LAWRENCE CHAPEL METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY, Pickens County, SC a.k.a. > Version: 3.0 Effective: 23-Jan-2007 Text File: P087.TXT Image Folder: P087 ******************************************************************************** It's believed that the usage of any original work submittals contained within these webpages such as articles, compiling, photographs or graphics, conform to Fair Use Doctrine & Copyright Guidelines. COPYRIGHT NOTE: (1.) Works published before 1923, are considered to be public- domain. (2.) Works published 1923-1977 without a copyright notice, are considered to be public-domain. (3.) Unpublished non-copyrighted works will have Author permission for public-domain. Facts, names, dates, events, places & data can not be copyrighted. Narration, compilations and creative works can be copyrighted. Copyright law in the U.S. does not protect facts or data, just the presentation of this data. REPRODUCING NOTICE: These electronic pages may only be reproduced for personal or 501(c) Not-For-Profit Society use. Use the following names, if, you would like to give any author compiling credit. AUTHORS: Paul M. Kankula-NN8NN & Gary L. Flynn-KE8FD *********************************************************************** 05-01-15 CEMETERY LOCATION: ------------------ > GPS = Latitude N x Longitude W CEMETERY HISTORY: ------------------------ LAWRENCE CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Lawrence Chapel Methodist was organized in 1908 by Mr. Jim Lawrence and his sister Mrs. Lula Lawrence Ramsey. The first five years the congregation met in the old Long Branch school and all denominations attended. In 1911, Mr. James Washington Lawrence deeded four acres of land to the Methodist conference for a church and cemetery. The church was completed in 1912 and the first service was held on May 1 1912. It was named Lawrence Chapel in honor of the Lawrence families. The church was placed on a charge with Mount Zion in Central and remained on a charge for 80 years. A.V. Harbin was the first pastor. Lawrence Chapel has been blessed with many dedicated pastors whose labors and influence contributed much toward making the church what it is today. During the years several notable improvements were made. Lawrence Chapel UMC has had five ministers come from its congregation. This is a tremendous attestation to the spirituality of the congregations who have worshiped and served at LCUMC. On January 26, 1992, under the pastorate of Rev. Bill Rogers, LCUMC voted to go station. In June, 1992, LCUMC was fortunate to have Rev. Franklin D. Hartsell, sent by the SC Methodist conference as its first very own pastor. Under his leadership, there has been a large increase in the attendance at Sunday School and Worship services. The membership has grown tremendously. Like all churches Lawrence Chapel has had its peaks and valleys but now the future looks extremely bright. o----------o The purpose of this history is to trace the beginning and growth of Lawrence Chapel United Methodist Church which began as a Union Sunday School in the old one-room school building of Long Branch in 1908. It has been impossible to name all those that have contributed so much to the life of the church. Some of the information has come from previous histories written by members of the church, some by word of mouth, and some from the writer's own observations and experiences. My thanks to Mrs. Aileen Moore who shared some interesting anecdotes of the early years of the church; to Mr. Joe Moore, who attended the Union Sunday School, and gave some valuable information; and to Mrs. Lillian Reid, now deceased, who was 8 years old when the church was built. Mrs. Reid was the daughter of Mrs. Lula Lawrence Ramsay who was instrumental in getting the church built. Mrs. Reid died at the age of 93. She remembered vividly the ups and downs of the church until 1990. Nelle H. Evans 1908 - Long Branch Schoolhouse In the year 1908, Mr. James Marion Lawrence and his sister, Mrs. Lula Lawrence Ramsay, saw the need of a church in the rural farming community of Long Branch. The old Long Branch schoolhouse was the setting for the first meeting and would be used until a new church could be built. Mr. James M. Lawrence and his family were the only ones present for the first meeting, but on the next Sunday Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Ramsay and their family joined them. As word got around others from the community began to attend. It started off as a community Sunday School and all denominations attended. On some occasions preachers from different churches would come out to preach. Dr. L. G. Clayton came over from Central and preached occasionally. A few times he had to use the lights from his buggy when people forgot to bring lamps or lanterns from home. Mr. Noah Moore was Sunday School Superintendent. The school building consisted of one long room and was heated with a big pot-bellied stove. There were no automobiles in the early 1900's and the only way of transportation was on foot, by buggy, or wagon. The roads were not paved and travel on the small dirt roads was tedious. But people in that day did not mind walking several miles to go to church if the weather permitted. Some of the younger generation