History of First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church of Kernersville, NC can trace its roots back to 1888 when local Presbyterians organized a church using the Moravian Church for its meetings.  At some unknown time, the group stopped meeting and never had built a church. In 1960, with the urging of Margaret Burks, a member of the Board of Aldermen in Kernersville, Bill East, a local reporter, and member of a Winston Salem Presbyterian Church notified the Winston-Salem Presbytery (later to be known as Salem Presbytery) that a church building was available in Kernersville and that Presbyterians and others in the area desired a Presbyterian Church in Kernersville.

In 1960 Presbytery sent the Rev. Sam L. McKay to organize the formation of a Presbyterian Church in Kernersville, NC.  On February 5, 1961, the Presbytery Commission met at 611 Oakhurst Street and officially organized First Presbyterian Church of Kernersville, NC with 35 charter members. The building, formerly owned by what is today Main Street Baptist Church, at 611 Oakhurst Street was now the home of Kernersville Presbyterians. This building remains and is currently used as an educational building.

A new sanctuary was built in the early 1970’s and was dedicated on October 15, 1972.  This new sanctuary was a multi-purpose room where meals could be served from the kitchen located at the back of the sanctuary. Stackable chairs and tables were kept nearby for this purpose and the building was used by the community during the week to serve meals to the needy.

The Fellowship Hall was dedicated in September 1990. This Fellowship Hall is a multi-purpose building which is used by community groups as well as the church. Because of its size, it was once designated as the Kernersville Area Community Shelter in the event of a disaster.

In January 2000, the sanctuary was renovated. A new organ was dedicated on February 12, 2006 through the generosity of the church members. A picnic shelter was built behind the church and dedicated in September of 2008. A Blessing Box to provide nonperishable foods to the community was placed near the front of the church and dedicated on June 3, 2018.

First Presbyterian Church is best known for its generosity, and aid to those in need. Each Fall a Holiday Market is held to raise funds to provide Christmas gifts for needy families in the area. The Holiday Market is a one-day sale of crafts, baked goods, and other items made by members and friends of the church. A Veteran’s Breakfast is held each year to honor our Veterans. Each Spring during Lent, church members and volunteers from the community make and sell chocolate-covered Easter Eggs to provide funds to ten or more nonprofit groups in the community.

This is a community you can call “Home”.  Our church family and friends actively care for one another. We are devoted to Christ and to each other through prayer and simple acts of kindness and love. First Presbyterian is also a church of mission and outreach. We believe that we are called to serve the people of Kernersville.

We invite you to visit us and be part of a church that seeks to love, worship and grow in Christ.”

By: Ellen Watts, June 2025