For over two centuries, Neely’s Creek Church has been blessed with many gifted pastors. There were periods of time, particularly in the early years, when the pastoral needs were handled by a rotation of pastors traveling on horseback while serving several congregations in this region. Please see below the summary of pastors who have served our congregation over the years.
WILLIAM BLACKSTOCK
1754 - 1831; served at Neely’s Creek 1794 - 1804, 1811 - 1815
William Blackstock was born in Ballynahinch, Ireland. He studied in Scotland and came to Charleston, SC, in September 1792. He was ordained and installed as pastor of three churches on June 8, 1794: Steele Creek in North Carolina, as well as Ebenezer and Neely’s Creek in York County. He demitted the charge in 1804 to become pastor of New Perth, Old Sterling, and Rocky Springs, NC. In 1811, he returned to Tirzah (Waxhaw, NC), Ebenezer, and Neely’s Creek to minister here until July 12, 1815. The ARP Synod honored him by electing him as moderator three times, in 1805, 1812, and 1825. He died on October 7, 1831, at the age of 77 years, and is buried at Tirzah Presbyterian Church in Waxhaw, NC. A more detailed biography can be found here:
Biographical sketch of William Blackstock
WILLIAM DICKSON
1760 - 1831; served at Neely’s Creek 1797 - 1829
William Dickson (also referred to as Dixon) was born in Cookstown County, Tyrone, Ireland about 1760. He was educated at Glasgow, Scotland, and studied theology under a very famous professor, John Brown of Haddington. About this time, he was seized by a British recruiting ship and press gang (recruitment by force) on passage between Ireland and Scotland. He was compelled to do service as a common sailor for several months. His discharge was eventually secured through the influence of an Irish nobleman. Mr. Dickson, a teacher, emigrated with his family to South Carolina in 1793. The next year he was received by the Associate Reformed Presbytery of the Carolinas and Georgia, completing his theological studies under the Reverend Peter McMullen, an Associate Reformed minister in Due West, SC. In 1795, he was licensed to preach by this same Presbytery. From 1797 to his death in 1831, he labored faithfully at Bethany (Clover, SC), Pisgah (Gastonia, NC), and part of this time at Neely’s Creek. He had a parish covering a large part of York County, SC, and Gaston County, NC, where there were 350 members. He and his wife, Martha, had 3 children. He is buried in the cemetery at Bethany ARP Church in Clover, SC.
ABRAHAM ANDERSON, D.D.
1798 - 1855; served at Neely’s Creek 1822 - 1832
Abraham Anderson was a soldier in the War of 1812, and graduated from Jefferson College in 1817. He then taught languages and finished courses in divinity. The Presbytery of the Carolinas ordained and installed him in 1822, and he served most ably for ten years at Steele Creek (Mecklenburg County, NC), Bethany (now Back Creek ARP, Charlotte, NC), and part time at Neely’s Creek. He was regarded as a great acquisition not only by the people that called him to be their pastor, but by the ministers and people of the Presbytery. Such a man is indeed an acquisition in any Presbytery, at any time. But when Mr. Anderson was settled in the Presbytery of the Carolinas, his gifts and abilities were eminently needed. The Presbytery included three ministers, Pastors Dickson, Mushat, and Heron. They were responsible for twenty congregations scattered over the Western Territories of Virginia and the two Carolinas. Anderson returned to the North in 1833 after a call from the congregation of Hebron in New York and then demitted his charge of Steele Creek and Bethany. He died on May 8, 1855 and was buried at Oak Spring Cemetery in Pennsylvania. A more detailed biography can be found here:
A biographical sketch of the Reverend Abraham Anderson, D.D.
