About

Welcome Visitors

It is our hope that your visit to First Presbyterian Church of Downtown South Bend will be spirit-filled and a God-encountering moment. We want you to experience inspiring words, music and silence through worship of the living God. In order to make that happen, here are a few Frequently Asked Questions that we can answer before you even walk in the door.

Are these people like me?

FPC is one of the most diverse congregations in the area and we welcome you as you are to worship with us. There is no dress code. Our worship is printed weekly in a weekly bulletin with accessible language and instructions to be part of communal worship. If you have a question about why we say what we say, or do what we do, a ‘Reformed Worship” handout is located in the pew to learn more. Large-print bulletins and hearing assistance receivers are also available.

Can I Take Communion?

As part of the Reformed tradition, FPC recognizes the unmerited gift of grace and welcomes all (including children) to the table who believe Jesus Christ is Lord. Baptism and membership are not required but if they are something you have questions about, please talk with a pastor after worship.

Where do I park?

Parking is free along side Colfax Ave as well as the parking lots off Williams Street and Lafayette Blvd. The Sanctuary is in the center of the building and accessible through any entrance.

Is there child-care?

Yes! Child-care is with a CPS background checked and Red Cross certified First Aid/CPR trained adult. It is available from 8:30 am through the end of worship every Sunday. The Child care room is upstairs in the education wing for those families who need it. FPC has also recently introduced a child-friendly Prayer-Ground for families, located in the back of the sanctuary. This space is for families who wish to worship together and has child-size tables and chairs, coloring and silent toys. Worship bags are also available for those who wish their children to remain in the pews with them during worship. Traditionally, children remain in worship through the Children’s Moment and then are dismissed to the Child-care for those 3 years and under, or to Children’s Choir. Children also return to worship on Communion Sundays and partake, with parental permission.

How do you spell PRESBYTERIAN?

Presbyterians are a distinctive Reformed body of the Christian Faith in two major ways: we adhere to Reformed theology and a form of government that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members. To learn more about the PC (USA) theology and form of government: The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Can I rent the social hall or other facilities for an event?

Yes! Our recently renovated Social Hall is a beautiful setting for family gatherings, professional meetings and other receptions where space is a must. A family friendly bathroom is right outside as well as space to prepare food. For current pricing and to confirm availability, please call the Church Office.

Additional Links
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Synod of Lincoln Trails

Ministries

Deacons, Elders and Ministries Committees

As a Reformed denomination, what makes Presbyterian’s unique is our form of government. It is representational in nature and function, needing both lay and ordained lay and clergy leadership to joyfully serve God. Ordained leadership in FPC South Bend include:

Deacons

The ministry of Deacons, as set forth by the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Book of Order is “one of compassion, witness and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress.”

This ministry is an ordained and commissioned ministry of the church. The Board of Deacons meets monthly.

Elders

The ministry of Ruling Elders in the Presbyterian Church is an ordained position of leadership to govern and discern the church’s fidelity to the Word of God as well as strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with Teaching Elders or Ministers, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation. When elected by the congregation, they serve together on the session, the governing body of the church. The Session meets monthly. Elders are also tasked as Chairs of Ministry Committees of FPC.

Ministry Committees

The life and work of FPC South Bend is performed by ministry committees comprised of members and chaired by Elders according to their gifts and talents. Committees include Christian Education ,Congregational Life, Mission, Outreach, Personnel, Facilities Usage, House, and Worship. Each committee is at work within and without the church throughout the year and are always welcome to new members.

To learn more about life and work of ministry committees see our church newsletter.

Memorial Garden

The Memorial Garden is a peaceful and living place where members of our church, and their loved ones, can be memorialized. It is a place not only of remembrance, but also of reflection and renewal. A place of quiet refuge, it will serve as a constant reminder of loved ones inurned here.

Through the years, burial in a Christian church or churchyard has provided for internment on sacred ground, with a visible and continuous reminder of the Church’s important place in members’ lives and their deaths.

The First Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden continues this tradition of providing a reverent and peaceful churchyard setting for the burial of ashes. The Memorial Garden is provided as a pastoral service to the church’s members and their immediate families.

The Memorial Garden was made possible by the generous donations of several church members. Funds received from the sale of niches will be put in a trust fund to guarantee the perpetual care of the Garden.

For further information, please contact the Church Office.

Our Staff

Get to know them

Dr. Adelia Kelso

Dr. Kelso was nurtured in the faith at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston Texas, where she heard the welcoming love of God for all people and received her identity as one of God’s precious and forgiven children. Taking that identity ‘on the road,’ she pursued degrees from such Presbyterian initiations as: Rhodes College(B.A.), Union Presbyterian Seminary (M.Div.), Columbia Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland (Ph.D.). Later, ‘down the road,’ she served churches in Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Having also lived in California and Connecticut, as well as Munich, Germany, and having grown up among mid-westerners who were newly-minted Texans, Dr. Kelso joyfully accepted the call to drive ‘up the road’ to become the senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church in South Bend in 2011. Here she joined mid-westerners (and transplanted mid-westerners from Malawi, Kenya and Zambia) in proclaiming the joyful, hope-filled good news of God’s presence with humankind. Already an avid downhill skier, she loves skiing with her son and taught him to sled and ice skate (he is way better than her now.). Boy Scouting is also their passion; he has earned his Eagle rank and she has earned Wood Badge. Along with her duties as “chief cook and dishes washer,” chauffeur, and catcher of boys-who fall-out-of-trees, she is planning to teach her son to water ski.
Carla Fay

Carla works part-time as the church bookkeeper and is also part-time bookkeeper for a local Christian school = full time job! Carla is also, joyfully, enjoying motherhood of five children and most recently, grandmotherhood! Carla still finds time to cross-country ski with her dog, Jena.
Dr. Mark Beudert
– Choir Director
Wendy Henry
– Executive Assistant
Wendy comes to First Presbyterian Church South Bend with over 25 years of experience working in an administrative field. She has been a South Bend resident all her life.