When You Visit
Before or after worship be sure to stop by the Information Desk. A friendly ASK ME! Volunteer will be available to help visitors find their way through the church campus. Maps and current issues of The Broadcaster are also available. Newcomers can look forward to a receiving a special visitor bag from the Membership Development Committee that is chocked full of involvement information and gifts. There is also a message pad to relay information to church staff.

Parking
In the Kirkwood Boulevard lot you will find many visitor-designated parking places close to the main entrances as well as an elevator entrance. Handicapped parking is available here, too.

Click here for a map to help you locate the church.

Who We Are
First Presbyterian Church is the first Protestant congregation established in Davenport in 1838. It has worshiped and served in the recently restored Victorian building at Kirkwood Boulevard and Iowa Street since 1899. This congregation of about 1,400 people, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA, the largest of the mainline Presbyterian bodies in the U.S., and is a part of the Synod of the Lakes and Prairies and the Presbytery of East Iowa.

Some people identify this church by its music ministry. The main adult choir is made up of over 110 singers who are joined by other choral and instrumental groups from pre-school through high school. The Performing Arts Series is popular. (See the Music page for details.)

Other people think of this church in terms of the Boys and Girls Club which is housed in our gymnasium wing. The congregation, through the direction of the Board of Deacons, is committed to numerous local and international mission outreach ministries. The church partnered with our neighbor, Sacred Heart Cathedral, to initiate community-wide urban planning in our larger neighborhood to make this a safer and happier area of Davenport in which to live. (See the Mission page to learn more.)

Still others find the educational ministries of great value. The Rotation Model, which takes into consideration diverse learning skills and abilities, is used in the Sunday Church School. There are Wednesday children's activities, middle and high school youth groups, adult learning opportunities and Bible study. (See the Christian Education pages for details.)

Where Presbyterians Fit into the Protestant Tradition
First Presbyterian Church is part of a denomination of the historic Reformed tradition. Presbyterians understand the Bible to be the essential rule of faith and practice, very much as other Protestants do. They believe that God exists in the trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that Christ is the Son of God, the Revealer of God, and the Savior of humanity; and that the church is the Body of Christ in the world. Education is stressed by Presbyterians - both for the ministry and the laity. Presbyterians believe that the Holy Spirit constantly enlightens truth, and thus they admit different understandings of the historical confessions of faith. Ultimately, every Presbyterian must find a personal understanding of faith through study, contemplation, and worship. A very important principle is that "God alone is Lord of the conscience."

Presbyterians emphasize active participation in ministry and worship for all members. The real ministry belongs to the membership of the church, not a special group of clergy set apart from the rest. Presbyterians follow a stated, although not strict, liturgy in services of worship. Thoughtful reading and interpretation of scriptures and prayer are the essentials of worship. The liturgy is designed to include the entire congregation in worship - just as ministry includes all members.

First Presbyterian Church of Davenport is an inclusive, caring community of faith committed to loving God, loving neighbor as self, and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all people through worship, fellowship, and service.

Becoming a Member
Visitors interested in learning more about the congregation's diverse ministries, mission, educational programming, and membership opportunities are encouraged to attend a casual orientation seminar scheduled three times a year on a Sunday morning during the educational hour or on a Monday evening. Watch the Sunday bulletin announcements, the monthly newsletter, or this web site for specific dates. Contact Rev. Scott Minteer (383-0657, ext. 220), for additional visitor or membership information.

A Sunday evening new member supper is takes place about two weeks after the initial Inquirer's Seminar to introduce people interested in becoming church members to staff, elders, and the details of opportunities for service and fellowship. New Member Sunday occurs a week or two later when new members are received and welcomed into active membership at First Presbyterian Church on a Sunday morning at one of the two services of worship. A bulletin insert that morning carries a picture and introductory paragraph about each new member. For further information about membership, please contact Rev. Scott Minteer (383-0657, ext. 220).