At 10885 Oneal Road in Gulfport, Mississippi, First Presbyterian Church (PCA) is a Biblically grounded congregation with roots dating to February 17, 1899. It is known for gospel-centered worship that joins traditional and contemporary music with classes for every age, shared meals, and service to people in need. Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m., with Sunday school for all ages at 8:50 a.m. From August through May, a free Wednesday supper at 5:30 p.m. leads into an evening of studies and activities.
A Crucified And Risen Christ at the Center
The mission of First Presbyterian Church is to glorify God and serve His people. The congregation affirms that God exists, has spoken, and has sent His Son to redeem His own. It seeks to love those made in God's image and to reach lost and hurting people with the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its motto is We Preach A Crucified And Risen Christ.
The church holds to five central statements:
- The Bible is the inerrant and authoritative Word of God.
- People are accepted by God through faith alone.
- Salvation is granted to sinners by God's grace alone.
- Jesus Christ is the only Savior of sinners and the only mediator between God and humanity.
- All glory belongs to God alone.
The Westminster Confession of Faith serves as a summary of these teachings. As a Presbyterian Church in America congregation, FPC stands on Scripture as its rule for faith and practice. Its elders share leadership rather than placing authority in one individual or in the congregation as a whole. The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word for elder, and FPC also joins like-minded churches for ministry at regional and national levels.
Sunday at 10:00, With Classes at 8:50
The Sunday schedule gives families time for Bible study before worship. At 8:50 a.m., children and youth meet in the Education Wing while adults meet in the gym. The main worship service begins at 10:00 a.m. Its music blends traditional and contemporary songs, Psalms, and instrumental accompaniment. The service is simple, joyful, Scriptural, and gospel-focused, and a musical cantata is part of Christmas worship.
Small children are welcome to remain with their families during worship. FPC provides a nursery for infants through age 2, and an audio feed is available in the nursery and church foyer. On Wednesday evenings, the staffed nursery serves infants and toddlers during the class hour. A pastor or greeter can welcome a first-time visitor, and the church accepts questions or special needs through its visitor form.
Recent sermons are available on the church's YouTube channel. FPC Podcast also carries sermon audio for listening on Apple, Spotify, or through the sermon audio option.
Reconnect and Refresh Around the Wednesday Table
First Presbyterian Church organizes its August-May Wednesday program as a time to reconnect and be refreshed. A free, hot home-cooked meal begins at 5:30 p.m. in the gym. Dinner includes sides, drinks, and dessert. At 6:15 p.m., participants move to age-specific classes and activities.
- A pastor leads adult Bible study in the sanctuary.
- Preschool through grade 5 students gather for Bible Club and children's choir in the Education Wing.
- Students in grades 6-12 gather for youth Bible study and games in the Education Wing.
- A staffed nursery serves infants and toddlers.
- An ESL class offers instruction in English as a second language.
The shared meal begins before the classes, allowing adults, children, and youth to begin the evening together before moving into their own activities.
Children's Formation with Parents at the Center
The children's ministry is built around a gospel-centered foundation and a deliberate partnership with parents and guardians. The church aims to implant the wisdom of Scripture in children while supporting their ongoing spiritual growth. Sunday school uses the Growing in God's Word curriculum from Ligonier Ministries. On Wednesday, children leave dinner at 6:15 p.m. for choir and Bible study.
Camp Design extends the children's work into the surrounding community as a fine arts camp. Children explore God-given creativity through creation and the Gospel. Austyn Cain serves as Children's Ministry Coordinator and Publicity, while Janet Burnett coordinates the nursery.
Youth Equipped to Follow Christ and Serve Others
The youth ministry serves students in grades 6 through 12 and is directed by Roddy Russell. Its purpose is to nurture students' relationship with Christ, equip them to serve in Jesus' name, and prepare them for the trials and tests ahead. The ministry emphasizes prayer, biblical truth, fellowship, retreats, mission trips, and Bible studies.
Activities include lock-ins, canoe trips, game nights, and visits to nursing homes and children's shelters. Students also do yard work for shut-ins, combining fellowship with service opportunities.
Community Groups and Friendships Across Ages
Young adults strengthen their faith through a monthly meal, Bible study, fellowship, and an activity led by Associate Pastor Gardner Fish. Across FPC, community groups meet at varied times during the week. They share a meal, pray for one another, and seek to live out the Gospel in homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces.