of the early .1900's, who are living today, have pleasant memories of their first Sunday School held in a one-room schoolhouse. After a revival held in the school building, and preached by Rev. A. V. Harbin of Pendleton, Mrs. Lula Lawrence Ramsay felt burdened about the need of a Methodist Church in the community. She prayed fervently and soon saw her mission come true. 1911 - Beginning The "Building" In 1911, her father, Mr. James Washington Lawrence deeded four acres of land to the Methodist Conference for a church and a cemetery. Mrs. Ramsay and a niece, Ethel Lawrence, rode in a buggy from house to house to promote the cause. Some people offered to give timber and others offered free labor. Mr. E. B. (Tice) Moore gave much of the timber. It was cut and hauled by wagon, pulled by a yoke of oxen, to a sawmill owned by Mr. E. B. Ramsay. He also owned a lumber finishing plant in Seneca. After the lumber was sawed, it was sent to the finishing plant to be finished. Then there was the slow process of hauling the lumber back to the present site. This had to be done by wagon over rough roads. Can you imagine the patience of the people? That was one thing that kept them going-patience and faith. Mr. Greene Smith, who owned a shingle mill, offered to give shingles for the roof. These shingles were made of pine and lasted several years. With five hundred dollars contributed by people of the community, the work was begun in 1911 in the finest country style of the early 1900's. Mr. E. B. Ramsay (known as Mr. Back), with the help of Mr. Bill Johnson, a black skilled carpenter, directed the work of the other volunteer builders. Several people of the community pitched in to help. Bill Johnson rode the train from Seneca to Calhoun depot each day and walked to the present site of the church. After working all day, he walked back to Calhoun and caught a train back to Seneca. If anyone came to work and did not bring a lunch, Mr. Leslie Morgan would invite them to go home with him for lunch, assured that "Aunt Kate", as she was affectionately called, would have plenty. She never knew how many would be sitting at her table, but she always provided. Aunt Kate had a noble part in the building of the church. 1912 - Many "First's" The church was completed in 1912 and was one of the most beautiful churches in Pickens County. The beautiful steeple, reaching to the sky, could be seen for miles around. There were arches over each window and the windows had green shutters that could be closed. The church was painted a gleaming white - a beauty to behold! It was nestled among trees, a setting more beautiful than any artist could paint. It was a lovely church and the members were proud of it. Bill Johnson, the black man, did the carvings on the pews and alter rail. The beautiful architecture of the inside of the church has never been changed. The beaded tongue and grooved ceiling has darkened with age, but it is" as beautiful, or more so, than when it was first built. The church was furnished with comfortable hand- made pews made of pine. The altar rail was also made of pine. One step led to the pulpit. Two pews on each side, near the pulpit, were called the "amen corners" and often resounded with fervent amens. The aisles and the pulpit were carpeted. The piano sat on the right side in front of the front pew. For lighting, six or eight globed oil lamps hung from the ceiling. A lovely china type lamp hung over the pulpit. Smaller lamps with metal reflectors sat on small shelves on each side wall between each window. A pot-bellied stove stood in the middle aisle between the two front pews. Mr. Leslie Morgan, who lived close by, would go out early on Sunday mornings to build the fire to warm the church before the congregation assembled. In the summer the only air-conditioning was fans furnished by Duckett Funeral Home. The fans were kept in the bookracks behind each pew. They were put to use on hot summer days. That must have been a distraction to the preacher. All the churches of that day were built with only the Sanctuary. There were no Sunday School classrooms. The classes were divided into groups in different areas of the church. It was difficult to concentrate on one class for watching and listening to the teachers of the other classes. The first service was held on May 12, 1912. Rev. A. V. Harbin came over from Pendleton and organized the Methodist church. He was assisted by Rev. H. A. Whitten from Westminister. Mr. W. F. Owen, a layman from the community, offered the first prayer. Mr. Jimmy Lawrence was elected the first superintendent of Sunday School. After his resignation, Mr. Leslie Morgan was elected as superintendent. Both men served many years. Mrs. Lillian Reid was the first organist. Mrs. James Washington Lawrence was the first person buried in the cemetery. It is said that her body was moved from Mr. Zion Cemetery to Lawrence Chapel cemetery. The church was given the name Lawrence Chapel Methodist in honor of the Lawrence families who worked so diligently to get a Methodist church in the community. Historians say there were twenty-five charter members. They are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Ramsay and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Lawrence and