First Presbyterian Church of Urbana was organized in 1856 with 29 members. For the following decade they met in space borrowed from other Urbana churches. In 1867, members constructed a simple frame sanctuary on Green Street in Urbana. By the end of the century, the congregation outgrew this facility. An ambitious fund drive raised $21,500 to build a new brick church at Green and Orchard. Dedicated in April, 1902, it served the congregation for more than fifty years. In 1954, a growing church school and increased fellowship activities prompted the addition of the present education wing. The chapel was also built as a part of the 1954 project.
In 1956, in these facilities the congregation celebrated the centennial of its founding. Again, the congregation needed a larger facility so the old sanctuary was razed and a dynamic new sanctuary was built. The first service in the new sanctuary was held on World Communion Sunday, October 4, 1964.
Much needed improvements to our church facility including a new office wing and an additional parking lot were realized in 1988. At that time, fulfilling our deep commitment to mission, the congregation made major contributions to Empty Tomb, Inc. and the Frances Nelson Health Center.
Early in its history, the congregation initiated a vital-mission program. By the 1920's the church had sponsored a missionary in China. In the 1950's it resettled a family displaced by World War II, just as today it ministers to persons whose lives are shattered by national conflicts or personal misfortunes.
"With God's help, First Presbyterian Church of Urbana has entered the twenty-first century as a church faithful to its past, enthusiastic in its present worship, fellowship and mission, and excited about its future."
In the 1960's church mission took a new direction as members participated in the Civil Rights movement. They also opened the education wing to a Head-Start Program. In 1974 the church invited the Korean Church of Champaign-Urbana to share its facilities.
A new plan for program mission and facility development emerged at the beginning of the new millennium, called "Catch the Vision." The capital fund and mission drive exceeded the goal to remodel and make accessible the older parts of the building, to expand parking spaces and to develop a sister church relationship with Jeanes Church in Malawi.
With God's help, First Presbyterian Church of Urbana has entered the twenty-first century as a church faithful to its past, enthusiastic in its present worship, fellowship and mission, and excited about its future.