THOMAS KETCHIN
1786 - 1855; served at Neely’s Creek 1821 - 1833
Thomas Ketchin was born the son of a tailor in Howgate, Scotland in 1786. In his youth, he served as a shepherd boy. After graduation from Edinburgh University and Divinity Hall, he did mission work in Scotland. He chose to come to America to minister for Shiloh (Lancaster County, SC) and Neely’s Creek. His congregations at Shiloh and Neely's Creek were large. In 1821, it contained 124 families and 230 members. By 1831, his congregations contained 167 families and 308 communicants. Having labored faithfully, he was led on March 28, 1832, to decline the authority of the Associate Synod. He demitted his charge at Neely’s Creek in the summer of 1833 and Shiloh was demitted on May 29, 1839. About 1840, he began the supply of Winnsboro, SC, and Perry's Church in Lancaster County, SC. He was installed pastor at Winnsboro on March 8, 1844, and his official connection ceased on April 20, 1852. He moved to Cleveland County, NC, and he preached at Knob Creek and other points. It was here while preparing a sermon that he was smitten with a fatal malady on September 26, 1855. He was married twice, first to Miss Mary McIlwaine on February 23, 1823. After her death, he married Margaret Beaty on August 17, 1841. Also of note is that he was one of the 14 founders of Erskine and Clark Seminary, Due West, SC. He is buried at Shiloh Cemetery, Lancaster County. More information on the Reverend Ketchin that was taken from The Centennial History of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 1803-1903 can be found on his “findagrave” page at:
Additional information on the Reverend Thomas Ketchin
JOHN MUSHAT
1778 - 1844; served at Neely’s Creek 1809 - 1825
John Mushat was a native of Cambridge, New York and graduated from Union College in 1807. He was married to Margaret Fleming. He was much in demand in the Presbytery, with churches such as Shiloh (Lancaster County), Neely’s Creek in South Carolina, and New Sterling and other churches in North Carolina. He was famed in his day as an educator of youth and conducted a successful high school near his home near Statesville, NC. He is buried at Sion Presbyterian Cemetery in Winnsboro, SC. More information can be found on the Reverend Mushat at:
A paper on the Reverend John Mushat as it relates to Iredell County Schools
ARCHIBALD WHYTE, Jr.
1800 - 1865; preached at Neely’s Creek from around 1840 - 1847
Of the early ministers at Neely’s Creek, Archibald Whyte is the only one buried in the church cemetery. Through his ministry and his writing, he exerted a tremendous influence on the people of this community. He was born in Argyle, New York in 1800, and graduated from Union College and the Associate Seminary in 1826. He came to the Carolinas in 1833 and preached at Steele Creek, Bethany (now Back Creek), and Neely’s Creek. His first marriage was to Susan Grier, of Steele Creek Associate Church, Charlotte, NC. She died in 1834. In 1838, he married a widow of the Neely’s Creek area, Elizabeth Hart Campbell. Around 1840, he demitted his charge, turned planter and politician, and was a magistrate for many years. As Neely’s Creek was in limbo between the Associate Presbytery and the Associate Reformed Presbytery during these years, he filled the pulpit often at Neely’s Creek before it’s present entry back into the ARP denomination in 1847. He was one of the signers of the Catawba Indian Treaty and wrote for the Indian Land Chronicle. He was a man of many talents: legislator, educator, planter, historian, postmaster, and businessman. He was a key figure in the creation of the town of Rock Hill, SC, and his eloquent handwriting can be found on multiple historic documents. More information on the Reverend Archibald Whyte can be found at:
A biographical sketch of the Reverend Archibald Whyte by Paul Gettys
ROBERT FLEMING TAYLOR
1822 - 1896; served at Neely’s Creek 1849 - 1851
Robert Fleming Taylor was born in Laurens County, SC, on November 1, 1822. His father was John Taylor, and his mother was Sarah Bryson. He graduated from Erskine College in 1842. Immediately after graduation, he began the study of Theology at Due West. He was received as a student at Due West by the Second Presbytery. He was licensed in November 1845 and was ordained in 1849 by the First Presbytery. His first ministerial work was done in the vacant churches in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. In 1849, he was called by Neely's Creek to become the first installed pastor after its current return to the ARP denomination. He rejected calls by Gilead and Prosperity, NC, to accept the call to Neely’s Creek and was installed pastor the same year. He was married May 6, 1846, in York County, SC, to Miss Isabella Virginia Pressly. Her father was Richard M. Pressly. Her mother's maiden name was Mary H. Barron. She was born in York County, SC, on Nov. 26, 1826. Together, they had three children. There were five ministers in her father's family. The Reverend Taylor was a chaplain in the Confederate army for three years. He died on June 16, 1896 and is buried at Summerville Cemetery in Summerville, GA.
