(Most of the church history that I am sharing today was written originally by Leona Loy and taken from the book Polk County North Carolina by the Polk County Historical Association.)

The town of Columbus was carved from a wilderness. Most communities or towns would from its position as a crossroads, its nearness to a body of water, or as a gradual growth of residences. But Columbus was born overnight, deliberately carved from 100 acres of pure wilderness on what was then know as Foster's Racepath in the shadow of Foster's Mountain, known today as Chocolate Drop Mountain.

To avoid a squabble as to find a county seat for Polk County, in 1855 the state legislature named three out-of-county men to locate the county seat at or within two miles of the geographical center of the county. John W. Hampton, John Nodine, and Jonathan Newman, for $1.00, donated 100 acres to be the site of the new county seat. Columbus was named for Dr. Columbus Mills known as the Father of Polk County. He was a physician, senator, and farmer who worked tirelessly to carve out the county.

Columbus was divided into 94 lots with seven lots reserved for public, civic, and spiritual needs. The remainder of the lots were auctioned off with the proceeds of the sales appropriated to the erection of the public buildings. Lot 19 on Walker Street, right here where we are seated today, was designated the home for Columbus Presbyterian Church. There was also a lot designated for a Baptist, Methodist, and Episcopal Church. Seven streets were laid out with five named for the appointed commissioners (Walker, Mills, Miller, Simms, Ward) and Peak for the two engineers and Hampton, one of the donors of land.

On December 1, 1894, a small group of Christians met in the Polk County courthouse for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian Church for the town of Columbus and surrounding area. Under the guidance of a commission from Mecklenburg Presbytery, the church was duly organized. Many of these interested had been traveling by horse and buggy to the Sandy Plains Presbyterian Church to worship. Recently, they had been meeting together in the local schoolhouse for informal services. The church was built in 1897.

There were 17 charter members: Mr. and Mrs. W.H. McFarland (this was FK McFarland's great grand parents) and their daughters Lorena and Mattie; Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Cannon and daughters, Nora and Sarah Tedford; Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Hampton and daughter, Daisy (Mary McFarland had married C.C. Hampton. Their daughter Daisy Feagan, who attended mine and Larry's wedding, was the mother of Harriett Walker and Leona Loy.) Other charter members were Thomas J. Morrison, C.A. Carson, E. B. Cloud, Mary and Emma McFarland, and Mrs. J.C. McFarland. John Curtis McFarland (Bill McFarland's great grandfather is the oldest gravesite at the church (December 1894).

The first elders were C.A. Carson and W.A. Cannon. The first deacons were W.H. McFarland and T.J. Morrison. The first pastor was the Rev. W.P. McCorkle (1895-1897).

The church was a one-room white framed wood building with a steeple. It was heated by a large wood burning stove. In the early fifties, Larry remembers walking up to the church with Fred to start a fire in the stove before services. In the summer, the cool air and flying insects came in the open windows. If a fly buzzed the minister, it added a bit of zest to the service. In the thirities, Charlie and Wilson Ashley, with some assistance, built a two-story addition for Sunday school classes. The Ashley children's sense of humor often surfaced during a church service, so Minnie Belle always had Life-Savers for them and later the grandchildren to try to keep them a little quieter. Later after her passing, her daughter Mary enjoyed this task but as Shannon reminded us, once Lance got a Life-Saver stuck in his throat, she switched to Worther's butterscotch candy. This tradition of giving candy to the children was carried on by Bill McFarland.

Most of you who are in attendance today, have special memories of growing up in this church and were touched and encouraged by the love of God, family, and church family.

Do you remember?
Sunday School in the "upper room" of the first church. Children's Sunday School in the fellowship hall. Assembly led for years by Bill McFarland (he attended this church from an early age until his death) Vacation Bible School with Becky Ashley leading the crafts.

Learning the Presbyterian Catechisms - What is the chief end of man? To know God and glorify Him forever. (It hasn't changed. Know God, glorify Him with your life and enjoy Him. He loves you.)

Do you remember the Christmas plays every year? From a young age, Larry was chosen to dress up as one of the three kings and sing "We Three Kings." Rev. Kovach complimented him, helping to break his shyness. In turn, Kyle commented that when she was about five, Uncle Larry's singing in church inspired her. She told her mom that she wanted to do that. Oh, how this congregation has been blessed by Kyle's willingness to sing in church. The Christmas treat bags under the Christmas tree, filled with oranges, apples, and a little candy added to the excitement and joy. And more recently, Sunday morning breakfast - cooked and served by Fred, Randy, Keri, Phillip, Donna and others. The Praise Band led by Mark Ashley with Maxine leading the early worship service.

Hebrews 10:24 & 25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day (of the returning of the Lord) approaching." All of us need encouragement and we need Christian fellowship. We never know how the small things we say and do affect others. There have been many Christmas plays in this church that have inspired others.

Of course, I remember one play where we experienced the Joy and laughter of the Lord when Mandy and Kelly got the giggles, and we had to end the play. Methodist Church and.

When I was in charge of the youth group, we had a small group, so for several years we joined with the Baptist Church youth under Rev. Charles Bullard. We had fun trips. At first we camped at Pirate Land in the Myrtle Beach area. The next year we rented a house at Crescent Beach with Pansy Bridgeman helping cook all the fish that Mark Hall and the other boys caught (Larry had fun cleaning them!). Then we earned enough money to camp at Disney World. We had so much fun as we fellowshipped together and I trust the Bible studies spoke to the youth, as well.

As my family was preparing to leave Columbus in 1978, the Lord sent Donna Kay who has worked tirelessly in many capacities serving this church and taking youth and adults on outreach programs.

The Ashley family has been very involved with this church since 1929. Charlie and Minnie Bell Ashley left their farm house in Osceola, S.C. and moved to Columbus. Their neighbors, the Frank Burgess family, invited them to attend Columbus Presbyterian Church. In time, all nine children joined the church. Larry was almost two, when his dad was suppose to be watching him at home. However, wearing just a diaper, he surprised his mom by walking the block or so to the church. He has been very active in church ever since. And presently, grandson the Rev. Phillip Ashley is the current minister. Minnie Bell Ashley was the first woman elder of Columbus Presbyterian Church. She served this church and her community in various ways. The Synod of the NC Presbyterian Church, US. presented her an Honorary Life Membership for her work with the Women of the Church. She was also presented a Certificate of Appreciation for her devoted and faithful service on December 18th, 1962.

The last service in the original church was held November 16, 1975. There had been 22 ministers. The old building was taken down to make way for a new sanctuary. Services were held in the basement of the Fellowship Hall until the new sanctuary was built. The first service for the new church was held July 4, 1976. The architect was Bob Cannon, a grandson of one of the first elders. The builder was Mr. Solesbee.

There have been many dedicated members through the years whom the Lord used to sustain this church. Romans 12:4-6 tells us "In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body and each part belongs to all the other parts. We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us." God's grace and blessings have been upon this Church! He is our faithful God! Let's bow together in prayer to thank Him for the dedicated families who have served this church - in the past and presently. Father God, You are faithful and we thank You for blessing Columbus Presbyterian Church for 130 years and we pray You will sustain this church for years to come. Thank You Lord for past present, and future families who have and will serve You by continuing to spread Your love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Bill and Dot McFarland
Fred and Becky Ashley
Trent and Cleo Geer and Cleo's mother Sue Jordan who played the piano for years
And now for Sue Wilson who has played for us for over 45 5 years
Mike and Hazel Gant and his mother who also played the piano
Louie McCarter
Frank and Virginia Smith
Doug and Ann Fisher
The Burkharts, Benners, Brazels, The Shambaughs
Laura Bruce
Jim and Mary Shannon Wynoma Fisher
Phillip and Donna Ashley
The Roy Case Family Shannon and Hope Ashley
Carl Rosenblod and his wife
And presently, Linda, Niesha, Sara, Gail, Sue, Jessica, Kyle, Katrinia


For the ministers who have served this church. Thank you Lord. Lord, you know the many others whom we have not named. Thank you for using all of us as the Body of Christ in Your Kingdom here on earth, preparing us to one day live eternally with You. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen Who are others you remember or would like to say something about?