Who We Are
Our mission is to make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ. That means we care about Jesus Christ more than anything else. First Presbyterian is a family of individuals that have found hope and abundance in Jesus, and simply want as many people as possible to experience that exact same hope and abundance.
Where We've Been
First Presbyterian was established on March 7, 1885. The first of what is now four church buildings was built in May 1885 on South Tennessee Avenue between Main and Lemon Streets. With growing membership, a second building was needed and built in September 1919. This one was on South Massachusetts Avenue overlooking Lake Mirror. Lakeland population at the time was about 7,000 people. Thirty-six years later, with a vision of “more adequate and more beautiful facilities,” a third church, also on South Massachusetts, was built on March 13, 1955. Finally, on Christmas Eve 1978, the first worship service was held in the current sanctuary at the Lake Hollingsworth location. The Rev. Dr. Henry Dahlberg spoke the first words uttered from the pulpit: “Jesus Is Lord.” That phrase captures well the entire history of the church.
WHERE WE’RE HEADED
What's the bottom line? More than ever, First Presbyterian Church is committed to fostering a family built around hope. Hope for the future. Hope in Jesus. And as we move forward as a church family, belonging remains at the center of who we are as followers of Christ.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
What does this mean for you? Most importantly, you're always welcome at First Presbyterian Church. We're saving a seat for you. Wherever you're at in your faith journey, you'll always be accepted as part of the First Presbyterian family.
If you want to learn more about our beliefs as a church, click here. Or if you'd simply like to get in touch with a person at the church directly, click the button below.
What to Expect
We know meeting someone for the first time can be intimidating and going to a new church for the first time can be nerve-racking. We want to help make your first experience at here a great one!
We meet for worship services every weekend. We also have an online experience of services in case you are unable to attend in person. Click here for more information and to see previous worship services. We offer the following line up each Sunday:
- Classic Worship Service (pipe organ, choirs, hymns): Sunday at 8:15 AM and 10:30 AM
- Vine Worship Service (band, vocals, lights, and screens): Sunday at 10:30 AM
In total, worship services are about 60 minutes in length. Each Sunday, one of our pastors will come out to share an encouraging and hope-filled message about Jesus and grounded in the Bible.
Sundays at First Presbyterian are exciting, deep, and relaxed. Come as you are and expect to feel welcomed as our guest.
You can expect your children to have fun, make great friends, and go deep in their faith. We also have a safe and secure nursery during our Sunday morning services and on Wednesday evenings with qualified childcare providers for those children from birth to 4 years old. Click here to find out about all of the options available for your children.