History of First Pres
Founded in 1854
Our Beginning
This enduring congregation organized after a committee meeting on 24 September 1854 at the home of Henry Singleton. Services were held at Mr. Singleton’s home until the number of attendees outgrew the space, after which they moved into a log schoolhouse “across the street from the current church building. . .”
By 1856, they had erected a small brick church on the same site on which the present church sits. According to the church’s website, “The new church faced on Webster Avenue, now Kirkwood Road. It was located in a grove of oak trees with a white picket fence between it and the street.” The church was served by “supply ministers” until 1867, when Dr. John R. Warner, a chaplain at the Battle of Gettysburg, became pastor; he served until his death almost thirty years later.
On 25 October 1888, the congregation began construction of a new stone building on the corner of Adams Avenue and Kirkwood Road. They held their first service in the new church at the end of June the following year. In 1929, they added a two-story building to the east side to serve as an education building. Called the “Norman Tower,” it served as the entrance to the building and still stands. A replacement education building made of brick was added in 1951; this structure provided more space for an expanded Sunday school and a fellowship hall.
The need for additional space in the sanctuary led to a building program that began in 1954 and culminated at a Christmas Eve service in 1957. Congregants now enjoyed the beauty of thirteen huge stained glass windows and a new organ. In 1980, more renovation led to the removal of the 1888 stone church, and in 2001, further renovations occurred throughout the building. Subsequent renovations and a newer organ took place throughout the early 2000s.
For a more robust account of our history, please click the button below. It will take you to a .pdf file of a booklet created by Bruce Woodruff & Ned Cleveland.
Our Sanctuary Stained Glass Windows
In 1954, a program was started to sell bonds bearing a 5% interest to the members and friends of the church. The bond sale was completely successful and the building of a new sanctuary began in 1955. The sanctuary was completed in time for Christmas Eve service in 1957.
The Rev. Dr. Donald H. Stewart was the Pastor (1953 – 1967). Bob Fischer and Will Campbell were church members and partners in a local architectural firm (Fischer, Campbell & Associates) and worked closely with Fred Opplinger of Jacoby Art Glass Company as the Sanctuary Windows were designed.
The principal designer was Mr. Josef Mayer, of the Jacoby Art Glass Company, St Louis MO.
The SANCTUARY WINDOWS were to be like none others.
“We are anxious that these windows be like none others, that the soft rich blue tones move from one window to another, that there be a unity between all the windows (not separate, spotty, individual glass). To repeat our story again: It is to be one big window, not 13 separate windows. (July 19, 1956 Letter to F.O. Opplinger, Jacoby Art Glass from R. Fischer, Fischer, Campbell & Associates)”
The Rev. Dr. Donald H. Stewart authored the content of the main as well as the side windows.
“I chose the text in the windows, some of my favorite verses that I learned by heart along with several hundred others at my grandmother’s urging. They still are deeply embedded in my heart and soul. I tried to fit the general scope of biblical story from Creation, Fall, Judgment, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Transfiguration, being in hope born of God’s promises of new creation.” (Window Sermon Series page 7).”
The following documents are an attempt to consolidate many of the documents from the archives of The First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood to share the history and symbolism of the Sanctuary Windows.
