City Directories and History: Constructed in 1924, this was the church of Dr. W.P. Jacobs the founder of both the Presbyterian College and Thornwell Orphanage. [Willis Irvin served as the architect.]
“Coming to Clinton from Spartanburg, where he had established a preaching point, Zelotes Lee Holmes had worked his way from Sheridan, New York, to the upper part of South Carolina. His aim was to offer a gospel ministry, and to this end he prepared himself at intervals in his journey south. He studied at schools and colleges whenever and wherever possible.
A love affair, and later marriage, brought him to Laurens County where he made a great contribution to the religious life of the young county, particularly the Presbyterian faith. The Reverend Holmes served as pastor of Rocky Springs and Duncan’s Creek Presbyterian churches and in 1843 founded Clinton First Presbyterian Church.
The first church building was a frame structure. A rock building was erected in 1903 and destroyed by fire in 1931. The replaced building, with some additions, is the one presently in use.
In 1864 the Reverend Holmes turned over the pastoral duties to Dr. William P. Jacobs, who served the Clinton First Church until 1911. The church has had only five other pastors during its entire history. Following the War Between the States, the Negro membership in the First Church numbered 163. On May 10, 1869, the Negro members voluntarily left the white church with the feeling that they could be more effective in church work under their own leadership. Their organization moved to Sloan Chapel and promoted a program of its own.”
Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973
“While serving Duncan’s Creek Presbyterian Church in 1853, Rev. Zelotes Holmes believed that the village of Clinton was large enough to support a church. A committee was formed in 1855 to plan and organize a church. By 1863, the church had grown enough to have a full-time minister, and in 1864, William Plumer Jacobs, a young seminary student, was called to serve the congregation. Members of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton have worshiped in three buildings—a wooden white frame church, a larger stone church built in 1904 (above), and the present stone church that was constructed in 1930 (below). The second church building was destroyed by fire in 1929. Dr. Jacobs penned these words: “Who can tell but that God has given us this thing to prove, that a little village church can become a tower of strength.” Information from: Laurens Co Postcard Series, LCMA, Arcadia Publishing – 2007
First Presbyterian Church of Clinton is located in the city of Clinton and was founded in 1843 by the Rev. Zelotes Lee Holmes, born in New York State. He was a graduate of Columbia Seminary, then in South Carolina. The charter members of this church elected three elders: John Blakely, E. T. Copeland and Robert S. Phinney, and two deacons: William Henderson Henry and J. T. Foster. G. P. Copeland, T. H. Pitts, and Ewel T. Blakely were chosen to be incorporated by the Legislature of South Carolina as the Church Board of Trustees. The original church edifice was of frame construction. The masonry built in 1903 was destroyed by fire in 1931 and was replaced by the present beautiful building.
(Information from: Names in South Carolina by C.H. Neuffer, Published by the S.C. Dept. of English, USC)
Also see PDF this page: GUIDE TO PRESBYTERIAN NAMES AND PLACES IN SC by J.B. Martin, III – 1989
The Rock Hill Record reported on Jan. 27, 1908 – “That the Pres. Church at Clinton was burned on Friday.”
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