It was formally established in the early 1800s by Scottish settlers in the area, and was named for Colin MacPherson, who donated the church's original lands.

The Reverend Angus McDiarmid, who also worked at other area Presbyterian churches including Barbecue and Bluff, preached irregularly at the gatherings.

[3] Eight elders were appointed to lead the new congregation, including Daniel Macrae, James Torry and Neill Buie, Sr.

In either 1852 or 1854, the Presbytery of North Carolina dissolved MacPherson Church, due to the lack of qualified preachers in Cumberland County.

In addition to MacPherson, Confederate Lieutenant General Theophilus Hunter Holmes, who served as commander of the Trans-Mississippi department for the Confederacy, is buried in the church's graveyard.