302 East Windsor Street: A Congregation in the Heart of Monroe
First Presbyterian Church of Monroe has stood at 302 East Windsor Street in downtown Monroe, North Carolina, as a congregation shaped by community ties, plain speech about faith, and a steady rhythm of worship and service. Members describe their church less as a building and more as "a group of normal people who desire to change and try to love and walk with each other in the hard and the good." That spirit of welcome and honest companionship defines the place.
The church belongs to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and lives out its calling under the denomination's Reformed theology and representational form of leadership. Its mission, "Making Disciples Who Together Know, Worship, and Serve Jesus Christ," is the simple vision that guides everything from Sunday worship to community meals and global missions.
Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary
Sunday worship is the center of life at FPC Monroe. The congregation gathers at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary for a service that blends the richness of traditional Reformed worship with warmth and accessibility. The service includes thoughtful preaching grounded in Scripture, a Chancel Choir leading hymns and choral offerings, instrumental music, regular celebration of the Lord's Supper, and prayers for the church, the community, and the world.
Children are always welcome in worship. A Children's Message is offered during the service, after which children in 1st grade and younger are invited to Children's Church, a joyful time of stories, music, prayer, and hands-on activities designed just for them. Nursery care is available for younger children.
Visitors who arrive unsure of what to wear will find a full range of attire, from jeans and t-shirts to Sunday best. The congregation's posture is summed up in its own words: "Come as you are." Accessible seating and parking are available, and the service is shared online for those unable to attend in person. Services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page at 10:30 a.m.
Music at the Heart of Worship
Music is one of the defining marks of First Presbyterian Church of Monroe. The Chancel Choir, the Allen organ, and the piano lead congregational singing each Sunday, supported by a Music Director, Al Cousins, who oversees weekly worship music, seasonal concerts, and special services. Al came to FPC Monroe after thirty years in corporate finance and brings a deep appreciation for both traditional and contemporary expressions of worship, with a particular love for choral music.
After nearly forty years of faithful service, the church's current Allen organ is reaching the end of its usable life. Aging digital components have become expensive to maintain, several stops are now permanently disabled, and the Allen Organ Company has indicated that the instrument is essentially at the end of its service. The congregation is raising funds to replace it with a new Allen GX336, an instrument expected to provide improved tonal quality, reliability, and flexibility for congregational hymn singing, choral accompaniment, weddings, funerals, and the many concerts held throughout the year. The estimated total cost is approximately $136,000, and gifts may be made in memory or honor of loved ones.
Each Christmas season, that musical ministry spills out into the wider community through the Monroe Community Christmas Concert, a beloved evening that brings together singers, instrumentalists, and music lovers from across the area. Featuring a choir, orchestra, and seasonal favorites, the concert is open to all and is offered free as a gift to neighbors, families, and friends looking for a meaningful way to enter the season. Rehearsals for the concert begin in late September each year under Al Cousins's direction.
Christian Education for Every Age
Faith formation at FPC Monroe reaches across the whole life span, from preschoolers to longtime members. Two weekly Bible studies anchor adult Christian education:
- Sunday Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m. in Room 200. The current study is a verse by verse journey through the book of James, using the resource "You're Either Walking the Walk or Just Running Your Mouth" by Todd Linn.
- Wednesday Bible Study meets at 6:00 p.m. in Room 200, with a current deep dive into the book of Jonah using classroom resources from The Bible Project.
For personal study, the church points members toward PC(USA) Daily Devotion, the PC(USA) Daily Prayer App, Daily Meditations from the Center for Action and Contemplation, the Upper Room (regular and large print editions available outside the church office), and d365.org devotions written for middle schoolers through adults.
The Preschool at FPC Monroe
First Presbyterian Church Preschool has been part of the church's ministry for decades and remains one of its most visible outreaches. The preschool serves children ages 18 months through 5 years, with classes meeting Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and following the Union County Public Schools calendar.
The preschool's mission is to nurture each child as they grow developmentally, socially, academically, and spiritually. The curriculum is child-centered and hands-on, drawing on credible research into child development and weaving in science and discovery, music, prayer, pre-reading, math readiness, gross and fine motor activities, and weekly chapel lessons with music.
Kit Hargett directs the preschool and brings more than thirty years of experience working with young children, including fifteen years in leadership roles. A graduate of First Presbyterian Church Kindergarten herself, Kit leads a staff that is regularly provided with professional development to keep the program fresh and engaging. Tours can be scheduled by contacting Preschool@fpcmonroenc.org or calling 704-289-2575.
Fellowship and Small Groups
Fellowship is built into the week at FPC Monroe through a handful of small groups that knit people together around shared interests and rhythms.
Two Presbyterian Women's circles meet monthly for Bible study, fellowship, and encouragement. The Faith Journey Circle gathers on the third Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in a member's home and is coordinated by Steph Ruggiero. The Joy & Faith Circle meets on the first Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor from September through May and is coordinated by Penny Lindblom Austin.