LAUGHLIN MCDONALD
1810 - 1874; served at Neely’s Creek 1853 - 1870
Laughlin McDonald was born in Hart County, GA on October 3, 1810, the son of John and Margaret (McCurry) McDonald, who were members of the ARP Church of Generostee, GA. He was twice married; first to Margaret S. Brice, and then to Melissa Lucinda Stinson after Margaret's death at the age of 21 years. In 1832, he entered an Academy known as Drake's Old Field, three miles east of Due West, SC, taught by the Reverend John S. Pressly. In one year, he was prepared for the sophomore class of Miami University, OH, where he graduated in 1836. On December 10, 1839, he was ordained by the First Presbytery and installed as pastor of Tirzah in York County and Union in Chester County, SC. He assumed pastoral oversight of Neely’s Creek on September 5, 1853. Due to health issues, he left these pulpits on September 5, 1870. New Hope in Fairfield County, SC became his pastoral charge on April 28, 1871. He died on March 26, 1874, and is buried at New Hope ARP Church in Fairfield County, SC.
CHARLES BOWEN BETTS, D.D.
1828 - 1903; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1870 - 1889
C. B. Betts was born at Charlotte, Dickson County, TN, the son of William Betts and Eliza Bowen. He was twice married. First to Amarinth Hazeltine Sharpe, with whom he had 6 children. After Amarinth's death in 1870, he married Flora Malissa Burns and they also had 6 children. He was prepared for college at Viny Grove Academy in Tennessee and graduated from Jefferson College, PA, in 1851. In October 1851, he was received as a student of theology by the Second Presbytery at Due West, South Carolina and received his theological training at Erskine Seminary, being licensed in October 1853. In May 1855, he was ordained at Winnsboro, SC, and installed as pastor over Winnsboro and the Brick Church in Fairfield County, SC. After being sent to Nashville, TN, for a year, he accepted a call from the united charge of Union and Chester Counties, and this included Neely’s Creek. He was a chaplain in the CSA and a diary of his first year in service has been published. In 1889, he gave up the Neely's Creek charge and remained pastor of Union ARP. He was elected Moderator of the Synod and presided over its Centennial Celebration at Winnsboro, SC, in November 1903. He passed away in December of that same year and is buried at Union ARP Church in Richburg, SC.
DALLAS GRIER CALDWELL
1856 - 1909; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1892 - 1894
Dallas Grier Caldwell, son of Charles and Louise Cochrane Caldwell, was born in Cabarrus County, NC, February 19, 1856. He entered college at Erskine and graduated at the age of seventeen. While a student, he united with the church at Due West. In the fall of 1873, he became a student of Theology at Erskine Seminary where he graduated in 1875. He was married to the former Elizabeth Sitton and together they had 7 children. He was licensed to preach by First Presbytery and ordained at Sterling, NC in 1876. He supplied Hopewell in South Carolina and Sterling, Amity, Huntersville, Gilead, and Prosperity in North Carolina. In 1879, he accepted a call to Gilead and Prosperity in North Carolina and was installed in the spring of that year. In 1885, he became pastor of Statesville for 6 years. In 1891, he accepted a call to Neely's Creek, where he served three years. In 1893, he accepted the chair of Latin and French at Erskine College and spent his remaining years there until God called him home October 10, 1909. He died in Due West, SC and is buried there.
Click here to read the Reverend Caldwell's obituary on findagrave.com
OLIVER JOHNSON D.D.
