FPC turns 200 in 2026!  Let the Celebration Begin

First Presbyterian Church of Independence is celebrating our 200th Anniversary in 2026, marking a milestone in church worship and ministry in this community and among churches in this part of the country.  The following workgroup has been commissioned by Session to plan and coordinate events throughout the year: Dora Dunnaway (celebratory meals); Sean McAnally - now Bob Stikeleather - (oral histories and archives display); David Melton (church genealogy poster); Peggy Weir (invitations and publicity, with Pastor Dave); Linda Wilkinson (Community Mission Project); Pastor Dave (meeting moderator).
There are countless ways that we could celebrate and mark our 200th Anniversary, and if you have any suggestions, please share them judiciously with knowledge of all that’s already being planned – and the likelihood that you might be asked to make it happen if it’s something new that Session approves.  The projects and events that Session has asked the workgroup to plan and coordinate include:

• Inviting former pastors and members who became pastors to preach sometime throughout the year, and to attend the 200th Celebration Event. 
• Inviting former members and those not attending to return at their convenience and for the 200th Celebration Event.
• Taking video of members and returning members/pastors to help share their “story” of being a part of First Presbyterian Church of Independence.
• Opening the Time Capsule from 1976, ceremonially led by two adults who were children when it was placed – Sarah Sutton and David Burrus.
• Host a finger-food reception for the Time Capsule opening, a pizza lunch for a Tuxis Graduate Reunion and a sit-down dinner for our big celebration.
• Publicize our anniversary and invite presbytery leaders and public officials to mark the occasion with us.
• Develop a display from the Archive Room and including Time Capsule items.
• Create a poster showing the “genealogy” of the church – buildings used, mergers completed and churches planted.
• Provide significant funding in support of a Community Mission Project as a gift to the community.

The exact launch date of the 200th Anniversary Celebration will be determined as planning continues, but the idea is to begin in the Spring and continue throughout the year.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please bring them to any member of the workgroup or Pastor Dave.  

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Congregation Dates to 1826

​First Church has been engaged in ministry for more than two centuries through regular worship, Christian formation, and mission outreach.  Established in 1826, the congregation was first known as Independence Cumberland Presbyterian Church before changing our name to First Presbyterian Church in 1913 in a church merger.
The present building was erected in 1888.  First Presbyterian is the only church included in the Harry S Truman Historical District.  The church is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is site No. 19 in the American Presbyterian/Reformed Historic Sites Registry.  Harry Truman attended Sunday school here, where he and Bess Wallace (his future wife) met as children.

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Gift to Mother’s Refuge
​Kicks Off Anniversary Year!

Mother’s Refuge is the recipient of a $10,000 missions gift from First Presbyterian Church in celebration of our 200th Anniversary, furthering their commitment to provide housing and support to pregnant and mothering teens.  Missions Chair Linda Wilkinson and Pastor Dave delivered the check to Angel Henderson McDonald, executive director, on Giving Tuesday in 2025 so they could qualify for a matching gift of $20,000 from another donor.
Mother’s Refuge currently has a 7-bed home near Route 40 and Blue Ridge Blvd, and they’re opening a new, 12-bed home across from the Truman Home in the Higher Ground building, which requires a complete renovation.  They hope to open the home and new administrative offices there in October 2026, becoming our neighbors just down Maple Avenue past Delaware. 
Learn more about Mother’s Refuge and their vision for their Higher Ground campus at these links: Welcome Home and Higher Ground.  Additional 200th Anniversary events and activities can be found in the December PresbyTimes newsletter.

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Sermon Series Explores
​FPC's 200 Years of Ministry​

Join us in March for our sermon series titled “Two Centuries” as we tap into the biblical foundation that gave rise to our church’s first 200 years of ministry (See videos under Past live streams).  The series begins on March 1 with an installment titled “In Steadfast Love,” in which we explore the enduring character of God through Psalm 100:1-5 and Philippines 1:3-6.  Subsequent installments are:
March 8 – “Woven Together,” 1 Cor. 12:12-15, 18-20 – looking at how the church is more than a building or history; it is a diverse, unified body held together by the Spirit.
March 15 – “Built to Last; Sent to the World” – Matthew 16:18-19 and 28:19-20 – embracing the church’s dual mandate – an unshakeable foundation and unwavering ministry.
​March 22 – “Looking Beyond the Horizon” – Ephesians 3:18-21 – focusing on God’s limitless power to accomplish more than we can imagine.

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Quilt created by our Sew 'n' Sows group.
Current church building in the center, with earlier buildings surrounding alongside fruits of the Spirit.

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Video #1 - Rick Lewis, Bonnie Walker, Martha Milton, Ruby James and Pastor Dave Carlson.

Oral-History Videos Available for Viewing

​Oral-history videos featuring nearly two dozen members of First Presbyterian Church are being shown at select times on the TV in the Parlour and also here on our church website (Click "Watch on YouTube" for bigger image).  Each of the four videos is about 30-50 minutes long, with six-to-four people in each video sharing highlights from their time at First Church.  The videos were also shown during the Tuxis Confirmation graduates reunion lunch on June 14, when the Rev. Duane Stephens returned as guest preacher during worship.
The members video recorded were selected during a brainstorming session of the 200th Anniversary planning team, and no doubt, many others could have done a wonderful job, as well.  Thanks to all those who made these windows into the history of our church possible.

Video #2 - Bob Stikeleather, Rev. Duane Stephens,
David and Jean Melton,
​and Shirley Crick.

Video #3 - Don Cordes,
Nancy Ehrlich, Jennifer Vansandt and Robby Klim.

Video #4 - Jack Ware, Jan Spencer, Betty Townley, Jill Esry, Kinley Weir and Emily Johnson.  

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time_capsule_contents.pdf
File Size:	52 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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FPC Opens 1976 Time Capsule 

The congregation opened the 1976 Time Capsule on April 12, livestreaming it (video playback) from each turn of the bolts to the contents being displayed in the Sanctuary and throughout the Parlour (download list above).  The congregation watched on TVs in the Sanctuary and Parlour, as well as from home, as we step back in time 50 years.
Adding a special bridge between generations, two former youth from the 1976 congregation, Sarah Sutton and David Burrus, returned to preside over the unveiling and share their memories of the era.  This is more than just opening a container; it's a direct connection to the faith and hopes of our predecessors.
The items from the Time Capsule will remain on display in the Parlour until placed in the Archive Room at Westminster Hall.  See below for more events coming up in our year-long celebration.

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Mark Your Calendars

Mark your calendars for the 200th Anniversary events listed below.  To RSVP, contact the church office, [email protected] or 816-641-5681.
(after worship unless otherwise noted)
April 12
Opening of the 1976 Time Capsule and Reception
May 17
Guest preacher Rev. Beverly Crute (10:30 a.m.)
June 14
TUXIS Confirmation class reunion lunch; please rsvp
June 14
Guest preacher Rev. Duane Stephens (10:30 a.m.)
Aug. 9
Guest preacher Rev. Daniel Robertson (10:30 a.m.)
​Aug. 16
Visiting Theologian Rev. Dr. Aaron Stauffer (9:15 a.m.)
Aug. 23
Visiting Theologian Rev. Dr. Aaron Stauffer (9:15 a.m.)
Aug. 23
Guest preacher Rev. Larry Satorius  (10:30 a.m.)
Aug. 30
Visiting Theologian Rev. Dr. Aaron Stauffer (9:15 a.m.)
Sept. 13
All-Church Luncheon, Program and Celebration; rsvp