The First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac is a cherished landmark, standing as the oldest church building in Cadillac still actively used for worship. Its roots trace back to the early lumbering days of Clam Lake—now Cadillac—when Presbyterian evangelist John Redpath preached his first sermon in September 1872, speaking from a pine stump outside the Mason House on Lake Street. By November of that year, the First Presbyterian Society of Clam Lake was formally organized. Early records list the first congregation members, including Mrs. Francis Bennet, Mrs. Caroline Cavanaugh, James Dancer, Jane Ferguson, and others.

In 1874, a frame church was completed on the current site, land generously set aside by Cadillac’s founder, George Mitchell. Tragically, that original structure burned in 1903. The present church building, constructed between 1904 and 1906, rose in its place at the corner of Harris and Simon Streets, costing approximately $20,000. The original structure ended at the sanctuary’s north wall until the education annex was added in the 1950s.

The church’s character endures through its original pews, which have been lovingly refinished over the years. A significant remodel in 1965 saw the installation of the current pipe organ, purchased from the Moller Organ Company in Baltimore. The seats in the alcoves and balcony were acquired in 1905 from the Congregational Church for just 75 cents each. The church bell, still rung each Sunday, dates back to 1877 and was salvaged from the ruins of the original building after the fire. It continues to call worshippers together from its place in the current tower, echoing the faith and resilience of generations past.