By Ellen Watts

First Presbyterian Church of Kernersville is sometimes referred to as “The Egg Church” because it has been famous for its chocolate covered, either peanut butter or coconut flavored, Easter Eggs for almost 35 years! For eight weeks, a volunteer crew of church members and friends from throughout the community gather to mix, mold, dip, and wrap chocolate eggs.

How did the Egg Ministry get started? In 1990, while struggling to pay off the mortgage on the new fellowship hall at the church, Donna Myers, a former Pennsylvanian and a First Presbyterian Church member, obtained permission from a church in Pennsylvania to use their recipe for chocolate covered Easter eggs. After trial and error by Donna Myers and Norma Stikeleather, a means of raising funds to pay off the church debt was formed. In 1999, a ceremony was held to burn the paid mortgage on the Fellowship Hall. The church decided to continue making the eggs to help the Kernersville community and thus began the Egg Ministry.

For three days a week volunteers will gather in the church Fellowship Hall for about two and a half hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to make the delicious chocolate eggs. Each egg is made from scratch and goes through a three-day process, from being mixed until wrapped in shiny foil paper to then be sold for one dollar! These volunteers, mostly retired church members and community volunteers, enjoy the time spent together producing a product that benefits the Kernersville community. Among the daily volunteers are often police officers, EMT’s, school personnel, firefighters, town officials, as well as longtime supporters of the ministry.

First Presbyterian’s Egg Ministry has offered financial support to various charities and endeavors in the community. We have provided support to: Kernersville Police Department’s Camp for Kids, Kernersville Fire Department’s Safety Seat Program, Crisis Control, Next Step Ministries, Kernersville Local Schools Student Needs Program, Kernersville Library for Children’s Books, Kernersville Police Department’s Christmas Shop with a Cop Program, The Shepherd’s Center, and First Tee of Central North Carolina: Teaching Youth Core Values through Golf. In addition, the Egg Ministry provides support as needed for church facility maintenance.

Milk chocolate peanut butter and milk chocolate coconut eggs are available this year by going online to FPCKernersville.org. Online orders will be available March 3 through April 11. Online orders must be placed at least 2 business days prior to the requested pickup date. Orders will be available for pickup on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons between 1-4 pm. We do not mail or ship eggs! Orders must be picked up at the church, First Presbyterian Church, which is located at 611 Oakhurst St. Kernersville, on the day requested. We only accept payments of cash or check; we do not accept cards or electronic payments of any kind.

The eggs will also be sold at three other locations beginning February 27, 2025. You can find them at the Seafood Shack in Walkertown, as well as Farmer’s Hardware and Plaza Restaurant, both of which are located in Kernersville. Purchasing eggs at the church will start on March 3, 2025, which will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday afternoons from 1-4 pm.

Any questions may be directed to the Egg Ministry Phone: 336-515-3199.