We, as the Church, are the body of Christ equipped through prayer by the Holy Spirit to glorify God; Through passionate worship, nurturing fellowship, sacrificial service, respectful evangelism, and active discipleship, we encourage and challenge all ages of our congregation and community to grow in relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

First Presbyterian Church is located in central Arlington at 1200 South Collins, one block north of Park Row on the West side of Collins Street. 

The church was established in 1888 and now has an active membership of 700.

Sunday worship is at 8:30 in the Chapel and 11:00 in the Sanctuary.

Sunday School Classes for all ages are from 9:35 to 10:30.

During the summer, from June 1 to August 31, there will be no adult or children's Sunday School classes, and only one service, at 10:00.  Regular classes and service schedule will begin on Rally Day, September 7.

Our Senior pastor is Rob McClelland.

The denomination of our church is Presbyterian Church (USA).

Visit the Grace Presbytery web site at www.gracepresbytery.com.

Presbyterians draw their inspiration from the French reformer John Calvin, who along with Martin Luther helped initiate a period in church history called “the Reformation.”  The Reformation began when Luther nailed his 95 topics for theological discussion on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517.   This led to attempts at “reforming” the church, including those of John Calvin in Geneva and John Knox in Scotland.  People who embraced the Reformation were called “protesters” or Protestants.

The name Presbyterian is derived from the Greek word presbuteros, or elder.  Calvin envisioned the empowering of laity.  He believed strongly that every Christian is a minister.  He also feared placing too much power in the hands of individuals.  So he envisioned a church government that was representative in nature.  Decisions would be made collectively by elders and ministers.

The Presbyterian church is governed, therefore, by ruling and teaching elders.  First Presbyterian Church of Arlington has twenty-one ruling elders and two Ministers of Word and Sacrament.  The Presbyterian church is unique as a denomination in that it ordains laity.  Other denominations elect officers.  The Presbyterian church not only elects officers, but ordains them for service as elders and deacons.

Luther and Calvin found their guidance for the Reformation in the Bible.  They believed that the Bible was the written Word of God, and the supreme witness to the living Word of God, Jesus Christ.  So Presbyterians have a deep conviction about the authority of Scripture.   Scripture tells us that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.   So the three hallmarks of the Reformation are:  Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone.

Presbyterians are known by the three C’s.  We are a confessional church.  Our doctrine is expressed in eleven historical creeds or confessions of faith.  The most familiar creeds include:  the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Scots Confession, and the Westminster Confession of Faith. 

Presbyterians are a constitutional church.  We are governed by a Book of Order that very helpfully outlines the duties and responsibilities of churches, pastors, elders, and deacons.  The Book of Order allows us to be governed “decently and in order.”  The Book of Order, which is in fact our church constitution, outlines the Great Ends or Purposes of the Church:  the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of God to the world.

And Presbyterians are a connectional church.  Unlike denominations which are hierarchical (churches where authority is invested in an individual such as a bishop), or congregational (where churches do not have a connection with one another), we Presbyterians share a unity in mission, doctrine, and government through the higher levels of our church – the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.  There are 16 Synods and 173 Presbyteries.  Today, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has a national membership of 2,405,311 which comes together every Sunday for worship in 11,064 congregations.