History

The first sermon in the area by a Presbyterian minister was preached by Rev. Roy Smith at Pilot View School House in January of 1916. In July of 1918 G.H. Gilmer, Superintendent of Home Missions in Abingdon Presbytery preached several times at Rome School House and promised on behalf of the presbytery $500.00 for a church, if the community would raise a similar amount. The money was raised and the work began the following winter. Bluemont Presbyterian was organized in September 1919, and dedicated three years later in October of 1922. The church was named by its first pastor, Rev. Roy Smith. The land was purchased for $50. Standing proudly in a field along the majestic Blue Ridge Parkway, the original structure was encased in native rock under the leadership of Rev. Robert Childress Sr. in 1946. Rev. Childress’ unique influence on the community is documented in the book, The Man Who Moved A Mountain, by Richard Davids. Bluemont Presbyterian Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Bluemont is a church within the Presbytery of the Peaks and the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, and holds membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).