Worship
Fellowship
Serve
The Pastor Nominating Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green has begun the search for the next pastor of our congregation. As we begin the journey to find new pastoral leadership, we expect the next few months to be exciting, tedious, joyful, spiritually fulfilling, possibly frustrating, inspiring, and purposeful. The process is one of discernment and will challenge us all to listen closely for the will of God for our mission and ministry in this new stage of our congregation’s life. The PNC appreciates your prayers during this process.
Members of the PNC are Mary Evans and Julia Roberts (Co-chairs), Rachel Crocker, J. B. Hines, Craig Long, Catherine Reber, Larry Warden, Caroline Wedge, and a youth representative. Please reach out to them with comments or questions.
See monthly updates from the PNC. Click Here
The Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) describes our church and what we are looking for in our next pastor. Click Here
Who Are We?
Our Mission Statement is Sharing the Vitality of Christ: Loving, Serving, Welcoming All and guides our ministry together. Our congregation believes that worship, witness, and service are one and inseparable. A special quality of our church is the belief that our loving God has gathered us “in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). In a world where there is so much that divides people, here the reconciling Spirit of Christ draws us together. All people are transformed and renewed by the Word of God.
We exercise that reconciling spirit by actively supporting and participating in hands-on mission like Room in the Inn, Living Waters for the World, Habitat for Humanity, Churches United in Christ Help Ministry, Gloves with Love, and Saturday Meals. Our Christian Education program offers many opportunities for faith formation through Bible studies, Sunday School classes, our Small Groups Ministry , and Vacation Bible School. Our worship services are thought provoking and spiritually satisfying with glorifying music provided by our choir and college ensemble. We have a dedicated and hard-working church staff and members of our congregation volunteer for many and various responsibilities.
As we look to the future, an important priority for our church is to reach and welcome new people and nurture them in the faith. We will work to provide additional opportunities for faith formation, strengthen relationships among members of our congregation, and continue our strong mission focus so that we can make a greater impact in our community and world.
Where Are We in Kentucky?
Bowling Green is located 60 miles north of Nashville and 110 miles south of Louisville off Interstate 65 and is the third most populous city in Kentucky. The 2020 U.S. Census listed our population as 72,294 for Bowling Green and 134,554 for Warren County. Bowling Green is ranked #7 in Southern Living‘s South’s Best City on the Rise in their March 2024 issue. Click here to take a tour of our Warren County, Kentucky community! Click here to see the listing of the cities and the 22 best things to see in Bowling Green! Our charming southern town was also recognized as one of The South’s Best Cities on the Rise in 2022.
Bowling Green is home to the assembly plant of America’s sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette, and boasts a minor-league baseball team called the Hot Rods. The global headquarters for Fruit of the Loom is located here and an EV battery plant is expected to employ over 2,000 people upon completion in early 2025. With an enrollment of over 18,000 students, Western Kentucky University is home to many highly ranked and nationally recognized academic programs. The International Center is a refugee resettlement agency based in Bowling Green which has helped resettle over 10,000 refugees bringing diversity to our area. We are a lively community with a moderate climate, excellent public and private schools, and high-quality healthcare. Our beautiful Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center brings a variety of music and cultural events attracting visitors from throughout the region.
Church History
Founded in 1819, the First Presbyterian Church has been part of southern Kentucky for two centuries. The First Presbyterian Church was led by Reverend Joseph Lapsley and built in what is now Pioneer Cemetery in downtown Bowling Green. There are no known photos of it, but the structure lasted less than 20 years. The Church relocated to State Street and Tenth Avenue in 1837. It was designed for worship and to house a successful female academy. Both operated until the Civil War when the church converted into a hospital for wounded Union soldiers.The church has survived many hardships over the years, a steeple fire in 1895, two congregational splits and three reunions, and many remodels. Today our historic church with its towering steeple is a beautiful landmark in our community. We have a rich history and God has faithfully guided us through the changing times. We are looking forward and trying to discern God’s future plans for our church as we seek to grow and better address the needs of our community.
