For more than 170 years, First Presbyterian Church has been a telling presence in the Tri-Cities of Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, and Spring Lake on Michigan's west coast. Its story begins on November 2, 1834, when the Reverend William Ferry, a Presbyterian pastor who had floated down the Grand River by canoe, gathered a small congregation in a local trading post. Eighteen months later, in 1836, that gathering was formally organized as a church - the first house of worship in what was then a frontier settlement. Ferry went on to become Grand Haven's first mayor and postmaster, and the city of Ferrysburg and the city's Ferry Street both carry his name. The church he founded, now known as First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven, still occupies a corner of Franklin Avenue in the heart of downtown, and its ministries now stretch across western Michigan, into Belize, Haiti, and Honduras.
Today's congregation describes itself as "called to celebrate God's grace as a Christ-centered community of acceptance, growing in faith and living as Christ's hands to serve." With a sanctuary built in 1955 to accommodate 1,208 worshippers and a much larger reach today, First Pres is known locally for two things in particular: two distinct Sunday worship services held under one roof - a traditional service at 9 a.m. featuring the pipe organ and Geneva Choir, and a contemporary service called The Gathering at 11 a.m. with a full band - and an unusually broad network of local and international mission partnerships that keeps the church at the center of community life in the Tri-Cities.
A Heritage Rooted in the Founding of Grand Haven
The story of First Pres is in many ways the story of Grand Haven itself. From 1834 to 1850 the Presbyterian church was the only church in Grand Haven; the city's second house of worship, the First Reformed Church, would not be built until 1851. The early congregation worshipped in Rix Robinson's log home and trading post during the first winter, then in the partially completed log dwelling of the Ferry family on the southeast corner of Washington Street and Harbor Avenue. Amanda White Ferry's sister Mary White used the attic of that cabin for Bible lessons for the children.
In 1836, Rix Robinson purchased several lots for community purposes at a cost of $650, and Reverend Ferry bought lot 186, where a frame building was constructed. That building served as school, church, Sunday school, general meeting hall, and county courthouse. For the first thirteen years the worship was known simply as "The Church of Christ," while the children's Bible study was called "the Presbyterian Sunday School." On May 10, 1849 the congregation incorporated as The Presbyterian Church, and on March 15, 1856 it adopted Articles of Religious Association and elected Reverend Ferry as its first president.
The congregation has worshipped in four buildings. The second sanctuary, near 212-216 Washington, was dedicated on May 31, 1857. After years of fiscal strain, in 1885 the church was moved to the southeast corner of Fifth and Franklin Streets, where the church remains today. That building was remodeled in 1911, and in 1927 a center for social activities known as the "church house" was added. In 1954, during the tenure of Reverend Wallace "Wally" Robertson, ground was broken on the present sanctuary. The new building was dedicated December 18, 1955. The original 1885 church was razed in 1956 to make room for a chapel, and only its stained glass windows were saved; the large "Rock of Ages" window was later donated to the Robinson Grace Church, where it can still be seen.
A window in the current sanctuary depicts all four buildings, together with an acorn and an oak leaf - a reference to the text Reverend Ferry chose for his first sermon: "Do not despise small beginnings" (Zechariah 4:10). In the church's telling, "great things can come from small beginnings."
Two Sunday Services, One Mission
On Sunday mornings the same congregation meets twice, in two very different settings.
The Traditional Worship Service begins at 9:00 a.m. and is led from the pipe organ and the Geneva Choir. The service includes prayer, scripture readings, a sermon, congregational singing from a hymnal, and Communion is observed the first Sunday of each month.
At 11:00 a.m., The Gathering offers a contemporary style of worship led by the Gathering Band, with song lyrics projected onto a big screen rather than read from hymnals. Both services include a Children's Message. After the Children's Message and Blessing, children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to attend Children in Worship, a discovery-style program of worship centers running concurrently with the service, while younger children may go to the nursery or Bible Friends. Children are always welcome to remain in the sanctuary with their families if parents prefer.
The services are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays, and recordings are available afterward under the Sermons and Bulletins page. Bulletins are also posted each week as downloadable PDFs.
What to Expect When You Visit
Parking is rarely a problem at First Pres. The main church lot is on Clinton Street, and the county lot at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Fifth Street offers additional parking, with street parking on Clinton, Franklin, and Fifth Streets as well. Visitors entering on Sunday morning are greeted at the Family Ministries desk in the Gathering space, the large area just inside the Franklin and Clinton Street entrances. From there, staff or volunteers will walk families to the nursery or to the rooms for children in first through fourth grades.
