First Presbyterian Church has stood at 111 Capital Avenue NE in downtown Battle Creek, Michigan, since the cornerstone of the current building was laid on Thanksgiving Day in 1927. The congregation itself dates back to May 25, 1883, when the Lansing Presbytery authorized its formation. From a founding membership of 87 worshipers, the church grew to more than 700 members by 1910, and it continues today as a downtown congregation serving Battle Creek and the wider Calhoun County region. The church's long-standing motto, "A Heart for God in the Heart of the City," captures both its theological identity and its commitment to neighborhood ministry.
A Downtown Congregation with a Mission Beyond Its Walls
From its earliest years, First Pres has been a church that plants and partners. Between 1958 and 1983 the congregation helped establish both Pennfield Presbyterian and Westlake Presbyterian Churches, created the First Presbyterian Church Pre-School, and built the Retreat Center on Waubascon Road. Its 100th anniversary in 1983 brought an elevator, barrier-free accommodations, and a refurbished kitchen, all intended to make the building more welcoming. In 1996 a Youth Center across the street from the sanctuary opened to give middle and high school students a safe place for fellowship and faith exploration. The 2014 redesign of the worship space honored the building's biblical and theological heritage while improving flexibility and acoustics. Those same acoustics now serve the community through the First Pres Presents Guest Artist Series, which is free and open to the public, and through performances by groups such as the Kellogg Community College choral ensembles, Lakeview High School choirs and musical ensembles, the BC Community Chorus, and the Girls Chorus and Choir of Men and Boys.
The Campaign for Renewal in 2012 added an explicit mission focus. Three local agencies - Early Childhood Connections, Charitable Union, and CityLinC Ministries - aligned with First Pres's interest in education, healthy relationships, and spiritual growth. Today the church continues to give both financial and physical support to these and other partners, viewing its downtown building, Youth Center, and Retreat Center as tools for ministry beyond the sanctuary walls.
"Full Treasure" Worship on Sunday Mornings
Worship gathers at 10:00 AM on Sundays in a traditional sanctuary with high ceilings, stained glass windows, and cushioned wooden pews. The service is called "Full Treasure" worship because, in the words of Matthew 13:52, it "brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." Music ranges from traditional hymns to contemporary praise and contemplative Taizé, sometimes blending the three. Two large screens at the front of the sanctuary make it easy to follow along, and Bibles are available in every pew.
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at an open table - all who follow Christ are welcome to participate. The service lasts about one hour. Visitors are not asked to wear name tags, fill out forms, sing along, pray aloud, or give money; the church calls the worship hour "our gift to you."
Making Visitors Comfortable
First Pres treats hospitality as a priority. Greeters and parking lot attendants help first-time guests find a place to park; the largest lots sit behind the church off Frelinghuysen Avenue, and specially designated handicapped spaces are near the west-side entrance. Entrances are located at the front and on both sides of the building, and a greeter stands at each doorway. Newcomers are encouraged to arrive fifteen minutes early to park and get settled, with extra time if a diaper-bag or toddler is in tow.
What to wear is up to the visitor. Some arrive in coats, ties, and dresses; others wear jeans or casual tops. The church says plainly that "what's in the heart, not the outward appearance, matters most." Ushers will happily help anyone find a seat, from the front row on the main floor to the back of the balcony.
The facility is fully accessible. Designated wheelchair seating is available on the main floor, an elevator serves the building, a ramp leads into the sanctuary, and a handicapped restroom is on site. Hearing assist devices sit on a table near the Sanctuary entrance at the top of the ramp, and the church notes that visitors can also stream audio directly to Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids. Instructions for the devices are printed on the table.
Children and Youth at First Pres
School-aged children attend worship with their parents. Children's Bibles and activities are kept in the front pews for use during the service. A Bible Memory Program pairs children with adult mentors to encourage scripture memorization.
The nursery is no longer staffed, but the nursery room remains available for parents who need to change a diaper, calm a crying child, or rock a baby during the service. Children of all ages are welcome in worship.
Youth ministry welcomes middle school and high school students even if their families are not members of the church. A Confirmation program runs from October through May and pairs students in grades seven through twelve with a mature Christian mentor to develop a personal faith statement. "Off the Pres" gathers middle and high schoolers for fellowship, fun, and spiritual growth. Each summer brings "Navarac," a week of local service for middle schoolers, and "Caravan," a weeklong mission trip for high school youth that has taken students to other parts of the United States to serve in areas affected by poverty, storms, floods, and other disasters.
Adult Discipleship and Bible Study
Adults at First Pres find many ways to grow in faith together. Bible for Lunch meets on the first and third Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in the Parlor, where Pastor Small leads a thematic study of scripture over the lunch hour. "Developing a Biblical World View" gathers on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Parlor to wrestle with current events and issues through the lens of scripture. Spirit Seekers meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 6:30 to 9:00 PM, rotating among participants' homes for Bible or Christian book study, prayer, fellowship, and dessert.
Men's Fellowship gathers at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of the month for fellowship and Bible study. Presbyterian Women (PW) includes three "circles" that meet for Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and mission giving, with annual events such as a Fall Spiritual Retreat, a Christmas Tea, and a Salad Supper. PDF (Prayer, Dinner, and Fellowship) meets monthly in homes; after a shared meal, each guest names the highs and lows of the previous month and the group prays together. A low-impact Chair Exercise Class for seniors runs at 10:00 AM on Tuesdays. Spiritual resources recommended to the congregation include Daily Scripture Readings, the Daily Prayer app from the PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship, the Mission Yearbook, These Days Devotional, and the Upper Room Devotional.
