Springwood Presbyterian Church: Whitsett, NC

Coming Home to Springwood Presbyterian Church Acts 1:6-14

 Today we read of the early history of the Christian church.

The Acts of the Apostles could be called the good news of the Holy Spirit. In reading it we learn of the new church development started by the disciples.  Jesus died, was buried, rose from the dead, appeared to his disciples and others, and ascended into heaven- promising the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Today is special for THIS church as we celebrate our anniversary of 143 years as a congregation, a strong community of faith that has survived and now is thriving in the midst of today’s growth right here around us.

Some of you have been coming here….. some 70 years or more ? I’m the newcomer on the block with just 7 months in your midst- but I hope and pray for many years of ministry with and among you all.

 I thoroughly enjoyed reading the history of Springwood Presbyterian Church in preparation for preaching Homecoming.  While I realize memories of the early years may differ from one member to the next I thought it important for us to cherish our history as we celebrate the ministry of this church in this time.

Chip Steele, with the help of Mrs. Shoffner and Edna Blythe compiled a short history of the church, entitled: From Trial to Promised Triumph - complete with narrative about some painful times, even deadly  during times of reconstruction-  how slavery issues,  illegal alcohol and sharing a pastor affected this church became the theme for the well-thought out history. 

Utilizing the hand-written history Mrs. Maria Lee Clapp Beale – known as “Bobby” wrote in 1944, and Presbytery and Session mintues- along with stories people remembered from their family story-telling- a book was published. 

Last week I took the whole day to travel through Whitsett, then to this church, and along Wheeler Bridge Rd., and on to Brick Church to hear the stories of how this congregation came about.

I understand there are sources of history, but what I learned is that before there were computer searches and geneology websites to access, simply walking the cemeteries in the area, noting who was born and who died when and where- tells the story.

As we come to this momentus day and are grateful to the members for all their hard work preparing for HOMECOMING we give thanks to God for Springwood Presbyterian Church sharing God’s love with our neighbors.

In the last scene of the musical Camelot, King Arthur spins out a song filled with memories of what had been the most idyllic place on earth.  Alone on stage, the broken, forgiving king begs us to remember:

          Ask ev’ry person if they’ve heard the story,

          And tell it strong and clear if they have not,

          That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory – called Camelot

           Don’t let it be forgot that once there was a spot

          For one brief, shining moment

          That was known as Camelot.

“keep the story going….”-  begs King Arthur.

Pass it on to your children and your children’s children; and in the very remembering…. You will keep the dream alive.  In the midst of the despair around you, recall this time, this special place.  And, perhaps – who knows- perhaps this one brief, shining moment will come again.

It was historian Rosemary Radford Reuther,  who said that there are two things the Church must do.  One is to pass on the tradition of one generation to another, like King Arthur’s call to pass on the memory of Camelot.  The second thing is to be open to the winds of the Spirit by which the tradition becomes alive in each generation.

Gwyn Ingle explained to me that the Clapps, Greesons and Ingles (all families of German descent) are responsible for giving the churches with a long history a start.   Some of you here today can trace your geneology way back and find the firm roots of our faith implanted in fruitful soil.

When I served at First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, two of my oldest members kept telling me the same story- but from different sides.  One told of her kneeling for hours in prayer that her preacher grandfather would get home safely on his long walk after preaching at Brick Church.

The other would say she’d prefer keeping this part of her family history in the closet- smile- and tell me how her ancestors drew their rifles and waited for that preacher to cross their path so they could kill him.

Yes, the issue seemed to be about whether Christians could drink- or if it was a sin- but what fascinates me is that the preacher supposedly got home safely- saying the horse he rode refused to take the regular route home, chose another route - and he lived.

Back in those days you had to be real careful as to what you preached.  And if you preached when you didn’t have permission to preach…. there could be gunshots and barred doors and your life could be in danger – if you chose to worship.

There were definitely ‘sides’ to be on back then- but what I gleaned from the detailed history is that God had a plan for this church.  The story has been passed down through time- that the first meeting was held near Brick Church at the home of Gideon Lindsay Greeson- mayor of Company Shops. 

