USA > North Carolina > Mecklenburg County > Charlotte > The history of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church : Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina > Part 12
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Steele Creek's Sunday School 1900-1976
At the turn of this century under the direction of Dr. Price Gwynn, the Sunday School at Steele Creek was organized into departments, separating by age the children and youth and by men and women in the adult department. As far as can be determined, this is the first time the Sunday School used graded Uniform Lessons.
The younger children's classes were held in the church balcony where they were taught the Child's Catechism and were given picture cards with Bible verses telling a story. It is said that when the children were not reciting to their teachers, they spent much of their time looking over the balcony rail counting the various colored heads of the adults - dark, light, red or bald, and noticing the Ladies' hats adorned with flowers, ribbons, and plumes.
When these children had successfully recited the Child's
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Catechism, they were promoted downstairs to the classes under the balcony where they then studied the Shorter Catechism. Many faithful teachers gave much of themselves to the teaching of the children during this time and we would like to name every one of them, but the records are not conclusive, so only Mrs. Zoe Byrum, Miss Ona Cathey, Mrs. Allie Whiteside, Mrs. Billie Watt, and Mrs. Irene Bigham are named here.
With the coming of Dr. J. M. Walker and the building of the new Sunday School rooms back of the Sanctuary, the Sunday School departments were greatly enlarged, and much needed teaching materials were purchased. Mrs. J. M. Walker introduced the idea of teaching with flannel boards and sandboxes as means of learning by illustrations. These new Sunday School rooms were greatly needed as the enrollment in the church membership had grown to well over 600 by 1920.
When the Reverend Watt Cooper came as minister, the church enrollment had grown to such extent that he made a request for additional fulltime help. So Steele Creek hired its first Director of Christian Education - Miss Elizabeth Dunlap. Miss Dunlap and each succeeding Director of Christian Education worked closely with the young people of the church preparing Sunday evening programs as well as being responsible with the Christian Educa- tion Committee, for the educational material, securing of Sunday School teachers, and planning workshops for these people to help each worker become more qualified for this labor of love.
During the ministries of Mr. Cooper and Mr. McAlpine, Steele Creek experienced such outstanding growth that it became neces- sary to build additional Sunday School rooms. During Mr. McAl- pine's ministry Sunday School attendance of 600 or more was not unusual.
The teaching of the Catechisms has always been an important part of the Sunday School program here, and many young people have recited to many faithful, consecrated teachers, but for the
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past three years under the specific organization and direction of Mrs. R. E. McDowell, Sr., special classes were formed to teach the Catechisms only. As a result, these classes have been well attended and during the three year period there have been 119 Catechism recitations.
Neely Price was secretary of the Sunday School for approxi- mately thirty years (1926-1956). He ordered all Sunday School material which was delivered to his home by mail. He counted and faithfully distributed this literature to each class during those thirty years and kept accurate records for the Sunday School as well.
The High Schools
Besides providing religious training for young people, the Steele Creek congregation early recognized the need for schools to serve the community. The schools were not intended as denominational, but rather preparatory education for youth. Although not an integral part of the church, the congregation's involvement serves to illustrate their devotion to full life in the community.
The support of schools by the congregation may be divided into three groups: schools in the community, schools outside the community, and mission schools.
The first recorded support for a school was to "Queen's Museum". This was the first academy or high school in the upper part of North Carolina. It was located in Charlotte. In 1770 a Charter was obtained from the Provincial Assembly to incorporate this institution. The initial Charter was repealed by the King of England in 1771; nevertheless, it flourished without a Charter. In 177 1 it was incorporated by the General Assembly of the State under the more patriotic name of "Liberty Hall". The Reverend Alexander McWhorter was chosen President of this institution. Our history is not clear on Steele Creek's relation to the academy, but we do know a number of the congregation, encouraged by the
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Reverend McWhorter, worked to get the Charter approved. A number of young people from Steele Creek attended; how many we are not certain. The main financial support was through tuition, but no doubt members of the congregation made direct contributions.
