Our History
Journey Through Our Legacy:
The History of First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Noah M. Wells, pastor from Detroit, journeyed on horseback to Ann Arbor and established the First Presbyterian Church on August 21, 1826. The founding members, who came from Presbyterian and Congregational churches in New York and Virginia, brought certificates of membership, and one woman joined through baptism. John Beach became the church’s first installed minister in October 1831 and served until 1838. In the early years, services were held in log schoolhouses, a tavern ballroom, and the second floor of Cooks Hotel. By 1829, a small frame church was built, complete with a bell for announcing services and calling children to bed. In 1836, the Michigan Antislavery Society held its first meeting here.
Reverend William S. Curtis became the second installed minister in 1843, and his wife, Martha Leach Curtis, founded the "Ladies Aid Society," which played a crucial role in supporting missions and church activities. The congregation outgrew the original frame church and constructed a larger building across the street in 1837. When the University of Michigan moved to Ann Arbor, the church hosted its first graduation in 1845. The original church was sold and relocated in the late 1850s to make way for a new brick church, which began construction in 1860 but was not fully completed until 1872 due to the Civil War.
In the 1920s, recognizing the need for a modern facility, Pastor Anderson led efforts to acquire new property, and the church moved to its current location, thanks to a generous offer from Professor Demon's widow. The new church was dedicated in January 1938, with additional student activity spaces provided by the University of Michigan Presbyterian Corporation.
Our church continued to grow, adding the Education Wing in 1965 and acquiring the student wing from the University in 1971. Renovations in the 1990s included the addition of Monteith Chapel in 1998.
Throughout its history, the church has been deeply involved in community service and missions, from sponsoring Boy Scout Troop Number 7 and supporting refugees to participating in local and global mission trips. The women’s group has supported various international missions and provided aid to war-torn Europe post-WWII. Our current missions include supporting local and international efforts, providing assistance to military personnel, and fostering youth engagement through mission trips and community support.
Since 2001, the Lilly Endowment residency program has been a cornerstone of our church, nurturing future ministry leaders. For more details on our residency program, please visit our Resident Ministry page.