Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The First Presbyterian Church

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

1. The First Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. Organized by the Rev. Washington McKnight, rector of Richmond Academy, in 1804. Met at first at site of St. Paul`s Church, incorporated by the Georgia General Assembly and given a lot on the common by Richmond Academy Trustees. Cornerstone of the present church laid July 4, 1809. Building dedicated May 17, 1812. Spire added in 1818. An outstanding pastor was the Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, 1858-1870, father of Woodrow Wilson.

December 4, 1861, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States was organized here.

In the Confederate War the church and grounds were used as part of a military hospital and temporary detention camp for prisoners of war.

The building was renovated in 1892. The Telfair building was added in 1881 for Sunday School. New Sunday school addition made in 1951.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 121-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 17, 1851.

Location. 33° 28.264′ N, 81° 57.856′

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is on Telfair Street. Between 6th & 7th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 646 Telfair Street, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The First Presbyterian Church (here, next to this marker); First Presbyterian Church World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Boyhood Home of Woodrow Wilson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eve (about 400 feet away); Old Medical College (about 400 feet away); Joseph R. Lamar, Associate Justice (about 400 feet away); Medical College Building (about 500 feet away); Paul Fitzsimmons Eve (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Regarding The First Presbyterian Church. National Register Of Historic Places:
First Presbyterian Church of Augusta ** (added 1997 - - #97000100)
Also known as Christ Church
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Mills, Robert
♦ Architectural Style: Romanesque
♦ Area of Significance: Social History, Architecture, Religion
♦ Period of Significance: 1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899, 1850-1874, 1825-1849, 1800-1824
♦ Owner:

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 2008

2. The First Presbyterian Church Marker

Private
♦ Historic Function: Religion
♦ Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure
♦ Current Function: Religion
♦ Current Sub-function: Religious Structure

Also see . . . First Presbyterian Church. Excerpt:

The church was established in 1804, and the building was completed in 1812. In 1808, while the congregation was still holding services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, members helped start a church in Smyrna in Wilkes County. In 1925 the Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society already was collecting donations, making it the first such ministry in the world, according to the statistics of the church. During his childhood, United States president Woodrow Wilson's father, Joseph R. Wilson, was minister at First Presbyterian from 1858 to 1870. The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home is a historic site nearby. In 1861 the Church hosted the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States and the first minister in this new denomination was President Wilson's father. During the Civil War the building was used as a hospital for men wounded, and the churchyard was a detention camp for Union prisoners in the Battle of Chickamauga. Men who died were buried in the Magnolia Cemetery. During this time Joseph Wilson was called to the chaplain ministry in the army,
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

3. The First Presbyterian Church Marker looking west on Telfair St.
and in 1870 Wilson was called to serve at a seminary in South Carolina.

(Submitted on May 19, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

4. The First Presbyterian Church Marker

[Upper Plaque]: Centennial
1804 - 1904
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
May 15, 1904. [Lower Plaque]: Centennial
1804-2004
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith
July 4 2004

Photographed by Mike Stroud

5. The First Presbyterian Church Marker

of Augusta
Constructed in 1909
to the Glory of God
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

First Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

6. First Presbyterian Church

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,625 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on May 19, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.