We have been worshiping and serving God in Wells County, Indiana, since June 10, 1840. Predating the official founding of Ossian by nearly a decade, our congregation spent its early years gathering in the homes of different church members. As rural pioneer communities multiplied, our congregation and its early pastors took on a leading role in helping to establish other fledgling Presbyterian congregations in nearby settlements. Later, as some of these country churches began to fade with their communities, many of their members made their way back to the mother church in Ossian.

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Our congregation took up permanent residence in Ossian in 1866, inhabiting a white frame building on Norwalt Street by the old cemetery before relocating to our current home on South Jefferson Street (State Road 1) in 1902. A major expansion in 1962 and renovations in 1960 and 2010 have brought our facility to its current form. Our location in the heart of Ossian reflects our heart for our community. Over the years, generations of local farmers, teachers, students, business owners, homemakers, and civic leaders have found a vibrant church home at First Presbyterian Church.

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Our deep roots serve as a vital anchor in the midst of changing times. By the mid-2010s, it became apparent to us that it was time to part ways with our previous denomination and reaffiliate with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. This decision signals our continued commitment to the authority of Scripture, the centrality of the gospel, and a timeless Presbyterian witness for Christ and his kingdom.

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We also remain firm in our commitment to live out the gospel through service. We are actively involved in helping the less fortunate, partnering with local mission agencies and reaching out to our neighborhood. We are also passionate about reaching the next generation for Christ through OPC Preschool, Children’s Corner Daycare, Vacation Bible School, LifeWise Academy, and other Sunday and weekday ministries.

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Our congregation’s history and deep local roots remind us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. We who make up First Presbyterian Church today are indebted in countless ways to those who have gone before us. As recipients of this godly heritage and stewards of the gospel, we tirelessly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that all might come to experience the joy of knowing, loving, and serving Christ.

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* Header photo of Vacation Bible School, 1911