With our traditional Presbyterian bastion of independent spirits and entrepreneurial mindsets, the seeds for First Presbyterian Church as we know it today were planted by a group of local visionary Protestants in 1934. After years of gathering for worship at a school and in private homes, their vision for a House of Worship took a leap of faith. Their commitment was backed by their donations which supported the vision that led them.
Property was purchased on the southeast corner of Beal and First Streets, and it was there, in 1934, where our forefathers built the non-denominational Grace Community Chapel. Services were soon shared by neighboring denominations.
But the visionary Presbyterians yearned for a Church home of their own. The next step in that process came on March 20, 1942, when a commission, appointed by the Presbytery of Florida, met in the Chapel to organize a Presbyterian Church in Fort Walton Beach.
During those early “baby steps,” the new church leased the Chapel, but rapid membership growth soon required more space. In 1953, First Presbyterian bought the property and began remodeling and expanding. The highlights of that period were:
Membership growth resulted in property being bought on the northwest corner of Beal Parkway and First Street. Ground was broken for a new building in December 1964. The new Fellowship Hall building was dedicated in September 1965.
Ground-breaking for the new Sanctuary was held on March 20, 1977. Afterward, Rigdon Hall, the Youth Activities building, was added in 1978.
In 2002, ceremonies were held to dedicate Hollbrook Hall, a new addition that houses the music room, a youth room with kitchen, a conference room, and a meditation Chapel with a columbarium. Also at that time, the Church offices and the library were moved into Rigdon Hall, and the education building along with the nursery were both remodeled.
By 2006, the Church had become a benchmark for local and worldwide missions through the spiritual leadership of twelve pastors who served the Church. The Rev. Robert Bohnsack began his tenure as the thirteenth pastor on October 12, 2006.
We are a member of the Presbytery of Florida, the Synod of South Atlantic and the Presbyterian Church (USA).
