ABOUT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

Everything that can be said in 211 words

“Seeking Christ; Sharing His Love” is our vision. It’s all about a relationship – with Jesus, with His Church, with each other, with His world.

As an incarnational community, all that we do seeks to offer access to Christ. We truly believe that, through His Resurrection, we can experience transformed lives. This is why we focus not on programs but on spiritual growth and believe prayer and practice, when done in faithfulness, changes things. His grace, love, compassion and generosity mean the least, last, lost and lame are worthy of His life and our service. Words like biblical, Reformed and evangelical are compliments to us, as are growing, international and intergenerational. Called to be an inviting multiplying community, we seek to share the Good News of forgiveness and new life with more and more.

How do we live into all of this? Our more than 3,500 adults, children, and affiliate partners embrace the call to form a circle holding hands looking outward. In the world but not of it, from our sanctuaries to our city’s slums, isolated villages of Latin America and African hospitals, from our classrooms to boardrooms, from the heart of a brand new believer to the eternal cloud of witnesses, you’ll find us everywhere – seeking Christ and sharing His love!

“Seeking Christ; Sharing His Love” is our vision. It’s all about a relationship – with Jesus, with His Church, with each other, with His world.

Everything happening at FPC

Everything Happening at FPC

CLICK HERE FOR CHURCH UPDATES

Our Staff

First Presbyterian’s Senior Pastor since 1999, Jim has a passion for sharing Christ with the world. Through his preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and local and global outreach, he seeks to bring His grace to the least, the last, and the lost.

JIM WOOD
Senior Pastor

Valena has enjoyed being in ministry at FPC since 2000. She loves Jesus and desires to create spaces and experiences where people can encounter his grace and love. A graduate of Converse College in South Carolina, Valena earned an M. Div. and MA from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA, and also has a Certificate in Spiritual Direction.

VALENA HOY
Associate Pastor for Worship & Pastoral Care

Joel loves Jesus and desires to share the love of Christ with others. He considers it a blessing to shepherd the people of the church through opportunities to serve in- and be nurtured by the Body of Christ, growing deeper in their relationship with Jesus. Joel has a Masters of Divinity degree from Regent University.

JOEL PHILLIPS
Covenant Pastor of Evangelism

Hunter has been serving in children’s ministry at FPC since 2011. Prior to that, she worked as a FPC preschool teacher, a stay at home mom, and a public school art teacher. Hunter earned a bachelors degree in both Art History and Studio Art from Mary Baldwin College in 1998 and then received a post-graduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Art Education in 2000.

HUNTER JOHNSTON
Preschool Director and Director of Family & Children’s Ministries

As an associate professor in the School of Divinity at Regent University, Antipas led and taught students in the area of practical theology and urban ministry. We enjoy his presence in our pulpit and in the Wednesday Evening Classes that he and Jim Wood co-lead throughout the year. He joined our staff as Theologian in Residence to help coordinate weekly adult discipleship classes and initiate ongoing connections between our community, city, and other churches.

ANTIPAS HARRIS
Dean – Urban Renewal Center

Dorothy loves Jesus and His Church and is thankful for the opportunity to provide pastoral care. She and husband, Brandon, a Navy Chaplain, have three children, Caroline, Keith, and Sarah Beth. Dorothy previously served as Director of Small Group Ministries at FPC, and is thrilled to be back after a few military moves. Dorothy has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from King University and a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She’s served churches in Argentina, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.

DOROTHY HOOD
Parish Associate

Jackson Cooper has been on staff with us since August 2020. He and his wife Bailey met in their hometown of Elizabeth City, where Jackson received his Bachelors of Arts degree at Mid-Atlantic Christian University. He double majored in Ministry and Biblical Exposition. Jackson is excited to lead both the Youth and Young Adults through the challenges of a post-pandemic Church.

JACKSON COOPER
Director of Youth

Rebecca serves as communications director.

REBECCA TOPPING
Communications Director

A native of Newport News, Benjamin is a University Organist and instructor of piano and organ at Hampton University. He has performed in notable venues – Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, Lincoln Center’s Clark Theater, Ogden Hall, and internationally in Australia and Scotland. He holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Benjamin is a member of the American Guild of Organists’ – Tidewater Chapter and an active performer, composer, arranger, piano technician and recording engineer.

BENJAMIN GARNER
Organist

Children’s Music Coordinator
Children’s Music Coordinator

Joanne has been a member of FPC since 2002 and recently joined the staff as Traditional Music Director in the fall of 2021. She holds a Bachelors of Music from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters of Music from Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University. Joanne finds joy in sharing her gifts to equip others to serve in the chancel choir, a “unique and meaningful ministry” in the life of the church. Joanne, her husband Josh and their 2 boys, Jonah and Jesse are active members of FPC.

