First Presbyterian Church of Springdale sits on the southwest corner of Gutensohn Road and Emma Avenue in Springdale, Arkansas, where it has served Northwest Arkansas since the present campus was dedicated in 1992. The congregation's stated calling is to create space where you can find Christ's love, and that space takes many forms: a sanctuary steeped in historic Reformed liturgy, a contemporary service on fourth Sundays, a Spanish-language ministry that fills the youth chapel every Sunday afternoon, a Stephen Ministry of trained lay caregivers, a Wednesday afternoon program for children that includes games, dinner, and a Bible lesson, and a Saturday clothing ministry to people experiencing homelessness in Fayetteville.
The address is 100 South Gutensohn Road, with plenty of parking behind the building. Visitors enter at the back of the church, where greeters hand out small gifts and information about the congregation. Sunday mornings follow a steady rhythm that has been refined over more than seven decades.
A Half-Century on Gutensohn Road
First Presbyterian Church of Springdale was organized on October 29, 1950, with 44 charter members. The congregation had been gathering since June of that year in the basement of the Springdale Public Library, where David Koch, a summer intern from McCormick Theological Seminary, supplied the first pastoral leadership. When Koch returned to Chicago, supply preachers carried the work until David Brewer was called in June 1951.
Twelve men donated more than 2,000 volunteer hours to build the original sanctuary, a brick building at the corner of Quandt and Young streets where the first worship service was held on December 14, 1952. The women of the church made the choir robes and outfitted the kitchen.
The second pastor, Dean H. Lewis, was installed in 1953. During his five years, the congregation nearly doubled in size. Lewis supported the local Youth Activity Center and ministered to migrants in the community. David F. Swartz arrived in 1958 as the third pastor and oversaw the construction of an educational building; he also helped launch the church's first Mariners service group.
Elvin Crandell became the fourth pastor in November 1965. He was the first to live in the church manse on Rogers Circle Drive and was active in community affairs, including the Arkansas State Police. Crandell resigned in 1974 to organize the Police Chaplaincy Program in Arkansas. Even after his departure, his family remained active in the church, and the handbells the Crandell Ringers play in the sanctuary were purchased from memorial gifts given in his honor.
Jim Durden served from 1974 to 1980. Steve LaMastus was hired as choir director during his tenure, and a mid-week Youth Club was organized for children in grades one through eight, with music, Bible study, and fellowship.
In 1980, the congregation called Bill Rail, who led the church for 14 years. Under his leadership, the members voted to purchase land for a new building, and in 1986 they moved from Quandt and Young to the present Gutensohn Road campus. The facility was built in two stages: the education wing first, then the sanctuary, begun in May 1991 and dedicated with the first service of worship on February 23, 1992. On May 22, 1994, at Rail's retirement party, a copy of the mortgage on the sanctuary was burned to celebrate both the completion of the building campaign and his faithful service. He was named pastor emeritus. Dave Gallaher, a Canadian by birth and Texan by choice, filled the pulpit for more than a year while the Pastor Nominating Committee worked.
G. Richard Vogely was installed as the seventh pastor on June 18, 1995. During his tenure, the church added a Director of Christian Education and Youth, launched the Bethel Bible Series, and expanded its music program with three new choirs: the Crandell Ringers handbell choir, the Soul Singers children's choir, and a junior and senior high youth choir.
Stewart Smith received the call in 2001. He served until 2015, when he accepted the position of General Presbyter of Arkansas. Under his leadership, the church grew, began an annual summer Youth Mission Trip, and established the Stephen Ministry program that continues today.
Kade Curry was installed in June 2017 as the ninth pastor. He oversaw the recreation of the Hispanic Ministry as Ministerio a la Vecindad, hiring Rev. Moises Chan as Director of the neighborhood outreach program. The youth and children's wings were redecorated, the kitchen was renovated, and some Session committees were restructured. COVID-19 arrived in 2020, and Zoom meetings and YouTube Sunday services became the norm before the church developed procedures to safely reopen. Curry departed following Easter 2021 to become Wellness Coordinator for the Springdale Police Department.
Rev. Dr. Susan Arnold was installed as the tenth pastor on November 20, 2022.
Two Streams of Worship
First Presbyterian offers both traditional and contemporary worship, and the congregation thinks of them less as competing styles than as two expressions of the same Reformed calling.
Traditional Worship is held every Sunday at 10:30 AM and follows a historic Reformed liturgy that includes a call to worship, confession, assurance of pardon, Scripture reading, preaching, prayer, the sacraments, and benediction. The service is reverent and Christ-centered, drawing on the heritage of the Reformed churches. Music is led by the Chancel Choir, with the Crandell Ringers adding handbell music throughout the year. The Sunday morning rhythm begins earlier than the worship service itself: the Crandell Ringers rehearse at 8:30 AM and the Chancel Choir at 10:15 AM during the program year.
Contemporary Worship meets on the fourth Sunday of each month at 8:30 AM. The service is vibrant and Christ-centered, dedicated to growing in faith, worship, and community through engaging music, meaningful relationships, biblical teaching, and opportunities to serve. It is led by a contemporary band that rehearses Wednesday evenings.
