A Brief History of Faith Presbyterian Church's First 50 Years
April 1962 to December 2017
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 size doubled to one hundred and forty individuals. These souls were the charter members who made Faith Church possible today. The first church Elders and Deacons were elected April 1, 1962. The congregation of this new United Presbyterian Church of Papillion, LaVista and Ralston became official on April 15, 1962 at West Hills Presbyterian Church to be known as Faith United 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. Reverend Snodgrass walked the community whenever possible. By May 1967 membership rose to 537 members.
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The Second Decade
Reverend Snodgrass served as pastor until August 1971. The Reverend Richard H. Skelley was installed as pastor on February 20, 1972 with God's vision to meet the needs of the community.
On September 12, 1976 the congregation took action to approve preliminary plans for a new addition to the building. Dedication Sunday was held on 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 celebration service. Reverend Wesley M. Snodgrass returned to assist Reverend Richard H. Skelley with the 10 a.m. worship service. The symbolism of the beginning and current pastors, standing side-by-side, represented the ongoing process by everyone to spread God's Word. It was an inspiring and insightful 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. The Faith Presbyterian Church congregation called Reverend Lance V. Grothe on July 14, 1985 to be our next Associate Pastor, filling the void left by Pastor Taylor.
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 nomination search team was busy during these years and nothing happened quickly because of an abundance of qualified applicants but the chemistry had to be right.
On March 1, 1990 the Reverend Neal C. Earley was hand-picked by the congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church to serve as our Associate Pastor.
The Fourth Decade
The leadership change cycle continued. After a busy twenty years, Dr. Skelley retired on September 30, 1992 and was honored with the designation of Faith Presbyterian 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.
Nothing stays static. 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. Robin Menck joined the staff in June 2010 as the Director of Youth which 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. Rani Vande Berg retired as our Director of Christian Education after 11 years of service on May 31, 2014. The congregation of Faith Church accepted the request that Senior Pastor Mark Miller end his ministry at Faith Church on August 31, 2014. Anne Sulhoff joined the staff in September 2014 as the Director of Family Ministries. Pastor Harold Tongen was called to serve as our Interim Pastor from October 1, 2014 until April 30, 2016. Ranae Overton joined the staff as office manager in March 2016. Dr. Kirk Ryckman was called as the Bridge Pastor from May 1st until October 31st, 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.
Reverend Snodgrass served as pastor until August 1971. The Reverend Richard H. Skelley was installed as pastor on February 20, 1972 with God's vision to meet the needs of the community.
On September 12, 1976 the congregation took action to approve preliminary plans for a new addition to the building. Dedication Sunday was held on 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 celebration service. Reverend Wesley M. Snodgrass returned to assist Reverend Richard H. Skelley with the 10 a.m. worship service. The symbolism of the beginning and current pastors, standing side-by-side, represented the ongoing process by everyone to spread God's Word. It was an inspiring and insightful 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. The Faith Presbyterian Church congregation called Reverend Lance V. Grothe on July 14, 1985 to be our next Associate Pastor, filling the void left by Pastor Taylor.
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 nomination search team was busy during these years and nothing happened quickly because of an abundance of qualified applicants but the chemistry had to be right.
On March 1, 1990 the Reverend Neal C. Earley was hand-picked by the congregation of Faith Presbyterian Church to serve as our Associate Pastor.
The Fourth Decade
The leadership change cycle continued. After a busy twenty years, Dr. Skelley retired on September 30, 1992 and was honored with the designation of Faith Presbyterian 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.
Nothing stays static. 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. Robin Menck joined the staff in June 2010 as the Director of Youth which 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. Rani Vande Berg retired as our Director of Christian Education after 11 years of service on May 31, 2014. The congregation of Faith Church accepted the request that Senior Pastor Mark Miller end his ministry at Faith Church on August 31, 2014. Anne Sulhoff joined the staff in September 2014 as the Director of Family Ministries. Pastor Harold Tongen was called to serve as our Interim Pastor from October 1, 2014 until April 30, 2016. Ranae Overton joined the staff as office manager in March 2016. Dr. Kirk Ryckman was called as the Bridge Pastor from May 1st until October 31st, 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.