1866 - 1948; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1894 - 1908
Dr. Oliver Johnson was born in Abbeville County, SC, on June 30, 1866. After graduation from Erskine College, he taught in Richburg for three years, and entered Princeton Seminary to graduate in 1894. He was licensed by the Second Presbytery at Due West and supplied the Atlanta Church and the First ARP Church of Charlotte for the summer of 1894. On October 18, 1894, he was installed pastor of Neely’s Creek, where he was the faithful minister for fourteen years. While there, he led the building of the new sanctuary in 1907. He married Tirzah Christine Elliott, a granddaughter of former pastor Thomas Ketchin. Four daughters and four sons were born of this marriage. He loved people, had a broad culture, and took interest in state and international affairs. His abilities as a preacher were recognized by all. His resignation was accepted with great reluctance by the Session in 1908. He served on the Home Mission Board and Erskine College Board. He also carried the title Doctor of Divinity, bestowed by his Alma Mater. His last pastorate was in Winnsboro where he served for 37 years and this was where he died on April 26, 1948. He is buried in the cemetery at Bethel ARP Church in Winnsboro, SC.
WILLIAM HARTIN STEVENSON
1884 - 1944; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1908 - 1916
William Hartin Stevenson, son of Dr. R. M. and Emma Christian Stevenson, was born in Virginia, and spent his boyhood years in Clover, where his father was pastor of the Clover ARP Church. After graduation from Erskine College in 1904, he taught in the Public Schools of York County for two years. He graduated from Erskine Seminary in 1908 and was then ordained and installed as the pastor of Neely’s Creek. He was married to the former Rebecca Addison. His aunt, Miss Macie Stevenson, was a missionary to Mexico for 50 years and lived with him in the manse at Lesslie while she was on furlough. He did post graduate work at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1912-1913. During World War I, he served in the YMCA as an officer in the U. S. Army. He also served the Presbyterian Church in Sumter for fifteen years. Wherever he preached, he was greatly loved and honored by the people he served. He was a strong and eloquent speaker with a remarkable memory and the ability to quote from the Holy Scriptures. He died in 1944 and is buried in the family plot at Due West ARP Church in Due West, SC.
O. W. CARMICHAEL, D. D.
1883 - 1939; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1918 - 1939
Dr. Oliver Walthall Carmichael was born in Haralson, Georgia on October 27, 1883. He was the son of Thomas H. and Susie Elizabeth Walthall Carmichael. He was baptized and received into the Church at White Oak, GA at the age of twelve years old. He was married to Mamie Bell McGill of the Smyrna section of York County and together they had 4 children including one son who became a minister as well. His pre-college education was received at Holly Springs and Lutherville, GA. In 1901 he entered Erskine College, graduating with a BA degree in 1904. From 1904-1905, he taught school in Doraville, GA. He then entered Erskine Theological Seminary, finishing the course in 1907, receiving his license by the Second Presbytery at Louisville, GA. He received a call from Lancaster and Shiloh churches of South Carolina and was ordained by the First Presbytery in August of 1907. In the fall of 1908, he resigned this pastorate and spent a year in Princeton Seminary. Resuming ministerial work, he served at Mt. Sion, Missouri and Tampa, Florida. Dr. Carmichael was called to Neely’s Creek on December 2, 1917, and was pastor until his death on March 4, 1939. Under his pastorate, the first Education Building was constructed. In addition to his work as minister and pastor, he served on several boards and committees of Synod, the Board of Home Missions, and the Board of Erskine College. He is buried in the Neely’s Creek Church cemetery.
WILLIAM ROGER ECHOLS, D. D.
1900 - 1971; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1939 - 1970
Dr. William Roger Echols was born September 1, 1900, in Paint Lick, KY. He was the son of the Reverend L.I. and Margaret Todd Echols. He grew up in the ministry of his father and joined the church at the age of nine. His education was obtained in the grammar school of Spottswood, VA, and the high school of Raphine, VA. He entered Erskine College in September 1917 and graduated in 1923. For his theological training, he attended Erskine Seminary and graduated in 1928. His ordination was on July 1, 1928, by the First Presbytery. After serving as pastor of Ebenezer Church, Charlotte, NC, for 11 years, he was called to Neely’s Creek and preached his first sermon on September 17, 1939. Installation services were held on October 15, 1939. For more than thirty years, Dr. Echols was pastor of Neely’s Creek and served as Pastor Emeritus until his death on April 25, 1971. Dr. Echols was known as a builder, and it was under his guidance that the second educational building was built in 1953, the Boy Scout (now Trail Life) hut was built in 1955, and a manse was built in 1958. During 1953-54, Dr. and Mrs. Emma Echols were in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he studied at New College, University of Edinburgh. His brother, Reverend J. T. Echols was interim pastor while he was absent. He is buried in the Neely’s Creek cemetery.
