Our History
A Story of God's Faithfulness
Pisgah ARP Church was established in 1796 and has continually served the southwestern part of Gaston County for over 225 years. We have been blessed with the privilege and honor of being rooted in this community, serving as a place where people find both deep theological roots and genuine relationships.
Through various challenges over the centuries, we remain committed to serving Christ, making Disciples, and preaching the Gospel in Gastonia. It is our prayer and hope that God will continue building His Kingdom through us here at Pisgah, and we hope you will join us in this effort!
For a more extensive look at Pisgah’s history, we have printed histories available. We also have two rooms at Pisgah dedicated to telling God’s Story of Faithfulness to Pisgah: the Library, located in the hallway between the Elliot Center and the FLOC, and the Historical Room, located in the Sanctuary building beside the Chapel.
1796
Meager Beginnings
The first mention of our church in this region comes from a note on the margin of a sermon of the Rev. William Dixon which read, “preached at Kings Mountain Church March 20, 1796”.
The first building was located at the southern base of the pinnacle of Kings Mountain, not far from Sparrow Springs. It is inspiring to realize that from such meager beginnings has come such a meaningful part of the religious life of Gaston County.
This first church was a simple, log building only 28 feet by 24 feet. The foundation stones and a historical marker remain at the sight to this day. Dr. C. B. Williams states that “when the foundation stones of this first church were laid near Sparrow Springs, the battle of Kings Mountain, fought nearby, was a recent event, clear in the memories of the community.”
Worship in this building was short lived. Because of the slow travel, the broad expanse of the congregation, and poor roads, it was deemed wise to form two congregations instead of worshiping as one.
"Old Pisgah"
Sometime between May of 1796 and January of 1797, the first Kings Mountain Church split into two daughter churches, today what is known as Bethany and Pisgah.
In 1805, the trustees of Pisgah purchased 10 acres of land on the north slope of Crowders Mountain between Gastonia and the city of Kings Mountain. The only house of worship built on this site was constructed of logs.
From 1798 – 1828, Rev. William Dixon was the pastor of Pisgah, Bethany and Sharon ARP churches. In 1849, Rev. E. E. Boyce became the joint pastor of Pisgah and Bethany where he served for 44 years.
1797
1842
First Church Plant
Around 60 persons moved to Arkansas and founded another Pisgah ARP Church in Pottsville, Arkansas. A cemetery is still at the location today.
In a letter from the church members who began the new church plant, we learn that the church building was a 30 feet by 40 feet construction. The first service in this church was held in November of 1852.
In 1884 the remaining members of Pisgah in Arkansas moved to Potts Station where the still remaining Pottsville ARP Church maintains a faithful witness to the Gospel.
"New Pisgah"
156 people in 65 families were communicant members of Pisgah in 1855. The church decided to split once more at this time due to:
- Having grown too large for their simple building at “Old Pisgah”
- the building of extensive iron factories right beside the church
- the location being quite inaccessible and not close to the growing community
Pisgah’s second division gave birth to Nebo Church and “New Pisgah”. Nebo was located a few miles north of the city of Kings Mountain.
Pisgah moved to our current location in January of 1855. In 1856, our first building on our land was built for $900.
Pisgah lost many of her sons during the Civil War. Through these years of struggle Dr. Boyce guided his congregation on their mission for the Gospel.
1855
1887
A Legacy of Chruch Planting
Pisgah can be described as “the mother of churches” in Gastonia. Pisgah has given liberally of her members and officers to begin at least 5 other churches in the Gaston County area: Kings Mountain (Bethel), Crowders Creek, First Gastonia, Linden (Second Gastonia), and Bessemer City.
The first of which was the organization of First ARP Church in 1887. Our pastors served over both congregations until 1901 when the two congregations proved to be more than one person could do.
In 1892, Crowders Creek ARP Church was officially organized after the efforts of one of our elders began a Sabbath School program at the old Patterson School House.
In 1898, a new work begun in Bessemer City.
Pisgah and First Gastonia jointly planted Second Gastonia, now known as Linden ARP Church, in 1911.
* Map is an old Industrial & Farm Map of Gaston County from 1931. Markers show approximate locations of Pisgah (in yellow) and her church plants (in blue). Bethel in Kings Mountain is not shown.
Steady Growth
In addition to planting churches within the Gaston County area, Pisgah herself continued to steadily grow. Therefore, the church built both a manse and a new building during this time.
In 1924, an annex to the building was begun to help provide for God’s blessings of growth at Pisgah.
1908
1933
New Innovations During Desperate Times
In the midst of the Great Depression, Pisgah installed Dr. C. B. Williams as its pastor. These were difficult years financially; the work of God felt the economic pressure just as readily as other institutions.
However, despite the Depression and the impending War, Rev. Dr. Williams began to bring in new concepts of stewardship, service and outreach. Under his pastoral care, Vacation Bible School, a Boy Scout Program, and a rotary system for Deacons was started. Pisgah also secured additional cemetery land during this time.
