Our History
History of the First Presbyterian Church of Rogers, ArkansasInformation for this document was taken from the “First Presbyterian Church of Rogers Celebrate! 1911-2011” booklet and other materials developed for the church’s centennial celebration. Thanks are given for the good work of those who put these materials together.
Church background
Early Church History
The history of the First Presbyterian Church of Rogers connects back to the earliest churches in Rogers. The first church established after Rogers was founded in 1881 was the Roger’s Congregational Church. That church building was originally located at the corner of Second and Poplar Streets.
In 1883 the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized. For its first decade, it had no building and the congregation met in Lowell. In 1896 a one-room frame building with a steeple and bell was built at the corner of Fourth and West Walnut Street in Rogers.
In 1911 the Congregational Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church agreed to merge. With a little more than 100 members, the combined congregation became the First Presbyterian Church of Rogers. The First Presbyterian Church of Rogers received its charter on October 10, 1912, from the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
In 1913 a Board of Deacons was established and it quickly decided that a new, larger building was needed. A new red brick building was built in 1914 at the corner of Fourth and Walnut. The first service held in the new building was on December 14, 1914, in the church basement. In May 1915, a dedication service was held for the completed church building.
Interesting Facts About the Church
Here are some interesting facts about the original building for the church, built circa 1914:
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Frisco Railroad provided free shipment of church construction materials for the church.
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Pews for the red brick church built in 1914 were donated by the St. Louis Congregational Church – some are still located in the current church narthex.
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In 1916 the church purchased a Kilgen tracker organ that was funded in half by the congregation, $950, with the other half funded by a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. It was the first organ in Rogers.
Current Setting
New Church Building
In 1987 a study was conducted that determined more space was needed to grow and meet the needs of the church. In 1990 a Church Growth Committee was formed and options were considered. In 1992 the congregation overwhelmingly voted to build a new church. A plot of land was purchased for the building at New Hope Road and 26th Street.
Early in 1994 church members were asked to list the items they would like to be moved from the old sanctuary to the new one. One of the top three items was the previously refurbished Kilgen organ which is still in use in the current sanctuary. Another item selected was an oak chancel cross which is now in the back of the sanctuary. A third item is a Wesley stained-glass window from the old Fellowship Hall which is now located on the west exterior wall of the current church building.
The current, “new”, First Presbyterian Church building held its first church service on May 1, 1994, with services starting in the old building and ending in the new sanctuary. On October 16, 1994, a dedication service for the new building was held. The old building was partially demolished in 1994. What was once the Fellowship Hall is still standing and is now a part of the bank that purchased the property.
Wish to Speak with Us?
Address |
1901 South 26th Street
Rogers, Arkansas 72758
Phone & Fax |
479-636-5542