Beginnings…
May 3, 1903 53 people signed petition to organize a Presbyterian church in the new city
of Douglas, AZ.
May 4, 1903 The church, officially named the First Presbyterian Church of Douglas,
held first worship service in Library Hall.
1905 Services were held on second floor of what is now the Douglas Dispatch
building; congregation applied to Douglas Investment Co. for the remaining
quarter of land on the designated church block. Three previous grantees
were Baptists, Methodists, and Episcopalians.
May 21, 1905 Rev George Logie installed as the first called Pastor; survey for new church building announced.
Christmas Eve, 1906 First Sunday School program held in “almost completed sanctuary”.
1st Sunday in January, 1907 First worship service in new building.
(For many months, windows were covered with canvas, benches were made of slats, no
plaster frieze and walls were unpainted. “But,” Rev. Logie stated, “we are in our new
home and we are happy.)
1908 The stained glass windows – all Venetian, except one Tiffany – were installed.
December 13, 1908 The sanctuary was dedicated.
1909 Spanish-speaking Presbyterian church formed; initially shared sanctuary, later
moved into their own building.
1927 A barrack building from Camp Harry J. Jones was attached to the back of the
sanctuary, providing space for meetings, dinners, and a large Sunday School program.
1934 The historic pipe organ from the Grand Theater bought (by the Diamos family) and donated to the church.
1950s A fund started for 4-room classroom building, and construction commenced. Plans also developed for a new fellowship hall to replace the barrack building.
March 30, 1958 The current Christian Education building was dedicated.
June 7, 1959 The Spanish-speaking Presbyterian congregation of 51 members merged
with First Presbyterian, bringing total church membership to 260.
April 9, 1961 The current Fellowship Hall was dedicated.
Thriving and serving…
For decades, the beautiful sanctuary was often visited and remarked upon for its unique
architecture. With its high ceilings and sunlight streaming through the colorful stained-
glass windows, it provided a profound sense of awe and sacred peace to all who
entered its doors. During the nights of each Christmas season, the windows would be
lit for all to enjoy the beautiful colors as they passed by.
The fellowship hall has been a home for multiple community projects and events over
the years: Presbyterian Women’s Circles with their various contributions to the greater
good in Douglas; Scout troops; 4-H meetings; Music Club; work groups who did mission
projects in Agua Prieta; the beginning Head Start program; government services for
senior citizens and many more.
In the 60s, the church sponsored and cared for 2 Indonesian refugee families.
In the 70s, the Presbyterian Women’s group started a volunteer food service,
making and delivering meals to recipients referred by public health nurses. The program
was turned over to government in 1975 and eventually became Meals on Wheels.
In the 80s, Douglas experienced a severe economic downturn due to the closing
of the Phelps Dodge copper smelter and the resulting job losses. Many prominent
Douglas families, along with members of First Presbyterian moved away. During this
time, even as membership dwindled, the church continued to spread the compassion of
Christ through feeding hungry people, hosting work groups, AA meetings, English
classes, and supporting the development of Frontera de Cristo.
Embracing our bi-cultural identity…
1992 The church decided to commence worship services in both English and Spanish,
in recognition of the Hispanic population of Douglas, as well as the growing ministry
needs on the border. Bi-lingual pastor Oscar Olivarez was hired and installed Feb 14, 1993. He served until 1999.
In the 90s, the church attracted more Spanish speakers and young families.
Services included contemporary Spanish coritos and bilingual messages, along with the
traditional Presbyterian hymns. The choir loft was remodeled. Cochise College Choir
and Cochise County Arts Council musicians gave concerts in the beautiful sanctuary.
2001 The Rev Carlos Montaño was hired to further develop the bicultural mission of
the church. The well-loved Pastor Carlos served faithfully from October of 2001 through
October of 2022, the longest term of any minister in the church’s history. Members
continued their ministry to the border community in multiple ways: working as teachers,
nurses, social workers, law officers, mail carriers and more; volunteering at Turning
Point, an organization to create a healthier Douglas; fund-raising for the local shelter for
battered women; preparing meals and caring for struggling migrants on both sides of
the border; serving as CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children involved
in court cases); spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in action as well as creed.
Transitions…
2022-2023 post COVID, post Pastor Carlos’ retirement, a small, aging congregation
once again faced big changes and the need to plan the revitalization of the church. A
mission study was conducted and a Pastor Nominating Committee went to work,
resulting in the idea of a ministry team. Rev Peggy Christiansen served as part-time
interim Pastor, with James Martin and Jocabed Gallegos scheduled to join the team on
June 1, 2023.
May 22, 2023 An arsonist started fires in St. Stephen’s Episcopal church next door and
in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian. The fires burned down the Episcopal sanctuary
and adjacent dwelling, and completely destroyed the sanctuary of First Presbyterian,
leaving only the stone walls and the bell tower standing.
2023-2024 and into the future!…
We are a community of faith led by the Spirit of Christ to welcome all peoples to our
midst, as members, friends, and leaders. This made us the target of someone who
disagrees with our approach to ministry and who decided that we should be shut down.
Violently.
The devastation caused by the fire has been unquantifiable. The hurt and sadness
caused to so many people beyond our own walls, and the toll it has taken on our small
congregation – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually – has been
overwhelming.
“And still we rise!” Grounded in our Faith, we are held together by Love.
In the year since the fire, we have:
- Continued weekly Sunday services, first at Grace United Methodist, then at
Sacred Heart Catholic Chapel, and now back home in our own Christian
Education building with a brand-new and updated electrical system. - Held numerous extra Session meetings to make decisions about fire- and
building-related issues (see Trustee’s report) - Held TWO services to ordain new Ministers of Word and Sacrament: Rev.
James Martin and Rev. Joca Gallegos - Supported emergency shelter for asylum-seekers in a cooperative effort at a
different location since our fellowship hall was not available (the Douglas
Welcome Center provided shelter for over 8,000 people between September
and April) - Continued our Food Pantry ministry, distributing food out of our cars
- Hired Bleuwave General Contractors to plan the rebuilding of our sanctuary
and to upgrade the church facility
First Presbyterian Church of Douglas, AZ 