Visiting
Worship and Childcare on Sunday
10:30 a.m. Worship – All ages begin worship together.
A nursery is available for the youngest children. Parents are given a pager by the paid nursery attendant. The pager allows the attendant to contact parents if needed.
Personal Assisted Listening Devices are available for those who may need additional help hearing the spoken word during worship.
Details about special worship services can be found in our Calendar and on the Worshipping page.
Christian Education on Sunday
Classes for youth and adult Sunday school begin at 9:30 and conclude at 10:15. Our "Bible Tracks" Christian education program for children ages four through Sixth Grade is concurrent with our 10:30 a.m. worship service. Children begin worship with their parents and are dismissed to their classes after the Children's Message. Children remain in worship for the full service on the first Sunday of each month so that they may receive communion.
How to Find Us
We are located at 311 7th Street, Charleston, Illinois (corner of Madison and 7th Street).
Parking is available in private and public lots around the church as well as on the street and in the church's parking lot on the east side of the building.
Our church is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator.
Church Restoration Projects, Past and Future.
First Presbyterian Church has occupied the corner of Seventh and Madison in Charleston since the 1870s. Our current building was completed in 1909. Since 2005, several projects have been completed to renovate the building. These include: redecoration of the sanctuary; foundation work and new steps and railings on the west entrance; new first floor bathrooms, a new kitchen for the social hall, tuckpointing of the exterior stonework, re-roofing of the church tower, replacement of 12 older furnaces with modern, energy efficient ones; air-conditioning of the social and educational areas of the building; and renovation of all 47 stained glass windows throughout the building. A house adjacent to the church was purchased and removed to create more greenspace around the building in 2005.
Statements from the Co-Pastors
Two pastors with one passion -- sharing the love of God with the people of God. Jan and Thomas Hawkins have lived in Charleston since 1995. Two pastors and one pulpit -- shared preaching, teaching and leading. Two perspectives -- providing congregational care, involved with the community, committed to serving in Christ's name.
Our congregation is friendly, welcoming and supportive of their pastors, staff and each other. We serve together as partners in ministry. God's Spirit is our energy and vision each week and many are blessed.
-- Reverend Jan Hawkins
First Presbyterian Church is the most accepting, generous congregation I have known. By experiencing God's generosity in worship and small groups, we know how to model acceptance toward others in our individual lives and community.
-- Reverend Dr. Thomas Hawkins