OUR MISSION:

"We are disciples of Jesus Christ, bound together in love to nurture one another and to carry God's gospel to the world"

OUR VISION

Our vision is to become an authentic community of followers of Jesus Christ, reflecting God's love for all with energy and openness by:

Praising God... 

through dynamic, spiritual and diverse worship opportunities.

Loving God's world...

through service to those in need regardless of ethnic, economic or social status.

Encouraging non-believers...

to accept a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Nurturing our faith and commitment...

so each member of the church community can fully utilize his/her gifts in ministry.

Searching for Biblical truths through the guidance of the Holy Spirit...

being open to each believer's questions, respectful of each other as we search, and united in our confidence in God’s final authority.

ALASKA NATIVE SISTERHOOD HONORS MARY JONES

Mary is the first Grand President Emeritus from Ketchikan

Mary's honors were part of the 2008 Elizabeth Peratrovich Day events in Ketchikan. We're proud of you Mary!

 Mary Jones

"Thanks to the church members who so graciously purchased a beautiful  corsage of a royal blue & silver corsage for the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day  celebration to be given to me as the ANB & ANS #14 honored me with this prestigious title "emeritus."  I certainly didn't expect all  this fanfare but accepted it with such deep feeling coming from my  peers.  Thank you." -Mary Jones, Presbyterian since birth

OUR BEGINNINGS

Ketchikan Presbyterian Church traces its origin to a request by members of the Tongass and Cape Fox Tlingit tribes for a government school in Saxman, located three miles south of Ketchikan.

The General Agent for Education in Alaska was The Rev. Dr. Sheldon Jackson, who helped them build a school and sent them a government teacher in 1895. The school building is still in existence and is the town hall of Saxman.

Dr. Jackson was also "the missionary to the west" for the Presbyterian Church, and in 1898 Dr. Jackson sent The Rev. Edward Marsden to be the missionary preacher for the Saxman community.

Rev. Marsden, born into the Tsimshian tribe, was the first Alaska Native to be ordained into ministry by any denomination. He was also the first Alaska Native to recieve higher education in the lower 48, first attending Sheldon Jackson Training School in Sitka, then Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania, Marietta College in Ohio, and Lane Theological Seminary.

Rev. Marsden founded the Presbyterian Church at Saxman. It was later reorganized in Ketchikan. In 1922 Marsden helped build the Presbyterian Church in Metlakatla (about 15 miles away, on Annette Island), and ministered there until his death in 1932.