H-54

EARLY RELIGIOUS EFFORT IN OLD PENDLETON DISTRICT: 1785-1970

By Annie Lee Boggs

"Two hundred-twenty years ago there were no settlements in the up-
country of South Carolina." 1 As early as 1730 a treaty was made at Keowee
between the Cherokee Indians and the white colonists of South Carolina. "Land
began to be granted to individuals around Ninety-Six about 1738." 1 About fif-
teen years later, (1753) a second treaty was made with the Cherokees by
Governor James Glenn. Old Fort Prince George was built. "In a few years a
good many settlers had come in. By 1750-1760, just ten years, a full tide of
pioneers was sweeping into the Piedmont section of the Carolinas. These people
came principally from York, Chester and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania;
from Delaware and from Virginia. Some of them had stopped a good many
years in Virginia, and then had come on further South across North Carolina
into South Carolina settling in the present Lancaster, Chester, Union, Spar-
tanburg and Abbeville counties.

"All this section of South Carolina had been the hunting ground of the
Cherokee Indians, for they practically possessed the whole country from the
Fall Line to the mountains. The towns and villages of the Cherokees, however,
did not extend into this territory. Their lowest town was Esseneca on the Seneca
River between Clemson College and the Blue Ridge Railroad. Much the most
important town of the lower Cherokees was Keowee, 16 or 18 miles farther up
Keowee River. It was toward this town that the great trading path came from
Charleston, Granby, Ninety-Six and on through the present Pendleton. From
Keowee, paths or trails extended throughout the Cherokee nation.
"There were no lawful white settlements in this extreme northwest part of
South Carolina, known now as Anderson, Oconee, Pickens and Greenville
counties until after the Revolution. It was unlawful for white settlers to 
settle above the present southern boundary of Anderson County, but they settled 
just as close to it as they could get. There were the Hamptons in Spartanburg on
down to the Calhouns and Pickens in Abbeville County. There were thousands of
people who had come in with increasing rapidity in the 1760's and early 1770's.

"Most of these settlers were Scotch, Irish, and Scotch-Irish. A small
fraction of them were English or German. The Scotch were mostly
Presbyterians and they planted Presbyterian Churches through Virginia,
North Carolina and across South Carolina. Beginning at the Waxhaws (Lan-
caster County) on to Hopewell in Abbeville County, we find in 1776 some thirty-
one (31) Presbyterian churches in Piedmont South Carolina.

"After the Revolution, after another treaty with the Indians in 1785, when
settlement began in earnest above the former Cherokee boundary line, people
poured into the unoccupied territory from the eastern, or Spartanburg side,
from the southeastern or Laurens side, and from the southern or Abbeville side.
Again they brought their churches with them. Accordingly, we find for the
Presbyterians by the early 1800's Fairview in Greenville County and Richmond
(1781) and Three-and-Twenty or Slab Town in what is now the upper part of
Anderson County. Later, about 1785 Richmond and the other two churches were
united into Carmel. On the southern side of Anderson County were Bradaway
(Belton) (1788), Roberts (1789), and Good Hope (Iva) (1789). In October, 1789
was organized Hopewell on Keowee, later known as the "Stone Meeting House"
or the "Old Stone Church". This organization in the 1820's and 1830's was called
Hopewell-Pendleton, and later as Pendleton Presbyterian Church. Near
Westminster there were several churches or mission stations begun in 1799 and
early 1800's - Bethlehem, Beth-Salem, Cane Creek and near Tamassee was
Bethel in 1805. Varennes was organized in 1813 or 1815. Some of the small
mission churches were combined in 1823 to form the Westminster Church which
functioned until discontinued by order of South Carolina Presbytery in 1841
because the Richland Church, which had been organized in 1834, served much of
the same area. Westminster church was later organized in July 1882.

After Pickens County was created in 1828, Old Pickens Church was
organized in 1830. This was the only church of any denomination organized at
the town of Pickens Court House during the forty years of its existence, viz,
from 1828-1868. There were fourteen charter members.

In 1832 Sandy Springs Presbyterian Church was organized and continued
under this title until 1842 when the name was changed to Mt. Zion. Midway
Church was also begun in 1832. Richland Church was organized in 1834 and the
First Presbyterian Church in Anderson was organized in September 1837.

In the 1840's and 1850's Retreat, Nazareth (later Townville) (1840),
Williamston, and Tugaloo (Madison) were organized.

During the War and Reconstruction years was completed the organization
of Honea Path (1860), Walhalla (1868), Seneca (1875), Georges Creek (Mt.
Pleasant) (1875), and Pickens (1877).

In the 1880's and 1890's Piedmont (1880), Liberty (1883), Pelzer (1883),
Easley (1886), Flat Rock (1888), and Fort Hill (Clemson) (1895) churches were
organized.

