First Presbyterian Church Ironton OH

First Presbyterian Church of Ironton would like to welcome you to our website, our church, and our faithful family. Come visit us, receive our humble hospitality and share in our fellowship and joy in Christ.

Our Sunday Schedule is as follows:

• Adult Sunday School: Sundays 9:15-10:00am - Sept thru June • Worship: Sundays begining at 10:30am • Communion on 1st Sundays • Healing Prayer Service on 4th Sundays after Worship • Coffee Hour: Sundays directly after Worship • Choir Practice: Wed. 7pm to 8pm - Mid-Sept. thru Father's Day

First Presbyterian is a church with an over 180-year faithful heritage and a desire to serve God faithfully well into the future. We are currently in a time of rebuilding on a strong foundation of positive and capable leadership, especially with Pastor Jan Williams at the helm. Because of our heartfelt belief in God and his son Jesus Christ, our Lord, we endeavor to be a worshiping, prayerful, teaching and serving congregation, ever watchful for ways to help our neighbors at home and afar. We welcome you to join us.

"If you are someone who is exploring your relationship with God, you are welcome here. If you are someone who has church background and is seeking a church home and brothers and sisters with whom to love and serve God, you are welcome here. No matter your circumstances, you are welcome here because we extend invitation in the name of Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church and welcomes Everyone into relationship with our Creating, Redeeming, and Sustaining God".

--- With Blessings, Pastor Jan Williams

Prayer of Peace and Faith:

May today there be Peace within. May you Trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the Infinite Possibilities that are born of Faith.

May you use those Gifts that you have received, and pass on the Love that has been given to you.

May you be confident knowing you are a Child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your Soul the Freedom to Sing, Dance, Praise and Love.

It is there for each and Every one of us.

--- Mother Theresa

 

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Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  

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We have handicap ramp and stair lift  

As a member of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley, the Synod of the Covenant, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we are part of the Presbyterian and Reformed branch of the faith. We consider "The Great Ends of the Church" to be "the proclamation of the gospel for 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," (G-1.0200 of the Constitution).

A Brief History: For well over a hundred years, the high brick walls and the tall tower of the First Presbyterian Church of Ironton have been a landmark in Ironton, and is almost as old as Ironton itself. The oldest part of the church building is on land that was donated to the church by the Ohio Iron and Coal Company, the founder of Ironton. The church was organized on July 27, 1850, with fourteen members, and dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, 1852. In 1873, a new church building was begun. The new construction was finished in 1882. The old building was converted into the Sunday School.

The John Milton Campbell Window The magnificent stained glass window in the center of the south gable of the First Presbyterian Church of Ironton, OH is an eloquent witness to the relationship of this church with the founding fathers of the city. It was given by Mr. Hiram Campbell in memory of his brother, John Milton Campbell, a missionary who served in Africa and died there.

The window is a large circle, approximately twelve feet in diameter, suspended high on the south wall of the sanctuary. Within the circle are five smaller circles. The center one, smaller than the rest, contains a shield mounted on brilliant blue glass. It reads: "In memory of John Milton Campbell, by his brother Hiram Campbell."

The four larger circles within the great circle are all symbolic of the life of John Milton Campbell, the missionary. In the left circle, a sailing ship is pictured representing the vessel that carried young Campbell to the continent of Africa. The circle to the right portrays him sharing the gospel with African children and adults. The upper circle contains an open Bible with golden rays of light issuing from it. Printed on the Bible pages is a text from Psalm 68:31b: "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God" (KJV). It was believed that this was a prophecy of the Christian conversion of the African continent. The lower circle pictures a jewel-encrusted cross and crown. The symbolism here is that if in life a cross is borne, then in heaven a crown awaits the martyred witness. The great privilege of those so honored is that they are able to cast their crowns before the throne of God, (Rev. 4:10).

The primary colors (red, blue, yellow) are predominant in the entire window. The various hues cannot be reproduced today. During Sunday morning worship, the early sun shines brilliantly through this window, bathing all in its warm rainbow glow. Worshipers are made aware of those who have preceded them, and the sacrifices they made in providing this beautiful place of worship.

The exact date of the installation of this window and others in the sanctuary is not known. However. the dedication of the new auditorium took place on the first Sabbath of August, 1882.

Bits of the Past by Gladys Frecka The windows of the sanctuary are a prominent feature of our church. We Presbyterians of Ironton realize that we have been left a great heritage in this building. Looking at the windows from the inside or outside gives one a spiritual feeling that words cannot express. Much has been said about the beauty the windows display but little is known about the donors.

The principle window is in the center of the south gable and comprises four distinct pictures. It is an offering of Mr. Hiram Campbell in memory of his brother, John Milton.

John Milton Campbell was born in 1812 in Fleming County, Kentucky. His family moved to Brown County, Ohio in 1824; he graduated from Miami University in 1840 and became a missionary to the Indians that same year. In 1843, he graduated from Lane Theological Seminary. His life and letters were published in a memoir by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. While serving as a missionary in Africa, he died in 1844. He was unmarried. The circular window which depicts scenes in the life of a missionary in Africa cost $40,000.

Hiram Campbell was born in 1810 in Fleming County, Kentucky. He lived for a time in Brown County and Hillsboro, Ohio before moving to Lawrence County. He was one of the Pioneer Iron Masters and became one of the founders of the City of Ironton. Hiram was a first cousin of John Campbell, born in 1808, who is better known as the founder of Ironton.

Both Hiram and John had large brick homes, 22 rooms each which occupied the entire block on North Fifth Street between Lawrence and Buckhorn Streets. Both houses had third floors which were stations on the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping before and during the Civil War. According to our early records, Hiram was an Elder and John was a Trustee. Hiram died on July 31, 1896 and is buried in Woodland Cemetery. A daughter of Hiram’s, Maria, married J. H. Moulton. The Moulton Families were active members for generations. We are privileged to have had a descendant of the Hiram Campbell Family serve as a Deacon, Alma Moulton, widow of Charles Moulton.

Bits of the Past:

1943 - A Girl Scout Troop was organized sponsored by the Presby-Wed Class 1991 - Our church participated in the community survey of 40 churches in the Ironton area 1993 - The yough of the church presented a Talent Show and Fellowship Dinner 1994 - Pictorial Directory of the church was started 1994 - Anna Anderson of New York visited our church 1995 - Ironton's Woman's Music Club celebrated its 100th Anniversary; The Arundel and Choir Rooms were completely renovated 1997 - A Sader meal was observed by the members of the Church with the help of Evelyn Weill 1999 - Our church hosted the The Community Good Friday Service; The boiler broke down and our church held services in the chapel; then to add insult to injry, the chapel organ also broke; Circle Six sponsored a Spagetti Dinner 2006 - Rebecca Waginger and Jon Hitchcock were married, April 16