JOANNE WHITAKER
Director of Music

Contemporary Worship Leader
Contemporary Worship Leader

Emily joined the staff of FPC in 2016 as the Assistant to the Senior Pastor. Born and raised in Norfolk, she completed undergraduate degrees in Animal Science and English at Virginia Tech and liked being a Hokie so much that she stayed in Blacksburg to earn a MA in English. The next few years took her to jobs in New York City, South Korea, and finally Washington DC, where she worked as an executive assistant for National Geographic Channels until wedding bells called her back down south.

EMILY EURE
Assistant to the Senior Pastor

Rachel Bender has been a member of FPC since 2011. Prior to joining the staff at FPC, Rachel worked for 15 years as a writer and editor. When she isn’t working, Rachel enjoys spending time exploring Hampton Roads with her husband and two children.

RACHEL BENDER
Assistant to the Associate Pastor

A New York native, Lee Ann became interested in accounting during high school. She studied accounting at PVCC and received a Bachelors in Psychology from Liberty. She’s served in financial management at 3 churches over 14 years. Lee Ann is the mother of 3- Kathleen, Laurel and Ryan and grandmother of Rylee and Houston and has a puggle Nimsey. She is excited to join the FPC family and wonderful ministry.

LEE ANN WARSTLER
Director of Administration & Finance

Linda Davenport started working in the Business Office in the fall of 2004. Prior to First Presbyterian, she worked as a bookkeeper and property manager for 20 years. Linda is a Norfolk native now living in Chesapeake. She has two grown children, daughter Toni and son Jonathan, and three beautiful grandchildren, Jacob, Madalyn and Matthew. She is currently the treasurer and financial secretary and active in various areas.

LINDA DAVENPORT
FPC Bookkeeper

Dee joined our team in December 2021.

DEE OTOWAN
Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

JOHNNY KIDWELL
Welcome Desk

Barbara has been with FPC since 2007. Her favorite things to do? Set up for a dinner or lunch meeting with flowers and a beautiful table! She also takes wonderful care of Arnold. And if you don’t know Arnold, you need to visit the staff square and meet him.

BARBARA WATSON
Housekeeper

Susan has been the Wedding Coordinator since July 2006 and previously worked in our preschool. She and her husband Chris were married at First Pres in 1982 and joined in 1998 along with their 3 daughters – Paige, Mallory, and Meredith.

SUSAN BROWN
Wedding Coordinator

Our Staff

Our People

JIM WOOD
Senior Pastor

VALENA HOY
Associate Pastor for Worship & Pastoral Care

JOEL PHILLIPS
Covenant Pastor of Evangelism

HUNTER JOHNSTON
Preschool Director and Director of Family & Children’s Ministries

ANTIPAS HARRIS
Dean – Urban Renewal Center

DOROTHY HOOD
Parish Associate

JACKSON COOPER
Director of Youth

REBECCA TOPPING
Communications Director

BENJAMIN GARNER
Organist

CHILDREN’S MUSIC COORDINATOR
Children’s Music Coordinator

JOANNE WHITAKER
Director of Music

GAIL FREEMAN
Contemporary Worship Leader

EMILY EURE
Assistant to the Senior Pastor

RACHEL BENDER
Assistant to the Associate Pastor

LEE ANN WARSTLER
FPC Administrator

LINDA DAVENPORT
FPC Bookkeeper

DEE OTOWAN
Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

JOHNNY KIDWELL
Welcome Desk

BARBARA WATSON
Housekeeper

SUSAN BROWN
Wedding Coordinator

Our Session

OUR SESSION

CLASS OF 2023

Jeff Abney
Grayson Bryant
Mical Crumbly
Kristine Rand

CLASS OF 2024

Brian Collins
Creighton Holt
Peggy Mackey
Rashell Matthews

CLASS OF 2025

Paul Farrell
Brad Hunter
Carl Leimer
Page Weaver
Emily Webb

PASTORS:

Jim Wood (Moderator)
Valena Hoy
Joel Phillips

CLERK OF SESSION:

Mark Fulton

Session Notes

SESSION UPDATES

2023 SESSION NOTES & FINANCIALS

February Minutes || Financials

January Minutes || Financials

2022 SESSION NOTES & FINANCIALS

November Minutes || Financials

October Minutes || Financials

September Minutes || Financials

August Meeting Postponed

June Minutes || Financials

May Minutes || Financials

April Minutes || Financials

March Minutes || Financials

February Minutes || Financials

January Minutes || Financials

2021 SESSION NOTES

May 2nd Congregational Meeting

April Minutes & Financial Report

March 23rd || Called Meeting

March Minutes & Financial Report

February Minutes & Financial Report
January Minutes & Financial Report

What we believe

AFFIRMING THE ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

The Session of FPC affirms each of the documents contained in the RAISE booklet as accurately expressing the essentials of the Christian faith. These documents originated as summaries of a Wednesday Night ID class titled “Living the Essentials of the Faith: RAISE.”

