A Day of Small Beginnings: The Presbyterian Church in the USA (1770 - 1906)

The Rev'd Francis Makemie

     Scottish Presbyterianism planted her feet in American soil under the missionary efforts of Rev. Francis Makemie (the "father of American Presbyterianism").  Rev. Makemie, an Ulster Scot, came to America from Ireland in 1683, long after the French Huguenots settled in South Carolina in 1562.  He helped develop a presbytery in Philadelphia in 1704.  He began missionary activities in New York with Rev. John Hampton in 1707.  In 1770, Presbyterian missionaries Roe and Close from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia visited what is now known as Abbeville and Greenwood. They had come at the request of General Andrew Pickens, Patrick Calhoun (father of John C. Calhoun), Mr. Noble (father of SC Governor Noble), and Mr. Wardlaw (father of Judge Wardlaw).  The men had desired to start church plants in Donalds, Greenville and Upper Longcane. 

The Rev'd James Templeton

     A church was formed just northeast of present day Greenwood called Rocky Creek Presbyterian church, with the first elder installed in 1770.  The Rev. JamesTempleton was the first supply minister.  He was a graduate of Nassan Hall and licensed by Hannover Presbytery on October 26th in 1775.  The Rev. James Creswell came from England in 1727 and was Rock's second supply minister. He fought in the Revolutionary War and helped organize Rock Church in 1770. He died in 1778 and is buried at the historic Rock Church cemetery.   In 1785, Rock Church and Cambridge Presbyterian (Ninety-six) both were supplied by the Rev. James Templeton for six months.  On October 18th, 1788, the Rev. John Springer supplied the church briefly before taking a call to Washington, Georgia.

The Rev'd Edwin Cater

     In 1844, the name was changed to Rock Presbyterian Church.  In this era, the Rev. Edwin Cater accepted a call to the church as her first full-time minister.  His main goal was revitalizing the church, which raised from 20 to 102 (84 whites and 18 blacks).  The mission of Rock Presbyterian Church seems to have been geared to the organization of new churches, which exhausted her membership by 1906.  In 1833, a daughter church was formed in Greenwood (First Presbyterian Church) at the old Presbyterian High School and Rock gave this church 59 of its members and shared ministers until 1890.  In 1850, a church was organized in Ninety-six, SC with 15 members from Rock. Churches were also formed at Cokesbury and Coronaca.

The Rev'd John McLees

     During the ministry of Rev. John McLees (1847-1882), Rock Church was the first church in the Presbytery to make a written narrative of the state of religion and a statistical report of the church; it was first to be incorporated and also first in which weekly collections were taken up.  Rev. McLees served both Rock Church and the young First Presbyterian congregation in Greenwood.  During the ministry of Rev. McLees, the church purchased a scholarship in Oglethorpe University for $500; and in 1884 made a large contribution to Austin College and built Pine Grove Academy.

     Before and after the Emancipation of the Slaves, Rev. McLees, spent much time on the Sabbath educating them and their children in how to read, how to read the Bible and memorizing the Shorter Catechism at both Rock Church and First Presbyterian in Greenwood.

Re-Organization and Renewal: The Presbyterian Church in the United States (1956 - 1974)

Rock was without a pastor for fifty years until 1956 when Dr. R. Alexander of the First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood challenged the men of the church to reopen the doors of Rock.  Rock Church has been removed form the roll of South Carolina Presbytery due to inactivity.  Under the leadership of ruling elder W. L. Bross, the youth of First Presbyterian spent many Saturdays painting and doing much-needed work.  Mr. Bross was among those re-organizing members of First Presbyterian that came to Rock.

The Rev'd Jack Maxwell      June 10, 1956, Jack Maxwell, a senior at Columbia Theological Seminary (PCUS), was called during the summer to help with the organization.  Eight families came from First Presbyterian to aid in the re-organizing process.  By the end of the Summer, there were over 30 active members.  Rock Church had been re-born and was re-constituted a member of the SC Presbytery in 1956.  Rev. Maxwell built the Sunday School by driving his old Ford around the Quarry Community and picking up children for Sunday School and Church.       Mrs. Imojean Kelley, a charter member of the church (1956) and daughter of Deacon A.B. Kelley grew up in the Quarry Community.  She tells the story of rushing out of the church during the summer because of the presence of so many wasps!

The Rev. Jack Maxwell

The Session of 1956

The Original Rock Presbyterian Church (built in 1815), replaced the log structure that rested on one of the nearby rocks as a foundation stone.

The Rev'd C. "Jerry" Hammett

     By 1957, Rev. C. J. Hammett also from Columbia Theological Seminary was called to be the first full-time minister in over half a century.  The men of Rock Church built a manse, added Sunday School rooms and bought the Old Quarry Grammar School to be used as a community center.  The first couple married by Rev. Hammett was Ronald H. Rawlings and Martha Beacham. 

The Rock Church Fire of 1959

    On February 1, 1959, the historic church burned to the ground with only one communion table and bench (on display in the church building) and three pews being saved.  Bob McCord, a charter member and Deacon Emeritus, once said that the only guess people had at the time as to the source of the fire was an old gas heater that was faulty.  Church services continued in the refurbished school house as the young flock began plans for a new building.  The men of the church gathered their resources and organized several committees to bring the vision to fruition-- and God was pleased to see it through!  Ruling Elder W. L. Bross designed the structure, as well as the future Education Building.

Historic Rock Church Fire, February 1959	The Memorial Stone marking the original site of the church
The Old Quarry School House, Rock Church Rd. (1959)	Ground Breaking Ceremony (1959); Elder W. M. Bross from First Presbyterian Greenwood with Shovel next to Ms. Imojean Kelley

New Beginnings

     Under the leadership of the Rev'd CJ Hammett, with much prayer and much faith, a new edifice was constructed of blue granite after the historic model of Christian churches (particularly Scottish Presbyterian).  The new architecture reflected the mood of the new liturgical renewal movement on the 1960's (see our worship page for more details)

     The basic layout is that of a cross, with elevated split Chancel, pulpit to the right and elevated "altar"-- all in beautiful hardwoods.  In reformed fashion, the decor of the Nave (sanctuary) is plain with wooden wall hangings in the shape of the tables of the Law.   The first couple married in the new sanctuary was Spears Alexander and Joyce Withers, daughter of Ruling Elder Albert "Boo" Withers.  On May 15, 1960, Rock Church was occupied with 82 members and dedicated to the glory of God.  Rev. Hammett was called to the National Guard on October 8, 1961.

Construction Day! (1959)	Dedication Ceremony (1960); Rev. Jerry Hammett
Church Officers (1960); In Geneva robes, Rev. Hammett (L) and Rev. Dr. R. Alexander of First Pres. Greenwood (R)	The Rock Presbyterian Church Cornerstone: "Organized 1770; Rebuilt 1815; Destroyed by Fire 1959;  This Building erected 1959; Rev. CJ Hammett, Pastor, WL Bross, Engineer"

     Rev. Hammett was followed by Rev. Dr. Hugh Eichelberger (1962-1964), a senior from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.  Rev. Irwin Gates served the church after Dr. Eichelberger from 1965-1968 and was followed by Rev. Robert Holmes who served the church from 1968-1972.  On July 19, 1970, Rock Church celebrated its bicentennial with special worship services, dinner on the grounds and homecoming for families, friends and ministers.  Rev. Jack Maxwell was the guest speaker.  The Rev. Dr. M. A. McDonald supplied the church from 1972-1973.

© 2008 Thou Shalt Not Steal
Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is an everlasting Rock (Isaiah 26.4)