Our historical records do not enlighten us on other schools in the 1700's or early 1800's. Most of the records of this period were lost. No doubt there were other schools that received partial support, and at some time during the period the sponsorship of scholarships by the congregation to schools outside the commu- nity was begun. We are also lacking in all except passing mention on the origin and role of the first academy within the community. In the first edition of our history, Douglas states:
The first academy was built in 1872 at a cost of $300 and was two stories, and being burnt by accident, the second was built in 1874 at a cost of about $200.
Other evidence indicates this "first academy" was begun after moving one of the old church sanctuaries west of the present sanctuary site to across the highway. This may have been the building that burned. Information eludes us on the church's role in the function of the academy. Evidently it did not operate for long because one of the first efforts made by the Reverend A. A. Little following his arrival in 1895 was an attempt to establish a high school. A committee of the Session was appointed to find the mind of the people on this matter. Owing to the position of the church on the border of the townships - Berryhill and Steele Creek - it was found impractical to have the high school at the church. Evidently this planning led to the organization of schools at Dixie and Shopton.
Before discussing the schools of Shopton and Dixie, we digress to record the origin of the name "Shopton" or "Shoptown". Shortly after the Civil War a general store was built just below the
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intersection of what is now known as Shopton Road, Steele Creek Road (now Highway 160), and a road running west to the Catawba River (now River Road). This store was owned and operated by Joe Hayes. Shortly afterwards a blacksmith shop - a common facility and a necessity in those days - was built. The blacksmith shop was on the opposite side of the road and a little south of the store. The name of the village originated from the fact that there was a shop. There was also a cotton gin and perhaps as many as eight or ten residences.
Prior to 1895 there was a school at Shopton, but in that year there was a meeting of patrons of this school to discuss the possibility of constructing a larger school with higher standards. After two years of planning and building, a school was opened on September 1, 1896. It was known as "Shopton High School". The building consisted of one room for elementary age children, one room for seventh grade to graduation, a music room, and a utility room. For many years this school was recognized as one of the outstanding schools in rural Mecklenburg.
The following served as principals and teachers at Shopton: 1896-97 L. O. Mccutcheon, Principal; Miss Ida Pursley, Assistant 1897-98 L. O. Mccutcheon, Principal; Miss Florence Little, Miss Ximenia Hunter, Assistants
1898-99 H. J. Mills, Principal; Miss Lillian Morrison, Assistant 1899-1900 J. R. Sandifer, Principal; Miss Nannie Crawford, Assis- tant
1900-01 J. R. Sandifer, Principal; Miss Nannie Crawford (re- signed), Miss Lillie Sandifer, Assistants
1901-02 W. P. Robinson, Principal; Miss Lillie Sandifer, Assistant 1902-03 A. G. Randolph, Principal; Miss Lillie Sandifer, Assistant 1903-04 A. G. Randolph, Principal; Miss Lillie Sandifer, Assistant 1904-05 Miss Anna Lois McDowell, Principal; Miss Carrie Potts, Assistant
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1905-06 A. G. Randolph, Principal; Miss Julia Knox, Assistant 1906-07 G. P. Heilig, Principal; Miss Carrie Potts, Assistant 1907-08 W. W. Rankin, Jr., Principal; Miss Jess Robertson, Assis- tant
1908-09 Miss Mary Leslie, Principal; Miss Minnie Ranson, Assis- tant
1909-10 S. I. Alexander, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1910-II R. D. Grier, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1911-12 S. I. Alexander, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1912-13 S. I. Alexander, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1913-14 F. W. Terrell, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1914-15 Miss Eunice Riggins, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1915-16 W. K. McGill, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1916-17 B. S. Plaxico, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1917-18 Miss Helen Hunter, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant 1918-19 Miss Mary Lee Johnston, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant
1919-20 Miss Mary Lee Johnston, Principal; Miss Bess Grier, Assistant
1920-21 Miss Bess Grier, Principal
Students graduating from Shopton School who became minis- ters were:
J. W. Grier
T. F. Grier
Murray Pegram
O. C. Williamson
Price H. Gwynn
D. Lee Williamson
Other students of note include Lois Faires Williamson, who served as a missionary nurse in Mexico, Amanda Rose Coffey, who worked in home missions, Myrtle Williamson who was a teacher, and Morrow Coffey who was the mother of the evangelist, Billy
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Graham.
