The city’s founders were its first six members, forming the church just a year after settling the area. Early residents would meet in the log cabin that was the county’s first courthouse, then in a larger wooden building and finally the regal brick structure that towers over downtown today.

The names of founding and contributing members are recognizable on street signs, parks and more: King, Young, Province, Branigin. First Presbyterian was deeply involved with starting one of the county’s most enduring institutions, the Interchurch Food Pantry.

Over 200 years, the church has seen Franklin grow from a small frontier village to a thriving, growing city. And it remains as ingrained in the fabric of the community as ever.

“Two hundred years for this part of the country is pretty darn old. So we’re one of the true founders, if you want to look at it that way,” said Rev. Peter Jessen, pastor of First Presbyterian Church. “This church has seen a lot.”

First Presbyterian Church will celebrate its bicentennial with music, worship, fellowship and reflection over the next week. Festivities start with an organ concert Sunday by Hungary’s most prominent concert organist, with the 200th-anniversary party going in earnest on Nov. 24 with a special worship service and reception.

As one of the oldest — if not the oldest — churches in Johnson County, church members and leaders are reveling in place it has forged over time. Their commitment is to continue in the role for generations to come.

“We’re going to continue on doing what we do, for another 200 years,” said Gregg Cantwell, a longtime member of the church who has been active with the bicentennial planning.

When George King first arrived in Franklin to settle the area, it was little more than swampy forest. Still, he and others settlers made it their home, establishing it as the Johnson County seat in 1823. With the official action of forming the town complete, attention turned to the next pillar of society — starting a church.

King, his wife Eleanor, and four other people — Joseph and Nancy Young, and David and Jane McCaslin — officially formed First Presbyterian Church on Nov. 30, 1824. The church was built on one of 40 acres which were donated by King to found Franklin.

Quickly, the congregation grew.

“Before (Johnson County) had 100-plus churches, which is does now, this was the church, because it was already here. Before there were a lot of other alternatives, they came to First Presbyterian Church,” Jessen said.

When the population of Franklin expanded after the Civil War, a new church with a seating capacity of 600 was built in 1875. The structure used bricks from the original church building and is still in use today at 100 E. Madison St.

At the same time, First Presbyterian helped found a number of other churches throughout Johnson County. Members helped found Hopewell Presbyterian Church just west of Franklin to serve those living in that part of the county.