Both services are livestreamed, with the stream beginning each Sunday at 10:15 AM. The church's YouTube channel archives recent services for those who want to watch later.
Ministerio a la Vecindad
The most distinctive feature of First Presbyterian's ministry is the Spanish-language Hispanic Ministry known as Ministerio a la Vecindad (literally, ministry to the neighborhood), which meets every Sunday at 1:00 PM in the youth chapel.
The service is led by Rev. Dr. Jesse González, who serves as Pastor for Ministerio a la Vecindad. The congregation gathers for a time of worship in Spanish, with its own music and preaching. A Hispanic Ministry Committee meets regularly to support and guide the work.
The ministry extends well beyond Sunday afternoon worship. GED classes meet in the church's Rail Room four evenings a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, in partnership with Crowder College, which provides instructors, technology, and other support for Spanish-speaking adults preparing for the exam.
There is also a Wednesday evening Bible study in Spanish, currently working through the Gospel of Mark. Together at the Table 2.0 (Juntos en la Mesa 2.0) is a bilingual life group that meets bimonthly to explore practical ways to show welcome and love to immigrants, drawing on a devotional guide of the same name. The kickoff meeting in fall is a potluck in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday School for All Ages
Sunday School meets from 9:30 to 10:15 AM, September through May. Four classes are offered simultaneously.
- Kingdom Kids is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and meets in the Kingdom Kids Room under the leadership of Beth Johnson. The class explores Bible stories through engaging lessons, fun activities, and meaningful discussions.
- Re-Form / Confirmation is for youth in fifth through twelfth grade and meets in the Youth Room under the direction of Dawson Marquette, the Director of Christian Education. The class works through the Firm Foundations curriculum, building a strong biblical base in the core truths of the Christian faith.
- Women of the Word is a women's study in the Women of Faith Room led by Karen Lisle. It blends Scripture with storytelling, bringing the life and ministry of Jesus into focus.
- Theology for Today is an inter-generational class for youth and adults that meets in the church parlor. Led by Pete Joenks, the class examines current events through a theological lens.
For those who cannot attend in person, Sunday School On Demand offers recorded lessons covering Scripture, theology, and practical Christian living, available online.
Early Out Wednesday
Early Out is a Wednesday afternoon program for children in kindergarten through seventh grade. Each Wednesday during the school year, from 3:00 to 5:30 PM, kids gather at the church for games, dinner, worship, and a Bible lesson.
The program is intentional about creating a fun, safe, and Christ-centered space where children can grow in their faith, build friendships, and enjoy being kids. Each week includes engaging worship, a meaningful Bible lesson, exciting games, and an ice cream treat. A dinner is also provided, making it an easy evening for families. No transportation is provided to or from the program; families drop off and pick up at the church. Adult volunteers are needed each week to help with cooking dinner and leading groups, and registration for the next session opens online.
The Wednesday Night Rhythm
Wednesday evenings at First Presbyterian follow a pattern designed for the whole church family. The Wednesday Night Dinner is served from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the fellowship hall, and the church encourages all who come to share a meal before the evening's programs begin. The contemporary band rehearses from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, the Hispanic Bible Study meets at 6:00 PM in the Rail Room, and the Chancel Choir rehearses at 6:30 PM.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry at First Presbyterian is part of a wider program that began in 1975 when Reverend Kenneth Hauck, a pastor and clinical psychologist, realized he could not meet all the needs for pastoral care in his congregation alone. The program is now in more than 13,000 congregations across 180 Christian denominations, with more than 600,000 laypeople trained to provide one-to-one Christian care in a confidential manner.
At First Presbyterian, Stephen Ministers are members of the congregation who have received special training to walk alongside people experiencing the loss of a loved one, hospitalization, divorce, loneliness, discouragement, spiritual crises, unemployment, terminal illness, and other life stresses. The program significantly expands the care the church can offer and is not limited to members of First Presbyterian. Stephen Ministry meetings take place on the fourth Sunday of each month from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM in the Rail Room.
Samaritan Fridays
Each Friday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, volunteers from the congregation gather in the church narthex to assist those in need. Applications are accepted for help with gasoline, food, and referrals to other agencies and programs. The work is offered without restriction to anyone in the community who walks through the door.
Samaritan Bags are also packed by the Holy Rollers/Bunco Night life group, which meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the home of its leader, Beth Johnson. The group brings supplies each month and packs the bags as they enjoy light snacks, a short devotional, and games of Bunco. All ages are welcome.
The church also supports Foster Families through spiritual, emotional, and financial support. Recipients are selected annually from the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas.
Refresh and Connect
On the last Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM to noon, members of the church partner with other local congregations at Walker Park in Fayetteville to distribute donated clothing free of charge to those in need. The event, known as Refresh and Connect, also offers showers, haircuts, meals, medical care, Bibles, and spiritual counseling. Many of those served have no way to access discount stores. The clothing ministry is led by Steve Shearman.
