Who are we?
We are a Christian community which activates followers of Jesus through contemplation and action. We partner with others to create a more friendly and festive fellowship and a more connected world valuing scientific ideas, justice and mercy, civil discourse, creation care, spiritual inquiry, artistic expression and beauty, reverence, and wonder.
STAFF
Rev. Dr. Keith Uffman
Interim Pastor
Chuck Effler
Choir Director
Ellis Neal
Sexton
Jenny Gordon
Youth Minister
Jennifer Rubio
Sexton
Janet Moran
Campus Ministry
Chrissie McGhee
Office Admnistrator
SESSION MEMBERS: (Church Board)
Class of 2026
Pamela Henderson
Charlotte Humphries
Brad West
Carol Wood
Class of 2027
Paul Alford
Sabrina Duhe
James Nelson
David Sesser
Class of 2028
Richard Graves
Helen Joseph
Ann Poche
Brandon Wear
What do We Believe?
Our faith is both old and new.
We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
We practice open communion. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is invited to participate.
We welcome all people. The love of God made tangible through each of us is available to all.
First Presbyterian Church of Hammond, LA is a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbytery of South Louisiana.
A Brief History of First Presbyterian Church Hammond, Louisiana
The First Presbyterian Church of Hammond has a rich and unique heritage. After the War Between the States, the Illinois Central Railroad promoted Hammond throughout the Midwest. Special excursion rates were offered to persons interested in moving south to take advantage of the temperate climate, pure water, abundant recreation facilities, and a twelve-month growing season.
A number of our northern settlers were Congregationalists. On May 8,1887. They organized the First Congregational Church of Hammond. On August 5, 1909, a group of Presbyterians formed the Presbyterian Church of Hammond. They met in private homes and in the King’s Daughter’s building at the corner of Thomas and Oak Streets.
On Sunday, January 9, 1916, a joint meeting of the Presbyterian and Congregational memberships was held. The two churches agreed to a year-by-year federation of the two congregations, naming it The Federation Church with each retaining its own governing board.
During the post-war era, as Hammond was beginning to grow, in 1947, Dr, Archie Ray was called as pastor. Dr. Ray was convinced that we could only have a new church building to accommodate the growth if the church reorganized into one congregation. On March 31, 1948, the First Presbyterian Church of Hammond was incorporated. The first service was held in the new sanctuary, located at the corner of West Charles and North Spruce Streets on November 19, 1950.
Now, we continue to be a thriving congregation with programs for all ages, and outreach within the community and beyond.
Want more information about our denomination? Visit the link below for an explanation of what it means to be Presbyterian.
https://pcusa.org/about-pcusa/who-we-are