On October 16, 1878, at a public worship service held at the Union Church in Milan, eight people became charter members of First Presbyterian Church. For the first few years the congregation shared the Union church building, which is still located on Main Street in Milan. In July 1882, ground was broken and a cornerstone laid for a new building on North Street. In 1833, the congregation moved into their own church, not quite finished yet, but with a promise for the future. The church was dedicated on August 14, 1883. The sacrament of infant baptism was first administered on June 13, 1886.

Like most mission churches, there was a great deal of difficulty in finding and keeping pastors. Most ministers stayed for less than two years. In the first thirty years, thirteen pastors ministered to the church, each one staying for less than two years. Over the next forty years there were twelve more pastors. Elders and volunteers to serve the church were easier to keep, many serving long terms, a tradition that continues to the present. A high point of church activity seems to have been in the mid 1880s, when most of the building was done. In the 1880s the membership expanded greatly, then waned some until the early 1900s. Church participation dropped greatly between 1905 and 1911, and the congregation struggled just to keep their church in existence. Help arrived in 1921, when Rev. Thomas Leith reorganized the church, and an influx of people from other churches added a new vitality. Under the terms of the reorganization, the name of the church was changed to Peoples Church, still a Presbyterian Church, and still struggling to survive.

In 1948, Rev. Leroy Cabbage became our first long-term pastor, serving from 1948 to January 31, 1963. On January 11, 1951 the morning of the annual Congregation meeting, the church burned to the ground. Rev. Cabbage put the challenge to the congregation: become a full self-sustaining church and build a new church building, or give up and disband entirely. The Youth Fellowship made the first unsolicited pledge to a new church building. The church accepted the challenge and took up the task of building anew. On April 1, 1951, the congregation changed its name to Peoples Presbyterian Church. At that time, the church selected a new site for its building at the present location at the corner of Smith and Marvin Streets. Ground breaking for the initial structure which included an assembly room, classrooms and office, was on April 13, 1952. The first service in the new structure was held on September 7, 1952. The building and the new Hammond organ were officially dedicated on January 11, 1953, just two years after the fire. There were active youth and adult choirs. The youth choir averaged 40-55 members who were active in many aspects of the church including singing every Sunday during the school year. Organization for the group was developed by the youth themselves. On May 23, 1956, the congregation approved plans to proceed with construction of a new sanctuary under a "pay as you go" plan. The sanctuary was dedicated on May 4, 1958. Rev. Cabbage retired January 31, 1963.

Rev. Vern Campbell began his ministry at Peoples Presbyterian Church on October 1, 1963 and continued to serve until his retirement on January 8, 1995. During this time the church was known for its music program, as well as its service activities and fine Sunday school program. The church continued to expand its facilities during the entire time of Rev. Campbell’s tenure. In 1973, a master plan for improving the church facility was approved. Dedicated on October 2, 1977, was a new office, pastor’s study, choir room, lounge, coatroom, rest-rooms, refurbished classrooms, and a completely new heating system. Members and friends of the church accomplished most of the work with great dedication.

There were other changes as well. The youth choir was reorganized under the guidance of Doris Ann Campbell. She also directed the adult vocal choir, in addition to being the church organist. In 1972, the church received the gift of a two-octave set of handbells, which were dedicated in 1973. This was the beginning of the handbell choir for both adults and youth. A third octave of handbells was purchased in 1976.

On October 16, 1979, Session approved the purchase of a Rodgers 135 Electronic Organ, which was augmented by 146 real pipes. As part of the installation of the new organ, a portion of the chancel was also modified. The new organ was dedicated on April 27, 1980.

In 1984 it was building time again. The old assembly room was torn down and a new larger fellowship hall and kitchen were constructed. The new addition was dedicated on October 19, 1986. In 1991, the task of refurbishing the sanctuary began. The chancel was again modified, making it more flexible with a moveable pulpit and lectern and revised space for the handbell tables. New choir chairs were purchased, new carpeting was installed, and there were improvements to the sanctuary heating system.

As work progressed, discussions began about adding stained glass windows to the sanctuary. The first window, the Christ window, was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1993. The remaining four exterior windows were dedicated on December 19,1993, and the interior stained glass narthex windows were dedicated on November 6, 1994.

Rev. Campbell retired in early January 1995, and Doris Ann Campbell retired on January 30, 1995. This ended their 31 years of service at Peoples Presbyterian Church. A celebration was held in their honor on January 3, 1995.

Revs. Laura and Reinhard Krauss were hired as interim co-pastors in February 1995. The Krauss co-pastors served for two years, with the primary responsibility of preparing the congregation for a new called pastor. In 1995, vacation bible school had a record attendance of 91 children and adults who were involved with "His Kids", the theme for that year. In August 1996, air conditioning was installed in the sanctuary. In September 1996, continuing the cooperation with Paddock Elementary School located directly across the street, arrangements were made to rent out the Fellowship Hall to house the school’s Latchkey Program.

Rev. Frank Dunbar began his ministry at Peoples on July 1, 1997. The church continued to expand and evolve. A Board of Deacons was initiated, and the first Deacons were ordained on October 25, 1998. The church can now be heard in the surrounding neighborhood from the bell carillon that was installed in 1999. Handchimes were added to the handbell choir on October 25,1998, and a youth choir was reestablished in March 2001. Rev. Juliann Joy was hired June 1, 2001 as a Parish Associate, focusing on the youth ministry of the church; Rev. Joy served through December 2002. The interior of the church received a renovation with new carpet, paint and wallpaper. In 2002, the most recent building project of our church was dedicated: a youth room and a Chapel and memorial garden. The Chapel and adjoining garden include a Columbarium where ashes of loved ones may be permanently interred.

The Rev. Dr. J. Harold Ellens was hired as Interim Pastor on March 1, 2003. Dr. Ellens brought new ideas and served as transition minister until Rev. Arthur Gustav Oberg was hired effective June 1, 2004, as Called Pastor.

Peoples Presbyterian Church nurtures families, baptizes and supports our youth and houses the ashes of our saints. We look forward to many more years of spiritual fellowship in this very special place.