Mooresville in Iredell County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Centre Church
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023
1. Centre Church Marker
Erected 1951. (Marker Number M-22.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1765.
Location. 35° 32.878′ N, 80° 50.778′ W. Marker is in Mooresville, North Carolina, in Iredell County. It is at the intersection of Mecklenburg Highway (State Road 115) and Fairview Road, on the right when traveling south on Mecklenburg Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mooresville NC 28117, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and in Greater Charlotte. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The History of Centre Presbyterian Church / Centre Patriots (approx. half a mile away); Baker Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Torrence's Tavern (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Torrence Tavern (approx. 0.7 miles away); Stinson Hall (approx. 2.2 miles away); Granville Grant (approx. 2.6 miles away); D.H. Hill
this page online
Regarding Centre Church. Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the properties:
Prior to the establishment of Centre Presbyterian Church in 1765, Presbyterian missionaries were sent to minister to the needs of the Scotch-Irish settlers in the area that is now the southern part of Iredell County. As early as 1751 John Thomason was sent by the Synod of Philadelphia to preach in the western Rowan area. He remained until his death in 1753, when he was buried in Baker's Graveyard (now a section within the Centre Church Cemetery since the construction of Lake Norman). He was followed by Hugh McAden in 1755.
In 1761 both the Coddle Creek and Davidson's Creek communities made requests to the Synod of New York and Philadelphia for a minister. Official action was not taken until 1764, at which time only one church was allowed. The name "Centre" signifies the central location between the two communities and suggests that its establishment was the result of a compromise.
The first location of the church was two miles north of Davidson College. In 1774 a fire destroyedthe original building and Centre was rebuilt at its present location in 1774-1775. That structure was replaced by the present building in 1854.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 20232. Centre Church Marker
Also see . . .
1. A Brief History of Centre Presbyterian Church (PDF). Unpublished history written in honor of the church's 250th anniversary. Note: Automatic download. (By Shirley Miller Wagers, 2015) (Submitted on December 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Centre Presbyterian Church, Session House and Cemeteries (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the properties, which were jointly listed in 1980. (Prepared by Laura A. W. Phillips; via National Archives) (Submitted on December 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023
3. Centre Presbyterian Church
The current sanctuary, built in 1854, is the congregation's third.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 583 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
