History :

The first Protestant service was held at Vienna in July 1830 (located about the railroad tracks cross Vienna Road, Erie, Michigan) in the home of John Rowe conducted by Rev. Gavit, assisted by Rev. Pilcher from Maumee Ohio. They were part of the Ohio Methodist Conference and were Circuit riders who rode horse back through this area LaSalle, Monroe, Ypsilanti, Adrian and other stops along the way.  They were a hardy group who were exposed to Hostile Indians and all kinds of natural problems.  Without faith and persistence, we may not be here today. As the years passed by, there became a shortage of ministers and the church needed a way to go the newly formed Detroit Presbytery to allow them to form a new Presbyterian church.  After some time the request was granted and on September 9, 1849 our church became the First Presbyterian Church of Erie.