Back Creek Presbyterian Church & Cemetery

Date: 5 Sep 1805 [unknown]
Location: Mount Ulla, Rowan, North Carolina, United States
Surnames/tags: Rowan_County North_Carolina

Contents 1 General Information 2 History 3 Ministers 4 Notable Interments 5 Resources

General Information

Cemetery Name: Back Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Address: 2145 Back Creek Church Rd. Mount Ulla, North Carolina 28125

GPS Coordinates: 35.64159, -80.69915

History

Back Creek Presbyterian Church & Cemetery, a historic church & cemetery in Mount Ulla Township, Rowan County, North Carolina, was established in 1805 & named for the nearby creek called Back Creek.

Originally, the early members of Back Creek were members of Thyatira Presbyterian Church, which is located just a few miles away. In the late 18th century, there was a revival that swept through the United States that is now called the "Great Awakening." The revival fire was lit in many Thyatira members' hearts. They believed this Great Awakening was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. The others of Thyatira did not.

These revivalists—which numbered about 20 to 30 families, including all elders but one—left Thyatira & established their own church nearby. And on 5 September 1805, the Concord Presbytery entered the name "Back Creek" on its roll & Back Creek Presbyterian Church was officially born.

The congregation first met in a large barn until the Presbytery granted them permission to build a house of worship, provided that it was at least 5 miles away from the mother church, Thyatira. Dr. Hall of Iredell County duly measured the distance in his famous sulky. And in 1811, a "comfortable little log house" was erected & served the congregation until the present sanctuary was completed & dedicated in 1857. Rev. S. C. Alexander delivered the dedication in an address at Thyatira.

The early members of Back Creek believed that the church & the school house should go together. So, in 1882, a Session House was built nearby to serve as a school house or academy. The old school bell still stands at the annex door of the Education Building.

Back Creek secured the services of its first minister, Rev. Joseph D. Kilpatrick, in 1807. In 1869 in the aftermath of the Civil War, Back Creek suffered the loss of its African-American members, which amounted to nearly half of the congregation. The entire region also suffered an economic depression. With many of the church's members packing up their families & belongings & moving out west for a new start. It took many years for Back Creek to recover.

Over the years, Back Creek Presbyterian Church belonged to 5 Presbyterian denominations & joined the Presbyterian Church of America in 1991.

In 1952, a Religious Education building was added which included the first indoor plumbing the church got. The current manse was built in 1968. The sanctuary got a much needed restoration in 1978, & the church's classrooms & kitchen were expanded in 1993. A Youth Building was added in 2007. And bathrooms were added to the fellowship hall 2 years later.

In 1924, some members of Back Creek split off & established Prospect Presbyterian Church in the southwestern corner of Rowan County. Back Creek Presbyterian Church & Cemetery were added to the National Register of Historic Places on 29 December 1983.

Ministers

The following is a list of ministers of Back Creek from 1807 until 1955 & the years of their pastorates:

• Rev. Joseph Dickey Kilpatrick — Apr 1807-1829
• Rev. Andrew Youel Lockridge — May 1832-1845 (also served Third Creek Presbyterian Church until 1836)
• Rev. Thomas E. Davis — Mar 1845-1851
• Rev. Samuel Caldwell Alexander — Mar 1854-1859 (also served Thyatira)
• Rev. Winslow Brainerd Watts — Jun 1861-1868 (also served Prospect; buried at Back Creek)
• Rev. J. Alston Ramsay — June 1877-1891 (from 1877 to 1946 the pastors served both Back Creek and Thyatira)
• Rev. John A. Harris — July 1891-1898
• Rev. John A. Gilmer — July 1900-1904
• Rev. Walter M. Walsh — 1905-1911
• Rev. James C. Grier — September 1912-1916
• Rev. Dr. Edward Douglas Brown — October 1916-1927
• Rev. James Earle Guthrie — May 1927-1937
• Rev. James S. Robinson — Jun 1938-1942
• Rev. James R. Phipps — Feb 1943-1946
• Rev. Raymond F. Kepler — Jul 1950-?

Notable Interments

The only notable interments in Back Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery are those of our war heroes.

Resources

• See the Category:Back Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mt. Ulla, North Carolina category for those buried there

• Back Creek Presbyterian Church 150th Anniversary, 1805-1955 by M. Emma Goodman

• Back Creek Presbyterian Church website

• History of Back Creek Presbyterian Church, Rowan County, N.C., for 100 Years by Rev. S. C. Alexander & John K. Goodman

• Back Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Find a Grave

• Back Creek Presbyterian Church & Cemetery at Wikipedia