Among the long time teachers was Miss Bess Grier who taught in the "Little Room" (elementary grades) from 1908 until the school closed in 1921. Numerous members of Steele Creek today remember those first days and their years in Miss Bess' room. She loved each child and she kept in touch with all her graduates. She was rated as a wonderful Christian teacher.
Due to decline in enrollment and a movement by the Mecklen- burg County School Board toward consolidation of schools, Shop- ton School was combined with Dixie High School in the fall of 1921.
After the closing of Shopton School, the building was used for community activities, including the Steele Creek Home Demon- stration Club. About 1924 the building burned. The Home Dem- onstration Club held insurance on the building. The insurance money was donated to Steele Creek Church. These funds became the nucleus for building the "Community House" near the church.
Dixie High School was located the same distance north of the church as Shopton School was south; it was opened the same year. Its history parallels that of Shopton.
One and a half miles north of Steele Creek Church was a settlement called Collins Crossroad consisting of a store, a combi- nation cotton gin and sawmill, and many farm houses. In the surrounding area of Berryhill township were schools. Among them were Cooper, Berryhill and Todd. It was in this community that the Steele Creek Band was organized in 1883. The leaders at Collins Crossroad decided to apply for a Post Office. R. C. Freeman wrote the federal government asking for the post office suggesting two song titles as a possible choice for a name. The request was granted, the official name given was Dixie. It was in this community that a school called Dixie was organized in 1896. The Steele Creek Band also used the song, Dixie, as their theme song. Below is a copy of the first announcement of the school.
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The Dixie High School
This School is located at Dixie, Mecklenburg County, N.C., about two miles from Lodo (later known as Juneau), on the Air Line Railroad, and in the old and widely known congregation of Steel Creek. The location is high and healthy, with no local cause for sickness. No location is superior in point of morals and has fewer temptations to lead students astray. The School house is a two-story frame building, with two well furnished and comforta- ble rooms on the first floor and half in upper story. The object of this School is to furnish to boys and girls the opportunity of a good English and Classical education, fitting them for the ordinary business of life or preparing them for a college or university course.
Prof. Chas. C. Orr has been engaged as principal, and Miss Mary Davis as instructor in music. An assistant will be procured in due time. Prof. Orr graduated recently at Davidson College with the degree of A.B. He has had over a year's experience in teaching and comes to us well recommended.
This School will open on the first Monday in September and continue for nine months, with a short intermission at Christmas. The rates of tuition will range from $1.25 to $3.00 per month, and boarding in good families $9.00 per month, including washing, or $8.00 excluding washing.
Dixie is supplied with daily mails.
We trust that our School will commend itself to all and receive a liberal patronage from the community and surrounding country.
Any students desiring instructions on the cornet or violin can take lessons under Prof. R. C. Freeman, the leader of the Steel Creek Orchestra and Brass Band.
For further information address the Principal or either one of the undersigned trustees.
Dixie, N.C., May, 1896
H. D. STOWE J. S. COLLINS
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From this beginning the school went through many changes, moved to a new building that had five large rooms, and served the community as an educational and recreational center for thirty years. Many outstanding leaders and Christian homemakers re- ceived their early and high school training here. Special mention is made of the following:
Ministers:
C. Grady Brown
W. Cook Neel
Ben F. Brown
William F. Orr
William A. Brown
John Mack Walker, Jr.
D. Ralph Freeman Dennis Weaver
T. Archie Freeman
Full time church workers and missionaries:
Evelyn Sadler Byrum Mary Robertson (teacher)
Bertha Abernethy
Physicians:
Dr. W. Reece Berryhill, Dean of School of Medicine at Univer- sity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dr. Leighton W. Hovis Dr. R. Z. Query, Jr.
