First Presbyterian Church Sesquicentennial

OF TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI

S E S Q U I C E N T E N N I A L C E L E B R AT I O N A special supplement from the Daily Journal

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

Mission Statement

We believe First Presbyterian Church Tupelo is part of the body of Christ. We are called to be a living witness through faithful worship, through mutual servanthood, and generous sharing of our God-given talents and resources. God calls us to abide in Christ Jesus, the living Word attested in Holy Scripture. We affirm our acceptance of all people and, in our congregational community; we pledge to nurture one another in the way of Christ. We are called to proclaim with our lives the reality of God’s salvation through God’s nurturing, giving, and creative love.

Throughout their distinguished history, First Presbyterian has served as a spiritual home, where Tupelo Christians celebrated with one another and consoled one another, sought answers through worship and Bible

study, and worked together to make the world a better place. None of this would have been possible without the legacy left to us by those founding families 150 years ago.

-Rev. Tom Groome Above: Reverend Tom Groome.

Right: First Presbyterian Church illuminated at night.

Historic Downtown Tupelo 842-6453 | Mall at Barnes Crossing 842-5287 | reedsms.com

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Origins Father Thomas Stuart played a significant role in the establishment of the First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo.

Father Stuart served as the first pastor of the Tupelo church from its founding in 1867 until the calling of the first permanent minister, Reverend James H. Gaillard, in 1868.

Top Left: The former First Presbyterian Church on Church Street and Walnut, 1869 and Father Thomas Stuart, founder of the First Presbyterian Church Left: First Presbyterian Church building on Jefferson Street

H

First Presbyterian Church

Sesquicentennial Anniversary!

Thank you for 150 years of service to God and the community.

STEVE HOLLAND

5281 CLIFF GOOKIN BOULEVARD • TUPELO • 840-5000 300 WEST MAIN STREET OKOLONA • 447-2000

Mid South Nursery “QUALITY PLANTS & SERVICE SINCE 1953” 339 COLEY ROAD, TUPELO • 842-4194

on 150 years. It has been our honor to serve you.

Honoring the past, embracing the future one family at a time.

It was in 1936 during the pastorate of Dr. Samuel Eyrle Howie that the devastating tornado struck Tupelo, killing more than 200 people and destroying or damaging all of the churches in the city. The event occurred April 5, while the choir was practicing for the next week’s Easter service, although the congregation had been dismissed because of threatening weather. Choir members had to escape through the windows because of debris. The organist and choir director, Miss Katie Topp, and her twin sister, Miss Clara, returned to the church the next day to retrieve the organ pipes. They carried them to their home and hid them under their bed until the church was rebuilt.

First Presbyterian Church on your

Happy 150th Anniversary from HOLLAND FUNERAL DIRECTORS Congratulations to our friends at

Tupelo Tornado 1936

Monday thru Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

SADIE HOLLAND

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SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

Property and Gardens Visitors to First Presbyterian Church are often struck by the beauty of the Gothic architecture, the lovely stained-glass windows, the tapestries, and the antique furnishings. All of these elements of physical beauty contribute to the feeling of spiritual peace and serenity that one feels in the sanctuary and in other areas of the church.

Another striking item of the church furnishing is the large cross hanging above the chancel area of the sanctuary. Mary McMillan, wife of Rev. Mort McMillan, designed the cross. A local cabinet maker and craftsman, Lawrence Timmons, and his son were commissioned to construct a striking wooden cross with hand carved ends. These men also produced most of the scrollwork on the lectern and the extended elevated pulpit.

CONGRATULATIONS ON CELEBRATING

Congratulations on 150 Years!

It’s an honor and blessing to congratulate you on 150 years of faithful service.

BISHOP’S Flower Shop Bill & Brenda Shumpert

108 SOUTH SPRING | 842-4165

Est. 1972

1001 E. Main St • Tupelo • (662) 844-3410 bishopsflowershop@att.net

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Church Tapestries The tapestries were dedicated on May 3, 1992. These tapestries are true works of art, and their quality ranks among the finest needlework in North America.

THE SEAL OF JOHN CALVIN. The seal is a hand, uplifted, holding a heart aflame. The Latin motto, Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere, means “My heart I give thee, Lord, eagerly and sincerely.”

Calvin’s seal and his life offer a moving and constant inspiration to members of the First Presbyterian Church.

Stain Glass Windows On a bright sunny day, the three chancelarea lancet window at the front of the church sanctuary present a brilliant array of color and artistically interpret the history of our faith and of the church. The beauty of these three windows is stunning and defines the setting a truly a scared space. The effect is always inspirational.

THE NATIVITY Pictured is one of the sixteen naive aisle windows that tell the story of the life of Jesus Christ. Here are Mary and Joseph watching over the child Jesus, who lies in the manger.

At the top is the star of Bethlehem. The lamb at the bottom is the Angus Dei, symbol of God the Son. The cross that he holds presages the Crucifixion.

Congratulations on

150 YEARS from

1154 West Main Shopping Center, Tupelo (662) 840-6145 • www.KeepItCasual.com

Congratulations First Presbyterian

in Celebrating 150 Years of Serving Our Community!

Congratulations on 150 years of service to God and community

Journal DAILY

4239 Westside Drive | Tupelo, MS 38801 | (662) 842-4245

A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND MANKIND.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

Worship and Music Throughout the years the Music Ministry of First Presbyterian Church has been a vital, integral part of worship and has contributed greatly to the life and work of the church. From the very beginning, the church has been blessed with talented musicians. These trained, dedicated professional musicians have directed choirs, played piano and organ, and led the congregation in singing the hymns that are so very much a part of our church’s history.

The music programs of the church have involved people of all ages.

Today, the church has on adult choir, a youth choir, a cherub choir, and hand bell ringers.

Congratulations on

1800 west main | tupelo, ms

150

662.690.4011

of Serving All of Our Community

TUPELO PATHOLOGY GROUP P. A. DR. ROBERT W. JARRETT, MD 830 S. GLOSTER STREET • TUPELO 662-37-3000

REALTORS

(662) 680-9355 • 1289 NORTH GLOSTER, SUITE A CRYE-LEIKE PLAZA • TUPELO MS 38804

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Mission & Outreach Historically, First Presbyterian Church has always been a church that reached out to others in need.

In the early days after the Civil War the church had limited resources but helped to provide food, clothing, and shelter for those who were destitute. This focus on local missions, where the need was so great, continued through World War I, the Great Depression, and Word War II. The church supported and continues to support many foreign

Congratulations on 150 Years!

from

Tupelo Small Animal Hospital 2096 S. Thomas Street • Tupelo • 662-840-0210 Stephen K. King, D.V.M.; Glenn S. Thomas, D.V.M. Ryan M. Black, D.V.M.

www.tupelosmallanimalhospital.net

“We treat them like our own.”

missions and missionaries, and Presbyterian colleges and seminaries.

A few local organizations First Presbyterian supports are Faith Haven, the Shepherd’s Center, CASA, and the Helping Hands Food Pantry.

With a generosity of spirit and with loving care and concern, First Presbyterian Church has responded and continues to respond to those in need.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

Welcome from First Presbyterian Church bulletin 1920’s

“To all who mourn and need comfort - to all who are tired and need rest - to all who are lonely and want companionship - to all who are hungry for the Bread of Life and desire to be fed - to all who sin and need a Savior, and to whosoever will -- this church opens wide its doors and in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord says - WELCOME.”

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