Church History

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
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.

First Presbyterian Church, 1896

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.

Rev. Aladar T. Tomshany

First Presbyterian Church 1928
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. J. Herbert Garner

Rev. Dr. Allan J. Weenink
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.
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.

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.

Rev. Dr. David W. Robertson

Rev. William M. Drew
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.

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey S. Carlson

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.