News Updates
Spring Meeting: 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek
Our Spring 2026 Meeting has been moved to February 27-28 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Moore’s Creek, the first Revolutionary battle in North Carolina and the South! Join us in Wilmington for a weekend of history, fellowship, and Scottish heritage.
Battle of Moores Creek - 250th Anniversary
On February 27, 1776, patriot militias led by Richard Caswell and Alexander Lillington defeated 1600 Highland Scots and loyalists at Moore’s Creek Bridge. The planks were removed and the girders greased - the loyalist charge with broadswords met quick disaster. This battle permanently ended Royal authority in North Carolina and paved the way for the Halifax Resolves.
Fall Meeting: Hopewell Presbyterian Church and the Revolution
Join us Saturday, October 11, 2025 at historic Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville for our Fall Meeting! Hopewell’s origins date to circa 1750 when Presbyterian missionary John Thompson first preached south of the Yadkin River. The church we’ll visit was built in 1831 during the prosperity brought by cotton cultivation and still serves as the core of the church property today.
Presbyterians Bring the American Revolution to Charlotte
The meeting will feature two Revolutionary War reenactors who will bring history to life:
Spring Tour: Scots-Irish Presbyterians Flood the Yadkin Valley
Our Spring 2025 Tour will explore the remarkable Scots-Irish Presbyterian settlement of the Yadkin Valley! Join us April 25-26 in Statesville for a two-day journey through Iredell and Rowan Counties.
The Great Wagon Road Journey
The Great Wagon Road from Philadelphia to Georgia stretched 700 miles. Families in Conestoga wagons traveled about five miles per day - the 400-mile journey to the Yadkin Valley took about 80 days with good luck! Ulster Scots, Quakers, Germans, and Moravians poured into the valley in the 1750s. Wherever Presbyterians settled, plans for a church would shortly follow, and when a good minister arrived, talk of a school or academy began.
Fall Meeting: Buffalo Presbyterian Church and David Caldwell
The Society returns to Greensboro for our Fall Meeting on Saturday, October 12, 2024! We’ll begin with registration at the Greensboro History Museum, the former home of First Presbyterian Church, which offers a fascinating look into the Gate City’s rich history.
Buffalo Presbyterian Church
Founded in 1756 - before the founding of Greensboro, North Carolina, and the United States - Buffalo Presbyterian Church has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly 270 years. The church’s first minister was the remarkable David Caldwell, who served for 55 years.
Fall Meeting at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church
Our Fall Meeting on Saturday, October 14, 2023 will be held at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, a congregation with a remarkable history of service and progressive witness.
A Church Born to Serve NC State
West Raleigh was chartered in May 1927 to serve over 200 students and about 40 professors at NC State College. The majority of the first 60+ members came from First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh. Two visionaries were the beloved English professor Dr. T.P. Harrison and long-time Dean of Students E.L. Cloyd.
Spring Tour: Exploring Presbyterian Heritage in Montreat and Asheville
We’re excited about our Spring 2023 two-day tour on April 14-15 to Montreat and Asheville!
Presbyterian Heritage Center at Montreat
The tour begins with an in-depth visit to the Presbyterian Heritage Center at Montreat. This remarkable facility occupies the purpose-built archives building constructed for the Historical Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. When reunion threatened closure and transfer of records to Philadelphia or Decatur, our society and many others fought to maintain a center for Presbyterian history at Montreat Conference Center.
Fall Meeting: Presbyterians and the First State University
Join us Saturday, October 8, 2022 at historic Hillsborough Presbyterian Church for our Fall Meeting! The church building itself is a contender for the oldest continually used church in North Carolina, built in 1814 and organized as a Presbyterian congregation in 1816.
The Presbyterian Drive for Higher Education in North Carolina
In 1789, North Carolina became the first state to authorize a public university funded by the state. Students arrived in 1795, and UNC was the only state university to grant degrees in the eighteenth century. But the pressure for a university began before the Revolution - and came largely from Presbyterian leaders.
Spring 2022 Meeting Announcement
The Winter 2022 Newsletter includes information about our upcoming Spring Meeting and tour, plus annual reports from Society officers and committees.
Featured articles explore the role of Presbyterian academies and “log colleges” in early North Carolina education, and the contributions of Scots-Irish settlers to the development of the Piedmont region.
Planning Our Return: Fall Meeting Information
As we emerge from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re excited to announce plans for our Fall 2021 Meeting. The newsletter includes health and safety protocols, registration information, and a preview of the churches and historic sites we’ll visit.
This issue also features historical articles on Presbyterian contributions to North Carolina’s founding and development, plus updates on archival resources available to researchers.
Navigating 2021: Annual Meeting Updates
The Winter 2021 Newsletter includes reflections on 2020’s challenges and plans for resuming in-person meetings when safe to do so. The issue features annual reports from officers, membership updates, and historical articles on Presbyterian congregations that endured previous crises in North Carolina history.
We also share updates on digital resources and virtual programs being developed to keep our community connected during this time.
Adapting to New Realities: Summer 2020 Update
The Summer 2020 Newsletter addresses the impact of COVID-19 on our planned meetings and tours. While in-person gatherings are postponed, we share resources for exploring Presbyterian history at home, including online archives, virtual tours, and historical articles.
This issue features stories of how Presbyterian congregations in North Carolina navigated previous pandemics and crises, offering perspective for our current challenges.
Spring 2020 Tour Preview and Annual Reports
The Winter 2020 Newsletter previews our Spring tour of Presbyterian churches and historic sites, with detailed itineraries and registration information.
This issue includes annual reports from Society officers, treasurer’s report, membership updates, and featured articles on North Carolina Presbyterian history. We also announce upcoming book talks and special programs planned for the year ahead.
2017 Meeting Schedule and Historical Features
The Winter 2017 Newsletter announces our meeting schedule for the year ahead, including spring and fall tours of historic Presbyterian churches across North Carolina.
Featured articles explore the architectural heritage of Presbyterian churches in the state, the role of Presbyterian missionaries in education and social reform, and profiles of notable Presbyterian leaders from North Carolina history.
Annual Meeting Recap and 2016 Preview
The Winter 2016 Newsletter recaps our successful annual meeting and previews programs for the coming year. This issue includes reports from officers and committees, updates on churches celebrating significant anniversaries, and information about the Society’s ongoing preservation efforts.
Featured articles examine Presbyterian contributions to North Carolina’s educational institutions and the legacy of Scots-Irish settlement in the Piedmont and western regions.
Fall Tour Announcement and Historical Features
The Summer 2015 Newsletter announces our Fall tour, featuring visits to historic Presbyterian churches and sites across North Carolina. Detailed itineraries, registration forms, and accommodation information are included.
This issue features articles on Presbyterian camp meeting traditions, the development of church architecture in rural North Carolina, and profiles of congregations celebrating milestone anniversaries.
2015 Programs and Annual Reports
The Winter 2015 Newsletter includes annual reports from Society officers, financial statements, and membership updates. We announce our program schedule for 2015, including spring and fall meetings at historic Presbyterian sites.
Featured articles explore the role of Presbyterian women in mission work and education, the history of Presbyterian publishing in North Carolina, and the preservation of historic church records and artifacts.
2014 Annual Meeting and Program Plans
The Winter 2014 Newsletter features reports from our annual meeting, including officer elections, treasurer’s report, and committee updates. We announce tour plans for 2014 and highlight churches celebrating significant anniversaries.
This issue includes historical articles on Presbyterian involvement in the Civil War era, the development of Presbyterian higher education in North Carolina, and genealogical resources available through church records.