WS Chronicle

The people of Lloyd Presbyterian Church are celebrating their 150th anniversary. The church was chartered through Yadkin Presbytery in 1870. It began in the Citizen’s Hall schoolhouse where the current church stands today and was once called the Negro Church of Winston. The land was purchased from P.H. Hanes Company before 1900. The members built the church themselves and purchased lumber from Fogle Brothers Lumber Company in Salem. The floors, pews and pulpit are all original and the interior has been well preserved. 

Lloyd is the second oldest historically African American church in Winston Salem, located at 748 North Chestnut Street. The church was designated a historic site by the Historic Properties Commission and Winston-Salem Board of Alderman in December 1981. It was also listed on the National Register in 1998. Lloyd is currently a member of the Fellowship Community and Salem Presbytery.

With the influence of Northern missionaries, it is believed that Lloyd Presbyterian Church was named after William Lloyd Garrison, the most well known white abolitionist of the 19th Century. The purpose of the church has remained the same: to proclaim and teach the Word of God in Jesus Christ. Lloyd Presbyterian has been an outpost for the Kingdom of God and a refuge for its members and friends for generations. 

Worship services have been held weekly since it began, with or without a pastor. The first pastor was Rev. J. C. Alston who served for 50 years. Rev. State Alexander was the last long-term and full-time pastor. The current pastor since 1997 is Rev. Laura Spangler. The church has a long history of service and outreach to Winston-Salem’s diverse community, as well as supporting global missions.   

On Sunday, Sept. 20, at 11:30 a.m., a homecoming worship service will celebrate the church’s past, present and future. There will be a lunch served on the grounds after worship. All are welcomed.