The influx of Scots-Irish immigrants into North Carolina's backcountry in the 1760s, many of them Presbyterians, led to the creation of Goshen Presbyterian Church. The first record of the church is found in the minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia in 1767, a request for a preacher to serve "Goshen in the fords of the Catawba."
In recognition of the church's long history and influence, a N.C. Highway Historical Marker will be dedicated Sunday, July 19, 2 p.m., in the church sanctuary at 380 Woodlawn Ave. in Belmont. A caravan will travel to the site of the marker unveiling at US 29/74 (Andrew Jackson Highway) at Hawley Street in Belmont.
Early records for Goshen have been lost, but the first minister to accept the call was Humphrey Hunter in 1796. He also served nearby Unity Presbyterian Church in what is today Lincoln County, established at about the same time as Goshen.
Goshen Presbyterian is the parent church of six congregations serving surrounding communities. They include New Hope Presbyterian, Dallas Presbyterian, Belmont Presbyterian, Mount Holly Presbyterian, Stanley Presbyterian and Castanea Presbyterian. Goshen is the oldest active church in Gaston County.
For additional information on the dedication please call (704) 467-3216. For additional information on the Highway Marker program please call (919) 807-7390. The Highway Marker program is collaboration between the N.C. Department of Transportation and the N. C. Department of Cultural Resources, and is within the Office of Archives and History in the Department of Cultural Resources.