USA > North Carolina > Mecklenburg County > Charlotte > The history of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church : Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina > Part 10
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The area of Steele Creek has changed over the years from a rural agricultural community to one of a more industrialized and residential character. The continued growth of Douglas Airport on the north, the development of a heavy industrial area to the south, and interstate thruways on the east and north has placed a burden upon Steele Creek's officers to assess the times. A special Task Force on the Future Life of Steele Creek Church has been appointed. Thus we see that after about 210 years, the church, its people, and the community in general continue the struggle to maintain their right to live and worship as they would like.
To close this section on our general history, a most fitting tribute to the church and our history comes from the "Historical Sketch, Steele Creek Presbyterian Church" prepared by R. A. Grier at the time of the 17th anniversary:
Steele Creek is venerable with years because her members have chosen to spend their days here and contribute to her growth and advancement. They have not chosen to attain to the seat of the high and mighty. The similarity of the headstones in the cemetery is an index of the social and worldly equality of the people of the community. The lives of those who have gone on before, who, 'having served their day and generation, fell on sleep', challenge us to carry on and be true to the best that is in us as we serve our present age. 'Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with patience, the race that is set before us,
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looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.'
The little stream Steele Creek still flows - tumbling down to join the mighty Catawba, and to spend and to be spent as it brings light and power to the peoples of the Piedmont. Just so, may the church we honor today stand long as a center of influence, a defense of the truth, a nursery of piety, where many shall be born into the Kingdom. May God continue to call from her sacred fold many of her consecrated sons and daughters to become heralds of the Cross, and go forth to proclaim 'the tidings of the Kingdom of God', to every creature. May many more choose to remain at this hallowed spot, and serve their day and generation, and having fallen in sleep be gathered to their fathers, and mingle their dust with the sacred dust out yonder in the city of our dead. Thus shall living streams, through the years to come, flow out to enrich and bless the city of our God.
REGISTER OF ELDERS
William Barnett
1767-1785
Robert Irwin
Zaccheus Wilson
Andrew McNeely
1767-1800 1767-1824 1767- 1767-1830
Hugh Parks
David Freeman
1767-1808
Walter Davis 1767-1800
Joseph Swann
1767-1827
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James Hart David McDonald
Reuben Freeman James Brown F. M. Beaty
John McDowell
John Hart
James Neely
Jonathan Reid
William Clark
James M. Sloan
John H. McDowell
A. G. Neel
1842-1898 1842-1849 1842-1845
Robert I. McDowell
T. B. Price
W. P. Brown
M. A. Henderson
B. F. Brown
S. J. Berryhill
R. D. Colins
M. A Nilson
1872-1883 1872-1887 1885-1889
J. B. Swann
J. W. Potts
B. T. Price
1885-1914 1885-1929 1890-1900
J. S. Collins
A. H. McCombs
1 890- 1907
John McDowell
1890-1929 1890-1917
W. W. Davenport
1896-1931
R. C. Freeman
1896-1938
Dr. John Knox
1901-1911
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1804-1825 1804-1838 1804-1846 1804-1830 1804-1844 1804-1843 1804-1858 1804-1834 1833-1850 1833-1872 1833-1845 1833-1870
G. W. McDonald
1849-1896 1845-1905 1849-1850 1858-1908 1858-1870 1872-191I
R. W. McDowell
C. A. Spratt
Dr. A. M. Herron Wirt Pegram S. I. Price H. W. Davis
1901-1907 1901-1926 1901-1923 1909-1912
I. B. Faires
W. L. Bvrum
W. B. Choat
1909-1950 1909-1952 1913-1937
T. B. Spratt
1913-1931
E. M. Neel
1913-1947
S. A. Wilson
1913-1942
C. F. Brown
1922-1932
Dr. R. Z. Query
J. A. Berryhill
R. A. Grier
1922-1925-1929-1939 1922-1926 1922- 1929-1951 1929-
I. H. Freeman
1929-
P. E. Cathey
1931-
W. D. Lov
1931-1944
P. D. Price
1931-1935
R. E. McDowell
1931-1937
L. L. Brown
1937-
G. S. Cook
1937-
I. J. Price
1937-
R. W. Boyles
1941-
G. F. Brown
1941-
W. H. Clark
1941-
R. F. Freeman
1941-
B. B. Wilson
1937-
C. S. Garrison
1950-
R. B. Hovis
1950-
J. C. Price
1950-
E. T. Watson
1950-
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L. W. Query
L. W. Brown
ELDERS
Class of 1960
Robert W. Boyles
L. L. Brown Loy W. Brown Paul E. Cathey
Robert W. Davenport R. Frank Freeman R. A. Grier I. J. Price
Class of 1962
George F. Brown
Mack P. Brown
Herman L. Clanton
W. Peyton Davenport
C. Stough Garrison R. Belk Hovis
J. Conrad Price
James B. Watt
Class of 1964
James J. Biggers
Price H. Gwynn III
Joseph M. Boyles
Bradford Hunter
Marvin D. Clark
William D. Loy Jr.
