Our church is a special place full of memories and moments of connecting with God and one another. We invite you to use this space to share a memory of First Presbyterian Church and/or revisit those special memories from our community and beyond.
Nuestra iglesia es un lugar especial lleno de recuerdos y momentos de conexión con Dios y unos con otros. Lo invitamos a utilizar este espacio para compartir un recuerdo de la Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana y/o revisitar esos recuerdos especiales de nuestra comunidad y más allá.
First Presbyterian Church of Douglas, AZ 
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Dear friends,
My husband was pastor of First Baptist Douglas from 2004 to 2009. We lived in the parsonage and I spent many an hour looking at your beautiful church and enjoying the trees and garden from my backdoor window.
We were horrified to find out last year that First Pres and St Stephens were purposely burned.
We so enjoyed the fellowship with both pastors and congregations. The progressive dinner was the highlight of every year.
I was just reading on your website that the three walls and portions of the windows can be saved. Some of my favorite pictures are of one of the windows, which I saw from my kitchen. During the equinox, the sun came up directly east of the church and illuminated the window and apparently shone through the church to the other window. I thought you would enjoy looking at those pictures, which I will attach.
May the Lord bless your ministries as you rebuild.
Sincerely,
Alice Segar
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Thank you Alice. Hello to Pastor John, affectionally known as John the Baptist. It was always good to have you John living next door. Thank you for your good thoughts and memories. There is alot going on at the present, (January 2025). We have a contract signed and a superintendent has set up shop in one of the Sunday school rooms. We start rebuilding this month. A new roof on the sanctuary is planned for this spring, 2025.
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My most favorite memory was when we had Morris and Gale Eckhardt’s first grandchild baptized at the church. It was back in 1991 and she was the fifth generation (I think I’m right on that) to be baptized at the church. It was especially nice because our Great Aunt Clarabelle Schlotzhauer was able to be there and her son Wesley did the Baptism. We had giver generations of the family represented that day! As I recall it was sometime in December of that year but can’t remember the exact date.
Margie Eckhardt Riley
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Our church is my home
One of the first things I did when I arrived in Douglas in 1997 was look for a church that I would attend. I asked my college advisor to recommend a good church in town and somehow, First Presbyterian Church was brought up among so many churches. On the first Sunday I was at church I fell in love with the people. I felt at home.
It will be seven years since I came to Arizona all the way from Japa. I cannot tell about my life here without thinking of our church. It has been a big par and support for my transition in life in the United States. I spent so much time with the Olivares family and we both felt like we were real familiy All the church members were so helpful when I was in need of emotional and physical support. I could not have gone through the difficulties, especially with my college work without all the help I had from the members. Not only when things were hard, but also when I was happy, the church was there for me.
I always like the way our church is; we are caring, friendly, and open to different cultures. And I believe this is the way God wants us to be.
Now I live in Bisbee. Because of the distance and busy-ness in everyday life I don’t’ see my people’s faces as often. But I always think of our church and the town of Douglas as my home.
Thank you. Love in Christ,
Yuriko Lee
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The Presbyterian Eagle
About 1934 an eagle occupied our bell tower. It became known as the Presbyterian Eagle. It preyed on pigeons in the area who had nests on the Methodist Church and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. On of our juveniles living about a block from the church decided he would like to capture an eagle. So he, as 13 or 14 year olds will do, climbed up the drain pipe to the tower and grasped the eagle by the legs. Its struggle pretty nearly knocked “Teddy” McMillen to the ground
Jean Lusk
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La primera vez que visite a la iglesia fue un Agosto en el 1997. Yo siempre pasado por la iglesia, pero no me animaba a entrar. En ese Domingo pase y fui invitada a oír el servicio. Toda lo congregación se comporto muy amable y amistosa. Fue un día que no se me va a olvidar, porque fue la primera vez que entre a la Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana.
My very first time I visited the church is very memorable. I had always passed by, but I was too shy to go inside. That day I walked by, and was invited to come in and listen to the service. Everybody was so warm, inviting, and nice and friendly. I really enjoyed that service.
