Archives – The Church Archives are located on the 4th floor of the Education Building. Many volunteer hours have gone into organizing archival records of the life of First Presby. These include session minutes, past newsletters, photographs and many more interesting items. You are welcome to visit the Archives. Please call the church office for available times.
The church is currently working on compiling many of its historical documents online. Additional documents, including baptismal records, bulletins, pictures, marriage registries, etc. can be found in The Heritage Room: First Presbyterian Church Archives on the fourth floor of the church.
Library – The Church Library is located in the Activities Building on the upper floor near the elevator. The congregation is most welcome to borrow books and resources. The Library contains many Biblical reference books, books exploring each of the Old and New Testament chapters, children’s Bibles, fiction books for children, videos, DVDs and more. First Presby’s library is open from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, please call 304-343-8961.
History – Built in 1915, the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston was designed by architects Weber, Werner and Adkins.
The exterior is a near replica of Stanford White’s masterpiece, Madison Square Presbyterian Church in New York City, which has been torn down. The Byzantine interior was inspired by the central dome area of St. Marco’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy. The seating capacity of 850 allows newcomers and members to join in worship.
Fisk Organ –
In 1978 the early 20th-century facade that originally covered the organ chamber at Harvard University’s Memorial Church became available after being in storage for over twenty years. Charles Fisk saw how well the handsome and elaborately carved casework would complement the architecture of Charleston’s First Presbyterian Church and acquired it. The dark oak case and carved pipe shades were restored and expanded to contain the new three-manual Opus 79. The keydesk, located within the case en fenêtre, is oiled mahogany; the natural key covers are of grenadil with accidentals of ivory-capped rosewood.
The organ’s tonal structure is inspired by organ building practices of the late 18th century with particular emphasis on the monumental instruments of central Germany, including organs Bach played. This core, along with several stops based on other national traditions, gives the organ a well-balanced eclectic capability, increasing its versatility for recitals and fulfilling its main functions of accompanying congregational singing and choir anthems and playing organ voluntaries. Among the stops adding color and vitality are the French Jeu de Tierce in the Swell and the narrow-scaled, Gottfried Silbermann-style mutations in the Positive. The 16′ Great Principal and the 16′ Swell Bourdon add gravity to the plenum, the characteristic full sound of the organ, so necessary in a room as large as the First Presbyterian Church. These stops are also available in the Pedal and add to its capabilities for accompaniment.
Reference: The Fisk website
Photo by Diana Vorhees 2025
History of the Presbyterian Congregation and Other Early Churches of “Kenhawa”1804-1900 (pgs. 1-37) was written by Katie Belle Abney, First President Woman’s Auxillilary of the First Presbyterian Church and edited by the Executive Circle First Presbyterian Church 1930
A Brief History… was written by Ruth P. Coghill.
The Church of 150 Years was written by Ruth Putney Coghill in 1969, upon the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the church.
Ruth Putney Coghill wrote the original history of the church, covering the period from 1819-1969. Dolly Sherwood wrote a follow-up to Coghill’s historical narritive bringing the story to 1989 with The First Presbyterian Church, A History: 1819-1989.