Editor’s Note: Historic Churches of Western North Carolina is an ongoing 828newsNOW series exploring the sacred spaces that helped shape mountain communities. Many of these churches began as small mission chapels or neighborhood gathering places. Their histories reveal how faith, culture and daily life intertwined across Western North Carolina. By documenting these buildings and the congregations connected to them, we hope to preserve part of the region’s church history and honor the people whose stories continue to shape the mountains today.
BLOWING ROCK, N.C. (828newsNOW.com) – The congregation of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock has served the High Country for more than a century. Presbyterian worship in the town began in the late 1800s, when families and summer visitors met in rooms, hotel parlors and community spaces. Soon, gathering spaces overflowed and the community started planning for a permanent place to worship together.
The first congregation organized in 1886, and by the early 1900s a modest white-frame building stood near the center of town. The church later adopted the name Rumple Memorial in honor of the Rev. Jethro Rumple, a North Carolina minister and historian whose work supported Presbyterian missions throughout the state.
Jethro Rumple played a significant role in shaping Presbyterian life in North Carolina. Born in 1827, he graduated from Davidson College in 1850 and trained for ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary. He served for many years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury and was a trustee of both Davidson College and Union Theological Seminary. Rumple wrote extensively on church and state history, including a well-known history of Rowan County. He died in 1906, and the Blowing Rock congregation later chose his name to honor his leadership and contributions to Presbyterian ministry and education.
As the congregation grew, so did the need for a more permanent structure. The church sanctuary, known to locals as “the stone sanctuary,” was built between 1905 and 1912 using stones hauled from Flat Top Mountain and other sites in the region.
By mid-century Rumple Memorial had become a familiar presence on Main Street, shaped by worship, outreach and a strong music tradition. Its congregation included mountain families and seasonal residents, keeping the church at the center of community life.
Worship at Rumple Memorial follows the Reformed Presbyterian tradition, with services focused on scripture, preaching and music. The church is known for its choir, children’s ministries and mission programs that serve families across the High Country. Visitors often attend during the summer months, when Blowing Rock draws hikers, travelers and people exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The story of Rumple Memorial entered a new chapter in the early 2020s when the church obtained two frescoes by renowned North Carolina fresco artist, Ben Long.
Ben Long Frescoes of Western North Carolina: A Visitor’s Guide – Asheville’s 828 News NOW
Commissioned in 2006 for a hospice center in Mountain Pleasant, North Carolina, “The Good Shepherd” and “Psalm 23” reflect themes of care and guidance long associated with the Rumple congregation.
Rumple Memorial welcomes guests to view the frescoes during posted hours, and volunteers often help introduce the artworks to visitors. The pieces have become part of the congregation’s outreach, connecting its long-standing ministry with the region’s artistic heritage.
The church continues to play an important role in Blowing Rock today. Programs supporting local families, seasonal workers and children mirror Rumple’s long history of service.
The space is tied to the mountains, shaped by generations of worship and by a congregation that has anchored Blowing Rock through years of change.
A complete guide to the Ben Long frescoes across the Blue Ridge Heritage Trail is available here.
