Our History
On April 30, 1980, a small group of people with
the desire to establish a Presbyterian congregation in the Port
Clinton area, met with representatives of Maumee Valley
Presbytery. The first service was held on September 21, 1980,
under the leadership of the Rev. Alfred Murschel, a retired
pastor. We worshipped in the fellowship hall of
Catawba Union Chapel on Porter Road,
Catawba, until October of 1982. The Rev. Ellen McGormley served
as state supply pastor from July 1981 to August 1982.
Catawba Union Chapel
1980
The Holy Spirit's presence and Christ's love was
always evident among us, and with the Lord's leading, we were
chartered as Firelands Presbyterian Church on Pentecost, May 30,
1982.
In October of 1982, we rented and renovated a
remodeled barn on Sloan Road, Catawba. The Rev. Barbara Anderson
and the Rev. Mark Smutney, a clergy couple, were appointed
interim co-pastors from October 1982 through September 1983.
The Barn
1983
In October 1983, the Rev. Robert E. Butcher was
appointed state supply pastor. In January of 1984, he was
called by the congregation to be its first installed pastor. At
about the same time, we began to move forward on our building
program. We vacated the barn in September of 1985, and on
January 12, 1986, we worshipped for the first time in our
permanent church home at 2626 East Harbor Road.
A Place of
Our Own 1986
In 1997, led by the inspiration of a generous
memorial the congregation began to plan for an addition that
would double the size of the church facilities. After a
successful building fund campaign, the project was begun in the
summer of 1998. The new addition was completed and dedicated in
the spring of 1999.
Today
Firelands continues to
build and grow in mission and program. New members continue to
come into our fellowship and our goals and horizons continue to
expand. We continue to give thanks to God for all that we are,
and yet will be. To Him belongs the glory.
