On January 13, 1939, ten hardy souls braved a winter storm to meet with members of Holston Presbytery at Appalachian High School, now Chapell Wilson Hall, on the campus of Appalachian State University and begin the First Presbyterian Church of Boone. They and the other seventeen charter members continued to meet at AHS until April 27, 1941, when the sanctuary on Howard Street was ready. Since that time, the church building has been remodeled and enlarged three times to accommodate the present congregation of three hundred and twenty-five members.
In addition to dedicated congregants, First Presbyterian Church has been blessed with a succession of ministers who have led the work of the church with commitment and vision. The first, called by the congregation on September 10, 1939, was the Rev. John I. Rhea, who served until March 22, 1942 at an annual salary of $700. When Mr. Rhea resigned to become a U.S. Army chaplain, he was succeeded in the pulpit by Rev. Marion Currie in 1942, Rev. Louis Yelanjian in 1943, and Mr. J. K. Parker, Jr. in 1944. Mr. Parker served this church faithfully for more than thirty years, retiring in 1975 and succeeded later that year by Dr. David A. Long, III, who remained until 1991. Dr. Donald Price served as Interim Minister from August 1991 until July 1993, and on August 1, 1993, Dr. Ron Bowie began his pastorate with First Presbyterian Church.
From its beginning, the First Presbyterian Church has made service to congregation, college, and community a priority. The Women of the Church organized and elected its first officers in April 1939 and almost immediately began a program for students at Appalachian State Teachers College. Within a year of its creation, the First Presbyterian Church had organized both a Sunday School program under the leadership of Dr. Starr Stacy and a choir, and sponsored the creation of a mission church, Bairds Creek Presbyterian Church, in Valle Crucis.
Today a number of programs flourish under the aegis of the church: First Morning Out, a preschool program for toddlers; Wonderful Wednesdays, an adult study program; LOGOS, a children's ministry for grades one through twelve; and the Stephen Ministries, a confidential counseling ministry, among others. A prayer group meets each Wednesday in the church library and the men have a prayer breakfast weekly in a local restaurant. Senior members of the church meet twice weekly for an exercise program. The Friday Club meets monthly for restaurant lunches or for excursions to Salem, Abingdon, Montreat, the frescoes in Ashe County, Jonesborough, and other destinations, and to visit former members in retirement homes. Additionally, the congregation supports programs for seniors, prayer breakfasts, leadership retreats, and organized relief efforts in times of disaster, and gives generously to missionaries and charities including the Hospitality House, the Hunger Coalition, and Habitat for Humanity. 
Over the years, music has also carried the heartbeat of the church. We now have an adult choir, a children's choir, and several handbell choirs, and a liturgical dance group.
At the start of the new century, this congregation can reflect on the many changes the years have wrought. From our twenty-seven charter members, we have been the church home for more than 1200 persons over eight decades and currently average two hundred and thirty persons in attendance at Sunday services, joining in celebration through music and the Word as evidence of our commitment to each other, to the community, and to the glory of God.
- Nanci Tolbert Nance
- Sarah Lynn Spencer
- Ruth Tillman Brooks
