“Maupin” is located at the corner of S. Fulton St and Maupin Ave and had its beginning during the early days of the Fulton Heights Neighborhood which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary this coming June.

The dream of a few officially began on the Sabbath of February 21, 1926 at 11:00AM. The Rev. J. H. Pressley acting on behalf of First Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Synod presided as chairman of the appointed commission of First Presbytery to effect the organization of the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Salisbury. At this first public worship service 21 persons stepped forward to be received as charter members.

Rev. EG Carson, Rev. JC Reid, and Rev. MR Gibson supplied the church until church planter, Rev. JR Love came on June 1, 1927. Pastor Love in February of 1928 oversaw the building of a neat white frame building with an adequate auditorium and four class rooms for worship. Membership at this time had grown from the original 21 to 77 members.

On August 9th of 1939 due to the continuing years of faithfulness of members that had continued to grow in number to 103 and the devoted ministry of Rev. JN Lesslie construction begun on the present church building at a cost of $15,000.

On March 10, 1946 the congregation petitioned First Presbytery to become a self-supporting church and was officially organized as such. The congregation then extended its first call to Rev. Lesslie and he was installed as pastor on May 22, 1946.

On September of 1954, an open letter to the congregation of the First A R P Church of Salisbury was received from its officers stating “that for good and sufficient reasons” the name of the church would be changed to read “Maupin Avenue ARP Church.”

In 1979 the John Hanford Family graciously deeded the next-door property of 1322 S Fulton St to our church. The church refurbished it and began using it for classroom and meeting space. In 1983 it became used “at no expense” as an adult day care facility by the Service for Older Adults of Rowan County, known as the “SOAR House.”

In 1994 under the same arrangement, the Lutheran Services for the Aging began using the residence as the “Abundant Living Adult Day Care.” It has been “Maupin’s” privilege and pleasure to serve our adult community in this capacity over theses many years.

Recently in 2005 the fellowship hall downstairs enjoyed a complete renovation making possible Wednesday evening Bible Studies served up with great diners and fellowship.

In May of 2006 we took a moment to celebrate our 80th anniversary. We looked back with great admiration for those that came before and sacrificed so much. And we endeavored to actively serve in the present as we look forward to many more years of Worship, Fellowship, Ministry and Service together with our Salisbury/Rowan community of which our heritage runs deep and our future will be told. We invite you to come and join the celebration of worship at Maupin.