Rooted in Grace on Third Street
First Presbyterian Church stands on a quiet block of Southeast Third Street in the heart of downtown Ocala, its tall steeple visible from blocks away. Inside the historic sanctuary, generations of Ocalans have prayed, sung, and broken bread together since 1857. The church's tagline, Rooted in Grace. Open to What's Next., sums up the way the congregation holds its long history alongside an active commitment to the city around it, and its welcome is as simple as the words on its homepage: All are loved, all are welcome.
Sundays begin at 10:00 a.m., both in the sanctuary and online, with a worship service that leans traditional without ever feeling stiff. Children are part of the service from their first Sunday, choir and handbells fill the room, and first-time visitors are quietly guided through the liturgy so they can relax and be present. The historic sanctuary may be the most recognizable thing about FPC, but the people who gather inside it - kids in Sunday School, adults in book studies, longtime members, and the new face who wandered in off the street - are what matter most.
A Legacy Since 1857
FPC Ocala was founded in 1857 by just eleven charter members who felt called to build a Christ-centered community in the heart of Ocala. From those first eleven, the church has grown and changed over more than 165 years, with new buildings added as the congregation grew, new ministries taking shape, and new generations stepping into leadership. Women have helped shape the life of this church from the very beginning, and their fingerprints are everywhere from worship to mission to hospitality.
The Session, the church's governing body made up of elected Elders, has recently adopted a fresh mission statement and a set of five guiding practices to chart how the congregation will live into its next chapter. Those guiding practices are drawn from the life and teachings of Jesus and from the practices of the early church.
Sundays at Ten
Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m., the congregation gathers in the historic downtown sanctuary to pray, hear Scripture, sing, and reflect. The service is guided and explained so that visitors who have never been to a Presbyterian church do not have to worry about getting lost. Music is led by the Chancel Choir, the Hand Bell Choir, and instrumental ensembles, with thoughtful preaching at the center of the hour.
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The table is open to anyone who trusts in Jesus, and there is no dress code, no assigned seating, and no expectation that anyone will know what to do. Most services last about an hour. Anyone who would like to check things out before visiting can join the live stream each Sunday morning on YouTube, and a service bulletin is available to follow along.
Music and Arts
Music is woven into the fabric of Sunday worship at FPC. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and leads the congregation each week with a mix of sacred music. The Hand Bell Choir rehearses Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and adds a distinctive ring to services throughout the year; substitute ringers are always welcome, no experience required. A String Ensemble brings seasonal instrumental richness to special services. Dr. Kosumo Morishita serves as organist, and Leslie Athanason supports contemporary musical leadership.
A Modern Service on the Way
The church is actively praying and planning toward launching a modern worship service - a more contemporary expression of worship that will still be centered on grace, community, and Christ. The team is excited about what is ahead and will share more details as plans take shape.
Kids in the Life of the Church
At FPC, kids are not the "future of the church." They are part of the church right now. Every Sunday service includes a special children's message, after which kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to Sunday School to dive into the big stories of the Bible in fun, creative ways. Nursery care is available for infants through age four every Sunday morning, with a team of caring staff and volunteers.
For parents who want to stay with a little one but still follow along, a Family Room is set up with rocking chairs, toys, books, a changing table, and a TV showing the service.
Twice a year, in the fall and spring, Wednesday evenings are devoted to Family Night. The evening begins with a shared dinner, then kids head to nursery care or Kids Club for kindergarten through fifth grade, where the program is a mix of singing, dancing, crafts, Bible stories, and time on the playground. Big annual traditions for kids include Vacation Bible School and Trunk or Treat.
Scouting at FPC
The church is proud to provide a home for three scouting groups. The Girl Scout troop meets Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the church. The Cub Scout pack meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Scout Hut across from the church. The Boy Scout troop meets Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the same Scout Hut. Together the troops give young people space to build friendships, develop leadership skills, serve their community, and grow through new experiences.
Youth Group
Youth ministry at FPC is for fifth through eighth graders and high schoolers. Youth Group meets on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. in the Youth Room and is described as a place to grow in faith, friendships, and service. The verse the youth ministry points to is 1 Corinthians 1:9, God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Jazmine Redrick serves as Director of Youth & Modern Worship.
Adults at FPC
Faith is not something adults grow out of, and the church offers a wide range of ways for adults to keep learning, asking honest questions, and connecting with others along the way.
A men's group hosts gatherings, activities, and service opportunities that encourage men to build meaningful relationships, strengthen their faith, and take an active role in the life of the church.
Two women's groups meet regularly. Presbyterian Women's Circles gather once a month for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Faith Friends Women's Group is a welcoming space for women to connect and encourage one another in faith and life.
Beyond the standing groups, adults can take part in short-term classes, book studies, retreats, pilgrimages, and the twice-yearly Family Nights. These simple rhythms give adults a chance to step back from the everyday and return with a renewed sense of God's love and purpose.
