About First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, TN, is a community and congregation with 250 members that celebrates diversity, pursues and supports social and ecological justice for all peoples and Earth, and worships God’s grace through ritual, sacrament, and creative services.

First Presbyterian’s History

The story of the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tennessee is an important part of the early story of the State of Tennessee. The earliest reference to a Presbyterian congregation, in what was later to become Elizabethton, is in the minutes of Hanover Presbytery, dated October 25, 1782. In those minutes the Rev. Samuel Houston (uncle of Sam Houston of Texas) was instructed to “supply [preach] one Sunday at Watauga.” This would have been Fort Watauga, recognized by the State of Tennessee with construction of Sycamore Shoals Historical Park within the city limits of Elizabethton. This was also the site of the gathering of the Over-Mountain Men in 1780, which, blessed by the Rev. Samuel Doak (a member of Hanover Presbytery), marched over the mountain and defeated the British at the Battle of King’s Mountain, a battle that was decisive in the eventual outcome of the Revolutionary War.

Sometime prior to 1835, the congregation in Elizabethton sensed the need for a new church building and constructed the beautiful brick structure, which still stands on Main Street. In this building the Presbyterians of Elizabethton worshipped God and experienced with the entire country the agonies and ecstasies of nationhood. In 1951 the congregation decided to relocate and to build a new church building. This was to be done in two phases. The educational building was constructed in the first phase and the nave in the second with the steeple being placed on the completed building July 17, 1964. Throughout its history, the people of First Presbyterian Church have been committed to communicating the transforming power of the Christian faith. It has sought to do this through the preaching and teaching ministry of the church as well as through a continuing effort to relieve human suffering within the community, in our nation, and around the world. This commitment has seen the congregation through the 221 years of its history.

[The historical information is taken from A History of the First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton, Tennessee (1982) by Robert K. Johns.]
Minister – John Andrew Shuck

John Andrew Shuck was installed by H olston Presbytery to be the minister at First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tennessee on September 18th, 2005. John, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, has served congregations in Lowville, NY and Billings, MT before coming to Elizabethton.

John is a member of the Westar Leaders’s Seminar of Westar Institute (the Jesus Seminar). Westar promotes the advancement of religious literacy. Twice per year seminars are held featuring speakers who are on the cutting edge of religious thought. John is particularly interested in how preaching and worship have been and may continue to be enhanced by historical Jesus research. John is also a member of the Witherspoon Society. This organization promotes progressive theology and social justice within the Presbyterian Church (USA).

John enjoys racquetball, tennis, chess, genealogy, hiking, driving, reading, and late-night conversations. He is also looking forward to growing and exploring in East Tennessee!

Beth Hodges – Church Secretary

To Find Us

The Church Session

First Presbyterian Church is located in northeast Tennessee in Elizabethton. Coming from Johnson City, TN:  Exit 31 from I-181.  Take highway 321 North, which becomes West Elk Avenue in Elizabethton.  Turn right on Holly Lane (opposite Pal’s).  Then left on West F Street.  The church is on the left. Coming from North Carolina: Take highway 321 North, which becomes West Elk Avenue in Elizabethton.  Turn left on Holly Lane (opposite Pal’s).  Then left on West F Street.  The church is on the left. Sato Travel – Sato travel is American based travel agency affiliated with US government travel agencies. SatoTravel is providing government travel solutions to U.S. military, retired and civilian government personnel since 1949.

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