About Us:

The two steeples of First Presbyterian Church rise above the quaint town of Mount Dora, Florida, nestled under giant oak trees and overlooking beautiful Lake Dora.  We are a part of Central Florida Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Officially organized by the North Florida Presbytery in May 1954 with 18 members, Dr. Charles A. Carriel served 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 450 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 beautiful chapel, large fellowship hall, spacious youth room, administrative offices, central courtyard, and renovated Sunday School classrooms.  This augments 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 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 Sunday May 16th during 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. In 2005 we opened our top rated Preschool as a mission/ministry to young families in our community. God has blessed us with a rich history, a beautiful location and church campus, and with a faithful and friendly congregation that seeks to worship and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

About Our Pastor:

Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Biery
Tom Biery began his ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora, Florida in 1986 and is now in his 28th year as pastor there. Tom was born in Ohio and grew up in Orlando, Florida and belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. His wife, Bryan, born in Washington, D.C., was reared in Cocoa Beach, Florida. They have two grown children: Bryanna, an assistant principal in New York City, and Jeffrey, a high school math teacher in Orlando, Florida.

In 1972, Tom graduated from Florida Southern College with a B.A. in Social Science.  After graduation Tom worked as a youth counselor and as an administrator with the Florida Division of Youth Services. In 1981, Tom graduated from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree. On September 20, 1981, he was ordained at The First Presbyterian Church of Daytona Beach, Florida, where he served until coming to Mount Dora. Tom is an active participant in Mount Dora and area community activities. His ministry includes services to Central Florida Presbytery where he has been a member of the Committee on Ministry, chair of the Mission & Evangelism Committee, Global Mission Committee, Presbytery Council, Executive Presbyter Search Committee and served as a delegate to the General Assembly.He recently served as Moderator of Central Florida Presbytery.  Tom has been on short-term mission trips to Nicaragua, Mexico and Mozambique, Africa.

Tom also is an avid sports fan, especially baseball, basketball and football. He enjoys hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, skiing and is an amateur photographer and drummer.
 
 
Worship & Music
Randy Frieling
Director of Music & Programs
 
Pianist Randall Frieling has performed throughout North America as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. He holds memberships in the college Music Society, American Guild of Organists, Music Teachers National Association, Association of Disciple Musicians and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. He received his undergraduate degree from Calvin College and his Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from the Indiana University School of Music. He completed his Doctorate at Ball State University.
 
Dr. Frieling has taught piano and organ for 34 years at three Indiana Universities. He served as accompanist for the summer program of the American Boy Choir School. He has performed on PBS televised broadcasts and was a featured performer on Indiana Public Radio. Frieling has made concerto appearances with orchestras in the Midwest. He is a regular accompanist for the National Youth Choir at Carnegie Hall.
 
Randall Frieling has been a Director of Music, Organist and Pianist for several Indiana churches including Central Christian Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Pendleton United Methodist Church.
 
He is the Director of Music and Worship Arts and Organist at First Presbyterian where he leads the Sanctuary Choir, Praise Team, Ensembles, Jubilate Handbell Choir, media and drama.  
 
Chancel Choir- Open to any adult who enjoys singing. The Chancel Choir meets in the sanctuary on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. (October-mid May). The Chancel Choir provides music for the majority of our worship services.
 
Ensembles- There is often opportunity to participate in vocal or instrumental ensembles. Contact me if you are interested
 
Jubilate Handbell Choir- We have three octaves of Malmark handbells. The Handbell Choir meets in the sanctuary on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. (October-April).
 
Drama and Interpretive Movement- There are opportunities for individuals to participate in a dramatic role during one of the choir musicals and other special presentations.
 
Instruments- Instrumentalists are often needed for special anthems and programs. If you play an instrument and would like to be a part of our music ministry, please let me know.
 
Praise Team Ministry- Band members and vocalists are always welcome to be a part of our team for “The Well” worship. The worship team rehearses weekly.