Rosalina Medoza (translated by Lilly, her daughter)
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Down the First Presbyterian Church Memory Lane
It was a really hot blistering Sunday morning in July or August about 1939 or 1940. All the windows were open, both the front door and the door to the wooden Camp Harry Jones-origin annex were propped open, and almost everybody, especially the ladies, were fanning themselves busily with the hand fans that were kept in the pews (some were from a furniture store in town and others were from a mortuary, Page’s I think), and the perspiration (no, sweat!!!) was running freely. Before Mr. Melville, the pastor, began the sermon, he said, “It’s so hot today, why don’t you men take you coats off. I don’t think God will think we are being disrespectful in this weather”. And he promptly took his coat off, as did almost all the other men in church, including Daddy. I think that Mr. Lusk, in the choir, was the first one to remove his coat. Of course, the ladies, already in light dresses, couldn’t uncover any more!
There was a trapdoor under the table in the kitchen in the old wooden annex attached to the North side of the church. Our high school Sunday School class (Jack Kuhm, Margie Uren, Jack Yelverton, Robert McCartney, a couple of others whom I don’t remember, and I) met around that table on Sunday mornings in the mid 1940s. One Sunday, Mrs. Spencer, the teacher, was late for some reason. Not having anything better to do, a couple of us noticed that ring pull on the trapdoor was sticking up and decided to open it and see what was down there. We moved the table and opened it. It was dark down there. I decided to climb down into it. Mrs. Spencer walked in. “What are you kids doing? Don’t you know better than get into things that aren’t your business?” The Sunday School lesson was an anti-climax. I never did learn what was down there.
About 1942, Mrs. Drake (the pastor’s wife), Mildren Kuhn, Gerturde Scheerer, and Ada Christiansen were putting together the Christmas pageant, making costumes (including angel wings), having Felix Christiansen make the manger set, having kids practice their parts, preparing “prompts” for the little kids, etc. Mrs. Drake was in charge. Came the day of the dress rehearsal before the pageant. Everybody was doing their thing, the angels were hovering, the shepherds were saying their lines, Mary was properly and reverently bent over the Christ child, and the organist was playing, when Joseph was motioned to move closer to Mary. He tripped on the hem of his brown cloak, fell across the manger, knocking it over, and hitting and knocking the wings off one of the angels as well. A shepherd bent over the help pick up the fallen angel and his crook caught on the string holding the star over the stable, pulling it down. Needless to say, the organist stopped. All Mrs. Drake said, and she said it very calmly, was, “Well now these things happen. No bones broken and no harm done. Let’s go on.”
Mrs. Drake was the first woman installed as an elder in the church. I remember Momma saying, “I surely am glad, it’s about time that women get to decide things in the church.”
James Christiansen
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On June 7, 1969 my husband, David A. Lewis, and I, J. Galen Cooper, were married in the Douglas Presbyterian Church. Since it was the first marriage in both families, we were all very excited. The three Cooper girls and Gale Hughes were the bridesmaids and two Lewis boys, Jim Cooper and Mike Guinn were the ushers. The youngest Lewis, Chris, was the ring bearer. The pictures were taken by Jerry Fuller (in black and white only) and we were married by the Rev. Jim Wilson.
After the ceremony we had our reception in the hall and as we left I tossed by bridal bouquet on the roof! Someone retrieved it and I tried again. After we had driven through town honking horns, we drove past the church and people were yelling and waving at us to come back in. We had forgotten to sign our marriage license!
Once everything was sorted out and we were legally married, we drove to the Cooper’s home on East 14th Street, which was kind of out in the desert then, and as I walked into my parents bedroom and turned on the light, my new husband yelled at me to be still. As I looked at him, he pointed to the floor. I had just walked over a sidewinder rattlesnake! And it wasn’t dead! After the snake was disposed of, I learned it had six rattles on it. Needless to say, it was a wedding to remember.
