First Presbyterian Church of Lexington, North Carolina was organized July 15, 1827, with two elected and ordained elders among nine members who had been meeting in a log house south of town. By 1840, increased membership built a one-room, rectangular brick building on the site of the church today. It has been enlarged and remodeled since. The only remaining part of the original structure is a portion of the north wall of the present sanctuary. The sanctuary was originally called a lecture room. The donations of a George S. Hutchings Organ, Opus 499, and a Steinway Grand Piano have added much to our music ministry and worship.

 

In early years, the church began a Sabbath School, the first in Lexington. The building now serves as offices on West Third Avenue. A manse was built behind the church and later converted to classrooms. It has since been removed, and the site is now used for an enlarged educational building, Preschool classrooms, choir rehearsal suite, fellowship hall, and kitchen. There is a basement for youth group meetings and Scout activities. A tower and narthex have replaced an earlier gallery (balcony) and choir loft originally located at the rear of the church.

 

The church has been a place for Sunday School programs, providing Christian education for all ages. The first youth meetings began as a Christian Endeavor Society often attended by the youth of other denominations. Choirs for children and adults have been a regular part of our music ministry. The church has long been involved in local and international mission work. An important Presbyterian Women’s program has been operating for many years as well as Bible study and small groups met in homes and at the church.

 

Spiritual outreach began when the church helped establish First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem in 1862. Locally, the congregation furnished ministers, teachers, and financial aid to three outposts. Two of them, Dacotah Mills Chapel and South Lexington Sunday School, united in 1936 to form Second Presbyterian Church. The third outpost grew into Meadowview Presbyterian Church in 1949, now Meadowview Presbyterian Church (PCA).

 

Outreach is evident today in that seven former members of First Presbyterian Church are now ministers. In addition to these, one member went on to become a Minister of Music, and three to become Directors of Christian Education.