Bryce W. Griffith Sr.
Thomas W. Neely
Class of 1966
C. Fred Brown
H. Bonner Howie
A. J. Davis
R. Reece Moody Sr.
A. H. Freeman
Billie G. McCall
Harold P. Garrison
Robert L. Stilwell
REGISTER OF DEACONS
S. J. Berryhill
1844-1858
J. L. Jamison
1844-1866
A. F. Sadler
1844-1873
W. M. Porter
1844- 1858-1898
A. H. Brown
R. W. McDowell
1844-1872
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J. S. Collins T. P. G. Faires W. H. Clark J. S. Watts
A. P. Price P. A. Neel
W. J. Thompson
J. B. Swann T. S. Cooper
A. H. McCombs
B. T. Price
R. C. Freeman
L. W. Robinson
A. W. Clark
1885-1934 1885-1888 1 890- 1890-1992
C. B. Campbell
J. A. Berryhill
J. C. Bigham
J. W. Sadler
J. W. Potts
S. W. Whiteside
F. B. Brown
C. F. Brown
J. K. Price
G. A. Cathey
1896-1934
L. H. Grier
1896-1931
S. A. Wilson
1901-1913 1901- 1901-
O. C. Brown
1915-
E. S. Berryhill
1915-1917
W. R. Berryhill
1915-
P. D. Price E. B. Byrum
1915-1931 1915-
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1858-1890 1858-1867 1869-1881 1868- 1869-1883 1873- 1873-1890 1877-1885 1877-1890 1874-1890 1874-1885 1885-1896