We have now been married 34 years and are both retired and live in Florence, Az. We have three children and now eight grandchildren, seven boys and our one princess.
I have other memories of Douglas Presbyterian Church, but this is the one that holds special meaning.
Galen and David Lewis
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I will never forget Easter, 2023. Peggy’s sermon told a story of
resurrection, how she had experienced the death of her daughter, the
deepest loss and grief a mother can have, and was raised up again a new
person, changed, marked by grief and never to be the same, but new. She
sat in a chair by the communion table to tell the story and share her
experience. It was a very intimate and holy time. And then, at the end
of worship, Morris Eckhardt told us of the terminal diagnosis he had
been given, since his cancer had metastasized. He said that he thought
of “terminal” in connection with a journey, like an airport terminal. As
he prepared to die, he imagined he was preparing for a journey like none
he had known, to a new place that would be good. He showed a remarkable
calm and trust that his life was in God’s hands. Then, within a couple
of weeks, he had died. And then, not long after that, was the fire. What
a year that was! And how fortunate I was to be living there and welcomed
into your community for that year. I’m forever grateful.
We’ll be back next spring.
Sam Pendergrast
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First Presbyterian Church of Douglas Memories
Congratulations on the 100th anniversary of Douglas church. We’re Al and Wynne Strom, long-time members of the church starting with Grey and Bess Dashen. During the time we lived in Douglas Al was a Ruling Elder and an Elder severing as a weekly usher with Oakley Lucas for some years.
We, along with our two sons, John and Larry, arrived in Douglas, June 1947 from Bisbee, Az. My first memory of my new church was a frightful looking structure on the east, back section of the lot. We found out it had served as a barracks at Fr. Huachuca during World War I. Somehow ladies cooked some good meals on a monstrosity of an old and huge stove which eventually flared up removing from several ladies their front hair. I have always felt that was the incentive to build the Fellowship Hall! And thank you to the planner who insisted on having a stage which got so much use over the years. We lived in Douglas long enough to see the Sunday School rooms built, the choir’s corner refurbished and the first renewing of those beautiful stained-glass windows.
And with all of the above, we, the church members, brought two Indonesian families to our country as refuges, started our own version of Meals on Wheels (for 18, twice a week), later taken over by the government’s program held in our hall, and Head Start housed in our Sunday School rooms.
One of my best memories was eating “Thanksgiving dinner” the Sunday before this holiday and serving as church secretary for those 16 years since I could be of service for some fine persons and a church I dearly loved.
Al and Wynne Strom
Prescott, AZ
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I was raised in the Dougals Presbyterian church surrounded by loving, supportive people who demonstrated a wonderful faith. To me as a little girl, church was a warm and happy place where I felt cherished. We little people had a ball singing along with Sammy at Vacation Bible School, playing catch with Doug and Gary Johnson during nursery time (even when we were probably a bit old to be in the nursery, nobody seemed to mind), learning the Lord’s Prayer from Boonie Valenzuela in Sunday School, and enjoying all the attention from the “old” people, who always treated us like we were the cat’s pajamas. I won’t forget the Mother’s Day musicals under Mrs. Hanna’s direction, the talent shows or the magic of Christmas Eve candlelight services. The sanctuary always really felt like a sacred space, and the fellowship hall always felt like a place of true fellowship, full of hugs and lively talk. I loved helping my mom with the Volunteer Food Services, and especially remember the big kiss and hug that always came from Mrs. Huxtable when we gathered in the kitchen. She seemed to be a fixture in that kitchen and I can hear her voice and laugh to this day.
