(R-L) Rev. Matthew Adams, former Minister of FPC, Dr. Doug Kelly, and Guest Minister, Dr. David Irving. Photo by Maggie Young.
By Rev. Matt Adams
On April 30, 1899, Rev. J.A. Wilson rode his bicycle from Mullins, SC to preach the inaugural worship service of The First Presbyterian Church of Dillon, SC. This would begin over a century of ministry right in the heart of our community.
On the weekend of April 19-21, 2024, friends and family of First Presbyterian Church celebrated the 125th Anniversary of their congregation. There were times of remembrance, fellowship, and worship throughout the weekend, and a great time was had by all!
Photo by Maggie Young
On Friday evening, April 19, church members, friends, and many visitors met at the church for a hymn sing and concert with Mrs. Lori Sealy. Lori served at First Presbyterian Church from 1990-1994. Lori has enjoyed a great music career, traveling all over the Southeast leading workshops, concerts, and retreats. Lori told her “Story of Grace” while sharing original songs with some of her favorite hymns sprinkled throughout.
Saturday afternoon, April 20, the church continued on in the celebrations with a festival and cook out. During the afternoon, there were bouncy houses, food trucks, corn hole, and more! During this afternoon celebration many attendees enjoyed walking through the church to glance at a historical display of old blueprints, meeting minutes, pictures, newspaper clippings, and church bulletins throughout the decades. Also, during this time, First Presbyterian highlighted church missions. Throughout the 125 years of her existence, the church has been a strong supporter of local and global missions. Our community and surrounding communities enjoy one of the massive thumbprints of First Presbyterian Church’s mission with Dillon Christian School and Preschool, which the church started in 1991.
Saturday evening, the leadership of First Presbyterian called a special worship service to begin praising the Lord for His faithfulness to them, and begin praying for the next 125 years of ministry in the heart of Dillon.
Photo by Maggie Young
There were two worship services held on Sunday, April 21, as well – one morning and one evening. Dr. David Irving, a friend of the congregation and pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS preached all three worship services. During the worship services, Dr. John Bumgardner (who served as Pastor at First Presbyterian in 1983-2016), Dr. Douglas Kelly (who served as Pastor at First Presbyterian in 1972-1983), and Rev. Rob Pierce (Pastor at Latta Baptist Church and Dillon Christian School schoolboard member) prayed for future of First Presbyterian.
During the Sunday school hour on Sunday morning, the church gathered for a pancake breakfast and a history lecture by Mr. Mel Duncan, Church Administrator at Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. Mel is an expert in South Carolina history, and gave an exceptional presentation of the history of Presbyterianism in our state and community.
It was a great time of celebration, and many thanks to all who helped make the weekend a great success.
