I had been aware of the First Presbyterian Church for several years but never went to the church. I became better acquainted with First Presbyterian when I moved just down the street from it and noticed that they were having Vacation Bible School. Summers are long, hot and often boring in Bakersfield for kids so I knew that my kids would love going to VBS at the church. For two years my kids went to VBS at the church when I realized that my children and even I could benefit from going to a church full time.
This review mainly goes over their children’s section as that is the area that my family is most experienced with.
First Presbyterian is a large church, taking up an entire section of block on Truxtun Avenue. They have programs for adults and children. I am very impressed with the children’s programs. They have Sunday School for all age children and children’s church for kids that are in 1st to 3rd grade. Awana is held on Wednesday nights and is for younger and older kids. In summer 2007, they completely redid the building that hosts their children’s programs. Each wall is pained with a colorful mural that is very kid friendly.
They have different programs depending on how old your kids are. When you take your children to the church, you go into the children’s building and sign them in at the desk. They have two desks downstairs and one desk upstairs. Your child is given a name tag and you are also given a tag. You can not pick up your children unless you have the tag when you come to pick them up. This is another reason I love this church. I feel very safe leaving my children here. They really take care of the kids that come to have fun and learn about God. Once my family didn’t have enough money for a children’s activity at the church and I called the children’s director to see if my kids could still go to Awana that night even if they did not participate in the event. She said that they would give us the supplies for free. So if you are going through a hard time like we were, the church will work with you if you can’t afford an activity.
Sunday school starts at 9:45 AM but you can get your child there at 9:30. If you want your child to stay for Children’s Church, tell the front desk and they will put a sticker on their name badge so the teachers in the room can take them over to the Children’s Church that starts at 11 AM. Children’s Church ends at 12 PM and is only for children in 1st to 3rd grade.
Awana is held on Wednesday nights from 6 to 7:30 PM. Awana is only during the school year. This was the first year two of my children attended Awana and they really enjoyed it. There is a yearly fee of $35 dollars per child and this includes their uniform and supplies. If you can not afford the fee, they do offer scholarships.
Overall I would recommend this church for any of it’s programs but especially for the children’s area. I’ve been to a few churches over the years and First Presbyterian has the best children’s programs that I’ve ever seen.
First Presbyterian Church is located at 1705 17th St. Bakersfield, CA 93301. For more information, call (661) 325-9419.
