Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
PRESBYTERIANISM IN ROCK HILL.
Brief History of the Strongest Religion
ORGANIZATION In the County.

| Organization In the County.
Organized in 1869, principally on
the ground that number of the men,
bers having settled down to village life
and no longer having other needs fol
horses and vehicles, found it incon.
venient to get to the mother church =
Ebenezer-some three miles away, the
first Presbyterian church of Rock Hill
is now the strongest in the county
both financially and numerically, and
in both of these. respects ranks at the
top with all the religious organizations
n the state regardless of denomina
lion.
The story of the First Presbyterian
church of Rock Hill is one Of steady
growth and progress, and it is inter
csting-wonderfully so, when told in
full. But it is not the intention Of
this writer to attempt full story
only a bare outline, and for the fact;
stated, no credit for any research is
claimed. Rev. Alexander Spunt, the
present pastor, a few years ago, pub
Iilshed quite an extended sketch, which
he read in connection with the dedica.
tion of the costly aud handsome build
ing shown in the accompanying en-
craving, and of this sketch he has
kindly allowed free use. What is
given here, therefore is, for the most
part, an imperfect compilation from
The work of Mr. SDrunt.
The history of Rock Hill church
dates back to 1859. Previous to that
time, the congregation formed part
of old Ebenezer, and, of course, had
no history of its own. The Ebenezel
TERRITORY, it will be remembered
stretched out in every direction, and
in some to limit of something like
25 miles. This though was away back
in the early part of the century, when
the population of the country was
more sparse and the churches were few
Along in the early fifties. the families
living to the southeast began to realize
the desirability of having a house o.
worship nearer to them than Ebeneztr
and a chapel was built in the Steele
and Workman neighborhood, about
miles from Ebenezer and some 8 miles
from the site of the present town o
Rock Hill. This was in 1856. The
chapel was named Antioch and was
supplied by the pastor of Ebenezer
About this time the town of Rock Hill
began to show signs of growth and
development, and in 1858 Antioch
chapel was moved to that place and
established on the site shown in tho
engraving.
Though, at the last date mentioned
the church was in most flourishing
condition and bade fair to soon become
an independent organization, the wal
came on shortly afterward, and seri
ously checked its growth. 1t contin
ued an outpost of Ebenezer until the
year 1869, when, upon application te
Bethel presbytery, it was granted leave
to organize as separate church. The
membership, at that time, according
to Mr.. Sprunt, was composed as fol
lows: Jas. s. White, R. H. Hope, D
B. Miller, r. R. Barr, J. W. Steele, J
N. Steele, j. G. Steele, VIM. White, D
Gordon, J. ]. Roach, VIM. NJ. McCul
lev, Mrs. R. H. Hope, Mrs. r. E. Mil
ler, Mrs. M. H. Barr, Mrs. W. M
Steele, Mrs. NJ. A. Moore, Mrs. Sarah
Steele, Mrs. E. J. Steele, Mrs. E. $
dunlap, Mrs. l.. Gordon, Mrs. M. A
Roach, Mrs. NJ. Steele, Mrs. Anr
White, Mrs. A. E. Hutchison, Mrs. A
Caldwell, Mrs. NJ. E. Workman, NJ. D
L. Mcleod, M. D. Steele, d. P. Steele
A. H. White, J. F. Workman, JOS
Steele, R. r. May, R. w. Workman
R. H. Steele, VIM. M. McAteer, Mrs
E. McAteer, Mrs. M. E. Steele, Mrs
NJ. Russell, Mrs. R. H. Steele, Mrs
Jane Nicely, Miss M. E. H. Stone
Miss ]. E. Steele, Miss Mary Gordon
Miss NJ. E. White, Miss A. r. White,
Miss A. Caldwell, Miss l.. Hutchinson,
Miss r. NJ. Workman, Miss M. Hutch
ison, Miss l.. Bynum, Mrs. f. Bynum
November IL was the date of The
organization, and the officiating com
mission was composed of Rev. 'Messrs
R. E. Cooper, J. L. Watson, Wm
Banks, w. w. Carothers aud Rullns
Elder D. II. Parllow. The officers O
the church at that time were Rev. X
f. Cooper, pastor; H. H. Hart, J. F
Workman and NJ. D. l.. Mcleod
ruling elders, and R. w. Workman
A. H. White, VIM. Whyte, JOS. n
Steele and David Gordon, deacons.
The use of the old Antioch chape
building was continued until 1878
when The congregation disposed o
it for school purposes and deter
mined upon the erection of u hand
some brick church. This building wa
to have cost $4,000; but before it wa'
completed the cost ran up To 1000
and although it was very credlla3l'
building, as matter of fact, for varl
Gus reasons, but lew members of thu
congregation were ever pleased Will
it. Even from the date of its compile
; ton many began to look forward t
the erection of more creditabl
building that would better meet th'
requirements of what they then fore
saw would be the rapid growth of tn
church.
Rev. E. E. Cooper continued as pas