108 Chester St. Blacksburg, SC
Sunday School - Sunday at 10:00 A.M.
Worship Service - Sunday at 11:00 A.M
Lunch followed by afternoon Worship Service at 12:15 P.M.
Bible Study (on site and virtual) - Tuesday at 1:00 P.M.
Serving Blacksburg for Over 100 Years
We Celebrated 100 Years serving God's Church in Blacksburg, SC on March, 25, 2023
In 1918, a small group of Presbyterians desired to meet in our community rather than having to ride horse and buggies over an hour to the nearest Presbyterian Church located 11 miles away in Smyrna, SC.
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Blacksburg Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church held our first service on March 25, 1923, at the First Baptist Church on Main St, Blacksburg, SC, 4:00 PM eastern standard time; there were 20 people in attendance.
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In 2023, as we approach our 100th year, we meet in the 108 Chester St location, serving the community on Sundays at 10:00 AM for Sunday School, 11:00 AM for Morning Worship, Lunch, followed by Afternoon Worship Service. Bible study is held on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM in-person and Virtually.
Our Story - The First Decade
Mr. H.M. Shillinglaw, member of Smyrna ARP Church, informed his pastor, Rev. B.G. Pressley, and Rev. W.P. Grier, Pastor of Clover, Bethany, and Crowder Creek churches, along with Rev. E.B. Hunter of Sharon Church, who met and organized the Blacksburg ARP Church.
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Most of the churches of town offered the use of their buildings..
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The first service was held in the First Baptist Church at 4:00 PM on March 25, 1923. Rev. Grier preached the sermon based on the 23rd Psalm.
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We were self-supporting by 1924 with two elders, three deacons, 42 communicate, and six non-communicant members.
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The Blacksburg Women's Missionary Society was organized March 26, 1924 by Mrs. B.G. Pressly along with the following charter members: Mrs. F.V. Caldwell, Mrs. John Logan, Mrs. W.J. Martin, Mrs. J.E. Plaxico, Mrs. J.L. Quinn, Mrs. H.M. Shillinglaw, Miss Frances Shillinglaw, Mrs. C.M. Whisonant, Miss Cleo Whisonant, and Mrs. R.B. Whitesides.
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The women served oyster suppers to raise money for the church. They paid for a piano, silver communion service, a Baptismal borol, heatrola, dishes, and helped to pay for the church carpet and the manse.
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Rev. B.G. Pressly was Supply Pastor (temporary Pastor) from April 1923 until August 1924, preaching on each Sabbath (Saturday) afternoon at four o'clock in the Episcopalian Church. (Regarding the extra duty he said, "I would rather wear out than to rust out.")
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Rev. E.B. Hunter then supplied until October 1295, when Synod sent Rev. S.J. Hood, who served until 1929.
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Rev. Hunter again supplied with afternoon services until June, 1930, at which time Synod assigned Rev. J.P. Johnston to the work in this church. On May 22, 1932, he resigned to offer his services to the China Inland Mission.
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Rev. J.G. Brawley came May 29, 1932, and remained for two years. During this time, he was married to Miss Mary Alice Boyce. In 1934 Synod sent him to another church and Rev. A.R. Lotti took his place, remaining as pastor until 1943. --Blacksburg ARP Church Historical Archives
Over the Years
