Our History | ||||
The First Presbyterian Church of Portage, Indiana, was started via word of mouth, door-to-door canvass, and articles in the local paper. The first organizational meeting was held on March 9, 1962, at the home of Bill and Virginia Skinner. Present were Rev. J. Valenga, Rev. Simcox, Bert Wiseman and his wife, and Leonard and Louise Stokes. The Steering Committee was comprised of: Leonard Stokes, Chairman; Bert Wiseman; Everett Truitt; Virginia Skinner and Faye Andrews. With 64 people in attendance, Rev. Russell Bisnett led our first church service on September 9, 1962, at the new Olson-Reiser Chapel on Route 20. In 1963 Rev. George Hinshaw became our first minister. A petition to the Presbytery of Logansport to organize the then-named Portage United Presbyterian Church was signed by 104 people on September 29, 1963. A groundbreaking ceremony at the property on Lute Road was held October 15, 1964. During the time the church was being built, services were held at the Izaak Walton Club at the intersection of North Crisman Road and Burns Ditch. The club served liquor on Saturday nights, so Rev. Hinshaw would come early Sunday morning to spray the room with air-freshener. The church had 250 members when it moved into its new church building in August 1965. |
Over the years we have held, and continue to hold, many memorable events, including:
| |||
|