From the beginning, the women of the church have played a significant role in church service, mission, inter-faith work, and fund-raising. They raised the $50 to purchase the lot to build the Broadway church. Some of their early missions included the School of the Ozarks, ministers’ relief, needy widows, orphanages, plus foreign projects. Our membership has always been diverse, i.e. bankers, butchers, bakers, judges, lawyers, doctors, educators, farmers, mayor, homemakers, commissioners, volunteers. In 1958, First Church fostered the establishment of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Today we provide space for the Korean Presbyterian Church to meet and worship. Our history reveals the church's evolvement in historic community events as well as national issues. We have experienced the divisive Civil War, America’s remarkable era of Western discovery, exploration and settlement, plus the populist, progressive, and prohibition movements. The church provided headquarters for temperance societies, ladies' relief societies for two World Wars, the Boone County Grange, and the Christian Endeavor Society.
Despite years of crisis, wars, divisions, and bitter disputes on theology, slavery, and politics, we have flourished and continue to serve God, our members, and Columbia. As we celebrate our past, we are committed to embracing the future to continue our mission of having an active role in inter-faith efforts, education, community leadership, and service. We are unworthy of our heritage unless we go forward.
Today our church is an outstanding landmark in downtown Columbia. The 90 foot massive bell tower with the crosses is a constant reminder of the Lord of the Church and our promise to spread the Gospel throughout the community. The west entrance front features a gold highlighted cross set against a soft blue mosaic tile panel. The Chi Rho monogram of Christ is placed over the auxiliary entrances.
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