Built on a hill in the heart of the thriving Fondren neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, Fondren Presbyterian Church is central to the life of the community.
As the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in the world, our congregation seeks to build on Fondren Presbyterian’s courageous heritage, sharing the love of Christ with each other as well as with our neighbors and out in the world.
Our unique congregation numbers about two hundred and falls in the mid-range of Presbyterian Church U.S. A (PCUSA) churches nationwide. With a variety of vibrant programs for all ages and a strong calling for community service and outreach, we seek to live out Fondren Presbyterian’s scriptural principles that guide us, seeking to be “the church reformed, always reforming.”
Our Story
Planted in the Fondren neighborhood of Jackson, Mississippi, in the late 1920s, Fondren Presbyterian Church has remained an anchor in the city of Jackson for nearly a century. Our church cherishes its rich heritage but embraces an active contemporary role as an outspoken voice for Christ in the world.
On July 10, 1927, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, formed a committee to plan a mission church in a neighborhood in the northern part of the city. The committee held prayer meetings in the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Fondren for two years. First Presbyterian purchased a house at the corner of State Street and Lorenz Boulevard in January 1928. The house became the home of the new congregation known then as "Fondren Chapel."
On January 26, 1930, members signed and presented a petition to the Presbytery of Central Mississippi asking that the presbytery confirm Fondren Chapel as a church. The charter was granted, and Fondren Presbyterian Church became a reality. Handwritten histories found in Fondren’s scrapbooks detail the young congregation’s membership, leadership, worship services, and activities and reveal how the house was modified to accommodate growth.
The last service in the house took place on Christmas Day, 1949. The first service in the new church building on Old Canton Road—its present location—was held New Year’s Day, 1950. According to the written histories, January was designated as a season of thanksgiving.
During the civil rights era, Fondren Presbyterian instituted an open door policy under the leadership of the Reverend Moody McDill. As a consequence, Fondren lost some members, but for those who remained, this watershed event strengthened their beliefs and set Fondren Presbyterian on a path of community activism and service that continues today.
In the 1970's, Fondren Presbyterian Church actively supported a united Presbyterian church. In 1983, when the Northern and Southern Presbyterian Churches reunited to become the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America, the Fondren congregation proudly joined its ranks. Today, Fondren remains committed to being a vital and active member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Fondren Presbyterian Church cherishes its rich heritage. More importantly, Fondren seeks to discern God’s will for this congregation and to spread Christ’s love and compassion among its members, in the community, and out into the world.
The Pastors
Robert Bedinger, 1930-1934
Richard Cameron Lipsey, 1934-1942
J. Moody McDill, 1942-1966
Edwin R. Wilson, 1967-1977
Emett H. Barfield, 1978-1988
Rev. Diana Bell and Dr. Donald Bell, 1989-1994
James W. White, Jr., 1996-2006
Morris (Mat) Taylor, Jr., 2008-2014
Robert W. (Rob) Lowry, 2017-2022
Our Staff
The Reverend Howard Reed
INTERIM MINISTER / Head of Staff
Rev. Howard Reed earned his B.S. in Education with honors from the University of Texas, Austin in 1976. He stayed in Austin, earning his Master of Divinity. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1982. Since then he has served churches in Texas, Ohio, the United Kingdom, Oklahoma and Arkansas, and over the last 13 years, he has been the interim pastor at seven churches.
Much of Rev. Reed’s community service has focused on children, and he has run in several marathons to raise funds for charitable causes. He is very interested in music, reading, hiking, and travel—he has visited 30 foreign countries and 48 U.S. states for leisure, education, and community service. The 10 months following his seminary graduation included touring/hitchhiking for three months through western Europe, working on a kibbutz for two months in Israel; spending one or two weeks each at the ecumenical communities of Iona, Scotland, Taize, France, Corrymeela, Northern Ireland, and Agape, Italy; and visiting and worshipping in 40 cathedrals. He has also led mission work trips to Mexico, Honduras, the Gulf Coast, Fort Worth, Texas, and rural West Virginia.
Rev. Reed will serve as our interim pastor from January 1 through June 30, 2024,
Cecelia Stearman
Director OF MUSIC
Cecelia Stearman began her ministry as Director of Music in August 2023. She grew up in a musical family in Pearl, Mississippi, where her father was a Baptist minister. She is a graduate of Mississippi College (Master's in Vocal Performance) and has sung professionally throughout the United States and in Europe. In addition to conducting various choral groups, she co-founded and was Artistic Director/Conductor for the Emmanuel Gospel Choir of Paris. Later she founded the Community Gospel Choir in St. Louis.
Dr. Lynn Raley
Church Organist
Dr. Lynn Raley began his ministry as organist in September 2023. Hehas been a professor of music at Millsaps College since 2002. He grew up in Taiwan, where his parents were missionaries, and has returned to Taiwan on numerous occasions to teach music and perform. He served as organist for the Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, VA, and has served as an accompanist for several churches in the Jackson area.
The Reverend Rims Barber
Parish Associate
The Rev. Barber came to Mississippi for Freedom Summer in 1964. That summer has become more than 50 years of advocacy and witness for equality and justice. He received his BA degree from Coe College in 1958 and his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1962. He worked for the Delta Ministry (1965 to 1977) and for the Children's Defense Fund (1977 to 1989), and he currently works with community groups to enable the voices of the poor and oppressed to be heard through the Mississippi Human Services Agenda. Rev. Barber was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Tougaloo College in 1993. He is a constant presence during the Mississippi Legislature’s sessions as he advocates for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized in our communities.
Rev. Barber served the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. as Moderator for Alexander Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kosciusko (1990-2012) and as a member of the National Hunger Council (1991-1995) and the Mary Holmes College Board of Trustees (1986–2003). He has served Fondren Presbyterian Church as Parish Associate since 1999.
Rev. Barber and his wife, Judy, live in Belhaven and have been married 41 years. They have four children and four grandchildren.
Support Staff
Bonnie Bowley
MInistry support
Bonnie Bowley joined the Fondren staff in May 2019 as Interim Administrative Assistant. No stranger to the church office, she filled in on many occasions for more than a year when previous administrative assistants were away. An active member of Fondren Presbyterian, she serves on the Spiritual Engagement Ministry committee and volunteers on Stewpot Sundays.