Life Groups
Life Groups are the small-group backbone of First Presbyterian's ministry, and the church offers an unusually wide variety. Most meet in homes or at the church on a regular cadence, with options for nearly every stage and interest.
- Men's Tuesday Morning Life Group has been meeting for five years at 6:30 AM on Tuesday mornings at U.S. Pizza on Sunset Avenue in Springdale. It is open to men from their twenties to their seventies and is described as interdenominational; men attend as they are, whether in shorts, blue jeans, cowboy boots, or work clothes.
- Renovare Book Club Life Group gathers monthly on the third Monday evening at the church, reading four hand-picked books between October and May and connecting with the global Renovare Book Club community.
- Grief Matters is for those who have lost someone special and want to connect with others who understand; it meets on the second Sunday of each month at 5:30 PM.
- Mahjong plays on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 PM and is open to anyone interested in learning the ancient tile game.
- Breakfast Club meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM at Cracker Barrel in Springdale for food, devotional, prayer, and fellowship.
- Prayer Blanket Ministry is an intergenerational group that produces personal prayer blankets for those dealing with long-term health issues; it meets the second Friday of each month.
- Foodie Fellowship gathers on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at a rotating location for a themed potluck meal, a short devotion, and the preparation of leftovers for freezing and distribution to members and friends in need through Samaritan Fridays.
- Whiskey and the Word meets on the third Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at a member's home. Participants bring a Bible and enjoy an evening of fellowship and a short Scripture discussion while enjoying their favorite whiskey, Scotch, bourbon, or non-alcoholic drink, with a light snack provided.
- Presbyterian Women gathers on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:30 AM for study and fellowship.
Music at First Presbyterian
Music is woven into the life of the church at First Presbyterian. The Chancel Choir, directed by Scarlett Morris, provides leadership in Sunday worship and is open to all who wish to participate. The Crandell Ringers handbell choir adds music to worship throughout the year and rehearses Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM. The Children's Choir is open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade and rehearses during Sunday morning worship in the Children's Church area, with periodic performances throughout the year.
What the Church Believes
First Presbyterian Church of Springdale is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), part of the larger Reformed tradition. The church's stated beliefs include the Trinity, one God in three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, was physically raised from the dead, ascended to heaven, and now serves as our High Priest and Advocate.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. All who receive Christ are born again through the Holy Spirit and become children of God. The church teaches that the lost will be separated from God in everlasting punishment, that every believer is sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit to pursue personal holiness, and that Scripture, the Old and New Testaments, is the written record of God's interaction with humankind, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, infallible in the original writings, and sufficient for all matters of conduct, correction, and instruction.
The church teaches that marriage is a sacred covenant established by God at Creation, a holy union between two people entered into before God. It teaches that all human life has value, that every person is created in God's image, and that at the moment of conception a new human life is created.
The Six Great Ends of the Church guide the congregation's life: the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind, the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God, the maintenance of divine worship, the preservation of the truth, the promotion of social righteousness, and the exhibition of the kingdom of heaven to the world.
The church characterizes itself as anchored to the past, alive to the present, and open to the Spirit's future. The phrase Reformed and always being reformed, according to the Word of God, a watchword of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is treated not as a slogan but as a way of life.
Governance by the Session
First Presbyterian is governed by the Session, the council of elected ruling elders and the pastor(s), as in every Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation. The Session oversees worship, mission, and the spiritual direction of the church; sets vision and policies; oversees staff, finances, and property; and represents the congregation in covenant with the wider church through the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly.
Ruling elders are elected by the congregation through a prayerful process. A nominating committee listens carefully for whom God may be calling to serve. Nominees are examined by the Session regarding faith, understanding of Presbyterian leadership, and readiness to serve, and elders are ordained and installed during worship. Elders ordinarily serve three-year terms but remain elders for life through ordination.
Becoming a Member
Those interested in joining First Presbyterian speak first with the pastor or a Session member about their interest and their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The pastor counsels with candidates about the meaning of baptism and church membership. Candidates then meet with the Session in a low-key, friendly conversation about their belief in Christ, and the Session accepts them for baptism if needed and for membership.
During a worship service, new members are introduced, and the congregation commits to accepting them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who have not been baptized come forward and kneel, and the minister baptizes them by placing a small amount of water on their head and praying over them. New members are paired with an existing member who serves as a friend and connection to the church. Those transferring their membership from another church are instructed by the pastor on the process.
A Prayer Chain and a Staff
When members and friends of the congregation experience illness, the loss of a loved one, or other difficult circumstances, many in the church have committed to pray on their behalf through a prayer chain. A prayer team meets every Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM in the youth room to pray for the world, each other, the church, and the community.
The pastoral staff is led by Rev. Dr. Susan Arnold, the tenth pastor of First Presbyterian, installed November 20, 2022. Dawson Marquette serves as Director of Christian Education. Rev. Dr. Jesse González serves as Pastor for Ministerio a la Vecindad. Scarlett Morris is Director of Music, and Janeice Mathias is Nursery Director.