South Main Street Since 1640
The history of First Presbyterian Church of Southampton begins in the spring of 1640, when a group of English Puritans left Lynn, Massachusetts to make a new settlement on Long Island. They had come to the New World to seek freedom from religious persecution and greater economic opportunity. Their declaration to form the company that would become First Church was signed by twenty men on March 10, 1640. On June 12 of that year, the first boatload of settlers landed at North Sea Harbor at Conscience Point. There were eight men whose average age was twenty-five, one young woman, and a child.
The young congregation first gathered in a community meeting house built that same year, a thatched structure that served as a social, civic, and religious haven for twelve years. The first pastor, the Reverend Abraham Pierson, served from 1640 to 1647 and established the Christian faith among the peaceful neighboring Shinnecock Indians. The second pastor, the Reverend Robert Fordham, followed in 1648 and remained until his death in 1674, preaching first in the old meeting house and then building the second sanctuary.
The first sanctuary dedicated exclusively to worship was built in 1652 on Towne Street - what is now Main Street - and was used for fifty-five years. A third sanctuary, a stately 1707 structure on the northwest corner of Towne Street and Meeting House Lane, housed a bell and a clock made in New Haven, Connecticut. That tower rang a nine o'clock curfew every evening during the era of the Revolution, and - according to local tradition - Presbyterian revolutionaries dismantled two British cannons and hid them in the bell tower. Four silver communion mugs, two given in 1686 by a French Huguenot named Stephen Boyer and two more marked "South Hampton Church" in 1729, survive from the third church's archives.
The present wood gothic sanctuary was built in 1843 and enlarged in 1895. A three-story Christian Education building was added in 1957. In 1965, during the Civil Rights Movement, the Bethel Presbyterian Church - the first African American Presbyterian Church on Long Island - merged with First Church, deepening its witness. Today the church family numbers more than 350 members and stretches across more than thirty pastors, beginning with Reverend Pierson in 1640 and extending into the present day.
First Church now sits on ancestral Shinnecock land, and the congregation honors the deep spiritual traditions, culture, and resilience of the Shinnecock Nation and all Native peoples. Its vision is to be "a Cornerstone of Faith in Jesus and a Family of Love and Service, Reaching out to our Community and the World." Its mission is to be "a welcoming beacon of light that inspires people of all ages to seek a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As disciples of Jesus, we will serve others through mission, guide and nurture our youth, and be a loving haven of comfort and support for our community." The present pastor, the Reverend Dr. Paul D. Lent, was installed on March 3, 2024 as the thirty-third pastor of the congregation.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Worship on Sunday mornings gathers at ten o'clock in the historic sanctuary, and it is also livestreamed for those watching from home. A Telephone Ministry line at 631-481-8082 carries the service to anyone who cannot attend in person. The order of worship proclaims God's love through scripture, prayer, music, and the preached word, and weekly bulletins and hymn sheets are posted online alongside the livestream link each Sunday.
First Church observes the two sacraments of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Lord's Supper is generally served on the first Sunday of each month, and the table is open - all who come seeking Christ are welcome to share the bread and the cup. In the Presbyterian understanding, the sacrament is one of thanksgiving and remembrance for the self-offering of Jesus Christ once and for all time on the cross in Jerusalem. It includes thanksgiving for the goodness of creation, prayer for the fruitful reception of the sacrament through the Holy Spirit, the communion of the faithful in the presence of Christ, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet in the kingdom of God.
Baptism is always performed within a worship service of the entire congregation, since the whole church pledges to nurture the baptized in the faith. In the Presbyterian tradition, baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace made by God through Jesus. Members may arrange for the baptism of their children by speaking with the pastor, and adults who have never been baptized may also speak with the pastor about adult baptism as part of joining the church.
Children are a vital part of the Sunday gathering. After a children's sermon during the service, children ages four through grade four are dismissed to Sunday school with the Christian Education Director and escorted by caring teachers. A nursery room for infants and young children is available throughout worship; ushers can direct families there. A Memorial Brick program also allows families to commemorate a loved one's name in stone at the church.
For those unable to gather live, services are archived on the church's YouTube channel under the playlists "Regular Services" and "Special Services" - funerals and weddings - with recordings going back to August 2022. Permission to podcast and stream the music in the services is obtained through One License (A-730718) and CCLI (#20821985, Streaming #20821978).
A Sanctuary Filled with Music
Music is at the heart of First Church's identity. As one church description puts it, "there is music for you here at First Church." The chancel choir, the ecumenical bell choir, and an array of professional musicians share the chancel throughout the year, and the church regularly welcomes world-renowned artists passing through the greater New York area. The goal of the music program is "to reach a broad cross section of our community by combining both traditional hymns, classical music with arrangements that have a more contemporary feel."
