311 East Main – First Presbyterian Manse

R&R HISTORY LINK: First Pres. Church of Rock Hill, SC

The RH Herald reported on June 2, 1887 – “The ladies of the Rock Hill Pres. Church will begin raising funds for the erection of a manse.” 

On March 15, 1888 the Herald reported – “The Rock Hill Pres. Congregation has appointed A.H. White, E.R. Mills and N.P. Alexander as a committee to work with the ladies to build a new parsonage. A total  of $1,000. has been raised.”

The Yorkville Enquirer of March 31, 1888 reported – “The Pres. Church at Rock Hill is taking active steps toward building a parsonage, and the effort is meeting with great success.”

On May 31, 1888 the Herald reported – Ms. Mary White has donated one acre of land opposite the residence of Mr. A. Friedheim for the Pres. Church to erect a new parsonage.  The cost of the house will be about $2,000. and the lot is work about $600.”

The Herald reported on Aug. 8, 1888 – “Lumber for the Pres. Parsonage is being placed on the ground and work will begin soon.”

City Directories and History: 1908 – Pres. Manse, 1922/25 – Rev. F.W. Gregg, Colie G. Gregg, Alva M. Gregg, Ms. Frances W. Gregg (Teacher), Margaret H. Gregg (Student), 1936 – Rev. F.W. Gregg, 1946 – Frances W. Gregg, 1963 – Demolished, 1975 – First Federal Saving and Loan

The original First Presbyterian Manse was constructed in 1888 on East Main Street on what was then part of the Anne H. White property. The lot eventually became the corner when Elizabeth Lane was cut through from East White Street to East Main. The handsome frame manse was moved around the corner to face Elizabeth Lane when the new brick manse was constructed in the mid 1920’s. The new manse was designed by Rock Hill architect A.D. Gilchrist and was a gift from Mr. Andrew H. White and his sister Mary Elizabeth White to the church. The manse cost $2,200. to construct.

The McElwee Store ledger of 1915 states that Rev. Alexander Martin and his wife Eudora, the pastor of 1st Pres. Church shopped at the store.

The Yorkville Enquirer of Feb. 14, 1894 reported – “Rev. Alexander Sprunt has in his home an old sideboard which was the property of Thomas Jefferson.  It was on exhibition at the World’s Fair last year in the Virginia Building, where it attracted considerable attention.”

The Presbyterian manse once stood on this Main Street lot, just to the left of this building. This building was demolished in Dec. 2017.

The Herald reported on June 9, 1925 -“That 1st Pres. Church plans to erect a new manse on the lot adjoining the present manse on East Main Street. Plans are being drafted by A.D. Gilchrist, it will be two story and brick veneer. The present manse is to be moved back to the new street to be opened from White Street, it was stated. The name of the new street has not been selected. (Early White Street) Rev. Gregg has been pastor for twelve years. Later on, June 10, 1925, “Steps to open the new road leading between East White and East Main are to be taken at an early date, it was stated today by H.H. White. The name Elizabeth Lane has been named for the new street.”

The original manse was moved to Elizabeth Lane and owned by Mrs. W.B. Meredith, ca. 1925. (RH Herald Nov. 30, 1968)

This map ca. 1950, shows the location of the brick manse but importantly, also shows the location of the old manse on Elizabeth Lane. Sanborn Insurance Map 1926 – 1959, courtesy of the Galloway Map Collection.

The Herald reported Sept. 9, 1925 – That Walton Eng. Company  (115 Hampton Street) was awarded the plumbing and heating contract for the new Presbyterian manse to be erected near the present manse.  The contractor is E. D. Bowers of Rock Hill.  The cost is estimated at $16,000.

The Record reported on Oct. 26, 1925 – “Dr. F.W. Gregg and family will move tomorrow to the Henry Massey residence on East Main Street, where they will reside until the completion of the new Presbyterian Manse on East Main Street. The former manse, in which the family has resided is being moved to face the new Clay Street Extension (Elizabeth Lane).”

Alfred D. Gilchrist was born and educated in Manchester, England and came to America in 1900. In 1912 he arrived in Rock Hill and began practicing architecture. Several building can be attributed to him; Ebenezer School – 1921, Stevenson Theater, Oakland Avenue Pres. Church, and several buildings at Winthrop University.  His son, William P. Gilchrist worked as a designer and draftsman with the firm. Following WWII, Gilchrist associated with W. Lewis Cook in the firm Gilchrist and Cook. That firm had buildings including: Woodland Un. Methodist Church, Park Baptist Church and homes and schools. Ms. Bessie L. Garrison, Rock Hill Historical Research Papers #10 – 1952.

Stay Connected

Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.

Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.

User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.

1925 Construction Style

Original Construction Style

Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.

Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.