Dress is entirely up to the visitor. As the church's own description puts it, "You will see folks in anything from jeans and flip-flops to business casual attire. We welcome people to come as they are."
There are several entrances. The Franklin Street doors and the Clinton Street parking lot doors both lead into the Gathering space, and an accessible side door on the east side of the building opens underneath what is called the portico. Bathrooms are available just outside the main sanctuary doors, including a family bathroom and a men's room, and additional restrooms are located west of the church office. Ushers and greeters will point visitors in the right direction.
For questions about weddings, baptisms, or funerals, the church office can be reached at 616-842-6760 or staff@fpgh.org. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing at noon on Fridays during the summer.
Children's Ministries: From the Nursery to Shine34
The mission of the children's program is to "effectively and joyfully nurture the faith of our children by ministering God's teachings through education and supplemental activities," with programming for children from infancy through sixth grade.
On Sunday mornings, three programs run side by side. The Nursery welcomes infants through age four in a safe, clean, and loving environment staffed by trained, background-checked caregivers with a check-in system so that parents can be reached if needed. Bible Friends is offered for toddlers through preschoolers and includes an engaging Bible story, craft, and prayer. Children in Worship, for young five-year-olds through fourth grade, runs from September through May and follows a discovery model in which children engage in specifically designed worship centers based on class size and grade level. During the summer, Lego Faith Builders uses LEGOs and the Jesus Storybook Bible to walk children through Bible stories, with devotions and brick-by-brick discovery.
Beyond Sunday morning, two fellowship groups build community. First Friends, for infants through second graders and their families, gathers for playground meet-ups in the summer, Sunday afternoon lunches, and winter playdates. Shine34, for third and fourth graders, focuses on meaningful friendships and special trips before the children move into the youth program.
The children's ministry runs three ongoing service projects. Hand2Hand is a food pantry providing weekend food to local school children from September through May; weekly bags are packed and delivered to schools by volunteers from age 5 to 85. Creation Care invites families to walk local parks to pray, clean up creation, and grow in friendship. Worldwide Mission includes support for a World Vision child named Jeminus, who lives in Tanzania, along with unique offerings that help hungry people around the world. Laura Burns is the director of Children's Ministries.
Middle School, High School, and College
First Pres offers a full range of programming for students from fifth grade through high school. Eric Stromberg serves as Coordinator for 5th-12th Grade Ministries.
The Sunday Night Youth Group, for fifth through twelfth graders, is a weekly gathering that combines games, worship, food, small groups, and Bible-based discussion in an age-appropriate setting. The aim is to provide "a safe space to explore their faith and develop friendships with peers." Special events throughout the year include a Halloween Party, Friendsgiving, a Christmas Party, Winter Retreats, summer gatherings, and service opportunities. Graduating seniors are invited to apply for the Hillis Scholarship Fund, which supports students continuing on to post-secondary education or vocational training.
Mission and service are part of the youth program. Each summer, students participate in week-long immersion service trips. For sixth through eighth graders, trips are local or within the United States and focus on learning from other churches with ongoing missions. For ninth through twelfth graders, trips rotate between serving communities within the U.S. and joining the church's mission partners in Orange Walk, Belize. First Pres began its relationship with Koinonia Ministry in 2019, providing hands-on service with trips as well as ongoing funds for their children's and youth programs.
A College Age Ministry sends care packages and encouraging notes throughout the year to young adults who have graduated from the youth program, and pairs students with mentors from the congregation. Mentors connect by email, phone, and occasional coffee meetings when students return home.
Adults Growing in Faith Together
Adults at First Pres have many ways to grow in faith together. Associate Pastor Rev. Kristine Aragon Bruce oversees adult programming.
On Sunday mornings between the two worship services, from 10 to 11 a.m., Dr. Matt Bruce teaches a class in the Recreation Room called "How to Read the Bible." The class engages with the morning's sermon and the week's Bible passages, and videos are posted online for those who miss the class or want to see it again.
Small groups meet throughout the week. The Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Conference Room, currently working through a Ray VanderLaan series on the Mission of Jesus. The Tuesday Night Men's Group meets in the Conference Room from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Thursday morning breakfast group meets at 7 a.m. at Russ' Restaurant to discuss the upcoming Sunday's scripture passages over breakfast - no RSVP required. The Thursday Night Discussion Group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 16/17 on the lower level. A Monday Afternoon Bible Study gathers during Lent and at other seasons of the year.
