In mid-October of 1904 before a meeting of North Alabama Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, petitions were read urging the establishment of an affiliated church in Sheffield. A commission was appointed by the Presbytery to investigate the need for such actions and the commission was granted the authority to organize, at its own discretion, a church in that city. On November 20, 1904, the church in Sheffield was established with a congregation of 13 members with the Reverend Frank Hewley as stated supply and a Session made up of two ruling elders, A.G. Williams and William Bradford.

Since its founding, the church has had the following pastors. (Those indicated with an asterisk were stated supply or interim ministers.) *Frank M. Hewley: September 1904 to December, 1905; *Alvin Otti Price: December 1905 to February 1907; *Lewis Collins: April 1907 to September 1907; *J. Marion Stafford: June 1908 to September 1908, and June 1909 to September 1909; T.E. Rogers: September 1909 to April 1912; *S.J. Martin: September 1913 to April 1918; W.E. Clark: May 1919 to March 1927; Paul M. Watson: July 1927 to October 1930; Raymond L. Nelson: June 1937 to May 1939; John Hungerland: January 1940 to April 1959; C.E. McLean, Jr.: January 1960 to July 1970; Joseph F. Gamble: April 1971 to March 1974; Richard D. Carter: September 1975 to December 1982; *Dr. Marion Reynolds: September 1983 to June 1985; Charles E. Van Devender, Jr.: July 1985 to October 2000; *Dr. James K. Thompson: January 2001 to May 2002; Van Edington: July 2002 to present.

During the pastorate of T.E. Rogers, the first brick structure was erected and it was while S.J. Martin was serving as stated supply that the church building was dedicated, free of debt, on July 25, 1915. By this time, the membership had increased to 33 resident communicants. The financial report the following year showed: “Current expenses of Church and Sabbath School $320; Systematic Beneficence $90.90; Pastor’s Salary $300.00.”

The church was severely damaged by fire on January 12, 1943. Services were conducted in the Labor Union Building while repairs were being made. In 1948, an expansion of the building program was undertaken. This included two adjoining lots, enlarging the sanctuary, installing a new chancel and pews, enlarging the fellowship hall, renovating the kitchen and adding Sunday School facilities. Services were held in the Jewish Synagogue during this remodeling.

In 1965, a building program by stages was completed, resulting in a second floor being added to the educational wing and renovated kitchen. Included in the new addition was a church office, choir room, a shall room for Women of the Church, men’s and women’s restrooms, 5 classrooms, large classroom for primaries and room for a gas-fired heater and air conditioner. During this same year, an electronic organ, which duplicates the true pipe organ tones, was installed.

The beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary were added during this time in memory of early church members. One of the stained glass windows is dedicated to Miss Maud Lindsay, a famous author of children’s stories and poems and teacher of Alabama’s first free kindergarten. She spent long years as superintendent of the Primary Department, organist and teacher of a children’s Sunday School class.

In 1974, the small unused room projecting from the west side of the building, referred to over the years as the “wart room,” was converted into a chapel for prayer and meditation and was opened to the public. It was also offered to the Shoals Hospital across the street as a special place for people in need of spiritual nourishment. In 1989 the sanctuary and fellowship hall were totally renovated and the ornate chairs were added to the back of the church.

In 1994 the women received Session approval to remodel the men’s Sunday School room for use as a parlor or gathering place for weddings and funerals and for meetings. The stained glass door was added to the room, furniture was donated and a home-like atmosphere was created.

In September 1998 the upstairs Sunday School rooms were repainted, wall papered, new furniture added or painted and in general “dressed up.” In 2000, the church had yet more renovations. The kitchen was painted and the sinks were redone. A new refrigerator, dishwasher and ice maker were installed. Handicap facilities were added by installing a ramp into the fellowship hall, a restroom and having sidewalk and curbs reworked.

While Dr. Thompson was our interim minister he led us in a mission study in exploring ways of being a church as we worked toward acquiring a new minister. In July of 2002 Van Edington joined us as our new pastor. The congregation consists of approximately 180 members.

First Presbyterian Church of Sheffield strives to be a place where people from all walks of life may come and be part of Christ’s body, grow together in God’s Spirit, mature in God’s grace and join together to further God’s work in our broken world. We are praying that God will lead others to join with us in that venture.

GOD BLESS US ALL!!!