First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
1876-2008
When the country’s 100th birthday was celebrated in faraway Philadelphia, Central Florida was still pioneer country, populated by a handful of hardy farmers and citrus growers. Orlando, however, was already incorporated as a town. The year was 1876.
On March 18 of that same centennial year, 11 dedicated adults and their children, under the leadership of the Reverend Mr. W. B. Telford and the Reverend Mr. William H. Dodge, banded together to form the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. At first, the new church met at the home of Professor and Mrs. Benjamin Gould, founding members. Later, the congregation used the Free Church building on Main Street, now known as Magnolia Avenue.
By 1883, with membership reaching 105 and a full-time minister, a permanent sanctuary was finished at a cost of about $4,300. This was a 40 x 60 foot 
building on the north side of West Central Street near the railroad. After fire razed the building in 1887, the congregation met in the Orange County Court House and the Orlando Opera House. By 1889, a frame building was completed on the southeast corner of Church and Main Streets, still the location of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando today.
In 1910, as the increasing membership reflected the growth of Orlando, the presbyterians added a tow-story annex to the east for Sunday School classes. By 1915, the sanctuary had been enlarged, remodeled and covered in stucco. In 1926, a new Bible School building was erected at the southwest corner of Palmetto and Church Streets.
The church continued to outgrow its facilities and in 1951, when the church observed its 75th anniversary, a half-million dollar building fund campaign 
was launched. The new sanctuary opened in 1955. Yowell Hall was completed in 1958, followed by Lee Fellowship Hall in 1962, the Reformation Chapel in 1963, and Allen Hall in 1966.
As in the past, the church continued to outgrow its facilities and downtown parking was becoming increasingly difficult. Early in the decade of the 1990s, a Master Plan was adopted to address these and other matters pertaining to a growing, diverse membership and ministry located in an urban setting. A multi-million dollar capital campaign was undertaken and the gifts of a generous congregation made possible the construction of new buildings and the renovation of existing facilities.
The Clayton Life Center was opened in 1995, providing expanded space for the Infant Child Care Center, classrooms, a gymnasium and a fitness center. In 1997, the parking garage was dedicated. This unique joint venture among First Presbyterian Church, Orange County, and City of Orlando governments provided a long-term solution to downtown parking for church members, staff and visitors.
The year 2000 began with 5,284 members and the implementation of the Master Plan continued. Incorporated into this phase, which began in May, 2000, were extensive renovations to Allen Hall, Yowell Hall, and the Sanctuary. At the same time, construction of a new Education/Administration building was underway on the property to the east of the Sanctuary. During the renovation periods, worship services were held in the gymnasium and rooms in neighboring downtown churches were used for office and classroom space. In the year 2001, the Education/Administration building was completed. This phase included the advanced technological components required for the new era in communications. In the Heart of the City, the vision of the Master Plan had finally become a reality.
In January of 2003, Dr. Howard Edington retired after serving 21 years as Senior Pastor. In honor of his years of spritual leadership, the Education/Adminstration building was renamed the "Edington Ministry Center." For the next year and a half, the congregation enjoyed the leadership of Interim Pastor Dr. Paul Eckel. In the summer of 2004, the church called its 16th Senior Pastor, Dr. David D. Swanson, from the First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Myers, FL. Dr. Swanson began his ministry in September of that year.
The sharing of the Gospel message in the community and throughout the world is illustrated in many ways. The congregation actively supports many non-profit organizations such as the Christian Service Center, Central Florida Coalition for the Homeless, and Habitat for Humanity. Missionary Computer Fellowship provides computers, software, training and support to christian missionaries, churches and schools for all denominations. Mission trips for youth and adults to other states and countries encourage participants to live for Christ by serving the needs of others in specific projects. First Presbyterian Church also supports numerous missionaries serving throughout the world.
Many members of this church have entered full-time christian service as ministers and missionaries, and have been assisted in seminary studies by a fund administered by the Heart of the City Foundation. The church has taken a leading role in establishing and strengthening a number of churches in the Central Florida Presbytery. As one of the largest presbyterian congregations in the United States, First Presbyterian Church exercises a significant role in the renewal movement within our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Now 132 years old, First Presbyterian has no intention of slowing down. The congregation has a passion for ministry and a vision for the future. The vision of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando is to empower a diverse body of confessing believers, who seek to know and worship God, share His eternal love, and humbly serve a broken world.