Care, Prayer, and Grief
Care at FPC often looks like simple but meaningful acts of love. After a hospital stay, meals are delivered through the Deacon's care ministry. Members who cannot make it to worship are visited. When life feels heavy, notes of encouragement arrive. The pastors and Deacons work together to make sure the church family knows it is seen and loved.
Each week the congregation lifts up the needs of its members and the community in prayer. A prayer team is available to pray with anyone who reaches out.
For those walking through the loss of a loved one, the church hosts GriefShare, a thirteen-week support group that meets in the Education Building on Sundays at 3:30 p.m. GriefShare is a safe, welcoming space where people find understanding, encouragement, and practical tools for healing. The Presbyterian Women's Prayer Shawl Group also knits shawls as a tangible reminder of God's love and comfort.
What FPC Believes
FPC Ocala is a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), part of a historic branch of the larger Christian family tree that provides the church with theological roots, accountability, and shared resources. The church embraces the wide umbrella the denomination offers, while staying grounded in Scripture and centered on Christ.
The Bible sits at the center of the church's life together. The congregation believes Scripture was inspired by God and written by real people who were paying attention to how God was moving in the world. It is beautiful, complicated, sometimes hard to read, and always worth returning to.
Core beliefs include faith in one God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The church believes Jesus was fully human and fully divine, and that through his life, death, and resurrection, the depth of God's love for the world is made visible. The Holy Spirit is still at work, comforting, challenging, renewing, and equipping the congregation to live with compassion and courage. Following Jesus is described as a lifelong invitation into grace, community, and hope. Salvation is not something earned but received as a gift.
The Five Guiding Practices
To answer how the mission is lived out, the Session has adopted five guiding practices drawn from the life and teachings of Jesus and the practices of the early church.
- Radical Hospitality - a church known for befriending, welcoming, loving, enfolding, and sharing life with one another and with neighbors.
- Passionate Worship - Jesus-centered, God-honoring, and Spirit-filled services that are engaging and meaningful for people of diverse ages and backgrounds.
- Intentional Faith Development - environments and relationships that deepen faith and mature people as followers of Jesus.
- Risk-Taking Mission - loving neighbors and advancing the mission of Jesus in ways that stretch faith and move people out of their comfort zones.
- Strategic Development of Leaders - helping everyone discover their God-given potential to serve, love, and lead as part of Jesus' mission.
Local Outreach
Faith comes alive when the church serves its neighbors, and FPC members give their time, talents, and resources to a wide range of local partners across Ocala and Marion County. Some efforts are hands-on, others are financial, and all of them are about helping people experience hope and dignity.
Community partners include Interfaith Emergency Services, which meets basic needs for food, shelter, and assistance; Wear Gloves and the Dignity Center, which helps those who are unhoused rebuild their lives through employment and case work; the Christian 12 Step Ministry for Christ-centered recovery support; the Florida Center for the Blind for individuals with visual impairments; Habitat for Humanity for homebuilding; Project Hope for stability and a path forward; Marion County Senior Services for older adults; Patriot Service Dogs for veterans; Take Stock in Children for student scholarships and mentoring; Thornwell Education Fund for children and families; the Women's Pregnancy Center; and Open Arms Village, which serves single men experiencing homelessness. Florida Pilgrimage offers a lay-led spiritual retreat experience, and Montgomery Conference Center supports Christian formation through camps and retreats.
FPC also opens its building to a number of recovery groups that meet throughout the week. Narcotics Anonymous gathers in Room 2 each weekday evening, and Al-Anon hosts a Serenity Afternoon group on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
Leadership and Staff
The pastoral team is led by Kenny Ellis, Lead Pastor. Graham Bingham serves in pastoral care. Jazmine Redrick is the Director of Youth & Modern Worship. Terry LeCompte is the Coordinator of Family & Children's Ministries. Roberta Smith directs the Bell and Chancel Choirs, Dr. Kosumo Morishita serves as organist, and Leslie Athanason serves as contemporary musician.
The church is governed by a Session of Elders, elected by the congregation to three-year terms, and supported by a board of Deacons whose ministry is one of compassion, practical help, and acts of mercy. Together the elders and deacons help guide the spiritual life of the church and care for the wider community.
Visiting FPC
First Presbyterian Church of Ocala is located at 511 SE 3rd Street, Ocala, FL 34471, with a tall steeple you can spot from blocks away. Parking is available on-site and on nearby streets, and signs and greeters help guide visitors in from the lot. The sanctuary and campus are accessible, with ramps and seating available. While there are steps up to the sanctuary, an elevator located in the Church Office entrance off SE Alvarez Avenue takes visitors directly up to the lobby.
There is no dress code, and Sunday services typically last about an hour. Visitors will not be asked to stand or introduce themselves during worship, and there is no expectation that they will know what to do - the service is guided and explained. Communion on the first Sunday of each month is open to anyone who trusts in Jesus. For those who would like to let the church know they are coming, a Plan Your Visit form is available, though RSVPs are not required.
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached at 352.629.7561 or officefpc@fpcocala.org. Generosity can be shared during worship, online, by bank bill pay, or by mail. For those walking through grief, GriefShare registration is available through find.griefshare.org.