A Congregation Welcomes on Kanawha Terrace
First Presbyterian Church of St Albans sits at 201 Kanawha Terrace, a quiet residential street a few blocks from the heart of St Albans, West Virginia. The congregation's front door reads, in plain language, "Welcome!" The pastor is Raven Lanham, and every member of the church is also counted as a minister, with elders in classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 serving alongside her. The church belongs to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is part of the West Virginia Presbytery.
Sunday Morning Worship at 10:00
Worship has gathered every Sunday at 10:00 am in the sanctuary. Services follow the Revised Common Lectionary and the Liturgical Calendar, drawing on a wide range of scripture across the Christian year. The Worship Committee works with the pastor and the church musician to plan each service, coordinating ushers, greeters, the preparation of the Lord's Supper, and bulletins.
Anyone who cannot make it in person can join online. Services are livestreamed on the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel, and a sermon podcast is published so the message can be heard later. Giving is available online through the FPCSA Donation Page on a secure giving platform.
Children Stay and Growing in Worship
Children are not sent off to a separate program. The youngest worshipers, from birth through Kindergarten, leave the sanctuary after the "time for young disciples" and continue their worship in the nursery. Elementary-age children stay in the service and take part actively, with worship classes offered throughout the year.
The congregation considers children's presence in worship to be a ministry in its own right. A short reflection quotes the writer: "Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation." The reflection pairs that thought with Jesus' words in Luke 18:16: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." The congregation welcomes nursery ministers, worship education team members, and worship mentors to make that vision possible.
Presbyterian Women and Two Weekly Bible Studies
Presbyterian Women are a lively part of the church. The group's purpose statement is short and clear: "Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study, support the mission of the church worldwide, work for justice and peace, and build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God's kingdom."
Bible study is the common bond. Two studies are offered each week, both open to all. A daytime group meets Wednesdays at 12:00 noon at the church, around a table, with members bringing their own brown bag lunch. A Zoom group meets Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, with the link opening at 6:45 for early fellowship. The current PW/Horizons study, written by Rhashell D. Hunter, is titled "Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ."
Missions Close to Home and Around the World
Missions are a strong and visible part of the congregation's life. Members pack "Blessing Bags" to hand out to people in need. Children distribute the bags on Evangelism Sunday from the Narthex, with Evangelism Committee members nearby to answer questions. The bags have been given away one at a time and in larger batches, including ten delivered to Christ's Kitchen.
The congregation supports the denomination's special offerings: the Pentecost Offering for children at risk, youth, and young adults; One Great Hour of Sharing for disaster relief, refugee resettlement, and community development; the Christmas Joy Offering for church workers in need and Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges; and Cents-Ability, a small first step in the fight against hunger and poverty in which members contribute a few cents at every meal.
Locally, First Presbyterian is a faithful partner in a wide network of ministries in St Albans. Members support the Jubilee Emergency Assistance Fund, the St Albans Community Food Pantry, Christ's Kitchen (a free lunch program open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 am to noon), and Jericho House, an emergency shelter for women, children, and intact families in crisis. The church also works with Daymark, an agency serving at-risk youth ages 11 to 18, and is part of the city's Christmas Food Basket Program, contributing at least 50 baskets each year. Other partners include St Paul Community and Economic Development Corporation, the West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps, and the Gabriel Project, which supports pregnant women and families with infants and young children under age two at Highlawn Presbyterian Church.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the church organized "Fuel for the Fight," delivering 170 bags of encouragement and handwritten notes to healthcare workers in the ICU, Emergency Room, and Respiratory Therapy at Thomas Memorial Hospital.
Getting to Know the Neighbors
The congregation has asked a simple question and tried to live it out: "How can we get to know our immediate neighbors around our church? How can we reach out to our community? Let's build some community ties. Let's invite them to come eat with us or just stop by to know who we are." Prayer requests are part of that openness. A prayer request box sits where visitors can stop by, write out a request, and leave it without attending a service; each Sunday, the congregation prays over those requests.
Planning a Visit
The church is at 201 Kanawha Terrace, St Albans, WV 25177. The phone number is 304-727-2241, with a fax line at 304-727-2242. Visitors can follow updates, watch livestreamed services, and subscribe for notifications on the First Presbyterian Church of St Albans Facebook page, or watch services later on the church's YouTube channel and sermon podcast. The parking lot sits along Kanawha Terrace, a short walk from the sanctuary doors.