IMG_2191 (002).jpg — About Us

First Presbyterian Church, York, South Carolina

First Presbyterian Church provides exceptional worship, educational, and ministry opportunities for all ages. We are a small but active congregation that provides many ways for you to engage in ministry. Worship is at 11:00 on Sunday mornings. We invite you to visit as soon as possible and explore our many programs and service opportunities.

Our ministry flows out of our worship of God. In worship, we are reminded of God's grace and claim upon our lives. The realization of this gift inspires us for ministry. We hope that you will want to join the many who learn, lead, and continually seek to grow in unity of faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What We Believe

Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin are still at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, justification by grace through faith, and the priesthood of all believers. What these tenets mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job — ministers and lay people alike — to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, women and men alike.

Essential to our Presbyterian identity is a secure hope in the grace of God in Jesus Christ, a hope that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to live lives of gratitude: “In affirming with the earliest Christians that Jesus is Lord, the Church confesses that he is its hope, and that the Church, as Christ’s body, is bound to his authority and thus free to live in the lively, joyous reality of the grace of God.” (Book of Order F-1.0204) This strong emphasis on the grace of God in Jesus Christ is our heritage from the founder of the Reformed tradition, John Calvin.

Presbyterians confess their beliefs through statements that have been adopted over the years and are contained in The Book of Confessions. These statements reflect our understanding of God and what God expects of us at different times in history, but all are faithful to the fundamental beliefs described above. Even though we share these common beliefs, Presbyterians understand that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and it is up to each individual to understand what these principles mean in her or his life.

Our Staff

Rev. Nick Setzer

The Rev. Nick Setzer is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian church (USA). Nick is a native south carolinan having been born and raised in Charleston, SC. He is a graduate of newberry College in Newberry, SC with a b.A. in Communications. After college, he pursued a career in journalism and worked at wltx news-19 in columbia, sc. he was a photojournalist and editor. his favorite part of working in the news was the multitude of stories he was able to experience and tell through the lens of the camera. while journalism scratched an itch, the lord called nick to columbia theological seminary to pursue a master of divinity and master of arts in practical theology.

nick served northminster presbyterian church in roswell, ga as youth director while in seminary. Upon completion, nick was called to northminster as the associate for youth and young adults. In 2015 nick and his wife, mia, Accepted the call to st. andrew Presbyterian church in Longview, tx to serve as co-pastors. during the covid-19 pandemic of 2020, nick Accepted the call to be the pastor of first presbyterian church of york, sc.

nick and mia have three children (eliana, Oscar, and Carter). the family’s pride and joy is their english mastiff, penelope, who is lazy and has high anxiety. do not be deterred if penny barks and does not come to you, the children will most certainly make you feel welcome instead. nick is an avid sports fan and knows his way around the bbq pit. He loves to fellowship around a table and wants to invite you over for a meal.

Cynthia Brown-Stallings - Choir Director

Cynthia is a western York County native and graduate of York High School. She majored in music at Winthrop and completed a Bachelor of Music Education degree as a piano major. Cynthia received her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, and then earned 30 more graduate hours in music from Converse and Winthrop. After a teaching career in York School District One spanning 33 years, in which, she taught music in every grade from kindergarten through high school, Cynthia retired in June of 2018. Her hobbies include sewing, reading, crocheting, cooking, and gardening. She is married to Steven Stallings and they reside in Bullock Creek, SC with 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 12 chickens.

Dr. John Siler- organist

John is a resident of Belmont, NC. He started piano lessons at age 8 and has been playing ever since. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (Organ major), a Master of Music and PhD in music from the University of South Carolina. His wife, Jan, is also a musician who teaches privately. They have two children. Nathan (Michelle) who has a DMA in trombone and is a professor at Eastern Kentucky University. Their daughter, Allison (Jason) is an assistant District Attorney in Greenville County, NC. They are blessed with two grandchildren: Mia Siler (9) and Luke Capps (8). John has been in church music for many years and is very glad to be back at a wonderful church, First Presbyterian, York. John is a retired teacher, having taught in the Gaston County, NC schools and at Gaston College.

Barbara CLark, Administrative assistant

Barbara is a lifelong resident of york. she graduated from York Comprehensive high school and winthrop university. Barbara has been with first presbyterian since 2014, and says she learns something new everyday! Barbara enjoys baking, crafting and time with family. She and her husband Billy have two sons.

Martina russell, financial administrator

Martina is a lifelong resident of York. She spent 6 years in the US Navy and has worked as a church financial secretary for 20 years. Martina is married to Todd and they have 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters. In her free time she enjoys horseback riding.

Bethany james, Preschool Director

Bethany grew up in Hartsville, SC and moved to the rock hill/York area in 2011 for her husband’s job. She is a registered nurse and works part-time at Piedmont Medical center. She has been working with the mother’s morning out program since 2018. In 2020, Bethany accepted the Preschool director position. Bethany has helped First Presbyterian Church envision the future of an expanded preschool in 2022 offering classes for 3 and 4 year olds.

bethany and her husband, charlie have been married since 2010 and have two beautiful children, Irby and Tony charles

alice w. smith, director, mother’s morning out

Alice has been a part of first presbyterian church of york since 1973 and is now working with her 5th generation of some families. For many, many years (over 25), she has been director of our mother’s morning out program for one year olds. she is active in the community and is employed as the program director at trinity united methodist church. alice loves teaching private swimming lessons to all ages. she enjoys being outside, loves most sports and best of all, hanging out with her three wonderful granddaughters

Session

Class of 2021:

William Hill

Crystal Nicholas

Steve Smith

Harold Wilson

Class of 2022:

Chris Black

Martin Foster

Joe Howe

Eddie Lee

Class of 2023:

Ronnie Bailes

Stephanie Davis

Donna Farris

Angie Pratt

Deacons

Class of 2021:

Melissa Allman

Cricket Comer

Lindsey Kent

Kristi Ramsey

Class of 2022:

Jack Adams

Sonya McCathey

Becca Ratliff

Chris Zesiger