Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-11-27
known as Old Steady was elected ell
der and ordained by Rev. William Saw
900 Septanohar 27 12h0


der and ordained by Rev. William Saw
age, September q, 1850.
January l, 1854, Rev. A. A. James
was called to the pastorate, supplying
It one half his time. The session con-
sisted Of Colonel r. g. Davidson, M. 8.
Lynn and J. 8. Plaxico. Rev. Mr..
James preached here until January,
1859. When he commenced his minis
try there they had been worshipping in
very dilapidated building. He urged
did not think they were able. The old
church stood about seventy-five yards
west of the present building, and Prov
idence interposed and in q severe wind
storm brought down large pine tree,
completely demolishing the building.
This occurred a few weeks after he
commenced preaching there. Q864).
The Independent Presbyterians were
worshipping in the old church, about
one-fourth OF mile north Of where
the present church stands, and they
invited Rev. Mr.. James to occupy their
church. which he did. The feeling be-
tween the two denominations, or. per-
haps we should say, congregations,
had been very bitter, and after preach
ing in their house and both congrega-
tions worshipping together and COM
muning with each other, Rev. Mr..
James ventured proposal to them to
unite and build a union church, to
which they agreed, and the result was
the building of the present house Of
worship In 1854. They concluded they
would not build in the grove on ac-
count of storms. but exchanged the
site of the old Independent lot Of land
with Mr. Henry w. Thomson for the
extension Of their lot into the field
where the present house stands, and
they then planted shade trees around
the building.
The pine tree which demolished the
old church opened the way for union
between the two factions or churches.
The Independents had but four minis
ters and but little prospects Of any in
crease. At meeting Of the presbytery
in Unionville, Rev. A. A. James Offer
ed resolution that committee be
appointed to meet with the Independ-
ents In their annual convention and
propose a union Of the two branches OF
the church. 1t was adopted, and Rev.
A. A. James and ]. Starr Moore, Of the
York church, were appointed. They
met with the Independents at Olivet
church in York county, and were very
cordially received, and steps were TAX
en- toward the union OF the two
branches. But the war coming on 1t
was delayed for some time, but finally
1t was accomplished. The Independ-
ents had only four ministers at that
time, viz: Rev. Robert 7. Russell,
Rev. w. Washington Carothers, Rev. J.
Starkes Bailey, and Rev. w. w. Ratch-
ford. They had in charge fifteen
churches, which were added. ts Bethel
presbytery. All praise 10 The lofty pine
tree and the Providence that directed
the storm.
The present house Of worship was
built in 1854, and dedicated to the wor-
ship of Almighty God. Rev. Arnold
W. Miller, D. D., Cat that time pastor
Of Fishing Creek church, In Chester
county, and afterwards pastor Of the
First Presbyterian church, Charlotte,
N. c., preached the dedicatory sermon
from the text: How amfable are thy
tabernacles, Oh, Lord Of hosts" Psalm
lxxxiv, l.
At a meeting of the church session
held September II, 1854, with Rev.
Robt. Y. Russell, moderator, the fol-
lowing communication was received,
and was ordered placed on the church
records:
JACKSON HOSPITAL, Richmond, Va
To the Session Of Salem Church,
Union District, S. c.:
This will certify that on the 25th
day Of June, that I examined Joseph
M. Smith upon his Christian expert
ence and was we'll satisfied that he
had received a change Of heart. l ad-
ministered 10 him the sacrament OF
baptism and received him at his own
request into the Presbyterian church,
and 1t Is at his own request that his
name be enrolled upon the church book
at Salem, Union district, s. c.
r. F. PAXTON.
Past Chaplain, Jackson Hospital, q
Presbyterian minister OF the Synod
Of Georgia and PresbyteTy OF Cher
okee"
(Mr. Smith was a member Of Co. G,
Seventh s. C. Cavalry, Garys Brigade
and was mortally wounded at what Is
familiarly known as the "Wheatfield"
fight, near Cold Harbor, Va, May 80,
1864.
In 1878 the church was recovered.
This year (1903) it has been re-weath-
erboarded and painted inside and out
side The plastering on the inside was
much damaged by the earthquake or
August 81, 1886, but 1t has been re-
paired. To give full history OF the
church, with its various ministers, eld-
ers and other officers, together with
it's membership would carry this sketch
far beyond the space we have for It's
publication. Deaths, removals and the
vicissitudes Of life have wrought many
changes in all these.
They have been scattered like roses
in bloom,
Some by the bride and some by the
tomb"
Rev. w. H. White is at present sup
plying the church once a month. the
elders now are, S. F. Estes, c. w.
Whisonant, T. ]. Estes and J. l..
Strain. The deacons are, ]. w. Brown,
Jack Smarr and H. Terry Estes. the
ianitor, Leslie Blackwell. There are
sixty-two members on the roll.
The Sabbath school was organized
In 1886 and is evergreen.
The first person buried in the cem-
eterS was Mr.. William Davidson. He
died June 25, 1854, during the awful
endemic Of 1ux Rev. A. A. James
preached his funeral, taking for his
text, Weep not for me, but weep for
yourselves" These words are inScrib-
al a.. tha 70 ,,ailu r,aonnr,aant In the