A Brief History of FPCMA
As early as 1848, a small number of Presbyterians living in Mount Airy made attempts to organize a church in this small foothills village. After several attempts to form a church, it was not until June 6, 1858 that First Presbyterian became the second church to be organized in Mount Airy.
There were seven charter members of the new church. The group met in schools and the Methodist church until enough funds were donated to start a church building in the winter of 1872. It was completed in the spring of 1873 on a lot donated by Robert S. Gilmer, where the church now stands. The funds had been raised earlier, but construction was delayed by the Civil War and Reconstruction. Mr. Gilmer, one of the founders, served as the only elder of the church for 14 years after the organization of the church. In 1902, Mount Airy Presbyterian Church helped organize a mission Sunday School in Flat Rock that grew into Flat Rock Presbyterian Church.
The original church building was a plain frame building. To early members, the church was a wonderful sight with its flowered carpets, pine ceiling, ruffled curtains and horsehair pulpit furniture. The pews were straight, uncomfortable and unattractive. A church bell was hung in the corner of the church in 1878 and a bell tower was added to the front of the church in 1887.
The granite church that stands today was started in 1907 and completed in 1914.
First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy has always been the recipient of gifts from members of the church, sufficient to meet the needs of the congregation.
For over 150 years, First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy has been a witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ in Mount Airy and the larger world. We continue to trust God to guide us in the years and decades ahead.
There were seven charter members of the new church. The group met in schools and the Methodist church until enough funds were donated to start a church building in the winter of 1872. It was completed in the spring of 1873 on a lot donated by Robert S. Gilmer, where the church now stands. The funds had been raised earlier, but construction was delayed by the Civil War and Reconstruction. Mr. Gilmer, one of the founders, served as the only elder of the church for 14 years after the organization of the church. In 1902, Mount Airy Presbyterian Church helped organize a mission Sunday School in Flat Rock that grew into Flat Rock Presbyterian Church.
The original church building was a plain frame building. To early members, the church was a wonderful sight with its flowered carpets, pine ceiling, ruffled curtains and horsehair pulpit furniture. The pews were straight, uncomfortable and unattractive. A church bell was hung in the corner of the church in 1878 and a bell tower was added to the front of the church in 1887.
The granite church that stands today was started in 1907 and completed in 1914.
First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy has always been the recipient of gifts from members of the church, sufficient to meet the needs of the congregation.
- The Robert S. Gilmer family, four of the charter members of the church, donated the land for the first building.
- The church bell was donated and originally hung in Mrs. Gilmer’s stable near the church.
- The first communion service was given by Lizzie A Gilmer. Part of this service, the baptismal font, continues to be in use today.
- Women of the church held suppers to raise money for the foundation and roof of the granite building in 1907.
- The current pews were donated by Mrs. R. J. Reynolds.
- The communion table was donated by Mrs. W. E. Merritt.
- The Celtic Cross was donated in 1968 in honor of C. B. Naylor.
- In 1951 the church dedicated a new educational addition and in 1990, a new fellowship hall and Sunday school addition was added.
- The Koinonia Room (in the original New Testament Greek meaning “fellowship”) was renovated in 1997-98, next to the sanctuary and almost doubled the worship area. New stained glass windows in the Koinonia Room and the hallway were added to beautify the worship area.
- In 2013, the Columbarium was added and the court yard renovated.
For over 150 years, First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy has been a witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ in Mount Airy and the larger world. We continue to trust God to guide us in the years and decades ahead.
Ministers of the Church
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William N. Mebane
Charles M. Payne John Monroe Anderson Benjamin Watkins Smith Egbert Watson Smith W. C. Alexander J. Earnest Thacker Benjamin Watkins Smith John A. Gilmer Tipton Clinton Bales Zebulon Vance Roberson James C. Grier J. N. McFall James B. Ficklin, III Davis S. McCarthy Thomas B. Bagnal, Jr. Paul Austin Layton David C. Kennedy Paul N. Ridolfi Robert C. Bruce Stephen B. Lindsley Griff Gatewood |
1848-1858
1872-1873 1876 1881-1882 1887-1890 1892-1894 1897 1902-1906 1907-1913 1914-1918 1919-1923 1925-1927 1928-1938 1938-1948 1947-1965 1966-1970 1971-1977 1977-1982 1983-1998 2000-2001 2003-2013 2015-2022 |
Zebulon Vance Roberson
(1919 - 1923)
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Thomas B. Bagnal, Jr.
(1966-1970)
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