Welcome

There are currently no posted office hours. To contact the church you may do so at the places listed below: 

Phone: 618-833-5225

E-mail: office@firstepc.org

Facebook: facebook.com/FirstEPC

YouTube: @firstepc-anna62906

Essentials of Our Faith

All Scripture is self-attesting and being Truth, requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God's redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks. On this sure foundation we affirm these additional Essentials of our faith:

1. We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and praise forever!

2. Jesus Christ, the living Word, become flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Mediator.

3. The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, He gives new life to us, empowers and imparts gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption.

4. Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God's free grace. God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life.

5. The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, she awaits the return of her Lord.

6. Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20)

7. The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to “Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.” He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

For more information on the Evangelical Presbyterian Church - visit the EPC website - http://www.epc.org

The main church building is a mix of historic and modern elements. The sanctuary has a stunning pipe organ and grand piano, as well as beautiful stained glass and wooden furnishings. A newer education wing was added a century later, offering classrooms, offices, and a library with over 2400 books on theology, Christian living, Bible study, and Christian fiction.

The 13,000 sq. ft. Main Street Center was purchased in 2012 and remodeled, the downstairs for a fellowship hall (with well equipped kitchen) and the upstairs for a youth facility.

First Presbyterian Church of Anna (now First Evangelical Presbyterian Church - First EPC) was founded in April 1866 by the Rev A. T. Norton and approximately 16 charter members. The group met in rented spaces, and near the end of the year the current lot at the corner of Jefferson and South was purchased, and a building completed before the close of 1869, at a cost of $4000.

Rev Dr. W. W. Faris who was pastor 1883-1891 (then again 1901-1903) was the son of a former pastor Rev J. M. Faris (1867-1870), founded Union Academy, which is now Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.

In early 1897 a building committee was appointed to design and construct a new church building, to be paid for with funds from a memorial fund established by a former member, along with funds collected from the Ladies Aid and other members of the congregation. Architects from Grand Rapids, MI were hired to design the church, and the building was completed in 1898 at a cost of $16,500.

The exterior of the church is largely made of hand chiseled limestone, that was sourced from “the hills” three miles away. Around 15-20 masons and stone cutters worked for eight months to construct a beautiful, massive building that has hosted congregations for over 125 years. The building currently hosts the sanctuary, a fellowship hall, a small kitchen, and a few classrooms.

Nearly 100 years later, in 1990, a newer “education” wing was constructed connecting to the older structure, to provide additional classrooms, bathrooms, a library (with nearly 2500 pieces), and office space.

Then in 2012, a 13,000 sq ft building across the street from the church became available. The building, named the Main Street Center, was purchased and remodeled. The downstairs features a large fellowship hall (with well equipped kitchen) and the upstairs is used for youth group activities and other events.

In 1980, First Presbyterian Church, along with many Presbyterian churches across the country, decided to sever its relationship with The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) due to dissatisfaction with the denomination.  This decision resulted in a split between members of the congregation, with half meeting in a former racquetball center on edge of town, and the remainder continuing to meet in the church. A lawsuit was filed by the UPCUSA laying claim to the church property. This case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case. Therefore, the decision of the lower court (Appellate Court of Illinois for the Fifth District) was upheld, in favor of First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church of Anna then joined the relatively new Evangelical Presbyterian Church (est 1980) as a charter member church, and became First Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Anna, IL.

Mark Kirk was approved as Commissioned Pastor on Monday, January 13, 2025 by the Ministerial Committee of the Central South Presbytery (EPC) in Corinth, MS. More information to come.