First Presbyterian Church , Saginaw, Michigan

1838    This marks the beginning of the written history of the First Presbyterian Church, Saginaw, Michigan.

1851-1852   The original church building is built on the site of the present building

1860    The church building in the 1860's was enlarged by additional space for Sunday School use, a chapel, and a study.  Church membership increased by 86 members.

1868    The first music is mentioned in the records in 1868 with a Miss Hitchcock as organist.

1885    The current building was completed in November, 1885.  The church bell, which hangs in the bell tower today weighing 732 pounds, was provided by certain citizens who had agreed to furnish the bell if the church was built.

1902    During the latter part of the year the interior was redecorated and an extension was made at the west end of the building.  The manse was also moved from its first location at 711 Court St. to the corner of Harrison and Adams Sts.

1920    A call went out to Henry W. Fischer of Fond-du-lac, Wisconsin.  He accepted and began his work on December 1, 1920.  This term was to last until December, 1956.

1921    The Boy Scout movement adtes from 1920.  The Session granted permission to Mr. O.L. Duggan, the city Scout Master, to organize a troop in our church, Troop 6.  Today it is Troop 366.  Girl Scouts date back to 1917.

            Catechism classes started in 1921 and about the same time promotion requirements were set up in the Sunday School so that each child had a definite training as he advanced from one department to another.

1926    At a session meeting major organ repairs were discussed. Later a new Moeller organ was installed at a total cost of $33,000.

1938    On the evening of March 1 the church marked the close of its first 100 years.  This event included such celebrations as a banquet and a publication of the history book, copies of which we have in our library and historical room.

            One tradition that started in the 1930's was the Arthur Hill High School's baccalaureate ceremony held in our sanctuary.  The school was located across Harrison St. at that time.

1940-1945    During the Second World War Dr. and Mrs. Fischer wrote regularly to the service men and women from our congregation.  An honor roll board hung on the back wall of the sanctuary with the names, some of which later had gold stars next to them.  Today that board hangs in the Historical Room.

1945    The upstairs Sunday School rooms were converted into a chapel at a cost of $6,000, later revised to $10,866.

1947    The church-owned manse was relocated to 116 S. Webster St.  The site of the old manse was later used for parking.  Dr. Fischer held a "Bride and Groom Sunday" with invitations sent to 642 couples Dr. Fischer had married.

1949    By now the communicant membership had increased by 131 people this year giving the church 1379 members representing 950 families. As of December 2000, our active membership was 588, representing 278 pledging units    

    Organizations in the church in 1949: # M Club, Adult Bible Class, Married People's Club, Westminster Fellowship and Adult Young People.

1951-1953    The new building addition plus revamping the basement was made at a cost of $288,819.  Ground breaking took place at 5:00 pm on Easter Sunday, 1953.  Formal dedication took place on April 8, 1954.

            Women of the congregation contributed $20,000 over three years for equipment for the new building.

1955    Rev, Allen Christy was installed as co-pastor and Robert Klepinger was hired as Director of Christian Education.  Mr. Klepinger handled the work of the music department, Sunday School, and all youth activities.  Membership reached 1,919 and a second Sunday service was added.

            First Presbyterian Church was active in the resettlement of families from India, Hungary, and Latvia.

1958    At a combined meetnig of the General Assemblies in Pittsburgh, PA, The United Presbyterian Church of North America and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America were merged into a new denomination - The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.    

1961    Five hundred new hymnals were dedicated in memory of the late Rev. Allen T. Christy who had served from 1955 to 1959.  The church supported missionaries in Alaska and Iran.

1963    Prior to this time the governing boards were the trustees and the elders.  The two were merged into one body, the Session as we know it today.

            The 125th anniversary began with a special Sunday service featuring the Rev. Eugene Carson Blake, moderator of the General Assembly.

1964    Property at 120 S. Webster St. was purchased with a view toward eventually enlarging the parking area.  Membership reached 2458 with 861 in Sunday School.

1965    The narthex was built on the front of the church eliminating and covering the treacherous outside steps. 

1970    Another first was made - women were installed as elders and deacons.

1970's    Handbells were purchased and two Bell Choirs began - one for youth and one for adults.  

1976    We helped mark the nation's bicentennial was a pageant, "From Victory Unto Victory".  All the church bells in the city rang out to mark Independence Day.

1979     The congregation is active in the resettlement of families from Southeast Asia, primarily Laotian and Hmong..  

1983    Dr. Harold Kaser, who served from September, 1971 to October, 1984, announced that a reunion of the Presbyterian Church in the US (Southern Presbyterian) and the United Presbyterian Church in the USA (our predecessor denomination) had taken place.  The two bodies had been separated for 123 years.

1985    Dr. Robert Emrich accepted a call to become our senior pastor coming from Greensburg, Pennsylvannia.  He was later joined by the Rev. Ron Davids as Associate Pastor.

1986    Greg and Anna Largent became a part of the staff and were hired as Director of Music Ministries and Assistant Director of Music Ministries respectively.

1987    In the spring, committees worked to present a plan for replacing the organ and restoring and renovating the church building.  This would be for the Sesquicentennial celebration planned for 1988.  The goal of $1 million was reached early in the year.

1988    On Sunday, March 6, we marked our Sesquicentennial and, following the special church service recalling our history, a birthday celebration took place in Westminster Hall.

            On Sunday, April 24, we worshipped for the last time in the sanctuary as we had known it for 58 years.  Renovation began in May and services were held in Westminster Hall.

1988-1989    The sanctuary and other parts of the building underwent extensive renovation.  On the first Sunday of Lent, February 12, we worshipped in the newly-renovated sanctuary.

The Casavant organ was heard for the first time on June 4 during a test and trial.

            On October 8, a special celebration took place for the community - a program, open house, and a reception.

1990-1991    The staff is made of Dr, Emrich, Rev. Leas, and Rev. Osborne - all Bobs - along with Greg and Anna Largent plus Marjie Shelley and Jo Ann Dembinski.  A search committee is looking for a director of Christian education ministries.

1991    New hymnals, which the members of the Music Committee, members at-large, and staff examined, were ordered and dedicated later in the year.

1992    The new time for worship is now 10:30 a.m. with Christian Education for all ages from 9:15 a.m. to 10:10 a.m.

            Vonnie Johnson, recently from Florida, accepted the call to become our Director of Educational Ministries.

              During the late 1990's much work was done to improve the lower level of the facility, including repainting, new lighting, carpeting, and wallpapering.  

1998    First Presbyterian works with other congregations to build homes with Habitat for Humanity.  

Into the New Century:  Our facility is used by many outside groups including Al-Anon, Saginaw Children's Zoo Board,  and Gardening for Gents.  We continue to be active in support of 4 children through the Christian Children's Fund and support of two missionaries in Brazil.  We continue our work with Habitat for Humanity, the Eastside Soup Kitchen, the Good Neighbor's Mission, and the Rescue Mission of Saginaw.

Display Case of Pastors in Our History

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Last modified: August 25, 2006