Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-10-11
.HOPEWELL A. R. P. Church
Story of Famous Chester County Con-
gregatlOn.
ESTABLISHED BEFORE REVOLUTION
Important Religious History Recalled
Fine Old Congregation with splen-
did Iraditions.

lHlPO'
Fine Old Congregation with SPlen-
did Traditions.
S. B. Latham in Chester Reporter.
About three miles north east Of
Blackstock in Chester county, where
the public road leading to Chester
crosses the one leading to Cornwell,
stands Hopewell A. r. p. church. The
exact date when this congregation was
organized is not definitely known.
Rev. Thomas Clark preached in this
neighborhood occasionally as early as
1775, as there were several Seceders
at this date living in this neishbor-
hood. The place of preaching was in
n grove at the south west corner OF
the present grave yard. After the
Revolutionary War broke out there
was very little preaching anywhere in
the surrounding country. The only
minister in this section at this time
was Rev. William Martin, and he was
for long time prisoner of war in
the hands of the British.
In the year 1888 Rev. John Jamison
preached occasionally in the bounds
of this congregation and possibly
other ministers. In 1887 Rev. John
Lind did missionary work in this
community, and very likely organized
the church. In the following year.
1888, Rev. John Boyce was sent out
by the Associate Reformed Preshy-
terry of Pennsylvania to do missionary
work in North and South Carolina.
He labored as stated supply to the
congregations of Hopewell, S. c., and
Coddle Greek, Gilead and Prosperity,
N. C. When he first came into this
neighborhood he preached at a log
house located near Edward McDan-
iel's. This house was used jointly by
the Covenanters and Seceders.
During the year 1888 Mr.. Boyce be-
gan preaching at the stand or grove
(HopewelD: The arrangement between
the several congregations Of which
he was stated supply was that Hope
we'll should have half of his minister
ial services.
In 1889 the first house Of worship
ut Hopewell was built. 1t was a log
house and stood near the northwest
corner of the graveyard. The work
of erecting this building was done by
the male members of the congregation,
ard It is said all the logs of the build
ing were hewed by Mr.. Samuel Mof-
fatt, then young man and the only
one in this community who knew how
to uce a broadaxe. Mr.. Moffatt after
ward became q ruling elder in Hope
well and died in 1905.
Rev. John Boyce was probably In
stalled pastor of Hopewell, Coddle
Greek, Prospect and Gilead sometime
during the year 1890. His pastorate
lasted only a few years. He died
March 18th, 1893. His mortal remains
were buried in Hopewell graveyard.
An unpretentious stone marks the
spot. 1t is probable he did little
preaching during the year 1898.
He boarded with David McQuis-
ton. who lived on Little River in the
bounds Of what is now New Hope con-
gregation. There is tradition that
one of Mr.. David McQuiston's daugh-
ters and Mr.. Boyce were engaged to
be married and that during his last
illness she tenderly nursed him and
soothed his brow on his dying pillow.
A short while after the death of Mr..
Boyce Miss Margaret McQuiston died,
and her mortal remains were buried
by tile side of Mr.. Boyce.
In 1871 the first bench Of Elders was
chosen, viz:
James Chestnut, William McQuiston
and James Meek. James Dunn, David
McQuiston and Thomas McDill having
been elders in Ireland had been act
ing in this capacity at Hopewell ever
since its organization in 1877.
At the death of Mr.. Boyce they were
without 2 pastor until 1875, but were
occasionally visited and preached TO
by Revs. Jas. Rodgers, Peter McMul-
len and William Bhckstocks. AL
though Hopewell was vacancy it
continued to increase very rapidly.
During the month of February, 1875.
Rev. John Hemphill who had been sent
in 1894 by the first Presbytery OF
Pennsylvania as missionary to the
south. began preaching at Hopewell,
but after a short while returned to
GleencGstle, Pennsylvania. About the
time of his departure the people OF
HopewclT, Union and Little River (now
New Hope) united il presenting 20
him a call to become their pastor, but
he held it for consideration. After
his return to Pennsylvania Rev. JAS
Mcknight preached at Hopewell. Dur
ing the summer of 1895 Mr.. Hemphill
concluded to accept the call presented
to him by the congregation of Hope
well. Union and Little River and made
known the fact by letter to Rev.
James Rodgers, which he read to the
at Hopewell from the
pulpit. The Hopewell people at once
made arrangements to move their pas