Established September 5, 1856
The Presbyterian presence was evident and at work in the early 1840’s. On July 28, 1856, the first regular meeting of the Citizens of Lower Saginaw was held for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian church. The name of the organization was chosen: The First Presbyterian Society of Lower Saginaw. The first meeting of the Society, as an organized church, was on September 5, 1856. The first members included two men and six women.
After meeting in Birney Hall and sometimes in a court room, funds were raised in 1861 for the first building of First Presbyterian Church, located between 9th and 10th Streets on the east side of Washington Avenue, across from a grove of trees the Indians sometimes used as a campground. A short time after its completion and dedication, in the midst of a communion service, it took fire and was burned. The building was totally lost in the presence of a sorrowing congregation. Through energetic efforts, a new church was built on Washington Street opposite City Hall. Its dedication took place December 25, 1863. The congregation worshiped there until our present site was purchased in 1883. The cornerstone was laid July 23, 1891 and the church was dedicated July 6, 1893.
After meeting in Birney Hall and sometimes in a court room, funds were raised in 1861 for the first building of First Presbyterian Church, located between 9th and 10th Streets on the east side of Washington Avenue, across from a grove of trees the Indians sometimes used as a campground. A short time after its completion and dedication, in the midst of a communion service, it took fire and was burned. The building was totally lost in the presence of a sorrowing congregation. Through energetic efforts, a new church was built on Washington Street opposite City Hall. Its dedication took place December 25, 1863. The congregation worshiped there until our present site was purchased in 1883. The cornerstone was laid July 23, 1891 and the church was dedicated July 6, 1893.
The Next 85 Years
View of present church building looking northwest.
Painting by Paul Kusmierz.
An old newspaper states, “This edifice was dedicated June 4, 1893, that total cost of the ground, buildings and furniture being $105,000. The structure is of Ionia sandstone and the auditorium affords sittings for 1,100 persons. There is a spacious chapel at the rear, with Sabbath-school rooms, ladies parlors and apartments for Bible classes. Underneath the chapel is a large dining room, with kitchen, pantries, and toilet rooms. The interior finish of the auditorium and chapel is of quartered white oak, and the church, in its architecture, construction and appointments, is one of the most elegant and commodious houses of worship in the State.”
In 1941 the church was remodeled, rededicated and completely refurbished for its 50th anniversary. In the chancel, a magnificent organ of over 4,000 pipes was installed. In 1958 a 28,000 square foot addition of 56 rooms including a nursery, classrooms, kitchen, fellowship hall, parlor, offices, study and chapel was added at the cost of $670,000.
Today this building houses the choir room, Heritage Parlor, the Wheel and several meeting rooms. A history, a tradition, and a building are but a part of the First Presbyterian Church. The strength of First Presbyterian Church is its people.
Modern History
The Gothic style building which contains the Sanctuary was once again restored to its original Victorian beauty in an extensive renovation project beginning in 1979. The aging organ was replaced by a Casavant Freres pipe organ in 1983. It was specifically designed for our sanctuary and has 38 stops, 54 ranks of pipes, and over 3,000 pipes.
In 1999 the church embarked upon its “Keeping the Covenant and Leaving a Legacy” Campaign. The $2 million construction project made major improvements to entrance ways, the Commons and its adjacent Courtyard. Other improvements were made to the stained glass, exterior stone, and roof. Additions were technology upgrades and construction of an elevator.
The church building was listed on the State Registry of Historic Sites in May of 2001.
The First Presbyterian Church of Bay City is more than statistics, more than a beautiful building, more than organizations and activities. It is a story part of a larger history. It is a covenant community which has contributed to the nurture of countless lives and the development of our community. For more than 160 years the ministry of First Presbyterian Church has been one that distinguished itself in service to the Bay County area and beyond with a sense of resiliency, fortitude, foresight, focus and faithfulness.
Our history is not something complete, concluded and closed, but the corpus from and for which we continue. It is an important part of our story. A rich, proud and fruitful heritage forms a firm foundation for continuing ministry in Christ’s name and ever boldly moving forward in faith together. For a detailed history, see the Bay-Journal.com article.
In 1999 the church embarked upon its “Keeping the Covenant and Leaving a Legacy” Campaign. The $2 million construction project made major improvements to entrance ways, the Commons and its adjacent Courtyard. Other improvements were made to the stained glass, exterior stone, and roof. Additions were technology upgrades and construction of an elevator.
The church building was listed on the State Registry of Historic Sites in May of 2001.
The First Presbyterian Church of Bay City is more than statistics, more than a beautiful building, more than organizations and activities. It is a story part of a larger history. It is a covenant community which has contributed to the nurture of countless lives and the development of our community. For more than 160 years the ministry of First Presbyterian Church has been one that distinguished itself in service to the Bay County area and beyond with a sense of resiliency, fortitude, foresight, focus and faithfulness.
Our history is not something complete, concluded and closed, but the corpus from and for which we continue. It is an important part of our story. A rich, proud and fruitful heritage forms a firm foundation for continuing ministry in Christ’s name and ever boldly moving forward in faith together. For a detailed history, see the Bay-Journal.com article.
Our Denominational Connection
The SYMBOLISM of the SEAL of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
The seal is a symbolic statement of the Presbyterian Church's heritage, identity, and mission in contemporary form. Its power depends on both its simplicity and complexity, as well as its traditional and enduring qualities.
- The dominant structural and theological element in the design is the cross -- the universal and most ecumenical symbol of the Christian Church. The cross represents the incarnate love of God in Jesus Christ, and his passion and resurrection. Because of its association with Presbyterian history, the Celtic cross was chosen as a model for this contemporary rendering of the ancient symbol.
- The other symbols in the seal are the Scripture, the dove, and flames.