BACK CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY

 

Near the close of the 18th century, the Great Awakening swept the United States and a revival fire was lit in the hearts of many Thyatira Presbyterian Church members.  A certain number of these souls were faced with opposition and were forced to withdraw to form a new congregation of  "Shouting Presbyterians."  So, on September 5, 1805, Concord Presbytery entered the name "Back Creek" on its roll, and thus officially our church was born.

 

They first met in a large barn until Presbytery granted permission to build a house of worship, provided it was at least five miles distant from the mother church; the distance was duly measured by Dr. Hall of Iredale in his famous sulky.  They secured the services of their first pastor, Rev. Kilpatrick in 1807, and in 1811 a "comfortable little log house" was erected.  This humble structure served until the present sanctuary was complete and dedicated in 1857.  The Civil War and its aftermath saw Back Creek suffer the loss of her African-American members, nearly half the congregation, in 1869, and the entire region suffered an economic depression. Many of the church's fine members packed up their families and headed West to make a new start.  The road to recovery was long and hard, but the Lord in His gracious providence has sustained and nourished the church through the ministries of able and committed men of God.

 

Over the years, Back Creek has belonged to five Presbyterian denominations; in 1991 we joined the Presbyterian Church of America.

 

In 1952 our Religious Education building was added (along with our first indoor plumbing!) and the current manse (house where the pastor lives) was built in 1968.  In 1978 a much needed restoration job was completed on our sanctuary.  In 1993 our classrooms and kitchen were expanded. In 2007 a Youth Building was completed and in 2009 bathrooms were added to our fellowship hall.

 

Back Creek Church and Cemetery are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  Guests from around the country visit our church and cemetery on a regular basis to research family history.

 

Though we cherish our history, our daily prayer is for new vigor and courage to face the challenges of today with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Ever changing, ever growing, we look to the future with hope.  To God be the glory!