1890-1932 1890- 1874-1885 1890- 1890-1931 1896-1922 1896-1908
L. L. Brown
E. J. Price
1924- 1924-1928 1924- 1924- 1924-1926 1924-
J. B. Watt Jr.
T. P. Grier
B. B. Wilson
J. D. Clark
W. K. Price
R. H. Winchester
J. E. Byrum
1932-
A. H. Pegram
1932-
Samuel Knox
1932-
J. M. Boyles
1932-
T. W. Neely
1937-
S. W. Whiteside Jr.
1937-
R. E. Brown 1937-
F. A. Bigham
1937-
A. H. Freeman
1937-
J. J. Biggers
1937-
W. P. Davenport 1937-
M. M. Knox
1941-
DEACONS
Class of 1954
J. J. Biggers
A. H. Pegram
F. A. Bigham
E. J. Price Sr.
Joe M. Boyles
S. R. Sargent
Mack P. Brown
S. W. Whiteside Jr.
R. E. Brown
Class of 1956
R. F. Bigham
John Knox
B. J. Brown
W. W. McGinn
C. Fred Brown
Reece Moody
A. J. Davis
John Brown Neel
Bradford Hubter
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Class of 1958
J. Erskin Byrum Hermon L. Clanton
Marvin D. Clark
Bryce W. Griffith Price H. Gwynn III
J. C. Hawfield Worth E. Neel David R. Wilson Rush B. Winchester
Class of 1960
R. Oliver Brown
Joe E. Byrum
Robert O. Byrum
Sam A. Croft
Warren C. Dixon
Arthur H. Freeman
Billie G. McCall
Connor H. Smith III
Robert L. Stilwell
Class of 1962
C. P. Berryhill J. J. Biggers Reece Bigham Leighton P. Brown A. W. Davenport
H. P. Garrison
H. L. Hargett W. D. Loy Jr.
William B. McCall
Class of 1964
Louis W. Aldrich Fred W. Berryhill B. J. Brown C. Fred Brown J. C. Moody
R. Reece Moody John Brown Neel H. Bonner Howie John Knox III
Class of 1966
Joseph O. Brown W. Clarence Brown E. A. Earp A. B. Guthrie James C. Hawfield
Worth E. Neel James W. Niel Roy J. Stilwell
Baxter B. Wilson
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Class of 1968
Robert O. Byrum
Warren C. Dixon Hoke C. Marks Phillip S. Porter
Herbert L. Reid
Connor H. Smith III Frank S. Spratt Jr. W. Raymond Wallace Jr.
Class of 1970
C. F. Boyles
A. W. Davenport
L. P. Brown
P. H. Gwynn
W. V. Brown
L. G. Sanburg
L. F. Camp Jr.
M. E. Yandle
B. A. Corbett Jr.
Class of 1972
C. P. Berryhill Jr.
B. L. Erwin Sr.
Aage Glud
C. H. McCoy
B. F. Grubb
J. W. Powell
R. R. Helms
C. L. Weaver
R. P. Henderson
Class of 1974
F. W. Berryhill Jr.
E. A. Earp
R. S. Berryhill
J. H. Freeman
R. O. Brown
V. B. Wallace Jr.
J. E. Byrum
D. R. Wilson
Class of 1976
P. A. Bell
H. W. Kole
M. D. Clark
R. F. Neely Jr.
A. W. Davenport
J. I. White S. W. Whiteside
H. E. Davenport
E. W. Grant
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Class of 1977
H. B. Bowman
Mrs. E. A. Earp
J. R. Ferguson J. L. Fowler C. M. Freeman Jr.
D. N. Moore J. W. Neely Jr. R. C. Reid
H. B. Sparrow
Class of 1980
L. G. Briggs
H. D. Rumble Jr.
G. W. Davis
G. B. Simmons Jr.
K. D. Johnson
D. C. Suddreth
H. C. Marks
J. O. Wilcoxon
C. G. McCorkle
Class of 1982
W. B. Brown
V. B. Kephart
H. A. Cathey
R. F. Neely Jr.
E. C. Coskrey
W. H. Neely Jr.
Mrs. F. C. Freeman Jr.
B. H. Williams
W. M. Griffith
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5.
MCCALL
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CHAPTER VII Church Buildings And Properties
As pointed out through this history, our ancestors were a most determined group in religious affairs. Before coming to America, a place set aside for worship was important. Witness the churches of Scotland, England and Ireland standing today that date to at least the fourteenth century. No doubt our forebearers had in their mind to build a lasting spiritual fellowship and to accompany it with a physical plant suitable in size and appearance. To the latter end there have been numerous structures built on or near the original properties.
In this chapter we will attempt to describe the various church structures, other supporting structures, and additional buildings or properties used to serve the congregational needs. To these ends the early members of Steele Creek would no doubt be proud to find the seeds they planted in the middle 1700's have grown to over sixty-seven acres of land, with buildings that have a value of around one million dollars in 1976. For those who look upon the flourishing church of today, it is difficult to realize that for many years before even the first square log church was built, the people of Steele Creek gathered under wide spreading oak trees, in a family's one room log cabin, or in a family's covered wagon to hear words from an itinerant preacher or missionary passing through the community.
