Our History
How it all started.
Many of the same active leaders who incorporated the City in 1911 founded First Presbyterian Church in 1912. Almost like twins, the two have been linked together in an active vision based on the prospect of ever growing future greatness.
The church’s outreach programs strengthen the church/city partnership. To date, our members have sponsored 21 homes for Habitat for Humanity. Our goal is to continue sponsoring homes which offer affordable housing options for deserving families in Broward county for many more years to come. Other outreach programs include feeding and clothing the hungry and homeless; providing more than 10,000 meals a year to members of the community; donating and delivering 1000 Thanksgiving meals for families in Florida; organizing annual blood drives; providing a Christmas experience to individuals of incarcerated parents through the Angel Tree; and more. Beyond the local community, First Presbyterian Church leads mission trips to national and international locations, and operates a small gift boutique with fair-trade merchandise.
Since 1947, Happyland Day School, a pre-school for ages two to Kindergarten, has provided a quality Christian environment for the children of our community. Several of the children in Happyland have parents and grandparents who themselves are Happyland graduates.
The Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church is a graded choir program beginning with the Cherub Choir (ages 4-5) and encompassing Calvin (grades 1-2), Carolers (grades 3-4), Chapel Singers (grades 6-8) and Kirk Singers (grades 9-12), choirs. In all of our rehearsals and performances, we are dedicated to teaching and training musicians so that everything we do reflects the excellence and power of God’s glory.
The adult Cathedral Choir is an integral link to the worship experience. Open to all who have a heart and desire to sing, this adult volunteer choir provides exquisite sacred musical offerings each week. The music department also hosts a yearly Concert Series with varied musical programs.
The church’s outreach programs strengthen the church/city partnership. To date, our members have sponsored 21 homes for Habitat for Humanity. Our goal is to continue sponsoring homes which offer affordable housing options for deserving families in Broward county for many more years to come. Other outreach programs include feeding and clothing the hungry and homeless; providing more than 10,000 meals a year to members of the community; donating and delivering 1000 Thanksgiving meals for families in Florida; organizing annual blood drives; providing a Christmas experience to individuals of incarcerated parents through the Angel Tree; and more. Beyond the local community, First Presbyterian Church leads mission trips to national and international locations, and operates a small gift boutique with fair-trade merchandise.
Since 1947, Happyland Day School, a pre-school for ages two to Kindergarten, has provided a quality Christian environment for the children of our community. Several of the children in Happyland have parents and grandparents who themselves are Happyland graduates.
The Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church is a graded choir program beginning with the Cherub Choir (ages 4-5) and encompassing Calvin (grades 1-2), Carolers (grades 3-4), Chapel Singers (grades 6-8) and Kirk Singers (grades 9-12), choirs. In all of our rehearsals and performances, we are dedicated to teaching and training musicians so that everything we do reflects the excellence and power of God’s glory.
The adult Cathedral Choir is an integral link to the worship experience. Open to all who have a heart and desire to sing, this adult volunteer choir provides exquisite sacred musical offerings each week. The music department also hosts a yearly Concert Series with varied musical programs.
First Presbyterian Church is proud of its fully endowed college scholarship program. Dating back to the 1930’s, the program was formalized and expanded in 1974. The fund provides numerous scholarships to qualified students in our community.
The Adult Activity Center is a ministry for seniors and is open to all people in our church and community. They meet every Thursday from mid-September through June. This large group of seniors come from all over Broward to enjoy lunches prepared by our chef, quality entertainment, fellowship, and educational programs. In addition, there are monthly bus trips to special Florida locations that are offered for a nominal fee.
First Presbyterian Church always looks to the future, but never forgets its past and its Scottish heritage. The traditions of the wearing of the tartans and the music of the bagpipe and drums add color as we celebrate our Scottish heritage at both our Hanging of the Greens service and our annual Scottish Sunday.
Several books and articles have been written about the church and the City of Fort Lauderdale. Many of the same descriptive words appear in them. Unique, pioneers in the community, cooperative, impossible dreamers, involved, tolerant, and visionary. First Presbyterian Church and the City of Fort Lauderdale — born together, working together, and growing together with the Grace of God and helping to make Fort Lauderdale a good place in which to live.
The Adult Activity Center is a ministry for seniors and is open to all people in our church and community. They meet every Thursday from mid-September through June. This large group of seniors come from all over Broward to enjoy lunches prepared by our chef, quality entertainment, fellowship, and educational programs. In addition, there are monthly bus trips to special Florida locations that are offered for a nominal fee.
First Presbyterian Church always looks to the future, but never forgets its past and its Scottish heritage. The traditions of the wearing of the tartans and the music of the bagpipe and drums add color as we celebrate our Scottish heritage at both our Hanging of the Greens service and our annual Scottish Sunday.
Several books and articles have been written about the church and the City of Fort Lauderdale. Many of the same descriptive words appear in them. Unique, pioneers in the community, cooperative, impossible dreamers, involved, tolerant, and visionary. First Presbyterian Church and the City of Fort Lauderdale — born together, working together, and growing together with the Grace of God and helping to make Fort Lauderdale a good place in which to live.
Our Mission & Beliefs
Get to know more about what makes us different.
Our Mission Statement
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale creates spaces of Christ-centered connection and inspires people of all ages to explore faith in open and honest ways, cultivating possibilities for growth and transformation.
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale creates spaces of Christ-centered connection and inspires people of all ages to explore faith in open and honest ways, cultivating possibilities for growth and transformation.
First Presbyterian Church is a church that adheres to the classical doctrines and beliefs of the Christian faith. Being a Presbyterian simply means that we are church governed by duly elected Elders as chosen by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by the people of the congregation. The word for Elder is presbyteros in Greek; hence, that is how we get our name!
So, what do Presbyterians believe? At First Presbyterian, there is a relationship between what we believe, with what we do, and with how we live. Each one of these categories builds upon the other. For example, what we know determines how we live our lives of discipleship. How we live our lives of discipleship in turn shapes who each of us becomes as a human being. Think of these three categories as a house. The foundation of our faith is our basic Christian Knowledge. The doors that open our lives up to faith are determined by our basic Christian Practices. The Upper Room of our faith are the basic virtues are life begins to display outwardly to the world.
Know. Do. Be. What we know affects what we do which shapes who we are. So, to help us grow into a strong house to be inhabited by the Spirit of Christ, there are at least ten ideas we need to know about. There are at least ten practices each of us can follow as a disciple. Finally, there are at least ten virtues our Christian lives should exhibit. If you are looking for a tool at assessing your walk with God, use these Thirty Core Competencies as your guide.
Our church’s denominational website also has an in depth description of Presbyterian theology and history. Click Here for more information.
So, what do Presbyterians believe? At First Presbyterian, there is a relationship between what we believe, with what we do, and with how we live. Each one of these categories builds upon the other. For example, what we know determines how we live our lives of discipleship. How we live our lives of discipleship in turn shapes who each of us becomes as a human being. Think of these three categories as a house. The foundation of our faith is our basic Christian Knowledge. The doors that open our lives up to faith are determined by our basic Christian Practices. The Upper Room of our faith are the basic virtues are life begins to display outwardly to the world.
Know. Do. Be. What we know affects what we do which shapes who we are. So, to help us grow into a strong house to be inhabited by the Spirit of Christ, there are at least ten ideas we need to know about. There are at least ten practices each of us can follow as a disciple. Finally, there are at least ten virtues our Christian lives should exhibit. If you are looking for a tool at assessing your walk with God, use these Thirty Core Competencies as your guide.
Our church’s denominational website also has an in depth description of Presbyterian theology and history. Click Here for more information.