2040 Airport Dr.

Ashwaubenon, WI 54313

(Inside of Oneida Casino)

Our date for this month is Thursday November 6 at 6:00 pm. We will be dining at the Cedar & Sage Grill House inside of the Oneida Casino.

They proudly serve local meats, freshwater fish, produce, and dairy products, and focus on bringing out each ingredient’s natural goodness. Experience the straightforward style of Wisconsin heritage while savoring tasty dishes prepared with live fire in a charcoal oven.

**Open to women of all ages, friends also welcome.**

The Early Days

The recorded history of our church starts with a meeting held March 13, 1876 by nine interested men at the West Side (then Fort Howard) home of banker David McCartney.

The group established Sunday “meetings” at Salscheider’s Hall on the corner of Walnut and Pearl Streets, the current site of Family and Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin, formerly the Northwest Engineering building. Rent was two dollars a week, plus an additional 50 cents per week for fuel. The first meeting was held without a pastor on May 2, 1876. There were 15 charter members.

Construction must have began almost immediately on the first church building, a fairly rudimentary affair located on Chestnut Street between Main and Hubbard Streets, because according to church records it was completed on July 22, 1876, and was dedicated on Christmas Eve of that year with our first pastor, Reverend David Street, officiating. 

First Pres Moves to Our Current Location

In 1892, with Rev. J. F. Young as pastor, a second church building, fully equipped and including electric lights, was erected on our present site. The cost of this building, $7,000, was a gift from David McCartney, a local banker.

The story of McCartney’s gift is quite inspirational. In addition to being founder and President of McCartney National Bank, McCartney had invested in timber land in Georgia. His bank had been robbed of a substantial sum. Rather than hiring detectives, McCartney put his trust in God. While he was overseeing his lumber holdings near Thomasville, Georgia, McCartney received word that most of the money had been recovered without cost to the bank. In gratitude to God, he resolved to do something for God and the church building was the result.

Side note: The rise and fall of McCartney National Bank is an interesting and ultimately tragic story. Its demise during the Great Depression, due in large part to questionable loaning practices involving several bank officials and businesses including the Larsen Canning Company, accompanied by the suicide of the bank’s President, George A. Richardson, in 1931 helped lead to many reforms in both national banking and investment practices. The assets of the McCartney Bank were ultimately acquired by the Kellog Bank, today’s Associated Bank, See https://numismaticnotebook.com/2019/03/22/the-collapse-of-the-mccartney-national-bank-of-green-bay/ for the whole story.

Our Current Building

Our current building was constructed in 3 phases over some 70 years. Phase 1 began in 1924 with the razing of the “McCartney” church and ended with the completion of the new building (our current sanctuary, library, choir room and upstairs meeting areas) in April 1925 at a cost of $50,000.00. Phase 1 was dedicated on April 19, 2025 with the Reverend H.E. Easly presiding. 

Phase 2 was the 1954-55 construction of the first floor of the Educational Wing (today’s church offices and Fellowship Room) and the extensive renovation of the Sanctuary, notably the elimination of the main entrance on Ashland Avenue due to the expansion of Ashland from two to four lanes. The balcony across the chancel was eliminated and the organ pipes moved to their present location on the south side of the chancel. This phase included the Ann Bannon Memorial Chancel and the Nils Olson Memorial windows. The first floor was constructed such that a second story could be added later.

In 1961, outdoor organ chimes (since removed) and 13 memorial stained glass windows were installed and dedicated. Look to future articles for details.

Finally, in 1994-95 our church assumed its present form with the addition of a second story to the educational wing. 

Parsonages (Manses)

Over the years, First Presbyterian has also owned several parsonages for the use of our clergy. The first parsonage, located on Howard Street, was built in 1896 at a total cost of $1852, including the cost of the lot. In 1915, this building was razed and a new parsonage built.

The Howard St. parsonage was sold in 1962 and was replaced by a home on Tomark St.

The practice of churches owning a parsonage began to fall out of favor, leading to the 1979 sale of the Tomark St. manse to then pastor Elmon Ward. From that point forward, pastors have received a housing allowance. 

We love seeing our church community thrive through photos! If you've snapped any pictures during worship services, church events, or fundraisers, please consider sharing them with us. Your photos help us capture the spirit of our congregation and preserve cherished memories.

Please email your favorite shots to info@firstpresgreenbay.org. Thank you for helping us tell our story!