Dr. Luke W. Query, Jr.
Also from this school came more than fifty teachers, many of whom returned to teach at Dixie School. The school had dedi- cated Christian teachers and principals:
1896-97 Mr. C. C. Orr, Principal; Miss Mary Davis, Assistant 1897-98 Mr. C. C. Orr, Principal, Miss Mary Davis, Assistant 1898-99 Mr. C. C. Orr, Principal; Miss Effie Kilpatrick, Assis- tant 1899- Mr. J. A. McQueen, Principal; Miss Ora Davis, 1900 Assistant 1900-01 Mr. J. A. McQueen, Principal; Miss Kate Newell, Assistant
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1901-02 Mr. W. H. Thompson, Principal; Miss Nan Sadler, Assistant
1902-03 Mr. W. P. Chedester, Principal; Miss Myrtle Wolfe, Assistant
1903-04 Mr. W. W. Arrowood, Principal; Miss Bertha Aber- nethy, Assistant
1904-05 Mr. R. B. Collins, Principal; Miss Bertha Abernethy, Assistant
1905-06 Mr. G. P. Heilig, Principal; Miss Ethleen Freeman, Assistant
1906-07 Mr. W. W. Rankin, Principal; Miss Ethleen Freeman, Assistant
1907-08 Mr. E. B. Byrum, Principal; Miss Mary Price, Assis- tant
1908-09 Mr. E. B. Byrum, Principal; Miss Mary Robertson, Assistant
1909-10 Miss Macie McGinn, Principal; Miss Mary Robertson, Assistant
1910-11 Miss Mary Price, Principal; Miss Mary Robertson, Assistant
1911-12 Miss Mary Price, Principal; Miss Lilla Sadler, Assis- tant
1912-13 Mr. J. B. Craven, Principal; Miss Mary Price, Miss Annie Wallace, Assistants
1913-14 Mr. Erwin Carothers, Principal; Miss Mary Robin- son, Assistant
1914-15 Miss Mattie Moss, Principal (Resigned); Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Miss Macie McGinn, Miss Hannah McGinn, Assistants.
1915-16 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Miss Macie McGinn, Miss Hannah McGinn, Assistants
1916-17 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Miss Mary Price, Miss Hannah McGinn, Assistants
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1917-18 Miss Margaret Wilson, Principal; Miss May Faires, Miss Hannah McGinn, Assistants
1918-19 Miss Mary Price, Principal; Miss Irene Freeman, Miss Hannah McGinn, Assistants
1919-20 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Miss Irene Freeman, Miss Addie Fay Freeman, Assistants
1920-21 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Miss Irene Freeman, Miss Addie Fay Freeman, Assistants
Although the two schools were rivals in sports, debates and other contests, they were united in church activities. After their consolidation in 1921, the Dixie School served the central congre- gational area. A list of the teachers of this consolidated school shows that church and school were very closely related. Mr. R. A. Grier continued to be principal, wielding an enormous influence on the school, church, and community. Two other elders helped mold the community into a Christian one. Lester Byrum for many years owned and operated the store by Shopton School, and Elbert Neel owned and operated the store at Dixie School.
The principals and assistants for the Dixie and Shopton schools combined were:
1921-22 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Miss Isabel Choate, Miss Irene Freeman, Miss Laura Grier, Miss Violet Knox, Assistants
1922-23 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Miss Isabel Choate, Miss Mary Lee Owen, Miss Laura Grier, Miss Violet Knox, Assistants
1923-24 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Mr. J. C. Riggins, Miss Mary Lee Owens, Miss Laura Grier, Miss Adelaide McGinn, Assistants
1924-25 Mr. R. A. Grier, Principal; Mrs. J. B. Watt, Jr., Miss Irene Freeman, Miss Mary Lee Owen, Miss Laura Price, Assistants
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In 1925 a new school called Steele Creek was opened. It was located about seven miles southeast of the church on York Road (Highway 49). In 1926 Dixie High School closed its doors. It became a part of the new Berryhill School.
