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 (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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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.