Historic Houses of Worship

The Fayetteville area has a rich diversity of religious heritage. From very early, on religious institutions of all denominations developed throughout the area. Though primarily Christian congregations settled the area first, other religions arrived as the county’s population diversified in ethnicity and nationalities. The Fayetteville area boasts 40 churches that are at least 100 years old or older.  DistiNCtly Fayetteville chronicles this history of these churches, and provides a navigable route with the Religious Freedom Trail. Here, we are highlighting four churches on that trail. 

Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Fayetteville
Visit the first Roman Catholic Church to be dedicated in North Carolina. Though the current structure is a contemporary one, the history of this church dates to 1829. Fayetteville’s “Great Fire of 1831” destroyed the original site, and the church has relocated twice; however, its place in our history is a point of pride to parishioners.

Old Bluff Church and Cemetery, Wade
Make a special trip to this small town to see one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in Cumberland County. The current Greek revival structure was built in 1858, but Scottish settlers began calling this historic church “home” in 1758. The adjacent cemetery is where many of those same settlers’ families are laid to rest.

Main Post Chapel, Fort Liberty 
Tour this historic chapel to take in its ornate stained-glass windows and Classical Revival style architecture. The non-denominational chapel was finished in 1934, and members of the Fort Bragg military community continue to worship there today. From the arched windows to the towering steeple to the stucco walls, this place of worship is thought to be one of the finest military chapels still standing.

Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church, Spring Lake
Take a step back in time to a church that started out in 1873 as a mission serving two local plantations. The congregation’s denomination evolved from Presbyterian to Methodist, finally affiliating itself with the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church movement. Services are still being held in the contemporary structure.

For more details,  click below to visit Cumberland County's Religious Freedom Trail.