|
Greenville Presbyterian Church
GREENVILLE
COUNTY
(Old Abbeville District)
The first settlers of Abbeville District were
staunch Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. Little is known of their
religious life previous to 1773.
Through great
hardships and constant danger from the invading Cherokee,
their faith was kept alive by the family altar, neighbors
meeting together for praise and prayer, and rare visits from a
traveling minister.
Before 1773 they had erected a
house of worship, which tradition places near the present
site. It is said to have been of log construction, as were
most of the churches of that region and period. Probably
because many of the congregation lived along the banks of
Saluda River, the first church was called Saluda.
In
1784 its members petitioned the Presbytery of Orange for a
minister. The Reverend Robert Hall was sent during the summer
of that year to the congregation of Greenville and Upper Long
Cane, although he was not ordained until a year later. This
service took place from a stand midway between the two
churches.
In 1804 a new house of worship was erected,
and in 1854 this building was replaced by a red brick
structure, which stands today with its roomy slave gallery and
red brick session house. The old fashioned collection bags of
the early church are in use today. The members take a great
pride in the upkeep of their building and nearby
cemetery.
BY
HAZEL CROWSON SELLERS
South Carolina Churches
|