First Presbyterian Church was founded on August 21, 1826, by Rev. Noah M. Wells, who traveled from Detroit to organize a congregation of 17 members from New York and Virginia. From its earliest days, the church gathered for worship, teaching, fellowship, and service, establishing a presence in a growing community. Early worship took place in a variety of makeshift locations before the congregation built its first small frame church in 1829. As the church and community grew, so did its ministry, leading to larger facilities in 1837 and 1860 and continued efforts to create spaces for worship, education, and community life.

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The church’s ministry has continually expanded in response to the needs of its community. Its commitment to campus ministry began with Tappan Hall in 1866, reflecting an early interest in engaging with the University of Michigan and the broader life of Ann Arbor. In the 1920s, the congregation moved to donated property, where a new church was eventually dedicated in 1938. The addition of the Education Wing in 1965 and Monteith Chapel in 1998 provided new opportunities for worship, programs, and ministries.

For nearly two centuries, First Presbyterian has sought to be a place where people encounter God, grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and put faith into action. Through worship and Christian formation, music and the arts, children, youth and adult ministries, pastoral care and fellowship, campus ministry, and local and global mission, the church has continued to serve its congregation and community while responding to the changing needs of each generation.