MURPHY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1896-PRESENT
OVER 100 YEARS OF FAITHFULNESS
TO CHRIST AND THE COMMUNITY

The church does not have any members belonging to the original ten families who first met in a small building on the river under the leadership of James David Abbott. Land on Valley River Avenue, across from Mr. Abbott’s home, was donated to the group and with $100.00 from the riverside property, plans for a sanctuary began to seem more than a dream. Under the leadership of the Rev. Siler $1,500.00 was accumulated and the building went on so that the dedication service could take place on September 1, 1896. Mr. Abbott realized the night before, that the church still owed Bob Ramsey 25 cents and he had told the Presbytery that the church was debt free. Therefore Mr. Abbott walked 3 miles both ways so that his word would be true.

The original white wooden structure with a patterned steeple has seen numerous changes over the years. The church early on added beautiful stained glass windows. In 1954 the building was veneered with red brick. The bell tower can now only be reached by ladder as the entrance was redesigned. In recent years a portico was also added.

In 1921 a manse, a house for the minister, was built behind the sanctuary for now there were 50 members. The house was later made into a fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms. An educational annex was constructed in 1948 providing a chapel, three offices, a library, a classroom, and two rest rooms. A corridor was built to the former manse, which is now called the Westminster Building. Besides our many church activities the Family Resources Center teaches parenting classes for the community.

Our members are very active in helping our community by their working with and financially supporting the Sharing Center Food pantry, the Homeless Shelter, Family Resources, Industrial Opportunities Industry, and Christian Love Ministries.

The church now has 75 members and a host of summer residents. We look forward to continue serving Christ and our community.

Every summer we have a worship service and picnic at the lake. We encourage our members to bring friends, especially those who are hesitant to go to a regular worship service. This service is geared toward evangelism. We also baptize in the lake. In the pictures you will see that we baptized three of our teens. We also spend the afternoon playing and swimming. On July 17, 2011 we had 66 people attend our worship at the lake Sunday.