The newer churches begun in the 1900's are Central Church in Anderson,
(1900), Fair Play (1903), Nell Townsend (1952), Annie Linley (1952), Henry Belk
(1952), and Grace (1953).

Piedmont Presbytery has bought several sites looking to the future ex-
pansion of the Presbyterian Church in this area.

"But if the Presbyterians were the largest group of Pioneers, the next in
size, and not much less, were the Baptists. Doubtless they followed the same
general lines of travel, for we find a record of a little band of Baptists 
settling first on Broad River about 1759 and then moving further into the Tyger 
River country where they established a church with several branches as early as 
1762. By 1776 there were twenty-one (21) Baptists Churches in Piedmont South
Carolina. About 1780 or 1785, not far from the Presbyterian Roberts Church, the
Baptists organized Shockley's Ferry Church. This church was among the first
Baptist churches in Anderson County - a part of old Pendleton District.
Another early Baptist church was Big Creek near Williamston in 1788. Wilson
Creek, south from Anderson, followed in 1790 and Mountain Creek in 1796. It was
about twenty years later when Lebanon Baptist Church was organized about
three miles east of Pendleton in 1815. Eighteen years later, across Seneca
River, about four miles from Seneca, Shiloh Baptist Church was begun (1833).
There was no Baptist church in Pendleton village until 1843 when one was
organized by the Rev. Thomas Dawson and members of the Thomas Sloan, the
Robert Maxwell, the Joseph Gresham families and others.

"There were few Methodist churches in the Piedmont area before the
1800's, for the Methodist denomination did not enter South Carolina until after
the Revolution, about 1785." 1

"The earliest records show that there were several Circuits in the
Methodist denomination in upper South Carolina previous to 1834; some of them
being Saluda, Abbeville and Keowee. The name Keowee Circuit was changed to
Pendleton Circuit in 1834." 2 "Circuit riders became familiar figures in every
part of the new Pendleton District. Although the Presbyterian and Baptist
communions preceded them in this section of the country, the Methodists soon
gained a firm foothold. Their first church in Anderson County was at Ebenezer,
1788 or 1789. Ruhamah in Pickens County, Providence, Bethany and Sandy
Springs (1800?) also were early churches. Ebenezer and Sandy Springs were
famous for their Camp Meetings. These camp meetings were also held by
Presbyterians and Baptists as well." 3 The Pendleton Messenger carried a
notice that Rev. William Smith, of the Methodist Church, would conduct a two-
day meeting to begin on May 3,1822 at the Court House in Pendleton. "However,
land was bought for a Methodist Church building in the village in February,
1840. Records show that Rev. James Stacy was appointed pastor of the Pen-
dleton Circuit in 1834. At this time the Circuit contained nineteen churches." 2

In these pioneer days "the preacher in all of the denominations was com-
pelled to spend a large portion of his time in the saddle in order to meet his
appointments, preaching almost every day in the week. His horse and saddle
bags with books in one side and linen in the other were his daily companions.
Monday was his rest day wherever this day chanced to find him. There his
wardrobe was freshened and his studying done to prepare him to continue his
itinerary which had probably been arranged six months in advance." 2

"The first Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church" in Old Pendleton
District was Generostee. Its first pastor was Rev. Robert Ervin, who was in-
stalled in 1800. Two other churches of this faith were Shiloh and Concord.
Concord later became the A.R.P. church in Anderson." 3

"The Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South Carolina was the
agency of the Protestant Episcopal Church in its missionary work in Upper
South Carolina. This Society sent in 1816 or 1818, Mr. Delareux as its 
missionary to this section. Steps to organize an Episcopal church were taken in 
1816. The first vestry and wardens were elected in February 1820 and the present 
building known as "St. Paul's Episcopal Church" was dedicated in the fall of 
1822. The Rev. Rodolphus Dickinson of Massachusetts, a highly learned and Godly 
man, then a missionary in Greenville, became the first rector and so continued 
until 1833." 1

Let's go back in our thinking to the late 1700's again - or even the early
1700's. "The historical foundation upon which Piedmont Presbytery rests runs
back to the First Presbytery organized by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians at
Philadelphia in 1705. This arrangement lasted fifty years. In 1755, Hanover
Presbytery was set apart to cover and serve all the territory south of Virginia.
This was the same year (1755) that Braddock was defeated at Fort Pitt (Pitt-
sburg) by the French and Indians. This tragic event sent thousands of Scotch-
Irish scampering South across the Appalachian foothills. Church after church
was set up by these Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who immediately called for
ministers. As the number of churches multiplied in this migration southward,
new presbyteries were progressively set up to serve them. In just fifteen years
after the establishment of Hanover Presbytery, Orange Presbytery was set up
(1770) taking over the territory of the two Carolinas. Fourteen years later, in
1784, Orange Presbytery was divided and the southern half became the
Presbytery of South Carolina and Georgia, for it included a few churches across
the Savannah River.

