First Presbyterian Church and Churchyard, Presbyterian church in New Bern, United States
The First Presbyterian Church is a wooden frame structure with two tiers of windows, a columned front porch, and a four-stage tower topped with an octagonal bell chamber. The building sits on grounds that include a historic burial area with gravestones dating back generations.
The structure was built in 1820 by architects Uriah Sandy and Daniel D. Merrill as a Presbyterian meeting house. During the Civil War, Union troops converted it into a military hospital to serve wounded soldiers.
The church serves as a gathering space for worship and community events throughout the year. It remains central to local life, hosting various meetings and celebrations that bring neighbors together.
The church is located on New Street between Middle and Hancock Streets in downtown New Bern. Visitors can join guided tours to learn about the building's architecture and historical significance.
The grounds contain numerous graves of early New Bern residents, with headstones that span multiple generations. These burial markers offer genealogy researchers valuable clues about local family connections and settlement patterns.
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