Great is Thy Faithfulness: Over Two Centuries of History
The congregations at Neely's Creek have worshipped on the same property since 1787. Here is a summary of some of the structures on the property, both past and present:
The First Church
The Brush Arbor was the first church to serve the Neely's Creek congregation (late 1700's)
By 1739, Scottish Presbyterian pastor Ebenezer Erskine had led a group of pastors to leave the Church of Scotland. They formed a separate group, the Seceders, which again was in opposition to the main group and had doctrinal differences. These Ulster Scots Seceders and the Catholics continued to battle and some of the Scots later emigrated to the American colonies with Seceder ministers from Scotland in the mid-1700s. They settled with the Covenanters in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. As Scotch-Irish settlers in Pennsylvania migrated down the Great Wagon Road, they came south to the Carolinas and formed Associate Presbyterian and Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches throughout the area. Even as they built their own homes, they realized that there was a need for a place of worship. The first spiritual gathering place was a brush arbor. It was named Neely’s Creek, the name being derived from a devout church-going family, and from a nearby stream. The exact location of the arbor has been lost to time, but it is believed to be in the vicinity of the current Trail Life hut. It was likely built in the 1780's.
The Second Church
The log building was the second church used by the Neely's Creek congregation (late 1790's~1832)
The second church was a rectangular log building in the middle of what is now the cemetery. Crude benches were made from split logs and there was probably no heat nor flooring beyond packed dirt. This church was likely built in the 1790's and used until approximately 1832. It's approximate location is marked in the middle of the cemetery.
The Third Church
The third church (used approximately 1832-1907)
The third church was a sturdy white frame building with hand stones as a foundation. This church had a central aisle with the women seated on the right and the men on the left of sanctuary. In 1860-61, the church was enlarged by adding 20 feet. Records from 1893 indicated a congregation of 196 worshipping in this building. The stones from the foundation of the church mark the spot where the pulpit stood and there is a marker on these stones. This church was located southwest of the second church.
The Fourth Church
The fourth church (1907-1973)
Session minutes from June 25, 1905, recorded a congregational meeting on that date where a building committee was appointed to initiate the erecting of a new church. A very important decision was made to build this fourth church on the Columbia Road (now Neely's Creek Road), as the previous church sanctuaries had been located within the current cemetery. The Yorkville Enquirer of May 3, 1908 described the dedication of the structure to the Lord’s service in which the Rev. D D Moffatt, President of Erskine College, preached the dedicatory sermon. The frame structure cost approximately $7500.00. The interior was dark oak with white pine for the ceiling and 2 memorial windows, which were in memory of John & Mary Grier Wylie Roddey and Thomas & Nancy Grier Wylie. There is a memorial stone in the parking lot in front of the Social Hall noting the location of the pulpit of the fourth church.
The Fifth Church
The fifth and current church (picture taken just after completion in 1972)
Sunday, March 11, 1973, was a memorable day when the procession was begun from the fourth church to the new sanctuary, with Mrs. Martin Leslie, Sr., the pianist of Neely's Creek Church for more than thirty years, at the piano. The choir, led by Director Leon Craven, and the entire congregation followed Pastor Larry C. Young into the beautiful new church. The cornerstone had been laid in a special ceremony in October 1972, and this new sanctuary was dedicated in October 1973. Everything was new and modern, with the exception of the large memorial window from the fourth church, with lights to illuminate the stained glass, dedicated to Dr. W.R. Echols. Beyond the sanctuary, are spacious church offices, that were dedicated to Dr. O. W. Carmichael. In 2008, it was remodeled, a pipe organ was installed, and it continues to serve the Neely's Creek congregation most ably today.
Other Buildings of Importance
The old manse
Neely's Creek manse circa 1898
The manse as it looked in Lesslie in 1898. This manse was handsomely appointed and served the Neely's Creek pastorate and their families until the late 1950's. This house still exists and is in use in Lesslie today.
The Neely's Creek school
The old school house
The Neely’s Creek School is known to have been in operation in 1885 if not before. The school was mentioned in the Yorkville Enquirer several times between 1884 and 1899 noting teachers, number of students, and other items of interest. This school was discontinued in 1913-1914. It was originally located in front of the sanctuary among the trees. After classes were discontinued, it was moved behind the current Social Hall and was used for Scouts, Bible School and choir rehearsals. Being some distance from the sanctuary, rainy days created challenges for the choir to get to services. Choir history also indicates honey bees built a hive in the building walls and would compete with the choir director for the attention of the singers.
Many of Rock Hill's notable citizens attended school here
Continued Growth
Due to the continued growth of our church and inadequate room in the fourth church, an educational building was erected in 1937. This consisted of an auditorium, kitchen, and twelve classrooms. In 1954, this building was repurposed as the Social Hall when a new 2 story Educational Building was built. Both of these buildings were renovated and bricked to match the fifth church in the early 1970's and are still in use today.
The Family Life Center
In 1983, the Family Life Center was built and answered a need for additional space for church activities, including sporting events, dinners, receptions, and mission groups. There are several Sunday School classrooms, a kitchen, and a multi-purpose space utilized by all ages of the congregation for various activities. Vacation Bible School and youth groups are all key users of the facility as well as many other groups. The Family Life Center was the answer to a dream to bring everyone together to work, pray, and fellowship together.
Miscellaneous buildings
Old Session house (formerly located in cemetery)
The scout hut (Trail Life hut)
Campus Map that shows past and current buildings
