Visiting Our Church

Updated
February 17, 2003

No matter how friendly and welcoming a church is, visiting any church for the first time can be a little intimidating.

You're probably wondering things like What's the church like? Are they friendly? Will I fit in?

We hope our Web site can answer many of your question to help make your first visit with us more relaxing and enjoyable.

Getting here is pretty easy. We're located in downtown Amarillo at 11th Avenue and Harrison Street. There is plenty of parking available. We have a number of guest spots marked with "visitor parking" signs that you can use, but you can park in any parking space.

Click here for expanded maps to First Presbyterian Church

If coming from the west toward downtown Amarillo:
1. Take Interstate 40 East
2. Exit at Washington Street and turn left (north) on Washington.
3. Turn right (east) on 11th Avenue.

The church will be on your right at Harrison Street.

If coming from east toward downtown Amarillo:

Take Interstate 40 West
Take the exit to downtown Amarillo
Turn left (west) on 10th Avenue
Turn left (south) on Harrison Street.
The church will be on your right at 11th Avenue.

If coming from the south toward downtown Amarillo:
1. Take Interstate 27 North into downtown Amarillo.
2. Turn left (west) on 10th Avenue
3. Turn left (south) on Harrison Street.
4. The church will be on your right at 11th Avenue.

If coming from the north toward downtown Amarillo:
1. Take Highway 287 south into downtown Amarillo.
2. Turn right (west) on 10th Avenue
3. Turn left (south) on Harrison Street.
4. The church will be on your right at 11th Avenue.

The building is fully wheelchair-accessible via an elevator, curb ramps, and interior ramps. The ushers or members will be glad to assist you. We also have some hearing aids that might help.

Finding your way around the church can be a bit tough for newcomers. To help we have made up brochures to help you find your way to classes. Pick up the brochure and ask any questions you have at the Information Booth located in the Great Hall..

Many members have name tags on, feel free to ask help from them as well.

Everyone is welcome. We welcome people of all ages, races, nationalities, ethnic groups, and whatever your place in life. We are a church in the heart of the city, with a heart for all of the city.

We have two regular worship services at 8:30am and 11 a.m., with a wide variety of Sunday school classes for all ages in the time between.

The 8:30 a.m. service is a more traditional service, while the 11 a.m. service has a more contemporary style.

We have greeters at the entrance to the sanctuary and ushers to give you a bulletin and to help you find a seat. The ushers will also be able to help you with large-print bulletins, headphones or if you need assistance getting in.

There is plenty of seating available in sanctuary, it holds about 550. Sit wherever you like, there aren't any reserved seats. (Though occasionally the ushers will rope off a pew or two when necessary. Please avoid those)

Our worship services are easy to follow by using the bulletin and they last about an hour. The volunteer worship leaders and pastors will give any directions needed during the service.

Guests are never singled out or embarrassed. We won't ask you to stand or wear a name tag or anything like that. If you choose, please put your name and address on the friendship pad when it is passed.

You don't have to pay anything. We don't expect our guest to put anything in the offering plate, though you are certainly welcome to if you would like. Our members freely give to support our ministries.

We also have a Sunday evening prayer and praise service at 6:30 on the fourth Sunday of each month in our chapel. The dress is casual.

You can enjoy some coffee and fellowship after the 8:30 a.m. service and before and after the 11 a.m. service in the Great Hall for all. Just help yourself. This is a good time to introduce yourself to our members and find out more about the church.

Sunday School classes are from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. for all ages.

We have nursery care and children's classes in the Christian Education wing, west of the sanctuary. The youth groups (middle school and high school) meet at the A&O House south of the church.

For adults, there are a variety of classes in the main building. The classes cover a variety of topics. The classes are a great way to get to meet people and make friends since they're smaller than the worship services and have lots of open discussion.

If you would like to meet with one of our pastors, please call our office at 806.373.4242 to schedule an appointment.

Another way to learn more about First Presbyterian is to come to our Inquirer's Class. This class is designed to give prospective members the chance to explore what it means to be a Christian, a Presbyterian and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo.

Participating in the class carries no obligation or expectation that you will join FPC. The class series is held four times a year (spring and fall) on Sunday mornings at 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. for five sessions.

We're delighted that you're cruisin' our Web page!

Cyberspace is wonderful, but there's no such thing as "cyber-church." Behind everything you see here are real live flesh and blood human beings. That's what our church is really all about.

So, we hope you'll move from cyberspace to real space and drop in and be our guest sometime at worship or at any of the other activities that may have caught you interest.

Out Web site may be nice, but the real heart and soul of First Presbyterian still awaits your personal on-site visit.

We believe you'll enjoy what you find here. Come be our guest. Be as outgoing or anonymous as you like.

You're always welcome at FPC.

Return Home