Humble Beginnings
1874 Building
It was 1874, less than a decade after the Civil War. The President’s name was Grant. In an agricultural community in northeast Georgia, a new Presbyterian church was organized along the strategic “Old Federal Road” in Chestnut Mountain, Hall County, about 10 miles south of Gainesville.
Beginning with 11 charter members, CMPC has experienced the faithfulness of God over the last 132 years and has grown into a church with more than 600 members. During CMPC’s first 80 years, 27 pastors served on a part-time basis. During those years, the congregation worshipped in a white-clapboard structure built at a cost of $420.00 in 1874. Thirty-nine people had pledged $460.00 to plant the church. In 1945 CMPC organized its first daily Vacation Bible School where 25 children attended. CMPC women held their first meeting in 1953, and a Junior Pioneer Youth Fellowship group was organized the same year with 20 young people. Today, nearly 200 children attend our VBS and nearly 300 youth participate in Wednesday Night Activities.