Presbyterian Women: Leadership, Inspiration, Spiritual Growth
From the founding of New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church in 1872 the names of its women’s organizations have changed many times – first it was The Ladies Society, then The Ladies Association of New Wappetaw, then The Ladies Aid, then The Ladies Aid Society, the Louise Junkin and Crystal Gregg Circles, The Women of the Church, and now Presbyterian Women.
Through all this time, the goals and actions of the organizations have not changed. Women have provided vital leadership in the life of the church, from construction and maintenance of facilities to Bible study and worship. Through many fund-raising projects, women have been major contributors to construction and up-keep of the church building and contents. Women have sponsored fellowship and social events, have given financial support to candidates for the ministry, and have worked in foreign and local mission projects. Presbyterian Women, by whatever name, has been a part of the support system for our church and for the community. Bible study and prayer are regular features of circle meetings.
In 1954 the Ladies Aid Society showed its importance in the design and preparation of the church building. They requested that a planning committee be appointed to study replacement or remodeling of the sanctuary. An architect suggested moving the original bell tower from the left front to the center of the structure, plus installation of more windows and improvement of the foundation and floors. Funds supplied by the ladies helped make the work accomplished.
In 1960 the congregation accepted an offer from the Ladies Aid Society to add stained glass windows in the rostrum of the church. Many members disapproved, believing the change was a departure from the Presbyterian tradition of creating plain buildings which would not distract worshippers from the worship of God. It was later written that “after considerable controversy, the lion and the lamb settled down.”
Women first began serving as elders in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (the Southern Presbyterian Church) in 1965. In May 1981, Lillian Duke was the first woman ordained as elder at New Wappetaw. The southern and northern Presbyterian churches united in 1983, forming our existing Presbyterian Church in the United States of America – known as the PC(USA). Virginia Ford followed as New Wappetaw’s second elder in February 1984. In 1985 New Wappetaw’s congregation decided to make a significant change, creating a nine-member session with the elders serving up to two three-year terms instead of serving for life. At a following congregational meeting, the first class formed included: Virginia Ford, Lionel Lofton, Sue Shaw Bagley, Gerilyn Leland, Nelson Ford, T.P, Duke, Jr., Virginia Lofton, Mary Scott, and Elizabeth Gannon. Five of the nine persons elected were women. The elders were anxious to serve. Randy McClure, clerk of session at that time, remembers that all church members were pleased, believing enlargement of the session and addition of more women to be positive moves. New Wappetaw’s women remain active and vital participants in church affairs