Humble Beginnings
The building which houses the First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville located at 12th and Conner Streets, has been in existence since 1893. However, the church itself has been around much longer, since its organization on December 20, 1848.
Mr. John T. Carlin, one of the pioneers of our community and one of the founding members of the Presbyterian church of this city, over a century and half ago, would ride to Indianapolis over corduroy roads and bring the supply pastor for the Presbyterian church out here on horseback. The first organized Presbyterian Church in Hamilton County was a few miles east of Noblesville and was known as the Stony Creek Presbyterian Church and Society. The only thing that remains of this church, which was located on Middletown Road, is its peaceful cemetery where several of its past members are laid to rest. The Noblesville church grew out of the Stony Creek church. From its beginning in 1848, when 12 members were listed on the rolls, membership has grown steadily over the years.
Father Craig
A New Breath of Life
The church first held services in a white frame building on the east side of South Catherine Street (now Ninth Street), just north of the present Richwine Apartment building. Then in 1893, the brick building on Conner Street was built.
The church did go through some rough years after 1856. The records are very incomplete after this date and for some years the church was without any pastor. However, on June 7, 1867, a re-organization took place and a new breath of life was given to this church. At some point in the early part of 1868 the Rev. John S. Craig, D.D. was called as pastor of this church. “Father Craig’s” life in the church was reported as one of ceaseless giving, since “recorded statistics show that benevolent contributions were very large although Rev. Craig’s salary often amounted to not more than $300 a year.”
Celebrating our Past, Embracing our Future
The Pipes
Kimball Pipe organ 2005 rebuild
Kimball Pipe organ 2005 rebuild
Kimball Pipe organ 2005 rebuild
The First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville is home to the oldest pipe organ in Hamilton County. The organ was initially installed in the year 1900, and subsequently dedicated on November 17, 1901 in a much publicized community ceremony.
The original organ was known to be a Kimball 2 manual 6 rank pipe organ. It was purchased in 1900 through the Indianapolis firm of Carlin and Lenox at a cost of $3500. The Kimball Company performed annual maintenance for a cost of $35.
Double Deck Moveable console
Kimball Pipe organ 2005 rebuild
Kimball Pipe organ 2005 rebuild
Operation of the organ occurred by feeding air into a 15-foot-long bellows through a blower motor. In the early days, the motor was powered by water, as churches were free from water taxes and did not have to pay a water bill. Working the keyboard actuated an electro-magnetic valve to allow air from the bellows to pass through the corresponding pipe(s).
Facade Pipes Today
Kimball Pipe organ 2005 rebuild
Facade Pipes Today
In April of 1965, the E.H. Holloway Corporation rebuilt the organ and installed electronic actions at a cost of $7640. The last overhaul of the organ occurred in 2003 with the complete remodeling of the sanctuary. The organ and pipes themselves were dismantled and shipped to the Miller Pipe Organ Company in Louisville, Kentucky. Both pipes and organ were refinished to match the new sanctuary motif, and the organ itself underwent a complete rebuild.
We hope you will consider a visit to FPC to experience the very unique sound of our pipe organ. The antique instrument is just one of many elements that make our music ministry so special!