History of First United Presbyterian Church - Fayetteville

The roots of the congregation began in the frontier life of Northwest Arkansas. In 1830, early settlers met with the Reverend Buchanan to form Fayetteville's first church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville. Worship services were first held in a blacksmith's shop. A brick church was built with volunteer labor at a cost of $2,500 on 229 Block St. After being used for Federal quarters, the Confederates burned down the building on April 30, 1863. All records were lost in the fire. The congregation survived the Civil War, reorganized on June 6, 1867, rebuilt after the fire, and provided three moderators for the church's General Assembly.

In 1906, the congregation followed the main body of the Cumberland denomination in reuniting with the "Northern Church" (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.). At that time, the Fayetteville church became the Central Presbyterian Church. The sanctuary and educational rooms were built at the corner of Dickson and St. Charles Streets, the present site of the U.S. Post Office.

Meanwhile, the "Southern Church" (Presbyterian Church U.S.) organized the First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, in 1873. The first pastor, the Reverend Davies, was called in 1874 and afterwards a sanctuary was dedicated on the corner of College Avenue and Spring Street. The lot and building cost $1750. In 1904, when the new brick church was built, the original frame structure was moved to South College Avenue. Once there, the sanctuary became The White Chapel mission until 1939.

In 1953, these two congregations federated (combined) with the name First Presbyterian Church, and in 1956 they merged boards to form one congregation under the discipline of the "Northern Church." In May 1958, this denomination united with another Presbyterian body to form the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. The local congregation used this occasion to adopt its present name: The First United Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville. In joy and prayer, the congregation broke ground on Nov. 20, 1960, and moved to the beautiful hilltop in July 1961. The church campus on "Presbyterian Hill" included a fellowship hall, an office building, and two education buildings. The church worshiped in the Fellowship Hall until 1970 when the present sanctuary was completed. In 1995, the sanctuary configuration underwent renovations by adding a dais, changing the carpet from gold to red, and adding several ranks of exposed pipes to the organ.

A study of present and future programming needs led to a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2000 that began an ambitious expansion and renovation effort. This project added 14,930 square feet to the church, bringing the total footage to 42,825 square feet.

The additions included a new multi-purpose building (named Witherspoon), covered walkways, a new kitchen, new classrooms/daycare space, an office complex, amphitheater, additional lighted parking, handicap accessible restrooms, library, elevator, patio gathering space, and a complete landscaping overhaul. Furthermore, the older church buildings were extensively renovated and renamed from A Building to Calvin and B Building to Knox. The narthex and fellowship hall were also renovated. The construction costs were $3,363,000, with additional expenses that brought the entire project to $3,846,626. Through the generosity and commitment of the congregation, the church concluded the project with a debt of only $1.4 million. During this period, the church's mission statement became "A Light on the Hill."
Though justifiably proud, the congregation is additionally thankful for the fruits of the Spirit that have led them into community involvement and leadership.

The University of Arkansas Infirmary, Butterfield Trail Village, Richardson Center, Cooperative Emergency Outreach, Creative School, Yellow Brick House, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, Habitat for Humanity, Life Styles, and First School are a few examples of institutions benefiting from Presbyterian leadership and active volunteers.

On June 1, 2003, the church, mindful of past and present servants who built for future generations, joyfully dedicated the "new" campus to the glory of God.