Friendship United Methodist Church
Friendship United Methodist Church North Side
After the Christmas Conference in 1785, Bishop Asbary came into South Carolina bringing with him Beverely Allen as a preacher from Georgia, John Tunnelle from Charleston, and Woodman Hickson, from Georgetown. Other sources give Beverely Allen, previous to this working in the Pee Dee section of the Carolinas, and possibly preaching at Gainey Meeting House, later becoming Friendship. The Santee Circuit was organized in 1786. In 1808 the circuit included Chesterfield County. Gainey Meeting House was the most Northern Preaching Place and Caw-Kaw-Swamp Main St. Paul in Clarendon County the most southern. At the Conference held in Fayettville, N. C. in 1831 the Chesterfield Circuit was organized with the Rev. J. W. Kelly as Pastor. It is believed previous to this Friendship was connected with one of the North Carolina appointments at Wadesboro with the Rev. Pierce Tilgo as Pastor. The Gainey Meeting House stood about one mile North of where Friendship is now, near the Crawford Cemetery on the right of the Wadesboro road No 742. It is not known what year it was torn down, moved and another building built, (a larger building than present structure) which was torn down and replaced by the present Church in 1938 - 1939. Some of the material from the Gainey Meeting House is in the present church. St. Paul in Chesterfield considers Friendship their Mother Church. Many of the early settlers being landowners around this church came to worship at Friendship. In 1908 at the lower conference the east Chesterfield Circuit (was formed included Ruby, Ebenzer, taken from the Chesterfield Circuit, Friendship, Mt. Olivet and Pleasant Grove from the Cheraw circuit). Rev. J. C. Cooke who served 3 years (1908 - 1911) then followed by Rev. L. B. Owens who was Pastor for 3 years. During his pastorate in 1913 the Ladies Aid Society was organized and has given continuous service. Mrs. J. A. Swinnie (Mollie) was the first President. Three years it was in full connection with the womans missionary society, (1939 - 1941). ______ the Ladies Aid Society who made this Dedication Day possible by ____ having paid up church debts. Rev. W. T. Beadenbraugh supervised the building of the present church. We the members are grateful to Mr. Beadenbeaugh and his family for the splendid work that they gave during the time he served as our pastor. Other pastors of this charge were Rev. Paul Wood, G. K. Way, C. P. Chewning, T. D. Shuler, J. R. Sojourner, J. J. Stevenson, (present at dedication) J. B. Weldon, L. M. Godbold, L. W. Shealey, W. T. Beadenbeaugh, and C. L. Ingram. Friendship Continued Rev. Ingram is due much credit in remodeling and repairing the Parsonage which was badly in need of repairs when he came. He did most of the work himself. The church is grateful for the splendid work he has done. Rev. Levin Fry followed Rev. Ingram. Then came Rev. B. W. Clark, we are grateful to Rev. Frye and Rev. Clark for their faithful service. The Womens Society of Christian Service has had 40 years more or less continuous service. Mrs. Swinnie as President except for about 8 years. This includes both W. S. C. S. and Ladies Aid Society. The old deed for 5 acres of land for Friendship Church, given by Robertson was destroyed by fire during the Civil War. Then came Davis adjoining property formerly held by Robertson. The trustees settled for 2 acres for the church. This 2 acre plat is found in judgement records in Probate Judges Office and not in register of deeds. This information was given by Herman Sowell whose father was an old resident here. Rev. W. L. Parker came to the East Chesterfield Charge at the beginning of the 1951 - 1952 conference year. Rev. Parker is due much credit for the splendid work and cooperation that he has given us during his years of service here. We are also grateful to the S. C. Methodist Conference for the five hundred dollars donation they gave us. With this donation we have completed the church inside. The Society of Christian Service ordered the pews for the auditorium which was installed in Oct. 1952. The 1952 - 1953 conference year began the first of November, the first meeting of the charge was held at Mt. Olivet and our pastors salary was raised to $3500.00 per year. The East Chesterfield Charge is no longer depending on the mission board for help to support their charge. During Mr. Parkers service at Friendship, we have refinished our church on the inside and installed new pews. The cost of the repairs were approximately $4500.00 Rev. C. M. Smith came to the East Chesterfield Charge. The 1955 - 1956 conference year. Rev. Smith has given us worship service each week. He has also received more members into our church and charge than any other pastor who has served on our charge, during the short time that he has been here. We are grateful to Mr. Smith for the faithful service he has rendered to our church. We have planned to build Sunday School rooms, and a fellowship hall to our church. The 1955 - 1956 conference year is the first year that Friendship has paid up to date and has a larger budget than ever in the history of the church. We have installed a new roof on our Church this year. Cost $400.00 In 1956 - 1957 Friendship was put on the Ruby Charge and Rev. D. K. Townsend, a student pastor, served 2 years. Then came Rev. John Way another student pastor served one year. In 1960 - 1961 came Rev. Dewey Dean who is our present pastor. This year (1961) Ruby parsonage has been covered and painted etc. In Oct. of 1961 a new Educational Building was completed at Friendship. Through the untiring efforts of Rev. Dewey Dean and cooperation of the church and Womens Society of Christian Service the building was paid for upon completion at a cost of $3600.00.