Thyatira Presbyterian Church, Cemetery, & Manse is a historic church located in the Mill Bridge community in Western Rowan County, North Carolina.

Thyatira Presbyterian Church was organized before 1750. Land grants were made in the area in 1747 & the meeting house that later became Thyatira was established shortly after. It was first known as Lower Meeting House from its founding until about 1753.

In 1753, twelve acres of land were deeded by John & Naomi Lynn to the congregation of Lower Meeting House on 17 January. Twelve more acres "on James Cathey's north line" were deeded to the same congregation the next day. It was after this time that the church became known as Cathey's Meeting House.

In 1764, two visiting Presbyterian ministers, Elihu Spencer & Alexander, carefully selected the name "Thyatira." To demonstrate their knowledge of the Scriptures & leave a reminder to the congregation.

The name Thyatira is mentioned in the Bible; in Acts 16:14 & Revelation 1:11 & 2:18-29. One of the seven churches of Asia, this early church had a record of faith, love, & endurance. Until Jezebel, an evil temptress, led many of the townspeople into disbelief and immorality, & some of the congregation followed their example.

Thyatira Presbyterian Church was served by itinerant ministers until 2 Aug 1777, when the Rev. Dr. Samuel Eusebius McCorkle became the church's first installed minister.

In 1805, near the end of Rev. McCorkle's pastorate, there was a split in the congregation of Thyatira. Between the revivalists & non-revivalists. A revival was sweeping through the area with people shouting, dancing, barking like dogs, swooning and having the "jerks." Some of the congregation of Thyatira believed it was a true manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Others–including Rev. McCorkle–did not.

The revivalists felt so strongly that 20 to 30 families–including 5 Elders–left Thyatira & formed Back Creek Presbyterian Church on 6 September 1805 just a few miles away. The only Elder still loyal to Thyatira was Capt. Thomas Cowan (1747-1817).

There have been 4 houses of worship for the congregation now known as Thyatira. The first was a log structure built when the church was established & located about a 100 yards west of a marker in the cemetery which marks the location of the 3rd building.

The second building–also a log structure–was built at the same site as the first building sometime before Rev. McCorkle was appointed.

The third building, a very large A frame structure, was built during the pastorate of Rev. McCorkle & located in the lower part of the church cemetery. The site of which is marked by a marker which names the ministers who preached at the 3rd building. This building also included galleries on three sides; with one being used for the slaves. It also contained a high pulpit that was reached by a winding staircase & an ornamental sounding board was located behind the minister's head.

The fourth & current sanctuary was built of bricks between 1858 & 1860; being completed in 1860 & renovated in 1864.

Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery contains over 900 graves. The oldest surviving stone is that of John Nisbet (1705-1755). There are also many notable graves located throughout the cemetery. Included in these notable interments are early settlers, the ancestors of a president, 2 relatives of a vice president, a Civil war surgeon, a U.S. Congressman, numerous Revolution Patriots, & soldiers from all wars from the French & Indian War to the present. There is also a notable monument in the cemtery. It details the history of the buildings at Thyatira on one side & a list of ministers who preached at the third church on the other.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 17 February 1984.