Thanks to Martha Newton & Larry Yon
This page is Under Construction & Revision!
Your ideas, comments and suggestions about this history page are requested and will be appreciated Please feel free to write hugh@norrishill.org with corrections and/or additions.
Thank you, Hugh
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On September 7th, 1969, a highly motivated group of Christians from Flat Rock Presbyterian Church and a similar group from Varennes Presbyterian Church met at the Old Bowen School to plant a new church.
The text for that first service was from Joshua 1:1-14. The Children of Israel were preparing to enter Palestine, Moses had died and God had chosen Joshua to lead them.
Of that first meeting, Martha Newton said, “I felt that we too were like the Children of Israel. God was leading us. As I read the text, verse 9 stood out:
‘Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid neither be dismayed. For the Lord thy God is with thee wherever thou goest.’”
The Lord was truly with this dedicated group. They chose to join the Reformed Presbyterian Evangelical Synod and became the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Anderson and called the Rev. James A. Wiest as pastor.
The new First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Anderson continued to meet in the Old Bowen School on Flat Rock Road. Early congregates still relate stories of how the Lord blessed these meetings and how His presence was felt as He guided these early meetings. They can also related stories of the old building’s “character” and pot belly stove heating system.
An obvious and immediate need was a site for the new church. The fledgling and growing church asked for God’s direction in location a suitable site. On November 16th a church wide meeting asked God to lead the congregation to land. This diligent prayer was rewarded for on February the 1st, 1970, only five months after the organizational meeting, the congregation voted to purchase 55 acres of land adjoining the Abbeville Highway, south of Anderson.
One year later, a Ground Ceremony for the present building was conducted on February 20, 1972. Mr. S. O. Jackson, the oldest church member and the Pastor’s son, Andrew Wiest along with the Elders, Deacons and Pastor Wiest, participated in the ceremony.
With faith in God and the future of the new church, Jack Fleming, S.O. Jackson and Joe Whitfield signed a $130,000 mortgage. Their faith was rewarded; this twenty year note was retired in only 17 years and 4 months.
Construction proceeded through the winter, spring and summer of 1972 and on a day dedicated to the Glory of God, November 12, 1972, the first service in the new building was conducted. 140 persons attended Sunday School that first day, and the new Sanctuary was graced with 190 celebrants for that first worship service.
Appropriately, played by organist Claudine Patterson, two of the songs that morning were “How Great Thou Art” and “To God be the Glory.”
For that dedicated group of Christians that took the first steps in the formation of a new church, the 190 plus persons raising their voices in the Praise of God was wonderful experience. Yet they knew that their efforts would have been impossible without their unflinching faith in Jesus Christ and the leadership of a power greater then themselves.
The formal Dedication Service for the new building was conducted on Sunday Afternoon, February 25, 1973. This service, dedication the building to the glory of God and service to His Kingdom, was attended by many leaders within the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Speakers included:
Rev. Al Lutz, Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC
Dr. Thomas Cross, Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC
Dr. Paul Gilchrist, Stated Clerk, RPC, ES & Asst. Prof. of Bible, Covenant College
Rev. Nelson Malkus, Assoc. Exc. Dir. N.P.M
In any living organization, the only constant is change.
During the formative years, new members joined the church while others moved away. New babies were born and members went to be with the Lord.
Mr. Grady Jackson was the first founding member to be lost to death; he is buried in the church cemetery on the south side of the property.
Leadership changes too:
In December, 1973 Rev. Wiest left the church to accept a call to a church in New Mexico.
Rev. Lawrence Withington was called and served from May 1974 to December of 1978. Rev. Withington accepted a call to a church in California
During his tenure, the current organ was installed.
Rev. James Hanson served the Lord in Anderson but his tenure was cut short due to health reasons.
In December 1983, the church called the Rev. Mike Walker. He served until June of 1986.
Rev. Walker’s tenure saw a major change in the Reformed Presbyterian movement. During the General Synod meeting, in June of 1983, the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod voted to merge with the Presbyterian Church in America. As such, the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Anderson became part of the PCA, Calvary Presbytery.
Due to this change, on April 1, 1984 the congregation of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Anderson voted to change the name of the church to Norris Hill Presbyterian Church, PCA, recognizing the family that originally sold the land to the church 1970.
Rev. James A. Wiest was again called to Norris Hill in November 1986. During this tenure Rev. Wiest was assisted by Mark Fincher and Assistant Pastor Rev. Dan Pruitt.
Rev. Wiest entered a well deserved retirement in X of 19XX
To Be Continued