|
|
The History of Grace Advent Christian Church
|
The first organized movement of
the Advent Christian Church in the Walterboro area was under the direction
of Mr. Henry Durant, Rev. McGuire, and Rev. Ben Sineath. During 1897, these
men held services in a tent near the forks of Bells Highway and Mount Carmel
Road. It's numbers increased so quickly that within two years, a small
building was placed on a plot of land given by Mrs. I.A. Zeigler. |
 |
Some significant advances have
taken place in the over one hundred years since the church was begun. Under
C.O. McCormack, the first two Sunday School rooms were built and Homecoming
Day was established. In 1953, George Saunders became the first full-time
pastor. Soon after, two wings were added to the church, a parsonage was
purchased, and additional church property was acquired. George Polhill
accepted pastoral duties in 1956, and it was during his time at Grace that
the present sanctuary and educational facilities were built, with the dedication
of the new structure in 1960. In 1963, Vernon Burtt assumed pastoral leadership
and he and his wife moved into the beautiful new parsonage that had been
built beside the church. Adrian Shepard became pastor in 1968. It was during
his pastorate that the church hired William Batson to work with the youth.
"Willie" later became the church's Minister of Education. Leonard Boston
was called to be Grace's pastor in 1977, and the landscaping and the parking
area paved. During this time, a Cemetery Fund was established for the perpetual
care of the cemetery. Vernon Burtt filled in as pastor again and David
Buchanan served as Youth Minister at this time. Donald Wrigley assumed
the pastorate in 1982, and the church experienced spiritual growth during
his time at Grace. Wayne Lucas was called as pastor in 1994. Each Sunday,
he leads not only in services for adults, but also shares in a Children's
Sermon, and gives a strong emphasis to the Youth. A new public address
system was installed soon after his arrival. Grace Church has become an
even more loving and compassionate congregation during his stay.
Ministers Who Served At Grace
| 1. Elder J.T. Johnson |
1 |
| 2. J.D. Kendrich |
9 |
| 3. W.M. Wiggins |
0 |
| 4. John J. Williams |
0 |
| 5. T.B. Wright (1909) |
to |
| 6. S.W. Good |
1 |
| 7. S.G. Dukes |
9 |
| 8. C.W. White (1923) |
2 |
| 9. E.M. Burnes (1927) |
8 |
| 10. R. Chester Joyner |
1929 - 1935 |
| 11. Julian Gronto |
1935 - 1936 |
| 12. John J. Williams |
1937 - 1938 |
| 13. James Lee |
1938 |
| 14. John Boryk |
1938 - 1939 |
| 15. C.O. McCormack |
1941 - 1943 |
| 16. Thomas J. Hayden |
1943 |
| 17. Robert Chris |
1944 - 1945 |
| 18. John F. Warren |
|
|
(alternates) |
1945 - 1947 |
| R. Chester Joyner |
|
| 19. R. Chester Joyner |
1948 |
| 20. George Saunders |
1948 - 1956 |
| 21. George Polhill |
1956 - 1963 |
| 22. Vernon W. Burtt |
1963 - 1968 |
| 23. Adrian Shephard |
1968 - 1975 |
| 24. Leonard L. Boston |
1975 - 1981 |
| 25. Vernon Burtt |
1980 - 1982 |
| 26. Donald Wrigley |
1982 - 1993 |
| 27. Wayne Lucas |
1994 - |
|
|
|
|
