First Presbyterian Church

What First Presbyterian Church does

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta is a 175-year-old (founded 1848) Presbyterian (USA) congregation and 501(c)-style nonprofit located at 1328 Peachtree St. NE in Midtown Atlanta, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2020. The church operates three weekly in-person worship services (8:15 a.m. chapel communion, 9 a.m. contemporary in Fifield Hall, and 11 a.m. traditional sanctuary with full choir and pipe organ), and reaches additional audiences via livestream on YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo, radio on WSB (95.5 FM/750 AM), television on AIB Network, and a quarterly Focal Point magazine and weekly email e-blast.

Its program portfolio spans faith formation for all ages — Children's Ministry, Youth and College Ministry, 20s/30s groups, Adults — plus pastoral care through Stephen Ministry and the on-site Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta. Family and education services include the First Pres Preschool (founded 1946, southeastern US's longest continuously operating program, serving ~145 children) and Parents' Morning Out. Community outreach is delivered through Community Ministries (food, clothing, hygiene, mail, ID/birth-certificate assistance, counseling referrals) serving ~1,500 vulnerable clients per month, a weekly Food Market, Meals on Wheels (40+ meals daily across six senior buildings), and the Women's Transformation Center (up to nine women for up to one year). Arts programming includes Concerts@First, the School of Fine Arts, and a 6,300-pipe organ renovated in 2018.

Revenue mechanics are diversified and typical of a large mainline congregation: voluntary tithes and offerings (recurring giving via online platform and in-service collection), preschool tuition for ~145 children, wedding and event fees (sanctuary capacity up to 600; chapel 70–80), facility rentals to film and television productions, and grantmaking under the Epiphany social entrepreneurship program (up to $250,000). The church is currently executing its largest-ever capital campaign — approximately $36 million raised from more than 400 households — funding a multi-phase renovation that began demolition August 29, 2022. Operating technology comprises Planning Center (church management), JotForm (forms), Vimeo/YouTube/Facebook (video), Zoom (virtual meetings), and Access ACS (member login); no proprietary AI/ML or custom platform is disclosed.

Name

First Presbyterian Church

Legal name

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

Website

https://firstpresatl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1848

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta is a 175-year-old Presbyterian (USA) congregation in Midtown Atlanta offering three weekly worship services, faith formation for all ages, the state's longest-running preschool, and Community Ministries serving ~1,500 vulnerable clients each month, funded primarily by member tithes and offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Faith-Based Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protestant Mainline Broadcasting (MPABALAD), Faith-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAH)

Keywords

• Worship services
• Religious education
• Community outreach
• Faith formation
• Early childhood education

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary financial contributions from congregation members during worship services and online giving.
2. Facility Rentals: Church generates revenue by renting facilities including fellowship hall to television and film productions (e.g., 'The Resident' filmed nearby, 'Instant Family' shot scenes inside).
3. Preschool Tuition: First Presbyterian Preschool, the state's longest continuously operating preschool, generates revenue through tuition for early childhood education programs serving 145 children.
4. Wedding and Event Fees: Fees for wedding ceremonies in sanctuary (up to 600 capacity) or chapel (approximately 70-80 capacity), including FPC pastor, organist, pre-marital counseling, use of building, custodial, sound system, parking and security.
5. Epiphany Social Entrepreneurship Grants: Social entrepreneurship program that awards grants to ventures addressing community needs. Church committed up to $250,000 for grants, funded initially through filming rental income and member donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta is a 175-year-old Presbyterian congregation that delivers weekly worship services (in-person across three styles and via livestream, radio, and television), comprehensive faith formation programs for all ages, a licensed preschool, and social-service outreach through its Community Ministries program serving roughly 1,500 vulnerable clients per month. The church also operates a counseling center, fine arts education, a quarterly theological magazine, a podcast, and the Epiphany social-entrepreneurship grant program.

Product overview

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta is a traditional church organization offering a diverse portfolio of in-person and digital worship services and programs. The church operates three weekly worship services (chapel communion, alternative contemporary service, and traditional sanctuary service) with livestream capabilities. Community-facing programs include Community Ministries serving approximately 1,500 clients monthly, a Food Market, Meals on Wheels, and a Women's Transformation Center. The church offers comprehensive family ministries including First Presbyterian Preschool (est. 1946), Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Vacation Bible School. Music and arts programs include Concerts@First, School of Fine Arts, and a full music program with pipe organ and orchestra. The church publishes Focal Point Magazine and produces The New Garden Podcast. Its Epiphany program supports social entrepreneurship with grants up to $250,000. Additional offerings include Stephen Ministry, Samaritan Counseling Center, TheoEd theological education, and small groups for various demographics. Wedding services are available in the sanctuary or chapel. The church maintains global mission partnerships across four continents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Person Worship Services
• Livestream Worship Services
• First Presbyterian Preschool
• Community Ministries
• Meals on Wheels
• Women's Transformation Center
• Children's Ministry
• Youth Ministry
• Stephen Ministry
• Samaritan Counseling Center
• Epiphany Social Entrepreneurship Grants
• Concerts@First
• School of Fine Arts
• TheoEd
• Focal Point Magazine
• The New Garden Podcast
• Wedding Services
• Vacation Bible School
• Global Mission Partnerships

