Page 13 - Harnett Life Fall 2019

ical events to put in perspective the differences between sketch” describing how the then-new sanctuary (which is
the fledgling days of the church and his present day. “In the church’s current location in Linden) will be dedicated
that time the United States had been enjoying indepen- “on the morrow” thus closing out “100 years of life and
dence for a little over 32 years. James Madison, the fourth service.”
President of the United States was in office. The second
war with England had only recently been brought to an The second installment was written in 1974 by Mrs.
honorable close, and the people were rejoicing over the Charles Collier, covering years 1816 – 1974. She included
return of peace.” He continued, noting “Railroads had not an abridged version of Rev. Hall’s narrative, with photos
been thought of,” that clothes were all woven by hand, and of all the pastors he described, in addition to the pastors
the nearest post office was in Fayetteville, so the commu- who came after Rev. Hall through 1969 when Rev. H.
nity was “thought very fortunate in having a post office so Ruffner Lowman Jr. was currently serving. This portion
near.” The only churches at that time, he wrote, were Fay- of the book put together by Mrs. Collier also mentions
etteville, Bluff, Barbecue, Averasboro, and Tirzah, the last noteworthy design features of the church. During the
being organized only five years prior. “From Fayetteville 1942 – 1951 term of Rev. Frank Blue, there were multiple
to Tirzah, from Bluff to Barbecue, there was no church. items gifted to the church such as hymnals and new choir
No wonder this little band were so determined to organize chairs, but the two significant gifts were “a bell of rare
their own church.” beauty of tone which weighed over two thousand pounds
and cost of installation given by the Alexander McArten
Further into this 1916 account, Rev. Hall wrote that the family” and “a beautiful French chandelier, valued at
church was not organized as Presbyterian churches usual- $1500 and once the property of a foreign diplomat, loaned
ly are, since the customary way would have been for the by Van B. Sharpe of Carthage, and later presented to the
group to “petition the Presbytery to organize a church” but church by Alexander McArten.” The chandelier remains
“These people organized themselves and offered to place in the sanctuary today, as do the pews and pulpit of the
themselves under the authority of Fayetteville Presbyteri- Old Sardis Church. The third installment, written by Gay
an on certain conditions.” Following this, he includes the Creech covers the years 1676 – 2016, providing an over-
names of the founding members, and begins giving the view of recent projects the church has been involved in.
list of pastors who served the church from 1817 – 1911. From establishing a food bank, organizing “The Century
The first minister, Rev. Colin McIver served until 1821 Farm and Garden Club”, the Presbyterian Women’s group
and was notable because, as a Scottish native, he was able hosting Vacation Bible School and Family Movie nights,
to give sermons in both English and Gaelic. After a brief plus the multiple events held during the holiday season,
description of each previous pastor’s tenure, Rev. Hall there is no shortage of activities for church and communi-
commented in summary that “In looking over the history ty members throughout the year.
of Sardis church…Few churches have ever had as able and
as godly ministers as those who have served Sardis in the “God grant that she [the church] may continue to live
past.” Rev. Hall also marks dates of significance in regards through the coming century and have a fuller life and do
to the location and construction of the church. In 1816 a nobler work,” the closing statement from Rev. Hall’s
the members gathered at what is referred to as Hodge’s 1916 record, seems to ring true as the continued mission
Meeting Place and subsequently, the structure known as for the current members as they work to further the lega-
‘Old Sardis’ was built in 1830. He ends his “historical cy of Sardis Presbyterian and keep its rich history alive.