Presbyterian Women, known as P.W., gathers in monthly Circles for Bible study and a mission focus. The four Circles include the Jane Bottje Circle (first Monday at 10:30 a.m.), the Ferry-White Circle (first Thursday at 10 a.m.), the Eight Founders Circle (first Thursday at 1 p.m.), and the Albee-Duverney Circle (first Thursday at 7 p.m.). All women are welcome.
YogaFaith offers a different kind of spiritual practice on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Chair Yoga begins at 5:30 p.m. and Yoga Flow at 7 p.m., held in the Chapel. Described as "whole body worship, yoga through a Biblical lens, meditation, prayer, rest," the practice moves through slow transitions and typically ends with deeper static stretching as the heart is opened to God. Participants bring a yoga mat and water; blocks, pillows, blankets, and eye pillows are optional.
Music Ministries: The Geneva Choir, the Gathering Band, and the Carillon Ringers
Music is described at First Pres as "the heart language of worship." Three musical ensembles accompany the congregation through the year.
The Geneva Choir is directed by Maryanne Beery and rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m. The choir sings at the Traditional Worship Service and is accompanied by the organ. Rob Hlebinsky, the church's organist since July 2012, accompanies the choir from the bench and holds a degree in organ performance from Indiana University. Before Grand Haven he served as organist at churches in Grandville, Michigan; Tallahassee, Florida; and Lebanon, Indiana.
The Gathering Band leads worship at the 11 a.m. contemporary service. The band has been led since 2014 by Marc Felt, who selects music, introduces new songs, schedules bandmates, and leads weekly rehearsals. The Carillon Ringers, the church's handbell choir, rehearses on Wednesday evenings before the Geneva Choir rehearsal and is open to all experience levels.
Community Artist Series: Eight Concerts a Year
Since launching in 2008, First Pres has programmed an average of eight concerts per season through its Community Artist Series, welcoming thousands of people into the sanctuary for an annual lineup of jazz, classical, and folk performances. All events are free and open to the public.
A typical season opens with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, a West Michigan big band that has been a driving force on the regional scene for more than four decades. Other recent and upcoming programs include Echoing Air, a chamber ensemble devoted to music for singers and Baroque instruments; the West Michigan Concert Winds Small Ensembles; a Halloween Spooktacular Organ Recital with Rob Hlebinsky and friends from the West Michigan Chapter of the American Guild of Organists; GOTAK, the Grand Haven High School string ensemble that blends bluegrass, Irish, Celtic, jazz, and rock; a conservation biology talk from John Ball Zoo on the endangered red panda; and recitals by young organists and chamber groups like the Folias Duo.
The Community Artist Series is one expression of the church's core value that "creativity is a God-given gift to be encouraged in all areas of ministry." To that end, the church also hosts "Created to Create," a monthly gathering on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the church lounge. The format alternates between simple, no-skills-needed creative projects supplied by the church and an open creative hour, with a short devotion about the connection between creativity and faith.
Local Mission: A Beacon in the Tri-Cities
First Pres has committed to tithe ten percent of what it receives, and the congregation has been a steady supporter of community ministries for decades. As the church's mission statement puts it, the congregation aims to "remain a beacon in our community by building on our rich missional heritage as a church that serves locally, regionally and globally."
Among the long-standing partnerships:
- Hand2Hand provides weekend food to local school children, with weekly bags packed by volunteers and delivered to schools from September through May.
- The Central School Food Pantry, just next door to the church at Central High School, receives food donations and monthly financial support.
- The Salvation Army of Grand Haven receives monthly food donations collected at the church and roughly $2,000 annually to purchase perishables.
- Feeding America West Michigan trucks visit several times a year, with church volunteers helping with food distribution.
- Love in Action provides twenty-seven areas of help, including a free dental clinic, free health clinic, food pantry, clothing and household ministry, furniture and appliance ministry, bicycle ministry, transportation ministry, the laundry hub, God's Guys Handyman ministry, budget counseling, life skills classes, a men's shelter (Harbor Hall), and Hope House, a women's shelter.
- The People Center provides food, clothing, transitional housing, and other practical assistance in an atmosphere of dignity and trust.
- Mosaic Counseling Center provides professional Christian counseling to Ottawa County residents; no one is ever turned away.
- Kids Hope USA pairs church mentors with students at Griffin Elementary School; the church began this partnership in 2023 with nine mentors serving nine students.
