About
Our Staff
Rev. Katie Styrt began serving as First Presbyterian's Pastor in March 2021. She grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, and went to college in Chicago, where she met her husband, Philip. Philip and Katie have two young daughters and one elderly dog. The family enjoys baking, going to parks, and playing board games together.
Katie has served on Quad Cities Interfaith's Executive Board, the Genesis Home Health and Hospice Oversight Board, and as Moderator of the Presbytery of Great Rivers. Milan is the fourth First Presbyterian Church she's worked at!
Katie is in the office Monday-Thursday, and can be reached at katiestyrt@gmail.com or (309) 787-4661.
Administrative Assistant Mary answers our phones, prepares bulletins, edits and compiles our newsletter and so much more. Office hours will find her at the church: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Mary can also be reached at 309-787-4661 or firstpresmilan@gmail.com
Music Director T. Wade Rogers plays the organ, piano, and directs our vocal and handbell choirs. Wade holds a Masters of Music in vocal performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music and a Bachelor of Music from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He currently also teaches voice and piano in Rock Island and sings with the Quad City Singers. He enjoys gardening, baking, and traveling with partner JP. They're proud parents to five very active fur babies. Wade can be reached at twrmaestro@yahoo.com.
Custodians of our building are Kent and Colleen. This hardworking duo keeps our structure neat and tidy. They work hard to make sure we have what we need for our ministry efforts.
Our Congregation
We are proud to be part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and share ministries and mission priorities with other Presbyterian churches. Presbyterians believe that no one person understands God perfectly, but that we follow God best when we work together as equals and value each person's perspective. Therefore our leadership is by committee, so that we can discern the Spirit's call for our church as a group. Our governing board is called the “Session,” and made up of “Elders” who are elected to serve by the congregation. Each Elder has responsibilities on committees that are composed of members and attendees of our congregation. Together they direct the various ministries of our congregation.
Deacons are the outreaching, nurturing arm of our congregation. They prepare the table for Holy Communion each month, visit our homebound members, take flowers, or reminders of our care to those in need, as well as serving funeral lunches to grieving families. This remarkable group is always quick to offer their assistance in the many events of our congregation that helps to lift others into God’s remarkable love.
We are a congregation of Great Rivers Presbytery and Lincoln Trails Synod, regional groups which collaborate in ministry and mission.
Presbyterians believe that every person is created in God's image and has something meaningful to share with the church. We are inspired to humble service through Jesus's example in the scriptures, and seek to follow the Holy Spirit's call in our lives. Helping others and working to bring about justice in the world is part of our mission as Christians.
Our History
First Presbyterian Church was organized in Camden, Illinois (which later became Milan) on April 5, 1845. There were fifteen founding members. This congregation was the vision of one man, Elder William Dickson who arrived here from Erie, Pennsylvania. He laid out the town in 1843, and constructed the first church building by himself. It was completed in 1846. By 1868 the congregation had outgrown the building so Mr. Dickson donated the land for the second church to be built in downtown Milan, two blocks away from the original site.
Our congregation
In the mid-1960s a third church was erected on a frontage road off Highway 67 in Milan, Illinois. The move to this, our present church, took place in September 1967. They opened the Sunday worship in the old church, and moved as a caravan to the new building to finish the worship service. The Dickson family presented a 600 pound bell in 1868 which still rings in front of our church today. We celebrated our 175th anniversary in 2020, and are looking forward to our future in Milan.
Our Partner Organizations
For more information about our partner organizations, check out their websites below.
Great Rivers Presbytery
Presbyterian Church USA
Churches United of the Quad Cities