First Presbyterian Church of Jackson is celebrating its bicentennial anniversary with a series of events.
That series is set to start this weekend.
“Our actual anniversary date is closer to September, but we’re starting it with a big event on May 7,” said Courtney Bowen, associate pastor of the church.
The event will be an opportunity for members of the community to tour the grounds and facilities of the church.
“We feel like our facilities are a gift to the community because a lot of people like to walk through our arboretum to relax or talk to God or just enjoy being outside in nature,” Bowen said. “And then we have our buildings including Memorial Hall, which is an old mansion we’ve repurposed for the church’s administrative offices.
“I know a lot of people like to use the inside and outside of the hall for receptions, graduation pictures and other things like that.”
The touring opportunity starts at 2 p.m. and will last until 4:30 p.m.
But also at 2 p.m., those present will get to enjoy a carillon concert with music from the large carillon in the church’s tower.
“That’s been something the community has enjoyed about our church for years,” Bowen said. “So we’re glad to offer that as part of this event as well.”
After the concert, the church’s sanctuary and history room will be available for a tour as well as a display of historic photos and artifacts from the church’s existence for the last couple centuries.
First Presbyterian first opened its doors as a church in 1823 in Downtown Jackson. It moved to its current location in the 1950s after the Pigford family donated the land to the church.
Other events planned for the celebration include a homecoming service and hymn festival in September.
Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news
