The Midway Presbyterian Church in New Zion, Clarendon, South Carolina was named because of its location, halfway between churches in Sumter and Williamsburg Districts. The congregation began meeting about 1801.Work started on the original log building in 1802 and was officially organized in 1804.The church seen now was built in 1850. It was moved back 100 feet from the road in 1939 and remodeled.
From
The Register of Session Minutes of Midway Presbyterian Church Clarendon County, South Carolina 1801-1902 by Lois Anne Warren-Daniels, Linda J. Warren & Dianne C. Warren, 2002, pg. 1
" Sept. 20th 1801
Nine men of the inhabitants of Bull Savanna & Pudding Swamp met a the house of Mrs. Mary Conyers in order to form a church & raise a salary for a minister one fourth of his time.
Sept. 2nd 1802
The congregation employed Wm. McIntosh & Saml. Fleming to build a church for one hundred & eighty dollars. Nov 10th 1802 the house was raised & called Midway because it was built half way between Williamsburg & Salem Church & members from those two churches aided in the building, a house of worship & support of the gospel.
January 10th 1803
The Rev. G.G. McWorter preached his first sermon in Midway Church.
October 22nd 1803
The house was completed & rec'd by the Building Committee.
In the year 1804 the church was organized."
Historical Marker Midway Presbyterian Church New Zion, Clarendon, South Carolina |
Sarah Rebecca (Smith) Flemming Hudson (1835-1916), my Great Great Grandmother, attended Midway Church.
Midway Presbyterian Church and Cemetery |
Session met-opened with prayer. Present Rev. James McDowell, R.E. McFadden and R.W. Wheeler, elders at the house of Mr. R.S. Flemming. Mr. Henry While Flemming was examined and received as a member of the church. Also Mrs. Sarah R. Hudson by examination and received."
The Register of Communicants published in the same book on pg. 119 shows that Mrs. Sarah R. Fleming was admitted to the church 26 April 1857 by examination. She was dismissed [date not given] because she had united with the Baptist Church.
Sarah was admitted to the church most likely after her marriage to James E. Fleming (1831-[?]). She was widowed and then married Ezra Ashby Hudson (1821-1882). Her admittance back into the Midway Presbyterian Church in 1902 may have been because her daughter Ila O. (Hudson) Flemming (1877-1939) and son-in-law Lewis Patrick Flemming (1873-1953) were married there and were members. Son, John McSwain Hudson (1880-1961), my Great Grandfather was admitted 18 May 1902.
The records also indicate that Sarah and James Flemming's children were baptized at Midway and that her mother, Martha Julia (Epps) Smith (1808-1854) my 3rd Great Grandmother, also joined.
Register of Communicants pg. 129:
Mrs. Martha Smith Admission: 17 Jan 1852, by Examination, died July 1854, Wife of H.J. Smith.
Many other members of the family were involved in the Midway Presbyterian Church. Some of the surnames in the records include Epps, Frierson, Fleming, and Smith.
Sarah Rebecca (Smith) Fleming Hudson (1835-1916) Midway Presbyterian Church Cemetery ©Cheri Hudson Passey |
Sarah Rebecca (Smith) Flemming Hudson died 9 March 1916 of influenza. Her death is recorded in the Register of Deaths, pg. 144. She was buried in the church's cemetery.
Daughter Ila and son-in-law James were also buried there.
Ila O. (Hudson) Flemming (1877-1939) and husband Lewis Patrick Flemming (1873-1953) ©Cheri Hudson Passey |
Double Marker Lewis P. Flemming and Ila O. Hudson Flemming Midway Presbyterian Church Cemetery |
Midway Presbyterian Church was and still is an important part of the Clarendon County community of New Zion.
My family worshiped here. Did yours?
Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!