So rapid was the development of the country that by 1788 the Synod of the
Carolinas was organized. Then, twenty-five years later this Synod was divided
and the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia was formed (1813). In 1845 the
Synod of South Carolina was founded and Georgia was united with Florida.

"In the year of 1799, the Synod of the Carolinas divided the area of South
Carolina into two presbyteries with the unromantic names of First and Second.
The waters of the Broad and Santee Rivers, from the North Carolina line to the
sea divided the state so that all the northeast third of the state lay in the 
First Presbytery and all the rest, west of the Broad and South of Santee lay in 
the Second. Most of the churches in the Second Presbytery were in the hill 
country of the Piedmont.

"In 1809-1810, just ten years later, these South Carolina presbyteries were
re-arranged, with the result that Harmony Presbytery was established to serve
all the coastal plain. That part of the state now in Bethel Presbytery was 
united with Concord Presbytery in North Carolina. The name of First Presbytery 
was dropped. The Second Presbytery - took the name of South Carolina
Presbytery.

"This South Carolina Presbytery is the mother presbytery of Enoree (1878)
and Piedmont which was set up in 1909. This brings us back to the beginning of
our story of the first meeting of Piedmont Presbytery, when it met at 7:30 P.M.,
November 9,1909 at Seneca upon order of the Synod of South Carolina.
"This presbytery, set apart in 1909 from the South Carolina Presbytery,
after one hundred years, comprises Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties.
After electing officers it proceeded to select a name. Five most suggestive
names were proposed: Keowee, Westminster, Pickens, Piedmont and Good
Hope. So attractive were the names in nomination for the presbytery that it was
not until the sixth ballot that the name of "Piedmont" was finally chosen. That
the name of "Pickens" might not wholly be forgotten, Elder T.M. Kelly of
Bethel Church "up under the mountains," the next year presented to the
presbytery a gavel, for the moderator's use, which was carved from the wood of
a cedar tree standing in the yard of the Pickens home at Tamassee.

"The Presbytery (Piedmont, began in 1909 with thirty-five churches. Six
of these have fallen by the wayside. In one big surge of church extension in the
city of Anderson, in two years, 1952-1953, four new churches were organized. In
Walhalla there is a new chapel; so Piedmont Presbytery now (1970) has thirty
churches.

"The strength of the ministry and membership of these churches have gone
up and up. Total ministers on the roll in 1909 were fifteen, which number varied
but slightly until 1950, (almost 40 years). Since then the number has grown to
forty including the minister to students at Clemson University together with
missionaries, chaplains, and others. There are six candidates for the ministry
in 1970. The membership of the churches has grown also. Piedmont Presbytery
is a young presbytery, only 60 years, and her growth bids fair to accelerate 
with each passing year.

As Dr. Arthur Martin says: "Piedmont Presbytery is blessed with its lovely
geographical unity, perfectly fit together for that kind of co-operation that
makes a presbytery great and brings joy to the hearts of ministers. When in
1914, the Synod re-shuffled the presbyteries, brought Congaree into being, and
set the boundaries of the eight presbyteries as they are today; Piedmont
Presbytery was the only one untouched by the re-organization. From this we
take it that Piedmont Presbytery is a natural, and as such shall continue to
grow. Piedmont Presbytery is becoming a part of the sprawling suburbia that
joins Charlotte with Atlanta. All over the area new industries arise where two
hundred years ago pioneers watched for the feathers of Indian war bonnets. All
over the landscape, where taut bowstrings once sent arrows singing, taut wires
now transmit mighty power from waterfall to factory. The new day is here but
it is only begun. The purposes and providence of God have marked this long
trail from Indians to industry. His promises go before us into this new day, but
most of all, His command compels us to meet the burgeoning opportunities of
our time with faith and courage and our utmost commitment." 4

Let's go back in our thinking to the organization of Hopewell-Keowee
Presbyterian Church, really in the Indian Country in 1789. As usual the first
house of worship was of logs which was burned in a forest fire. Then the new
building was made of stone (1797) so in a short time the church became known
as the "Stone Meeting House;" and now we know it as the Old Stone Church. In
the meantime the village of Pendleton had become a courthouse town (1790)
and the villagers felt that they must have the Presbyterian Church in town.
Consequently Hopewell-Keowee congregation built a frame church building,
1824-1825, in the village on Highway 88 opposite the present elementary school
location. Soon the church became known as Hopewell-Pendleton. The name
change came gradually for the building in the village and the Old Stone Church
were both used. The separate history of the Old Stone Church seemed to close
about 1832. The name Pendleton Presbyterian Church became official at a
meeting of the Presbytery of South Carolina at Richland Church (Oconee
County) in September 1882. In the beginning Hopewell-Keowee or Old Stone
Church was united with Carmel and shared pastors much of the time until 1827
or 1828; a period of forty-five years. During these forty-five years some of the
pastors were Rev. John Simpson, Rev. Thomas Reese, D.D., Rev. James
McElhenny (McElhaney), and Rev. Anthony W. Ross, who served Hopewell
four years and Carmel fourteen years. Mr. Ross later (1836-1851) served
Hopewell-Pendleton for fifteen years, living in his own home "Rossdale."

