Hickory Street Presbyterian Church was founded on January 28, 1856 as the German Presbyterian Church. In 1931 the name was changed to Hickory Street Presbyterian, and in the early 1960s it was given its third name, Hickory Street United Presbyterian Church. Eleven men have served as pastors, four of whom (Nordt, Hahn, Maurer, and Collins) served for a combined 104 years. It is a church of long pastorates, the longest being that of the Reverend William Henry Maurer from 1948 to 1978 when he literally died in the pulpit on June 4. The last German sermon was preached by the Reverend Dr. Theodore Hahn in 1941, and only one pastor, our current one, has been of non-Germanic stock.

The German influence plays absolutely no role in our present ministry and witness. More than 60% of the congregation has joined in the last 25 years. Many of those members came to us through the merger with Petersburg Presbyterian Church in 1994. Others have been attracted to our church family through a vibrant ministry to children and youth, our worship experience, and the enjoyment of each other and God as we serve him and share his gifts.

Eighteen elders join our pastor on Session, the governing body of any Presbyterian church. Twelve deacons watch over the special needs of those in and outside our congregation. Our Pastor, Director of Christian Education, and Minister of Music have worked at Hickory Street for a combined 83 years, a testament to the love and care the congregation has extended the staff.

It has been a long-standing tradition at Hickory Street to make available to the community all our ministries without charge or without specific charges. Everyone is welcome to join us for fellowship and Christian servanthood. We delight in sharing God with others.