H*5164 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H*5164 Concurrent Resolution, By W.J. Young and Woodrum
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF SUMTER UPON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY.
05/20/98 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-86
05/20/98 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-25
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SUMTER UPON THE
CELEBRATION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, the First Presbyterian Church of Sumter is celebrating its
one hundred seventy-fifth anniversary; and
Whereas, on May 29, 1823, the Presbytery of Harmony met in
Sumterville, South Carolina, and organized, with five charter
members, the Presbyterian church and ordained and instilled ruling
elders and Mr. Isaac R. Barbour as evangelist; and
Whereas, the organization of the church was made possible through
the efforts of Mr. Barbour who preached two Sundays a month,
meeting the first year at members' homes, at the Baptist church, and
at the county courthouse; and
Whereas, the first member received by the session after the
organization of the church was Milly, a servant of a founding
member; and
Whereas, following Mr. Barbour's departure, the church retained its
pews in the local Baptist church and for the next two years worshiped
with that congregation; and
Whereas, in 1826, Reverend John Harrington became the first pastor
of the church, serving for three years and alternating Sundays
between Sumterville and Mount Zion, during which time
twenty-seven persons became members of the church; and
Whereas, the Reverend John McEwen was pastor from 1829 to 1833,
and the first church building was erected in 1830; and
Whereas, in 1833, Reverend R. W. Bailey was called as Stated
Supply and served the church for one year; and
Whereas, between 1834 and 1836, the church experienced difficult
times, losing two very prominent families who moved from the State
and suffering political differences among various members; and
Whereas, in 1837, Dr. Donald MacQueen, Sr., answered the call to
pastor this church, sharing his time with the Concord Church until
1850 when he became the church's first full-time pastor; and
Whereas, the first Board of Deacons was elected in 1858; however,
growth and progress in the church slowed during the period of
reconstruction though still under the devout leadership of Dr.
MacQueen until 1879; and
Whereas, during Dr. MacQueen's pastorate, 278 members were added
to the church which continued to grow and prosper with four hundred
four members being added during the pastorate of Dr. N. W.
Edmunds from 1880 to 1905; and
Whereas, in 1906, Dr. J. P. Marion became the pastor and served
until 1928, overseeing the erection of the present church building in
1907 and a Sunday School building in 1918; and
Whereas, the Reverend John Miller Wells was called to the pastorate
in 1924, bringing a strong belief in outreach which resulted in four
Sunday School outposts becoming the thriving congregations of
Fraser Memorial Presbyterian Church, Lemira Presbyterian Church,
Pitts Memorial Presbyterian Church, and Holy Cross Presbyterian
Church; and
Whereas, from 1946 to 1951, the Reverend Richard Randall Potter
was pastor and during his ministry considerable renovation was
undertaken on the sanctuary of the church; and
Whereas, the Reverend Cliff Hill McLeod served as pastor from 1951
through the sesquicentennial observance of First Presbyterian and
retired in 1978; and
Whereas, Dr. Jefferson K. Aiken, Jr., was called to the pastorate in
1980, serving until 1992, overseeing the extensive reconstruction and
renovation of the church as a result of Hurricane Hugo in 1989; and
Whereas, First Presbyterian's current pastor, Dr. Edward A. McLeod,
Jr., became pastor in 1995 and ministers to approximately one
thousand two hundred members, with a total membership since 1823
of over five thousand members; and
Whereas, over the history of First Presbyterian, the church has grown
and has toiled with the utmost dedication and care to proclaim its
Christian mission; and
Whereas, First Presbyterian Church has meant a great deal to the
town of Sumter, formerly Sumterville, and to Sumter County for
many, many generations and today flourishes as a beacon of hope and
good will; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are greatly pleased
to have the opportunity to recognize First Presbyterian on the joyful
occasion of its one hundred seventy-fifth anniversary. Now,
therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate
concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this
resolution, recognizes and congratulates First Presbyterian Church of
Sumter upon the celebration of its one hundred seventy-fifth
anniversary.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
the Session and congregation of First Presbyterian Church, in care of
the church's pastor, Dr. Edward A. McLeod, Jr.
-----XX----- |