Our Heritage

Twelve persons organized the First Presbyterian Church of Caro in December 1878. For the first year, this small group of Presbyterians united in the Reformed tradition held their worship services and prayer meetings in members’ houses. In 1880, the congregation erected its first house of worship at the corner of Lincoln and Pearl Streets. The present limestone and brick church was begun in 1902 and dedicated on December 13, 1903. It has had no structural alterations since construction. A regal structure, it features a corner tower and stained-glass windows. The members of First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), governed by the congregation’s session of ruling elders, are active intergenerational participants of the community extending hope, joy, and welcome through worship of God and Christian discipleship. First Presbyterian Church is a committed, active, and positive presence in the City of Caro.

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Our Leadership

THE SESSION

Ruling elders of the church’s session, elected to service by members of the church, fulfill roles of leadership and service.

WORSHIP LEADERS

We are pleased to be served by Sunday morning worship leadership of Nathaniel Asperger, a Candidate for Ordained Ministry, and Tanya Steele, a Deacon in the Vassar Presbyterian Church.

Staff (Nicholas Schmelter and Susan Reim)

Past Leadership

Nicholas Schmelter was appointed Director of Worship and Congregational Life at First Presbyterian Church in October 2016 and served through April 2023. He served congregations in Michigan and Minnesota, and has instructed among the contingent faculty members at Saginaw Valley State University. Nicholas Schmelter graduated in 2006 with a Master of Music degree in organ performance from Central Michigan University. He was awarded honors at CMU including a Graduate Fellowship, the Centralis Scholar Award, the School of Music Performance Scholarship, and the Presser Foundation Award. Nicholas is a frequent recitalist, offering performances throughout Michigan as well as in Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, London and Toronto, Canada, and other regions. He has been a church musician since the age of sixteen and has studied philosophy and theology at Saint John’s University (in seminary residence at Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, Queens). Schmelter has served as Artist in Residence at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City, Michigan, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Flint.

Susan Reim, Organist Emeritus

Susan Reim has served First Presbyterian Church as organist since July of 1979. Prior to this, she served three churches over a ten-year period in Atlanta while pursuing a career as a cellist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Susan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and a Graduate Diploma in violoncello from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. The session conferred the honorific Organist Emeritus in April 2021.

Our Pipe Organ

OUR PIPE ORGAN

When First Presbyterian Church decided to beautify its facilities in celebration of the building’s 1953 fiftieth birthday, session members held a firm position: an electronic imitation was the best solution for the failing Hook and Hastings pipe organ. Not so for Frank B. Campbell, one the Caro community’s wisest patriarchs, one of the congregation’s tireless advocates, and the congregation's organist for sixty-four years. The Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, a crucial physical asset to our worship activity and larger mission, is in place because of Campbell’s planning, leadership, and benevolence. One of First Presbyterian Church’s outstanding features is its two-manual pipe organ. Built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co. of Boston, Op. 1166 replaced the original 1903 Hook & Hastings organ. Craftsmen began building the organ in 1948. Completed in 1952, the electro-pneumatic action instrument has 1,620 pipes distributed among 27 ranks (24 stops). The speaking pipes of the organ are located behind a screen. Visible zinc pipes are from the old organ. The Aeolian-Skinner organ of First Presbyterian Church of Caro is the largest, most complete two-manual organ built by the firm from 1944-1948. It is only surpassed in tonal scope by Roy Perry’s 1949 installation at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Kilgore, Texas (2M, 33R). The firm did not build a larger two-manual organ until 1955.

Our Piano

OUR 1904 STEINWAY MODEL A

The 1904 Steinway Model A was acquired in May 2018. With mahogany finish, the Louis XVI style complements the sanctuary furnishings and pews. Technician James Reeder restored and refinished the instrument. Its key action is responsive; its tone quality is warm and rich. The hardwood piano platform was designed and built by congregants Dave Hiser, Gil Suzor, and Scott Wood.

Our Other Instruments

OUR REED ORGAN

The restored two-manual and pedal reed organ in First Presbyterian Church’s Parlor was built by the Estey Organ Company in the 1920s. Doug Webster presented to the gift to the congregation in May 2017.

OUR STEINWAY MODEL 1098

The Steinway Model 1098 was purchased from Michigan Piano Sales of Grand Ledge, Michigan.