As in the case of the organization of the church, the date of undertaking its first building program eludes us. Our evidence appears reasonable for the assumption that the first property
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acquired, either as a bequest or sale, consisted of around two acres of land along the headwaters of the small stream Steele Creek. There is no firm basis for the congregation having built a structure, at least a permanent one, on that property. The second tract of land appears to have been obtained prior to 1771. Whether we acquired title - if we ever had one - by donation or purchase, we have no means of determining. The best we can pinpoint is as follows:
In the Register's Office in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the fly leaf Book 15, Harris' administration, is found this sentence (N.B.). On the 49th page is found a deed to Robert Brownsfield for Steele Creek Church, T. 4, Acres I. On said page is found a deed from Wm. Bigham and wife Sara, to Robert Brownsfield for 300 acres lying on the head waters of Beaverdam Creek west of Hugh Park's lands, consideration 50, in which is the following reserve (4 acres of said lands, including the old and new meeting houses, only excepted and exempted in this deed for the use of the congregation.)
(From this it appears that the land consisting of four acres was donated by William Bigham and in 177 1 there were two church buildings standing.)
There are no doubts that the original structures erected were plain loghouses of the roughest materials and these first buildings were put up without the skill of an architect to draft the plans. The Reverend Douglas describes the first venture in building: "There was no king, like Hiram, to raft the goodly cedars from Lebanon; neither did it go up without the sound of axe. It may, like Solomon's temple, have been paved with love, but had no silver pillars or coverings of purple."
During the pastorate of the Reverend McRee, about 1780, the meeting house was enlarged by extending the walls lengthwise, resulting in an irregular octagonal-shaped building.
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Soon after the initiation of the pastorate of the third pastor, the Reverend Hunter, the congregation built a new and more costly church. It was a frame structure covered with plank siding or weatherboards, and had a roof of wood shingles. This third church was sixty-five feet long by forty feet wide, hip roofed, and ceiled and contained a gallery across one end for the accommodation of slaves. The latter was not put in until some years later, however. To erect a structure of this nature in the years 1800-1802 was not ordinary work. There were few sawmills in the countryside; therefore, most of the timbers had to be gotten out by use of a whip-saw. The contract was given out to different parties. Richard (or, as he was more commonly called, Derrick) Orton, a Dutch- man, undertook to get out the frame; and Hugh Stinson from Hopewell congregation, was to do the carpenter work.
The "new" church was built a few paces south of where the old church stood. It was described as having "quite an airy appear- ance, without any high pretensions, having four doors, two in the south side and one in each end, and originally four windows in each side and two in the ends; the pulpit standing about midway on the north side. The most remarkable part about the whole building was the gallery. The ceiling of the house was no more than fourteen feet from the floor, and, of course, could not be extended in a horizontal line over the gallery, but abruptly terminated in front of it, leaving but a narrow space for the downward look, and affording a sharp point of observation of those below, who may wish to take a peep at the occupants above." The Reverend Douglas describes his impression of the gallery and the church in general a number of years later thusly: "It reminds us of what has been said of the Ladies' gallery in the British House of Commons. At the end of the hall, and opposite the gentlemen's gallery, there is a small room, separated by a wooden grating, behind which, scarcely visible, a party of ladies sometimes assemble for the purpose of hearing speeches, and in reference to which, some lord
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on a certain occasion, at a dinner party, gave as a toast, 'to the hens in the coop'. But why should we seem to speak facetiously of a dedicated building, which has served for more than a generation, where the tribes have gone up and found a safe resting place from the summer's sun and snows of winter? It has been as we hope, the birth place of many souls, the centre of many hopes, and from whose altar many joys and prayers have made glad the hearts of God's people. And now, in its decay, and old age, partly clad in ruin's pall, we hope its final demolition amid the graves of our dead, will be no cause of sorrow or hard feelings among the living."
In 1840, Foote in his Sketches of North Carolina gives his impres- sion of the "third" church as follows: "You may find Steele Creek church on the road from Camden, South Carolina, through Lincoln to Tennessee, some ten miles southward from Charlotte, and some five or six miles south of Tuckaseegee ford. As you go up from Camden, you will pass the spacious church on the left hand; but whichever way you may be passing you will not mistake the low wooden house, the second upon the same site, with the old grave-yard, a few steps to the east, filled wtih monuments, and the new yard on the west across the great road, with a few graves, the chosen resting-place of a large congregation."
