A Sanctuary from the 1890s on North 12th Street
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith gathers on North 12th Street in the heart of downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas. The congregation's century-old sanctuary - bathed in light filtered through stained glass and alive with organ music - has hosted worship since the 1890s. That historic space anchors a congregation known for two very different Sunday morning services, an unusually broad portfolio of community mission work, a free chamber music series that has drawn performers from across the country, and a preschool that has served local families since 1950.
The church's mission is plain: to serve Jesus Christ. Members and staff believe that serving Jesus has led to real transformation in their community and congregation, and the church's outreach reflects that conviction. From a fair-interest car-loan program to a monthly restaurant-style free supper, the congregation pours significant resources into Fort Smith and beyond.
Two Services, One Sunday
First Presbyterian offers two Sunday morning services, each with its own character.
At 9:00 a.m., DayOne Worship fills the Fellowship Hall. Coffee in hand, worshippers settle in for a service described as traditional elements in a coffee-house setting, blending a subtle liturgical movement with a modern feel. The contemporary band plays praise songs, re-imagined traditional hymns, and the occasional bluegrass tune.
At 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary Worship moves into the historic sanctuary. The order is traditional but less rigid than some Presbyterian services. Organ music, stained glass, and a chancel choir make it an ideal setting to slow down and gather in God's presence. Both services are livestreamed.
First-time visitors often ask what to wear. The short answer: wear what is comfortable. At the traditional service, some dress in their Sunday best, but jeans and t-shirts are common at both services.
Children, Nursery, and a Sunday on the Third Floor
Children are wanted in the worship services at First Presbyterian. There is no separate children's church, but each service includes a children's moment, after which kids return to sit with their adults. Kid Packs with books, coloring sheets, and fidget toys are available at the entrances to both services and collected afterward to be refilled.
For families who prefer it, nursery care is available from 8:40 a.m. to noon on Sundays on the third floor, attended by at least two background-checked, well-trained employees. The nursery welcomes children from birth through age five, and breastfeeding is welcome anywhere in the building; the nursery also has a comfortable chair and pillow for those who prefer more privacy.
Sunday School runs at 10:00 a.m., also on the third floor. Children are split into two groups - Pre-K through 1st grade and 2nd grade through 5th grade - each taught by background-checked volunteers. A Confirmation class begins in the fall for 6th through 8th graders. Taylor Kronberg, the director of children's education, and a team of volunteers plan and teach the lessons, with recent series including "Calming the Chaos: Jesus and Water" in spring and "Promises, Praises, and Parables" in fall.
A summer Vacation Bible School serves children ages 3 through 11 (entering 6th grade).
Music in Every Corner
Music is woven into the life of First Presbyterian. The Chancel Choir fills the sanctuary during the 11:00 service, while the DayOne Band leads the 9:00 service with a range that stretches from modern worship to bluegrass. A beginner-friendly handbell ensemble invites anyone willing to learn a new skill and meet a few friends along the way.
The Pates-McDonald Music Series, hosted by the church, has long contributed to Fort Smith's musical culture with free chamber music programs open to the public. Founded through the vision of Charlie and Annie Pates and named in honor of longtime church organist Mary McDonald - who served First Presbyterian as organist from 1955 until her retirement in 1996 - the series has welcomed performers ranging from organists and violinists to folk singers and big-band jazz ensembles. Recent guests have included the Jubilation Jazz Band, violinist Daniel S. Lee, and the Lyrique Quintette.
The church also hosts an annual Music Extravaganza in the Fellowship Hall, featuring musicians from the congregation in styles from bluegrass to worship.
Mission in Fort Smith and Around the World
At First Presbyterian, mission means the ways the congregation serves others, and the church has built an unusually broad portfolio of programs around two principles: empower people to change their circumstances, and treat all who are served with dignity.
First Sunday Supper is a monthly restaurant-style meal - the people of First Presbyterian cook for their neighbors on the first Sunday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Family Center. Children's activities and information about community services accompany the meal, which has served more than 1,200 meals in a single year.
The Christmas Store, set up around the holidays, is filled with brand-new toys purchased by the church. Rather than giving them away, the toys are sold at a drastically reduced cost so parents can shop, wrap the presents, and give them to their children on Christmas morning. The goal is to empower those in need to provide for their families.
Changing Lanes is the congregation's transportation initiative. Through a partnership with First National Bank and local car dealers, First Presbyterian offers low-income clients access to fair car loans at fair interest rates from reputable dealers. UpLift complements it with small personal loans, paired with free budget counseling from a certified counselor at Credit Counseling of Arkansas, designed to help borrowers resolve unexpected expenses and avoid chronic debt.
First Presbyterian also directs more than $300,000 annually to local partner agencies through its budget and various trust funds. Partner organizations include the Crisis Intervention Center, Next Step Homeless Services, Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Community Dental Clinic, Monarch 61, the Hamilton Center, and Good Samaritan Clinic.
Internationally, the church sponsors the Epiphanie School outside Cherident in southern Haiti through the Haiti Education Foundation, covering 80 percent of the school's costs and providing lunch for all 113 students and 9 teachers five days a week. In El Salvador, the church has developed a longstanding relationship with Project Red, which provides housing, life-skills training, and education to orphans and foster children at risk of being absorbed into the country's gangs.
The King Speaker Series
Through the King Speaker Series, funded in part by the Minnie King Trust, First Presbyterian gathers authors, ministers, and other interesting voices to speak about their lives, experiences, and faith journeys. Most events are free to the public.
Past speakers have included Dr. Elizabeth Schrader Polczer, Suzanne Stabile, Jonathan Martin, Diana Butler Bass, Sarah Bessey, Chris Hoke, Peter Enns, Becca Stevens, and Lillian Daniel.
Hobson Preschool
Since 1950, Hobson Preschool has provided early childhood education to Fort Smith and surrounding communities from its home at First Presbyterian. Nationally accredited, the program emphasizes hands-on activities and positive teacher interaction, with equal attention to social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development.
Kesha McCain, who holds a bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and a doctorate in Biblical Studies, directs Hobson Preschool.
What They Believe and Who They Are
First Presbyterian identifies three core convictions: men and women are created completely equally; the church is a "purple" church and does not preach politics; and the church believes in the value of every person and sets out to care for its neighbors.
The Rev. Tasha Blackburn, raised in Jefferson City, Missouri, has served in ordained ministry since 2002 and co-pastors the congregation with her husband, Phillip. She holds degrees from Illinois College, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the University of Edinburgh's New College. Gini Law, a Fort Smith native who has been playing in church since age 13, serves as music director. K.C. Chanthorn, who came to the United States from Laos in 1979 after his family fled the communist regime, leads the Laotian fellowship as lay pastor. Taylor Kronberg directs children's education and communications, and Kesha McCain directs Hobson Preschool.
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The address is 116 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901, and the phone is 479-783-8919. Online giving is available through the church's giving portal, and giving is described as an act of discipleship at First Presbyterian.