Westminster Presbyterian Church (Dayton, Ohio)

Westminster Presbyterian Church formed in 1919 through a merger of First Presbyterian Church (Dayton, Ohio) and Third Street Presbyterian Church (Dayton, Ohio).

Westminster Presbyterian Church was formed in 1919 through the merger of First Presbyterian Church and Third Street Presbyterian Church. First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1800 and adhered to the Old School during the Schism. Third Street was reported organized in 1839 by Dayton Presbytery (New School).

Westminster Presbyterian Church was formed in 1919 through the merger of First Presbyterian Church (Dayton, Ohio) and Third Street Presbyterian Church (Dayton, Ohio). First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1800 and adhered to the Old School during the Schism. Third Street was reported organized in 1839 by Dayton Presbytery (New School).

Westminster Presbyterian Church was formed in 1919 through the merger of First Presbyterian Church (Dayton, Ohio) and Third Street Presbyterian Church (Dayton, Ohio). First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1800 and adhered to the Old School during the Schism. Third Street was reproted organized in 1839 and Dayton Presbytery (New School). Records for First Presbyterian Church, 1804-1819, are available separately on microfilm (MF 954).

Westminster Presbyterian Church was founded in 1799 and named First Presbyterian Church. The new congregation of ten worshiped in Newcom's Tavern, a small log cabin in the heart of Dayton. They eventually moved into their own meeting house in 1800 and the congregation continued to prosper and grow. By 1838, the Presbyterian church across America was dividing into the "old" and "new" schools of thought. The "old school" favored the concept of original sin, and ecclesiastical court and law, and favored slavery. The "new school" had their roots in the Puritan tradition and many favored the anti-slavery position. Locally, the members of First Presbyterian were also divided, resulting in 72 of its 187 members leaving to form Third Street Presbyterian Church, which adhered to the "new school" ideas. The Third Street Presbyterian Church was built on Third and Ludlow and dedicated in 1840.

For 81 years the two churches, only a city block apart, maintained their separate congregations. However, in 1919, the two churches were reunited to become Westminster Presbyterian Church. This reunited congregation worshiped in Dayton's Memorial Hall until the current building was completed in 1926. One of the notable features of the Westminster Presbyterian Church building on North Wilkinson Street is the Te Deum Window, a creation of Tiffany Studios.

Westminster is a vital church that offers its members numerous opportunities for fellowship, study and prayer, and community service through Small Groups, Presby Groups, Interest Groups, and larger organizations such as the Westminster Presbyterian Women. The significant presence and contributions of the Westminster Presbyterian Women are well documented in the collection. The women participate in Bible study, prayer, and supporting local and worldwide missions.

Westminster Presbyterian Church has a rich musical heritage. In 1920 the Westminster Choir was organized under the direction of John Finley Williamson. By 1926 the choir had toured the United States and Europe and Dr. Williamson had established a Choir School. The Choir School rapidly outgrew the church facilities and was moved to the Conservatory at Ithaca, New York. A few years later it moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where it exists today as the Westminster Choir College. The church choirs include the Westminster Choir which sings for the Sunday worship service, and for most of the special services. In addition, the Westminster Choir presents major choral literature, frequently with instrumental accompaniment. The church also has Choirs for children and youth, and handbell choirs. Each year the church features musical talent during its May Festival, a festival of religious arts.

Christian education is an important part of Westminster's mission and history. In the early 1800s, Sarah Bomberger, a member of First Presbyterian Church, was instrumental in starting the first Sunday School, and participated in starting the Sabbath School of Dayton and the Sabbath School Association. Records of the Sabbath School are among the earliest in the collection. The Sunday School program today is administered by the Christian Education Council. Junior and Senior High Youth participate in Youth Fellowship, which provides them with a well-balanced program of activities that focus on fellowship, worship, study and service. Adult Education is also an important part of the church's history. In the 1950s over 400 adult members of the congregation regularly attended Roberts' Class, a Bible Study led by Mason Roberts, General Manager of Frigidaire.

With over 200 years of history, Westminster has a long established role within the Dayton community and beyond. In celebration of its bicentennial, members of the church extensively researched the history and published it in Westminster Presbyterian Church: Increasing the love of God and neighbor, 1799-2003, which is available in the collection in Box 14, File 4.