LAWRENCE C. YOUNG
Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1970 - 1976
Larry Young was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of a Baptist minister. He attended public schools in Rhode Island and Connecticut. He received a B.A. from Columbia Bible College in 1964. He spent the summer of 1964 as Assistant Pastor of First ARP Church, Rock Hill, where he taught the College Sunday School class, directed the choir, and worked with youth groups. After graduation from Erskine Seminary, he and his wife, the former Suzanne Hutson, spent over a year as missionaries to Mexico, before returning to the states. The Reverend Young accepted a call to Neely’s Creek and was installed as pastor on February 22, 1970. During his pastorate, construction was begun for the current sanctuary in the fall of 1971, a rotation system for elders was begun, leadership training for church officers was implemented, and visitation teams were also trained and initiated. He resigned in June 1976 to return to Mexico as a missionary. He currently resides in Boone, NC, where he is pastor at Brookside ARP.
DR. GRANT FRITJOF JOHNSON
1917 - 1990; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1977 - 1981
Dr. Johnson was born on January 18, 1917, at Spencer Brook, MN, the son of a Swedish Congregational minister. His boyhood was spent in Stanford, CT, and he graduated from Stony Brook Christian Academy. He received a B.A. from Davidson College and an M. A. from the University of North Carolina. He married the former Bertha McLaughlin and together they had 6 sons. Dr. Johnson served his country in the Army Air Forces Training Command during World War II. Thereafter, he became the Athletic Director, coach of basketball and baseball, and professor of physical education at King College in Bristol, TN. He served as Youth Director at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In 1958, Dr. Johnson was called to full-time ministry and attended Erskine Theological Seminary. Dr. Johnson served churches in Gastonia, Burlington, and Lancaster before being called to Neely’s Creek on January 1, 1977. In 1978, Erskine College conferred a Doctor of Divinity Degree upon Dr. Johnson. He retired from Neely’s Creek on June 1, 1981, to move to their home at Bonclarken. He died in 1990 and is buried in the Neely’s Creek Cemetery.
JAN SENNEKER
1937 - 2021; Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1981-1990
Jan Senneker was born on February 15, 1937, in the Netherlands. In 1950, his family moved to Canada. He received a diploma from Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, MI in Evangelism and Missions in 1960, a B. A. in History from Covenant College in 1968, and a Master of Divinity from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri in 1972. The Reverend Senneker served as a missionary in Australia under the Christian Reformed Board of Foreign Missions from 1960 -1965. He served as Lay Pastor of West Brow Chapel of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lookout Mountain, TN, while attending Covenant College. He served as student supply of the Elsberry ARP Church while attending Covenant Seminary. After ordination, he served as pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, MD. He was serving as pastor of Community Chapel by the Sea in Melbourne, FL, when he received the call to Neely’s Creek. On November 15, 1981, he preached his first sermon at Neely’s Creek. The Reverend Senneker served as Vice-Moderator of Synod, was chairman of the Foreign Mission Board and was a member of this board from 1978 to 1985. He visited the ARP Mission Fields, both in Mexico and Pakistan, and also had a preaching mission in Korea. He was instrumental in the creation of The Village of Neely’s Creek, a retirement village nearby the church. He died May 28, 2021, and is buried in the Neely’s Creek Cemetery.
SAMUEL J. SERIO, D.M.
Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1992 - 1993
Dr. Serio was born in Baltimore, MD. He graduated from Mount Hebron High School in Ellicott City, MD. He then attended college at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. After that, he studied at Westminster Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Seminary. He has 4 children: Sam, Scott, Sarah Jane, and Stacey Joy. He is also an author and a religious counselor. During Dr. Serio’s time at Neely’s Creek, he pastored a church of expansive growth. It was definitely an era in which you had to plan ahead to make sure your seat was available. He currently lives in Riverside, California.
