Who We Are
Our History
On February 24, 1903, Pastor F.G. Ellet of First Presbyterian Church of Wyandotte, Michigan met with a few members who wished to start a mission to Trenton. Mr. A. W. Ford, who initiated the meeting, acted as a secretary. By June 1st of that same year, a petition was signed by 72 individuals and was presented to the Detroit Presbytery requesting that a Trenton Church be organized. The Original Petition read…
“We, the undersigned members and adherents of the Presbyterian Church, respectively petition thePresbytery of Detroit to organize a church in our midst. The town of Trenton has 1,200 inhabitants and is in the midst of a good farming community; has every prospect of growth as a manufacturing town, being already a delight and much sought summer resort on the bank of the Detroit River. There is only one other Protestant church, except a small Episcopal body. There is every indication of a successful work by our church and a much needed organization.”
On July 2nd, 1903, First Presbyterian Church of Trenton was organized with 39 charter members. The infant congregation began by meeting at the schoolhouse on the corner on Elm and Washington (now West Jefferson.) The first installed Pastor was George B. Crawford who served from 1903-1905.
On August 25th, 1904, ground was broken on Cherry Street for the erecting of a church building and was completed on December 7th, 1904 at the cost of $3,000, including the lot. In 1928 the central three-story portion of the Cherry Street building, including a bell tower, was erected at the cost of $21,000.
In 1928, as a theological progressive shift within the Presbyterian denomination began to rear its ugly head, Ruling Elder Murdock offered what was a unanimously adopted motion. – Rev. Davis was Pastor.
“We the undersigned minister and elders of the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, Michigan veto with alarm the admittance into the ministry of our church/denomination men who do not affirm faith in the virgin birth of our Lord, his deity and bodily resurrection, and we call upon the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to exercise its constitutional power and authority in safeguarding the vital doctrines of our church.”
From 1952-54, the Cherry street property was completely remodeled and enlarged. On Jan 2nd, 1954 the session of First Presbyterian Church in Trenton decided to formulate terms and submit an offer to purchase property on West Rd. in Trenton. It was reported on April 15th, 1954 that the church membership had reached 340 members, with a budget of $31,500. The Pastor at the time was Rev. Leslie M. Gonnsen.
In September of 1958, construction of what was originally thought of as a “mission church” at 2799 West rd. began and by November 1st, 1959 a dedication service for that new building was held. For the next several years First Pres. was one church with two buildings. The Pastor during this period was Dr. Robert Harvey. By February 9th,1966, the Congregation voted to sell the Cherry street property for $60,000 and to move solely to the West Rd. property. On August 1st, 1967 a mortgage was taken out for the purpose of constructing an educational wing and making alterations to its existing property.
On July 23, 1980, First Pres. voted to leave the United Presbyterian Church due the advancement of theological Liberalism within the denomination. The Church agreed to pay $77,000 to retain its property from the denomination and as Pastor Dr. Cal Gray explained to the Local News Herald, “Compromise was impossible”. The church needed to stand against the liberalism and the “demise of the fidelity to the Scriptures...” and as reported in the News Herald on Wednesday, Oct 28, 1981, First Pres. would now be joining the newly formed Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where their Pastor Cal Gray would serve as the first moderator of the new denomination.
In 1990, ground was broken for a $1,000,000 addition to the West Rd. facility. The addition would have three floors, an elevator, and a large foyer along with other improvements. Then in 2013 another major update occurred when the church Sanctuary was completely updated.
On June 11th, 2024, First Pres. voted to leave the Evangelical Presbyterian Church due to theological progressive leanings within the denomination and voted to join with the more theologically conservative and confessionally faithful Presbyterian Church in America.
On August 18, 2024, we celebrated our Installation Service into the PCA.
From 1903 to today - Twenty men have served as Sr. Pastor with each making a distinct contribution to the direction of the church. In every case the Word of God has been preached and the gospel of Jesus Christ has been set forth. First Pres. in its history has sought to be faithful to the Gospel of Christ above all things. We have had the privilege of a long history and the benefit of standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. May we continue to be faithful!
Mission Statement of First Presbyterian Church of Trenton
We are a gospel centered community seeking to glorify God by making, maturing and multiplying disciples.
The Presbyterian Church in America was formed in 1973 to be a denomination that is “Faithful to the Scriptures, true to the reformed faith, and obedient to the great commission.” The PCA first General Assembly took place Dec 4-7, 1973 in Birmingham, Alabama. As of 2023, they are currently made up of 87 Presbyteries, 1,934 congregations and a membership of 393,528.
The Great Lakes Presbytery (GLP) of the PCA is the regional court of which we will now be a part. It is made up of the PCA churches and ministers within all of Michigan and Northern Indiana.