Steele Creek Church gave some support to the schools at Dixie and Shopton, but in the early years most of the financial support came from tuition fees. Subsequently, funding was obtained from the county and the state. Most of the students walked or traveled by horseback and buggy. Some traveled as much as eight to ten miles per day. Due to distance, some students took up week-day residence with families near the school, returning to their homes on weekends.
There were at least two other schools - Big Spring School and McIver School - in the northern part of the congregational area about the same period that were attended by members of Steele Creek Church. In 1932, Steele Creek High School closed as a high school leaving Berryhill High as the only school in the community. From the time Berryhill School opened its doors in 1926 until the consolidation as part of West Mecklenburg School in 1951, it had great influence on Steele Creek Church. W. D. Loy, the first principal of Berryhill, was an especially dedicated educator. He served as an elder at Steele Creek and was a leader in the Sunday School. He taught a course, "The Bible" for high school students at Berryhill, and he organized the "Men's Bible Class" at the church which later became the "Community Class." Numerous teachers from Berryhill School, plus those from the other local schools, became part of our church. They brought leadership in music and the Sabbath schools, and served as church officers as well as committee members.
Another phase of educational support from the church mem- bership has been to the Presbyterian colleges. Aid was provided from special fund drives. The institution served in this way the longest has been Queen's College. Support dates to its predeces-
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sors, such as "Queen's Museum". Funds were also raised from time to time for special needs at Davidson College. Efforts to support colleges were aimed at helping to develop more and better teachers for the local schools and to encourage pursuit of careers in Christian education, the ministry, or foreign mission work. Besides direct contributions to the colleges, the church sponsored a number of young people at the institutions, especially those with a declared interest in Christian service.
The third class of education support was through the mission organizations. The women and youth organizations frequently raised funds for foreign mission schools, such as the Presbyterian Bible School in Taiwan. The women organizations also served the needs of the home mission school, e.g. Crosnore School in the mountains of North Carolina.
Veterans of All Wars From Steele Creek Congregation
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS
John Bigham
John McDowell
Robert Bigham
Joseph Davis
William McKinley Admiral Robert McLeary
Walter Davis
Henry Neel
Thomas Grier
Rev. Humphrey
General Robert Irwin
Capt. Hugh Parks Robert Wilson
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
Ira Alexander Cornelious Alexander J. W. Alexander
Thomas Alexander
Hamilton Allen
Albert Allen
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James Bains Thomas Bains John Atchison William Atchison Archibald Beatty John A. Beatty Andy Berryhill James L. Berryhill Jefferson Berryhill S. P. A. Berryhill William R. Berryhill W. A. Berryhill Robert Bigham Green Bigham Alford Blackwelder D. M. Blackwelder Stephen Blair
James Blanchard John Blunt Andrew H. Brown
Rufus A. Brown William J. Brown
W. Morgan Brown
Thomas J. Byrum
John Marion Byrum Alexander Cathey Henry Cathey John C. Cathcart
Albertus Watt Clark Almarene Clark Alexander Clark
Billy Clark Henry Clark
Jimmie Clark John Clark Franklin Clark W. C. Clark John Clanton William D. Clanton Jerry Clontz A. D. Cochran Benjamin Coffey Robert D. Collins John D. Collins James M. Cooper
