Our History

"A "venture of faith" it has been called and a venture of faith it was for an intrepid Presbyterian Sunday School missionary to hold an outdoor service in a raw, unsettled, new land, … It was Sunday, September 17, 1893, the day after the tumultuous Cherokee Strip Run that Rev. G. V. Albertson stood in his buggy to preach and bring Presbyterianism to Enid, a tent city with a population of 5,000 to 10,000 people. The following Sunday the Rev. H. P. Wilson, a Presbyterian home missionary who had made the Run and staked a claim southeast of Enid, preached to the little flock; and he continued to do so each Sunday through that first fall and winter, meeting in whatever buildings and halls were made available to him."¹

    Formal organization of First Presbyterian Church of Enid, Presbytery of Cimarron, Synod of Indian Territory was held on January 28, 1894 with twenty-one charter members. The congregation has grown from those original twenty-one hardy souls to a present day total of 690. Eleven pastors and five associate pastors have ministered to the Presbyterians of Enid including those first two intrepid pioneer missionaries of the Land Rush days. Enid has grown from that tent city that sprang up overnight into a thriving county seat of about 50,000 people. The hub of Northwest and North Central Oklahoma, Enid is the largest retail trade center in the area. With oil and agriculture as the historical bases of its economy, Enid also is the home of Vance Air Force Base, a number of diversified industries and medical facilities (including two ultra-modern hospitals) that are rated among the finest in the state. Our congregation reflects the area’s rich, colorful past; it’s vibrant,progressive present; and its exciting, promising future.

    Our present church home is the third permanent structure built for the congregation. Having outgrown their first little red brick building on the corner of Randolph and Boulevard and a second cream colored brick building on the same site, the congregation purchased land and began planning to build our present church home at the corner of Maine and Jefferson in 1925. The corner stone was laid on October 29, 1926 and a week full of services culminated in a special dedication service on November 20, 1927. The Gothic architecture, lofty spires and beautiful art glass windows of our sanctuary inspire awe and reverence as we worship God.

    Educational and meeting facilities and a Youth Building were later added to the main sanctuary. Fellowship Hall, located under the main sanctuary, was completely refurbished and redecorated in 1989. Recently we have reconfigured the north facade of the church to include a drive-through portico and enclosed the breezeway between the main building and the youth building. This construction project was completed in 2000.

    Christian education has always been of importance to Presbyterians. With all age groups well represented within our congregation, we provide Sunday school classes for all ages and Children’s Church. Regularly scheduled programming for seniors, adults, youth and children. Senior and Junior High Youth Fellowships; Pastor to Youth & Families, and the Family of Faith Wednesday Nights.

    Remember, "Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace." Come join us in our continuing "venture of faith" as we worship God the Father, revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Scripture through the power of His Holy Spirit.

¹ Champlin, Joanna  A History of the First Presbyterian Church – Enid, Oklahoma, 1893-1993, Part II. Enid, Oklahoma, 1993