In 1821 the first missionaries established "Harmony Mission", a mission to the Osage Indians. These missionaries preached in Independence where they bought some of their supplies. The church was not formally organized until 1826.  In 1839 the first Sunday School west of St. Louis was organized. The present building was erected in 1888.  In the 1970's the building was restored.  The century old structure is included in the Truman Historical District and is designated as Historical Site No. 19 in the Presbyterian Church.

This church was one of the few churches in Jackson County which did not close or divide during the Civil War.  The church is mentioned in the memoirs of President Harry S. Truman as the Church he and Bess Wallace Truman attended for many years.  A childhood picture of them hangs in the classroom where they studied.  The Truman pew in the National Presbyterian Church of Washington, D.C. was provided by First Church.  The public funeral services for President and Mrs. Truman were conducted by the Pastors.

Tours are available each Sunday after church.  Meet the tour guide by the communion table.

The three large Reformation churches, namely, the Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Protestant Episcopal, had their beginnings in apostolic times, but separated from the Roman church in the sixteenth century when the latter refused to deal with abuses which had crept into the organization during the Middle Ages.  The Greek word "presbuteros," meaning "elder," which is used 72 times in the New Testament, provided the name for the Presbyterian Church.

The Presbyterian family of Churches includes the Reformed Churches of the world, the term "Reformed" referring primarily to their theology.  In Europe the name "Reformed" is generally used instead of "Presbyterian" to designate Churches of the Calvinistic tradition.  Representation by elders (laymen), its government distinguishes the Presbyterian Church from other forms of church government.

First Presbyterian Church is a member of the Heartland Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  The Presbyterian Church is a connectional church - the local level is the Session, which is the ruling body.  The Deacons care for the needy and Trustees are responsible for the property.

The area level is the Presbytery.  The Synod is the State level, and the General Assembly is the national body.  First Presbyterian Church is a member of the Independence Ministerial Alliance.

 The First Presbyterian Church shares in missions in other parts of the world and at home through the denomination.  Gifts from the budget and Trust Fund are used for mission.  We participate in "Volunteers in Mission", a service program for short term needs in the mission field. Caravans are offered each year to all parts of North America visiting various missions. There are two caravans each year.