The First Presbyterian Church

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The First Presbyterian Church, Kissimmee, was founded September 20, 1884, with 16 members.
The first Pastor, the Rev. Caleb E. Jones, helped design and construct the first building which was dedicated on May 6, 1886.
The original structure, still in use today, is Wooden Gothic, or Steamboat Gothic, as some of the same kind of wooden trim was often used in the steamboats of that day.
Various fellowship and Bible Study groups are active throughout the week.
The church continues to be a vital part of the community through mission work and community service which includes providing space and/or support for:

- Daily Bread, an ecumenical ministry to feed the hungry

- Boy, Girl, and Cub Scouts

- Alcoholics Anonymous

Throughout the year, offerings and programs place particular emphasis upon the command of Christ to welcome and care for the "least" in society. In so doing, we serve our Lord and experience the presence of the risen Christ. (Mathew 25:31-46)

HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION

1884	Sept 20	Congregation organized with 16 members.
1885	Apr 04	Met at schoolhouse.
	Apr 05	Certified signatures.
	Jul 09	Original charter recorded.
	Aug 24	Kissimmee Land Company sold lots 6 & 5 of Block 5 to Church.
1886	April	Ladies sponsored a “Bell Festival” ice cream social to raise money for the purchase of a bell to call worshipers to Sunday services.
1886	May 06	The first church building was dedicated.
1887	Sept	The first wedding in the church was the marriage of Maude Murphy to William B. Makinson.
1896		Ladies Aid Society organized.
1898	Jan 25	A cottage and Kirk House situated on the two lots Monument Street at the corner of Church Street was received as a bequest from Catharine Hart.
1944		Women's Association formed with 25 members.
1945		Miss Ida Margaret Johnston left as a missionary to India from this congregation where she served for 29 years.
1953		Mrs. Fern Kenton was chosen to see that the quilt, started many years prior, was completed.
1955 - 1957		Lester Geisler was the architect for a major church renovation. He also carved the Ionic Cross which was placed above the chancel.
1958		The education building was constructed. Mr. Geisler was the architect for this project also.
1959		A 24” brass cross was sent from Fategarh, India by I. M. Johnston.
		The Women's Association became the United Presbyterian Women.
1966		A silver rose bowl, presented to Rev. Van Etten in Ireland as a gift when he exchanged pulpits, was given to the trustees.
1966		A three-manual Rodgers organ was purchased.
1967		The Buckels property was purchased for $10.00.
1969		The Bryan property was purchased.
1970		The Kirk House was moved away.
1973		The Educational Loan was established by UPW.
1974		The parking lot was paved and landscaped.
1978	Apr 02	The Building Aid Mortgage Grant for $5000, acquired in 1928 from the Board of National Mission, was burned in a Sunday ceremony.
1979		First Church's Library was organized by Betty J. Frakes.
1983		The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church of the U.S. merged and is now Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
1988		The two women's organizations merged and are now called Presbyterian Women.
		The Allen Organ was purchased and dedicated.
1990	Jun 30	The Rev. John D. Shaver, Jr. retired after serving 17 years as pastor, the longest tenured pastor in the history of the congregation.
1992	June	Spanish services began.
2005		Following the three hurricanes of 2004, the bell tower was restored and the roof replaced.

PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED

1884-1888	Caleb E. Jones, D.D.
1889	Charles C. Wallace. D.D.
1890	William S. Wallace
1891 - 1893	Lawrence M. Stephens, D.D.
1893 - 1895	Henry M. Goodell
1895 - 1900	D.C. Dodge
1900-1905	Frank G. Railey
1905-1906	Caleb E. Jones, D.D.
1907-1909	John K. Nutting
1910-1913	S.S. Snyder
1913-1919	William B. Witherspoon, D.D.
1919-1924	William H. Dresch
1926-1927	E.E. Van Ness
1930-1931	S.M. Engle
1931-1932	Thomas B. Haynie
1932-1933	Clarence M. Junkin
1933-1943	William H. Dresch, D.D.
1944-1945	A.D. Driggers
1945-1949	Maleon H. Woolf
1949-1951	George C. Westberg, D.D.
1951-1954	Maurice P. Grigsby
1954-1956	W.K.C. Thompson, D.D.
1957-1959	Dirk H. Middents, D.D.
1960-1967	Dorr L. Van Etten
1967-1968	Paul E. Chalfant, D.D.
1968-1972	Daniel C. Axt
1972-1973	N. Carl Elder
1973-1990	John D. Shaver, Jr.
1990-1991	Wallace G. Winegard (Supply)
1991-1992	Jeremiah D. Schenck, Jr. (Supply)
1992-1994	Frederick E. Hummel
1994 Apr - Sept	Edward Rowley, Jr.
1994 Oct - Dec	Jack Hawes, D.D.
1995 Jan - Mar	Dean Chapman, D.D.
1995 May	Ronald Radden
1995 - Present	Frank J. Allen, Jr., D. Min.