Five community groups have regular rhythms:
- Will and Sunny Caldwell lead a group on the second Sunday of each month from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- John and Suzy Rice lead a group for periodic lunches during the month.
- Robert and Austyn Cain lead a group at 5:00 p.m. on the second, third, and fourth Sundays.
- Linda Jordan and Ruthie C. lead a group at 4:00 p.m. on Mondays when they meet during the month.
- Trey and Scarlett Moore lead a group on the second and fourth Sundays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Women
Women's Ministry seeks to help women of every age and stage know Christ personally and extend His kingdom in life, home, church, community, and the world. The Thursday morning Bible study meets from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Education Wing, with childcare provided. A Thursday evening Bible study meets twice a month in various locations.
Men
Men meet for Bible study on the second and fourth Tuesday at noon in the gym. Participants bring a sack lunch as the group works through books of the Bible. On the third Saturday of each month, men and their children gather from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, a devotional, and fellowship.
OWLS
OWLS stands for Older, Wiser, Loving, Saints and serves adults age 55 and above. The group meets for lunch at 11:30 a.m. on the first Friday of each month, along with other activities during the year.
Mercy Ministry for Practical Need
Mercy Ministry reflects Christ's compassion through benevolence programs that share the Gospel and provide assistance during difficult times. Those needs can be emotional or practical, and the ministry's Diaconate oversees care for material and temporal needs. The benevolence program seeks to walk with people in their journey of faith and encourages engagement in church life.
From a Public School to Oneal Road
First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport was organized on Friday, February 17, 1899, after a petition to the New Orleans Presbytery. The Rev. Dr. J.D. Mooney led the congregation as stated supply for just over two years. Early meetings were held in a public school building until a fire around 1900 or 1901, after which the church met in several buildings around town.
The Rev. Dr. D.L. Temple served from September 1902 until November 1904 and began a building program after arriving in Gulfport. Four lots on the western side of 13th Street were conveyed for one dollar. The resulting facility cost $1,500, was completed in 1903, and was dedicated on January 30, 1904. The Rev. Fred L. McFadden, who was 31, became the church's first installed pastor in February 1904 and served until September 1907.
The Rev. Dr. Herbert A. Jones was installed in 1909 and served until his death in 1915. The Rev. Alfred C. Ormond followed, and the Rev. Dr. Charles S. Newman began a 13-year pastorate in 1918. Newman's tenure brought spiritual and material growth. A building at 24th Avenue and 13th Street was finished in 1923 and dedicated in 1928 after its debt was repaid. Newman also left funds for a pipe organ.
The Rev. Dr. James N. Brown served from 1933 to 1953. During his ministry, the church operated the Church House for servicemen from 1942 to 1946; more than 70,000 servicemen registered there. The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Summers led the church from 1954 to 1986 and oversaw construction of a facility at 24th Avenue and East Beach Boulevard, dedicated in 1965. In 1982, the congregation voted to leave the Presbyterian Church U.S. It joined the Presbyterian Church in America and was received into Grace Presbytery in 1983.
The Rev. Dr. Danny C. Levi served from 1987 to 1991 and strengthened the church's emphasis on missions, outreach, Advent, Easter, and midweek services. William R. Lyle, the church's first assistant pastor, was installed in 1991. The Rev. Marshall D. Connor served from 1993 to 2004, a ministry that included the congregation's centennial. The Rev. Dr. Guy M. Richard arrived in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church facility and the homes of one-third of church families. The present facility was completed in 2009, with its first worship services on November 22. The Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt began serving in 2018 and later left to become president of New Geneva Theological Seminary. During his ministry, the Rev. Gardner Fish joined FPC as an assistant and later associate pastor.
Witness and Service on Oneal Road
The present ministry is shaped by Associate Pastor Gardner Fish, Youth Director Roddy Russell, Children's Ministry Coordinator Austyn Cain, Nursery Coordinator Janet Burnett, and Music Director Daniel Vernon. Their work sits alongside the Bible classes, worship, meals, music, community groups, youth service, and Mercy Ministry that shape the church's regular life. First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport continues to center its witness on the crucified and risen Christ.