As I got older, the church provided me with a sense of purpose, acceptance, and belonging. It was fertile ground for a more mature faith to grow. The first sermon I ever really listened to was preached by Reverand Hanna, something about Jesus teaching us not to be judgmental. (At least that was my interpretation, and a lesson I have always tried to remember.) Going to Church Camp (Mont Lure) with the other youth (who will always be in my heart!) was always an unforgettable time. Reverend Hanna went as a counselor the year I was in seventh grade. Later we youth learned and grew under the gentle leadership of Mrs. Dahlmeier. We had fun doing dishes assembly-line-style at potlucks, cooking for the Easter Sunrise services, and making and selling taffee. The adults at church were always interested in the things we older kids were doing outside of church and encouraged us in many ways. They praised our accomplishments, hired us to housesit and babysit and clean, asked our opinions about things, told us stories, and generally helped us to grow up feeling needed, competent, and blessed. I always associated the unconditional love I found there with the teachings and the way of Jesus. What else could explain it?
When I came home from college one weekend and ruptured my appendix, I awoke to a hospital room overflowing with cards and flowers from church friends assuring me that I was in everyone’s prayers. And there was Reverenced Gray, sitting by my bedside offering a whole heap of comfort. (This was especially needed as my mom and dad were rushing home from Texas at the time.) As an adult who has been away for over 20 years, I still feel that warmth and connection when I get to visit my “home church”. The blessings from Douglas Presbyterian are still pouring into my life. People there are STILL praying for my family, wanting to know what’s up, and sharing their lives. Mrs. Adams has sent a whole tree’s worth of cards during our son’s illness and healing…Lasting memories are still being made!!!
Birgit Christiansen Sandell
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My first memory of our church was the day Robin and I attended soon after arriving in Douglas (1965). The beautiful windows, the choir, the great sermon by Rev. Jim Wilson, and the warm and special feeling I felt from the members of the church, as they welcomed us later. I also will never forget that Robin and I, with our hats and white gloves, looked around the church for the first time, and found one woman wearing a hat—Wynne Strom.
Then Wendy was baptized about a year later. That is a very special memory. She didn’t cry, either. A few years later, I remember Robin holding Wendy’s hand as they went to the nursery, where Susie Johnson was in charge. Robin brought home many beautiful little sketches that Susie drew for her.
I remember the beautiful Christmas services that were held in our church. The choir sang beautifully; the whole service was always so magnificent. I do remember one Christmas Eve, being almost late for the service, and John looked at his feet, and found he was wearing his slippers!
I will also never forget the loving care of Carol Huddleston and Trudy Johnson, as they always picked up John for Session when he no longer drove at night. And Don Gray, Jim Huddleston, Dan Rehurek who visited him when he was ill. Also, his coffee buddy, Jim Lambert, who drove him to McDonald’s for coffee and laugh4ed at his jokes, no matter how many times Jim had heard them.
Memories of Charlene Baker drift in, as I remember her enormous kindness and faith. She knew God could and did move mountains. We remember her, as we feel the cool air of the fan in the Fellowship Hall.
I also remember those terrific Mother’s Day Talent Shows. Wynne Strom organized them, and some children and adults showed off their great talents on the stage. Warren and Maxine Wagner singing and dancing, the Johnson children—I especially remember the pie throwing act—and Robin dancing to a record of ballet music.
Our church has had its problems, but the Holy Spirit is still working in us to do His work. May the kindness, friendliness, and optimism of our congregation continue to grow as the Holy Spirit guides us over the next one hundred years.
Shirley Jewell
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First Presbyterian Church’s One Hundredth Anniversary Observance
Douglas, Arizona
Hi there! I am Don Gray with wife Ginny. I served the First Presbyterian Church of Douglas, AZ, from 1979 to 1987. We came to Douglas from two churches in Hebron and Deshler, Nebraska. When we came and candidated we looked at a few houses, but after we went back we asked two of your Elders to find a house for us. One or two were horrified that we would be so trusting. I told them that all the other churches I served had Manses and they never asked whether we like it or not. So with pictures and descriptions from the Elders, we made a very fine purchase and a house we enjoyed while in Douglas. Thanks Richard and Walt.
