First Presbyterian Church - Church History/Facilities

Church History and Facilities

In the mid-1850s a small group began meeting regularly for worship services and on May 8, 1858, under the guidance of the Rev. D.L. Hughes, the First Presbyterian Church of Plattsmouth was organized. The first session meeting was held on June 5, 1858.

Early meetings were held in a private home, but after organization the congregation met in the school house on Marble Street between 11th and 12th streets. The Rev. Hughes was also pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Glenwood, IA. Church lore tells us that he traveled to Plattsmouth across the Missouri River in a skiff, at the mercy of the weather.
In 1865 the congregation began construction of a brick building with a capacity of 250 to 300. This church had a pulpit, pews and was lighted with kerosene lamps. Eventually Hotel Riley (later Hotel Plattsmouth) was built over and around this church. In 1889 the congregation decided to build a larger church with more seating capacity. The Ladies Aid furnished it with a communion table, carpeting and an organ.

On October 30, 1935, lightning struck the steeple of the church and barely a year later, the church burned down. The building was renovated and church membership continued to grow.

In 1961 the congregation began work on the present structure on Chicago Avenue, completing the Christian Education building in 1961 and the sanctuary in 1975. In this year, 2008, we are celebrating our 150th year of service and worship in the Plattsmouth community.

The church has maintained a faithful Christian ministry in Plattsmouth through the years. There have been different locations and different pastors. Countless people have n part of the church family and its worship and fellowship. Through it all, First Presbyterian Church has strived to give the highest priority to honor and serve the Lord, Jesus Christ.

The church is now located at 701 Chicago Avenue on a beautiful campus housing a Christian Education wing, Fellowship Hall, offices, and our beautiful Worship Sanctuary. The church is handicap accessible and extends a warm welcome to all.

Every year we celebrate our beginnings and our history at our Founder's Day in May and with our annual and very popular Chicken Pie Supper in October. The women of First Presbyterian have carried on the Chicken Pie tradition for over 100 years. The entire congregation gets involved in this endeavor — setting up the dining room, cooking the food, serving the meals, and cleaning up afterwards. we serve Over 500 people in the local community each year!

Enjoying Chicken Pie for dinner

ROLL OF PASTORS

Daniel L. Hughes June 5, 1858 to 1864

John Taylor Baird Acting Moderator Oct. 23, 1865

James Johnson Coale March 18, 1866 to June, 1866

William Hamilton May, 1866 to May, 1867

C.D. Roberts November 28, 1867 to October, 1869

Daniel William Cameron December 16, 1869 to March 20, 1872

William T. Bartle March 21, 1872 to April 3, 1875

John Taylor Baird July 11, 1875 to July 11, 1905

James H. Salsbury September 1905 to October, 1910

Lew Wallace Gade October 1910 to October 1912

M.W. Lorimer 10 months during 1913

Harry Garfield McClusky (Dr. Mac) March 1914 to March 8, 1952

Louis Kvetensky March 9, 1952 to September 14, 1952

Keith L. DeLap September 16, 1952 to August 15, 1960

Robert Owen McLeod February 1, 1961 to March 1, 1969

John H. Middents, Jr. March 1, 1970 to June 30, 1982

Paul F. Iverson, Interim July 1, 1982 to April 3, 1983

Robert R. Bye April 3, 1983 to November 17, 1994

J. Keith Cook, Interim March 1, 1995 to November, 1996

Daniel Molyneux November 4, 1996 to March 30, 1999

William Beatty, Interim July 1, 1999 to December, 2000

Ronald Van Heukelom April 1, 2001

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