First Presbyterian Church (Macon, Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
First Presbyterian Church
|
|
First Presbyterian Church
|
|
 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 690 Mulberry St., Macon, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1858 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000364 |
| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1972 |
The First Presbyterian Church is a very old and important church building in Macon, GA. It has been a part of the city's history for nearly 200 years. This beautiful church is known for its tall spire and its long history in the community.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
The First Presbyterian Church began on June 18, 1826. This was just three years after the city of Macon itself was officially created. A group of 25 people came together to form the church.
The first church building was made of wood and was located on Fourth Street. Later, this building was given to the Baptists. They moved it and made it bigger.
The Current Building
The church built a second building made of brick. Then, in 1858, the church finished building its current home. This is the impressive building you see today.
The church's spire reaches 183 feet (about 56 meters) into the sky. For many years, it was the tallest building in Macon. It remained the tallest until St. Joseph's Catholic Church was completed.
The First Presbyterian Church is located at 690 Mulberry Street in Downtown Macon. Because of its historical importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. A famous American poet named Sidney Lanier was once a member of this church.
Today, the church is still very active. It has more than 1,000 members who are part of its community.
First Presbyterian Day School
Founding of the School
In 1970, the First Presbyterian Church started a school called First Presbyterian Day School. This happened in the same year that a judge ordered public schools in Bibb County to become integrated. This meant that students of all races would attend the same schools.
Location and Purpose
The new school's campus was built in a suburban area. This area was mostly home to white families. It was also some distance away from the church's main building, which was in a downtown neighborhood.
Some historians have suggested that the school was created to offer white parents an option. This option allowed them to send their children to a private school instead of the newly integrated public schools.
The First Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America.
