​​First Presbyterian Church of Avon Park

In September 1961 a handful of dedicated people filled with faith and vision founded the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Avon Park. Area ministers, Rev. Frank Beard of Lake Placid and Rev. Harry Edwards of Lake Wales, added this new work to the responsibilities they already had with their own churches. They took turns holding 9:00 a.m. services in Avon Park before going to their own pulpits. Both gave time during the week to make pastoral calls in the Avon Park community.

Only three months later the women of the church met with Mrs. Frank Beard to form the Women of the Church. Mrs. Beard gave them helpful information and stressed the importance of family devotions. She explained the Prayer Calendar and other aspects of the work of the WOC. Laura Bell of Lake Wales and Susan White of Bartow were also at the meeting and gave leadership training and explained the duties and responsibilities of the various offices and departments of the WOC. 

From the beginning the WOC recognized the importance of missions, Bible study and prayer joining with other church women in community service through VBS, World Day of Prayer and other community projects. We are now called Women's Ministries and all women are welcome to take an active part.

The congregation was organized on February 4, 1962. There were 21 charter members who formed the first congregation. Two children were baptized at that service. Three elders and three deacons were elected to serve on a rotary basis.

The church, meeting in the Masonic Temple, moved to the Winter Guest House in October 1962. They remained at that location until the permanent building was completed. Early in 1963 the present property, overlooking Lake Verona was purchased and plans were made to build a building as soon as possible. On September 20, 1964, ground was broken for the building which was completed in June 1965. Then in August 1993 they broke ground for the new sanctuary and dedicated it in June 1994.

Through the years this congregation has shown a real spirit of dedication and willingness to work.  Volunteers sodded the lawn. They come together periodically during the year to do a work day on the building and grounds. 

This church body has a heart for missions. They have sent out two families as missionaries to Mexico, Rev. and Mrs. John Rogers and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Warner.

They have Agape luncheons for the summer months, when the church body comes together after the morning worship service to eat a potluck of cold foods. The ones who take part in this become better acquainted with other members of the church family. It has become a very special tradition in the life of this church.

The first family retreat was started in the spring of 1984 at Lake Byrd Lodge in Avon Park. This was a time of fellowship with all kinds of activities, games, sports, swimming, resting, and good food. A guest speaker and guest music director were hired each year for that weekend. The retreat began on Friday at suppertime and ended on Saturday evening with a Communion Service. Lake Byrd Lodge closed and another facility has not yet been found which would be suitable to continue this tradition.

Even though some of the traditional events of the church have not continued, this body functions as an extended family to all those who feel led by God to join them in the work God has given them to do to further His Kingdom and to honor Him with their hearts and hands. 

What Is An ARP?

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian church developed from the Church of Scotland. In 1733 Scotts organized the Associate Presbytery  to assure a more protestant and democratic church. Later, the Reformed Presbytery was organized by other Scots over the issue of who was the head of the church, emphasizing Christ as the head of the church, not the national monarch.

Members of these two branches came to America in the middle 1700s. In 1782, these groups merged to form the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church.

Distance and travel limitations in the early 1800s led to a decision to establish separate Synods of the church. The Northern Synod eventually merged with other Presbyterian bodies. The present A. R. Presbyterian Church continues in what was the Southern Synod. Since the advent of modern technology and vast improvements in travel, our “Southern Synod” is no longer Southern.

Predominately in the Southeast, the ARP Church has over 200 churches throughout the U.S. and Canada. Among our churches are some whose services are in Korean, Spanish, Arabic and Swahili. 

We do not limit our sphere of ministry to North America. We  reach out beyond our borders to Mexico, Pakistan and many other foreign countries.