On Main Street in Cedar Falls, just a block from downtown, First Presbyterian Church holds out a simple promise with its tagline, A Place for Every Child of God. The congregation describes itself as an inclusive, open, caring, and affirming Christian community where diverse perspectives may live together in the Spirit of Christ, and where all persons are welcomed without exception - regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Worship is the heart of the week, but the building hums with choirs, kids, Bible studies, and a steady stream of hands-on mission work nearly every day of the week.
Sunday Mornings at 10:00
Worship begins at 10:00 AM every Sunday and follows a blended style that mixes traditional and contemporary music. A chancel choir, a praise band, the pipe organ, and occasional soloists or children's ensembles lead the singing. The service includes a time for children, and the congregation shares open communion on the first Sunday of every month - anyone, including children, is welcome at the table. Believing that baptism is a gift of God's grace, the pastor baptizes both children and adults upon request.
From September through May, children age two and up leave the sanctuary after the children's time for the SHINE break-out learning program, where they rotate through music, mission projects, and faith formation. After worship, the congregation gathers at 11:00 AM for a social hour in the narthex. In summer the schedule keeps the 10:00 AM worship but moves social time out onto the lawn.
The SHINE Kids Program
SHINE is the church's flagship children's ministry. Children age two through fifth grade begin worship with their families, then step out for their own session of fun, fellowship, and learning. Music is woven in - the children rehearse with singing and simple instruments during SHINE and present two performances each semester in the worship service. Older students in grades six through twelve are encouraged to take Confirmation classes; the church welcomes and varies these offerings and asks families to contact the pastor for the latest schedule.
An unstaffed nursery is open Sundays from 9:45 to 11:15 AM for parents and guardians with infants and preschoolers, and a chapel adjacent to the sanctuary gives families a quieter place to step out while still being part of the service.
A Choir for Every Voice
Music is central to life at First Presbyterian. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary and is open to anyone who wants to sing. A Praise Team rehearses on Sundays at 9:30 AM and leads contemporary Christian music during worship. Children and youth rehearse during the SHINE break-out sessions. Soloists, duets, and ensembles of any age and instrument are welcomed into worship through the Special Music program.
The church maintains position descriptions for organist, choir accompanist, chancel choir director, handbell choir director, and children's music director, and the music staff currently includes Organist Seth Butler, Chancel Choir Director Brad Jensen, and Accompanist Connie Herbon.
Women, Adults, and Families
Two women's circles meet for Bible study, sharing, and fellowship. Esther Circle gathers on the first Thursday of every month at 1:00 PM, and Sarah Circle meets on the first Saturday of every month at 9:30 AM. Both groups share a common purpose rooted in the Presbyterian Women commitment: to nurture faith through prayer and Bible study, support the church's worldwide mission, work for peace and justice, and build an inclusive spiritual community of caring women.
Across the congregation, fellowship takes many forms: occasional gatherings in the narthex, shared meals in the dining room, Hanging of the Greens, Christmas caroling, the children and youth Christmas program, volunteer recognition, and hands-on mission Sundays with noisy offerings. Potlucks and themed meals - including a Friendsgiving potluck and a Shrove Tuesday pancake brunch - round out the year.
College Students and Threehouse
First Presbyterian partners with Threehouse College Ministry at the Wesley Center near the University of Northern Iowa. College students share in midweek worship and other activities, sing in the choirs, and operate a concession stand in the church yard during the Sturgis Falls Parade each year, with proceeds supporting a Threehouse mission trip. Confirmation classes for grades six through twelve are also offered.
Mission and Outreach
A significant share of the church's annual operating budget goes to mission. Local, national, and international partnerships include:
- Adopt a Family and the Eye of the Needle / Kids Shoes programs
- Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children, and Sunday Suppers
- Habitat for Humanity and Love INC
- Crop Walk and Souper Bowl of Caring
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Mission, and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
- Wings of Refuge and Working For Justice
- UNICEF (celebrated on UNICEF Sunday each October)
The church also partners with other Presbyterian churches and other faith communities through the Cedar Valley Interfaith Council, which has sponsored community events such as a Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration.
Weddings, Funerals, and Milestones
First Presbyterian hosts wedding ceremonies and is happy to discuss the possibility with interested couples; certain requirements apply. For funerals and memorial services, the church provides leadership in planning the worship and help with the reception, while families work with a funeral home on the remaining details. Baptisms of children and adults are offered by request. The liturgical year is observed with a Shrove Sunday pancake brunch, an Ash Wednesday service of contemplation and Communion, Holy Week services, a Pentecost celebration (often Confirmation Sunday), a Christmas program by the SHINE kids, and Christmas Eve worship with candlelight and carols.
A Building That Welcomes Everyone
Every entrance and room in the church is ADA accessible. Recordings of each Sunday service are posted on the church's Vimeo channel, livestreamed on the First Presbyterian Facebook page beginning at 10:00 AM, and rebroadcast on CFU Cable 18 on Thursdays at 6:00 PM. Order of Worship bulletins are posted each week and can be downloaded in advance.
Leadership and Staff
The pastoral transition of summer 2026 saw the congregation say farewell to Rev. Julie Erkel Hagee, who departed for a new call in Wisconsin. In the weeks that followed, guest preachers including Rev. Amy Wiles, Rev. Emma Peterson, Rev. Gary Catterson, Rev. Ian McMullen, Rev. Leah Elrod, and Rev. Dr. Amy Wiles filled the pulpit. Day-to-day ministry is led by Lynette Cline, Minister of Administration, supported by Organist Seth Butler, Chancel Choir Director Brad Jensen, and Accompanist Connie Herbon, alongside the Session, Deacons, and a wide circle of volunteers.
Visiting First Presbyterian
The church stands at 902 Main Street in Cedar Falls, with parking on site. The office can be reached at (319) 277-3930 or office@firstprescf.org. Sunday school for all ages kicks off in mid-September with a fellowship meal after worship, and summer brings Shrove pancakes, Vacation Bible School-style offerings, and outdoor social time. Newcomers are invited to come as they are.