Welcome to the First Presbyterian Church, Ruidoso, New Mexico!  We’re accustomed to visitors, being in the Sacramento Mountains, with Ski Apache for winter enthusiasts and cool mountain temperatures for summer guests.   Like all of our visitors, you are most welcome 

Our church was founded in 1948 (this picture was taken in 1960).  We recently have experienced a growth surge, which has caused us to remodel and enlarge our church facility.  If you visit the church today, you will find modern offices, stately Southwestern architecture, and a tranquil

setting as we occupy five acres with a peaceful view of the grand and lovely peak of Sierra Blanca Mountain.  

We are a part of the Presbyterian Church, USA.   We are in the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca which is a part of the Synod of the Southwest .  You will find many interesting links on the Presbytery web site (just click on the chili buttons!)

Our church has 150 members.  In the summer time, our attendance increases about 40% with the influx of tourists and summer residents.  So, from Memorial Day weekend the end of May through Labor Day Weekend in September, we have two worship services, one at 8:30 a.m. and one at 11:00 a.m.    In the winter months, we have one worship service at 11:00 a.m.    We have Sunday School for all ages beginning at 9:45 a.m.    A nursery attendant is on duty from 9:45 – 12 noon.We have a very talented congregation.  Our choir has several professional singers, as well as those who sing for fun and praise.  We have two professional guitar players, a flutist, a violinist, and equally as many gifted and appreciative congregants.  Our choir worships with us each Sunday, and offers either a Christmas or Easter cantata….this year the Christmas cantata will be on December 9 at the 11:00 a.m. service.  Click this link for a look at our choir, director, and accompanist.

Our pastor is Rev. Cathy E. Caudle (shown here in the middle).  Cathy graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological seminary in Austin, Texas, with a Master’s of Divinity in 1991.   From 1991 – 1999 Cathy was solo pastor for the Brady Presbyterian Church, Brady, Texas.   Cathy came on board at Ruidoso in October 1999.   Since that time the church has undertaken and competed a major expansion project.     Cathy was elected vice moderator for 2002 of the presbytery, serves as the clerk of the presbytery permanent judicial commission, serves on the board of Camp Chimney Spring and is former chair of the presbytery faith development division.

The church is governed by a 12 member Session . For more information on our Session, please click the following link.  We function by committees. Each committee is chaired by an elder on the Session.   Our committees are Outreach, Worship, Property, Congregational Life, Christian Education, Personnel, Nominating (at right) and Stewardship.  For more information about our committees, please click the following link .

We are a praying church.  We have a prayer chain, and each Tuesday morning the lectionary Bible study class remembers needs and concerns in prayer.    We also have a Shepherd Program, where designated members are called upon to communicate needs to the congregation in case of an emergency or death in the church.

We are a studying church.  We offer church officer training for the Presbytery in conjunction with neighboring Presbyterian churches.   We have Sunday School, Tuesday morning Bible study, and we often have a night Bible study class taught by church members. 

We recently organized a Presbyterian Women’s group.   More than a dozen women gathered to organize this group, which also will participate in the church-wide Horizon’s Bible Study.   This group is known in our denomination for its ministry of support and mission.

Our Presbyterian Men do a lot of handiwork around the church (see communion table).  When they’re not working hard, they gather twice a month for breakfast and prayer at Cree Meadows Country Club.

We reach out to nurture and teach our children (we put them to work laying sod for the new lawn at the church).   We have Sunday School for all ages, and we have a youth choir led by our choir director.   Youth in the church participate in youth rallies held by other denominations, and also are active in Presbytery youth events.

We reach out to our community and beyond, participating in various community efforts to help the less fortunate.  We offer sack lunches to the many transients who come by just looking for a bite to eat and a place to rest.   We also offer assistance to these and other people in conjunction with the Lincoln County Ministerial Alliance.

The church is involved in many special programs (We like to lay sod. It is good for the heart and soul.).   We provide a room for the Head Start English class for adults.  We have adopted the next-door Nob Hill pre-k and elementary school as a mission project, providing Thanksgiving and Christmas care packages and also providing volunteer readers to read to children in classes.   We are a member of the Lincoln County Ministerial Alliance, and support the Christian Services, which are a part of the ministry of Gateway Church of Christ.  

We are glad you came to our web page.  If we can provide you more information, please call the church office at (505) 257-2220.    Or join us for worship or for conversation at the church, located at 101 Sutton Drive, Ruidoso (next to the Lincoln County Medical Center, very near the intersection of highway 48 and highway 70).