- Step Up Muskegon provides housing, mentoring, educational guidance, and life skills training for young adults aged 18 to 24 who have aged out of the foster care system.
- Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry provides Christ-centered hope and healing through chaplain-led, volunteer jail ministries. First Pres began partnering with Reach the Forgotten at the Ottawa County Jail in January 2023.
- The 20th Circuit Court Recovery Court gathers at the church every two weeks, with the congregation feeding 40 to 50 people in support of the program's mission to eliminate the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
- The CROP Hunger Walk, sponsored by Church World Service and organized locally, raises funds to end hunger at home and worldwide.
- Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging helps older adults struggling to live independently to stay in their own homes, with homemaking, personal care services, and nutrition.
- The Housing Ministry Collaborative is a consortium of nine area churches and Love in Action that helps families keep a roof over their heads and heat and light in their homes.
- On the fourth Monday of each month, a carpool of volunteers helps serve dinner at the "Supper House" at Temple United Methodist Church in Muskegon Heights.
- The American Red Cross hosts a quarterly blood drive at the church.
- The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates comforting, healing shawls for those in the congregation who are ill.
Project Ripple Effect, an outreach supported by the church, awarded $15,000 in 2025 to twenty-two local projects ranging from local schools, food programs, prison ministries, and helping the handicapped.
Caring for Creation
First Presbyterian Church is a certified Earth Care Congregation through the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The Earth Care Team offers educational resources and service opportunities throughout the year for people to actively care for God's creation, and works with the Session to maintain and upgrade the church's facilities so that its buildings and grounds use energy efficiently and conserve resources. Among the team's activities are walks at local parks to pray for one another, pick up trash, and grow as good stewards of creation.
International Mission: Belize, Haiti, Honduras, and Rwanda
First Pres supports mission partnerships in several countries, and has done so for years.
Koinonia Ministries in Orange Walk, Belize is the church's longest-running international partnership. Koinonia trains and equips children to proclaim the love of God through teaching of God's Word. First Pres sent its first adult mission trip to Belize in November 2020 and its first youth mission trip in the summer of 2021. A 2023 adult team helped construct a second level to the pastor's house, assisted twenty-four students with school fees, and rewired and painted the church's worship space.
Hands for Haiti, organized in 2010, serves the poor in the mountainous region of Haiti through service-based programs in healthcare, agriculture, nutrition, education, and faith-building. In 2016, Hands for Haiti opened its first mountain health clinic and has since eradicated cholera in the area. The agricultural farm program teaches farming techniques and small business skills. In 2023, donations helped thirty-one farmers graduate from the program, thirty people learn to make liquid detergent, and batteries with solar panels were purchased for a health clinic.
El Ayudante in Honduras receives donations to provide pre-marital counseling, pastoral training, dental and medical clinics, churches, school rooms, tuition, student uniforms and shoes, latrines, and water filters.
Casa de Esperanza Ministries has provided tuition and shelter for students in Honduras for twenty years. West Michigan volunteers helped place 170 water filters and gave away Spanish-language New Testaments and laptop computers.
First Presbyterian Church also supports two Presbyterian mission co-workers. Bob and Kristi Rice serve in Rwanda, where, in their words, "We were inspired by their faith and resilience ... God touched our hearts, giving us a connection and love for our African brothers and sisters." Cathy Chang and Juan Lopez focus their vision on "people whose dreams have been denied." Regionally, the church supports Alma College, founded in 1886 by the Presbyterian Synod of Michigan, and the Presbyterian seminaries.
Joyful Noise Christian Childcare on the Church Campus
On the campus of First Pres, in a building of its own, Joyful Noise Christian Childcare provides award-winning, educational Christian childcare. The program nurtures and stimulates the growth of children in five areas: spiritually, socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.
Spiritually, the program fosters the development of Christian values through Bible stories, prayer, and music. Socially, it facilitates relationships characterized by caring, sharing, and trust. Emotionally, it encourages a positive self-image, recognition of feelings, and learning of self-control. Intellectually, it stimulates growth and critical thinking in a non-competitive, fun-filled setting. Physically, it promotes healthy eating and exercise habits and the learning of age-appropriate developmental tasks and self-care.
Joyful Noise hosts the church's annual Trunk or Treat event in the parking lot each fall, an evening of decorated trunks and candy for kids and families in the community. Sally Segers is the Director of Joyful Noise Christian Childcare.
What the Church Believes
First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven belongs to the Presbyterian Church (USA). The congregation's mission statement is recited at the end of every worship service: "We are called to celebrate God's grace as a Christ-centered community of acceptance, growing in faith and living as Christ's hands to serve."
