Ringing in 175th year

When two members of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau donated $600 to purchase a church bell back in 1854, they likely had no idea how their generosity would affect the community for years to come.

According to historical records prepared by church member Nancy Bray, in 1855 Addie McNeely and May Ferguson gave their money to buy a 1,400-pound bell too heavy to be hung in its intended location, a church in St. Louis. The bell was brought to Cape Girardeau the same year, where a wooden scaffold was constructed to hang the bell next to the first building that housed the congregation of First Presbyterian on Broadway and Lorimier.

At the time, the church's location was in the middle of town. Over the years, the bell served other civic purposes. It was used as Cape Girardeau's first school bell, fire bell and general alarm bell. According to records, the bell rang differently to signal an emergency in each of the town's four wards or to signal the escape of a prisoner from the nearby jail.

The significance of the bell inspired the theme "A Ringing Legacy of Faith" to celebrate First Presbyterian Church's 175th anniversary this year. Neva Kay Ross, co-chairwoman of the anniversary steering committee, said the committee took the bell as the theme because it has had so much meaning in Cape Girardeau for so many years.

"Our church has been a church on this corner since 1835," Ross said. "We are a community of believers and we have praised God all these years, and we continue to do that and to grow in our faith."

First Presbyterian Church, 235 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, is celebrating its 175th anniversary. (Fred Lynch)

Many historical civic activities have surrounded First Presbyterian's location at the corner of Broadway and Lorimier Street. The church aided the beginnings of the Cape Girardeau public school system, where the first of three church buildings housed a school around the turn of the century. In 1902, a second building was completed to replace the original church. By 1908, the building housed the city's first public library. In 1912, the first public high school class held its graduation ceremony inside the building. By the 1920s, both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts were organized at the church. The original Boy Scout troop, Troop 4, is now the oldest in continuous existence in Southeast Missouri.

By the 1960s, the church reached the height of its membership numbers with around 640 attendees.

The congregation decided another new building was needed, and that they would stay in the same downtown location. The current church building underwent renovations ending in 2005 to update the building and make it handicap accessible. It now has around 250 members.

Over more recent years, the congregation of First Presbyterian has continued its efforts as a leader in providing services for the community. In 1979, church members conceptualized and began The Chateau Girardeau retirement community. Bray said the church is also responsible for helping begin community programs like Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, FISH, the Safe House for Women and Mothers of Preschoolers, also known as MOPS.

Bray said the way the church has been a forefront for community need over the years shows her that anything is possible.

"You get an idea and a few people involved and look what you can create," Bray said of the programs.

"Those all started with an individual, and we have had that type of person in our church over the years, to take those ideas and go into the community with them."

Today will mark the first of many celebrations throughout the year to mark the anniversary of First Presbyterian Church. According to Ross, activities include visits from several former and interim pastors to give sermons, among other things.

The pastors include the Rev. Carl Schlich, the Rev. Hugh Stewart, the Rev. Charles Dryer, the Rev. Jim Cushman, the Rev. Charles Grant and the Rev. Charles Eric Mount Jr., who will give today's sermon. Mount was sponsored by the church as a candidate for the ministry when he began his career.

The visiting pastors and church members who plan to give sermons will help to make up for the retirement of the Rev. Paul Kabo Jr., who will give his last sermon today. Kabo has been with the church for 10 years. Ross said Kabo has done many good things for the church, and they are sorry to see him leave. They will hold a potluck luncheon in the church after the sermon today to celebrate and honor Kabo.

Two other events are planned for the anniversary celebration, including a special recognition ceremony on Palm Sunday for members who have been at the church for longer than 50 years and an art show at the church Aug. 6 that will be included in the First Friday gallery openings.

Ross said the show will include works by First Presbyterian Church members and will show the diversity of the congregation.