Our Renovation History

2002 Renovations to Church Office Building Floor Structure
2005 Master Planning for Church Campus including New Sanctuary, Educational & Multipurpose Buildings
2006 Re-roof Existing Classroom Building
2008 Basement Youth Center Renovation

History of First Presbyterian Church of Palatka

·The First Presbyterian Church was started by Judge William A. Forward in the Putnam County Courthouse in 1856.

·In 1879, Robert Lenox Kennedy donated $10,000 to construct a new house of worship. The new structure was dedicated on February 27, 1881.

·On November 7, 1884, much of the Palatka business district including the new Presbyterian Church was destroyed by fire. Mr. Kennedy again donated funds to rebuild an almost identical new structure that was completed in 1885. Its bell tower has been a landmark within the city since the clock and bell were installed on April 15, 1886.

·First Presbyterian Church was added to the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places was incorporated with the inclusion part of Palatka’s South Historic District in 1983

Design Aspects

Architectural Services for this Historic Building range from structural repairs and re-roofing to Master Planning for this 19th Century Church for expansion into the 21st Century.

Beautifully articulated brick detailing of the bell tower and round brick columns at terraced portico are unique features of the Sanctuary.

Sited on Memorial Drive next to the St. Johns River places this Church on the forefront of downtown development in Historic Palatka.