"To Know Christ and Make Him Known" on Broadway
Set just south of historic Grove City Town Center on a wide stretch of Broadway, First Presbyterian Church of Grove City has anchored this Franklin County community since 1858. The congregation's long-standing motto - "To Know Christ and Make Him Known" - captures both the heartbeat of Sunday morning worship and the steady stream of mission work that flows out through the church doors and into Central Ohio and beyond.
Grove City's oldest continuous congregation draws members from across the political and social spectrum, united by a desire to feed the hungry, comfort the brokenhearted, and work for justice in practical ways. "As a community of faith we come from LOVE, as modeled by Jesus - love without limits," the congregation writes. "You aren't just WELCOME here, you are our FAMILY."
Sunday Worship and a Family Welcome
Sunday worship gathers at 10:00 AM and typically runs just under an hour. The service is livestreamed on YouTube for those at home or traveling, and people are invited to come as they are - the dress on a typical Sunday ranges from jeans and t-shirts to sundresses and business casual, with everything in between.
The congregation is intentionally intergenerational. Children stay in worship for the whole service, with a special Children's Moment built in for them. Visitors who arrive a few minutes early will find ample parking behind the church building and greeters ready to help them find a seat. The atmosphere is warm and accessible, with a mix of long-tenured members and those still exploring what it means to follow Jesus.
Worship draws on the deep well of the Presbyterian tradition while keeping room for new expressions of praise. Music is led by Director of Music and Organist Chris Dederer, who brings more than two decades of professional experience to the bench and console. A member of the American Guild of Organists, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and the American Choral Directors Association, Chris holds a Master of Music in Church Music from Westminster Choir College and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Towson University. The choir, the organ, handbells, and congregational singing all have a place in shaping the worship life of the church.
168 Years on Broadway and Park Street
The story of First Presbyterian begins on November 16, 1856, when about sixteen members of St. John's German Reformed Church met to petition the Presbytery of Columbus for permission to organize a new congregation. The church officially formed in November 1858, and among its first trustees was William Foster Breck, considered the founder of Grove City itself.
Early services were held in the Highland mission, and the first church property was a plot at what is now 3496 Park Street, just west of the railroad tracks. The building was later moved west to 3506-3510 Park Street for the same reason the Methodist parish relocated: the trains frightened the horses. In August 1883, that first church was sold to Adam Grant for $400, and he in turn sold a lot on the northeast corner of Kingston and Broadway to the congregation for $300. The one-room brick church was dedicated October 19, 1884.
Twenty-six years later, while excavating for a cellar, one wall collapsed. The Ladies Aid Society rallied to rebuild it. That structure was razed in 1955, and in 1949 or 1950 the congregation decided it was time to expand. Dr. and Mrs. A. B. White donated land at 4227 Broadway, where a steel structure was built in 1950. "Ox roasts" helped raise money for the next phase, and on February 23, 1958 - the centennial year - the present Sanctuary was dedicated at a cost of $45,000. A small addition followed in 1961 (originally used for the Grove City Preschool), and the Christian Education Building with basement was completed in 1972 at a cost of $130,000.
The 125th anniversary launched another building program. On April 20, 1997, the latest expansion was dedicated, adding a Fellowship Center, kitchen, additional classrooms, and overflow space at the rear of the sanctuary. The former Fellowship Hall was remodeled to accommodate the preschool and provide more Sunday school rooms. In the late 1970s, the property just north of the church was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Ed Montoney and added to the campus.
A Season of Transition
The congregation is currently served by Transitional Pastor Rev. Wendy McCormick. A lifelong Ohioan who grew up in Dayton, Wendy served as a pastor in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas for about ten years before moving to southern Indiana for twenty-six years. She returned to Ohio in 2023 and now lives in northwest Columbus. During this transitional year she preaches on Sundays, shows up at church and community activities, and walks alongside the church's leaders.
A Pastor Nominating Committee is prayerfully reviewing candidates and discerning who God may be calling to serve as the next installed pastor. The committee is led by Phyllis Gibbs, Kate Hardin-Hernandez, Gary Isaacs, John Mulvany, John Noss II (Chairperson), Bridget Okata, and Pat Wiedner.
Presbyterian Governance and Shared Leadership
First Presbyterian is led through Presbyterian polity, a system of shared leadership in which ruling elders elected by the congregation serve on the Session, the church's governing council, alongside teaching elders (ordained pastors). Together they discern God's direction, establish policy, oversee ministries and resources, and make decisions on behalf of the congregation. The Session's work is organized through five committees: Christian Education, House, Membership, Stewardship, and Worship.
Barb Mogren serves as Clerk of Session, with Steve Nelson as Treasurer. The committee chairs are Benson Tabi (House), Allison Creech (Christian Education), Debby Cox (Membership), Ken Simeral (Stewardship), Beth Wiggall (Worship), and Pete Forbes (Personnel). The Office Administrator is John Noss II, who keeps the church's daily operations running smoothly and supports the staff, volunteers, and ministry leaders.
The Brown Bag Lunch Ministry
One of the most visible expressions of the church's care for neighbors is the Brown Bag Lunch, led by the Deacons on the last Saturday of every month from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The free drive-through lunch is open to everyone, no questions asked - whether someone lives in Grove City or is just passing through. For some it is a hot meal, for others a moment of hope. Volunteers prepare, pack, and hand out the meals, and a friendly smile and the offer of prayer come with every bag.
Mission Partners Near and Far
Ministry at First Presbyterian extends well beyond Sunday mornings. The congregation supports a broad circle of mission partners that reflects its call to feed, shelter, and translate hope.
Rise Against Hunger partners with the congregation to address food insecurity around the world. In November 2025, forty volunteers gathered in the Fellowship Hall and packed 10,000 meals in just two hours. Those meals were shipped to Burundi, a country consistently ranked among the poorest in the world.
LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence operates a 24-hour hotline and the only secure emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and their children in Franklin County. The church walks alongside this work that offers safety, healing, and a path forward for some of the community's most vulnerable neighbors.
Huckleberry House provides shelter, counseling, and outreach for youth and young adults facing crisis or housing instability. Their Teen Crisis Shelter serves youth ages 12 to 17, a Transitional Living Program supports young adults ages 18 to 24, a licensed Counseling Center addresses mental health needs, and a Youth Outreach Program connects with young people before a crisis escalates.
Wycliffe Bible Translators is supported through long-term mission partners Stephen and Rachel Katterhenrich, both raised in Grove City. Since 2010 they have served among the Bungu people of Tanzania, approaching completion of the Bungu New Testament. Stephen leads the translation team and provides technical support to other translation teams across Tanzania, while Rachel serves in a human resources role supporting the work.
Through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s One Great Hour of Sharing offering each Easter, the church supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - three ministries that respond to disaster, hunger, and oppression around the world.
Cabell-Lincoln Workcamp
For more than a decade, First Presbyterian has sent intergenerational teams to Cabell-Lincoln Workcamp in West Virginia. Each summer, youth and adult volunteers spend a week repairing and restoring homes for residents who are elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged. Projects include building wheelchair ramps, fixing leaky roofs, painting, drywalling, and porch repairs - all at no cost to the homeowners. Participants worship together, build friendships, share meals, and discover how ordinary work done with care makes God's love visible.
Local Outreach Close to Home
Service begins in the congregation's own neighborhood. The Local Community Outreach ministry partners with the Grove City Food Pantry, collecting nonperishable items to fight local hunger. Van Buren Center Collections gather toiletries, clothing, and winter gear for individuals experiencing homelessness in Franklin County. The annual Central Community House School Supply Drive equips Grove City students with the tools they need to thrive each fall.
Vacation Bible School and Children
Vacation Bible School is a beloved summer tradition at First Presbyterian, held each June with Bible lessons, creative crafts, uplifting singing, and interactive games and activities. Recent themes have included "Road Trip," "Camp Firefly," and "Hero Hotline." VBS is a week each year when kids connect with God, make new friends, and experience faith in a setting built just for them. The Christian Education Building, added in 1972 and expanded in 1997, gives the program plenty of room to grow.
A Building That Serves the Whole Community
The church building is more than a Sunday gathering place. Throughout the week, First Presbyterian opens its meeting rooms to community groups including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, an Alzheimer's caregiver support group, the Health Care Alliance, and other organizations that serve Grove City and the wider Columbus area. The church sees itself as a community anchor - a place where belonging is built and real needs are met.
Stewardship and Giving
Stewardship is at the heart of the church's mission, both financially and spiritually. An annual Pledge Campaign funds the ministries that serve the congregation and the broader Central Ohio community. Offerings are collected during Sunday worship, and online giving is available 24/7 through the church's secure giving page.
Planning a Visit
First Presbyterian Church of Grove City is located at 4227 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123, just south of historic Grove City Town Center. Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM and is also livestreamed on YouTube. Parking is available in the lot behind the church building, and dress is casual to business casual - whatever makes visitors comfortable. Children are welcome in worship, and there is a special Children's Moment during the service.
To reach the church, call or text 614-871-7307, or use the landline at 614-875-4322. Email office.administrator@fpcgc.org. Weekly bulletins and a monthly digest are available online for those who want to keep up with the congregation's life between Sundays.