History

In the same year as Joplin's incorporation, 1873, on December 28, thirteen people met in the home of Mrs. A.V. Allen on Mineral Street to form the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin.

In the first few years, they shared a building at John and Hill Streets with the Methodist Church. By 1876, the Presbyterians decided they needed a building of their own and moved to temporary quarters at Ferguson's Hall at Fourth and Main.

In 1877, a brick building was built on the northeast corner of Seventh and Main Streets. When the building was dedicated, the church had thirty-five members. In 1902, the church moved to a new building on the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Pearl Avenue with the parsonage located directly east of the church building.

On February 13, 1923, a tragic fire destroyed three-fourths of the church building. It was decided to rebuild on the same site with the addition of an educational building which housed offices, a dining hall, and classrooms. The educational building was built where the parsonage once stood. These new structures were dedicated June 29, 1924.

As Joplin continued to grow and spread out in different directions, the church realized it had to make some decisions as to its location in the future. This decision was also necessary because the building had begun to deteriorate. In the late 1950’s, it was decided to remain in the present location, acquire more land and build a new church.

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