In 1833 Carmel and Pendleton bought a Union Campground named
"Bethel" located on headwaters of Cuffee Creek (near the Rufus Newton farm
and near Sharon Methodist Church). Many visiting ministers assisted the local
pastors. This campground lasted perhaps until 1850 or 1851 when Camp
Meetings were abolished by order of the General Assembly.

As Dr. Mills says: "Formal Sabbath worship, however, did not satisfy the
hearts of the people of the Pendleton District. In December 1819, the people
organized what is, so far as I have discovered, the first Sunday School in all
upper South Carolina. It was a Union Sunday School in which Presbyterians,
Baptists and Episcopalians all took part. It met in the village apparently at 
the Court House, and once a month at the Old Stone Church. The Sunday School was
a real school. The pupils met during the summer at eight o'clock in the morning
and continued to study till ten, then met in the afternoon for another two-hour
session. The report for 1820 shows that during one quarter of that year 62
scholars memorized 6,463 verses of Scripture; and (in 1823) three years later
they committed 1118 hymns to memory.

"One of its most interesting features was the organization of a Sunday School
for Colored Persons. This Sunday School for Negroes certainly is one of the very
earliest efforts to present Christianity to the Negro slave population by the
residents of the community themselves. Doubtless sermons to the Negroes had
been preached at an earlier date, but here the people of the community in an
organized effort, were themselves authorizing and conducting a Sunday School.

"Another effort in the religious line was "Pendleton Bible Society" which
was organized probably in August 1818". 1

According to the Pendleton Messenger dated October 9, 1822, the third
annual report of Pendleton Bible Society says that "membership fee was $3.00
with annual dues of $1.00. All ministers were ex-officio members and directors.
Copies of Bibles when given were to be unaccompanied by comment. The
American Bible Society had given to Pendleton Society 100 Bibles and 100
Testaments making a total of 716 Bibles received in the year of which 395 had
been distributed; total distribution in three years, 846, gratis in most 
instances. The fourth annual report, August 22, 1822, said the Society had 
distributed 137 Bibles and Testaments that year. This Society lasted many years.

"The first Church School in Hopewell-Pendleton Church was organized
August 17, 1804, for the young white members of the church. Mr. Robert An-
derson, Jr., was the first superintendent." 5

The Pendleton Messenger dated April 1821 announced that on March 24,
1821 at Broad-a-way Meeting House (Belton) a Sabbath School Society had been
organized with a president, vice-president, 5 directors, a superintendent, 8
teachers (4 male and 4 female) and went into operation the following Sunday
with 43 scholars present.

This has been a short outline of the religious efforts of the pioneer people of
Old Pendleton District. Mention has not been made of the first Public Cir-
culating Library in the up-country in 1811; the Pendleton Farmers Society in
1815; Pendleton Male Academy 1825; Pendleton Female Academy 1827-1904;
Thalian Academy 1840-1868; Manual Labor School; Adger College in Walhalla
1877-1889; and later other Academies in Anderson. We have barely mentioned,
or omitted, the names of the faithful dedicated pastors, elders, members of
these churches, of whom so much could be told.

As Rev. W.H. Mills, D.D., says: "Many of those people were your own
ancestors. They were tremendously interested in the church and school. They
were interested in the promotion of true religion among the youth of the com-
munity; and they pioneered in the organization and maintenance of Sunday
Schools to which people of every race and class were invited, and in which they
were made welcome. They were interested in the Bible and gave their time and
money to promote its circulation in the community. They cooperated with each
other in their Christian efforts. You have a noble Christian heritage. It 
belongs to you to maintain and improve it." 1

Bibliography:

1. "Early Religious Efforts in Old Pendleton District" MMS by Rev. Wm. H.
Mills, D.D. 1935

2. A History of Pendleton Methodist Church, 1834-1964 by Hall, Crenshaw,
Foster, March 1965

3. Traditions and History of Anderson County, Vandiver-1928-Anderson Daily
Independent

4. "From Indians to Industry" by Rev. Arthur M. Martin-MMS copy-September
12, 1961

5. History of Pendleton Presbyterian Church by Annie Lee Boggs-1964