HISTORY

Witness on Market Street

A dynamic and exciting congregation, First & Central Presbyterian is continuing its heritage of centuries of mission and faithful witness, taking seriously the present and future challenges of ministry in the midst of the downtown community.

Read our Mission & Vision, here.

Our History

First & Central Presbyterian Church was formed in 1920 as the result of the the merging of First Presbyterian Church (founded in 1737, painting of First Church by noted local artist, Stanley Arthurs, and Central Presbyterian Church (founded in 1855, picture below). The current building dates from 1929. First & Central’s centuries of history have seen times of flourishing ministry, as well as times of near extinction. The congregation’s heritage includes stories from significant periods:

During the Revolutionary War, the British used Old First Church as a hospital.
Throughout the 19th century, First Church oversaw the creation of several new churches in Wilmington, including Central Church, West Church, and Hanover Street Church.
In American Presbyterian history, First & Central experienced a major split as part of the schism in our denomination in 1936.
In local ecumenical history, for 20 years, First & Central hosted daily Roman Catholic masses sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, as well as interfaith worship and activities.
In Wilmington’s history, First & Central played a major role in reconciliation efforts following the city’s race riots in 1968.

Above is the original First Presbyterian Church building (1740-1840), which was moved from Market Street (west of Rodney Square) to the banks of the Brandywine River in 1916. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America further renovated the building in 1981, and maintains it today. We worship here once a year for our annual church picnic.

While many churches left the city for the suburbs in the 1960s and 1970s, First & Central elected to stay and remain committed to being a church of the city.
In 1977, First & Central joined four other congregations to form the Wilmington Presbyterian Cluster, whose purpose was to foster the presence of Presbyterians in the city, to serve the economically disadvantaged, and to resource the congregations to support its ministry. The Cluster sponsored summer worship services in Old First Church, joint services on Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve, film festivals and an artist-in-residence program.
First & Central underwent a significant renovation of its sanctuary and building in 1995, expanding the chancel, reconfiguring the offices, and adding an elevator and ramps to make the building ADA-compliant. A further renovation in 2017 included creating the new back entry foyer, a completely restored kitchen (suitable for cooking classes), and reconfiguring the stage space of Memorial Hall to accommodate visiting mission groups.
In 2015, First & Central made Presbyterian history by hosting the first joint ordination of a lesbian couple, Holly and Kaci Clark-Porter.
In 2019 and 2020, First & Central honored the 100th anniversary of the merger of the two congregations. Anniversary celebrations included:
- Using marble rescued from the 1995 renovation, created commemorative paperweights.
- Hearing and recording the personal stories of long-time members.
- Commissioning of a wall parament, “Christ in the City,”
- Commissioning of an anniversary hymn, “Run the Race God Sets Before Us.” The text is based on Hebrews 12: v. 1-2 and written by Thomas Troeger. The choir and choir alumni supported the commissioning of an original tune by David Hurd, titled Rodney Square.
- Hosting the 848th Stated Meeting of New Castle Presbytery, 100 years after they voted to approve the merger of the two churches.
- A celebration luncheon on March 1, 2020, just two weeks before the church closed under COVID restrictions.
In 2020, as the pandemic reshaped the world, the First & Central congregation continued to meet close to home, holding outdoor worship services on the marble steps facing Market Street until June 2021.
In June of 2023, First & Central formed a partnership with 1in7B, a mobile trailer that provides laundry and shower services on Saturdays between April and November at locations in Wilmington. A corps of volunteers supports 1in7B services by preparing and serving lunch, washing laundry, cleaning showers, and distributing hygiene products on the first Saturday of the month.
Beginning in December of 2023, First & Central became a Code Purple overnight shelter. Guests receive a hot meal and a safe place to sleep. Friendship House staff monitor the overnight hours. A continental breakfast is available in the morning.
In 2025, Emily Ballentine Erb became Director of Music Ministries, following the retirement of David Schelat, long-time Minister of Music.