First Presbyterian Church to Re-Dedicate Renovated Sanctuary

First Presbyterian Church in Martinsburg will celebrate the re-dedication of its sanctuary this Sunday. The service, scheduled for Oct. 25 at 2 p.m., marks the culmination of a three-year effort to restore the 124-year-old space. The sanctuary, located at the corner of King and Queen streets, has been a central part of the community since 1903.

Established by the historical Winchester Presbytery in 1825, First Presbyterian Church has maintained a continuous gospel witness in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The congregation recently celebrated its 200th anniversary of ministry and its 200th Easter as an established congregation. As part of these bicentennial celebrations, the church undertook a significant renovation of the sanctuary in downtown Martinsburg.

Led by Churchman Aidan Witler and the Ruling Elders of the Kirk Session, a successful finance campaign enabled the restoration. The project aimed to return the sanctuary to its original early 20th century splendor. The floors, radiators, ceiling, and choir loft were restored to their original configuration, reflecting the church’s enduring theological commitment to the reading and exposition of God’s word.

The sanctuary’s walls, originally a delicate rose color, were carefully restored to their original shade through the work of Ruling Elder Randy Swartz, who identified and matched the original paint colors. The stained-glass windows, dedicated to the inerrant Word of God, were restored in 2013 and have been returned to their original peach tones, highlighting the craftsmanship of the boilermakers who installed the still-functional steam heating system during the original construction.

The walls, beams, and ceiling have been repainted to emphasize the church’s theological commitment, and the choir loft has been restored with a handcrafted closed balustrade. The organ was returned to its original and full-working state during the sanctuary’s centennial celebrations. The restoration effort reflects a dedication to preserving the church’s heritage and its mission to serve the community through worship and ministry.

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