 | Indian Nations Presbytery (405) 524-0990 * (405) 524-1037 Fax * 1001 NW 25th St., Ste. 206, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
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First Presbyterian Church | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contact | Activities | |||
| (580) 225-3130 (580) 225-2797 FAX PO Box 728 Elk City, OK 73648-0728 fpec@cableone.net | Sundays 10a Sunday School 11a Worship Service | |||
Meet the Staff Brenna Huntley, Executive Director Darrin Patrick, Dir. of Youth Ministries Jo Grubitz, Secretary/Treasurer Virginia Atkinson, Organist David Webber, Choir Director Crystal Patrick, Jr. Youth Leader Tonya Hargrove, Children's Leader Tina Wing, Children's Assistant Kelci Werner, Children's Assistant Cheryl Phillips, Custodian | ||||
| Map Location: 217 N Washington Elk City, OK 73648 | Print/Large Map Driving Directions |
HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA
The history of the First Presbyterian Church began in 1899, when the Willow Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma Territory, was founded on September 10, 1899. The meeting took place at the Willow Springs schoolhouse about three miles away from the site that later became Elk City, Oklahoma.
On March 18, 1902, Session of this church met in the Baptist Church of Elk City, for the purpose of transferring the organization from the Willow Springs schoolhouse to the present site at Second and Washington Street in Elk City, and to change the name of the church to Elk City Cumberland Presbyterian.
The change was made with the full consent and advice of the members of the Willow Springs church. Those who had been meeting in Elk City joined with them and the action was approved by the Greer Presbytery on April 18, 1902. This change must have been carefully and prayerfully considered, as twenty-seven persons presented themselves for membership that very day.
On May 27, 1906, the Elk City Cumberland Presbyterian Church ratified, by a unanimous vote of the Congregation, a union with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. The Elk City church has since remained a part of this branch of the Presbyterian faith. The name of the local church then became THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ELK CITY.
Aid from the Home Mission Board was secured to erect a building at the present site in 1902. This structure was dedicated, debt-free on September 26, 1909, and was used until 1955. During this time the Methodist Church, the Methodist Episcopal South Church, and the United Brethreri Church used the Presbyterian Church for services, while their own churches were being built.
During the early years, financial aid was occasionally asked from the Home Mission Board for church repairs, the Pastor's salary, and the building of a new Manse. In 1908, the Manse, located at the church site, was ready for occupancy, and the loan for this project was repaid to the Home Mission Board by 1912. In 1915, the local Congregation was completely self-supporting.
Two departments were organized in the life of the early church: the Sunday School Department and the Ladies' Aid Society. Sunday School classes for all ages were formed and a choir also began. Session, the governing body of the local church, was organized along with a Board of Deacons and a Board of Trustees. Other groups active in the early church included a guild for young girls, a men's fellowship, the Light Bearers, the Clipper Club, and a Westminster Fellowship for Youth. In 1908, the Women's Missionary Society was organized and this group later combined with the Ladies' Aid Society in the late 1920's to become known as the Women's Auxiliary. Today this active group is called the Presbyterian Women's Organization.
From 1912 to 1915, the First Presbyterian Church was the largest Congregation in the town of Elk City. Several of the ladies in our church decided it was time for a community library. Through their leadership and organization, a community library was begun with 250 books. That library today is known as the Carnegie Library, which houses over 50,000 books.
Since 1914, many young men and one young woman from our Congregation have answered their country's call to military service. One paid with his life, Mr. Sam D. Miller. In the realm of spiritual and educational outreach, the Church has been proud to claim our own members as Missionaries. Dr. Alan Thomson and his wife, the former, Jane Standifer, served in such global areas as Iran, Singapore, and Djakarta, Java, over a period of twenty years. The Elk City Presbyterian Church has also celebrated the ordination into the ministry of several former members. They are Dr. J. Stanley Chestnut, the Rev. Dr. Robert Chestnut, the Rev. Don Roulet, and the Rev. Tom Buzbee.
Remodeling of the original church continued through 1955. A kitchen and a nursery were added in 1950, and in 1953, the original Manse was moved to 810 West Fifth, to allow space for a large brick educational wing. This home was later given to Dr. and Mrs. Albert E. Gregg, Pastor Emeritus, in 1963. Removal of the Manse gave the church enough space to add a new, larger Church Sanctuary, which was connected to the new church educational wing in 1955. During a Sunday morning Worship Service in 1964, the Congregation celebrated a "burning of the mortgage" for the structure that is being utilized at the present time.
Additional land to the West of the main church building was purchased and a Memorial Pavilion and storage shed were soon built. Family picnics, Vacation Bible School activities, and other outside events are enjoyed in this area on Church grounds.
In the Spring of 1998, "Task Force 2000" was formed to study the current needs of the present Church facility. A five-year master plan was developed, and as a result a new Children's Educational Wing was built in 2001. This area provides space for new classrooms, a new nursery, the Church Memorial Library, and new men and women's restroom facilities. The Church celebrated the completion of this new wing at a special dedication Service on May 20, 2001. This new addition was dedicated debt-free.
Remodeling of the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall were also begun, and both were completed in February, 2001. In June, 2001, work began to remodel the existing South-wing of the Church facility. These newly remodeled areas provide space for Adult Sunday School classes, and give a new look to the Church parlor and kitchen areas.
Two important additions to the First Presbyterian Church history are worthy of note. In 1987, a Memorial Scholarship program was established to assist graduating Seniors in Elk City with their college tuition and/or books. This program became a reality because of the generous and loving donations of former members, Glenn and Martha Hutton and Jack and Joe Nunley. Also, in 1991, the Church members took a tremendous step toward meeting the needs of its membership by establishing a new Christian Education program. This program, known as F.L.A.G. (Friends Learning and Growing), is a special program that involves every person in the local church and many within the Elk City community. A new 15-passenger van was purchased and is utilized in a variety of ways by church members. Each Wednesday afternoon, children age for through the sixth grade come to the church for Bible study, music, crafts, games, and refreshments. Also, an active Sr. Youth group for students in grades seven through twelve meets at the church. Church youth are involved in all aspects of the church including serving as Junior beacons. Many attend summer camps at Dwight Mission Retreat in Vian, Oklahoma. Our youth continue to be the inspiration and the motivation for the continual growth of our First Presbyterian Church family.
On April 19-20, 2002, the First Presbyterian Church celebrated 100 years of history, with a special celebration. As part of the celebration a new cookbook was compiled, a new pictorial directory was completed, and on Christmas Sunday, December, 2001, the original time capsule buried for over 50 years in the Church Sanctuary wall, was removed and the contents were placed on display for the April, 2002, celebration. During the 100-year celebration a reception for former members, ministers, and friends was held. A formal banquet celebrating the rich history of our church was enjoyed by over 250 former members and the current membership. On Sunday, April 21, 2002, a 100-year Worship Service was held with many of the former ministers of the church taking part in the service. The special event was concluded with the burying of a 100-year Time Capsule". Important documents, letters from current and former members, and other memorabilia relating to the 100-year celebration were placed in the time capsule.
In April, 2005, Session voted to purchase a new 25-passenger bus to help with transportation needs of the Church membership. Then, on May 11, 2005, Session voted to purchase an addition tract of land West of the Church to provide for future needs of First Presbyterian Church. In February, 2006, construction of a new brick building to house the 15-passenger van and the 25-passenger bus, began.
An on-going Building Fund project enables the Church membership to be an active part of these new additions. Church members continue to learn and to grow as they strive to leave a legacy for future generations. Our church motto continues to be, "May All Who Come Behind Us, Find Us Faithful."
