First Presbyterian Church of Mocksville has stood on South Main Street since 1840, though its story reaches back to 1767, when a small group of Presbyterians in the Forks of the Yadkin asked the Synod of Philadelphia and New York for a supply minister. The congregation, part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Salem Presbytery, celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2017 and remains an active center of worship, education, and community service in the Davie County seat.
A Quarter-Millennium on South Main Street
The first known name for the congregation was Joppa Church, taken from a Biblical word meaning "beautiful." Members met in a log building, then a frame structure, on what is now the Joppa Cemetery on Yadkinville Road. Around 1834 the group moved into Mocksville and settled on its present South Main Street lot six years later. The name First Presbyterian was adopted in 1868, and the current sanctuary was built in 1905. A stained-glass window, the historic cemetery, and a fellowship hall filled with photographs and bulletins from generations of members anchor the building to that long history.
Sunday Mornings at FPC
Worship at First Presbyterian follows a steady weekly rhythm. Sunday School for every age begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:30 a.m. The service blends contemporary and traditional music and elements that reflect the congregation's Presbyterian identity. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the schedule shifts to a single 10:00 a.m. worship service. Recent services are available to watch online, and the church maintains a YouTube library of older services.
The church makes space for the youngest worshipers from the start. An infant and toddler nursery is available for children from birth through age 2 throughout the morning, and Children's Church is offered for ages 3 through first grade. Children in second grade "graduate" from Children's Church and remain in the full worship service for the rest of their time at FPC.
Raising the Next Generation
Children and youth are woven into the life of the congregation through a coordinated program called the Milestones Ministry. Each stage of a child's faith journey is marked with a class, a gift, and a celebration.
- Baptism welcomes new life into the family of faith and is followed by the gift of a children's story Bible.
- Welcome to Worship, held each September, guides second graders and their parents through the meaning of worship and the sacraments.
- Bible Workshop, a two- to three-week spring class, teaches parents and children how to use their Bibles and introduces the major stories of the faith, ending with the gift of a Bible.
- Confirmation, led by Pastor Dana, prepares youth to make a public profession of faith through mentoring, study of the Bible, and the sacraments. Confirmands receive a study Bible on Confirmation Sunday.
- Graduation honors high school seniors with a devotional book during the annual Baccalaureate service.
Middle and high schoolers (grades 6 through 12) gather on Sunday afternoons during the school year for FPC Youth, a laid-back time of fellowship led by Allie Fruits and John Parker. Youth conference, retreats, and other special activities round out the year.
FPC Preschool
The church runs its own preschool, a ministry that has served Mocksville-area families since 2008. The program serves children ages 3 to 5, with classes meeting Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The school uses the Letterland phonics curriculum, the same pre-K version used for grades K-2 in the Davie County School System, and welcomes children with developmental concerns. Diversity scholarships are available. Louisa Allen directs the program, and registration is open online or by mailing a completed form to the church.
Hands and Feet in Mocksville and Beyond
Outreach at FPC happens through a dedicated team and through long-standing partnerships. Community Breakfasts raise money for local nonprofits, and the church supports Family Promise of Davie County, a network that helps families facing homelessness. Internationally, FPC has partnered with Living Waters for the World to send a mission team to Komchen, Mexico, to install a water filtration system and teach about the importance of clean water.
Anyone in the church can join a Ministry Team. Building and Grounds, Finance and Personnel, and Outreach meet on the third Sundays of odd months; Worship and Music, Christian Education, Congregational Care, and Stewardship meet on the third Sundays of even months. All meetings are open.
Leadership and Governance
The congregation is led by Rev. Dana Fruits, who preaches most Sundays and directs confirmation. Natalie Barela serves as organist and accompanist, and Louisa Allen directs the preschool. John Parker and Allie Fruits lead the youth ministry. Katie Parsley serves as administrative assistant; Jenny Overbey is treasurer; and Kelly Alexander is clerk of session.
A Session of ruling elders governs the church, with members rotating through classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028. Current elders include Katie Parsley (Christian Education), Lynn Yokley (Worship and Music), Debbie Archer (Congregational Care), Michael Kirkpatrick (Stewardship), Rex Allen (Outreach), Carl Davidson (Building and Grounds), and Nancy Nesbit (Finance and Personnel).
Stewardship for the Generations to Come
The church offers two paths for financial support. Online giving is available at fpcmocksville.com/online-giving and accepts one-time and recurring donations by debit or credit card, with a 2% administrative fee deducted per transaction. A separate planned-giving program, Generation to Generation, walks members through bequests, gifts of appreciated securities handled in partnership with the Davie Community Foundation, and retirement-account beneficiary designations. The Stewardship Ministry Team, chaired by Kevin Fruits, helps members think through those decisions.
The church office sits at 261 S. Main Street, and the secretary can be reached at 336-751-2507. The congregation's own invitation sums it up: "We have a lot of history, but no cobwebs! Join us for worship and fellowship on Sunday mornings!"