Who We Are

Get to Know Our Leadership
& Our Church


Leadership, History, Denomination,
Facilities & Annual Reports

 

ABOUT US

Get to know First Presbyterian Church of Athens.

Our Staff

 First Presbyterian is served by a faithful and talented staff.


Dr. Ryan Baer

Dr. Ryan Baer

SENIOR PASTOR
(706) 543-4338 x 201
Email Ryan

 

The Rev. Whitney Booth Lockard

ASSOCIATE PASTOR
(706) 543-4338 x 205
Email Whitney

The Rev. Margaret Davis

PARISH ASSOCIATE
(706) 543-4338 x 203
Email Margaret

 
Dr. John Coble

Dr. John Coble

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & ORGANIST
(706) 543-4338 x 216
Email John

 

Ms. Hannah Knight

INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES
(706) 543-4338 x 207
Email Hannah

Mrs. Elaine Johnson

Mrs. Elaine Johnson

DIRECTOR OF WEEKDAY SCHOOL
(706) 543-4338 x 215
Email Elaine

Mrs. Lucy Bell Johnson

Mrs. Lucy Bell Johnson

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
(706) 543-4338 x 202
Email Lucy

Mr. Paulo Santos

Mr. Paulo Santos

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
(706) 543-4338 x 217
Email Paulo

 

Ms. Jennifer Adams

CHURCH ACCOUNTANT
(706) 543-4338 x 204
Email Jennifer

Mrs. Joli Winstanley

RECEPTIONIST
(706) 543-4338 x 211
Email Joli

Mrs. Marcy Fabris

Mrs. Marcy Fabris

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
& WEEKDAY SCHOOL
(706) 543-4338 x 214
Email Marcy

Mrs. Charlotte Chromiak

Mrs. Charlotte Chromiak

CHILDREN’S MUSIC ASSISTANT
(706) 543-4338
Email Charlotte

 
 

Our Session

In the Presbyterian Church (USA), the session is the council or governing body of the congregation. It is composed of those persons elected by the congregation to active service as ruling elders, together with the pastor (who is the moderator) and associate pastor. It has responsibility for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness.

The Session oversees all aspects of the church primarily through seven commissions: Administration, Congregational Care, Education & Discipleship, Fellowship & Evangelism, Matthew 25, Mission & Outreach, and Worship & Music.


Current Session
ELDERS/Commission

Below is a complete listing of the Current Session by Elder Name, Commission and graduating class years. Click here to see a list of all Commissions and their members.

Class of 2025

Shannon Brooks / Administration Commission

Phyllis Crowell / Administration Commission; Treasurer

Denise Horton / Mission & Outreach Commission, Chair;

Paul Lee / Education & Discipleship Commission, Chair

Sharon Neff / Matthew 25 Commission

Bruce Middendorf / Worship & Music Commission, Chair

Randy Riner / Fellowship & Evangelism Commission

Chuck Toney / Fellowship & Evangelism Commission, Chair; Generosity Team, Chair; Nominations & Elections Committee, Chair


Class of 2026

Lindsay Griffeth / Weekday School Committee, Chair

Dan Nadenicek / Matthew 25 Commission, Chair

Karen Phillips / Fellowship & Evangelism Commission

Ethelyn Simpson / Worship & Music Commission; Nominations & Elections Committee, Vice Chair

Jeffrey Trapnell / Administration Commission, Chair; Personnel Committee

Pat Tritt / Congregational Care Commission, Chair

John Turner / Mission & Outreach Commission

Pat Waldrip / Clerk of Session; Matthew 25 Commission


Class of 2027

Susan Baldwin / Fellowship & Evangelism Commission

Bill Bushnell / Administration Commission

Amy Cowsert / Administration Commission

Matt Crim / Worship & Music Commission

Jay Holloway / Matthew 25 Commission

Tom Lane / Education & Discipleship Commission

Joan Pinson / Mission & Outreach Commission

Paige Simmons / Congregational Care Commission

History: How Our Building Has Grown with Our Mission

The Presbyterians of Athens, Georgia were organized into a congregation on Christmas Day, 1820 under the leadership of Dr. Moses Waddel. At the time, this area was in Hopewell Presbytery, Synod of South Carolina. The original church building was erected in 1828 and was located at the main entrance to the University campus on Broad Street.

Erected in 1855-56, the present building was remodeled in 1906. An educational wing was added in 1965. Several treasured pews (deacons benches) from the original building are still in use in various rooms and offices. The pews in the present sanctuary are made from lumber taken from the John White plantation and vary in length to accommodate the families of the original occupants. The Tinsley-Stern Building was acquired in 1992.

