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First Presbyterian Church, Neenah

On Sunday, October 29, First Presbyterian Church observed the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation which began in 1517. Protestant Christians around the world celebrate Reformation Day on October 31 which marks the day Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany, thus sparking the reformation.

Music is a large part of the ministry at First Presbyterian Church, which offers youth and adult vocal and hand bell choirs accompanied by a refurbished Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. The Chancel Choir, seen here in red robes, sings at the 10:15 a.m. worship service, September through May, as well as at special services throughout the year. The church has a history of partnership with Appleton’s Lawrence University, offering scholarships to students who sing in the choir.

A major emphasis at First Presbyterian is youth programming and outreach. “My husband and I decided to come back here because of the children’s programing,” says Tanya Schroeder, who attended First Presbyterian as a child. “We liked how there’s lots of opportunities for youth, especially as they get into middle and high school through mission trips.”

The 720-member congregation is currently searching for a new senior pastor after Rev. Dr. Richard Moore retired in 2016 after 27 years with the church. In the above image, Interim Pastor Terry Hamilton-Poore leads a sermon on the theme of change, tying the revolution brought about by the Protestant Reformation to the congregation’s quest for new leadership.

Finding community:

“I began dating my now husband and he was raised Presbyterian. The two of us set out to ‘church shop’ while we were dating. We started here because of his familiarity with the denomination. Three different people greeted us, struck up conversations on that very first visit and we never shopped anywhere else. That was a really powerful thing for me, being welcomed in a way I hadn’t experienced … Now, of course, I make a point of being that person for someone else.” — Lisa Strandberg, elder