DWCGQ: Summer 1990 Vol.XVI No2 Page 58 A HISTORY OF ROCK CREEK CHURCH The following article appeared in the 16 May 1879 issue of The Clinton Register. The Oldest Church in the County. Perhaps a few lines in regard to the old Rock Creek church may be interesting to many readers, especially the old settlers. Old Rock Creek church, the oldest Christian church in the county, was organized in April, 1829, Peter CRUM and William BOLIN (the old sheriff) being elders, and Samuel P. GLENN and John MAXWELL deacons. The young society rapidly in- creased its membership until it numbered one hundred and seventy, an extra- ordinary membership for those early days. Notwithstanding the many diffi- culties they had to encounter, they immediately set to work to erect a house to worship in. A site was selected on the east skirt of Rock Creek timber a short distance from the little stream of Rock Creek, on land owned by Samuel P. GLENN, one of the pioneers of the county, who yet re- mains to bless the new house with his usual benediction, and who for over half a century has been a constant and liberal contributor to the church, and has filled all the different offices of the church, although for seve- ral years past his powers for administering the word has been somewhat in- terrupted in consequence of a stroke of the palsy. The deed for the ground was given to Martin SCOTT, Harrison LANE, James SCOTT, John W. SCOTT and Elihu LANE, as trustees, and was acknowledged by John MAXWELL, J. P., April 26, 1879. The house was about twelve years in building, some of the material being brought a long distance, having to be gathered up here and there at distant saw-mills. In connection with the church is a ceme- tery of equal antiquity with the church where now repose the mortal remains of many of the pioneers of the county and soldiers of the cross, among whom is John W. SCOTT, who fought for our independence at King's Mountain, in the revolutionary war, and who did much for the people of this county in an early day. But, alas! the old building where Hugh BOWLES, Wadda BOWLES, James HUGHES, Ryan OWENS, and others, of later years, proclaimed the glad tidings of great joy in obedience to their Master's commands, has waxed old as doth a garment and was changed. But the old society, organized over fifth years ago, stands firm, and recently built a new house, which is situated directly in front of the cemetery and a few rods south of the old site - notwith- standing the hard times and the opposition of a few dissenting and expelled members, together with a few stray Methodists, who were not satisfied with the plain, slow and steadfast standard of their fathers, and who organized a society about two miles north of the old standard of time, and like Rome in her infancy, eager for strength, threw open their gates to all banished exiles and refugees. But the old church scarcely felt the blow, but Issued a proclamation that a new house was needed at Rock Creek, and with Amos DICK, Samuel P. GLENN and John MAXWELL at the Helm in one week stock enough was subscribed, the lumber ordered and the work in progress. It appeared as if the thought of the old church and grave yard filled all the old settlers with emotion and opened their hearts. In four months the house was completed and was dedicated in September, 1877. Although there was ample preparations to meet all contingencies, the use of the house was delayed several months on account of a difficulty between the building committee and the carpenter. But the time has come when they can sing: Lift up your heads, desponding brethren, Fling to the winds your needless fears, For some who sailed in the old ship Zion Have stood the blast for fifty years. Services are held in the church every Lord's day as follows: Sabbath School at half-past nine o'clock, meeting at eleven o'clock, singing school at three o'clock. On the last Sunday in this month Elder JERMAIN is expected to fill the pulpit at eleven o'clock. The Society contemplates procuring the services of the Elder for the ensuing year. Bob Halsey [email protected] Viera, FL