We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Dear friends,

One hundred and fifty years ago today, when Durham was only a two-year-old dot on the map, Granville County native Dr. Richard D. Blacknall, a physician and druggist, along with ten others (seven transfers from other churches and three members of Orange Presbytery) organized what we now know as First Presbyterian Church.

I am not sure that our minds are able to imagine what that day might have been, not really, but we can give thanks for those who had a vision and a calling. Their vision was for a community of faith in this new town of Durham. Their calling was to bear witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a result of this vision and calling, a community of faith formed on the corner of Roxboro and Main, where it has been and continues to thrive (even in a pandemic) for 150 years.

Though our season of celebration is a six-month season around this exact date, I cannot let the day pass without giving thanks to God for the vision and calling given to these eleven (and others not present) on this day so many years ago. I doubt they could have imagined what this community would mean for so many individuals and families, nor could they have imagined what this community would mean for Durham itself.

We have a chance this day to look back and give thanks, even as we look ahead with awe and wonder, leaning into what God’s call to us for the years and decades ahead might be.

If you have a moment today, I invite you to think back to that small but faithful gathering that set this church on its course for so many years to come. And I invite you to say a prayer of gratitude for God’s movement then and continued movement now.

Happy birthday, First Presbyterian Church.

Happy New Year, my friends.

With love and gratitude,

Mindy Douglas

Organized on New Year’s Eve 1871, First Presbyterian Church has been a beacon of Christian faith and hope where “cross the crowded ways of life” in downtown Durham for 150 years.

We are pleased and excited to announce that former pastors and associates will return to the pulpit in January 2022 as our 150^th Church Anniversary celebration continues Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m.

January 2 – Marilyn Hedgpeth

January 9 – Joseph Harvard

January 16 – Cherrie Henry

January 23 – Sam Miglarese

January 30 – Lori Pistor

December 19, at 11:00 AM.   Come hear the First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir sing carols and anthems- live and in-person – in a service modeled after the Service of Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge, England.  The public is invited! Masks are required when inside the building and social distancing is appreciated.

Unable to attend in-person worship this Sunday? The service will be live-streamed via FPC’s YouTube channel. Click on the word “WORSHIP” from this website’s home screen at 11:00 a.m. to connect to our live-streamed worship.

Sunday, December 19 at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church.

This event is free and open to the public. Come enjoy songs of the season sung by our very own Lesley Curtis. All attendees are asked to wear a mask while inside the building.

OUTDOOR FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

You are invited to park at the church and gather in front of the sanctuary (Main Street steps) and cheer on those walking in the parade this Saturday, December 18 from 11:00 a.m. to about 1:00 p.m.  FPC will provide hot chocolate (bring your own mug and a blanket to keep warm).

On Sunday, December 19, join us for an evening of caroling, fellowship, and a sweet/savory treats exchange.  Bring sweet or savory treats, individually packaged to share/exchange.

• At 4:00 p.m. we’ll gather in the courtyard to share our favorite carols.  At this time, outside & distanced, we may sing without our masks; when indoors, we will continue to wear masks.

• At 4:30 p.m. we’ll share some caroling with our neighbors. (If you don’t feel comfortable walking to nearby Urban Ministries or Families Moving Forward, you’re invited to the fellowship hall where we’ll be getting ready for the sweet/savory exchange of treats.)

• At 5:00 p.m. we’ll gather in the fellowship hall to exchange goodies and share favorite Christmas memories or traditions.  

Second Sunday of Advent – December 5

9:45 a.m. – Faith Formation for Adults, Confirmands, and Youth

10:00 a.m. – Active Advent Faith Formation for Children

11:00 a.m. – Worship with Communion

Third Sunday of Advent – December 12

9:45 a.m. – Faith Formation for Adults, Confirmands, and Youth        

10:00 a.m. – Active Advent Faith Formation for Children

11:00 a.m. – Worship

Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 19

 9:45 a.m. – Faith Formation for Adults, Confirmands, and Youth

10:00 a.m. – Active Advent Faith Formation for Children

11:00 a.m. – A Service of Lessons and Carols

The PC(USA) Joy Gift Offering will also be received on December 19. The Joy Gift Offering supports financial assistance programs of the Board of Pensions and PC(USA) racial ethnic schools and colleges. Online and text-giving are other ways to give to the Joy Gift Offering.

Snapshot No. 1 On the 25th Anniversary of Its Founding: A Snapshot from 1896

Snapshot No. 2 Our Church in Crisis Times: The Civil War

Snapshot No. 3 Our Church in Crisis Times: World War 1

Snapshot No. 4 Our Church in Crisis Times: Great Depression, 1929-1939

Snapshot No. 5 Our Church in Crisis Times: Distant Drums of War, 1937-1941

Snapshot No. 6 Our Church in Crisis Times: World War II

Snapshot No. 7 Our Church in Crisis Times: Whither the Downtown Church, Relocate or Remain?

Snapshot No. 8 Our Church in Crisis Times: Race Relations from Jim Crow to Brown and Beyond

Special thanks to FPC historian Peter Fish for writing these moments in FPC’s history and to Carol Carson who submitted the photos and images.