Building and Grounds
Our Building
The “Open Arms” ramp & handrails that grace the front of the church were designed to be just that - open arms. We want it known that we welcome everyone. We reach out to everyone in the community, embracing everyone who enters our doors. Our new logo incorporates this element as well.
Labyrinth
We installed our lovely labyrinth in 2009, using volunteers from the congregation. The labyrinth was a collaborative effort among volunteers from the congregation who used Aubrie Abernethy's original design and Frank Knisley's engineering and sacred geometry to create our lovely labyrinth. The design was based on a classical model that dates back almost 3500 years. A Peace Pole was installed and dedicated in 2010. The Labyrinth is a community resource, open to all. It is wheelchair accessible, too!
Download our brochure on the Labyrinth here. Learn more about the Peace Pole Project here.
Arboretum
Many of the trees located in the churchyard at First Presbyterian are over 90 years old. The trees were planted by a German immigrant who came to Elizabethton in the 1930's to work at one of the rayon plants. After purchasing the property, he planted a great variety of trees. When he sold the property to the church in the 1950's there was a gentleman's agreement that no trees would be removed unless absolutely necessary. First Presbyterian has remained a faithful caretaker of its trees, old and new, for all these years! Currently there are 80+ trees of 23 species on the property.
The entire collection of trees can be seen here.