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

Rev. 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). 

Rev. Edwin Cater

     The men had desired to start church plants in Donalds, Greenville and Upper Longcane.  A church was formed just northeast of present day Greenwood called Rocky Creek Presbyterian church, and was organized in 1770.  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.

Rev. 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.

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.       June 10, 1956, Jack Maxwell, a student at Columbia Theological Seminary, came 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 Presbyter in 1956.  By 1957, Rev. C. Jerry Hammet 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 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 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.  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!

Historic Rock Church Fire, February 1959

The Old Quarry School House, Rock Church Rd. (1959)

New Beginnings

     With much prayer and much faith, a new edifice was constructed of blue granite after the historic model of Christian churches (particularly Scottish Presbyterian), shaped in a cross, with elevated Chancel, pulpit to the right and elevated communion table-- 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.  On May 15, 1960, Rock Church was occupied with 82 members and dedicated to the glory of God.  Rev. Hammet was called to the National Guard on October 8, 1961.

Ground Breaking Ceremony (1959); Elder W. M. Bross from First Presbyterian Greenwood with Shovel next to Ms. Imojean Kelley	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)

     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.

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Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is an everlasting Rock (Isaiah 26.4)