Thomas Cooper Thomas B. Cowan William Cowan
John D. Cowan
Elias M. Crowell
Samuel W. Crowell
Hugh Dixon W. M. Eller
Capt. John R. Erwin Zenas Faires
Thaddeus Freeman
William A. Freeman
Bert Gallant
William L. Gallant
D. P. Glenn T. M. Glover Marshall Grier Samuel M. Grier Thomas Grier
J. Lee Grier William L. Grier
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Laban Grier Lawrence Grier Paul B. Grier Maj. Calvin E. Grier James Grier Doc Hall Moses N. Hart Fields Hawkins William L. Headley R. W. Hartgrove Berry Henry Samuel Henry Terrell Henry
Dr. I. W. Herron
George Herron
James Herron John Herron J. A. Herron William S. Herron Franklin Hovis
Charles Hunter
Madison Hunter
John L. Jamison D. R. Kerr
R. Franklin Kerr Samuel Kerr John B. Kerr Thomas King George King Jimmie Knox Joe Knox John Henry Knox John Neel Knox
William H. Knox Charles Leverman Robert Lowry John Marks Silas Marks Thomas Marks Stephen H. Marks James Marshall
William Marshall Samuel H. Martin A. H. McCombs Coatsworth McCoy J. W. McCoy W. J. McCoy Watson McDonald James H. McDonald
Robert W. McDowell
Robert N. McGinn
John C. McLean Dr. John D. McLean Duncan McQuick
Albert Montgomery
George C. Neel
Larkin Neel Benjamin Neel Samuel Reese Neel Thomas W. Neel Thomas W. Neely J. J. Neely J. Starr Neely William A. Neely John B. Nicholson J. Lee Orman
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Billie Orman Reese Ormond William L. Owens David Parks Henry Parnell
John Patterson Robert A. Porter
Samuel A. Porter
Andrew Porter
Zenas Porter
John D. Stinson
Rufus Stowe
Marcellus Potts John G. Potts
Capt. H. D. Stowe
Pink Potts
John W. Summerville Lamar Swan
Feemster Prather
Levi Prather
Archie Taylor
Jasper Price
John Henry Tevepaugh
John Price
William Tevepaugh
William J. Thompson
Julius Price Robert W. Query
Joe Thompson
Robert Ticer
William Ticer
John William Todd
C. B. Todd
F. B. Thornburg
S. L. Thornburg S. R. Turner
Dr. H. J. Walker
James Henry Walker
David Weaver
John I. Wilson James A. Wilson
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John Dovey Sloan Dr. A. B. Sloan Robert Sloan Samuel Sloan
George Sloan
J. W. Sterling Samuel Stewart
William B. Sloan
David W. Stinson
Robert R. Ray
J. J. Rodden Nathan Rodden
William N. Rodden
Capt. W. W. Robinson
Robert A. Ross
Robert A. Sadler J. R. Sharp David Shelby J. M. Shelby William Shelby John Sloan
HOME GUARD
These men served on the "Home Guard" during the war between the States.
James W. Alexander
Samuel Henry
John M. Blair
William Marshall
William C. Bigham
Parks Price
Capt. William P. Brown
James B. Spratt
Col. B. F. Brown
Dr. J. M. Strong
John Andrew Brown
Milton Whiteside
George Carruth Cathey
Mark Wilson
A. H. Collins
James Warwick
James S. Collins
Neely J. Wingate
John Hobbs
Charles B. Watt
William Freeman Sr.
Frank Watt
Robert A. Freeman
Silas Watts
Pringle Grier
Amzi Williamson
John W. Hayes
William Williamson
World War II
John E. Adams
Louis W. Aldrich
Frank M. Arrington
Darian L. Biggers
Jeter Andrew Barker, Jr.
Wallace H. Biggers
Charles G. Bigham Jr.
Marion H. Beach Marvin R. Beach
Richard F. Bigham Reece S. Bigham
Warren Beaty
William Beaty
Robert C. Bishop
Paul A. Bell
Robert Oliver Brown
Charles P. Berryhill Jr.
Willis M. Berryhill
John W. Berryhill Jr. Sarah E. Berryhill
Cyrus A. Hoover
Joe Brown B. J. Brown
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W. Clarence Brown Wilburn B. Brown John Bruce Brown Paul J. Brown Jr. William F. Brown Ben F. Brown Floyd A. Byrum J. E. Byrum
Robert Franklin Byrum
L. Wilson Byrum William K. Byrum
Walter F. Byrum
Claude O. Byrum John O. Byrum
Robert Oren Byrum
Robert Oscar Byrum
Lewis F. Camp, Jr.
Charles R. Carmichael
Robert E. Carmichael George W. Carmichael David T. Carmichael L. E. Carnes Jr. Owen M. Carptner William R. Cash David B. Cash
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