Rodney Presbyterian, has seen much. At one time slaves worshipped in the balcony, while some very wealthy planters worshipped below. The church had a exciting Sunday when Confederates burst in to capture Union soldiers worshipping at the church. The church was shelled by the Union gun boat for this offense. Note: the cannonball placed in the church was placed years later in hopes of bringing tourists to Rodney. The church was shelled and the shell that hit the church was kept in a cabinet at the church for years. Said to be now in home of former residents. Jewish citizens sometimes met here as they had no structure of their own in Rodney. Two couples that are members of this group were married here as well. My grandfather was the last full time pastor here and he left in 1923 when the members were down to 16. He did not quit as another site has said...they couldnt pay him anymore so he had to move on. He was at Rodney Presbyterian for 7 years. The pastor right before my grandfather, son, Richard Merrin, is also a member of this group. The UDC has owned the church for years, they did receive grant money and they did use it to renovate the church. At one time the church was locked and had a local caretaker. The UDC has been trying to sell church I have been told, no buyers. In 2011 flood waters did come up to the church but not to the level as Rodney Baptist/Mt. Zion. Volunteers did clean in the church after the flood. The BBC filmed Eudora Welty reading on steps of the church, she visited Rodney several times to photograph and as a basis for two stories.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:56:23 +0000
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