Specifically, the church confesses belief in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Members hold that Jesus Christ became human, suffered, died, and rose again "for us and our salvation," and that the Bible is the unique and authoritative Word of God. The Holy Spirit imparts gifts for ministry and helps believers bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, which are the marks of Christ-like character. Every Christian is called to be a disciple and to serve Christ as Lord, seeking to be holy, compassionate, and faithful, honoring Christ in both word and deed. The purpose of life is to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever," and worship, prayer, meditation on God's Word, and fellowship are essential to spiritual growth, to the end that believers "more and more become 'conformed to the image of Christ.'"
Four core values guide the congregation. First, the church is Christ-centered: the church begins with Jesus, and knowing and obeying Jesus more fully is the ultimate goal. Second, the church is "better together," striving to be intentionally intergenerational and to be a home for all. Third, the church is at the heart of the community, with the congregation using its facility to welcome many community groups and several nonprofits having launched from the church. Fourth, the church is "created to create," encouraging excellence in the arts in worship and throughout the ministry.
Pastors and Staff
The senior pastor and head of staff is Rev. Dr. Troy Hauser Brydon, who has served the congregation since 2017. Before coming to First Pres, he served at Kirk in the Hills near Detroit and St. Simons Presbyterian Church on St. Simons Island, Georgia. He holds a D.Min. from Louisville Seminary, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, an M.A. from Bowling Green State University, and a B.A. from Calvin University. He preaches, leads meetings, oversees the staff, and occasionally rocks out with the Gathering Band or sings with the choir.
The associate pastor is Rev. Kristine Aragon Bruce, who facilitates spaces for people to grow more deeply in their faith through small groups, Bible studies, and mission opportunities. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with a B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington, Kristine has held associate pastor positions in New Jersey and Illinois and served as an assistant to the minister in Dunbar, Scotland.
The director of music and fine arts is Maryanne Beery, who has worked in the music department since 2004 and directs the Geneva Choir. The Gathering Band leader is Marc Felt, who has led the contemporary band since 2014. The organist is Rob Hlebinsky, who has served on the bench since July 2012. The director of Children's Ministries is Laura Burns, who came to First Pres in 2018 after serving as Children's Director at United Methodist Church of the Dunes. The coordinator for 5th-12th Grade Ministries is Eric Stromberg, a former educator. Karen Nienhouse serves as the Congregational Care Assistant, keeping in touch with the needs of the congregation through visits, calls, emails, and letters, and she also handles the Prayer Chain.
The Session, the congregation's ruling body, consists of elders elected by the congregation to oversee the ministry and mission of the church. Deacons are elected to connect with and care for homebound members and anyone in need of extra encouragement and support.
Giving as Worship
First Pres describes its giving as "an act of worship in which we thank God for our blessings and acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God." Gifts support the congregation's missions, programs, events, community outreach, Sunday services, and the ongoing costs of maintaining the facility.
Gifts can be made online through the Realm giving portal, either as a one-time gift or as a recurring gift. Text-to-Give is set up by texting "FPGH" to 73256. Electronic funds transfer can be arranged through Realm or directly through a bank or credit union. Gifts can also be made by placing them in the offering plates during worship or by mail. Pledges for the coming year help the Session and staff budget with confidence. The Ferry Legacy Society offers a planned-giving option for those who wish to include First Pres in their will or trust.
For those exploring a percentage approach, the church suggests starting at 3 to 5 percent for first-time givers and challenging existing givers to increase the percentage each year, with a traditional tithe understood as 10 percent.
For those who prefer to give the gift of time, the church offers many ways to serve. In worship, there are openings for audio/visual volunteers, the Geneva Choir, the Carillon Ringers, the Gathering Band, and as ushers or greeters at either service. In children's ministry, volunteers are always needed in the nursery, Bible Friends, and Children in Worship. In youth ministry, there are openings for confirmation mentors, college student mentors, and meal providers for the youth group. In adult ministry, there are small group leaders, Bible study leaders, and Presbyterian Women circle leaders. Beyond that, the missions page lists dozens of opportunities to serve at partner organizations around the Tri-Cities.
Stay Connected
The Tidings newsletter is published monthly, and weekly video updates and sermon videos are posted on the church's Facebook and YouTube channels. The church office is located at 508 Franklin Avenue, Grand Haven, Michigan, and can be reached at 616-842-6760 or staff@fpgh.org.