While in Douglas I had several dramatic and scary times. The one I remember most vividly even to this day involved Manny V. He was chairman of the trustees at the time and was the one I always called for assistance with the building. One time something needed to be done up on the high west tower so Manny drags out the real long ladder from under the church and places it up to the tower. The ladder was at least four and maybe five feet short of the top. So up he goes and climbs over the top stones and on to the top. That was the easy part! He does the job and gets ready to come down. My heart quit beating and I stopped breathing as he slips his legs over the side, hangs there and tries to find the top rung of the ladder. I was in too much shock at that time to shout for joy when he got both feet and hands on the ladder and started down. Now you know why Manny is one of my heroes. But I never want to go through that again.
I was pleased to be an active part in getting the project started that ended up with the Frontera De Christo Mission and Church started. Many of our people were involved and helped make it a success. I naturally have not been involved for a long time, so I know little about its progress but hear good things about it.
I think one of my largest contributions (I think it was a positive thing) was in regards to the renovations on the building. I must have come just at the right (or wrong) time but the building was in great need of repairs and renovations. We tackled the stained-glass windows. One could see through some of the leaded areas out to the street, candles nearly blew out when a wind came up. I began to really appreciate the congregation for sure as they reached down in their pockets and financed the great expense of releading, putting storm plexiglass over all the windows, and much more. I did research and found out how to stop the Sand Stone blocks from continuing to fall apart. I found out that those blocks close to the ground were not deteriorating from water coming down from above but actually from the ground up, so we made those wide “sidewalks” right next to the wall so the water would run away from the building and not into the ground and then soak up into the blocks. I could go on and on but you are bored already. The experts did tell me that the Sand Stone should be sprayed with a sealant every few years.
We always had great people serving the church faithfully. There was Fogie always keeping me honest by timing my sermons. Thanks Fogie. I could go on forever telling of all the great people who did so much to assist the church and make my ministry in Douglas possible and positive. I am so glad that my las pastorate was in the First Presbyterian Church in Douglas, Arizona. Ginny and I had so much real support from the people in the congregation. I was able to retire from the active ministry with a warm heart and great memories. Do not think we could ask for more than that. Many of those people have since moved away or died and that makes me sad that they are not there to strengthen the church, but then I realize that you have so many new persons to join with all the rest to continue building and support the fine work the First Church is doing in the Douglas community and Agua Prieta. Keep up the good work and may the Lord continue to bless the First Presbyterian Church of Douglas, AZ.
Don and Ginny Gray
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New Life Bursting Forth
First Presbyterian Church, Douglas, Arizona
Two years ago, standing in the entrance of the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Douglas, Arizona, Faith Collins began crying. Faith was greeting Cristina, Marcela, and Rita, young Spanish speaking mothers, who were coming to La Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana to worship God and be a part of this particular and peculiar community of faith with their children. Faith said: “Five years ago I would have never believed that there would be children in this church. God is doing something new!”
God is truly doing something new with First Presbyterian Church of Douglas. Five years ago, Faith explained that there might be 12 to 15 older English speaking persons worshipping in the sanctuary. Today, the sanctuary is filled with an average of 65 worshipers on Sunday with young and old, English speaking and Spanish speaking.
What has happened? Nine years ago the church decided to lose its life, as it knew it. Instead of attempting to “save” its traditional, mostly homogeneous, English speaking institution whose membership and participation was in steady decline, the church decided to become more open to all residents of this community and become a bilingual worshipping community of faith.
Now God is bringing forth new life in this congregation. Worshipping with the First Presbyterian Church/Primera Iglesia Presbyteriana is a foretaste of that great Heavenly banquet where people will come from east and west, north and south and will worship God together as one family.
On a border where steel walls are being erected at an alarming rate to divide our two countries and peoples from one another, the First Presbyterian is a place where Mexicans and US citizens, people from different parts of the world, are joining together around the Table of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the shadow of a growing “dividing wall of hostility”, God manifests through the church the reality that Jesus Christ is our peace and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility and has made of the two one new humanity (Ephesians 2:11-22). I rejoice that the children and youth of the congregation are being raised in which worshipping together with people of different nationalities and languages is normal.
Mark Adams
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