We're a friendly and caring community of believers who are dedicated to living out Christ's call to be his disciples - as individuals, as a local congregation, and as part of the larger community of Christians worldwide. We're committed to sharing God's love with others, whether they're around the corfner or around the world.
Growth and Fellowship Opportunites
We believe that being a Christian isn't just a matter of going to church on Sunday morning. And having a committed relationship with god, and growing in that relationship, is important to everyone, of all ages. We are a very active congregation, with a number of additional educational and social opportunities to deepen our faith, while enjoying the fellowship of others. Some of these programs include:
Youth and Adult Christian Education
Youth Group
Annual Vacation Bible School
Teen Confirmation Classes
Men's Breakfast/Bible Study Fellowship
Women's Friendship Circle
Knitting and Craft Guild
Preschool Ministry
Mission and Outreach Programs
Choir and Special Music Opportunities
Nursing Home Visitation Ministry
Covered Dish Dinners
Annual Fish Fry
Community Ecumenical Services
Special Programs
If you're looking for a church home in the Frankfort Area, we hope that you'll visit with us and be a part of our church family!
What We Believe
Perhaps the best concise summary of our essential theological beliefs can be found in the Apostles’ Creed:
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord – who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hell. The third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the living and dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.”
The way that we understand and live out those essential beliefs is in the Reformed/ Presbyterian faith tradition, whose roots are in the theology of John Calvin and other Protestant Reformers. We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of all and sole Head of the Church. Through him, we believe in one God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Beyond the essential tenets of the faith, our tradition is tolerant of different understandings of lesser questions of faith as they are expressed in the Bible - which we believe is the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church Universal, and God's Word to us . We believe that God is sovereign over all of creation, and all of our being. We believe that we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, and all of our mind, and all of our strength; and that we are called to love others as we love ourselves.
Our congregation is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the largest Presbyterian denomination in America.
All baptized believers are welcome to share in the Lord's Supper in our church.
Visiting Us for Worship
If you've never visited before, what could you expect in a typical Sunday worship service? Our Sunday worship follows a traditional worship style - but we're far from stuffy. Our services include contemporary influences, including a video projection system and occasional sermon illustration videos to help convey the weekly message in a richer manner. And our sermons speak to the real issues of being a Christian, and living in a Christian manner, within contemporary society.
Parking is available immediately adjacent to the church, either along the sidewalk on Second Street or in the parking area just across the street. The entrance on the corner of the original building will bring you directly into the sanctuary; the new side entrance will bring you into the facility in between the Youth Building - immediately to your left - and the Sanctuary Building - to the right.
Our facility is accessible to people with disabilities, with a ramp located along Second Street, or an electric lift located just inside the new Second Street entrance. Accessible restroom facilities are located just to the left of the new entrance, inside the Youth Building.
Childcare is available for children approximately five years old and younger, in the Youth Building. Parents are asked to bring their toddlers into the sanctuary for the first portion of the service, until after the Youth Message, when they will be escorted to the Youth Building for guided activities for the duration of the service. Infant care is available for the entire service. If you need infant care, just contact an usher (they'll be standing at the entries, passing out bulletins) and they will gladly guide you to the Child Care ministry person serving that morning.
Please note that we do not discourage parents from keeping their children with them during worship - in fact, we think this is a great thing. However, we ask that if you plan to do this, that the child is sufficiently mature to be able to not cause a disruption to others trying to worship. Activity Bags for children are available in the Second Street lobby, to help keep toddlers occupied. And of course, if your child becomes fussy or disruptive - and don't worry, all of us who are parents have been there! - we ask that you take your child to the Youth Building in order to allow the service to continue without disruption. Finally, if the need arises, a built-in Baby-Changing station is located in the handicapped-accessible restroom located in the Youth Building, available for your use as needed.
Our History
Our congregation was organized as the Free Presbyterian Church on May 17, 1851 by Presbyterian minister and noted abolitionist, John Rankin. Rankin lived in Ripley, Ohio, where he was instrumental in assisting fugitive slaves get across the Ohio River and directing them northward via the Underground Railroad to freedom. In order to advance his view that the abolitionist position was the proper Christian response to slavery, Rankin established several new Presbyterian churches, including ours.
Rev. John Rankin
Our first building was a small frame church built in 1853, which served our needs for 40 years. Our current sanctuary was built in 1893-4. It is a beautiful example of the "Akron Plan" that was popular in church design at that time, and it features a semi-circular seating arrangement, as well as several beautiful large stained glass windows. The Architect was Arthur Shaner, and the contractor was Shaner and Crane. Our pipe organ was added in 1909, and was made possible by a half-matching grant from the industrialist, Andrew Carnegie. Yes, our bell tower still has a bell in it - and yes, we still ring it every Sunday morning!
Our Youth/Preschool building was built in 1956. In more recent years, we've added a wheelchair ramp to the sanctuary building, making it accessible to those with physical disabilities. We’re proud of our rich history, while we look forward in our efforts to live as faithful followers of Christ now, and into the future.
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Pastoral Care
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Pastoral care is an important part of our spiritual nurture, our growth and joy in the faith, and our comfort in special times of need. Dwain W. Lee, CLP, is our pastor. He is available for office visits and pastoral visitation on Thursday afternoons and evenings, or at other times by special appointment or in the event of emergencies. He can be reached directly by telephone at
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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