First Presbyterian Church grew up with Sandusky

SANDUSKY — First Presbyterian Church's history dates back to the city of Sandusky's founding 200 years ago. In 1819, Congregationalist and Presbyterian missionaries came to the area to establish churches. After years of disagreements, 26 people broke away from the Sandusky Congregational Church to form the First Presbyterian Church in 1852 with the first organizational meeting in January 1853. "The rear portion of our present building 'the Chapel' was erected and first occupied in November 1853," the website stated. "The lower level was used for worship. The upper level was used for Sunday school classes. In more contemporary times, the lower level was used as a 'lounge area' as it is today for fellowship gatherings and the upper level serves as our choir room." By 1855, the church's sanctuary was ready to be used. "While there has been some remodeling and configuring of space, it remains very much as it did when first used in 1855," the website stated. Before setting up its current outreach services to community members, it showed hospitality to the county's youngest residents. "On Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1926, the Sandusky Kiwanis Club hosted a party for 45 children from the Erie County Children's Home," according to Sandusky Library History blog. "The festivities took place at the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church. Each club member was responsible for one of the youngsters' gifts. J. F. Starkey, dressed as Santa Claus, gave each child a gift of candy, nuts, and oranges. Christmas carols were sung by all. Heenan Elliott entertained the children by doing impersonations. At the end of the luncheon, the children sang a song of thanks to the Kiwanians." First Presbyterian's church building grew in 1969 as it bought the former Pony Tail teen dance club and added an educational wing in 1970. Care and Share now occupies the lower floor with the Sandusky Mission Outreach Center on the upper level. Today, the church hosts its in-person worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 265 Jackson St. Since last year, due to the pandemic, anyone can view its worship services virtually on First Presbyterian's YouTube channel. Learn more about the church at fpcsandusky.org.