OUR CHURCH LIBRARY

Providing resources for growth, devotion, and encouragement at First Presbyterian Church in a variety of locations in The Bridge, Education Building, Ministry Building, and Coffee Shop. 

Check out all the great features.

The Church Library for Youth and Adults is in Room 200 of The Bridge with a computer server to locate items.  The Children’s Library is in Room 101 of the Education Building. The libraries offer Presbyterian and Reformed literature. The libraries are available on weekdays and Sundays. Procedures for check-out are posted in both libraries. The Church Library Online Catalog is available to search the library availability.  For assistance, contact Church Librarian Deborah Kirkland at library@firstprescolumbia.org.

Book Service

The Book Service is in the coffee shop of The Bridge on the first floor, the Atrium of Jackson Hall, the reception area of the Ministry Building and offers Presbyterian and Reformed books for purchase for adults and children.  A payment envelope is enclosed in each item to place in a secure metal box, the postal mail, or to pay online or via church app. For assistance email the Church Librarian or call (803) 799-9062, Ext. 603.

First Things Newsletter + Sunday Bulletins

First Things is our weekly church newsletter which is mailed or e-mailed to church members. First Things is available online by Friday at noon. Sunday Bulletins are available online by Friday at noon.

Sermon + Lecture Podcasts

Our church has provided sermons and lectures, at no charge, since 2006 for listening and for download in the MP3 format. You can find these sermons at sermonaudio.com.

For assistance with online media contact: mediateam@firstprescolumbia.org.

Broadcast

Radio Broadcast of our 8:30 AM Sunday worship service can be heard Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM air time on Columbia station WISW 1320 AM, as provided by Russel Dunbar. Our Sunday sermons are broadcast live. For assistance with online media contact: mediateam@firstprescolumbia.org.

Forms

Below are forms and applications for a variety of church functions and events. These forms can be printed, filled out, and returned to the church for processing.

Facility Usage Application

Wedding Information

Background Check Application

Memorial Garden Information

Work Order Request

Medical Release Form

church history

Historical documents relating to our church and the churchyard may be accessed at The South Caroliniana Library 803-777-3131 (Librarian) on the campus of the University of South Carolina and at The S. C. Department of Archives and History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC, 803-896-6104 (Research Librarian).

Our Churchyard

The First Presbyterian Churchyard is a testament to the faithfulness of God and the indomitable spirit of its members' past. It also reflects their faith and deeds, and their trials and tribulations, mirroring those of this State and Nation as well.

Established as a burial ground by an act of the legislature in 1798, the oldest existing marker, that of the first minister, dates from 1804. In 1813, the congregation was incorporated by the legislature as the "First Presbyterian Church of the Town of Columbia" with half of the burial ground to be conveyed to it and the other half to the Protestant Episcopal Church. Thereafter, First Presbyterian Church purchased the interest of the Episcopalians.

The markers number among them people from the earliest days of the republic and this congregation: ministers, physicians, judges, merchants, legislators, government officials, and university presidents, as well as soldiers of the Revolution, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. The tombstones record people from many birthplaces: Scotland, England, Ireland, Connecticut, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. The churchyard testifies to the many backgrounds that joined in Christian worship at First Presbyterian Church.

In response to the many requests of members, in 2004, a Memorial Garden for the interment of cremated remains was added to the Church’s cemetery. This area is located around the east, south, and west walls of the Family Life Center, and the spaces are marked with granite markers. If you are interested in obtaining more information about spaces in the Memorial Garden, please call our office at (803) 799-9062, ext. 261, or send written inquiries to the church at 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Church Librarian

Deborah Kirkland

Librarian
(803) 799-9062, ext. 603