RSS Feed
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||
|
Burrows Presbyterian Church to Celebrate Heritage Day
The three were the Rock Creek Presbyterian (known locally as The Brown Church because its exterior was painted brown) the Woodville Presbyterian Church and the Pleasant Hill Church. Of the three historic structures, only the Pleasant Hill Church at Keeps Creek exists today. "Our congregation feels it is very important to honor its heritage by holding worship in the Pleasant Hill Church at Keeps Creek at least once each year," said Nick Clark, Burrows Presbyterian's pastor. "We'll soon be celebrating the centennial of the present Burrows Presbyterian Church structure built in 1909, and it is appropriate for present generations to discover more about the founding faith communities." The Pleasant Hill Church at Keeps Creek was unique for several reasons. It was the first brick church built in Cass County's Clinton Township. The bricks were made and fired by hand on the site and the structure was built and funded by three different religious groups. Two were Christian churches, but had slightly differing theologies. One, known as the Campbellites, used only the Bible to formulate its doctrines. They did not believe in confessions, catechisms, creeds, or other man-made writings. The second church was known as the New Light Christian Church. New Light Christians, probably the largest of the pre-Campbellite Christian groups, grew from a movement that originated in 1790s New England. Followers of Baptist minister Abner Jones chose to name themselves New Light Christians to stress their nondenominational stance. The Bible was their only doctrine. Both of these churches formed an informal union with the Presbyterian Church in 1801 and played important roles in "The Great Awakening" which swelled the number of Christians as pioneers settled the Midwest. The Dunkards evolved from the Swiss Anabaptist movement and were very different from the other two churches in that they believed only in adult baptism, included the washing of feet as a sacrament, and generally took communion at night. Women covered their heads in worship while men did not. With their wide differences in religious beliefs, these Cass County pioneers were all neighbors and had learned to live and work together. They decided that they could each use the church on one weekend of the month and that other denominations in the area could meet there on the fourth weekend. That practice worked well and continued until 1909, when the church closed and most members united with Burrows Presbyterian Church. James and Mary Justice provided one-quarter acre of their farm on a picturesque, high knoll above Keeps Creek to be used for construction of the church and burying ground. The usage instructions for the three congregations were recorded in the deed and they worshipped in harmony for nearly 40 years. Michael Kelpinger was appointed trustee for the New Light Christian Church, James Justice signed for the Campbellite Christian Church and Jacob Eyman represented the Dunkard Church of God. Their names and the date of completion are carved in stone above the church door. The Pleasant Hill Church was completed in 1875 and was used until 1909, when many of the worshippers decided to join the "new" Burrows Presbyterian Church. The Pleasant Hill structure was seldom used except for an occasional funeral over the next eight decades. In the 1980s, descendants of the original worshippers formed an association and raised funds to restore the church. Clarence Starbuck, a local carpenter did most of the carpentry work and Kenny Blohm did the painting. The brick walls were pointed, the steeple was replicated, and interior walls and floors were repaired and painted. In 1995, Martha Been Justice, a member of the association, made application to place the Pleasant Hill Church on the National Register of Historic Places and the designation was awarded in 1996. The church is now available for weddings and other religious purposes. This is the only day of the year when services are held. Burrows Presbyterian Church invites the public to join them for Heritage Day activities on July 1. Following worship, a carry-in basket dinner will be held at noon in the air-conditioned fellowship hall of Burrows Presbyterian Church, 8825 N. St. Road 25 in Burrows. Those attending are asked to bring food to share. All manner of games for adults and children will follow lunch.
"We very much enjoy coming to Pleasant Hill for our annual Heritage Celebration," said Pastor Clark. "Pleasant Hill was a good model for this and future generations of Christians to follow. Even though the congregations had a diversity of beliefs, they were able to live, work and worship together in |
for larger version       |
||||
)