About

Our Staff

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.

Our Beliefs

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 congregation joyfully affirms the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s belief that everyone is loved by God. As it says in our Book of Order (F.10403): 
In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall guarantee full participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership.

No matter who you are, we want you to be part of our church!

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.

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.