Construction began on our new Building Project in February of 2009. This $10.4 million project has added dramatically to our church’s facilities and has also renovated existing portions of our building. The new addition and renovation was officially opened during Celebration Weekend, September 10-12, 2010.

The new facilities include increased space for the Music Ministry; a larger narthex for greater fellowship; connecting space with ease of access to worship, fellowship, and educational activities; and additional on-site parking. New amenities for education include expanded classroom sizes, additional security for children, a safe traffic entrance and exit during the week for Weekday School children and on Sunday Morning, and the transformation of our old Fellowship Hall into a Children’s Ministry Suite. Youth have their own space, named “The Pit” (a name which they chose themselves), which includes areas for classes and fellowship, in addition to an outdoor amphitheater. Facilities for our involvement in the Family Promise of Athens have been added, including showers in the basement. The new facilities also include a new Super Classroom, complete with projection equipment, which will be the main meeting area for our Session meetings and other large meetings. A brand-new kitchen and beautiful new Fellowship Hall round out this project, giving us more space to bring the congregation together in fellowship.

1stPres_0026.jpg
The Courtyard at FPC
First Presbyterian Church of Athens
First Presbyterian Church of Athens

ThePresbyterianChurchofAthens-Bicentennial.jpg

The First Presbyterian Church of Athens, Georgia
A BICENTENNIAL HISTORY
1820-2020

This book, 382 pages in length, presents a serious, scholarly account of this historic and vital church accompanied by a collection of attractive, reader-friendly inserts, sidebars, and illustrations that tell intriguing, inspirational, sometimes even provocative stories to capture both the history and the heart of the oldest church in the city of Athens.

Format: 8.5” x 11”, hardcover
Price: $55

“Next to the history of the University, the history of the Presbyterian Church comes nearest to being the history of Athens.”

—William Sylvanus Morris, Strolls about Athens, 1912

Two ways to order A Bicentennial History:

1) ORDER ONLINE: Complete the online order form, then make the payment here (choose “Bicentennial Book” under “Select a Fund” with the amount of $55 per book.)

2) MAIL-IN ORDER: Download and print the form available below and mail with your check total ($55 per book), to the Church Office:
First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 185 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601

If you need assistance ordering A Bicentennial History, please e-mail or call the church office at (706) 543-4338.


Matthew 25

Matthew 25 Logo

In January of 2020, the Session voted to become a Matthew 25 congregation, an initiative of the PCUSA focused on building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty. Click here to read statements from members of our church about what this new opportunity means to them. To learn more about Matthew 25, click here.

The Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with denominational offices in Louisville, Kentucky, has approximately 2.3 million members, more than 10,000 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers.

Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.

Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways: they adhere to a pattern of religious thought known as Reformed theology and a form of government that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members. As far back as 1837 the General Assembly declared that the church, by its very nature, is a missionary society whose purpose is to share the love of God in Jesus Christ in word and deed and with all the world. Witnessing to the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world, Presbyterians engage in mission activities, seek to alleviate hunger, foster self-development, respond to disasters, support mission works, preach the gospel, heal the sick, and educate new generations for the future. In partnership with more than 150 churches and Christian organizations around the world, the missionary efforts of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) involve approximately 1,000 volunteers and compensated personnel.

Presbyterians Today, the award-winning magazine of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is published 10 times a year (monthly except for combined issues in January/February and June/July).

FACILITIES: First Presbyterian Church of Athens


Church Entrance and Sanctuary

Main Church Entrance on East Hancock Street: First Presbyterian Church of Athens

Main Church Entrance on East Hancock Street: First Presbyterian Church of Athens

The Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Athens

The Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Athens


Church Atrium

Atrium Exterior on East Hancock Street: First Presbyterian Church of Athens

Atrium Exterior on East Hancock Street: First Presbyterian Church of Athens

Atrium Interior

Atrium Interior


Fellowship Hall

Fellowship Hall FPC Athens
Fellowship Hall FPC Athens

Church Interior Lounge Areas and Courtyard

The Brides Room FPC Athens

The Bride’s Room

The Brides Room

The Bride’s Room

The Parlor at FPC Athens

The Parlor

Our Peaceful Courtyard

Our Peaceful Courtyard


Members of the church and the greater Athens, Georgia community may inquire about First Presbyterian Church of Athens facilities and property use by contacting the office.
Usage Policies and Request Forms may be accessed, below: