Burrows Presbyterian Church Burrows Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Homecoming observance along with the celebration of the centennial of the building of the present church sanctuary and fellowship hall Oct. 11.

On the second Sunday of October each year, the congregation welcomes home all those who have at one time been friends or members and have moved away. The service includes many children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who were active in the church but have moved to different locations in the area, state and country.

The present Burrows Presbyterian Church is the union of three area churches that were located in nearby rural areas. The three are: Rock Creek Presbyterian (often called The Brown Church), Woodville Presbyterian Church and the Pleasant Hill/Keeps Creek Church. The congregation dates its founding to the oldest of these three congregations, the Rock Creek Presbyterian Church, which was founded by area pioneers in April 1835, by the Rev. Samuel G. Lowry. Rev. Lowry was a circuit riding missionary of the Crawfordsville Presbytery.

On April 1, 1904, the Rev. W. L. Breckenridge became pastor of the Rock Creek and Rockfield Presbyterian congregations. Rev. Breckenridge also gave a sermon one Sabbath in four at the Woodville Presbyterian Church. With the exception of an occasional wedding or funeral, the Pleasant Hill/Keeps Creek Church had already become inactive.

Rev. Breckenridge and leaders of the three churches met at an old school house in Burrows in 1906, and decided to build a new church, which would be called the Burrows Presbyterian Church. The new church was formally organized at a congregational meeting in October 1908 and it was decided to organize a subscription drive to build a new brick church.

In April 1909, a building committee was appointed consisting of Samuel Wasson, Harry Gardner, A. L. Lesh, William O. Martin, O. E. Stewart, O. N. Glasscock and Joseph Been. Rev. Breckenridge served as an ex-officio member. Wasson was chair and Lesh, treasurer.

The old frame school house was carefully torn down and the lumber used as the framing of the new church. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 16, 1909, at 2:30 p.m. The building was to consist of a sanctuary seating 150, a social room, and a basement with coal furnace. A slate roof was installed. The church was outfitted with the finest stained glass windows available at the time. Total cost was $7,325 and the building was dedicated debt free.

Today, Burrows Presbyterian Church is a congregation of 54 men, women and children. The pastor is Nicholas L. Clark, who has served the congregation since July 2004. Clara Starbuck Mullin is organist and has provided music in various ways for the church for 75 years. The church is governed by elected elders including Pat Powlen, Alice Christian, Jim Wallar, Jane George and Peggy Martin. The Presbyterian Women assist with various church activities and raise funds for local, state and national mission projects. Officers are: Alice Christian, moderator, Deloris Mullin, secretary; Connie Garrison, treasurer; and Polly Rinehart, service chair. Annual celebrations include Homecoming the second Sunday in October and the Presbyterian Women’s Dinner and Auction the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

In honor of its centennial, the church is undertaking several improvement projects. The Sunday School room at the back of the sanctuary is being renovated and returned to its original use as a social room. Private donors, memorial gifts, and Presbyterian Women’s donations have provided funds to repaint, carpet and furnish the social room so that it might be used as a multi-purpose gathering area. Memorial funds were used to purchase a new sound system. Church restoration funds are being used to tuck point areas of the bell tower and replace the bell tower roofs. These will be dedicated during services on Oct. 11.

The Presbyterian Women have commissioned a commemorative bookmark for the occasion. Area artist Terry Lacey provided the drawing for the bookmark, which will be given to all those attending.

Friends, neighbors and members of Burrows Presbyterian Church are invited to join in the celebration which will begin with coffee fellowship at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Worship will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. A Centennial carry-in luncheon will follow worship in the Fellowship Hall. Presbyterian Women will provide meat, bread, and a large decorated cake for dessert. Those attending are asked to bring vegetable or salad side dishes to share. Sharing of memories and an old-fashioned hymn sing will follow the luncheon. Reservations are not required.

Homecoming & Sanctuary Centennial Celebration

Date: Sunday, Oct. 11 Time: 10 a.m. through mid-afternoon

Place: Burrows Presbyterian Church, 8825 N. St. Rd. 25, Burrows

All are welcome to attend