On July 26, 1835, a lightning strike ignited a devastating fire at the Presbyterian Meeting House, then known as the First Presbyterian Church, in Alexandria. The blaze gutted the sanctuary and caused such extensive damage that a complete reconstruction was required—the original structure could not be salvaged.
Despite the loss, the congregation rallied to rebuild, determined to preserve one of the city’s oldest religious communities. Several artifacts were rescued from the flames, including a handful of original pew benches—one of which remains in use today—and a colonial-era clock, still prominently displayed in the sanctuary.
The reconstructed church, built on the same site, stands today as a symbol of faith, endurance, and architectural continuity in Alexandria’s religious history.