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SMPCA > About Us > Church History
Scherer Memorial, PCA has a rich history in the Lake Wylie area of South Carolina. In one sense you could say it begins the history of the area. The church is the oldest institution in the area called "the Point", which makes up the current community of Lake Wylie, SC.
The church's beginnings go back to 1884 when families began meeting for worship on the current site. The meeting place was called Bethel Chapel as the people were members o f Bethel Presbyterian Church which is located about six miles east toward Clover, SC. In 1884 the rough roads made the six-mile trip to Bethel Church difficult so the people sought out an area on the Point to meet. Mr. Robert Harper donated an acre of land, which is part of the church's three acres today.
From today's perspective one can see that God intended to have an active evangelical church in the area to serve the thousands of new people he was going to send into the area in the next few years.
| A small white-boarded building served as the meeting place for the Chapel members until 1930 when it was destroyed by fire.A brick building was built as a replacement and over the years additions were made to this building. In 1989, the congregation voted to begin a two-phase building project. The first phase |
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a new larger sanctuary. This was constructed in 1990 and followed in 1994 by the addition of a multi-purpose buildingwith education space and a gym-fellowship area. God enabled the congregation to become debt free in 1999.
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The old sanctuary building was given to Friendly Hill Baptist Church of Lake Wylie and moved to their site. The old fellowship building was given to
Good Samaritan Methodist Church and moved their property. Both buildings are still in use today.
In 1959, the 64 members of Bethel Chapel decided to organize into their own particular church. The new church was named Scherer Memorial Presbyterian Church in honor of Dr. Tilden Scherer who served Bethel Church and Bethel Chapel from 1934-1950.
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In 1973, the church members voted to leave the Southern Presbyterian Church denomination and become a charter member in the New Presbyterian Church In America (PCA). The PCA was founded to establish a denomination that was a scriptural, evangelical and reformed witness to Christ. The Word of God (the Bible) was to be the rule of faith and practice.
From 1959 until 1980 Scherer Memorial Presbyterian Church shared a pastor with Bethel Presbyterian Church. In 1980 the church called its first full time pastor, the Rev. James Simoneau. Mr. Simoneau served the church until the spring of 1988. IN August 1988 the Rev. Rick Lindsay was called as pastor and serves the church today. In June 1998, the Rev. Barrett Jordon was called as the church's first assistant pastor. Rev. Jordon had served as part time youth pastor while in seminary.
Today the church has a range of activities for all ages. Emphasis is placed on vibrant worship where the presence of the almighty God is celebrated. Members are challenged through preaching of God's truth and educational opportunities to have their minds transformed and renewed by the word of God. Opportunities for fellowship and prayer are offered to build strong bonds between members. Members are encouraged to be involved in various ministry opportunities in the area.
By God's grace the members of Scherer Memorial Presbyterian Church are seeking to be Christ-like in their lives and to make Christ visible to their community. |
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