First organized on May 29, 1823, with five charter members, First Presbyterian Church was the second church in what was then known as “Sumterville.” The first sanctuary was built in 1830 in what at the time were the outskirts of the village. This small building was used until 1850 when a larger structure was finished to meet the needs of a growing congregation. The present building, begun under the pastorate of Dr. N. W. Edmunds was dedicated on November 10, 1907, under Dr. J.P. Marion. Additions were made to the church under the leadership of Dr. Richard Potter including purchasing additional land, remodeling the sanctuary and church basement, and renovating the Sunday school and manse buildings. This work was dedicated in 1951 along with the magnificent stained glass window entitled “Christ in Gethsemane.” In 1946, First Presbyterian Church began its Preschool and Kindergarten program that continues today. On January 24, 1960 a new educational building, as well as the Earle Rowland Memorial Chapel, was dedicated under the leadership of Dr. Cliff H. McLeod.

     First Presbyterian has a long history of reaching out and spreading the word of God. Instrumental in the beginning of four new churches in the Sumter area, it continues in this tradition through numerous outreach and service projects. Habitat for Humanity, United Ministries of Sumter, High School and Middle School mission trips, and many other mission projects are just a few examples of our continuing efforts to further the kingdom of God.

     During the dedication service of our education building, the congregation and minister said in unison, “We who are here met together, conscious of the gifts of those who have made this building possible, do express our sincere gratitude to God for the joy and inspiration of this united enterprise; we covenant together in the presence of God with one another to walk humbly together in service and in love; and we now dedicate ourselves anew to the worship of Christ and to the extension of His kingdom to the ends of the earth.” This holds as true today as it did in 1823.