004 "Remodeling Projects" (1984)
August 2004 Rev. David W. Robertson (1983)
July 2004 Increased Missionary Support/Rev. Dr. Allan J. Weenink (1958)
June 2004 Rev. Gilbert L. Boyd (1930)
First Presbyterian Church exists to share
God's love and grace with all people and celebrate the truth of
Jesus Christ.
|
|
