The town of "Yorkville" was founded in 1785 and incorporated in 1849 with a population of about 800. The Church of the Good Shepherd was organized in 1852 with the congregation meeting in the courthouse and Methodist church. Thirteen persons were baptized in 1852. The Englishman Reverend Henry Elwell was serving as missionary to the church.
The fledgling mission, originally to be named Christ Church prospered. The males of the congregation met at Rose's Hotel in May 1855 to elect a vestry, to adopt by-laws as an organized parish, and to name the Rev. James D. Gibson as pastor. Please note, in those days only the men could serve in leadership and the men had to organize a new church. Times have changed! In that year the present church was constructed. During five days of festivities, the church was dedicated in November 1855. According to historical registers, the congregation consisted of 16 "white" communicants, 25 "others", and some slaves. According to descriptions of the time, "the interior is very chaste - a recessed chancel, and a communion table painted to resemble white marble". We still use the original fine bell said to contain 200 Mexican silver dollars cast into the metal. The silver content was reputed to "sweeten" the tone of the bell.
Among the interesting features and possessions of the church are to be found:
Pews - When founded the church was financed by pew rents. Three classes of pews were established in 1855: First class (10 pews) to be rented at $40 per year; pew numbers one and two unrented, to be used as "strangers pews". Our pews are the original ones; marks left by removal of door hinges are evident. Seats in the gallery were probably free - used by the choir, by several slaves who became members, and by some widows still in mourning. Until 1874, the church was supported entirely by pew rentals and by occasional assessments levied on pew holders, replaced in part by the passing of a collection plate every fourth Sunday. We suspect that a few parish families still sit in their old family pew a century after the abolition of the rents.
Organ - In 1855 a melodeon was given by the church women; in 1909 a pipe organ was purchased for $200 by the church women. This first pipe organ was replaced in 1946 with an electric organ purchased. In 1972, a Wicks pipe organ was purchased. The Wicks instrument was replaced in 1991 with an 1874 (ca.) Steven's pipe organ. At the time of installation this organ was fully restored and enlarged. Some of the pipe work used in the enlargement was salvaged from other organs of the period. The new pipes are in a style compatible with the original work. The gold colored pipes of the facade date to the original 1909 organ. When the current organ was installed most of the facade pipes were revoiced and once more speak after a silence of nearly half a century.
A Sad Tale - In 1894, one of the most beloved of our pastors, the Rev. Robert Augustus Lee, became our rector. On July 15, 1896, he was on vacation with friends near Brevard Station (now Brevard) North Carolina. He went out riding with friends. An electrical storm arose, he came to the aid of a young lady having trouble with her horse, offering to exchange mounts. She had taken shelter under a large tree. The Rev. Mr. Lee moved her to safety away from such a likely target for lightening. Tragically, lightning did strike the tree and followed a large underground root to the spot where they had fled for safety. Both were killed by that bolt of lightning. In his memory, the Young Ladies Society presented to the church a handsome lectern with a silver plated inscribed to him - a fine example of carved wood in the form of an eagle with spread wings. They also presented the church with a marble memorial plaque. Teenage girls gave two small brass vases in his memory.
Tablets - East wall: in memory of the Rev. Henry Elwell, first missionary to the church. - North wall: in memory of the Rev. Robert Augustus Lee (see above) - West wall: to the Rev. Roberts P. Johnson, rector, 1868-1882. - South wall: Two old black marble plaques, one containing the Lord's Prayer and one the Ten Commandments (on either side of the altar). A plaque was more recently installed in memory of Rev. Tracy Walsh who served this parish for many years.
Stained Glass Windows - The Window over the altar is the first one that was placed in the Church. It is in memory of Rev. Roberts P. Johnson, 1868-1882. It was installed in 1884. On the east wall the glass of Mary and the child Jesus was given around the turn of the century in memory of Louisa Avery Lowry who died in 1878. The second east window was installed in 1951 by Willet Studios of Philadelphia in memory of … Above the arch in the north wall, Christ as the Good Shepherd was given in memory Walter B. Moore, and wife, Annie Lee Moore. It was erected in 1949. In the Narthex (Vestibule) window portrays the church as a female figure "Holy Mother Church" . The glass came from England and was given in memory of Mrs. Charlotte Jan Hackett Robertson who died in 1902. We were pleased to discover just this summer that there is an identical figure in one of the stained glass windows in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Natchez, Mississippi. In the west wall one window depicts the meeting of Jesus and Nathaniel. This window memorializes W.B. Wilson and his wife Arrah M. Lowry. He was the "the first churchman in this county and through his efforts this parish was established." Mr. Wilson died in 1894. The other window in the west wall portrays the themes of Psalm 121. It is by the Willet Studios of Philadelphia and was installed in 1951.
Other Furnishings - Altar: In 1923, the old altar was replaced by the gift of a white marble altar. The Font dates from 1910. The white marble font has embedded in its rim a small stone from the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. We use two sets of Candelabra: A Branched, large pair given as a gift in 1925. This set has seven branches and is of heavy brass. This set was recently restored and put back into use on festival occasions.
The more commonly used set are branched but smaller in size. They have five branches and were brought from China as a gift to the parish by Elsie and James Castle as a memorial to their daughter.
On the Altar are place two large single candle sticks. These are lit during the Holy Communion service, as well as in weddings.
The old Ciborium, that is, the sterling silver bread box, was given to the church by the Misses Florence and Annie Latta Wilson in memory of their mother, and is inscribed: "To the Glory of God/ and/ in loving memory/ of/ Annie Latta Wilson/ 1841-1910." It is currently used at the Lake Wylie service.
Chairs in Sanctuary - The "Bishop's Chair" is made on a model common to those in other Episcopal churches in this areas. The pair of "Cathedral Chairs" are a splendid example of the furniture-maker's art. They were part of the furnishing of the parlor in the Latta home, and were given to the church by Anna (Lewis) Latta.
Chalice - For many years, the church used one of Mrs. Annie (Wallace) Marshall's table goblets as a chalice. Later, this silver goblet was recovered by Mrs. Marshall when she donated a sterling silver chalice in memory of her husband, inscribed: "To the Glory of God and/ in memory of/ William Foote Marshall/ 1854-1908." In the time that Fr. Thomas Hudson was rector, a second chalice was purchased as well as a larger ciborium to hold the bread.
The Altar Cross is probably the oldest piece of decoration in our church It was given by Mrs. Sarah Rose, grandmother of Mrs. Mamie (Rose) Miller. This cross is made of an unusually fine grade of brass.
The Processional Cross is a solid brass cross, mounted on a hardwood handle. This elegant fixture was given by Arthur Townsend Hart and Nellie Reynolds (Hart) French, in memory of their twin brothers, and is inscribed, "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of/ Frederick Elwell Hart/ 'A little child shall lead them'."
The Lectern is a handsome specimen of carved wood, in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. The furnishing was purchased in New York by the young ladies of the church, and inscribed: "To the/ Glory of God/ and in loving memory/ Rev. Robert A. Lee/ Entered Paradise/ July 15, 1896/ St. Agnes Guild."
Our pulpit has been in use for many years. It was given to the church by Walter Bedford Moore (1865-1947). The present rector believes Mr. Moore acquired this fine antique from a church which was purchasing a new pulpit. The hand carving, done to imitate the appearance of wicker work, is particularly noteworthy.
