FLORENCE, Wis. — History tells us that from the time the village of Florence was first settled, Presbyterians were holding prayer meetings and services in homes and later in the school house.

On Nov. 26, 1880, the first elders, William H. Washburn and Edward E. Keyes, were ordained by the Wisconsin Presbytery and the group of worshipers officially became a church.

The Rev. Harlan Page Cory assumed the duties of pastor on Jan.1, 1881, and during that month the congregation decided to build a church on property facing Norway Street between Lake and Spring Avenues.

At that time Florence was part of Marinette County. Using plans drawn by George Baird, by Feb. 5 carpenters were working. The frame was up by March 5 and the bell tower soared upward by April 2. Painting began the end of that month and on May 18, 1881, a 910-pound bell was hung in the belfry. The bell still rings on occasional Sunday mornings.

Music has always been important to the church and the first choir was organized on April 23, 1881. The church has been blessed through the years by many musicians who have shared their talent by singing or playing the piano, organ, and other instruments.

By July 1881, the congregation was free of debt and had enough money left in the building fund to begin constructing a home for the minister and family on the far corner of the block. After many years of use, in 1988 the manse was sold, but it remains a gracious home today.

First Presbyterian was the first church in the entire area, and although the building has been renovated from time to time, it still retains the charm of the early church. Some of the original furniture has been retained, such as the baptismal font and three deacon chairs, which are in the front of the sanctuary. Beautiful stained glass memorial windows were installed in the early 1940s.

In November 2021, with a generous bequest from the estate of a lifelong member, Melba Novak, a two-floor addition to the west of the church was dedicated. The addition created a pastor’s office, conference room, administrative office, lower level storage and two multipurpose rooms.

New restrooms and an elevator made the facilities accessible to all from the entrance, which now faces Lake Avenue. A renovation of the kitchen and fellowship hall completed the building project.

However, the real church is not a building, but its people. Through 145 years, First Presbyterian has been blessed with 28 devoted pastors, conscientious elders, deacons, members and families, and is a congregation of strong faith.

There was time from 1960 to 1987 when the church was a yoked ministry with the Presbyterian Church of Sagola and shared a pastor who traveled to Florence each week.

Realizing that a resident fulltime pastor would benefit both churches and the entire community, the congregations of First Presbyterian and Bethlehem Lutheran initiated conversations about sharing a pastor. After many prayerful discussions, they were led to a giant step in faith and the formation of the Florence Parish.

The Rev. Douglas J. Johnson was installed as the pastor for both churches on Oct. 17, 1988. This worked well and Pastor Doug, with his wife, Elaine, served the parish for 31 years.

Upon his retirement, the denominations assisted with supplying interim ministers until the Rev. Cathleen Morris arrived in April 2022. She retired in November 2024, so currently the Florence parish is actively seeking a new pastor to lead them forward on their Christian journey.