Our History
“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.”
Franklin Presbyterian Church has been part of the community of Salisbury, NC for over 2 centuries. As such, we greatly value our history as we believe it shows both God’s faithfulness and the deep connection we have with our community.
Key Dates in Our History
1829: Franklin Presbyterian was organized by Rev. Franklin Watts and joined Concord Presbytery.
1874-1875: The first church building was destroyed by lightning and a new building was built and dedicated.
1947: We celebrated our first Easter Sunrise service, our first Homecoming, and dedicated the new Manse.
1949: A new Educational Building was built and dedicated.
1958: The current Sanctuary was erected.
1968: We became self-supporting for the first time in its nearly 150 year history.
1983: Our denomination, PCUS, merges with the UPCUSA to form the PC(USA). Franklin becomes a member Church of Salem Presbytery in the PC(USA).
2001: We adopted a Resolution on Scripture and the Reformed Confessions in response to what were deemed to be troubling developments within the PC(USA).
1988: We were incorporated with the state of North Carolina.
2023: We left the PC(USA) and join ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians as a member of the Presbytery of North Carolina.