Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-07-01
THE CHURCH At FLINT HILL.
First Baptist Organization In York
County.

First Baptist Organization In YORK
County.
In 1893 there were but 1000 Baptist
churches In the territory now occupied
by the United States. Flint Hill, or as
it was then called Sugar Creek church,
was one of these churches. 1t was or
ganized in 1893, October 29th, by or
daining and setting apart John Rocker
as minister Of the church and John
Dinkins. Sr., and John Smith to the
office Of deacons. Rev. John Rocker
served this church as pastor for forty
eight years, he having preached there
for one year before regular organi-
zation was effected. This good man
has left behind "A monument more
lasting than brass" for while his grave
is marked by simple stone, his name
is held In loving remembrance by hun
dreds of the descendants Of the fathers
and mothers who through his. ministry
were brought to the Savior. The fol-
lowing is taken from his tombstone:
I'm memory Of Elder John Rocker,
who was born on the 18th Of March,
1755, in the State Of Virginia, and de-
parted this life on the Gath Of June,
1910, in the seth year Of his age. In
1882 he united himself with the Bap-
tist church. In 1888 he entered the
ministry and in 1892 he became pastor
of Sugar Creek (now Flint HID, in
which charge he remained until the.
time Of his DEATH"
Flint Hill church has exerted Won
derful influence for good. Almost all
of the Baptist churches in York coun-
ty owe their motherhood to this church,
the First Baptist church Of Charlotte
and the surrounding Baptist churches
OF Mecklenburg county, N. c., were
founded by persons who were original
| ly members of this church. The first
building in which John Rocker and the
twelve members who constituted the
church in 1893 worshipped, was rude
log structure, that stood some few
yards in the rear Of the present church.
The old house was replaced by frame
building that was neither weather.
boarded nor ceiled. Mr.. Stephen
Blankenship, who Is now the oldest
deacon of the church, informs us that
he recollects this church we'll. It stood
short distance north Of the present
church. The present church Is a frame
building, go feet long by 40 feet wide.
It Is painted white, nicely finished in
side and seated with comfortable pews.
It was erected in 1856. 1t Is surround
ed by grove Of virgin pines and oaks
that comprise several acres. The flint
rocks jutting out here and there on
the hill on which 1t stands, tell us why
it was so named. The cemetery, lying
est Of the church, contains four acres
of ground. Here sleeps John Rocker
and those who worshipped with him,
and, many Of their descendants. The
Blankenships, Smiths, Epps, Boyds,
Farises, Kimbrells, Nivens and many
others, who were good and true men
and women, are here awaiting the call
of the Master. From the time Of Its
founding Flint Hill has had nineteen
pastors Their names in the order in
which they served, were given ..>'ts by
Messrs. S. P. Blankenship and Samuel
Epps: Revs. Rocker, Thomas, Nolan,
Breaker. Strickland, Perry, Rawlins,
Nicholson, Owens, Slough, Covington,
Caxton, Hinton FAINT, Scaife, Curtis,
Hughes, Slough and now, Rev. w. M.
Gordon who assumed the pastorate the
1st Of this month. 1t will be seen that
up to the beginning Of the present
year, period Of 110 years, the average
number of years served by each pastor
was a fraction over six years. Rev.
John Rockers term, forty eight years,
being the longest, and Rev. c. T.
Scaifes, less than one year. being the
shortest. The present membership Is
$40. The officers Of the church at this
S. P. Blankenship, j. C. Smith, B. M.
Farris, A. L. Farris, Boyd Alexander
and D. V. Epps, deacons; w. F. Boyd,
treasurer and James F. Boyd, clerk.
The congregation sold their parsonage
at Pineville recently, and committee
has been appointed to have a new par
sonage erected at some suitable place
near the church to be selected by
them. The church Is located in the
northeast corner of Fort Mill town.
] ship, near the state line.