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Charlotte's Founding Presbyterian Churches

History of Rocky River Presbyterian Church

The Rocky River Presbyterian Church was first established in 1751 in the home of William White. The site of the original log structured church is located within Phar Mill Park. Subsequent buildings were erected in 1776, 1807, and 1867, with the present day church housed in the final construction. A small cemetery is located on the grounds dating back to 1814.

Find more information on the Rocky River Presbyterian Church on their website: https://rockyriver.org/home

A Historical Sketch of Rocky River Church from 1775-1875 by Rev. Jos. B. Mack, D.D. (1913)

Records at Columbia Theological Seminary

Rocky River Presbyterian Church (Concord, N.C.) records. 1835-1870

Rocky River Presbyterian Church (Concord, N.C.) records. 1833-1991

  • Session minutes and registers (1835-1901) with updates to the register through 1991; Sunday School library record book (1833); historical sketch of the church published in 1913; transcriptions of the church cemetery, 1939 with updates and one copy of Historic Rocky River Church buildings and burying grounds . . .; numerous church directories, 1959-1989; miscellaneous documents, transcriptions of land records; several pamphlets, bulletin, postcards, ca. 1940s-1970

Rocky River Presbyterian Church (Concord, N.C.) records. 1940s-1950s

  • Photographs of church building, elders, ministers, plaques

Rocky River Presbyterian Church (Concord, N.C.) newsletters. 1994-2006

Rocky River Presbyterian Church (Concord, N.C.) history. 1941-1998

  • History includes the years 1941, 1944, 1957, 1969-1992, 1995-1998. This is part of the Presbyterian Women History collection. circa 1930-present

Rocky River Presbyterian Church (Concord, N.C.) minutes and registers. 1751-1985

  • Session minutes (1835-1953), records of the Women of the Church (1876-1984) and the Men of the Church (1947-1984), Sunday school minutes (1832-1984), records pertaining to the Boy Scout Troop (1948-1984) and the Girl Scouts (1966-1967), registers containing membership rolls (circa 1751-1981), and a church register including chronological roll updates through 1985, baptisms (1827-1985), marriages (1752-1985), and deaths (1760-1984). Register of Vol. II including lists of "servants".

James Morton Wharey papers. 1881-1893

  • The collection consists of volumes five and six of a "Sermon Register," 1881-1893, which lists the dates and biblical texts used by Wharey while pastor of Rocky River Presbyterian Church (Concord, N.C.); and a "Pastor's Diary and Clerical Record, 1885," containing brief daily notes from February to September, 1885.