The Wesleyan Methodist work began in South Carolina as early as the 1880s by Miss Emma Talbert and Rev. M. Elliot, but the work resulting in lasting fruit began in 1892 by the Rev. Warren Parker, who had been sent by the Texas Conference of the Free Methodist Church (Hilson, 1950). In the Flat Shoals schoolhouse in Oconee County, he founded the Salem Free Methodist Church with six members the first Sunday and adding eight more the next Sunday (Hilson, 1950).

     There is some question if the Rev. H. S. Abbott and his wife may have begun a work earlier in 1890 at Nevel schoolhouse near Walhalla (Hilson, 1950). They may have organized a Free Methodist church, and then turned it over to the Rev. Warren Parker, who established the Salem Free Methodist Church (Hilson, 1950). Through the later influence of Rev. Abbott, who by this time had joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Rev. Parker and the Salem church joined the Wesleyans in 1892 or 1893 and renamed the church, Salem Wesleyan Methodist Church, now known as Mountain View Wesleyan Church (Hilson, 1950).

     The Abbotts continued doing evangelistic work in the South Carolina upstate. As a result, Rev. Parker pastored churches at Townville, Seneca, Salem, and Oakway while another church in Central was pastored by S. J. McElroy (Hilson, 1950). After the 1896 district conference, Welcome Church was founded, and in 1901, Good Hope Church was founded near Walhalla and added to the Mountain View circuit (Hilson, 1950).

WALHALLA WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH
      Hilson says, “When the conference convened at Greer in its eleventh session, November 18, 1903… There were also four new churches reported at this session. These were Walhalla with a membership of fifty… all of which were organized by the conference evangelist, B. L. Padgett” (1950). Padgett would go on to serve in several important capacities in the South Carolina District of the Wesleyan Church.

      Although several works in the Walhalla area preceded this one, this is the first recorded mention of what would become Walhalla Wesleyan Church. At the same conference, it was reported that the Good Hope Church was discontinued (Hilson, 1950).

WALHALLA WESLEYAN: PEOPLE AND EVENTS
      In the one-hundred plus years of Walhalla Wesleyan’s existence, many people and events could be mentioned. Two very distinguished Wesleyan leaders have connections to Walhalla Wesleyan Church.

      Dr. Roy Nicholson (1903-1993) was from Walhalla Wesleyan Church. Concerning the history of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Haines and Thomas give tribute to him by saying, “…the fourth and final period was dominated by the person and ministry of Roy S. Nicholson” (2005). Roy was born in Walhalla, attended Wesleyan Methodist College (now, Southern Wesleyan University), pastored, and held various leadership positions in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. From 1947 until 1959, he served as the first and only full-time General Conference President of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In 1968, he served as one of the co-conveners of the merger with the Pilgrim Holiness Church. He was elected in 1972 as a General Superintendant Emeritus. His imprint can still be seen in the Wesleyan Church today (Haines & Thomas, 2005).

      Another important servant in the Wesleyan Church also had connections with Walhalla Wesleyan Church. Dr. Virgil Mitchell (1914-2006), who was born in Six Mile, SC, pastored Walhalla Wesleyan Church from 1939 to 1941 (Wilcox, 1994). Dr. Mitchell graduated from Wesleyan Methodist College (now, SWU) and served as a pastor, district, and denominational leader in the Wesleyan Church for many years, including serving as a General Superintendant from 1968 to 1984 (Haines & Thomas, 2005). In his “retirement,” he continued to contribute in many valuable ways to the work of Southern Wesleyan University.

      A key event in the history of Walhalla Wesleyan Church was the tragic death of the Rev. J. C. Lackey during his pastoral tenure (1950-1953). He died in an automobile accident in 1953. His wife, Rev. Mrs. J. C. Lackey, continued as pastor (1953-1957) through the completion of a major building project. At the dedication of the “Stone Church” on May 22, 1955, the church was renamed Lackey Memorial Wesleyan Church in honor of the Rev. J. C. Lackey (Wilcox, 1994).

      Walhalla Wesleyan Church has gone through several name changes. It was founded as Walhalla Wesleyan Methodist Church (1903) then Lackey Memorial Wesleyan Church (1955), Shepherd’s Home Wesleyan Church (1997), and changed back to Walhalla Wesleyan Church (2008).

      In addition to the name changes, Walhalla Wesleyan has met in several different buildings throughout their history. The church had a couple of stick built, “shoebox” buildings, but then built the beautiful “Stone Church” building in Walhalla, SC in 1955, and in 1997 sold the stone church to relocate and build a new building in 1999 at the present location. They met in temporary locations from 1997 to 1999.

      Through changes and challenges, personalities and pastors, buildings and name changes, the core of Walhalla Wesleyan Church has remained focused on Jesus Christ, His church, and their community. The ministry of Walhalla Wesleyan Church continues to seek God’s mission and vision for this church in this community during these changing times.


May God generously bless the future of Walhalla Wesleyan Church!
Chris Gibson, Pastor 2007-2009