Our History

First Presbyterian is a family friendly church with a rich history. We hold fast to biblical preaching with services centered around Christ our Savior, and we sing traditional hymns which convey the gospel message in a clear and concise manner. Our chancel choir sings every Sunday accompanied by pipe organ and piano. Sunday School classes are offered for adults and children, and a nursery is provided for newborns and toddlers. We have wonderful music, the good news of Jesus Christ, and a body of believers united in God's love. 

All that we are missing is you!


First Presbyterian Church initially started with only 17 members meeting in the home of Rev. and Mrs. W.C. Wallace back in 1913. In the 1930's and 1940's, worshippers gathered for church on Harrison Avenue and the church was known as Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church, honoring Rev. Wallace. Today this building is home to the Panama City Garden Club. A new sanctuary was built on 7th St., and opened its doors in September of 1951. In the late 1980's, a major renovation took place installing the "I AM" stained-glass windows, a new pulpit and choir loft that could accommodate the pipe organ and grand piano, plus construction of the Nelson Prayer Chapel. As a PCA Church, First Presbyterian is committed to being true to the scriptures, the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. In 2013 we celebrated our 100th anniversary as a church. God is good. 

What We Believe

We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.


We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.


We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.

We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.


We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.


We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.




We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.


We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.


We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 





Our denomination

The Presbyterian Church in America ("PCA") was formed to be a denomination that is "Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and obedient to the Great Commission." The PCA is an Evangelical and Reformed Presbyterian denomination. 


By Evangelical, we mean that we emphasize the gospel (good news of salvation) through faith in Jesus Christ, as well as affirming other orthodox Christian doctrines and holding to the inerrancy of Scripture. 


By Reformed, we mean that we are connected to the teachings of the historic church and the doctrinal beliefs recovered by the Reformation. 

These doctrinal beliefs are expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. All officers of the PCA must personally subscribe to and uphold the teachings of the Westminster Confession of Faith.


By Presbyterian, we describe our representative form of church government. Local churches are governed by a "Session" of "presbyters" (elders), elected by the members of the congregation. Representatives of local churches within a geographical area compose a "presbytery". Representatives of presbyteries meet annually at "General Assembly". Thus, through the combined efforts and resources of all the churches, we are enabled to advance God's Kingdom much more effectively. The Committees and Agencies of the PCA help lead this Kingdom work. For more information, head on over to the PCA Website.