Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-27
New A, r. p. Church.

The opening Of the new Associate
Reformed Presbyterian church in York
Vile last Sabbath, marks a proud
event in the life of a faithful, stead
fast little congregation, and it is hoped
also that this event will mark greatly
increased usefulness in the work Of
spreading the glory Of the kingdom Of
Christ.
The Associate Reformed Presbyte-
rian congregation Of Yorkville was or
ganized in 1853, sixty years ago, with
fourteen members and, while 1t has
tenaciously held its own during all
those years, 1t was not until 1t had
been in existence a full half century
that it began to show visible evidences
of material growth.
The first home of the congregation
was the building that had been erected
by the Independent Presbyterians on
East Liberty street opposite the ceme-
terry; but this home was only tenn
porary one, used until the completion
In 1857 Of the building now being aban-
doned on account of the new edifice
that was formally opened last Sab
bath.
Rev. s. C. Millen, D. D., was the first
pastor. He served the Yorkville church
in connection with the church at Tir-
zah until 1857, and was followed in
1859 by Rev. Robert Latham, who con-
tinued In charge until 1884, when he
resigned to take a chair in Erskine
Theological seminary. Rev. DR.. ]. c.
Galloway, now Of Gastonia, was the
next pastor from 1885 to 1893 and he
was followed by Rev. B. H. Grier who
remained from 1894 to 1901, when he
resigned to accept a call to the church
at Ora, in Laurens county.
Following the departure Of Rev. Mr..
Grier, the pulpit remained vacant for
nearly three years; but the congrega-
ton continued to hold together with
occasional supplies. and at length re-
solved upon a step to which 1t had
never before felt equal, the calling of
a pastor for full time. During the lat
ter part of the year 1903 call was ex-
tended to Rev. w. c.. Ewart and ac-
cepted by him. The total membership
of the church was less than sixty; but
under the new arrangement the little
congregation began to redouble Its
zeal and activities, and during the
four years following the membership
was increased to 120. Mr.. Ewart died
in the summer Of 1908, and was sue
ceeded in the fall Of 1909 by Rev. ]. L.
Oates, the present pastor.
The rapid growth experienced dur
ing the pastorate of Rev. w. C. Ewart
has continued during the pastorate Of
Rev. J. L. Oates, and the membership
Of the church at the present time num-
bers 1873. The subject Of a new church
building had been raised as far back
as the pastorate Of Rev. DR.. j. c. CAL
loway; but it did not become a real
live question until after Rev. w. G.
Ewart took charge, when the congre-
CATION began to consider ways and
means for the raising Of the necessary
money, etc. Mr.. Ewart had the prom
ise of quite a considerable nucleus
and had secured the preparation of
plans, and would have no doubt car
ried the work to completion except for
his untimely death. Losing no time in
familiarizing himself with the condi-
tions as they had been shaped up dur
inu tho cfOrota of ,Rav Mr. Ewa ri
Rev. Mr.. Oates continued along the
lines as they had been laid down and
gave especial attention to the new
church building proposition with the
result that but little IL any time has
been lost.
It Is probably not out Of place to re-
mark that when the church building
sentiment first began to crystalize but
few members Of the congregation con-
templated an aggregate expenditure
exceeding $4,000; but as matters
stood at the wind-up, the new proper
ty acquired, including building and
equipment, lot, parsonage, ETC., repre-
sents an outlay Of considerably more
than twice that sum.
The new church building Is easily
one Of the handsomest in the Associ-
ate Reformed Presbyterian denomina-
ton, and II the wonderful liberality
displayed by the little Yorkville con-
gregation in this matter is to be taken
as an indication Of the activity and
zeal it proposes to show in its further
efforts, 1t is not unsafe to predict that
the near future will find this denomi-
nation occupying a still larger place In
the Christian development Of the town
and county than heretofore.