By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Sunday, June 22, Guthrie Center’s First Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary, and the public is invited to attend.
The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a church service including special music and the confirmation of a new church member. After the service, a light lunch will be served. A public reception will be held from 1-3 p.m.
Church history shows that the first steps toward creating a Presbyterian Church in Guthrie Center occurred in September 1874 with the church actually beginning on May 9, 1875, with four members. The first Presbyterian church building in town was on the corner of Fourth and Prairie Streets. A new church was built in 1913 at the current location.
One current ministry of the church is a food pantry to feed needy persons in the area. There are no qualification requirements.
“If there’s a need, we try to fill it,” church member George Hemmen said.
The church also operates WASP (Wednesday After School Program) for kids from the community.
The church is located at 701 State St. in Guthrie Center. The pastor is Jolene James.