Our History...

The church organized in 1849 after two years of informal meetings for study. A small frame building was completed on April 19, 1849. Apparently, the congregation was a member of the old Associate Presbyterian Synod.

The first called minister was the Reverend J. C. Steele, 1849-1853.

In 1858 the congregation became a member of the newly formed United Presbyterian Church of North America.

The local church was dissolved in 1869 due to a decline in interest coupled with growing debts; the building was sold to settle debts.

The church was reorganized in 1872 and erected a two-story frame building. By 1875, the congregation was flourishing greatly under the Reverend J. Clark.

In 1892, the first of two mission works was begun; both were successful.

The North Park Avenue edifice was begun in 1900 under the dynamic ministry of Rev. C. Lawrence.

In 1957, Dr. Gordon Clark was appointed Stated Supply for the congregation upon the sudden passing of the minister, the Rev. C.P. Blekking.

The congregation voted themselves out of the United Presbyterian Church in 1958, prior to the merger into the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

On November 4, 1958, the congregation became a member church of the Western Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, General Synod.

The Indianapolis Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church filed a suit against the congregation to recover the property on June 28, 1960.

In 1965, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, General Synod merged with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church into the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (RPCES).

In July 1965 the Rev. James Ransom accepted the church's call to lead it in relocating the church and building a new edifice. The purchase of land at 7900 Allisonville Road culminated in the occupancy of the existing manse on the property on November 29, 1965. With the completion of plans for the first unit building, a Ground Breaking Service was held on Sunday afternoon, July 3 1, 1966, with 47 persons present. The first service was held in the new building on November 20, 1966, with 107 worshippers present.

Edward A. Steele III served as Pastor from March 1971 to October 1977; William G. Phillips served as Pastor from September 1978 to April 1982.

In June of 1982, as a result of the "Joining and Receiving," the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod joined the Presbyterian Church in America. Thus, First Reformed Presbyterian became a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

David G. McKay, our present Pastor, came in October 1982. A new sanctuary, lounge, and entry were built in the fall of 1984, with our first worship in the new sanctuary on December 23, 1984. The addition was dedicated on January 13, 1985.

Our name was changed in the Fall of 1985 from First Reformed Presbyterian Church to Grace Presbyterian Church in America by a congregational vote.

In 1993, Tom Nachtergaele came to serve as the assistant pastor. Tom remained until 1997 when he left to become a missionary serving outside the United States.

At that time, Wayne Larson came to Grace as the new assistant pastor and remained until 2000, when he left to start a new church in Des Moines, Iowa.

The addition of new Christian Education rooms was completed in the Fall of 1998.

Chris Harper became the new assistant pastor in June of 2002.