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In 1838, “The Western Presbyterian Church” was organized by 18 Cabell County Presbyterians in the then unfinished chapel at Marshall Academy.  In 1872, a small church was erected at the rear of our 5^th Avenue lot.  It contained a 900 pound bell ($296!), which is the same bell that hangs in our present bell tower. The cornerstone of our present sanctuary was laid August 18, 1985, with the first worship service being held in the sanctuary on September 20, 1896.  The cost of the construction was a staggering $22,000! 

As Huntington grew, First Presbyterian Church gave hundreds of members and much of our funds to organize the Second (1908), Highlawn (1913), Beverly Hills (1945), Enslow (1949), Bates (1956), and Rome (Ohio) Presbyterian Church in 1958.  

In 1913, during the year of the 75^th anniversary of the church, the building doubled in size by with the addition of the Sunday School addition on the south side of the Sanctuary.  In 1951, the present Church School Building was erected, and the Fellowship Hall, kitchen, and other spaces in the old building were remodeled.  In 1954, the Moller pipe organ was installed, which over the years has experienced many renovations and improvements.

In 1962, our Cabwaylingo Presbyterian Chapel at Dunlow first held services.  The rural chapel with its many social outreach programs to the community is still a very important part of our church’s mission.  The next year, 1963, the General Assembly PCUS held it’s 103^rd annual meeting in our facilities from  April 25-30 as we celebrated our 125^th Anniversary. It was here they voted to ordain women! In 1965, the first International House program was held in our facilities.  One hundred and eighty international students, from 43 countries, came from 40 American colleges and universities to spend their Christmas vacation at the church. 

In 1988, the 150^th anniversary of the church, the congregation voted to proceed with plans for the renovation of the church building to make it safer, more accessible, and more functional.  This $3.5 million renovation was completed and paid by 1996!

In 2005, we will celebrate 100 years of our beautiful sanctuary.  A Task Force for Chancel Renovation, with the help of a professional architect, is working on plans to expand the chancel area, adding more flexibility and modern improvements. 

It has been an exciting journey of faith as we seek to be faithful to our mission and ministry to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
 

Email: pastor@firstpreshuntington.org

Skip came to First Presbyterian as Associate Pastor in 2002. His special interest in the ministry is mission outreach.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Skip is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His journey has not been limited to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Following high school he served in the Air Force for four years, training as an Albanian linguist with tours of duty in California, Arizona, Greece, and Turkey.

Skip has a strong Young Life background as a volunteer leader and area director. He has served as associate pastor in Quincy, Illinois and Greenville, Pennsylvania. He and Karal have one son, Nathan, who lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Email: apastor@firstpreshuntington.org

Amy grew up in Texas and New Mexico, and earned her B.A. in English and M.A. in Teaching from Austin College in Sherman, Texas.  She taught elementary school in inner-city Dallas for 2 years before attending seminary at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, where she earned her M.Div. in May 2005.  Much of Amy’s prior ministry experience is in Christian Education, Youth Ministry, and New Church Development, serving churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Jersey.  She also spent a summer doing mission work in Malawi, Africa in 1998.

Amy and her husband, Joshua, have been married for 3 years – they met doing youth ministry in college and attended seminary together.  They are the parents of a daughter, Serena Mae, and a fluffy, perpetually entertaining puppy named Bishop.  Some of Amy’s favorite things to do are writing, dancing, and traveling.

Email:  apastor2@firstpreshuntington.org

Dale has been associated with First Presbyterian longer than any other staff member except Gray Hampton. While a student at Marshall University, he assisted the church with the Bell Choir and Children's Choirs. After receiving a degree in Music Education from Marshall in 1968 Dale directed the choir and later the band at Ceredo-Kenova High School where he had graduated only a few years before.

He returned to First Presbyterian in 1986 as Choir Director, and became full-time Director of Music in 2002. Over the years Dale has sung as chorister and/or soloist with many groups in and around the Huntington Tri-State Area. His major interest in the church is developing special musical worship skills and also special instrumental groups to assist in worship.

Email: music@firstpreshuntington.org

Email: dce@firstpreshuntington.org

The Session is composed of the Senior Pastor and a body of Elders elected by members of the congregation.  Their charge is to oversee administrative matters of the church such as policy making, receiving new members, directing worship, outreach, property, personnel, and finances. 

The current Session of First Presbyterian Church consists of the following Elders:

Deacons 

In October, 2004, the Congregation of First Presbyterian Church voted to change from a unicameral system to a bicameral system, in which the deacons would serve the relational needs of the congregation and community.  The mission of the deacons is to make God’s love real through caring, sharing and serving.   This group of men and women are facilitated by the associate pastor. 

The current Diaconate of First Presbyterian Church consists of the following: 

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees consists of three elders elected to oversee the church’s long term assets and investment portfolio.  Trustees serve a six year term. 

The current Board of Trustees is as follows:

Ed Morrison

Cal Kent

Wesley Agee

Committees

There are several committees within the congregation that faithfully serve the needs of the church on a more specific level.  All church leaders are valued as they serve God through their service and offering of their time and talents.

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