HISTORY OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHUCH OF BARNWELL, INC
Sometime in early 2016, a group of members of Barnwell Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) voluntarily left that congregation due to fundamental disagreements with polity and beliefs, informally meeting in homes during 2016 and later in the exercise room of the local YMCA. In November, the congregation decided that the church’s name would be “Christ Community Church of Barnwell” and once incorporated, to add “Inc.”. A nominating committee was formed to nominate three directors for the new corporation, and the new directors were elected in a congregational meeting shortly thereafter. By this time an official IRS tax id number had been assigned, a post office box secured, and the corporation registered with the State of South Carolina. It was decided to gather more information on other presbyterian denominations to see if one would be a fit for our beliefs. The two which seemed to be closest to what we believed were ECO and EPC. Representatives of both denominations were asked to make presentations to us in the Barnwell County Library meeting room to help us discern our direction, and both agreed to do so. In the case of ECO, contact was made with Rev Barry Jenkins, who suggested Rev Helen Coker would be of great help to us. Following presentations by both EPC and ECO, on December 2 it was decided to seek entrance into ECO as a church plant, and our acceptance as a church plant within ECO was granted on March 13, 2017.
In February of 2017, Rev. David Turner was called as a transitional pastor to serve during our formative time. The first meeting of the steering committee, which would later become the session, was held on April 19, 2017. “Standing Up as a Church” was held on May 21, 2017, with reaffirmation of baptism and signing of the founding covenant. This was also the beginning of incorporation of the Boiling Springs members into Christ Community Church. In July 2017, the formal agreement between Christ Community Church and ECO, was signed. In August 2017, the congregation approved the merger of Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church as Boiling Springs Chapel of Christ Community Church of Barnwell. PCUSA released Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church on September 16, 2017, and a worship service joining the two congregations was held on September 24, 2017.
At the October 2017 Presbytery of South Carolina meeting, Christ Community Church of Barnwell, Inc was formally admitted as a church within ECO. On October 29, 2017, Rev. Dr. Earl Bland ordained and installed the first elders: Angie Boyles, Wayne Browning, Frank Brubaker, Marshall Martin, Jr., Bob Weis, and Dan Packer.
In the spring of 2018, the 848 Hagood Avenue property was purchased and in June a commission was approved to plan and carry out renovations of the property. On September 30, 2018, the first service was held, and first communion observed, at the 848 Hagood Avenue location. The purchase and upgrades for this property was in the range of $146,000. The church was dedicated on February 24, 2019, with the help of Rev. Earl Bland, Rev. Allen Thompson, Rev Helen Harrison Coker, and Elder Mary Ann Edwards, moderator of the presbytery. Also in 2018, water was supplied to the Boiling Springs Chapel area by installation of a deep well, pump, and restroom in the auxiliary building.
Throughout the worship services held at the Hagood Avenue location, music for the service was provided via used acoustic pianos. Generally, they were donated by people who no longer wanted them, and, as such, were not of high quality. In September 2019, the Session approved the purchase of an electronic keyboard, which, as of this writing, is still in use.
In July 2019, a Pastor Nominating Committee was elected by the congregation and began work in finding a new pastor. During late 2019 and early 2020, the Covid epidemic caused changes to be made in how we worship and have meetings. Use of live streaming of worship services and on-line meeting applications allowed continuation of our experience. There was never a cancellation of a service.
Following the demise of the former Barnwell Presbyterian Church, this congregation approved a change in name from “Christ Community Church of Barnwell, Inc.” to “Christ Presbyterian Church of Barnwell, Inc.” on August 9, 2020, and the State of South Carolina approved it on August 12, 2020. A congregational meeting was held on September 13, 2020, to revise the by-laws to reflect the change in name.
Pastor David Turner presented his resignation as Transitional Pastor to the Session on July 25, 2021, and a congregational meeting was scheduled for August 8, 2021. The congregation approved the dissolution of Rev Turner’s call with great regret. As the situation was not a surprise, the Pastor Nominating Committee had been working on next steps, and a new transitional pastor had been located and called. The last two Sundays of July were managed internally, and Susan K. Lockwood arrived to begin serving the church as transitional pastor. She was ordained by Rev David Turner at this church on November 14, 2021.
History of Boiling Springs Church
Boiling Springs Historical Chapel-organized in 1842 by Reverend James H. Thornwell, a well-known Presbyterian theologian from Marlboro County who also served as president of South Carolina College from 1851 until 1855, now the University of South Carolina. Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton was named for him. Boiling Springs Presbyterian began holding services every other Sunday in 1846. On the alternate Sundays, the minister would preach at a newer nearby church. Eventually, the two churches merged and became Barnwell Presbyterian Church. In 1896 Boiling Springs Presbyterian was once again recognized as a separate church from Barnwell Presbyterian, and the present building was constructed in 1897. The adjacent sunday school building was added in 1955. Presently, services are held each Sunday evening at 5pm.