For something more hands-on, Sit & Knit meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 2:00 p.m., welcoming all skill levels to knit items that are shared with those in need.
Scouts BSA Troop 4111 also calls FPC Monroe home, meeting every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Girls in 5th grade through age 18 are invited to participate in leadership development, outdoor adventure, and community service. Andy Smith leads the troop.
After the Sunday service, members and visitors are invited to linger for a coffee, a snack, and conversation, a small but important ritual that makes it easy to meet others and learn more about the life of the church.
Serving Monroe and the World
FPC Monroe takes seriously its call to care for neighbors near and far. The Serve and Care Committee coordinates a wide range of outreach ministries that members can step into at their own pace.
Closer to home, members send cards of encouragement to those on the prayer list, deliver meals to homebound and senior neighbors, and visit members who are ill or isolated, often bringing seasonal treats like Valentine surprises, Easter gifts, and Christmas poinsettias. Monthly food donations support the Loaves & Fishes Food Ministry, which organizes food and supplies at the ministry site located at a nearby Episcopal church. Senior Nutrition Meals connects volunteers with meal delivery for seniors and individuals in need. On the last Saturday of every other month, a team prepares and serves dinner at the local community shelter.
The congregation also looks outward globally. Each year, members participate in a Rise Against Hunger Rice Packing Event, with a recent effort packing 10,000 meals distributed around the world. Each fall, members help collect, organize, and pack shoebox gifts through Operation Christmas Child. A long-standing relationship with Eden Ministries supports Eden Children's Village, a holistic mission serving orphaned and disadvantaged children in Doma, Zimbabwe.
Health and wellness information from Atrium Health is shared with the congregation through the Faith Community Health ministry, along with opportunities for community health events and educational programs.
During Advent, members are invited to share Christmas greetings through card baskets near the Sanctuary doors, a small tradition that keeps the season connected.
Leadership and Governance
Like all PC(USA) congregations, FPC Monroe is governed by a Session of elected, ordained elders. Elders serve three-year terms and meet monthly to guide the life of the church. The church currently has 15 elders in three classes of five, with men and women both serving.
Among the active Session members listed publicly are Amy Cousins, Margaret Desio, Tom Harris, Roger Mullis, Steph Ruggiero, Beth Warren, and Larry Whitley. Pastors in the Presbyterian tradition serve as teaching elders, working alongside the Session to preach, teach, and lead the church. The church acknowledges a transitional season for pastoral leadership and is sustained by its dedicated staff and ministry leaders who keep worship, music, education, and outreach thriving.
Day-to-day life at the church is supported by Music Director Al Cousins, Preschool Director Kit Hargett, Financial Secretary Susan Hinson (who has served since 2010), and Administrative Assistant Gwen Bothun, who joined as church secretary in July 2026. Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Facilities that Welcome the Community
The church building at 302 East Windsor Street is designed for both worship and hospitality. The sanctuary anchors the property and houses the choir loft, organ, and piano that shape the congregation's music. A spacious Fellowship Hall serves as the heart of community gatherings, hosting church dinners, receptions, Vacation Bible School, and special events, with flexible seating and tables for groups large and small. Adjacent to it, a fully equipped kitchen supports everything from meal preparation to outreach programs. A range of meeting rooms accommodates small groups, Bible studies, committee meetings, and classes, with sizes and setups suited to both intimate gatherings and larger discussions.
The facilities are also available for church-related events and ministry gatherings, with usage forms available from the church office.
Beliefs and Priorities
First Presbyterian Church of Monroe holds to the Reformed theology and historical witness of the PC(USA). The church confesses faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and believes that all people are made their true selves through a relationship with Him. The Bible is received as the inspired, authoritative Word of God that teaches the desires of God's heart and God's vision for humanity. Love, drawn from 1 Corinthians 13, is woven into every aspect of what the church believes, does, says, and promotes.
Following the social witness stance affirmed by the General Assembly of the PC(USA), the church recognizes an ethical responsibility to engage issues of social justice from a biblical perspective, including poverty, violence, climate change, immigration, and justice for the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.
The congregation has named four priorities for its life together: inviting people into a real relationship with Jesus Christ, teaching the Bible and the authority of Scripture, serving the diverse neighborhoods around the church so that all are welcome, and giving generously of time, skills, and money to those in need.
Giving and Getting Connected
Members and friends can support the ministry of FPC Monroe in several ways. Online giving is available through the church's secure giving portal, with one-time and recurring options through bank accounts or credit and debit cards. Offerings are also received during worship services, checks may be mailed to the church office, and planned or memorial gifts are welcome. The Session oversees the church's finances with care, integrity, and transparency, and financial reports are available upon request.
Anyone interested in learning more, getting involved, or sharing a prayer request can reach the church office at 704-289-2574 or through the contact page on the church's site. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.