First Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and traces its own history back to the year 1892. As the congregation is constituted today, it also represents mergers with the Doylestown Presbyterian Church and the First Reformed Church of Barberton. Indeed, during the decade of the 1930s the congregation gave witness to those mergers in its name – the Federated Church of Barberton. Since 1939, however, the church has been known as First United Presbyterian Church (through 1983) and as First Presbyterian Church (to the present).In the manner of its life and worship, this congregation would understand itself as a “traditional” Presbyterian congregation – yet still very much alive and attuned to the present needs of members and community.

First Presbyterian Church is known by many in the area as “the church that does so much for the community.” This congregation historically has been in the forefront of mission with and to the changing neighborhoods that surround it, and is the birthplace of Barberton Area Community Ministries – a service agency that still has its offices in Galt House on the church property. We also are the current home of a professional tutorial program that reaches out to assist local children in fulfilling their educational potential.First Presbyterian Church is a healthy mix of young and old, with many young adults and children associating happily with older members. It also is a regional church, with a large proportion of members coming from beyond Barberton. In fact, the average distance that members travel to the church is eight miles. Consequently, we touch the lives of surrounding communities, as well as the community in which our building is situated.

Our church is proud of its innovative Sunday Church School for children, using the exciting “rotation model” and a hands-on curriculum. We also celebrate our extensive adult education program, with five different adult classes meeting each Sunday morning throughout the year. In addition, our youth are actively involved through a youth program directed by our Director of Christian Education.Music is central to our worship. We have a dedicated and talented Chancel Choir and Bell Choir, directed by professional musicians serving as Director of Music and as our Organist.