family, Mrs. Henry Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. Dee Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Greene Smith, Miss Bessie Smith, Miss Lillie Smith, Mrs. Lucy Maw, (known as the shouting Methodist), Mr. Leslie Morgan and Mr. Lysten Morgan. The first Minister was Rev. A. V. Harbin. In 1911 Mt. Zion became a charge and Lawrence Chapel became a part of Central Charge. Rev. Harbin moved from Pendlefcon to Mt. Zion and was pastor until 1914. Rev. Elzie Meyers, 1914-1915, followed Rev. Harbin. At the end of the year 1915, it became necessary for Mr. Meyers to leave the Central charge because of the death of Mrs. Meyers' mother. Mt. Zion granted Mr. Meyers permission to leave to take up his work in Yorkville. Rev. Ben Robertson came to the Central charge in 1916. It is said that Rev. Robertson drove the same horse that had been driven by. Rev. Meyers. NOTE: The above info was copied from the first 7 pages of a 34 page church history booklet that's available from the church. Submitted by: Neile H. Evans, Church Historian by: Pickens County SC Heritage Book 1995 o----------o There are several stories as to History of Lawrence Chapel Methodist Church, some need to be combined. seems the first one written was by the founders youngest daughter, Ruth Niver Lawrence. She was about age 8 when her father James Marion Lawrence was supposed to have started the Sundy School - Since 1882 lay speakers had held occasional services in the Old Long Branch School. 1908/1910 James Marion started a Sunday School in the old school building with only his family attending. His sister's family, The Eugene Bascomb Ramsey's joined them the second Sunday etc. Thought I had a copy but there is one in Clemson Library. Lillian Ramsey Reid I think wrote some information then later think Mrs. Warren Evans did a write up that did not include earlier records. Mrs. Ramsay and her niece, my mother went over the community with horse and buggy collecting funds and promises of material or labor. By: Era Davis on 5-Aug-2006 o----------o Today we celebrate Heritage Sunday. Lawrence Chapel bean in a way which would have made John Wesley proud. The church was started when Mr. James Lawrence and his sister Mrs. Lula Lawrence Ramsey saw the need for a new house of worship and a place for the teaching of God's word. The church started much as the Methodist Church began. It started as a community Sunday School which was attended by people of varying denominations in the year 1908. If you will recall the Methodists began as small groups joining together to study God's Word. The church facilities themselves were the dream of Mrs. Ramsey and after her father donated the original four acres of land, she set about making that dream become a reality. People joined together in helping her make her vision become our place of worship. Lumber and building supplies were donated. Timber was hauled by wagon to Seneca and then back again. The community came together with these donated material and $500.00 in cash to build our church home. The church was originally heated with a pot belied stove and was lighted with oil burning lamps which hung from the ceiling. As you might imagine Lawrence Chapel has seen many changes since its beginnings, Two World Wars have been fought, the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Methodist Episcopal Church were reunited, the United Methodist Church was later formed. The fact that Lawrence Chapel was able to survive the difficult times it faced is a testimony to the faith of those who have been part of her history. Through God's grace Lawrence Chapel has continued to grow and to prosper and certainly has the potential to become whatever it is the people choose. Those of us who worship here have been given a great gift. It is a gift which goes will beyond the lumber and the nails which come together to make up these buildings. We have been given a gift of love and of commitment. Love by people of vision, given by people who wanted to share the love of God, to share what it is God had given to them and what God had done for them. A gift freely given to all of us here today. Friends, that is our heritage. Our heritage is the gift of God's love. The kind of love that is evidenced by what others have given to us. Not given out of guilt, not given so others might know, but given to spread the word of God to any who might come to hear it. The word of God is the word of our salvation, our "New Beginning". We are loved by God as no human can love. We are loved unconditionally, we are loved even though we engage in petty squabbling, and are at times self-centered in our thinking and actions, and even though we often leave God in the cold as we make decisions. The questions we all have to ask ourselves are, how are we going to honor our heritage? How are e going to honor what God has done for us? Are we going to continue to do things in the same old ways or are we going to allow God's gift of love to renew us each day of our lives? Our history is important, it is who we are; but what we choose to do about that history is who we will become. Today is a day of "New Beginnings". TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: ------------------------------ a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife