A Church on the Square Since 1829
First Presbyterian Church sits on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Washington Streets in downtown Athens, directly across from the historic Limestone County Courthouse. The congregation was organized in 1829 by the Reverend John Morgan as a Cumberland Presbyterian church, making it one of the oldest continuous congregations in north Alabama. Faded initials "C.P." still appear above the southern narthex of the sanctuary as a quiet reminder of those Cumberland roots.
A Sanctuary Rebuilt After the War
After the Civil War damaged the first church building, which had been dedicated in 1852, the congregation set about replacing it. Using $5,000 in federal war damage claims as seed money, and with D. W. Gingrich as architect, the members built the sanctuary in which the church still worships, completed in 1895.
In 1906, First Presbyterian joined about two-thirds of the Cumberland denomination in affiliating with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. After the 1983 reunion of the northern and southern branches, the church became part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the denomination with which it remains affiliated today. In 2014, the congregation marked 185 years of ministry in Limestone County.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Sunday worship takes place at 10:00 a.m. in the historic sanctuary, and the service is also broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook for those who cannot attend in person. Nursery and childcare are provided. Ushers greet worshipers at the door with a printed bulletin, and seating is open.
The 10:00 service is traditional, with congregational singing drawn from the PCUSA hymnal, prayers, scripture readings, and a sermon. Holy Communion is ordinarily celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, with additional services during Advent, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and other seasons of the church year. The chancel choir leads an anthem most weeks, and on special liturgical days the handbell choir or expanded instrumentation may lead worship.
The Order of Worship
The service follows a printed liturgy that moves from the Prelude and Call to Worship through prayers of confession, the assurance of pardon, and the passing of the peace. A brief "Time with our Young Disciples" invites children forward before the sermon. After prayers for the people and the Lord's Prayer, the offering is received, the Doxology is sung, and the service closes with a sending hymn and benediction.
Two scripture readings frame the sermon, and the congregation affirms its belief in the words of the Apostles' Creed each week.
Music and Choirs
Music is a central part of worship at First Presbyterian. The chancel choir leads an anthem most Sundays, and a handbell choir performs on special days of the liturgical calendar. The congregation sings a mix of traditional hymns and newer selections from the PCUSA hymnal. Soloists, lay ministers, and even children and youth help carry the worship.
Sunday School for Every Age
Christian education begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 9:45 a.m., ahead of the 10:00 service. Classes are offered for children from kindergarten through high school, and several adult classes meet around the same hour.
Children's classes are grouped as Primary (kindergarten through 2nd grade), Upper Elementary (3rd through 5th), and Middle School/High School (6th through 12th). Among adult offerings, the Discussion Class draws a wide range of ages and uses both Bible study and church-produced curricula. The Parlor Class, now merged with the Richter Bible Class, is led by a husband and wife team and meets in the parlor of the Rodgers Center. A Young Adult Class is being planned, with a curriculum centered on what it means to be a Christian, the basics of Reformed theology, and how to live faithfully in a secular age.
Vacation Bible School
Each summer, Vacation Bible School gathers elementary children for three consecutive afternoons of stories, crafts, songs, and special visitors. The week ends with a performance for parents and congregation members over a pizza supper, and the children share a piece of their work during a Sunday worship service. First Presbyterian often partners with a neighboring church for the program. A Wednesday afternoon program for children in kindergarten through 5th grade is also in the planning stages.
The Potter's Hand in the Basement
Down in the church basement, The Potter's Hand operates a community pottery studio sponsored by First Presbyterian. The studio opens its doors on Wednesday mornings to anyone who wants to throw a pot, build by hand, or learn from more experienced potters. The usual crowd numbers ten to twenty and varies widely in skill.
The core team reflects the wider community: two Presbyterians, a Methodist, and a Catholic. Randi runs the studio, Pam prices pottery and keeps the glaze inventory, Emily runs the kiln, and Donna has the answer to almost any question. Pottery is sold at the summer farmers' market and holiday craft sales, and every dollar left over at year's end goes to charities such as the Presbyterian Home for Children and the local Family Resource Center.
Revival Across the Square
In 2016, the congregation created Revival by repurposing the former Clem Tire and Appliance store at 303 W. Washington Street, directly across Washington Street from the sanctuary. The renovated space is a fellowship and ministry center available to community groups, with a Use Request Form and FAQ available on the church's site.
Many local nonprofits gather at Revival, including Hearts for the Homeless, which runs monthly Shower Days there, as well as Beyond Blessed, the Family Resource Center, the Women's Resource Center, Hospice of Athens, Limestone County Churches Involved (LCCI), the Department of Human Resources, and community blood drives. The Athens-Limestone Empty Bowls Project hosts its annual fundraiser luncheon in the building each year.
