Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-08-12
The A. R. P'S OF SHARON
Oldest SeGeder Congregation of
York County.
NOTABLE SKETCH BYLATE DR.R.A. ROSS
Organized From Among the Presby-
terian Settlers in 1886, II Has Con-.
tinued a Force For Good For More
Than One Hundred Years.

Than One Hundred Years.
Prior to 1882, there were no Asso-
ciate Reformed Presbyterians in
America. In fact there were none
anywhere. Before that time, there
were a few Associate Anti Burger Sc
ceders scattered over the Unitde
States. There may have been few
of this order of people in the south.
To this order belonged DR.. Clark, who
more than 100 years ago sowed the
seed from whence sprang some of the
present A. r. p. congregations OF the
south. Whether or not there were any
of this sort of people in York county
| prior to 1882, or between that time
and 1886, the writer has no means or
ascertaining. The Associate Reformed
Presbyterian church Is the result oi
union between the Associate Anti
Burger Seceders and Reformed Pres
byterians, consummated in 1882. 1t had
no organic existence in York county
| prior to 1896. UP to this time ell Pres
byterians in the upper counties OF
South Carolina belonged to the Gener-
al Assembly Presbyterian church.
Prior to 1896, there was an Associate
Reformed Presbytery in South Car
olina called the Presbytery of the
Carolinas and Georgia; but it Is not
known that 1t had any congregation or
people in York county up to that time
About 1895 or 1896, Watts Psalms
and Hymns were introduced into the
PRESBYTERIAN church Of South Carroll
ma. This was regarded by many as an
innovation to which they could not
conscientiously submit. The conse-
quence was there was considerable Sc
cession of the stricter sort in many OF
the congregations. Thus 1t seems 10
have been in Beersheba and Bullocks s
Creek congregations. 1t was certainly
so in Beersheba as the writer has OF
ten heard from an intelligent ard pi-
GUS ruling elder, who was one or the
Seceders. OF this class coming botn
from Beersheba and Bullock's Creek,
it is pretty certain that Sharon was
originally formed.
From all the traditional informa
tion now available, 1t is pretty certain
that the church was organized in the
summer of 1896, by the Rev. James
! Rogers. Who constituted the first
bench of elders is not now known. AL
an early period in the history or the
congregation, Robert Mcknight, Johr
and Andrew Wright and William Love
are known to have been ruling elders
in it. Whether or not they were the
first cannot now be ascertained
Tradition says that among those
who originally constituted the con-
gregation were Peter Galloway
and Alexander Galloway, the faith
ers of the Revs. Robert and Johna-
than Galloway, and also of Hugh A.
Galloway, yet living at an advanced
age having been near thirty-five years
n worthy and efficient ruling elder
Several families of Wrishts, Robert
Mcknight, n family of Millers. one OF
whom donated the land which still De-
longs to the congregation, Robert and
William Kennedy, the Williams, Lind
SAYS, Bighams, Scots, FAMILY OF
Russels from which sprang the la'e
Rev. r. Y. Russell of the Independent
PRESBYTERIAN church, family CT
Raineys, one of which was educa'eu
for the ministry in the Associate
church. but who died of consumption
lust as he was ready to be licensed.
The descendants of several OF the
above named families still belong 10
the congregation. Many of them, now
ever, when the slavery question first
began to be agitated removed to ONO
and Indiana and became usetul eie-
ments in those churches which now
constitute the United Presbyterian
church. Some removed to Tennessee
The substantial part of Hopeweil'
Marry county, Tennessee, was derived
from Old Sharon.
In the latter part Of 1886 or the be-
Ginning of 1897, Sharon united with
Bethany, in the northern parrof YORK
county, and Carmel in the south In
call to the Rev. william Dixon, thef
RECENTLY come into this country from
Scotland. Mr.. Dixon was probation
er under the care of the Associate Re-
formed Presbyterian presbytery OF the
Carolinas and Georgia. He accepted
the call above mentioned and was or
doined and installed at Sharon or
) lime 5th. 1897. The presbytery tha'
ordained and installed him consisted
of Revs. James Rogers, John Hemp
: hill. Peter McMillen and william
Blackstocks. Whether or not there
, were any ruling elders associated witF
I. them in this work, the record does mol
, inform us. Thus Sharon Associate
Reformed congregation was furniShec
, with her first pastor, lacking but q Ill
tie of being eighty years ago.
, shortly after the settlement OF Mr.
Dixon. DR.. j. NJ. Mason's scheme o.
freouent communions, dispensing will
days of fasting and thanksgiving con
nected Herewith. began to aeitate th'
, Associate Reformed church. This was
tho beginning of that restless spirit o.