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 1,500 vulnerable clients monthly through Community Ministries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hillside Presbyterian ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership with predominantly Black congregation in Decatur for refugee resettlement, prisoner visits, international missions to Jamaica, and work with Hagar's House family shelter. Shared Lenten Bible studies, tutoring at Snapfinger Elementary, and cookouts for DeKalb County Drug Court participants. Partnership founded by Rev. Charles Black, Rev. Dr. George Wirth, and Rev. Dr. Winston Lawson.
• The Temple (Reformed Jewish)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReformed Jewish congregation located next door on Peachtree Street. Long history of mutual support and interfaith ministry. Participated together in Reclaiming the Center program (sponsored by Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies, Baltimore, 2009). Members joined for mission trip to Cuba. Church commissioned choral piece for Temple's 150th Anniversary. Senior pastors collaborate in ministry with shared friendships across congregations.
• Samaritan Counseling Center of AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health counseling center with office space on third floor of Smith Building. Rev. Dr. Katie Sundermeier served as Executive Director from May 2016, growing the center exponentially. Provides pastoral ministry enrichment through Stephen Ministry, small groups, support groups, worship, capital campaign, and care. Continues to serve clients from church premises.
• Childspring InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry partner with improved office space on third floor of Smith Building as part of capital renovation.
• Johnson C. Smith SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheological seminary partner with improved office space on third floor of Smith Building as part of capital renovation.
• Emory University - Candler School of TheologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch hosts theological interns from Emory's Candler School of Theology. Justin Farron interned at First Presbyterian and returned as intern. Theological student interns have gone on to lead community ministries roles (Connie Lee, Kate Culver).
• Columbia Theological SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeminary and church co-sponsored Office Hours sessions featuring guest professors. Dr. Brennan Breed (Old Testament scholar) cohosts with Rev. Dr. Chris Holmes. Church was instrumental in bringing Kenyan students under care of congregation through partnership with Dr. James Costen, dean of Johnson C. Smith Seminary.
• Challange the Stats (CTS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIPOC music empowerment organization founded by Angelica Hairston. Church provides venue for CTS concerts and hosts residency program. CTS musicians participate in worship music, introduce instruments to School of Fine Arts students, and use church as regular venue. Result of connection between Angelica Hairston and Dr. Jens Korndörfer.
• Atlanta Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch hosted full Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in sanctuary twice with organist Dr. Jens Korndörfer. Partnership grew during pandemic when classical venues went dark and church sanctuary became go-to performance space.
• Woodruff Arts Center / High MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated adjacent to High Museum of Art. Church sponsored concert series and partnered on programs with Alliance Theatre. When High Museum opened Habsburg Splendor exhibit, church presented companion organ concert of Viennese music. Many church members connected through employment, volunteer activities, or board memberships at arts institutions.
• Alliance TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with church and The Temple for discussion around play about bombing of Jewish Temple on Peachtree Street. Director Jimmy Maize and author Melissa Fay Greene participated in joint discussion.
• Friends of RefugeesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for refugee support programming. Church hosts 'Time of recipes and gratitude' event with Friends of Refugees celebrating refugee recipes from around the world in partnership with Atlanta Botanical Garden.
• Atlanta Botanical GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Friends of Refugees for 'Time of recipes and gratitude' event celebrating refugee recipes from around the world through cooking demos and shared tastings.
• Global Mission Partners (Kenya, Brazil, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnerships including Kenya (through partnership with Presbyterian University of East Africa), Brazil and Jamaica (held virtual gatherings during pandemic), Haiti (through clinic connection), and Cuba (church members formed partnership following trip with The Temple).

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Cathedral of St. Philip (Episcopal): Historic mainline Christian congregation in Buckhead Atlanta offering comparable traditional worship, music programs, faith formation, and historic cathedral architecture in the same metropolitan market.
• Church of the Apostles (Atlanta): Large Episcopal church in Buckhead Atlanta offering comparable multi-style worship services, formation programs, and community outreach targeting similar professional demographic in same metro market.
• Peachtree Presbyterian Church: Large PC(USA) congregation in Buckhead Atlanta with similar traditional worship programming, extensive children's and youth ministries, capital campaigns, and community service programs targeting comparable professional families.
• North Avenue Presbyterian Church: Another prominent PC(USA) congregation in Midtown Atlanta offering comparable Sunday worship services, youth programs, and community outreach in the same geographic market, directly competing for the same member demographic.
• All Saints' Episcopal Church (Atlanta): Midtown-adjacent mainline congregation with similar demographics, urban setting, historic architecture, and comparable programming mix of worship, formation, and outreach to vulnerable populations.
• Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church: Mainline Methodist congregation on Emory University's Druid Hills campus with comparable historic architecture, music programs, and community service orientation in metropolitan Atlanta.
• Trinity Presbyterian Church (Atlanta): PC(USA) congregation in Atlanta with similar theological identity, multi-generational programming, and competing for the same Presbyterian member base in the metropolitan area.
• Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church: Historic mainline Baptist congregation in Midtown Atlanta with similar age, architectural heritage, and urban congregation profile, competing for similar members in the same Midtown neighborhood.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/firstpresatl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@firstpresatl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/firstpresatl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Presbyterian Church