Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-13
eETH.sHILoH CHURCH.


The following manuscript giving q
history of the rise and progress Of
Beth Shiloh Presbyterian church from
its organization in 1928 to the date Of
the manuscript In 1881, has just been
found in a cabinet in the Office Of the
editor of The Enquirer. The manu-
script was prepared by the late Col.
w. ]. Bowen Of the Beth Shiloh con-
gregation, and, so far as any record
Is available. 1t has never been publish
ed:
In the latter part Of the summer Of
1928, people in the vicinity Of what Is
now known as Beth Shiloh church,
began to feel the want Of religious in
struction. Bethel Presbyterian church
was the only one near there, and that
was seven miles distant. They there
fore erected a temporary stand in a
grove, near which Beth Shiloh church
now stands. Beth Shiloh church Is sit
uated about five miles northeast Of
Yorkville, on or near the great road
leading from Yorkville to Charlotte.
N. C.
THE new congregation procured
the services of Rev. VIM. c. Davis, who
was at that time living in the vicinity.
He preached occasionally for them
on the Sabbaths. when the weather
would permit, for probably a year.
Finding a continued and increasing
desire for religious worship manifest
ed by the number that attended, and
in order to protect them from the
weather, Mr. Davis induced the peo-
pie of the community to erect a small
church building. The walls were hewn
logs. Mr.. Davis continued TO preach
to the people about one Sabbath In
each month until the summer Of 1881,
when he organized a church at that
place. The last of September follow
ing he died.
Mr.. Davis was succeeded by his
son-in-law, Rev. Silas ]. Feemster.
During Mr.. Feemster's ministrations
Tin 1881 and 1882 large accessions were
made to the church as the result of
the revival that pervaded the churches
in York county at that time. Mr..
Feemster continued to preach to the
congregation Of Beth Shiloh a part Of
his time for some five years, or until
1887.
Rev. George w. Davis, a nephew
of Rev. VIM. c.. Davis, succeeded Mr..
Feemster, and preached one-half OF
his time to Beth-Shiloh about ten
years, or until 1S47 or 1S4S.
Beth Shiloh church was greatly
blessed with the outpourings Of Gods
spirit during the -ministrations Of Revs.
Feemster and Davis, and large acces-
sions were made to the church, but
because of the great spirit Of migrat-
ing westward its numbers were great
ly depleted.
"Afte" Mr.. Davis removal to the
west, : eth Shiloh church was supplied
by the ministerial labors of Rev. Rob-
ert Y. Russell one Sabbath a month
for some three years, or until about
1850 or 1851.
Mr.. Russell was succeeded by Rev.
]. S. Bailey, who preached to the con-
cation two years, or until 1853. AT
the termination Of Mr.. Bailey's time,
Rev. w. w. Carothers took charge OF
the congregation and preached for
them from January, 1853, regularly
twice a month until Beth-Shiloh
church, together with all the other
churches of the Independent Presby-
terian body, united with Bethel Pres
bytery, Synod Of South Carolina. This
union was consummated December,
1853.
Rev. Mr. Carothers continued his
ministerial labors without Interrupt
ton as stated supply until the
church, in October, 1868, sent up
call for his pastoral services. The
call was put into the hands Of Mr..
Carothers, and on his acceptance of 1t
he was installed pastor Of Beth-Shilon
and Allison Creek churches. This was
on the first Saturday Of December,
1868. In the fall Of 1870 the pastoral
relation between Mr.. Carothers and
Beth Shiloh church was dissolved, and
he moved to Mississippi. During the
seventeen years Of Rev. Mr.. Carothers'
preaching Gods spirit was poured out
upon the careless and ungodly sinners
In the congregation, and many OF them
professed their faith In Christ and
confided in his promise Of salvation.
In the fall of 1857 more than fifty were
added to the church on examination.
Rev. Douglas Harrison was employ
ed as stated supply after Rev. Mr.. Car
others removal, by Beth-Shiloh con-
gregation from January, 1871, to De-
cember, 1877, seven years. During his
ministrations there were no unusual
manifestations of the holy spirit visi-
BILE in the church. There were a few
additions to the church.
After Mr.. Harrison's term, Beth
Shiloh congregation obtained the min
isterial services of Licentiate John
G. Henderson, a native Of Canada, who
served us for the two years 1888.
During the fall Of 1878 there was a
protracted meeting for one week, par
ticipated in by some of the ministers
of neighboring congregations, and re-
suited in the addition of some forty
five to the church. Mr. Henderson
ha wing concluded To return m Gam
ada, the church Of Beth Shiloh pro-
cured the services Of Rev. R. F. Tay-
lor, who had been laboring at and
near Stone Mountain, Ga, for some