The Music Director, Amanda Jones, grew up in East Hampton. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, majoring in piano performance with minors in vocal pedagogy and pipe organ performance. Before coming to First Church, she taught choral music at the East Hampton Union Free School District, accompanied and directed for a wide range of East End productions including Stages: A Children's Theatre Workshop and Center Stage, and founded South Fork Performing Arts, whose mission is to bring quality performing arts education to students on the east end of Long Island.
The Ecumenical Bell Choir, directed by Midge Fowler, meets on Thursdays and draws its ringers from as far as Jamesport to Bridgehampton and beyond. The chancel choir sings frequently and welcomes new members at any time. Visiting ensembles are invited to use the sanctuary's excellent acoustics. The Arel Quartet from Luxembourg has been among the guest performers, and the sanctuary has hosted the Messiah University Concert Choir and Chamber Ensemble on tour, with repertoire spanning Renaissance motets to newly composed works. Recent recorded Sundays have featured flute, cello, organ, piano, and vocalists drawn from the local community as well as musicians traveling through the area. The music program crosses denominations and the East End, mixing sacred repertoire with secular concert offerings and bringing music from far and near.
Children, Youth, and the Next Generation
Christian education at First Church is intentional at every age. The Children's Education Director, Terry Stubelek, leads Sunday school for children ages four through grade four throughout the school year. The children lead the congregation during a children's pageant held each mid-December, and every summer the church hosts a Vacation Bible School that draws children from the church and the wider community. Recent summers have used a Thursday-evening "Kids' Night Out" format that includes a Bible message, songs, games, crafts, a movie, and dinner for kids in fourth grade and below, while parents enjoy an evening out.
First Communion classes meet with the pastor for several weeks beforehand, teaching students the meaning of the sacrament and how to prepare the elements themselves, before taking their place at the table during a regular Sunday service. Confirmation is offered depending on the size of the appropriate age group, often on a bi-yearly schedule, and is described as "a reaffirmation of our baptismal vows... an opportunity to pause on the verge of adulthood and examine our beliefs and explore how faith might be a good life-long partner."
The Youth Director, Kristin White, oversees programs for grades five through twelve with three different approaches by age. Fifth and sixth graders follow a project-based curriculum, exploring how God calls them to use their gifts and then practicing skills they can carry out. Seventh and eighth graders stretch through an adventure-based curriculum that moves them from a childhood understanding of God to a more nuanced adult faith. High schoolers put their faith into practice through self-directed activities and conversations that matter to young adults.
For adults, a Bible study meets in the parlor, and various mission-related and topical studies run throughout the year. Graduates of the church's youth programs are invited back to share memories and worship on special Sundays. Children and young people are often welcomed onto the front lawn with Sunday lemonade after services, and the parish marks Mother's Day, Father's Day, baptisms, and youth-led Sundays as milestones in the life of the family of faith.
Hearts and Hands in the Hamptons
First Church has long reached out to its neighbors through partnerships with local agencies. Many members volunteer with Heart of the Hamptons, whose pantry is described as "well stocked and organized" with non-perishable food, soup, cereal, canned goods, pasta, canned tuna, frozen meat, fruit, peanut butter, baby food, formula, and diapers. Fresh produce from local farms comes in during the summer months, and the pantry currently serves nearly 400 registered households. Heart of the Hamptons also runs a Donated Clothing Room that provides quality new and used clothing, winter coats, blankets, hats, scarves, and gloves, with special items provided to students in the local school district when administrators reach out about specific needs.
Each year a team from First Church dubbed the "Frozen Chosen" joins the Polar Bear Plunge hosted by Heart of the Hamptons to raise funds for the food pantry and the clothing room. The annual Deacons' Auction - featuring baskets, golf foursomes, and a fifty-fifty raffle - raises thousands of dollars for the children's education scholarships and the historical preservation of the church building. An Evening in the Garden Party is hosted each summer by the church family and is open to both members and residents and visitors from the wider Hamptons community.
Maureen's Haven brings together houses of worship and community organizations to meet the needs of homeless men and women during the cold winter months. First Church hosts Maureen guests one weekend a month from November through April, providing space, breakfast through the Deacons, dinners through the Mission Council, and assistance with setup, service, and cleanup. The hosting is described as "much more than a place to sleep and a nutritious meal" - it is "support through embracing the values of human dignity, respect, service, compassion, teamwork, diversity and love."
Local outreach extends to other corners of life in the Hamptons as well. The annual Blessing of the Animals service invites congregants to bring pets (and the occasional snail) to the front lawn for a blessing, with a gift for an animal shelter. The annual Fourth of July parade hot dog stand at the front of the church raises money for organizations serving veterans and others in need across Long Island. A Palm Sunday parade of cars down South Main Street with waving palms has become a tradition, and the church sponsors Hamptons Community Outreach gift bags at Father's Day and supports East End families in need.
