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:
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.
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.