About Us:

The two steeples of First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora rise above the quaint town of Mount Dora, nestled under giant oak trees at the northeastern edge of Lake Dora in Central Florida. We are a member church in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. denomination in Central Florida Presbytery.

Worship at this site has been consistent since February, 1954; officially organized by the North Florida Presbytery in May 1954 with 18 members and Dr. Charles A. Carriel as our first pastor. Rev. Kenneth W. Book pastored between 1962 through his retirement in 1984. We have steadily grown through three pastorates to approximately 420 members today. Our current pastor, Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Biery came to us in 1986.

In 2003 we completed a $1.7 million campus expansion adding a chapel, fellowship hall, administrative offices all surrounding a central courtyard, and renovated Sunday School classrooms now augmenting our beautiful Sanctuary, which was renovated in 2000. Groundbreaking was held in September 2001 and we moved into our new facilities in October 2002. The Dedication Worship Service took place on on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2003.

We reached our Golden Anniversary in 2004 and celebrated with a Founder's Day Homecoming and 50th Anniversary Celebration. On May 16th, 1954 , the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora was officially organized by the North Florida Presbytery, under the leadership of founding pastor, Dr. C. A. Carriel. Meeting in temporary quarters at The Donnelly House Masonic Hall, 18 active members and 8 associate members became “charter members” of our church. To celebrate this official chartering, we planned two special events. Saturday, May 15th our Annual Cookout—Corn Boil was expanded to a “Founder’s Day Homecoming” which included entertainment and a short program honoring our church pioneers. On Sunday May 16th during the 11:00 a.m. 50th Anniversary Worship Service, we remembered and celebrated those people and events which began our journey as First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora. Other activities included an historic display of church items at the W. T. Bland Public Library, and the sale of commemorative items at the church and the Founder’s Day Cookout.