Paul J. Hoffman

First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana, has fashioned a long and rich history since it was chartered on July 3, 1824, by circuit rider John M. Dickey, with 17 members in attendance. Its first elder was a wounded Revolutionary War veteran. The Rev. Ninian S. Dickey, son of John M. Dickey, and the church's minister from 1853-1870, was a close friend of author Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote the book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Rev. William R. Laws Jr. was elected moderator at the 1970 General Assembly, attaining the highest elected position within the Presbyterian Church.But what really makes this congregation special is the good its done, and continues to do, in the community.First Presbyterian Church, or its members of their own volition, have started many programs for the community's common good.In 1913, the Rev. Alexander Sharp Sr. helped organize the first Boy Scout troop in Columbus.Harold W. Turpin, pastor here in the 1940s, organized the first chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous in Columbus, The church opened the first preschool in town in 1954.In the 1960s, a childcare center was opened in the church that eventually became Children Inc.In 1972, the church helped start Y-Med, a program that allowed young mothers and mothers-to-be finish their education, giving both meeting space and financial assistance. The Rev. Warner Bailey was the guiding force in the establishment of a shelter for battered and abused women. Organized in June 1979, it is now known as Turning Point.Presbyterians were instrumental in starting the first homeless shelter in Columbus. A group from First Presbyterian that had renovated a home for an elderly widow sparked the formation of Housing Partnerships Inc. in 1990 with other churches. HPI is now doing business as Thrive Alliance.Hot Meals, offering food and fellowship for anyone in the community, has been conducted here each Friday evening since 1993.First Presbyterian member Juana Watson was the first director of Su Casa, a Hispanic resource center that opened in 1999. First Presbyterian covered much of startup costs.There are more.The how and why these events came about, as well as what impact they've had on the community, are detailed in this book.

First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana, has fashioned a long and rich history since it was chartered on July 3, 1824, by circuit rider John M. Dickey, with 17 members in attendance. But what really makes this congregation special is the good its done, and continues to do, in the community.First Presbyterian Church, or its members of their own volition, have started many programs for the community's common good.In 1913, the Rev. Alexander Sharp Sr. helped organize the first Boy Scout troop in Columbus.Harold W. Turpin, pastor here in the 1940s, organized the first chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous in Columbus, The church opened the first preschool in town in 1954.In the 1960s, a childcare center was opened in the church that eventually became Children Inc.In 1972, the church helped start Y-Med, a program that allowed young mothers and mothers-to-be finish their education, giving both meeting space and financial assistance. The Rev. Warner Bailey was the guiding force in the establishment of a shelter for battered and abused women. Organized in June 1979, it is now known as Turning Point.Presbyterians were instrumental in starting the first homeless shelter in Columbus. A group from First Presbyterian that had renovated a home for an elderly widow sparked the formation of Housing Partnerships Inc. in 1990 with other churches. HPI is now doing business as Thrive Alliance.Hot Meals, offering food and fellowship for anyone in the community, has been conducted here each Friday evening since 1993.First Presbyterian member Juana Watson was the first director of Su Casa, a Hispanic resource center that opened in 1999. First Presbyterian covered much of startup costs.There are more.The how and why these events came about, as well as what impact they've had on the community, are detailed in this book.But we don't only want to look back; we also want this book to inspire efforts we are still undertaking to build our legacy. With that in mind we hope you get a sense of not only where we've been, but also where we are now and where we plan to go from here. Those plans include continuing to advocate for and serve the same people Jesus spent so much of his ministry serving ... those on the fringes of society. "The son of man did not come to be served but to serve." - Mark 10:45.

No Matter What, I Love You, author Kimberly S. Hoffman's ninth book, explores questions children sometimes have, but don't always voice. The main question this book centers on is, "Will you still love me if I'm different?"The story allows parents to express their unconditional love to their child through a gentle, rhyming story. Though this story centers around affirming love to children, it also allows adults examine themselves, learn, and expand their hearts to love unconditionally. This sweet exchange between a mother and her child allows children to feel the bond and affirmation they need from their parents.

My first word wasn't "Mama," like most mothers wish. What came out of my mouth wasn't "Dada," but "FISH." Sam loves to fish He spends his days on the lake fishing for perch with his Gramps. But when Gramps tells a tall tale about the day he hooked and lost a seven-pound perch, Sam is determined to catch the monster fish. With Gramps' lucky hat and his faithful dog Jock, Sam begins his search for the world-record perch. Sam and the Seven-Pound Perch is a delightful, humorous, and inspiring story about determination, family, friendship, and doing the right thing. Readers young or old, angler or landlubber, will be surprised and amused by Sam's inventive solution in his quest for the seven-pound perch.

My first word wasn't "Mama," like most mothers wish. What came out of my mouth wasn't "Dada," but "FISH." Sam loves to fish He spends his days on the lake fishing for perch with his Gramps. But when Gramps tells a tall tale about the day he hooked and lost a seven-pound perch, Sam is determined to catch the monster fish. With Gramps' lucky hat and his faithful dog Jock, Sam begins his search for the world-record perch. Sam and the Seven-Pound Perch is a delightful, humorous, and inspiring story about determination, family, friendship, and doing the right thing. Readers young or old, angler or landlubber, will be surprised and amused by Sam's inventive solution in his quest for the seven-pound perch.

Every city has its secrets and Columbus, Indiana is no exception. Sit back and enjoy the murder and mayhem Dubbed the Athens of the Prairie for its array of stunning modern architecture and abundance of public art, Columbus still endured its share of unsavory citizens, crime-ridden neighborhoods and tales of woe. Many residents avoided the infamous slums of Smoky Row and Death Valley, while others gave in to the allure of Lillian Todie Tull's famed house of ill repute on North Jackson Street. Two different father-and-son hoodlum partnerships, the McKinneys and the Bells, terrorized the area in the 1800s. And a brutal fistfight between a newspaper editor and the mayor sparked a scandal in 1877. Join author, journalist, and historian Paul J. Hoffman as he takes you on a wild ride through the salacious side of Columbus. A must-read for fans of true crime and Indiana history.

Dubbed the "Athens of the Prairie" for its array of stunning modern architecture, Columbus still endured its share of unsavory citizens, crime-ridden neighborhoods and tales of woe. Many residents avoided the infamous slums of Smoky Row and Death Valley, while others gave in to the allure of Lillian "Todie" Tull's famed house of ill repute on North Jackson Street. Two different father-and-son hoodlum partnerships, the McKinneys and the Bells, terrorized the area in the 1800s. And a brutal fistfight between a newspaper editor and the mayor sparked a scandal in 1877. Author Paul J. Hoffman guides the reader on a wild ride through the city's salacious side.