History
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PLANS A RETIREMENT CENTER

In the mid 1980’s, a Session-appointed committee confirmed that our congregation wanted to build a retirement center and wanted it located near our church. Chairman Walker Clarke, third generation of the Joseph Walker family, and other second- and third-generation family members generously used their influence, resources, multiple talents, and time from the beginning to support this effort.

The First Presbyterian Church Retirement Center Board, at its organizational meeting, May 1987, elected Wilson Farrell, chairman of the board. He served until October 1990 when a business transfer caused his resignation. At the November 1990 board meeting, Dick deMontmollin was elected chairman, and served until January 2002, when he resigned due to health reasons. In January 2002, Dr. Walter G. Edwards, Jr., was elected chairman and continues to serve. Each of these loyal servants of God has devotedly given of their talents and time, even above that of each faithful, loyal board member. Rarely did any member miss a board meeting.

A member of First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Rion Dixon, returned from serving as a medical missionary in Haiti. At a wedding reception, he was seated beside our beloved minister, Dr. Warren M. Wardlaw, and inquired as to church news. Being a member of the initial group of the First Presbyterian Church Retirement Center Board, Dr. Wardlaw told Dr. Dixon of the board’s search and need for suitable land on which to build. Dr. Dixon suggested they meet the following morning on a 17 1/2-acre tract, which he jointly owned. Mid-day all board members were called to meet that afternoon on the site. The unanimous opinion was “Go for it!”

Wilson Farrell took a FPCRC board check as earnest money to Dr. Dixon at his home in Hartsville, SC. There, Dr. Dixon showed Wilson three signed contracts offering to purchase this land for various amounts, all greater than the amount for which he offered the land to us (for the purpose of our church building a retirement center.) Through the Grace of God, the board was able to obtain this choice acreage on the west bank of the Congaree River, just at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers.

With plans now moving briskly, it was mentioned at a board meeting that we needed a name. There was discussion, but nothing definitely mentioned. Then one said, “I can’t see why we don’t just name it ‘Laurel Crest’, which may help identify its location.” At that meeting, it was agreed—we would name it Laurel Crest.

It was suggested that we needed a logo, and all agreed—ours should be the cupola, which was on the combination garage/bath house then on the property. A church member’s firm drew the cupola, added a laurel branch, and suggested we use green and maroon as our colors. We intended having the original cupola restored; but later, finding it in such poor condition, we deemed it best to have an exact copy made for our roof.

Our Coat-of-Arms was created with each item and each color having a significant meaning. The shield is gold, symbolizing generosity and elevation of mind. Our foundation and authority, the Word of God, the open Bible, is pure white with symbols of Alpha and Omega in gold. The bookmark of red indicates bravery and courage. Our bend in blue denotes loyalty, on which are two ancient symbols representing Christian character and faith. A laurel wreath, a Greek symbol of victory, is green. Our crest, the cupola, is silver, representing the light of day and peace. Columns entwined with ivy of green, symbolic of an upright structure, represent strength and purpose surrounded by life, happiness and joy. Our scroll of white is emblazoned with our denomination, ARP; our name, Laurel Crest, and opening 1994.

Board members contend there has never been a board like ours. To God Be the Glory!

TENTH ANNIVERSARY REFLECTIONS OF LAUREL CREST

From the windows of our Activity Building, Laurel Crest residents have a bird’s eye view of the site where the formal organization and naming of our new state capital took place. On the riverbank just across the river where we see the Broad and the Saluda converge, forming the Congaree River, is the site where, in 1786, a small group of people met to formally organize and name the proposed town destined to become the state capital of South Carolina.

A legislative act signed March 22, 1786, moved the capital of South Carolina from Charleston to the town that “Shall be called and known by the name, Columbia”. The move was prompted primarily because the population had begun to grow in what they referred to as the backcountry—now the upstate of South Carolina. There was pressure to move the capital to a more central location.

One of the more interesting points is that Columbia was a planned city. Its original street framework in the downtown area is still in existence today, much to our advantage. Extra wide streets, bordered by wide grass areas and sidewalks, were in that era to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases in town.

Of the chosen site, most of the land belonged to Thomas Taylor. He generously allowed much of his woods, fields, and good farm land to become the site of the new proposed town.

By 1794, houses, stores, and the Statehouse had been built, but not a church (as no minister of any denomination was available). That year, 1794, the town’s two commissioners, Thomas Taylor and Benjamin Waring, wrote a letter intended as a call to David E. Dunlap, recent seminary graduate and recently ordained as a Presbyterian minister. The letter concluded with this statement, “It is greatly contrary to the interests of a young town to be growing up without a Sabbath Day observance.”

Dunlap accepted the call. He began the groundwork, which resulted in the formal organization of the First Presbyterian Church, and was installed as pastor on June 4, 1795. This was the first church organized in our new capital city. The first church building, a wooden structure, was completed in 1815. It was replaced in 1853 by the present church of Gothic architecture, and its steeple, 180 feet tall and visible from miles away, became Columbia’s landmark.

Mid-May 1983, the congregation voted to become affiliated with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination. Since that date, to its original name “First Presbyterian Church” was added “ARP Synod.” First Presbyterian Church, ARP Synod entered its third century June 4, 1995 with more than 2,300 members dedicated to the service of the Lord.

A Session-appointed committee determined that our congregation desired to build a retirement center, and wanted it located near our church. The chairman was Walker Clarke, of the Joseph Walker family, who’s second and third generations used their widely respected influence, resources, and time supporting this effort. A board consisted of 16 people, all loyal members devoted to this goal, with Wilson Farrell, chairman two-and-one-half years before being transferred; followed by Dick deMontmollin, chairman for more than 11 years before he resigned; followed by Dr. Walter G. Edwards, Jr., who has served more than two-and-one-half years and continues today.

Through the Grace of God, Laurel Crest “threw open its doors” on August 29, 1994, the product of one church. The Lord blessed our church, making available to us 17 1/2 acres of riverfront property, across the Congaree River from the site where our capital city was planted—giving Laurel Crest a magnificent skyline view of Columbia, by day and by night—as well as the joy of the beautiful constantly changing river scene. To God Be the Glory.
Contact Us FAQs Banyan Senior Living First Presbyterian Church