David E. Frierson, of Harmony Presbytery, first preached here in Marion Courthouse in 1841. The church was organized in February 1852 with six charter members: Archibald and Margaret Carmichael or Little Pee Dee Church, Rebecca E. Frierson of Great Pee Dee Church, Sophia E. McIntyre of Hopewell Church, Duncan J. McDonald from Smyrna, North Carolina, and David Gibson from Dairy, Scotland.
The Rev. David E. Frierson came to Marion in the late 1840s and began meeting with the six charter members every two weeks. They met in the original Marion County Courthouse, designed by Robert Mills and located where the History and Archives building is today.
In 1850, Archibald McIntyre, husband of Sophia McIntyre, made it known he wanted to give land for the Sanctuary. Shortly after donating the land, he died in a carriage accident. The Sanctuary was built in 1851 and was ready for worship in February 1852.
The minutes of the Session indicate the difficulty experienced during the early years. Although the records show no entries during the “period of unpleasantness,” it can only be assumed the Session was unable to meet from 1861 through 1865. After the war, the people of the South tried to put their lives together again, and the church played an essential role in this effort.
The records move to 1926 when approximately 25 new members were accepted as members of the church. In 1952, the church celebrated its 100th year. Marion Church continued to prosper and enjoyed the increases in membership, and in the 1970s, a series of renovations began that reached into the 1980s.
Today, the remodeled interior houses a Flentrop organ purchased and installed during the renovation. Great care has been given to maintaining the original exterior, with this renovation creating the only change to the original exterior by extending the rear of the church to accommodate the organ and add facilities. The church family takes great pride in its rich heritage and has maintained a level of approximately 200 members for many years.
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