Our Church has a long and distinguished history. Our founder, Rev. Joseph Badger, was the first minister of any denomination in Ashtabula City and County. Ours was the First Presbyterian Church in continuous existence here, in the County and in northeast Ohio including Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga and Summit Counties.

        We began as a Plan of Union Church. In 1801 the Presbyterians and Connecticut Congregationalists united to form churches on the frontier, including Ohio. The Rev. Joseph Badger served both the Presbyterian missionary Society of Pittsburgh and Connecticut (Congregational).

        In 1810 he came to Ashtabula and lived at 3807 Lake Ave. Eleven years later, on Dec, 7, 1821, he organized the First Presbyterian Church with seven members. On Dec, 17, 1834, the church was incorporated and granted a charter by the State Legislature. On Jan. 15, 1835, the congregation voted to build a church. On June 23, 1836 the "Old Meeting House" on the corner of Park Ave. and W. 43rd St. was dedicated. This building was enlarged and rededicated in 1857. It was moved to the site of the present manse in 1891 and torn down to make way for the manse in 1906. It served for 70 years.

        From 1821 to 1847 supply pastors served First Church. On Feb. 14,1847 the Rev. Augustus Pomeroy was installed as the first full-time pastor of the church until 1852. Under his leadership the church voted to become Presbyterian in internal government as well as in name.

        On Dec. 7,1850, just twenty-nine years after its organization, the church ordained its first elders. The Rev. Jedidah Mills Gillett was issued a call May 23,1852 and served the congregation for thirteen years until Oct. 17,1865.

        This was the period of increasing anti-slavery sentiment in the North and some in the congregation accused Gillett of being pro-slavery. Others felt the Plan of Union principle had been abrogated when a Presbyterian Session had been organized in 1850 and a Presbyterian creed adopted five years later. On May 8,1860, a minority in the church separated and founded the First Congregational Church of Ashtabula. Their building was dedicated Feb. 12,1862.

        The Presbyterians, reduced in size, showed determination when in 1861 they purchased the lot on which the manse now stands and erected a "Chapel" (Sunday School). Dr. Joseph Nelson McGiffert, the third full-time pastor, served this church for nearly thirty years from July 1866 until his death June 20, 1896. Under his ministry the church grew to over 400 and the present sanctuary was dedicated October 18, 1892. Pastor for five years, from December 1, 1896 to April 30, 1902, was Dr. Charles Latta Chalfant, under whose pastorate the mortgage on the church was burned Easter Day, 1900.

        The Prospect Presbyterian Church, a daughter of this congregation, was organized November 20, 1899 with twenty charter members.

        Dr. William Figley Weir was pastor from February 22,1903 to September 20,1912. The "Old Meeting House" was moved to the site of the present manse in 1891 was torn down in 1906; the "Old Chapel" (erected in 1861) was torn down and now is a part of the Ducro Funeral Home.

        In 1907, the manse and old Sunday School wing adjoining the church were dedicated.

        The Harris Memorial Church was begun as a Sunday school mission in 1906. In 1911 Mr. Samuel Harris, an elder of this church, offered to build a church on a lot he had purchased. The building was dedicated in June 1912. The church was formally organized Nov. 15, 1914. Nineteen of the original twenty-three members came from First Presbyterian Church.

        Dr. Charles Henry McDonald was pastor from Dec. 1, 1912 to Sept. 30. 1919. The indebtedness on the manse and Church School was completely eliminated in October 1918. The third daughter church, East Side Presbyterian, was organized June 2, 1918 with 86 members joining from this church.

        From Nov. 24, 1919 to Dec. 1, 1930, Dr. Howard Donaldson Borley was pastor. Mr. Fred Lewis, gave property for the Christian Education Building and Mr. Charles Woodman gave the land for the rear parking lot. The present organ was dedicated May 1, 1921. The first Christian Education Director was hired in 1926 through a bequest of Mr. Lewis in memory of his wife.

        Dr. Robert Hayes Rolofson was pastor from May 1, 1931 to August 31, 1944. In 1940 he wrote a history of the church "Through Succeeding Years". During his ministry Miss Viola Clark (Mrs. George Sandt) developed an outstanding youth program with emphasis upon choirs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Fellowships.

        Dr. Rolofson exchanged pastorates with Dr. Cranston Earl Goddard, then serving a church in the Canal Zone, Panama. Dr. Goddard became pastor here Sept. 1, 1944 and served the church for eleven years until Sept. 15, 1955. Under his ministry many of the present members joined the congregation. A Church Constitution was adopted April 10, 1946. Through a bequest of Mrs. Rudolph Henry Pfaff, the property on West 43rd Street was purchased.

        Dr. George Arthur Johnson became pastor on April 3, 1956 until his retirement on April 7, 1985, at which time he was given Pastor Emeritus Status. The present Christian Education Building was dedicated Sept. 27. 1959. The Old Chapel wing was torn down in 1959. Two houses on W. 43rd St were purchased, and removed for a parking lot in 1960. Plans for the remodeling the sanctuary were completed in 1966. Membership at that time was 840 of whom 40 were non-resident. The first full-time ordained Assistant Pastor in the history of the church, the Reverend Richard John Baker was installed October 10, 1965. Interim Pastor was Reverend Jack Graham.

        Dr. Stephen Ralph Long succeeded Dr. Johnson on December 1, 1986 and is presently serving our church (2004). Since that time, there has been special emphasis on Bible Study, Pray Ministry and Hands on Ministry. The Christian education building memorial lounge was re-decorated; the kitchen completely refurbished, the interior Sanctuary renovated; handicapped restrooms installed; elevator provided, new heating and air to CE buildings; storm windows on CE building and security systems to both buildings. A midi addition to the organ was given in memory of John Colin by his wife Mary, and Carillon bells were given in memory of Virginia Herzog by her husband Rudy. The Church's first Director of Family Ministries, Dr. Elizabeth J. Weckerly, began her duties on August 4, 2003.

The First Presbyterian Church's congregation has "let her light shine" for over 183 years.