The "third church" was still standing when the fourth church was burned in 1888. The congregation worshipped there until the fifth church was built in 1889. Afterwards, it was torn down and moved across the road and constructed into a school house. The school was destroyed by fire only a short time later.
Around 1858, the congregation, finding their church in need of extensive repairs, decided to erect a new one on another location. This fourth church was located about 175 yards southeast of the standing church. This is the same spot as the sanctuary of today. The contract for the building was given to John J. Wilson, a member of the congregation. The new structure was frame, seventy-two feet by fifty feet. The pulpit was built in the east end,
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a vestibule of twelve feet in front, galleries on both sides running all the way, and one across the end in front. There were two doors, the only outlets on the west end, opening into the vestibule where all were discharged through one large door. There were two large stained glass windows in the pulpit end and five windows on each of the two sides, above and below - twenty in all. The completed cost was near $4,000.
The stained glass windows in the pulpit caused comment and, as the sun caused varied colors, the attention of many of the youth were drawn in that direction during services. As a twelve year old boy Edgar Price's reaction was typical. He said that he could not recall the minister's sermons, but remembered how amused he would be each Sunday morning when the sun came through the windows as he watched the minister turn green, yellow, red, and blue. He also remembered there were two aisles in the church with long seats, and a plank across the middle of the pews. Men occupied one side while women sat on the other side of the plank. Husbands, wives and children occupied the side pews.
Shortly after building the new church, the congregation au- thorized exchange of land with Dr. J. W. Herron to straighten property lines and for the sake of appearance. The exchange of land served to give the church sanctuary the commanding emmi- nence among trees that continues to draw attention and com- ment.
The first central heating came with the installation of a furnace in 1874. By resolution of the congregation, all decayed trees in the front of the church were removed in 1878. In 1880, twenty acres of land were purchased from Dr. I. W. Herron at a cost of $390 and a manse was erected. The manse still remains on this property, about one-quarter miles south of the church on the west side of the highway. The manse has been remodeled and renovated several times. In 1872, the oldest of the church buildings, which was situated between the graveyards, was sold and taken down.
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The fourth church was burned on January 14, 1888. It was a total loss of structure and contents, except for the communion set which was kept for protection by a member of the congregation. After the fire those searching through the ruins for salvage found the pulpit Bible damaged, but parts unharmed. As a strange coincidence the Bible was open at the sixty-fourth chapter of the book of Isaiah. The page began with the eleventh verse, "Our Holy and beautiful house, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned up with fire; and all our pleasant things are laid waste."
Four days after the fire, January 18, the congregation decided to rebuild on the same site. The fifth church, our present sanctuary, was completed in March of 1889. This time brick were used instead of frame construction. The brick were made at the bottom of a hill near the church where a generous supply of clay was available. The workmen made the brick and the ladies prepared lunches in their homes and sent them to the men. This building was fifty-three feet by eighty feet, with a gallery across the front, a twenty-four foot ceiling, and a seating capacity of about 1,000. The windows were Gothic and arches of stained glass. The ladies of the church furnished the new church with carpets, chandeliers, and almost everything except the Bible which was a gift from the students at Davidson College. Dedication services were held on April 7, 1889. Improvements were made on this sanctuary in 1922.
The church built its first academy for general education in 1872. It was burned shortly thereafter and replaced by a second struc- ture in 1874.
To augment the facilities and functions of the church, a small frame building, twenty-four by eighteen feet, was erected in 1876 at a cost of $265. This building was designed as "The Session House". The boards were mitered and put together with wooden pegs. The foundation consisted of four large stones, one on each corner. There was a large door in the front, with wooden steps. There were two windows on each side. The furniture was austere,
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consisting of wooden benches, chairs, a table, and a small wood- burning stove. Until well into the 1920's this building served as an integral part of church life. It was the place where hundreds of young people and many adults made their profession of faith and became communing members of the church. The Session held their meetings there, seeking God's guidance on their work in prayer, conducting the business of the church, and counseling the church members. The "Mission Board" and "Earnest Workers" under the leadership of Miss Maggie Whiteside and Miss Rena Brown also met there. These organizations served young people who came for study, play and special events, such as the "Mite Box Opening" and "In-Gathering". From about 1920 to 1923, Mrs. John M. Walker's Sunday School for Primary Children gathered there each Sabbath.
