First United Presbyterian Church

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Bells on the Hill

Beneath the sanctuary cross, the handbell choir is getting ready to present “Lift High the Cross,” a popular processional hymn which is the focus of the Lenten season at FUPC this year. The hymn was originally prepared for a festival of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, held in Winchester Cathedral in 1887…. Read more »

The Lenten Banner Cross

The banners welcoming visitors and members to the courtyard change with the seasons. our Lenten banners were designed in 2022 by Debbie Power. Two of the series of four banners feature images of the cross. The banners were added to the FUPC campus as part of the building campaign of 2018, when the sheltered outdoor… Read more »

The Presbyterian Cross

The cross many people know as the Presbyterian cross has its roots in the Celtic tradition and the Scottish Reformation. The Celtic cross is characterized by a circle around the intersection of the arms of the cross and may also be decorated with details like interlacing patterns or knots. This design emerged in early Christian… Read more »

The Choir Room Cross

The FUPC music program has been a high priority of the church from the beginning. At one time, the church had five choirs, as well as adult and youth handbell choirs and a praise band. Currently, with Isaac Thomas as Minister of Music, we have a Chancel Choir, handbell choir known as Bells on the… Read more »

Practicing Gratitude During Lent

Our theme of “Lift High the Cross” draws our focus on to God’s grace.  Knowledge of God’s unconditional love brings forth gratitude.  People who practice intentional gratitude regularly say that it helps them to be more aware of the positive in their lives.  Why not start today? What are you thankful for?

Stained Glass

The stained glass window in Fellowship Hall includes a stylized cross. Fellowship Hall was used for worship services when the church was first built. Each family was asked to buy chairs for their own family members plus one guest, according to the church history book, and a pulpit was in place beneath the Davies rose… Read more »

The Gathering Place Cross

The Gathering Place is a new name and use for the narthex of the church. What’s a narthex? It’s an enclosed gathering space opposite the main altar of a church, and most people nowadays don’t actually know what the word means. In fact, the word has changed its primary meaning since it first came into… Read more »

Kristi’s Cross

Kristi, Director of Christian Education, is another staff member with a cross in her office. In fact, she has more than one. The one pictured was given to Kristi by friend and mentor NiAnn Thompson on the occasion of her retirement. NiAnn had a collection of crosses and she marked her retirement by distributing them… Read more »

2023 Annual Report

Please click the button below to download a pdf copy of the annual report.

The Classroom Cross

Many of the crosses at FUPC are carved from wood. One example is this unusual design, which can be found hanging between the Sunday School classrooms in the Calvin Building. The church history book recounts that Calvin 203 was the first choice of the Truth Seekers Class, which was given the pick of classrooms when… Read more »

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