MINISTERS AND THEIR LENGTH OF SERVICE (cont.)
1889~1892 - Rev. J. J. Kennedy He moved his family into the manse which had been completed just prior to his coming. This was the first time in the history of the church that the church owned a manse and Mr. Kennedy was the first pastor with a family to live among the people. The congregation installed her first organ in the church during his pastorate. After the dissolution of the pastoral relation between Mr. Kennedy and the congregation, the church was vacant almost two years.
1893~1896 - Rev. W. C. C. Foster His pastoral relations with the church continued until the latter part of 1895 or the first of 1896. During his pastorate, two young men were recommended by the Session as candidates for the gospel ministry. (Includes photograph)
1896~1899 - Rev. John S. Shaw Historical records are vague during the ministry of Mr. Shaw.
1899~1906 - Rev. G. L. Cook Was called for a second pastorate and continued with his masterful leadership in developing the church.
1907~1913 - Rev. J. E. Berryhill During the ministry of Mr. Berryhill a total of 157 communicants were added to the roll. However, deaths and removals amounted to 155 so there was a net gain of only two bringing the membership to 285. During his pastorate electric lights were installed in the church and repairs were made both on the church and manse. The One Hundredth Anniversary of the founding of the church was observed, and on this occasion Mecklenburg Presbytery met with the Church. (Includes photograph)
1913~1918 - Rev. C. G. Lynch Mr. Lynch came to Paw Creek direct from the Seminary and served the church for about five years. There were 75 additions and 75 deaths and removals. During his ministry a new heating plant was installed, new furniture placed in the church, and the inside walls of the building retinted. The Christian Endeavor organization was started on November 14, 1915. Mr. Lynch was a fine preacher, an excellent pastor a faithful friend, and wise advisor. (Includes photograph)
1918~1924 - Rev. C. H. Rowan Mr. Rowan was called to be pastor of the church at the close of his Seminary training in 1918. Early in his pastorate steps were taken to build a new manse. In this period the church cemetery was enlarged and the driveway was extended around the newly acquired property. During this first pastorate the church building was repaired and painted at a cost of approximately $900.00. (Includes photograph)
1924~1926 - Rev. R. P. Walker (D.D.) Mr. Walker came to Paw Creek in the fall of 1924 and served the church until the spring of 1926 or nearly two years for one of the shortest pastorates in the history of this church. (Includes photograph)
1926~1943 - Rev. C. H. Rowan Mr. Rowan's second pastorate began in July, 1926. Soon after he began his pastorate, work was started on the addition of the Sunday School rooms that are now to the rear of our sanctuary today. In his ministry three young men answered the call to the gospel ministry. Mr. and Mrs. Rowan were loved and highly esteemed not only by the Paw Creek congregation but by every one with whom they came in contact. Mr. Rowan was a truly consecrated man. He and Mrs. Rowan set a wonderful example of Christian living before us, and the influence they cast is still alive today. Those he baptized, married, or received into the church form today a large constituency of our church family.
During the church vacancy of several months, the Rev. John R. Rosebro served as stated supply. During these months granite steps leading from the church to the cemetery were erected.
1944~1957 - Rev. Frank S. Johnston On August 1, 1944, the Rev. Frank S. Johnston was called to become pastor of the Paw Creek Church and was the first full-time pastor since Rev. George L. Cook. He came from the Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, North Carolina. Mr. Johnston served the church for almost 13 years and many physical improvements were made through various groups in the church. During his pastorate the Women of the Church were very active in purchasing new offering plates, communion plates, carpet for the church sanctuary, venetian blinds for the Sunday School rooms and a new bulletin board for the church lawn. In 1946, a Hammond organ was installed in the choir. And in 1947 a new oil heating furnace was installed at a cost of $2,956.00. Also during this year various repairs were done in the sanctuary and Sunday School rooms. (Includes photograph)
Through a movement by the young people of the church, with the approval of the Session, the Fellowship Building, now in varied use today, was constructed in 1949. The young people also purchased robes for the choir. Other improvements included the laying of walks to the sides and front of the church, purchasing of new pews in 1952.
A new manse was built during the latter part of 1953 and early 1954 on Sadler Road, approximately 3/4 mile from the church. In December, 1954, the old manse was sold to Thomas Martin Beaty and Ursula S. Beaty for the sum of $6,500.00 and this amount was applied to the new manse.
Chimes for the organ and railings on the church portico were presented to the church in early 1955 from W. C. Rozzelle in memory of his wife, Emma Jane, and son, Edward James Rozzelle. On February 13, 1955, the congregation voted to begin the rotary system of the Diaconate, effective January 1, 1956.
Another forward step in the progress of the Paw Creek Church was on June 2, 1955, when the congregation authorized construction of a new educational building that is now in use by the Sunday School and church. The cost of the building was $49,510.00, including the heating contract, and due to the urgency and necessity of the building the congregation had to borrow $40,000.00 of this amount on a ten year basis. On March 3, 1956, the building was first used by the congregation. The Masonic members of the church presented a pulpit Bible for the Chapel of the new educational building in memory of Thomas Martin Beaty.
During these years the church continued to grow numerically and spiritually, as well as in the physical outlay of the church property.
