Welcome to Frederica Presbyterian Church!

Our History

In l997, Frederica Presbyterian Church began as a New Church Development due to the projected growth on St Simons Island. Initial services were held in a former restaurant, and our charter was received soon thereafter. Later, meeting in a school cafeteria, our congregation was unified by setting up and taking down activities each week. Donated land was cleared, fenced and landscaped by the congregation in 2001. A huge garage sale and a Christmas Festival netted thousands of dollars for the building fund, allowing us to begin construction on our sanctuary. The first service in our new church building was in August 2002. Soon afterwards, the formation of our choir greatly enhanced worship services.

Progressive dinners, summer picnics, pancake breakfasts, and potluck dinners provide fellowship. The Presbyterian Women make Easter baskets for needy children and conduct egg hunts for our own. The Children's Sunday School is let by a team of retired educators, while an elder leads the adult class. Mission work includes feeding the poor and homeless, providing church services for the elderly, collecting food for shelters, and participating in mission trips. A new fellowship hall, kitchen and classrooms were completed early in 2008. A men's prayer breakfast was formed in 2009. This website joins our newsletter to extend communication. Taking pleasure in working together to serve God is the key to our church's accomplishments.

Members of our congregation are dedicated to teaching, learning and living the word of Jesus Christ. We are composed of a diverse group of families and individuals from a variety of professions including doctors, teachers, artists, horticulturists, musicians, accountants, lawyers, business managers, law enforcement and social services, many of whom lend their experiences through worship, caregiving and participation in our programs. Our members are also involved in the work of the church, community civic groups and local non-profit agencies. Several adult and youth members have participated in mission trips to the Gulf Coast, international trips and local mission projects. We are blessed to be situated on a picturesque island located on the southern Atlantic Coast, surrounded by God's natural beauty.


Since its first service, Frederica Presbyterian Church has used the image of the Celtic Cross as a symbol of its faith and work. Now reproduced in a stained glass window, it is permanently displayed above the choir loft in the sanctuary.


There are several interpretations and legends about the original meaning that are commonly repeated, even today. Presbyterians and Catholics alike are often startled to learn that both denominations claim this symbol as their own. In our modern multicultural world, the ringed cross is a much used symbol of ethnic heritage, as it is often used as an emblem of one's Irish, Scottish or Welsh identity.

There is a legend of how St. Patrick, when preaching to some soon-to-be-converted heathens, was shown a sacred standing stone marked with a circle that was symbolic of the moon goddess. Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through the circle and blessed the stone, making it the first Celtic Cross.

There is no doubt that the Celtic Cross is a symbol of eternity, emphasizing the endlessness of God's love as shown through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The crucifixion is important, not just as an event at a certain point in time but also, as the circle symbolizes, the unending mystery of how, through the crucifixion and resurrection, Christ continues to offer the hope of salvation to the faithful.

The beautiful stained glass window was made especially for Frederica Presbyterian Church. Artist Louise Atwood, mother of Alexander Atwood in whose home the first organizational meeting of this church was held, designed and made the window.