The 1st Presbyterian Church

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1st Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian Church was built in 1808 on land granted by the City of St. Marys. To fund the construction, $3442.00 was raised by the citizens of Camden County. Also, $177 was donated for the purchase of a bell for the church. Initially, the church was for Christians of all creeds. In 1822, it became the Presbyterian Church and Horace S. Pratt was its first pastor.

The church originally had its entrance on the east side by way of a covered portico with steps on both sides. There was a door on the north end of the church along with a single staircase to provide access for black members. The steeple was initially located on the north end, with a bell that was cast in Philadelphia.

In 1898 at a cost of $103.78, the church was restored and remodeled. The double stairway and entrance on the east side was removed, and a new entrance and stairway were constructed at the south end. Also, a new bell tower was built above the south entrance and the tower at the north end was removed.

During the Civil War, the church came very close to being destroyed when Federal troops ravaged the town and there was an attempt to burn the church.

In 1956, the church was damaged by a fire, but it was successfully restored in the following years. At this time, the educational building was built onto the north end of the church.

In 1980, the basement walls of the church were repaired and restored. Wooden supporting beams were replaced by steel beams.

[All historical information is from the “1985 Historical Buildings Survey of Saint Marys, Georgia” by Eloise Bailey and Bruce Powell, July 1985]

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