Believing. Loving. Serving.
First Presbyterian Church of Anderson is a family of faith that loves and serves Jesus Christ, our community and each other.
We at First Presbyterian Church are a loving community of Christ followers striving to be a living witness to God’s love in the world. Loving God and loving one another is the heart of our life and ministry together. We are a family of faith that shares a commitment to believing, loving, and serving in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
First Presbyterian is a congregation of Foothills Presbytery, a group of 61 Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations in the 6 Counties of Upstate South Carolina. We are a part of the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country and part of the Reformed theological tradition. We affirm the dignity of every person and strive to be a welcoming community to all of God’s children.
“So then you are no longer strangers, but you are members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”
Ephesians 2:19-22
established in 1837
Tired of the nearly 10 mile horse and buggy ride to Robert’s Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitner put her foot down! She compelled her husband, Judge Joseph Whitner, to deed 3 ¾ acres of land for the purpose of building a Presbyterian church within the small village of Anderson, SC.
Thirteen charter members organized the “Anderson Court House Presbyterian Church.” At that time, Anderson had approximately 200 residents. There were 26 states and only about 15 million people in the nation. Martin Van Buren was president, and “My Country Tis of Thee” was a new song.
In 1882, the two-story, red brick sanctuary was completed that we still use today.
We thank God for 175 years of faithful ministry in Anderson, and seeking to serve God in the future, have renewed our commitment to ministries of believing, loving and serving.
leadership
Leadership in the Presbyterian Church is a shared responsibility. Together, we act as Christ’s servants in our community and the world. Presbyterian congregations are governed by Sessions, made up of elected the Elders and the Pastors of the church.
Elders
The Presbyterian Church draws its name from the Greek word for Elder (presbuteros). Our Elders prayerfully exercise leadership and government for the life of our church, providing for our worship, learning, fellowship and service.
Deacons
Deacons are officers elected to a ministry of care and compassion. They go beyond Christ’s call to love by providing an organized way of carrying the love of Jesus into the church and the community, to those who most need it.
Trustees
Trustees are servant-leaders entrusted with the management of certain permanent or designated ministry funds.
staff
![Staff Portraits with contact_website_v2 [Recovered]_Susan Brown](https://firstpresanderson.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Staff-Portraits-with-contact_website_v2-Recovered_Susan-Brown.png)
facilities
Buildings
We are thrilled to be opening the newest addition to our campus, the Welcome Center, which provides a common entrance and a wonderful gathering space. It connects the office, the education wing, the nursery, the Kirk fellowship hall (with full kitchen), and the sanctuary for easy navigation with ADA accessibility. Additionally, on our campus you will find the Family Life Center with a full-sized gym, canteen, and comfortable meeting spaces for bible study and fellowship.
Campus Maps
Baptisms
First Presbyterian Church, as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offers the Sacrament of Baptism to people of all ages, including infants and children.
Adults and youth are baptized after a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In presenting a child for baptism, parents affirm their own faith, acknowledge their child’s need for God’s redeeming grace, and promise to raise their child to know, to love, and to serve God. Our congregation promises to teach all those who are baptized the Good News of the gospel, and, with love and fellowship, to strengthen the that person’s ties with the church and the faith.
Baptisms take place during Sunday morning worship services.
Weddings
The covenant of Christian marriage occurs in a service of worship. Bride, groom, and congregation join to give thanks to God and to ask God’s blessing upon the couple’s life together. As bride and groom, each person makes a solemn and heartfelt vow before God with gathered family and friends acting as witness. In this service, we all join to worship, thank, and praise God and to ask God’s presence in the couple’s life going forward. Church members are asked to contact one of our pastors to discuss premarital counseling and scheduling a service of Christian marriage. To request a wedding at First Presbyterian church, we ask that the bride or groom be a current active member of FPC or the child of a current active member. To place a wedding on the church calendar, these persons must have been members of our congregation for one year.
For more information, please call the church office at 864.225.2551.
Funerals
A Presbyterian funeral is called a “Service of Witness to the Resurrection,” which emphasizes the everlasting promises of God in Jesus Christ. Usually, these services are held in the sanctuary, with a committal service afterwards. However, some families choose to hold only a graveside service, or a memorial service in another appropriate setting.
First Presbyterian Church seeks to support families and members when death occurs, and beyond that time as well. With prayers and expressions of love, our calling as the body of Christ is to grieve together, but we do “not grieve as others who have no hope” -I Thessalonians 4:13.
For more information, please call the church office at 864.225.2551.
Sports and Recreation
These activities are designed to build Christian character and a spirit of good conduct and sportsmanship.
Basketball Children, youth and adult basketball are presently played under the Anderson Church Athletic Association League (AACA) which governs the eligibility of players and the rules of play.
Yoga Our bodies love movement. When we stretch or dance, our bodies adjust, realign and start to become fluid with the rhythm of life. Our mood lifts and we feel more connected with the world around us. If you are feeling stuck, ready to release old energy, or eager to feel more alive, try moving your body. By giving your muscles a chance to do what they were created for, you may find that all areas of your body and your life benefit as well. Daily OM
Introduction to Yoga (Not currently meeting.)
A floor mat class to anyone new to yoga or interested in enhancing your practice. Yoga mats and props are available or bring your own.
Supported Yoga Monday at 9:15 – 10:30am and/or Wednesday mornings at 9:15 – 10:30am in the Welcome Center.
A combination of chair, standing and mat help to find balance, mobility, and agility for all levels and body types. Includes stretching, strengthening, breathing, and meditation. On Wednesdays, weight resistance is optional.
Yoga I – Vinyasa Flow Tuesday evenings at 5:55pm – 7:10pm in the Family Life Center.
A floor mat class for all levels, whether you are new to yoga or or have prior experience. Includes connecting the breath to postures for strength, balance, stretching, relaxation, and meditation. Yoga mats and props are available or bring your own.
All classes are free. Donations to the church are accepted which support local mission projects.
First Presbyterian Church of Anderson has a wonderful family…and this password-protected directory can help keep you in touch with our growing congregation! Church members are welcome to call the church office at 864.225.2551 to request a password.
Church members can view the directory from your iPhone, iPad, Android or Kindle Fire by downloading the free Instant Church Directory Members App. Search for “Instant Church Directory” in the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore, or click on the following link: www.instantchurchdirectory.com/app
F.A.Q.
Our Worship is at 10:30am throughout the year.
We are located at 302 West Whitner Street, Anderson, SC 29624, and you can call the church office at 864.225.2551 during office hours M – Th 8:30 – 5:00 and F 8:30 – 12:00.
Our service runs approx one hour.
You should dress however you feel most comfortable in worship. For some folks, that’s a suit and a tie or a nice dress, and for others it’s a button up shirt and slacks or a blouse and some capris… we hope that whatever you wear, you feel comfortable and worshipful.
Yes, of course! We love for children to worship with us, and for those that would like a nursery for children 2 and under it is available up to 15 mins before through 15 mins after our services. Children 3 years old through kindergarten are welcome to join our extended session after the time with young disciples from the sanctuary.
We invite our visitors to park in the pull through parking lot right off of Whitner Street, but we have ample parking behind the building, across Whitner street, and across Tower street from our Sanctuary and behind the Epps & Epps Law Firm. [Campus Map]
Both entrances to our new Welcome Center are fully accessible, and the elevator to the back of that space will take you to the second floor for classes and an entrance to the sanctuary. [Welcome Center]