Reaching the Community and the World
First Pres partners with a long list of local agencies and welcomes volunteers from the broader community. The Charitable Union receives help with Back to School Clothing Distribution, Winter Coat Distribution, and the Prom Dress Event, along with collections of new winter coats, jeans, socks, underwear, and monetary gifts for "Soles for Souls" work boots and shoes. Volunteers serve meals at CityLinC events and help host the annual Christmas Party and summer Picnic for CU staff and volunteers. The church is also the host site for sorting donated school supplies for CityLinC's "Stuff-A-Bus" backpack project.
The Franklin Food Pantry receives support from First Pres volunteers who serve on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 12:30 to 3:00 PM at the lower level of First Methodist Church, entering client information, gathering signatures, and bagging and distributing food. The Soup Kitchen team meets the third Thursday of the month at the Salvation Army, beginning meal preparation at 9:00 AM and serving lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving Baskets collect food and supplies three times a year with the Deacons to distribute to neighbors in need.
Additional partnerships include S.A.F.E. Place (a domestic violence shelter), Second Mile Center in Detroit (an annual Health Fair, Health Kit collections, and a weekend retreat for visiting children), Early Childhood Connections' Making Music and Toddler Playgroup programs, Parent Coalition Dinners and annual events, and the Sew 'n Sews sewing circle, which meets on the second and fourth Thursdays from 9:30 AM to noon, September through May, to make baby quilts, walker tote bags, and preemie and newborn gowns for area agencies and hospitals. Sew-N-Sew 2 Go allows members with Thursday conflicts to take projects home.
Mission Trips send teams to other parts of the United States for home repair, construction, and vacation Bible schools in disaster-affected communities, with local mission projects closer to home as well. Luke 10 sends teams of two into the church's neighborhood each month for friendship and care visits. The church also provides ongoing financial support to The Outreach Foundation, The Haven, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Medical Benevolence Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the Buckhorn Children's Center, Calhoun County Jail Ministry, missionaries in inner-city Florida, the Medical Ministry at Bebalem Hospital in Chad, Africa, the SHARE Center, Calhoun County Connect/VA, and St. Thomas Breakfast Table.
The Retreat Center on Waubascon Road
Less than five miles from downtown Battle Creek at 20398 Waubascon Road, the Retreat Center is an arm of the church's ministry, outreach, and fellowship. Set on 22-1/2 acres of wooded, rolling terrain, the building features a barrier-free main level with a central meeting area that seats up to 70, conference tables and chairs, a fireplace, a deck, a full kitchen, and restrooms. The lower level adds another conference room, restrooms, and showers. Outside, picnic tables, a grill, a ball diamond, a game area, and a nature trail winding around a lake make the property a favorite for family reunions, graduation parties, holiday celebrations, and other gatherings. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed on the premises. Reservations are arranged through the church office.
Care, Prayer, and Health Support
Every Sunday after worship, prayer team members are available to listen and pray with anyone who asks. Prayer requests can also be submitted online. A Tuesday morning prayer team meets weekly in the Prayer Room (Chapel) to pray for personal concerns. The Healthcare Ministry team helps members and friends navigate medical questions, hospital advocacy, finding skilled home caregivers, and locating appropriate care facilities. Hospital Visitors and Homebound/Hospital Visitation volunteers extend ongoing support to those who cannot easily attend.
Stewardship and Giving
Christian giving at First Pres is framed as a response to God's grace. Members and friends can give online, place cash or checks in the Sunday offering plate, or mail a check to the church office marked for the Business Manager. Appreciated stock, property, and Charitable Rollover gifts from IRAs (for those 70½ and older) are accepted. Planned giving options include bequests, life insurance, real estate, and personal property, with the church encouraging donors to work with their financial advisors on the most advantageous estate plan.
Core Values That Shape the Congregation
The vision of First Pres is "to faithfully and effectively fulfill Christ's commandment to make disciples of future generations." Its mission is "to share God's love and grace with all people and celebrate the truth of Jesus Christ." Eight core values guide this work: glorious worship, spirit-empowered prayer, a life rooted in scripture, gracious witness, compassionate service, abundant life through community, and the affirmation of every person's dignity as a beloved child of God. The congregation approaches its purpose with a commitment to "unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and love in all things" - a posture that reflects its identity within the Reformed tradition while leaving room for differences on secondary matters.
Staff Who Lead the Work
Rev. Lorenzo Small serves as Lead Pastor. A 1998 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, Pastor Small came to First Pres in April 2023 from First United Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. He previously served as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, South Carolina, and is a board member of the Foundation for Reformed Theology and the Presbyterian Heritage Center.
Taylor Brown is the Discipleship Coordinator, with a focus on developing young adult and youth ministries, managing the church's social media presence, leading special projects in spiritual formation, and preaching periodically. A Battle Creek native and graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Taylor returned to his hometown after two years of ministry in Colorado Springs.
Dr. Carl Witt directs the Music Ministry. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University, a Master of Music from Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music, where he received the top composition prize.
A Newcomer-Friendly Church in the Heart of Battle Creek
Whether one comes from a few blocks away or across the state, First Pres aims to make Sunday morning feel like coming home. The downtown location, accessible building, flexible worship style, and active outreach programs combine to create a congregation that sees its city as both a responsibility and a gift. Visitors can attend in person at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings, watch services live on YouTube, or browse past sermons anytime online. The Welcome team encourages anyone curious about First Pres to reach out through the Connect form on the church's site, where a staff member will respond as soon as possible.