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.
Director Ron Vinson, the board, staff, and dedicated volunteers have created a vibrant place for learning about our Presbyterian heritage. The Center:
- Collects and preserves records from all Presbyterian and Reformed Church denominations
- Serves as repository for Montreat Conference Center records (celebrating its 125th anniversary)
- Features outstanding educational exhibits
- Provides printed and manuscript sources, photographs, and research tools
We’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and learn about original research, including work on an early woman photographer. We’ll also visit the Chapel of the Prodigal Son on the Montreat College campus to see Ben Long’s large fresco.
Warren Wilson College and First Presbyterian Church, Asheville
Saturday morning we’ll visit Warren Wilson College in the beautiful Swannanoa Valley. Founded by the Women’s Board of Home Missions (PCUSA) in 1894 as the Asheville Farm School, it became a four-year liberal arts college in 1966, dedicated to “learning by doing” with a universal work program and environmental sustainability.
First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, founded in 1794, grew with the city through its boom as a resort for the wealthy and therapeutic health center when the railroad arrived. The Great Depression actually saved many of its beautiful buildings.
Churches Celebrating Anniversaries in 2023
The society is recognizing a dozen churches for significant anniversaries, including:
- 200 years: Oak Hill PC (Oxford), First PC (Washington)
- 150 years: First PC (Wadesboro, Monroe, Hickory), Flat Branch PC (Bunnlevel)
- 100 years: Flat Rock PC (Mt. Airy), El Bethel PC (Eden), Westminster PC (Raleigh), and others
Welcome Rebecca Turner, Newsletter Editor!
We’re thrilled that Rebecca Turner has agreed to serve as Newsletter Editor and appointed Board member. Rebecca retired after 28½ years at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, where she served as an “anchor and linchpin” for staff and members.