ROCK SPRINGS METHODIST CEMETERY (OLD), Oconee County, SC Version 1.0, 16-Oct-2002, C023.TXT, C23 **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. **************************************************************** NEW LOCATION: ------------- To locate the present church/cemetery, locate intersection of Highways 123 and 28 on the west side of Seneca. Drive 5.3 miles west on highway 123. Turn right on Richland Road and drive 1.1 miles. OLD LOCATION: ------------- To locate the old cemetery, go out the front door of the present church location. Go across the creek bridge. Turn right on Gibson Road. Turn into the first dirt driveway on the right. There's a double-wide trailer that sits on a hill, that is difficult to see from Gibson Road. The cemetery is located in a group of trees, to the left-back side of trailer. HISTORY: -------- Both church locations are on the north edge of the village of Richland. The old church location was a small log house for a meeting place, which stood near the present church, and it was also used as a school. Rev. James Holland, owner of the log house, and charter member of the church, deeded 1/2 acre to the congregation on 26-Sep-1844, on which the building had been erected. The building with a door at each end, had a high box pulpit, with a small shuttered window over it, at the north end of the building. One preacher, the Rev. John Penney, had to have a block to stand on so his head was above the high pulpit. There was no organ. Tunes were "pitched" by an exhorter, who read a portion of a hymn at a time, then the congregation would sing, continuing that way until the hymn was completed. When reading, the exhorter would explain the meaning of each line, often preaching a sermon. The church had worship services twice a month. On the alternate Sundays the Methodists attended Richland Presbyterian Church, with this congregation attending Rock Springs on their alternate Sundays - a good example of ecumenism. Some families of early Rock Springs Church were: McDonald, Martin, Foster, Sanders, Jaynes, Moorehead, Dendy and Penney. N.C. McDonald, at age 21, was appointed Sunday School superintendent, an office he held for the next 21 years. He was also a steward and Sunday School teacher during those years. Henry and Susan Crenshaw McDonald were charter members. Prominent among the first pastors were the Revs. Tyre Mauldin, R.L. Duffie, H.H. Penney and Fletcher Smith. Rev. Smith was an early Methodist Circuit Rider, traveling on horseback and wearing a black high-top hat, long-tail coat, the usual attire of the clergy in those days. His saddle bags were often bulging with donations from his parishioners from all churches in a widespread area. It was said that "hell smelled" when he preached, for he was an enemy of Satin. The present church building was erected near the log church in 1877. The first cemetery (old) was across the road from the present church location, near the railroad tracks. The second (new) cemetery is adjacent to the church. The new church originally was pointed east and then was moved to point south. DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Nov-2000 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in Nov-2000 HISTORY WRITE-UP : The Truth About the McDonald's by Willie C. McDonald Hope TRANSCRIPTION .. : TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: -------------------- a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife NOTE: -----