Old First Presbyterian Church congregation celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2006, receiving a certificate from the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church USA. The church began in Franklinton in 1806, founded by Reverend James Hoge, who served First Presbyterian Church for 50 years; Hoge Memorial Presbyterian Church on West Broad Street is named for him. The church was incorporated b
y the Ohio General Assembly in 1812, I believe. Lucas Sullivant was one of the founding members. Sensenbrenner was an elder here in the 1920s or 30s. The name change to Old First came in the 1950s when 2 Presbyterian denominations merged, and Columbus suddenly had 2 First Presbyterian Churches, one on Madison Avenue that promptly changed its name to Calvin PC and moved to Munks Corner (the original building is now Love Zion church), and one at 1101 Bryden Road that remained the same but adopted the name of Old First. You will find many references to Old First Presbyterian Church in Columbus Dispatch stories over the years. Many Presbyterian congregations in the city began as offshoots of this original congregation, including what is now First Congregational Church, Broad Street Presbyterian, and Brookwood Presbyterian. Old First is a very small congregation but it does date to 1806 and continues to witness in Columbus. The Community Organizing Center and Four Seasons City Farm community garden organization both have their offices at Old First.
