First Presbyterian was organized as a church in 1804 and the 13 charter members leased space from St. Paul’s Church for worship. As the congregation grew, the need for more space grew as well, along with the desire for a church building of their own. In 1807 The Georgia State Legislature deeded to the congregation land on what is now Telfair Street. Commissioning the architect of the Washington Monument, Robert Mills, a sanctuary seating more than 1000 people was designed in a classical style with 35 pews on the ground floor and a three-sided gallery 15-feet deep. The cornerstone was laid in 1809, with construction being completed in 1812 and more than 700 gathering for the first service.