Celebrating ‘200 Years’ with a party

First Presbyterian Church celebrated its 200-year history with a public party Sept. 15, 2024 at the Donner Park shelter house. The event included a proclamation by Mayor Mary Ferdon signifying the day as First Presbyterian Church Day in Columbus, Indiana. Speakers included Ferdon, the Rev. Dr. Felipe Martinez of First Presbyterian, and the Rev. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick. Church members supplied music, while attendees enjoyed games, activities for kids, refreshments, and a chance to the book, 200 Years of First Presbyterian Church – Columbus, Indiana, that I wrote and published (PathBinder Publishing LLC).

Photos by Maddie McCarver

About the bicentennial

Preparations for our bicentennial celebration began well before the calendar turned to 2024. Our Bicentennial Committee, headed by Sherry Stark and Rachel McCarver, planned a slew of activities to honor our past and build our legacy.

One of the goals for these events was to involve and enrich the community that we’ve partnered with throughout the years.

The project that will have the longest and most powerful impact is the FPC Bicentennial Legacy Project, which will make a difference in the lives of our downtown neighbors, some of whom are struggling to reach economic self-sufficiency. The funds being collected will be held in a permanently endowed fund at Heritage Fund – the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Grants awarded will be determined by Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, which works with other community groups in serving and encouraging individuals and families. Our goal was to raise $100,000. The First Presbyterian Church Foundation has agreed to match each dollar given up to $100,000. Lilly Endowment has agreed to match gifts donated to our project on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Besides the Legacy Project, several other projects and celebrations were planned for 2024:

• On one Sunday per month throughout the year, a member of the Bicentennial Committee discussed an aspect of the 200-year history or celebration activities during church services.
• Adult nurture classes about Bill and Ellen Laws and Sarah Hunt were presented by Janet Lowery.
• Anthony Merida’s artistic handiwork put special lights in all the windows of the sanctuary.
• Columbus North student Claire Davis produced a video on First Presbyterian for her senior project. This video was shown in lieu of a sermon during the June 9 service.
• Downtown neighbors were invited to join us in an ice cream social in the parking lot north of the church on July 21 after the service.
• This book, which stands on the shoulders of Carol Berkey’s 175th anniversary book of 1999.
• A special mandolin concert was held during service on Aug. 4.
• A special service on Sunday morning, Sept. 15, to celebrate our bicentennial, with the 226th General Assembly (2024) Co-Moderator the Rev. Tony Larson preaching, and with Ohio Valley Presbytery Executive the Rev. Susan McGhee and Lincoln Trails Synod Executive the Rev. Sara Dingman as our special guests.
  

Bicentennial Committee:

Sherry Stark, co-chair

Rachel McCarver, co-chair

Bonnie Boatwright

Zack Ellison

Paul Hoffman

The Rev. Dr. Felipe N. Martinez

Mary Ann McCray

Anthony Merida

Kelleigh Staley

Doug Wray