History of First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield
The First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield, Minnesota was organized January 2, 1870, by a committee appointed by the Presbytery of St. Paul. The charter membership of the church included nine members: Nettie Gordon, Mr. & Mrs. A.N. Greiner, Rachel and Isabel Greiner, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hill, Mrs. D.B. Jackson and Henry Wilson.
The First Presbyterian Church was the first Protestant church organized in Litchfield. The St. Paul & Pacific Railway donated the site for the church July 25, 1870. The first house of worship was built in 1870-1871 at a cost of $4,000.00. The manse (minister's home) was built next to the church in 1876-1877 at a cost of $1,400.
The church purchased a bell in 1872 from Blimer, Norton & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. The bell continues to serve as a call to worship today. It also served as the fire bell for Litchfield. The bell weighs 650 pounds and with mountings, weighed 800 pounds. The foundry bill for the bell was $125.00 and the freight was $8.75.
In 1904, remodeling of the church was undertaken. A new pipe organ, pews, pulpit furniture and new sanctuary were part of the remodeling project. The remodeling was done by January 29, 1905 at a cost of $6,500.00. The congregation was completely free of debt.
In 1925, the manse was remodeled at a cost of $3,650.00. The manse was sold in 1973. In 1982, a house at 413 South Miller Street was purchased to serve as a manse at a cost of $68,000.00. The South Miller Street manse was sold in 2010.
In 1958, the congregation began working toward adding a Christian Education building to the church. A 40x60 foot brick Christian Education addition was dedicated in 1964. The upper level contains a pastor’s study, secretary’s office, choir room, youth game room, classrooms and a children's nursery. The lower level contains a kitchen, large dining area and restrooms.
In 1979, the original church structure was redecorated from a dining room to a multi-purpose room for meetings and social events. This area is called the Memorial Room in recognition of it being the original church structure. Surrounding this area is a small kitchen, library and a handicapped accessible bathroom.
The stained glass windows in the original church structure remain in the Memorial Room. In 1906, stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary. The two largest windows depict Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In 2010, a triangular stained glass window of a cross was installed over the door near the parking lot. The windows in the sanctuary and the window over the door are lit at night as a gift to the community.
In the 1980's, the ramp leading into the Holcombe Avenue door of the church was installed. This ramp is scheduled to be remodeled. In 2009, a new entryway, a ramp to the door near the parking lot and a ramp leading into the Memorial Room were installed. In 2012, a lift providing accessibility to the lower level was installed.
In 2011, a prayer garden was landscaped on the side yard of the church. The prayer garden is open to the community. Amid the flowers and greenery, two benches are located on a brick patio. People can leave prayer requests in the Prayer Garden Mailbox; the congregation prays the prayer requests during Sunday worship.
The First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield, Minnesota was organized January 2, 1870, by a committee appointed by the Presbytery of St. Paul. The charter membership of the church included nine members: Nettie Gordon, Mr. & Mrs. A.N. Greiner, Rachel and Isabel Greiner, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hill, Mrs. D.B. Jackson and Henry Wilson.
The First Presbyterian Church was the first Protestant church organized in Litchfield. The St. Paul & Pacific Railway donated the site for the church July 25, 1870. The first house of worship was built in 1870-1871 at a cost of $4,000.00. The manse (minister's home) was built next to the church in 1876-1877 at a cost of $1,400.
The church purchased a bell in 1872 from Blimer, Norton & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. The bell continues to serve as a call to worship today. It also served as the fire bell for Litchfield. The bell weighs 650 pounds and with mountings, weighed 800 pounds. The foundry bill for the bell was $125.00 and the freight was $8.75.
In 1904, remodeling of the church was undertaken. A new pipe organ, pews, pulpit furniture and new sanctuary were part of the remodeling project. The remodeling was done by January 29, 1905 at a cost of $6,500.00. The congregation was completely free of debt.
In 1925, the manse was remodeled at a cost of $3,650.00. The manse was sold in 1973. In 1982, a house at 413 South Miller Street was purchased to serve as a manse at a cost of $68,000.00. The South Miller Street manse was sold in 2010.
In 1958, the congregation began working toward adding a Christian Education building to the church. A 40x60 foot brick Christian Education addition was dedicated in 1964. The upper level contains a pastor’s study, secretary’s office, choir room, youth game room, classrooms and a children's nursery. The lower level contains a kitchen, large dining area and restrooms.
In 1979, the original church structure was redecorated from a dining room to a multi-purpose room for meetings and social events. This area is called the Memorial Room in recognition of it being the original church structure. Surrounding this area is a small kitchen, library and a handicapped accessible bathroom.
The stained glass windows in the original church structure remain in the Memorial Room. In 1906, stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary. The two largest windows depict Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In 2010, a triangular stained glass window of a cross was installed over the door near the parking lot. The windows in the sanctuary and the window over the door are lit at night as a gift to the community.
In the 1980's, the ramp leading into the Holcombe Avenue door of the church was installed. This ramp is scheduled to be remodeled. In 2009, a new entryway, a ramp to the door near the parking lot and a ramp leading into the Memorial Room were installed. In 2012, a lift providing accessibility to the lower level was installed.
In 2011, a prayer garden was landscaped on the side yard of the church. The prayer garden is open to the community. Amid the flowers and greenery, two benches are located on a brick patio. People can leave prayer requests in the Prayer Garden Mailbox; the congregation prays the prayer requests during Sunday worship.
