Sanctuary
First Presbyterian Church was organized on Sunday, January 21, 1816, in the Old North Carolina State House on Capitol Square. Construction of the first brick church in Raleigh began on July 4, 1816, and was completed in February 1818. The cost of the building was $17,000, raised from the sale of sanctuary pews. The first sanctuary was by far the largest in all of Orange Presbytery, and was the largest and finest meeting place in the City of Raleigh.
During the antebellum period, almost all public, governmental or political meetings which required a large assembly room were held at First Presbyterian, and the bell in the church’s tower was used as a fire alarm to call volunteers to fight fires, a frequent occurrence in 19th century Raleigh.
During the antebellum period, almost all public, governmental or political meetings which required a large assembly room were held at First Presbyterian, and the bell in the church’s tower was used as a fire alarm to call volunteers to fight fires, a frequent occurrence in 19th century Raleigh.
The original structure was used for 80 years until it was razed to make room for the present sanctuary, which was completed about 1900.
In 1956, during the pastorate of Dr. James Sprunt, the sanctuary was remodeled in its present style with a remodeling of the Chancel.
In 2012, work was completed on tearing down the old Education Building and replacing it with the current Edge Building and the present sanctuary, restoring it to its original 1899 features.
In 1956, during the pastorate of Dr. James Sprunt, the sanctuary was remodeled in its present style with a remodeling of the Chancel.
In 2012, work was completed on tearing down the old Education Building and replacing it with the current Edge Building and the present sanctuary, restoring it to its original 1899 features.
Columbarium
First Presbyterian Church is pleased to offer members and their families a beautiful, dignified final resting place. The Garden was established in 2001 as a memorial to the Harden family and is maintained by the church. The Columbarium consists of an attractive brick wall with inset niches that contain up to two urns. Each niche is covered with a granite plaque engraved with up to two names, date(s) of birth, and date(s) of death.
The Columbarium is constructed as a part of the garden wall adjacent to the church parking lot, a location that serves as a reminder of one's association with the church in Raleigh and church triumphant. Together, the garden and Columbarium provide a convenient, serene place for reflection and remembrance of those memorialized. The garden is open for visitation on Sunday from 8 am through 12 pm. Additionally, surviving family are given a key to the garden so that they may visit at their convenience.
Columbarium policies, care of the garden, and stewardship of its endowed funds is the responsibility of governing body elected b the Session of First Presbyterian Church.
The Columbarium is constructed as a part of the garden wall adjacent to the church parking lot, a location that serves as a reminder of one's association with the church in Raleigh and church triumphant. Together, the garden and Columbarium provide a convenient, serene place for reflection and remembrance of those memorialized. The garden is open for visitation on Sunday from 8 am through 12 pm. Additionally, surviving family are given a key to the garden so that they may visit at their convenience.
Columbarium policies, care of the garden, and stewardship of its endowed funds is the responsibility of governing body elected b the Session of First Presbyterian Church.
Funds from the original memorial gift and from purchase of niches are managed in a manner to assure perpetual care. Funds are invested and disbursed separately from other church funds.
The choice of a final resting place is a very personal one. For those considering cremation, the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium offers an alternative to traditional burial. Although a niche may be purchased at time of need, advance purchase can be done as one aspect of end-of-life planning, relieving survivors of the need to make a difficult decision at a stressful time.
Current information about Columbarium inurnment eligibility, policies, niche availability, and costs is available from the Church Administrator, Gail Barrett. Fill out the Contact Card below to request information.
The choice of a final resting place is a very personal one. For those considering cremation, the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium offers an alternative to traditional burial. Although a niche may be purchased at time of need, advance purchase can be done as one aspect of end-of-life planning, relieving survivors of the need to make a difficult decision at a stressful time.
Current information about Columbarium inurnment eligibility, policies, niche availability, and costs is available from the Church Administrator, Gail Barrett. Fill out the Contact Card below to request information.
Memorial Hall
In 1968, First Presbyterian Church purchased the Layfield Property and in 1982 FPC purchased the Cox Property, both of which were on Salisbury Street. These two properties would later become the site on which the current Memorial Hall-FPC's fellowship hall was built. In 1987, both the Layfield and Cox properties were torn down for the construction of Memorial Hall. Considerable discussion was given to the various used for the new fellowship hall which included women and men of the church meetings, Christmas dinners, Wednesday breakfast and luncheons, Sunday School Class dinners, plays, pageants, an area for games, dances, receptions, and rehearsals.
In 2012, the Edge Building and the Sanctuary underwent major construction and renovations. During that time, Sunday worship was held in Memorial Hall.
Today, Memorial Hall is used for many different activities; some of the original are still in use as well as new activities that have made their way into FPC. Circle meetings, receptions, meals, Sunday evening activities for the children and youth, congregational meals, the youth variety show, graduation ceremonies for the children in the Child Development center and much more all take place in Memorial Hall.
Today, Memorial Hall is used for many different activities; some of the original are still in use as well as new activities that have made their way into FPC. Circle meetings, receptions, meals, Sunday evening activities for the children and youth, congregational meals, the youth variety show, graduation ceremonies for the children in the Child Development center and much more all take place in Memorial Hall.
Library
The Kate C. Sprunt Memorial Library is a service program of the First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, North Carolina. The library was established in 1952 as a memorial to Kate C. Sprunt, wife of Dr. James Sprunt, Pastor of First Presbyterian by the Session. Its purpose is to provide books for children, teens, and adults with emphasis on Bible study, Christian family life, youth guidance, church history and doctrine. The collection of 6,000+ books includes religious references, Bible study guides, natural science, philosophy, health, geography, travel, fiction, other religions, and poetry. The library has an extensive North Carolina collection and a children’s section which is used for Children’s Church.
The library supports the FPC Oral History Project. This project interviews church members about their experiences at First Presbyterian Church and includes interviews with past pastors, church officers, Sunday School leaders, choir members, mission volunteers, and involved church members. Completed interviews include: first women deacons and elders; Presbyterian Women; Kate C. Sprunt Library; Bettie Penick, Four Square, Koinonia, and Phoenix Sunday School Classes; Outreach; Bolivian and New Orleans Missions; William A. Withers Archives and FPC Chancel Choir. Interviews can be checked out in the library.
Stock Building
The Albert Edwards Family Life Center.
When Dr. Edwards came to First Presbyterian in January, 1958, it was the beginning of a new era in the ministry of this downtown church. Under the leadership of the young and able Scotsman, the Church would double its membership over the next 28 years. It was a time of great spiritual enrichment. He belonged not only to his congregation but to the entire community as well. To celebrate his life, the new downtown center would be named in his honor.
When Dr. Edwards came to First Presbyterian in January, 1958, it was the beginning of a new era in the ministry of this downtown church. Under the leadership of the young and able Scotsman, the Church would double its membership over the next 28 years. It was a time of great spiritual enrichment. He belonged not only to his congregation but to the entire community as well. To celebrate his life, the new downtown center would be named in his honor.
Our Family Life Center ministers to the whole person-spiritually and physically in the name of Christ, from the oldest to the youngest individual. This occurs through such diverse activities as basketball games for young people and recreation for our children during Sunday Evening programming. It is home to our Outreach Program that serves the people of Wake County and houses several of our Mission Partners. It also serves a space for our children and Youth Sunday School as well as space for our Child Development Center.