Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-08-30
who was also secretary of the ses-
sion of Bethel church. They are as

"From the most authentic infor-
nation, Bethel Presbyterian church,
in Pickens District, South Carolina,
was organized in the year of our
Lord, A. ID. 1905. The first house
of worship was made out of rough
round logs, covered in the usual way.
The first pastor was Rev. Andrew
Brown. The first ruling elders were
Gen. Andrew Pickens, Nathan Lusk
and Robert White. Subsequently
hewed log house of worship was
erected. The families composing the
c congregation were as follows,
namely: On Little River, John
New Whorter (school-master), Nathan
and Henry Lusk, Alexander Keown,
John Hughes and Andrew Pickens !;
on Occnes Creek, Thomas Lesley and
Francis Jenkins; on Cane Creek,
p atrick Andrew Alexander, John
White, James Anderson, Oliver
Wood, John McWhorter (black.
smith), John and Josiah Houston,
Jesse Neville and Mrs. Ware; and on
Conneross, Arthur Mellow and Alb
per Steele.
"In 1912 Rev. Andrew Brown
commenced teaching at Mount
Pleasant Academy (near this
church and continued teaching there
for several years. This was MT an
ordinary country school, but Pastor
Brown taught classical school.
Some years afterwaid quite a num-
ber of the families composing this
congregation emigrated to Alabama.
A long interval now ensues, of which
we have no account, as the church
minute book has been lost.
eve again commence Sc ices of
the church at about 1916 or I947. A
new framed house of worship was
erected by the congregation, Henry
Steele being the contractor. Subse-
quently this house was ceiled by
Elder Samuel II. McFall and others
of the body, and is now in fair
state of preservation. Rev. John l..
Kennedy preached at this time as
the regular supply. At this period
the ruling elders were John Todd
and Joseph Burnett.
"The number of communicates in
1858 were Is or 49," The names
do not appear on the minute book of
the session.
In 1854 Capt. Samuel r. McFall
purchased the fine property known
as OcoDee Station, near this church,
and removed thereto from his former
residence at Pickens Court House.
Soon after his removal he was elected
ruling elder of Bethel church, and
took great interest in its success. He
was also secretary of the session.
Mrs. Anna Rogers, an aged mem
ber of Bethel church, died January
26, 1858, from natural causes.
A protracted meeting was held at
Bethel church September ., 1859.
Revs. S. S. Gaillard, d. Chalmers
Boggs, f. p. Mul!ally and others
preached morning and evening for
several days. Great interest was mani
tested on the occasion and number
of persons connected themselves with
the church.
Several colored persons became
members of the church from time to
time.
Contributions to the various causes
of the church were made literally
during it's more recent history.
The services of the church were
much neglected on account of the
continuance of the war between the
sections.
We make the following record
from the minute book of the session
of Bethel church
September p, lS62.-Session met
and was opened by prayer. Present
w. p. Gready, moderator, and Elders
Josiah ID. Gaillard and a. d. Gail
lard. The following minute was
read and adopted: It is with the
deepest sorrow that the session of
ihi., .,l. f1.nl IL.