Prosperity ARP Celebrates 200 Years On Sunday, September 11, 2022, Prosperity Associate Reformed Presbyterian


Church in Marion Junction, Alabama, celebrated its 200th year. Dr. Charles Edgar of Huntsville preached and was assisted by Rev. Rabun Williams of Monroeville. The choir was made up of members of several ARP congregations. Prosperity sings exclusively from the Bible Songs. The sacrament of Holy Communion was celebrated. A bountiful dinner followed the worship service. Organized in 1822, three years after Alabama entered the Union, Prosperity is the oldest Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Alabama. In early years, the church was supplied by ministers who rode horseback from the Carolinas.  River, site now unknown. In 1914 it was moved to the present site in Marion Junc- tion. The annex was added in 1959. In 1830, Rev. James P. Pressly was installed as pastor of Prosperity and Lebanon


Church, located in neighboring Wilcox County. He resigned to become a professor at Erskine College. He was followed by Rev. Joseph McCreary, who was killed in the explosion of the steamship Lucy Walker while returning from the 1844 meet- ing of Synod. Both men lived in Wilcox County and rode horseback to Prosperity for services. They were followed by three resident ministers, Rev. James Young, Rev. Joseph Lowry, and Rev. W.A. Blakely. The Alabama Presbytery was formed at Prosperity in December of 1842. Synod met with Prosperity in 1848. At that meeting a member of Prosperity,


William Johnston, donated money for a telescope and comet seeker for Erskine College at a cost of $1200. The telescope  Museum and is considered the oldest surviving American manufactured telescope known to still exist. Beginning on the second Sabbath in September, 1917, Prosperity became a joint pastorate with the Camden ARP


Church, with the minister living in Camden and preaching at Prosperity once a month. The arrangement has continued with Camden for over 100 years, with the Bethel ARP Church, Oak Hill, becoming part of the charge in 1953. Rev. Renwick Carlisle Kennedy served the church for 47 years, from 1927 until 19 74. Eight installed pastors and several stated supplies have followed.  Thomas Moore, and Bruce Perdue.


In Genesis 48:4, God says, “I will make you a community of people, and I will give this land as an everlasting posses-


 have been faithful to Him.


Rev. Charlie Lewis Installed


Rev. Charlie Lewis was installed as the pastor of Trinity ARP Church in Tampa, Florida on August 28, 2022.


Rev. Bobby Duran Ordained


Reverend Bobby Duran was ordained and installed as the Associate Pastor of Pisgah ARP Church in Gastonia, NC on August 14.


November/December 2022 25


News In Brief


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