Our History

1856

A PIONEER BEGINNING

In the winter of 1855, Reuben Gaylord braved wolves and bitter cold to bring his family to the territorial capital of Omaha. On May 4, 1856, he gathered nine members to establish First Congregational Church.

Those early members were pioneers who helped build this city and state—and their bold spirit still shapes us.

1879

STANDING FOR JUSTICE

When Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Tribe argued in federal court that Native Americans are persons under U.S. law, First Central helped fund his defense.

Pastor Alvin F. Sherrill served as treasurer of the defense fund and led fundraising efforts. Standing Bear’s words still echo:

“[My] hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow, and I shall feel pain. The blood is of the same color as yours. God made me, and I am a man.”

1895

A SHARED JOURNEY

German immigrants founded St. John’s Evangelical Church in 1895. After facing discrimination during World War I, they joined First Reformed Church in 1935 and later merged with First Central in 1971.

They brought faithful leadership and deep conviction.

1919

VOTES FOR WOMEN

Lina McGilton, President of our Women’s Fellowship, was a determined suffrage advocate—despite her husband serving as Nebraska’s Lieutenant Governor.

She stood present in August 1919 when Nebraska ratified the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote.

1925

A GLOBAL VISION

We commissioned Dr. Walter Judd as a medical missionary to China. He survived 44 bouts of malaria, kidnapping, bandit raids, and the Japanese invasion.

He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives, proclaiming:

“All people around the world are essentially the same… We all stand or fall together… The way of love works.”

1960s/70s

FAITH IN ACTION

As cultural and demographic shifts reshaped the city, Rev. Mert Rymph led First Central with a strong belief that the church must serve its community.

He preached renewal through “faith, imagination, hope, determination, love and reconciliation.”

Today

EXPANDING THE WELCOME

As women’s leadership expanded, we adopted gender-inclusive worship. When children’s curricula failed to reflect our progressive values, we created our own.

In 2004, we became Open and Affirming, fully welcoming LGBTQ+ persons into the life and leadership of the church.

In the past decade, we committed to being:

We continue to grow. We continue to listen. We continue to act.

Every person here walks a unique spiritual path. We believe in honest conversation, diverse perspectives, and the power of shared stories. For more than 160 years, that commitment has kept us inclusive, inquisitive, progressive, and alive.

We are Omaha’s oldest continuously worshipping Protestant church. And we are still evolving.

Our Covenant

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR LIFE, FOR JESUS OUR LORD, AND FOR THE COURAGE AND VISION OF OUR FOUNDERS.

In gratitude, we covenant with God and with one another, seeking as a church and as individuals to be faithful to God’s will. We pray for hearts that open, minds that understand, and lives that serve.