The Session House was sold at auction. Mr. I. H. Freeman was the successful bidder, paving $30.00. He tore it down, marking each piece of lumber, and rebuilt it as a garage at his home.
The Steele Creek congregation was also generous in assistance on the purchase of land and construction in other parts of the community. The church was the main source of funds used in the construction of Beatty's Chapel in 1895. Along about this same time the church helped in the erection of a brick building for Freeland's Chapel and for the construction of two high schools, one known as the "Dixie Schoolhouse" and the other at Shopton.
In 1923, a two story Educational Building was erected at a cost of $20,000. This building was attached to the east end of the sanctuary.
The Community House was built in 1926. The outside was finished with cedar shingles. A stage was built in the east end for activities and programs. It also contained a kitchen. This building was completely renovated in 1968 with an outside of brick so it would conform to the other buildings. The interior walls were paneled with wood from the old pews from the church. A small
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chapel was included, as well as a large modern kitchen. The stage was removed and the space enclosed for use of Sabbath school classes.
A major renovation of the church sanctuary was undertaken in 1950. The entrance of the sanctuary was altered to its present form. New pews and carpet replaced the old. A choir loft was added behind the pulpit. The added space was obtained by extension into the "older Educational Building" instead of chang- ing the lines of the pulpit. The educational room built in 1923 was also renovated.
Very much in need of additional space, a new building program was commenced in 1954. At that time, approximately nineteen additional rooms were built for educational purposes. This build- ing also included offices for the staff and a new library; the total cost was $91,350. This addition was added just a few yards east of the educational building of 1923.
In March, 1958, a sexton's house, containing 850 square feet of space was built for $6,480. This house was located about 125 feet northeast of the Educational Wing.
Another major renovation and addition was completed in 1968. A large, splendidly furnished lounge was also included in this new Educational Building, along with fifteen more educational rooms and offices. This new building was connected to both the Com- munity House and the older sections built for Sunday School classes. At this time, central heating and air conditioning were installed throughout. Total expenditures were $364,458. The new facilities were dedicated August 5, 1968.
As a part of this recapitulation of events, it is fitting to record a resume of the property transactions over the years. Dates, gran- tors and amounts of land involved follow:
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Amount of Land (Acres)
Date January 7, 1771
Grantors
William and
Sarah Bigham 4.00
November 1, 1837
James C. Rudsill 9.75
January, 1858
E. M. and
J. W. Herron 6.75
August 7, 1872
Rudisell Estate
1.00
July 24, 1880
Dr. I. W. Herron
20.00
March 1, 1909
A. M. and
Lucy Herron 0.80
October 1, 1939
Von P. Byrum 16.20
June 15, 1970
Alma K. and
William Steiger 4.92
June 11, 1974
Edna S. Wallace
3.975
The physical plant of Steele Creek Church has in the past and continues to mean more to members than logs or bricks. All the facilities are a symbol of God's presence, His sovereignty over us and His love for us.
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海话
CHAPTER VIII
Organizations of the Church
As to the time or the name of the "first" group organized within the church to promote Christian fellowship, we are not certain. Evidence indicates that a book club existed among the women prior to 1821. A letter from Mr. Jonas C. Rudsill to a friend dated August 4, 1821, includes the statement: "On the day to follow, the annual meeting of the Steele Creek Female Circulating Book Society will be held to elect their manager". Although not officially a part of the church, the "Debating Societies" formed in the region of country embracing a part of Sugar Creek, Steele Creek, and Providence Churches during the post-Revolutionary War period no doubt encouraged members of the congregation to form groups. This was because religious philosophy and infiden senti- ments on religion and morality were often focal issues of the debates. The controversy which arose in the latter part of Rever- end McRee's pastorate - about 1796 - over the subject of psalmody most likely resulted in the formation of groups among the congregation to promote their views.
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