A Brief History of Faith Presbyterian Church
In the Beginning
The first Presbyterian influence in this area began in 1874, with the building of a Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of 4th and Washington Street, Papillion, Nebraska. It dissolved in 1946. During this time, the religious needs of the area were offered by the Catholic and Lutheran church. Fifteen years later, George S. Bancroft, Executive of the Synod of Nebraska asked if anyone was interested in a Presbyterian Church in the area of Papillion, LaVista and Ralston. He held a meeting at the Papillion High School March 9, 1961 at 7:30 p.m. This was not an organizational meeting but a meeting to discuss if there was any interest for a Presbyterian Church. Support was strong and planning started based on verbal confirmation from a small group of believers. The effort to establish a Presbyterian congregation began in June 1961, led by the newly ordained, Reverend Wesley M. Snodgrass. We like to think the Lord picked Reverend Snodgrass for Faith because he had previously been a successful construction contractor. We had the right person with the needed gifts to build God's church. His first sermon as our Pastor was July 16, 1961 in the Papillion American Legion Hall with the core group of 35 families. Services continued along with Sunday school at the Papillion American Legion while members created the church organization and planned for the building of the current church.
The First Decade
Less than a year later, the congregation doubled in size to 140 individuals, the charter members. The first Elders and Deacons were elected April 1, 1962. The congregation of this new United Presbyterian Church of Papillion, LaVista and Ralston was chartered on April 15, 1962 at West Hills Presbyterian Church. The building project was still a work in progress.
Working with the Synod of Nebraska, the congregation purchased four acres of land located at 81st Street and “Childs” Road (today it is “Giles”). Almost immediately after organizing, the congregation started the building campaign with the slogan, “Build with Faith.” Ground breaking took place October 21, 1962. On June 9, 1963 the first service was held in the new sanctuary. The formal dedication of Faith United Presbyterian Church was held October 20, 1963. By May 1967 membership rose to 537 members.
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The Second Decade
The Reverend Snodgrass served as pastor until August 1971. The Reverend Richard H. Skelley was installed as pastor on February 20, 1972.
On September 12, 1976 the congregation approved preliminary plans for an addition to the building. Dedication Sunday was April 30, 1978. As a congregation we are deeply grateful to all who have made that day of dedication possible. "Much time, talent and treasure has been put forth by many dedicated members and friends of Faith Church to make this dream come true," Reverend Skelley said.
On September 1, 1979, Faith United Presbyterian Church called Reverend Teri T. Taylor as the church's first Assistant Pastor. On January 11, 1981, Reverend Taylor was called to be the Associate Pastor and served at Faith until June 30, 1984.
The Third Decade
The 20th Anniversary of Faith United Presbyterian Church was held April 18th, 1982 with a special service. Pastor Snodgrass returned to assist Pastor Skelley with the 10 a.m. worship service. The symbolism of the founding and current pastors, side-by-side, represented the ongoing mission of Faith Church. It was an inspiring moment.
A couple of years later, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (PCUSA) recommended Faith United Presbyterian Church drop “United” from the church name. On January 8, 1984 the official church name became Faith Presbyterian Church.
In 1984 the church hired its first full-time Director of Christian Education and a Youth Minister. Faith Church called the Reverend Lance V. Grothe on July 14, 1985 to be our next Associate Pastor, filling the void left by Pastor Taylor.
The Reverend Grothe moved forward and Nancy Jane Deever was called to serve as Interim Associate Pastor from November 1, 1988 until October 31, 1989. The search committee was busy seeking the right candidate.
On March 1, 1990 the Reverend Neal C. Earley was elected by the congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church to serve as our Associate Pastor.
The Fourth Decade
The leadership change cycle continued. After a busy 20 years, Dr. Skelley retired on September 30, 1992 and was honored with the designation of Faith Church's first Pastor Emeritus. Dr. Skelley's ministry had been filled with his love and compassion for the Lord, our church family and this community.
The third building expansion project was started in the spring of 1993 and completed in the fall of 1995. This addition included a large Family Life Center (part gym and multipurpose room), library, two music rooms, large second kitchen and additional classrooms on the lower level.
Pastor Dr. Mark H. Miller, was called to serve as Pastor effective September 1, 1994.
The Fifth Decade
On April 15th, 2002, Faith Church celebrated its 40th anniversary. The job title of Director of Youth was changed to include the position of Director of Young Adult and Evangelism in January 2012.
The Sixth Decade
The congregation of Faith Church accepted the request of Associate Pastor Neal Earley to retire effective December 1, 2012. Faith Church accepted the request that Senior Pastor Mark Miller end his ministry at Faith Church on August 31, 2014. Pastor Harold Tongen was called to serve as our Interim Pastor from October 1, 2014 until April 30, 2016. Dr. Kirk Ryckman was called as the Bridge Pastor from May 1 until October 3, 2016, Sally Carlson from November, 2016 until April 13, 2017, and Portia Iverson from April 18, 2017 until October 17, 2017. Pastor Lori Robinson was called to serve as Pastor effective October 17, 2017 until June 2, 2019. Transitional Pastor, the Reverend Doctor Tom Willadsen, arrived in October 2019.
The Reverend Snodgrass served as pastor until August 1971. The Reverend Richard H. Skelley was installed as pastor on February 20, 1972.
On September 12, 1976 the congregation approved preliminary plans for an addition to the building. Dedication Sunday was April 30, 1978. As a congregation we are deeply grateful to all who have made that day of dedication possible. "Much time, talent and treasure has been put forth by many dedicated members and friends of Faith Church to make this dream come true," Reverend Skelley said.
On September 1, 1979, Faith United Presbyterian Church called Reverend Teri T. Taylor as the church's first Assistant Pastor. On January 11, 1981, Reverend Taylor was called to be the Associate Pastor and served at Faith until June 30, 1984.
The Third Decade
The 20th Anniversary of Faith United Presbyterian Church was held April 18th, 1982 with a special service. Pastor Snodgrass returned to assist Pastor Skelley with the 10 a.m. worship service. The symbolism of the founding and current pastors, side-by-side, represented the ongoing mission of Faith Church. It was an inspiring moment.
A couple of years later, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (PCUSA) recommended Faith United Presbyterian Church drop “United” from the church name. On January 8, 1984 the official church name became Faith Presbyterian Church.
In 1984 the church hired its first full-time Director of Christian Education and a Youth Minister. Faith Church called the Reverend Lance V. Grothe on July 14, 1985 to be our next Associate Pastor, filling the void left by Pastor Taylor.
The Reverend Grothe moved forward and Nancy Jane Deever was called to serve as Interim Associate Pastor from November 1, 1988 until October 31, 1989. The search committee was busy seeking the right candidate.
On March 1, 1990 the Reverend Neal C. Earley was elected by the congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church to serve as our Associate Pastor.
The Fourth Decade
The leadership change cycle continued. After a busy 20 years, Dr. Skelley retired on September 30, 1992 and was honored with the designation of Faith Church's first Pastor Emeritus. Dr. Skelley's ministry had been filled with his love and compassion for the Lord, our church family and this community.
The third building expansion project was started in the spring of 1993 and completed in the fall of 1995. This addition included a large Family Life Center (part gym and multipurpose room), library, two music rooms, large second kitchen and additional classrooms on the lower level.
Pastor Dr. Mark H. Miller, was called to serve as Pastor effective September 1, 1994.
The Fifth Decade
On April 15th, 2002, Faith Church celebrated its 40th anniversary. The job title of Director of Youth was changed to include the position of Director of Young Adult and Evangelism in January 2012.
The Sixth Decade
The congregation of Faith Church accepted the request of Associate Pastor Neal Earley to retire effective December 1, 2012. Faith Church accepted the request that Senior Pastor Mark Miller end his ministry at Faith Church on August 31, 2014. Pastor Harold Tongen was called to serve as our Interim Pastor from October 1, 2014 until April 30, 2016. Dr. Kirk Ryckman was called as the Bridge Pastor from May 1 until October 3, 2016, Sally Carlson from November, 2016 until April 13, 2017, and Portia Iverson from April 18, 2017 until October 17, 2017. Pastor Lori Robinson was called to serve as Pastor effective October 17, 2017 until June 2, 2019. Transitional Pastor, the Reverend Doctor Tom Willadsen, arrived in October 2019.