BILLY O. FLEMING, D.M.
Pastor of Neely’s Creek 1994 - 2002
Dr. Bill Fleming was born in Memphis, TN. He is married to Joy Nadine Teal Fleming, and they have 3 daughters, Iris, Grace, and Molly. He studied Bible history at Asbury University, received his M.Div. from Erskine College, and received his DM at Gordon-Conwell in Charlotte, NC. He has pastored at Doraville Presbyterian Church in Doraville, GA, at Christ Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceville, GA, at Faith Presbyterian Church in Merritt Island, FL, at Neelys Creek Church, at Oak Ridge ARP Church in Heath Springs, SC, and most recently at Rogers Memorial in Rock Hill, SC. He has also served as Director of Pastoral Studies at Charlotte Christian Studies and Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Fleming currently resides in Waxhaw, NC.
DENNY HIEBER
Pastor of Neely’s Creek 2003 - 2008
Denny Hieber was born in 1951 in Atlanta, GA. He graduated from North Fulton High School in 1970. He then attended Belhaven College and received his bachelor’s degree in Bible and Christian Education in 1974. In 1978, he graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary receiving his M.Div. From there, he taught high school and was a football and track coach at Westminster Academy in Miami, FL in 1978. In 1980, he became the Assistant Pastor and Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Meridian, MS. Following this time, he served as Pastor of the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Conyers, GA. It was at this point that he received and accepted the call to Neely’s Creek. His time at Neely’s Creek was noted as a time where officer training became very effective, and the deacons and elders were well trained to bring others to Christ. The arming of the officers with educational prowess is still evident and discussed in the present. Mr. Heiber is retired and lives in Atlanta, GA.
HEIKO BURKLIN, D.M.
Pastor of Neely’s Creek 2009 - 2015
Dr. Heiko Burklin was born in Germany and is a dual citizen of Germany as well as the United States. He served as the Minister of Youth and Christian Education at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales, FL from 1986-1995. Following that, he became the team leader for a youth church-planting team in East Berlin from 1995-2006. It was after this time that he received and accepted the call to be the senior pastor at Neely’s Creek. Under Dr. Burklin’s leadership, a Missions Festival was begun in 2011, a prayer and fasting weekend was instituted, and the church’s Mission statement, which is, “We exist to glorify God, to love people, and to make disciples of all nations”, was developed. Currently, he serves as the Mission Developer at World Witness, the missions’ arm of the ARP denomination. He was married to his wife Kay for 38 years, and they have three boys, Stephan (Abigail), Yannick (Julia), and Micah (Laura). Dr. Burklin is a graduate of Taylor University, B.A. History, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, M.Div. and D.Min., and has worked with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He currently resides in Greenville, SC.
MATTHEW JOLDERSMA
Pastor of Neely’s Creek since 2016
Matthew Joldersma has served as the senior pastor of Neely’s Creek since 2016. He was born in Indiana in 1972 to John, pastor in the Christian Reformed Church, and Carol Joldersma. He is a graduate of Bethel University (B.A. in Ministry) where he played basketball, and of Erskine Theological Seminary (M. Div.). In 1988, he moved to Florida to serve as the Minister of Youth and Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales, FL (1998-2016), ironically a position that Dr. Burkin previously held. While in Florida, he met his wife, Candy Shirley. They married in 2001 and have three children, Callie, Pippin, and Iann. The Reverend Joldersma has served as both board member and as board chairman of World Witness (2016-2022). He enjoys all sorts of sports, but primarily he is an avid cyclist. “Pastor Matt” is popular with the youth in the church, no doubt due to his physical stature and big personality. He has a great strength in planning, both short and long term, and is currently in a multi-decade sermon series. He recently returned from a 6-month sabbatical, of which the theme was “Get Thee Up Unto The High Mountain”, where he retraced the steps of Martin Luther’s Reformation. The Reverend Joldersma and his wife, Candy, generously share the manse as a center of community outreach, where there are always planned activities going on. It truly is a great time to be at Neely’s Creek!
