From a Quonset Hut to a Sanctuary on State Road 26
Faith Presbyterian Church stands along State Road 26 on the western edge of West Lafayette, Indiana, where the congregation has been rooted since 1964. The church is best known for its biblically grounded Reformed worship in a traditional style with a choir, a deep commitment to local outreach across Greater Lafayette, and its membership in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. A phrase from the church's own description, "worshiping God with reverence, awe, and joy," captures what Sunday mornings are about. Visitors quickly learn that no one here expects anything formal, just friendly Christ followers who care about God's Word and their neighbors.
A West Lafayette Congregation Since 1964
The story of Faith Presbyterian begins in the spring of 1964, when Reverend Ken Edelman and his wife Sandy began knocking on doors across the community to gather a new congregation. On December 20 of that year, the first worship service was held in an old, dirt-floored quonset hut that already sat on the property. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and its Synod provided funds and loans to purchase the hut and the surrounding five acres, and on May 14, 1967, the congregation was officially recognized with 75 charter members.
By October 1971, when Reverend Edelman accepted a call to another church, there were 104 members and growth had not come as hoped. Rather than close, the small group chose to go on without a pastor. On May 7, 1972, Reverend Hughes "Scoti" Old accepted the call to become the second minister. About a year later, the Wabash Valley Presbytery appointed a task force to evaluate Faith's future. The task force decided that the church did have a real mission in the community and recommended strong support to bring it to maturity. Encouraged by that finding, members broke ground for a new building on December 4, 1977, and the present sanctuary, offices, and upstairs meeting rooms were dedicated on November 5, 1978.
By 1980 the congregation had the resources to become self-supporting. A second addition on November 24, 1985, brought Fellowship Hall and Christian Education rooms into the building. Reverend Stuart Robertson became the third pastor on August 1, 1986, and David L. Horner became the fourth pastor on June 15, 2008. On March 25, 2012, members voted to disaffiliate from the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the following month they voted to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2014. In March 2020, Andrew and SJ Winter became the current Pastor and Associate Pastor.
Sunday Mornings at 9:30
Sunday worship is the heart of life at Faith Presbyterian. Services begin at 9:30 a.m. and last about an hour in the church sanctuary, in a traditional, biblically grounded style with a choir. The order of service centers on the Word, the sacraments, and prayer, reflecting the congregation's Reformed convictions. Volunteer singers rehearse on Wednesday evenings and lead the music, with Mary Heller accompanying on the organ.
Visitors are warmly received at every turn. Some come in suits or dresses, others in blue jeans; a business-casual middle ground works for almost anyone. Right after the service, the patio and Fellowship Hall host a coffee hour with refreshments, an easy way to meet members. From 11 a.m. to noon during the school year, Sunday school classes meet for everyone from preschool through twelfth grade. On Communion Sundays, usually the first Sunday of the month, a simple Fellowship Lunch follows in Fellowship Hall. Most meals are gluten free and other allergens are noted; the lunch is supported by donations from regular attenders, and visitors always eat at no cost.
Infants and toddlers are cared for in the preschool nursery during worship by background-checked, adult-supervised volunteers. School-age children stay with their parents for the service. Communion is celebrated together on the first Sunday of each month, with the bread and cup shared by adults and older children alike.
Wednesday Mornings at Seven
A second weekly rhythm takes place on Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m., when the congregation gathers in the sanctuary for a prayer service. Afterward, those attending share breakfast and fellowship together. This older pattern of morning prayer followed by table conversation has become one of the more distinctive rhythms at Faith and a touchpoint for newcomers and regulars alike.
The Westminster Confession and the EPC
Faith Presbyterian is a member congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, a denomination that is rooted in the Protestant Reformation and especially the pastoral and theological work of John Calvin. The church follows the Westminster Confession of Faith in a modern English version of the 1789 revision as its doctrinal standard and embraces the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms as traditional tools for Christian education. Within those confessions, Faith welcomes a wide range of views, with some members preferring the Heidelberg Catechism or the 2nd London Baptist Confession, while sharing a common love for Christ and His Church.