The RAISE acronym stands for Revelation, Anthropology, Incarnation, Sanctification, and Eternity.
REGARDING ISSUES DEBATED BY THE CHURCH
The Session of First Presbyterian affirms the following three tenets:
1. Jesus Christ is Lord God of all and the only way of salvation.
2. The Holy Scripture is God’s revealed Word, the only infallible rule for faith and life.
3. God’s people are called to holiness in all aspects of life. This includes honoring the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, the only relationship in which sexual activity is appropriate.
IN CONFORMITY TO THE LARGER CHURCH
THE FELLOWSHIP COMMUNITY
“The Fellowship Community is a network of churches and leaders called together to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by growing in Christ’s likeness, living by God’s word, and joining in God’s mission in the world. ”

The Fellowship Community is the next chapter in a rich history of mission and ministry among Presbyterians. In 1989, the Covenant Fellowship of Presbyterians and Presbyterians United for Biblical Concerns merged to form Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR)—a broad based advocacy and ministry organization.

In 2011, a movement began that would come to be known as the Fellowship of Presbyterians—reclaiming a covenanted biblical community within the PC(USA) where unity is derived from a clearly articulated theology, where the common mission is making disciples of Jesus Christ, and where a new generations of leaders could be nurtured to speak the gospel into a rapidly-changing world.

In 2014, these two organizations blended the best of their ministries together to form The Fellowship Community.
- Fellowship Community Website: https://www.fellowship.community

Our Story

WHERE ARE WE HEADED?

In October of 2012, our session shared a five-year plan, ‘FPC’s 2012 Vision & Goals,’ with the congregation. That plan included nine goals for the church – sharing the vision, spiritual growth, worship attendance, membership growth, small groups, children and youth ministries, evangelism, missions, and stewardship.

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?

Founded as the “Church on the Elizabeth River”, First Presbyterian Church began its history in Hampton Roads nearly one hundred years before the birth of our nation, sometime before 1678. Since that time, our church has remained a beacon of His light in the community.

To learn more about this rich history, explore the links below. They will carry you back to times long ago when the yellow fever epidemic brought the church close to desolation, when the War Between the States saw our pastor forbidden from the pulpit and imprisoned. Through times of prosperity interspersed with times of great suffering, ours is a deep and layered past. We invite you to step into our story.

FPC History Archive

Visit the FPC History Archives for much more about the rich history of our church, including newspaper articles, writings of the pastors, sketches, photos and more. We are especially grateful for FPC Member Donna Bluemink for maintaining our history archives.

Founded as the “Church on the Elizabeth River”, First Presbyterian Church began its history in Hampton Roads nearly one hundred years before the birth of our nation, sometime before 1678.

Sometime between 1670 and 1678, a number of Scotch Presbyterians migrated to this area of Virginia and settled on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River. True to their Presbyterian heritage they gathered in different homes for the worship of God: “the house of Mr. Thomas Ivy on the Eastern Branch; Mr, John Roberts on the Western Branch and Mr. John Dickson on the Southern Branch.”

Records document the succession of pastors and other significant church events up until 1716. There then followed a period of eighty-five years when no records are available.

In 1801 Rev. Benjamin Grigsby was appointed by the General Assembly at Philadelphia to itinerate through the lower parts of Virginia. He found an organized church in the Borough of Norfolk and was invited to take charge of the congregation. A church building was erected in 1802 on the corner of Bank and Charlotte Streets which was known as the “Bell Church”.

Occupying our current facility since 1912, First Presbyterian Church was created through the consolidation of two Norfolk churches. Throughout its history, FPC has been active in missions, education and the expansion of Presbyterian churches to better serve our community. We have had a significant role in the founding of each of the following local churches:

First Presbyterian, Portsmouth, 1822
Second Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1872
Third Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1884
Armstrong Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1890
Knox Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1898
Ghent Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1901
Westminister Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1914
First Presbyterian, Virginia Beach, 1920
Ocean View Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1921
Coleman Place Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1929
Royster Memorial Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1941
Oakdale Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1949
Calvin Presbyterian, Norfolk, 1955.

Donna Bluemink, a member of FPC, maintains the FPC History Archives site on the church’s behalf with a great deal of additional historical information.