First Presbyterian Church
620 State Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
Phone: (865) 546-2531
Fax: (865) 546-2533
Email: church@fpcknox.org
Over two hundred years ago, James White, the founder of Knoxville, donated his turnip patch for “a church and a burying ground.” Since this time, First Presbyterian Church has been serving the heart of Knoxville in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
One of the unique features of being a downtown church is that our family of faith comes from all over East Tennessee. From Oak Ridge to Sevierville, South Knoxville to Fountain City, members of First Church gather each Sunday to worship God.
Worship reminds us of our need to gather as a community and to continually serve Christ. Because of this, First Presbyterian offers many activities during the week for all ages.
In response to God’s love and grace, members seek to follow Christ’s calling through service in our community and around the world. Volunteers serve regularly in ministries that uniquely affect the downtown community, and members of our congregation continue to serve around the world, bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.
We believe that all members of our congregation have gifts to share in their Christian faith and for what we cannot do by ourselves, we can affirm “Jehovah-jireh,” the Lord will provide. We welcome you to first Presbyterian church and invite you to join us, “for Christ in the heart of Knoxville.”
First Presbyterian, a “For-Prophet” Community
There are many grand passages of Scripture, but lets focus on the words of the prophet Micah. Some cynics have said the church today is a “non-prophet” community. My experience is exactly the opposite: the prophet voice speaks in and among us. So, in the church we hear the call to do justice when it would be profitable not to do so, to love kindness when it is easier to be mean, and to walk humbly before God when it seems to be so natural to make god-like judgments about the motivations and intentions of others. Humility comes more easily when we remember and live by our trust that God is in control. Kindness is a contagious spark. Even where the spark does not create further kindness, it will astonish those who expect illtempered responses. And our doing of justice is what we can do to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. So, come join us here at First Presbyterian anytime, as we resolve to be a “for-prophet” community? To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
God’s peace be with you.
Dr. William Pender, pastor
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