The EPC's motto captures the spirit of fellowship among its churches: "In Essentials: Unity. In Non-Essentials: Liberty. In All Things: Charity." Faith describes itself as egalitarian, affirming that God calls both men and women to serve as Elders and Deacons. The church is governed by a plurality of ordained Teaching Elders (the pastors) and elected Ruling Elders sitting together on the Session. Deacons carry out ministries of care and compassion throughout the congregation.
Learning the Faith Together
Christian education is one of Faith's strengths. Adult Bible study classes meet on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. during the school year and are open to students age 13 and up. Children's Sunday school offers age-appropriate lessons with art, music, and story time for children who are potty trained through twelfth grade. A separate students' group for middle and high schoolers gathers to discuss relevant biblical topics in their own setting.
Formation also happens around tables. The men of the church meet every Friday at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast at Christo's New City Grill in West Lafayette. A Singles Women's Group gathers monthly over lunch at Westminster Pub, also in West Lafayette. The Ladies' Friday Zoom gives women a weekly time to share life and encouragement online. The choir rehearses in the balcony of the sanctuary at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and welcomes anyone who likes to sing. Throughout the year, the congregation gathers for an annual church picnic, game nights, craft parties, Jubilee Christmas, and a Valentine cookie project for college students.
Reaching Out Here, Near, and Far
A large share of Faith's identity lies in its outreach. The church runs the Local Emergency Assistance Program, or LEAP, on its own grounds: on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, the doors are opened to provide emergency utility help to families in Greater Lafayette. Applicants bring an ID and a copy of their utility bill; LEAP typically sends about $75 directly to the utility company. Twice a year, groups of volunteers from Faith help distribute food at the Tippecanoe County Food Pantry.
The church partners with several organizations across Greater Lafayette. Bravely Women's Health supports women facing unplanned pregnancies with counseling, parenting classes, ultrasounds, a clothing closet, and other free, confidential services. Habitat for Humanity in Lafayette has built and repaired hundreds of homes since 1984, with local churches pitching in on construction. Lafayette Urban Ministry, or LUM, operates more than 20 programs serving the needs of low-income residents and addressing root causes of poverty. Two faith-based recovery programs are longtime partners as well: Through the Gate, an intensive discipleship program for adult women struggling with addiction, and Trinity Life Ministry, a 21-week residential program for men focused on addictions, life skills, mentoring, and family reconciliation. Faith also runs a yearly Trunk or Treat event that features allergy-aware treats and a wheelchair-accessible restroom, alongside Vacation Bible School and other outreach events.
On the global side, Faith supports missionaries including Greg and Faith Hurst, who have served for over twenty years in Bolivia through youth ministry, church planting, and Christian education; Jack and Mary Anne Voelkel, who continue counseling and witness work in Toronto after years in South America; and World Outreach, the global missions arm of the EPC, which focuses on regions of the world where the gospel is least heard.
Leadership
Pastor Andrew Winter, who holds an MDiv from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and is pursuing a ThM in Old Testament from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, has served at Faith since 2020 and was ordained in the EPC in 2018. His main emphasis is preaching the Bible in an accessible way. His wife, Pastor SJ Winter, also an MDiv graduate ordained in the EPC, serves as Associate Pastor with a heart for outward-facing ministry and for helping people understand the Bible. Julie Lee directs the choir, and Mary Heller serves as organist.
Visiting Faith Presbyterian
The church building sits at 3318 IN-26 in West Lafayette. Sunday worship begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and Sunday school. Wednesday prayer is at 7 a.m. The office is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon, and the staff can be reached at 765.743.3683 or office@faithpresbyterian.org. Services are livestreamed on YouTube, and recent bulletins are posted online. Giving is available through Tithe.ly.