In late 1957, the Session was informed that the church had been remembered in the will of Miss Ursula S. Beaty. The will stated that the property previously purchased from the church by Miss Beaty and her brother be given back to the church. Also, included in the will, was 25% of the estate left to the church to be used for "charity only." This amounted to $8,027.80.
Following Mr. Johnston's resignation in April, 1957, until the spring of 1958, the church was vacant. During the summer months the pulpit was supplied by Mr. Billy Shaw Howell, student at Union Theological Seminary, and in the fall and winter months by Dr. Walter M. Walsh, associate at the First Church, Charlotte.
1958~ Rev. J. Edward Craig Our minister at the present came from the Effingham Church, Effingham, South Carolina, and preached his first sermon on March 2, 1958. Already several physical improvements have been made at the church, including the installation of an oil furnace heating system in the Fellowship Building, enlargement of the parking area, landscaping of the church grounds, re-wiring of the church, re-roofing of the church, painting and kitchen equipment at the manse. (Includes photograph)
The Sunday School and office have been improved with filmstrip and slide projector, mimeograph machine, addressograph, tables, chairs, desks. A new pulpit Bible was presented to the church by Mr. and Mrs. Chenault Spence in memory of Mr. and Mrs. George Allen Todd.
Fifty-two members were added to the church during 1958, and after revision of the church roll, left a total of 359 members. Sunday School enrollment totaled 367 at the end of the year. Total contributions to all causes during the year was $84,669.00.
The current year of 1959 marks the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Paw Creek Church. Repairs on the church vestibule, a much-needed extermination work on the church and Fellowship Building, the purchase of four new and enlarged offering plates, the purchase of a new International sterling communion set, refinishing of the pulpit and communion furniture, and the installation of a 15-ton Carrier air-conditioned unit are projects already completed during the year.
The total church membership at this writing is 376 with 384 enrolled in Sunday School.
Evangelism has been one of the most important themes of emphasis in the history of the Paw Creek Church. Visitation evangelism, as well as the preaching emphasis from the pulpit by the pastor and special weeks of evangelistic preaching from visiting ministers has enhanced the spiritual life of the church and community.
With the coming of Mr. Craig, additional financial obligations were undertaken by the church and the result has been a steady upsurge in the stewardship program of the entire church. The use of the pre-budget canvass, and the realization that our giving of a definite percentage represents our interests and willingness to share with other Christians in the spread of Christ's gospel have been presented during the Stewardship season by the pastor and officers.
At the present time the organizations of the Youth of the Church are known as the Juniors and Pioneers, Youth Fellowship and Senior High Fellowships. Each group meets every Sunday evening prior to the evening worship service and active partici-pation in Presbytery-wide conclaves, camps, and conferences has been very good, with a goodly number attending.
The Women of the Church, with seven active circles, the Men of the Church, with its monthly meeting and projects, the Bench of Elders and Board of Deacons, are all at the moment vital arms in the work of the church in the community.
A church grows or recedes due to the interest of the congregation and its pastor. We feel that at the present time interest in all phases of the church's work and commission of our Lord has been revitalized and we hope to go forward in even greater strides in the future.
Our fathers laid the foundations here deep and strong in faith and in the assurance that God will carry to a successful conclusion the work begun more than 150 years ago. But He is expecting through you to accomplish His purpose. It remains for you to determine the kind of superstructure that shall be built on the foundation already laid.
May God grant that the call from this pulpit and the people of this congregation to "all that labor and are heavy-laden" under the burden of sin be the great invitation of our Lord to "come."
Miss Mary E. Cathey
Maud H. Reames (Mrs. E. L., Sr.)
Robert W. Summerville
Historical Committee, 1959
