The history of the Presbyterian Church in Sikeston begins on July 10, 1870, when Rev. William B. Wilkie, acting under a commission form the Presbytery of Potosi, organized a Presbyterian church here. 

The Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church has experienced sixty years of existence as a congregation in Sikeston despite a shaky beginning.  The attempt to establish a Presbyterian Church in Sikeston, as well as another attempt in 1895, did not materialize. 

The "Presbyterians" did not give up and a congregation was established in 1924. 

The first meetings were held at the Odd Fellows Hall and was rented for $1.00 each Sunday.  In January of 1925, plans were considered for erecting a church building on a lot located at the corner of East and Matthews Streets.  They broke groun on May 15, 1925 and the church was constructed with the same design as the Presbyterian Church of New Madrid.

The congregation experienced continual growth and became an integral part of the religious community of Sikeston. 

In 1950, the membership reached 137.  Plans were again considered for relocating.  In November 1953, an agreement was signed to accept a building site in Hunter Acres with ground breakingon October 1955 and the cornerstone laid in April 1956.  In recognition of the grant of land, the congregation petitioned the presbytery to rename the church as The Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church.  The membership was now 209. 

On the church grounds of the church, there is a very small, very old cemetery surrounded by an iron picket fence and shaded by trees almost as old as the cemetery itself.  There is a large white grave marker in the center of the cemetery engraved, "Joseph Hunter" born May 1760, and died at the age of 63."   Beside the grave marker is a brong plaque that says simply, "hero of the American Revolutionary War." 

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church, thanks is given to God for the opportunity we have had to serve Him.  And our prayer is that we will be given many more years so that (to paraphrase Paul) "He who began a good work in you will brin it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."  (Phillippians 1:6)