Near Concord in Cabarrus County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Rocky River Church

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

1. Rocky River Church Marker

Inscription. Presbyterian. Founded in early 1750s. Hugh McAden preached here 1755. First regular pastor, Alexander Craighead, 1758. Present church constructed 1860.

Erected 1971 by North Carolina Department of Archives and History. (Marker Number L-27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places, and the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1755.

Location. 35° 18.424′ N, 80° 35.876′ W. Marker is near Concord, North Carolina, in Cabarrus County. Marker is at the intersection of Rocky River Road (State Road 1139) and Lower Rocky River Road, on the left when traveling north on Rocky River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7940 Rocky River Rd, Concord NC 28025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Commemorating Rocky River Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Stonewall Jackson Training School (approx. 3.6 miles away); Nathaniel Alexander (approx. 3.7 miles away); Warren Coleman (approx. 5.4 miles away); Bethel Church Arbor (approx. 5.6 miles

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away); a different marker also named Bethel Church Arbor (approx. 5.7 miles away); Charlotte Motor Speedway (approx. 5.9 miles away); Trading Path (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concord.

Also see . . .
1. A Historical Sketch of Rocky River Church (PDF). Rev. Alexander Craighead, the first pastor of Rocky River, brought hundreds of his friends to the fertile lands in Carolina and a large number of them selected lands within 7 miles of the present church, and on the hill on the south bank of Rocky River between the mouth of Coddle Creek, and the mouth of Back Creek, these pioneers erected in 1755 a log church in which Rev. Alexander Craighead preached. (By Rev. Joseph B. Mack, 1913; via Divinity Archive) (Submitted on December 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Rocky River Presbyterian Church Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which was listed in 1986. (Prepared by Shelia M. Bumgarner and Peter Kaplan; via National Archives) (Submitted on December 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

2. Rocky River Church Marker

Rocky River Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 12, 2023

3. Rocky River Presbyterian Church

This sanctuary, the congregation's fourth, was constructed in 1860-61.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 29 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.