The History of the Newberry ARP Church - Newberry Associate Reformed Prebyterian Church, Newberry, SC

Our History

The Newberry ARP Church has a rich and long history. From its establishment in the middle of the nineteenth century it has overcome war, fire and tornado to continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in the community.

The Beginnings

In 1850 Dr. Thomas W. Thompson donated a simple white frame building on Thompson Street in the town of Newberry. A steeple was added and the church began as the Thompson Street ARP Church, with membership around nine. Dr. Thompson, Dr. William McMorries and Prof. Paul Hood were the earliest elders.

The War

From 1853 through the Civil War years Rev. H. L. Murphy served as pastor here as well as nearby Kings Creek ARP Church. At the conclusion of the war, times were hard on everyone and our church was no exception. In 1865 Rev. Murphy accepted a call from two churches in western Tennessee and for the next several years the church was irregularly supplied. For one of those years Dr. W.M Grier served as Stated Supply. He was the son-in-law of Dr. McMorries and later succeeded his father, Robert C. Grier, as president of Erskine College.

Reconstruction

Rev. E.P. McClintock
Rev. E. P. McClintock

By 1870 total church membership had fallen to eight to ten. Rev E. P. McClintock was called to pastor the Thompson Street and Kings Creek churches. For twelve years he served in this capacity before relinquishing the Kings Creek pastorate to dedicate himself full time to the in-town church. His faithful service bore much fruit and around the turn of the century membership had grown to 120. In 1887, the church became the first in the denomination to use an organ in worship. This decision was not without controversy.

The Early 20th Century

In 1902, the Session voted to change the name of the church from Thompson Street ARP Church to the ARP Church of Newberry reflecting its broadening area of influence and service. Not long thereafter, in 1906, at the age of sixty-eight, Dr. McClintock resigned as pastor due to health reasons. His wife, Elizabeth Jane Young McClintock continued to serve the church for many years through the Woman's Society and their two daughters became leaders in higher education. Euphemia served as president of the Presbyterian College for Women (Columbia, SC) and Mary Law became lady principal of Ward Seminary (Nashville, TN).

Rev. D. G. Phillips
Rev. D.G. Phillips assumed his duties as the third pastor of the church on November 11, 1906, and served with his wife, Jane Wideman Phillips until March 23, 1909, when he accepted a call from the Chester ARP Church.

The Fire

Even before the resignation of Dr. McClintock, plans were being made for a new sanctuary on a larger lot. The Ladies' Missionary Society (23 members) established a church building fund and raised $4000, a substantial amount at the time. The Young People's Society contributed as well by raising $900 for the purchase of a lot at the corner of Main and Calhoun Streets, the location of the current church campus. These proved prudent steps, for on March 28, 1907, disaster stuck.

A fire of monumental proportions swept away most of the town of Newberry including the little church building on Thompson Street.

A new sanctuary was now a necessity. Less than a month following the disaster, a construction contract of $14, 375 was awarded for the new building. A little over a year following the fire, services were held in the new facility and Synod met in the church in November of 1908.

New Leadership

Dr. J. W. Carson
Dr. J. W, Carson

Not until 1910, did the church have a pastor again, but the wait was very worthwhile. On October 1 of that year, Rev. Dr. J. W. Carson came to Newberry and began a long and vigorous ministry, which lasted until 1947. In 1918 a new manse was built north of the church for the pastor and his wife, Nanie Crawford Carson. Dr. Carson lost his wife on January 26, 1929, but later, in 1931, married Ruth Cochrane.

In 1925 Dr. Carson was called to serve as Executive Secretary of Synod and the Newberry pulpit was filled by Dr. A. J. Ranson. However, in 1927, Dr. Ranson was extended the presidency of Bryson College, and Dr. Carson returned to the Newberry pulpit. After his retirement in 1947, Dr. Carson turned over the Newberry reins to Rev. Paul L. Sherrill, who had filled the pulpit as a seminary student for six months in 1937.

Rev. Paul L. Sherrill
Rev. Sherrill and his wife, Margaret Ellis Sherrill, were instrumental in the growth of the church during their tenure with their faith, zeal and an understanding of people's problems. The Unity ARP Church of Prosperity, SC was dissolved in 1947 and its members joined the Newberry church. It was during this time that a new educational building was built adjacent to the sanctuary and first used in 1949. This was just in time as membership had grown to 240.

Dr. Paul L. Grier
Rev. Sherrill accepted a call from Chalmers Memorial Church (Charlotte) in March of 1951 and the church was served for a year by supply pastor, Dr. M. R. Plaxco. Dr. Paul L. Grier, grandson of Dr. R. C. Grier (former president of Erskine College) answered the call in April of 1952.

During his time of service Sabbath School attendance grew from 92 in 1949 to over 200, quickly exceeding the capacity of the new building. An adjoining tract of land to the east of the sanctuary and educational building was purchased and a new building with seven classrooms, a fellowship hall and kitchen was dedicated in honor of Dr. Grier on September 25, 1960.

Rev. E. L. Bland
Dr. Grier retired in 1963 and Dr. W. W. Boyce was stated supply until Rev. E. L. Bland accepted the call in 1964. The membership was 258 at that time, some of whom from the dissolved Kings Creek ARP Church. Rev. Bland served the church and, with his wife, Betty, raised a family over the thirty-one years of his service.

The Tornado

On March 27, 1984 a devastating string of tornadoes roared across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. One touched down in Newberry, travelling along Main Street, straight through downtown. Buildings to both sides of the church property were totally destroyed, but our church suffered little significant damage (trees and windows mostly). This destruction served as the impetus for a remodeling of the church campus that unified and modernized the three main buildings, added a church office and significantly improved off-street parking.

A New Century

Dr. Timothy Erskine

In 1996, Dr. Timothy Erskine began his time of service in our church. His wife, Cathy, was involved in many aspects of the church. In early 2002, Dr. Erskine accepted a call to the Greenwood ARP Church. Their departure was greeted by great sadness by the church family, as the Erskines had a special place in many hearts.

Today

Rev. Anthony (Tony) R. Locke

In 2004, Rev. Tony Locke and his wife, Jennifer, brought something to our church community that had not been seen in many years, young children in the manse. Rev. Tony has taken on his calling as senior pastor with great enthusiasm and he and Jenn are involved in many aspects of the church. Our prayer is that they, together with the church family, continue to be a faithful witness for Christ in Newberry, in South Carolina, and throughout the world.