Rev. Dr. Williams is to be commended for his leadership during these desperate years. The fact that he was willing to try new innovations and that his congregation was willing to experiment with him, spoke of Pisgah’s great faith in God to work even in times of hardship and suffering.
*Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Our Current Building
In 1942 it became evident that Pisgah needed a new facility for worship and study. The cornerstone of our current building was laid on December 16, 1951.
On May 6, 1956, Pisgah held its Dedication Service for the fully constructed building. Services had been held in the basement of the building since November 2, 1952. This day was a milestone in our history as this new building was a necessary part of the new ear of service into which Pisgah was about to enter.
Our current manse was built in 1962 to provide our ministers and their families a beautiful and comfortable place to live as they tend to the Word of God’s Kingdom here at Pisgah.
1951
1971
A Growing Community
The greater Gaston area grew during the time of the 1960s. Having served for these many years as a large rural congregation, the population influx determined that Pisgah should be a suburban church serving the varied needs of many more people.
Programs and new innovtions were added. Pisgah’s program of Christian Education expanded to include a full scout program for boys and girls, youth groups, a summer youth program, and a Weekday Church Day School in addition to the Sabbath School. In October of 1970, Pisgah hired a full time Director of Christian Education to oversee these new works.
The pastor of the time, Rev. R. B. Elliott, Jr., wrote the first edition of our Pisgah History. He writes,
Through 175 years God has allowed Pisgah to march from one challenge to another, always victorious for Christ in each one. . . . From those four foundation stones, visibly seen today on the south slope of Kings Mountain, has come this memorial [our current building and its cornerstone] to Christ. Pisgah is what she is today partly because of those who have led her as pastor, partly because of the dedication and determination fo her people, but primarily because under even those four small rocks has been the real corner stone, Jesus Christ. Pisgah will continue to serve the kingdom of God because we know that our mission is to know Christ and make Him known.
Rev. Robert B. Elliott Jr.
Growth Amidst Tragedy
In 1972 there began the slow work of adding an Education Building to the Sanctuary Building. This work was not completed until 1978 with the addition of the “Education & Fellowship Center”.
Tragically, Rev. Elliott died of a sudden heart attack in June of 1985. This shook many within the Pisgah church family and, in his honor, the Education building was renamed the “Robert. B. Elliott Center”.
During the years that followed many new innovations were added to Pisgah’s work: a Midweek program, the Pisgah Community Club, and the Pisgah Post (a monthly newsletter).
1978
1996
Celebrating 200 Years of Faithfulness
God was and continues to be faithful to Pisgah over the generations. To commemorate and remember God’s faithfulness to her, Pisgah celebrated their Bicentennial in 1996. There was a large church service and many dressed up in the fashions of the 1800s.
The Building Years
In 1999 our church leadership began conversations of the construction of a Family Life Outreach Center to serve our church families and Reach Out in love to our community.
In 2000 our church Trustees sent a letter to the congregation saying, “Often opportunities present themselves when they are least expected and often when we are least prepared.” The opportunity they presented to the congregation was to buy a 32-acre tract of land directly behind the Manse. Trusting in God’s faithfulness, our church decided to purchase the property.
On Sunday, May 19, 2002, the groundbreaking for the final building to our campus began. Our Family Life Outreach Center (FLOC) was completed in November of 2003 and contains our church gym, several classrooms, and our conference room.
In the spring of 2008, our church was able to purchase a house in the North Carolina mountains. This house is located in our denomination’s conference center: Bonclarken. The Bonclarken Cottage has served our youth and church members by providing a place to stay while attending various conferences and retreats.
During this time, Pisgah started a sports program focused on providing the children and youth of our community a place to play team sports like soccer, basketball and baseball.
We also called Rev. Rick Lewis as our 16th Pastor in October of 2000. He served God’s calling at Pisgah by being a faithful minister of the Gospel until his retirement in 2024.
2000
2013
Our Vision
In 2013, to best lead our church in the years to come, our church leadership put together a Vision Team. Over the course of two years, they labored and prayed along with established prayer teams to present Pisgah’s Vision as it stands today.
Learn more about Our Vision and how we seek to Reach Up, Reach In and Reach Out for the Gospel here.
Reaching Forward
As written by Rev. Rick Lewis, “Perhaps one of the most difficult things our nation, our entire world, and every man, woman, and child has had to face during [these] times has been the COVID-19 pandemic.”
It cannot be overstated how profoundly the world changed during 2020-2022. A global pandemic, racial unrest, and economic struggles reshaped our culture in ways we are still coming to understand.
Despite these hard years, still we celebrate God’s goodness. In 2022, a year late because of the pandemic, Pisgah was able to commemorate 225 years of God’s faithfulness with a large worship service and a covered dish luncheon.
2022
We look forward in hope as we seek to faithfully preach the Gospel, make disciples, and grow Christ’s Kingdom here in Gastonia for many years to come.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it
labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.“
Psalm 127:1