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Dear Members and Friends of First Presbyterian Church,

For several months, we, as your Session, have been prayerfully considering our “one church on two campuses” model of ministry. Our goal has been to determine how best to help each campus flourish and have impact for God’s kingdom. After three months of intensive study, Session is recommending that we birth the southwest campus as a separate PCUSA church and congregation.

As children mature we give them more independence and they set up a new household on their own. It has become increasingly clear to us that as the SW ministry has matured, it can best flourish as an independent congregation.

At the same time, we believe this proposal will strengthen the downtown congregation. Most multi-site congregations use what is called “the franchise model,” in which the campuses are identical. We have been attempting 
a model with differing worship styles, different philosophies of mission and discipleship, and different structures. While both campuses have had notable successes, we believe the added focus that Session and our pastoral leadership will be able to give their specific campus will strengthen us even more.

We have planted seven new churches in our history, including First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, the Korean Presbyterian Church in Urbana, and Westminister Presbyterian Church in Champaign. So this proposal is consistent with our history and heritage.

This recommendation must be voted on by the combined congregation and ratified by the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois. In our recommendation, all property and facilities remain with the downtown congregation. The downtown congregation will retain all assets, except for those specifically earmarked for the southwest campus. In the meantime, of course, all of our services, groups, ministries and mission will continue. As this newsletter shows, we have much to celebrate.

Elders, First Presbyterian Church

The votes are in. Find out the results here.

Click here for an updated list of questions and answers regarding this transition.

We have also included a history of the Southwest Campus here.

If you have questions or comments on this transition, give your input here.