125 years of the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls

IDAHO FALLS — The First Presbyterian Church of Idaho Falls is commemorating its 125th birthday this year.

“The neat thing about going back 125 years is that we look at our past and we can start seeing (what) people did, to make this church what it is. Each generation, it gives us a deeper faith, it gives us a deeper commitment,” said Georgia Dixon, who has been a member for 60 years.

The church, which was founded April 29, 1891, has gone through three buildings beginning in 1892.

Its original building was on Shoup Avenue and A Street. Church officials wanted to build a new building — its present one — on Elm Street, but needed to sell the old one for a down payment. This left the church without a building in 1917. According to a church informational pamphlet:

“Having no place to worship, the determined Presbyterians built and moved into the ‘tabernacle’ on Eastern Avenue. … It was constructed in one week at the cost of $318, covered with tarpaper, and had a sawdust floor. It was too cold in the winter to hold services, and so hot in the summer that the tar dripped on the worshippers. Thus it was dubbed ‘The Tarpaper Shack by the Railroad Track.'”

The church moved into its present building in 1920 and has expanded and updated the edifice since then.

Members say it isn’t the buildings that have marked the history, however, but the hearts of the people.

“Ever since I was little I really liked the community here.”

Congregational Support Coordinator Hanna Maus, 23, is one of the church’s young adult members. She says the she’s attended the church with her family since she was 4 years old and has always felt a sense of community.

“Ever since I was little I really liked the community here. Some of the older (members) really appreciate the history here. (Members) used to make banners for the church and they started back in 1892. How much pride (members) have for the church is really neat,” Maus said.

She says the church is growing even while it’s between pastors, but it’s also seen its ups and downs in membership over the years.

“It has been a real ebb and flow. It depends a lot on the economics. When the (Idaho National Laboratory) site came out here, we had an influx of people,” Dixon said. “A lot of people that were scientists and that sort of thing. The congregation itself changes as far as what people are doing and how they relate.”

Linda Baugher, who’s been a member for nearly 40 years, said she started attending the First Presbyterian church when membership was booming.

“We joined at a time when it was a huge church. (Around) 900 members. That was one of the highest points. That would have been about 1980,” Baugher said.

“It’s always fascinating to me that as long as this church has been here and as long as this particular building has been here, I still run into people that say, ‘What church is that?’”

To Transitional Pastor Cathy Chisholm’s surprise, there are still members of the community who haven’t heard of the First Presbyterian Church, especially seeing that it’s been in the area for so long.

“It’s always fascinating to me that as long as this church has been here and as long as this particular building has been here, I still run into people that say, ‘What church is that?’” Chisholm said.

She said throughout the church’s history, the programs it has used to spread its beliefs have changed, but it hasn’t changed in gospel principles and teachings.

“Helping families share the Bible, share the faith. It’s learning new ways to do the things that we’ve always done,” Chisholm said.

Chisholm said she can’t predict what the future holds for the church and its members, but they are continuing to stay active in reaching out to the community and hope their influence is felt.

“As the transitional pastor I can only go so far. Part of what my work is, is not just to be the place holder between installed pastors but to help move from what has been, and help them see possibilities of what could be,” Chisholm said. “But there’s still a lot of prayer, and study and discernment that needs to go into exactly what’s next.”