About Us

Physical Address

First Presbyterian Church 120 E. 6th Street Mount Vernon, Indiana

Mailing Address

First Presbyterian Church PO Box 507  Mount Vernon, Indiana 47620

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Our Mission Statement

First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon strives to live by their mission statement.

Grow spiritually, both as individuals and as a congregation.

Share the good news with those around us.

Bring others into communion with Christ.

Act in fellowship, to reach out and support others.

PCUSA OFFICIAL Website

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PCUSA BOOK OF ORDER

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BOOK OF CONFESSIONS

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_{Meet Our Pastor}_{Rev. Dr. Grace Howard}

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‍Pastor Grace leads our church with a joyful, Spirit‑led heart. Originally from South Korea, she has served in campus ministries, several congregations, and a church plant. She has also served as Professor and Director of the M.Div. and Christian Education programs at Washington Theological Seminary, taught Korean language at Salisbury University in Maryland, and served as Academic Dean at World Mission College. She holds degrees from Hanil Theological Seminary in South Korea, Fuller Seminary, and San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Grace is married to Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard, an Honorably Retired pastor. They have two sons and three grandchildren who bring them great joy. She loves praising God, playing guitar, cooking, and hopes to learn worship dance someday. Pastor Grace is passionate about helping people experience God’s presence, and she has a deep heart for evangelism and mission. She is grateful to walk alongside the church family as together they follow Jesus and listen for the Holy Spirit’s leading.
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Organist Dennis Carr

Dennis Carr is a native of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, and a 1961 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. He studied chemistry at the University of Evansville and accepted a position at General Electric in Mt. Vernon on November 6, 1963. He then completed his studies at U of E in 1965 and continued his work as an Analytic Chemist at GE, becoming an integral part of the Research and Development team until his retirement in February of 2001. April 25, 1964, was one of the most important days of his life, for that was when he married Jeanne Morlock, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Dennis serves with a joyful spirit and has overseen a vital ministry of music and praise for the congregants of Mt. Vernon's First Presbyterian Church. Dennis Carr is a native of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, and a 1961 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. He studied chemistry at the University of Evansville and accepted a position at General Electric in Mt. Vernon on November 6, 1963. He then completed his studies at U of E in 1965 and continued his work as an Analytic Chemist at GE, becoming an integral part of the Research and Development team until his retirement in February of 2001.

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Walt Brunton

Clerk

Charles Hedges

2025

Bill Henderson

2025

Janet Johnson

2026

Bob Bullard

2026

Sarah Maria

2027

Jim Bartlett

2027

History

The First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, Indiana was founded in 1837 by missionary William Pennell and Mr. Keith. There were 15 charter members and they held services at Mr. Keith's home. The congregation grew and a church building was constructed on Store Street (now College Avenue) in 1842. The church continued to grow and property was purchased in 1872. A new building was built and dedicated on October 16, 1873. An Education Wing and a Grand Piano were added in 1998. Many changes and additions have occurred since the dedication, but the congregation continues to worship in the sanctuary built almost 190 years ago.

The Mohler pipe organ was built into the sanctuary in 1914, a gift of Andrew Carnegie. It was electrified in 1955, refurbished in 1975 and again in 2010. In 1983 chimes were added in memory of Gordon Alldredge by Rev. Ann Melenson and her mother. The organ was upgraded in 2023 enhancing its features and making it digital. This upgrade was celebrated this same with a concert given by area organists.
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Large television screens were added in 2023 and to this day, the congregation continues to modernize the sanctuary, the worship experience, and enhance streaming.

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