In a stand of trees near the home of George Zwingli Ingle (called Zwing or Swing for short).  The first formal services were held.  One historian claimed the grove of trees was near a spring- hence the name “Springwood”.  Two dogwood limbs fashioned in a simple cross by tying them together across the spring to make the pulpit made the message of the Christian faith clear to those who gathered to worship.  It was located somewhere- just off Danford Road.

The group met in homes and in a school – until such time as the white clapboard church was built in 1873 right here on this property.  So- how did this gathering- or Fellowship (as it was referred to then) become Presbyterian?  There was some thought at the Presbytery level that a church in this area was needed- while others who feared it would compete with Bethel in McLeansville.

The remnant few from Brick had theological beliefs that were consistent with John Calvin, stressing the importance of pulpit oratory, Biblical Study and Calvinist theology.  The charter members of Springwood were examined by Orange Presbytery to see if they would accpet the constitutional and confessional statements of the Presbyterian Church- in October of 1968.  The election and ordination of officers (two ruling elders were ordained and the third elder- installed- as he had been ordained in the German Rerformed Church)- all this  took place on November 29^th of 1868.  The record shows 24 charter members of Springwood Presbyterian Church.

After the war, instead of obsessing on racism issues following the war or being politically rebellious….. this church began to focus on worthy goals like education- helping veterans forget the past atrocities of war, to move on with their lives.

Ministry was shared between Alamance Presbyterian in Guilford Co. with an understanding pastor, Mebane Presbyterian Church- shared their pastor- for afternoon or evening services- allowing Rev. Penick time to ride his horse or horse-pulled carriage after leading worship in the morning at Mebane.

The origin of the land that we now own remains somewhat of a mystery.  We think it was purchased by three church families, the Ingles, the Clapps and the Fousts. The people of the church promised to pay extra amounts- totaling $395 to build the original church in May of 1873. It was a simple white frame structure, one story in height’ a central entrance door; two windows in front of the church, while space on the north side of the church had two windows, and an addition of a study for the pastor at the rear of the north side.

Less than a year after the people made their building pledges- the Session held it’s first meeting in the church.  It wasn’t until 78 years later- that the structural wear and tear and the need for larger facilities necessitated the construction of the current brick church.

Supply preaching was the norm in the early days- which helped  Graham Presbyterian –when they could only support a preacher 3 of the 4 Sundays a month- so we a preacher on the second Sunday each month. The supply preaching varied, with the guidance of Orange Presbytery- so that we shared preachers with many of the surrounding Presbyterian Churches.

I was amazed a the number of photographs of preachers in the vestibule- until I now understand that many were here as supply- or shared with other churches- for short periods of time.

Recently Shiloh Presbyterian women invited our women for a Spring spiritual retreat.  You can imagine my excitement when I found the picture of my family member on their wall- but was confused when the years of service overlapped.

Yes, my mother’s cousin served here from 1928 to 1930 and I knew was serving also at Bethel Presbyterian in McLeansville- but also at Shiloh from 1929-32.  Men, in those days, split their time between two or three churches, in order to meet the needs for cost of living.

The strong bond between Bethel in the building of the manse here on Ballpark Rd. helped provide housing for Rev. Redding – of whom two of his grandchildren are now members here.

There is such rich history here at Springwood. Today we claim our heritage- our ancestors who fought hard to survive and build a church that now has not only survived but is thriving- 143 years later.

I leave you with an image today – coming from the sport of mountaineering.  Climbers, you see, are tied together to keep the sane ones from going home.  In the church, when the going gets tough, sometimes the Christian may be tempted to give up and go home. 

Jesus knew there would be days like that, so he told his disciples that we’re tied together

• like branches on a vine –
• or climbers on a rope-
• or preschoolers linked together for safety to cross a road.

At Springwood Presbyterian Church, we share the love of Jesus Christ through our actions toward our neighbors.

Friends in Christ, we are tied together by the Holy Spirit, who calls us to trust God and move forward on the journey of faith. Amen.