Zoar United Methodist Church
Zoar United Methodist Church
Picnic and Playground Site
Parking and ball field
Zoar Cemetery
By: Jane Davis Pigg
Zoar Methodist Church was one of the earliest established churches in Chesterfield County. The church was built in 1832 on a four-acre plot of land donated by Mr. William Roebeson. It was a one-room log building with wooden shutters. The pews were slab benches with no backs. The pulpit faced the west. The name “Zoar” was taken from the Bible and means “city of refuge.” The building was used as a community school during the week. Zoar was first supported by missions. Members brought eggs to the treasurer, Mr. Ross, who sold them to help pay expenses. The young church could not get a full-time minister so a local minister, Rev. Rainwater, delivered the first sermons. Rev. Quick from Marlboro County would occasionally travel to Zoar and preach. The first full-time minister was Rev. Malcom Wood. He lived on the Roebeson quarters on Highway 9 and walked approximately three miles to church each Sunday. He served until 1849 when the Rev. W. L. Pegues came. Some of the early officials were Mike, Johnny and William Davis. Mr. Sam Timmons was the first Superintendent. Mr. Timmons discovered the spring on the north side of the church which continuously supplied the church with water. Some of the early Superintendents included Edward Parker, Isac Rivers, Sr., Isac Rivers, Jr., Jimmy Teal (better known as “Bud”), J. W. T. Rivers, C. W. Teal, John N. Campbell and Mrs. Hattie Teal. Their first Sunday school literature was The Blue Back Speller which was followed by The Catechism, and eventually The Methodist Quarterlies. Some of the first Sunday school teachers were Miss Nancy Davis, Mrs. Ella Boatright, Mrs. Laura Davis, Mrs. C. W. Teal, and Mr. Bill Davis. The church has been rebuilt three times and remodeled four times. The pulpit of the original one-room log structure faced south. This structure was replaced with a wooden sanctuary which was later brick veneered. The new sanctuary seated around 100 and contained stained glass windows given by members of loved ones. Mr. Luther Teal and his father built the oak pulpit lectern and hand-carved the alter rail. The pulpit faced the south. The educational building was built in1956 during the pastorate of Rev. Kenneth Bedenbaugh and was dedicated to Mrs. Hattie Campbell Teal who served as Sunday School Superintendent for over 33 years. It contained five classrooms and a basement fellowship hall with a kitchen. All the Sunday school rooms contained beautiful stained glass windows donated by members. The fellowship hall replaced “he hut,” a small building by the spring which had been used for fellowship dinners and fish fries r over 45 years. The present sanctuary was built during a major renovation in 1966 during the pastorate of Rev. Donald O’Dell. This sanctuary featured a steeple. The building committee, chaired by Tom Miller, consisted of Mary E. Davis, treasurer, Horace Crawford, Emsley Freeman, and Bill J. Rivers. I. B. Merriman of Chesterfield was the builder. The floor plan of the church is in the form of a cross with the main entrance at the west and the altar at the east. This is symbolic of “the rising of the son of righteous.” This restored the sanctuary to its original direction of the pulpit facing the west. This had long been a dream of the older members. The pulpit features a divided chancel so that no barrier would be between the outer door and the altar. Only during communion would there be any separation between those who serve at the altar and the congregation. The left front was the lectern for reading the scriptures. At the right was the pulpit for the sermon. The choir and the musicians were placed on either side so that the altar table with the cross and the candles was the focal point for them as well as the congregation. There are three steps leading up to the altar table. These symbolize the holy trinity. The Christian symbols of the Alpha, Omega and the Greek name for Christ were hand carved by Rev. O’Dell. The stained glass window behind the altar window featured the cross and the crown. The first Building Fund Pledge Sunday was held in November 1965. About one-third ($15,000) of the total amount ($45,000) needed was pledged on that Sunday. This amount was added to the monies collected over a 20 year period by Mrs. Kate Campbell’s elementary SS class for a “steeple fund.” It is recorded that the first “SS Steeple Fund” collection was 13 cents. The United Methodist Women played a major role in raising the balance. Many bake sales, cloth sales, hat sales, and other fundraisers were conducted by the women. Under the direction of Mrs. Ben Rivers, the UMW fed the Chesterfield Civitan Club twice a month for about four years at $1.65 a plate with the proceeds going to help pay off the mortgage. The debt was paid off and the burning of the mortgage was held on Sunday, February 15, 1971. In 1968, the Methodist Conference merged with the Evangelical United Brethren to form the United Methodist Church. Zoar Methodist Church officially became Zoar United Methodist Church. In 1987-88, needlepoint kneeling cushions were custom-designed for Zoar by Betsy DeLoach to match stained glass windows. They were stitched by Donna Freeman, chairman, Bessie Terrell, Clarice Watson, Emilyn Gardner, Doris Jean Moore, Jackie Burch, Sallie Short, Martha Barnard, Susanne Davis and Peggy Robeson. The pattern features “I am the vine, you are the grapes” and Christian symbols. The intricate center section was the first cushion completed and was stitched entirely by Bessie Terrell. It rest at the base of the altar table except during communication. There is a coordinating cushion on the prie-dieu (wedding kneeling bench) which was also designed by Ms. DeLoache. In 1995 land was purchased directly across Zoar Road in front of the church. A softball/baseball field was built on this property. It is also used for overflow parking. Three crosses were placed by Zoar Road. These crosses are decorated during Christmas and Easter and remind travelers of Jesus. In 1998, “The Hut” was dismantled, the land cleared and a Children’s Park was built around the original spring. A covered picnic shelter was built on “The Hut’s” location. Imbedded in the cement floor are bricks from The Hut’s original fireplace that spell the word “ZOAR.” The park features a cement basketball court, a horseshoe pit, children’s playground equipment and benches. A hand pump has been installed in the spring. In 1974, the church began an extensive Summer Program in addition to Vacation Bible School. They have many activities such as pizza parties, bowling, pool parties, hot dog suppers, ice cream suppers, and trips. The first overnight trip was to Columbia. Other trips have included Charleston, Old Salem, Williamsburg, New York, Washington, and cruises to the Bahamas, Disney world, the World’s Fair, Myrtle Beach, and the mountains of North Carolina. Through the years, Zoar has sponsored a Girl Scout troop and a Youth Clown Ministry. In 1979, a Chrismon Tree was first placed in the sanctuary. The original Chrismons were made by Zoar members. Over the years additional Chrismons have been made by members. In 1995, a children’s Chrismon Tree was added. Doris Jean Moore made the Chrismons for this tree. In 1998, Zoar began “The Live Nativity Drive-Through.” This annual event is held on Wednesday or Sunday night before Christmas and features 12 scenes. It has evolved into a community effort with over 200 persons participating. Over 1,500 persons drive through each year. Behind Zoar Church is the cemetery. The graves probably date back to 1832, but no headstone bears this date. One of the most interesting headstones is that of Nancy Ross. When she died in 1918, her husband, James Ross, had a headstone imported from Europe at a cost of $1,800. Two of the oldest memorial windows in the church, originally in the old sanctuary and now located in the vestibule, are for Nancy and James Ross. He served as church treasurer for many years. Many changes have been made in the cemetery. During the 1970’s Tom Miller and the Cemetery committee oversaw the transition of the cemetery into a perpetual care type cemetery. A beautification program added paved walkways, light, statuary and underground water lines for lawn upkeep. In 1996, the cemetery was expanded by several acres. In 2003, Zoar United Methodist Church celebrated its 171st Anniversary. The church is located at 2842 Zoar Road, Cheraw, SC 29520. Everyone is welcome to come and share the love of Jesus with the members of Zoar.