Local Missions in Athens and Limestone County
First Presbyterian directs much of its mission giving to organizations working on hunger, homelessness, and family support in Limestone County.
- LCCI (Limestone County Churches Involved) helps neighbors with emergency food, utilities, transportation, and medical expenses. The church collects food on Communion Sundays, supports the school backpack program, and donates proceeds from fundraisers.
- The Family Resource Center mentors local families on finances, employment, parenting, housing, and social services. First Presbyterian supports the center with money, volunteer time, and Thanksgiving and Christmas basket programs. In 2022 the church sponsored nine families with Christmas gifts and grocery gift cards.
- The Full Tummy Project sends bags of food home with children who depend on school lunches. First Presbyterian supplies food weekly to Athens Elementary during the school year.
- Athens-Limestone Empty Bowls hosts an annual soup luncheon at Revival, with handmade ceramic bowls and proceeds going to organizations fighting local hunger. In 2023, funds were divided among LCCI, the Full Tummy Project, Hearts for Homeless, and Beyond Blessed.
- Hearts for the Homeless organizes Shower Days at Revival. The church also helps Beyond Blessed, United Way of Athens-Limestone County, the Boys and Girls Club, Hospice of Limestone County, and The Vine Counseling.
Camp Maranatha, Presbyterian Home for Children, and Faith Ministry
The church's reach extends well beyond Athens. Camp Maranatha on Lake Guntersville hosts youth and families seeking to connect with God in creation; First Presbyterian took part in a matching gift program for the Chase Epps Fund, which supports maintenance, upgrades, and camp scholarships. The Presbyterian Home for Children, a ministry of the Presbyterian Churches of Alabama, provides care for teenagers who have experienced abuse or neglect, as well as homeless children and female caregivers. First Presbyterian supports the home with designated gifts and donations to its thrift shop.
Across the border in Tamaulipas, Mexico, Faith Ministry (Ministerio de Fe) serves families in Reynosa and Miguel Alemán. First Presbyterian supports the ministry through Christmas Fiestas, designated giving, fundraisers, and an annual mission trip that typically builds a house for a family in Reynosa. In years when members cannot travel, the church provides funds for a house.
Reformed Theology and Two Sacraments
First Presbyterian belongs to the Reformed tradition. Members affirm the historic creeds of the church, beginning with the Apostles' Creed, and recognize two sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
The church teaches the centrality of scripture, summarized in the Reformation slogan sola scriptura. Baptism, usually by sprinkling of water on the head, may be administered at any age and is not repeated; the church also accepts baptisms performed by immersion or pouring in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord's Supper is celebrated again and again; members follow John Calvin's doctrine of the "real presence," understanding Christ to be present in the bread and wine not physically but spiritually, received by faith.
The congregation confesses the Trinity, one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and affirms God's sovereignty over all creation. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works; good works are the believer's grateful response.
Presbyterian church government is shared between ministers (called Teaching Elders) and elected lay leaders (called Ruling Elders). The local body of elders, called the session, governs the congregation. Above the session stand the presbytery, the synod, and the General Assembly.
Shared Leadership
The Rev. Dr. James (Jim) J. Truesdell has served as pastor of First Presbyterian since moving to Athens. He holds a B.S. in Biblical Studies from Houghton College (1992), where he also received the Christian Service Award, a Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1998), and a Doctor of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary (2012). His ministry has included pastorates in Mississippi, an associate position at South Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham focused on discipleship and mission, work planting small house churches, and a stint with Frontier Fellowship encouraging congregations to engage unreached people groups in South Asia. He and his wife Sonja have been married for over twenty-five years and have a daughter, Emma.
Erica Hand serves as the church's Choir Director, leading the chancel choir that sings at most Sunday services.
Getting to the Square
First Presbyterian is located on the western side of the square directly across from the courthouse. Parking is available in front of the church and around the block on West Washington Street, with some parking in the rear of the church and entrances from West Washington and Madison Streets. Visitors may also park across the street at the courthouse.
From Huntsville, take U.S. Highway 72 West to Athens and turn right at Jefferson Street. From Florence, take U.S. Highway 72 East and turn left at Jefferson Street. From Decatur, take U.S. Highway 31 North to U.S. Highway 72, turn left onto Highway 72 West, and turn right at Jefferson Street. The office entrance is on Jefferson Street, and the office is open Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; the office is closed on Fridays. Those wishing to worship from home can find the livestream on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page.