YOUNGSTOWN — Throughout several centuries of historic local, national and world events, trials and tribulations, upheavals and momentous achievements, First Presbyterian Church continues to rest atop its solid foundation, anchored by steely pillars of faith.

“This congregation, this arm of the body of Christ, has been doing the work of Christ in this Valley since before Ohio became a state (in 1803),” the Rev. Payne Warner said during a special celebratory worship service Sept. 1, to commemorate the 225th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 201 Wick Ave. The church was established Sept. 1, 1799, in a log cabin in the city’s downtown, making it the oldest church in the Connecticut Western Reserve.

“This body, as a congregation, has witnessed most of our country’s history … that saw this country expand beyond the Mississippi (River), reach the Pacific Ocean, fight itself (in the Civil War), become the world’s greatest industrial power, the introduction of the powered human flight, two world wars, men walking the moon and everything else that has happened in our community, our country and the world,” Warner said.

Warner, who was installed as pastor Sept. 10, 2023, reminded the more than 130 members and guests who filled the pews last Sunday that, through it all, God continues to reveal what he expects of his people, as well as how he remains faithful, hears others’ cries and desires people to have a healthy relationship with him.

“Throughout these times and changes, you and the people that came before you have carried your faith in our triune God to this community and beyond,” Warner said. “This congregation has seen growth and depletion, it has lived out God’s call in times of plenty and times of scarcity, it has seen faithful servants thrive and has had to face the fact that the people we worship alongside are just as human as ourselves, and they are just as capable of falling short of God’s commands and our expectations as we are.”

Expressing in his sermon his faith the church will continue to thrive, Warner told his congregants that, as a collective body of Christ, they represent not only the sum of the church’s past but important links to others who will follow them.

During a luncheon after the service, Marjorie Patterson, a longtime member, noted that in 1924, First Presbyterian had about 1,333 members. She read portions of “The Procession of the Years,” a pageant published that year to commemorate the church’s 125th anniversary.

First Presbyterian began in a 1,200-square-foot log cabin in downtown Youngstown, and the first pastor was the Rev. William Wick, who served from 1799 to 1816. He is said to have been the Mahoning Valley’s first Christian missionary, Patterson noted.

Many settlers traveled for miles, often through rough wilderness, to hear sermons that were conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays before they returned home, she added.

In 1890, Helen Chapel was built in memory of Helen Wick, who died in 1888 at age 4. The space is used for numerous church-related events and gatherings that include the Schaff Lecture Series, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast and community workshop. In addition, Boy Scout Troop 55, based at the church, uses it regularly.

Readings for the Sept. 1, service were taken from Mark 7:1-8, 14-15 and 21-23, as well as Deuteronomy 4:1-2 and 6-9, in the New and Old Testaments, respectively.

The Old Testament passage, in essence, implores the Israelites to listen to and obey God’s teachings to be given land promised to them, and those who faithfully obey the such laws will show other nations how wise they are under a God who answers their prayers.

The passage from Mark proclaims in part God’s wrath toward the Pharisees for obeying humans’ teachings while disobeying his commands. It goes on to say that what comes from people’s hearts — deceit, unfaithfulness in marriage, pride, greed and other negative traits — is what makes them unclean and unfit to worship God.

Also at the service, many people left notes on index cards attached to bulletin boards on which they described their favorite and most cherished church memories. One was from a couple who was married in the church 45 years ago, while others praised the Rev. David Kaminsky, who pastored the church from 1981 to 2000.

Today, First Presbyterian continues to be an anchor in the heart of Youngstown, with a diverse congregation, many community outreach efforts and annual free dinners for the community. It also is home to the Midlothian Free Health Clinic, which provides routine physical exams, immunizations, screenings and maintenance of chronic conditions for many people who are low income or have little or no health care insurance.

Warner expressed a deep desire for the church he leads to continue its worship service to its faithful congregants and to reach the community at large.

“Every morning of every day, I’m grateful for the opportunity this congregation has given me,” Warner said, adding, “I think God has a lot in store for this congregation, and my hope and expectation is that we’re here for another 225 years.”

First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown

A look back …

The church was founded Sept. 1, 1799, and set up in a 30-foot-by-40-foot log cabin under the Rev. William Wick’s leadership. Wick was the first church pastor.

A larger, 2,400-square-foot white frame meeting house was erected in 1832 on East Federal Street, downtown.

The third church structure, the Norman Sanctuary, was completed in 1868 on the church’s present site, then dedicated three years later after it became debt-free. In April 1959, the sanctuary was razed to make room for the current church at 201 Wick Ave., which opened in 1960.

At this time, under the Rev. W. Frederic Miller, the church rededicated itself “to a life of worship and witness as a downtown church” before it was officially dedicated Sept. 25, 1960.

On May 4, 1890, Helen Chapel was dedicated as a memorial to Helen Wick, daughter of Myron C. Wick and his wife, who had died in 1888 at age 4. It has been used as a Sunday school space and for a variety of other church functions.

In 1934, Hudnut Hall was dedicated and replaced the dilapidated structure that had connected the sanctuary with Helen Chapel.

SOURCE: First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown