In 1954, Cary, North Carolina was a very small town west of Raleigh, when a survey by the denomination identified the need for a Presbyterian Church in the area. By August of the same year, a steering committee led by The Reverend Charles E. Johnson arranged to hold services at what was then Cary High School on Academy Street (today the Cary Arts Center). The first worship service took place on September 5, 1954. A commissioning service was held on February 20, 1955 and Rev. Johnson became the pastor.
On March 1, ten acres of land on the site of an old dairy farm were purchased. A groundbreaking for the new church was held November 6, 1955 on the building site in Cary’s Russell Hills community. Much of the labor and materials for the original structure were donated. On September 9, 1956, Cary Presbyterian’s 67 charter members were able to attend the first worship service in the new sanctuary.