Our Story
Rooted in Faith, Growing in Grace
On a summer Sunday—July 7, 1867—four men and ten women gathered in the home of Catherine Hornbaker with a shared purpose: to worship together and form a new church community.
That day, Manassas Presbyterian Church was born.Led by Rev. J. E. Nourse, appointed by the Presbytery of the District of Columbia (“New School”), the small congregation began holding services in members’ homes. Before long, they purchased a lot at the corner of Main and Church Streets. On it stood a vacant government building, which served as their first church for eight years—a modest beginning filled with deep faith.Building a LegacyIn 1875, the congregation built its first permanent sanctuary from locally quarried red sandstone. This iconic building served as our spiritual home for over 100 years.
In 1961, an education wing was added, and in 1964, we opened the first kindergarten in Prince William County—what would become our Early Learning Center (ELC).From its earliest days, the ELC has welcomed children of all backgrounds—ethnically, culturally, and religiously—reflecting our commitment to diversity, compassion, and community.A New Home for a Growing ChurchBy the 1970s, our growing church family had outgrown its original location. The Presbytery purchased a new hilltop site on Ashton Avenue, and in 1977, we moved into our current building.
To honor our roots, we brought with us two treasured pieces: the church bell and stunning Tiffany stained-glass windows from the original sanctuary.Who We Are TodayManassas Presbyterian Church is part of the National Capital Presbytery, within the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic. For over 150 years, MPC has been a place where faith is nurtured, service is lived out, and relationships are built. We offer inspiring worship, lifelong learning, meaningful mission opportunities, and a supportive, loving church family