A Long Partnership Across the Florida Straits
First Presbyterian Church is part of the Cuba Work Group of the Presbytery of Long Island, partnered with the Presbyterian Church in Los Palos and its pastor, the Reverend Izett Samá Hernández. Several times a year, members of the Long Island Presbytery visit Los Palos, sharing material benefits and receiving the witness of the local congregation.
Pastor Hernández has visited First Church and the Presbytery of Long Island in person, and she has written about her community: "We have a very active church with a lot of social projects to help people in many ways. Our country now has a difficult economic situation and we try to help the people know how we can make changes in our community by themselves." A March 2025 mission trip reaffirmed the bond, with one participant writing, "I certainly felt proud and grateful for the many ways the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton has supported this community over the years." Members Larry, Maryanne, Debbie, Dave, Terry, Richie, and others are remembered with affection by their Cuban partners.
Presbyterian mission work in Cuba traces back to 1904, when the Presbyterian Church in Cuba was formed within the Synod of New Jersey. Communication between the two national Presbyterian churches was cut off by the Cuban Revolution in 1959 and was slowly rebuilt from 1980 onward, with Old First Church's partnership with First Havana and other congregations forming part of that bridge. After the political openings of 2014, exchange grew easier. Even as travel between the two countries has fluctuated with shifting political winds, First Church has continued to walk alongside the Presbyterians of Los Palos, providing financial assistance and visiting in person as travel permits. As one reflection put it, "The Church is not the past. It is what we do next."
When a Loved One Dies
A funeral at First Church is described as a "Service of Light in our historic sanctuary," a gathering of family and friends that forms "a community of hope." Because of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, each gathering to worship upon the death of a loved one happens in the context of God's promise, recalling that "Christians view death as another step in our life as children of God" while also honoring the natural grief of those who mourn.
First Church offers a detailed Funeral Planning Guide, downloadable from the parish, and recommends that members verify their membership with the office before meeting with a funeral director. The parish strongly recommends working with a funeral director regardless of whether the family chooses cremation or burial, to ease the strain on family members and to make sure wishes are honored. If no funeral director is engaged, a fee of $800 covers the pastor, musician, custodian, and office support.
The pastor coordinates music with families, and any vocalist arranged outside the Music Director should be paid directly. Presbyterian Women or the Board of Deacons may be available to help serve a reception following the service. The Dining Hall and the Parlor are generally available for a luncheon or reception, and a list of local restaurants familiar with catering at the church is kept in the office. Floral arrangements belong to the family, who are welcome to take them home, to nursing homes, or to donate them for use in Sunday worship. Memorial gifts directed to First Church or to other organizations are acknowledged in the weekly bulletin. A service is recommended within a week or two of death to support the grief work and the sense of closure.
Joining the Family
Becoming a member of First Church is described by the congregation as a relationship rather than a formality. Prospective members meet with church leadership to learn what it means to share in the Presbyterian understanding of shared leadership, to take part in worship, mission, fellowship, and learning, and to bring their own stories of faith. Many members are long-time Southampton residents reconnecting with church life; others are new to the community and seeking a spiritual home.
The membership process walks alongside the candidate through conversations about Presbyterian beliefs and practices, including the two sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the wider mission of the church. New members enrich the life of the congregation with their experiences, talents, and spiritual gifts, and each new class is welcomed during a regular Sunday service. Children and youth who grow up at First Church often return for major milestones - baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals - finding that the church family remains theirs long after they have left the East End.
Leading the Congregation
The Reverend Dr. Paul D. Lent is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church and its thirty-third minister since 1640. Pastor Lent was born and raised in New Paltz, New York; he graduated from Union Theological Seminary and earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in partnership with the University of Edinburgh. Before coming to Southampton, he served as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at Freedom Plains United Presbyterian Church in Lagrangeville, New York, as Associate Pastor at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, and as Pastor of Gilead Presbyterian Church in Carmel, New York. He shares his life with his wife Christine, and their children Daniel and Helena are in their twenties.
The Music Director is Amanda Jones, a piano, organ, and voice specialist who leads the chancel choir and the church's broader music ministry. The Ecumenical Bell Choir is directed by Midge Fowler. Children's Education is led by Terry Stubelek, the Christian Education Director, and youth ministry is led by Kristin White, the Youth Director. The Session - the church's elected governing body of elders - guides the spiritual life and mission of the congregation alongside the Board of Deacons and the Mission Council.
The church office is open to visitors between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and observes all major holidays. Visitors can reach the office at 631-283-1296 or by email at fpcofficeadmin@gmail.com. Online giving is available through a secure portal, and Sunday worship - both livestream and archive - is available on the church's YouTube channel. A weekly bulletin and hymns are posted in advance, and a Calendar of Events is kept current online.