Church of Incarnation Was Organized In 1894

(Published in The Franklin Press, 6 March 1958)

By Mrs Helen Thornton

With genuine pleasure I've searched among my papers and records to find an interesting and authentic store of information. Macon County, formed in 1828, (one hundred and thirty years ago) has from the beginning shown a singularly religious trend in its way of life. Franklin, our county seat, was an early Cherokee Indian trading post in the early 1800's significantly named "Nikwasi" which translates to English as "Sacred Town." The present name "Franklin" was given it in 1821 in honor of Jesse Franklin, governor of North Carolina in 1821.

A Log House

The first place of worship that I know of in Highlands Township was a small log house out on the road now known as Highway 106, and about six miles from Highlands at Salt Rock Gap on the Dillard, Ga road. This building later burned down, but it was here, in this humble little pioneer log building, according to records left by my grandfather, the late S W Hill, who was the first mayor of Highlands, that the early pioneers came for worship. That was, of course, not often since they were dependent upon a circuit rider or a traveling preacher. I have looked over the site and under the leaves and debris of the past century discovered the chimney rocks left to mark the place where the fireplace stood.

The Church of the Incarnation in Highlands was organized in 1894 under the presiding bishop of North Carolina, Bishop Joseph B Chesire, of Asheville. Surounded by native rhododendron and laurel, the quaint little church with its high-ridged roof and circular belfry gives the visitor to Highlands the feeling that it might have been moved intact from some rural village in old England and placed here. It is constructed of sturdy mountain timber that has withstood the snows, rains, and winds of more than half a century. Heavy 30-foot beams cross in the center of the church to support its high roof. The inside finish and altar furnishings are all of native woods; chestnut and tulip poplar. The furnishings and baptismal font were made and carved by the late archbishop of Negro work in Franklin, James T Kennedy.

First Missionary

However, long before our church was really organized the Rev John A Deal came to Macon county in the late 1870's to be the first Episcopal missionary in this section. Mr Deal held his first service here on Oct 30, 1879, in a small building used as a school house and a church located on the ground where the First Baptist Church now stands. He drove many miles over bad mountain roads with a horse and buggy, all the way from Murphy to Cashiers, holding his regular appointments faithfully.

In his work here he was supported by a small group of Episcolpalians, which included Dr H T O'Farrell, David Norton, Jeremiah Pierson, and Tudor T Hall. It was Mr Hall who gave the lot on which our church stands, and the massive stone steps at the entrance were given by Jeremiah Pierson.

Bids Invited

In 1895 bids were invited for the building of the present church and W B McGuire, of Franklin, being the only bidder, was given the contract. The cost was $2,032.81. Mr McGuire turned the contract over to my uncle, Joseph E McGuire, who finished constructing the church and it was consecrated in August, 1896, by Bishop Cheshire.

The bell in the church belfry was given by Miss Alicia Trapier, of Charleston, SC, and bears the inscription, "Ring it out among the hills, the Lord is King". Tudor T Hall, hearing that Christ Church of Greenville, SC, was replacing their kerosene chandeliers with gas fixtures, and knowing the beauty of the older chandeliers, arranged with Christ Church to obtain them and he, with J H Murdoch, presented them to our church. The have since been wired for electricity, which eliminates the necessity which the early church members had of taking a step-ladder, climbing up and filling the lamps with kerosene, all 26 of them, besides trimming the wicks and cleaning the chimneys!

Well Supplied

The church has been well supplied with all the necesseties for worship through the gifts of many faithful members, and the constant work of the members of the Altar Guild and the Woman's Auxilliary.

In 1954, the members built an addition to the church to provide additional seating capacity for the church itself, and a Fellowship Hall for the social affairs of the church together with a modern, well-equipped kitchen.

Early in 1857, the church became a parish, this status signifying that the congregation is entirely, self-supporting financially and also makes a contribution to the work of the Episcopal church in Diocese of Western Carolina, of which it is a part, and in the world.

From such a small beginning - 10 people at a service in a school house in 1879 - how gratifying and inspiring a growth!

Ministers' Listed

Here is a list of the ministers who have served the church:

John A Deal, 1879-1907; Alfred S Lawrence, 1907-1909; John H Crosby, 1912-1913; John H Griffith, archdeacon (at intervals); Oscar S Michael, 1924-1925; Norvin C Duncan, 1931-1933; Frank Bloxham, 1934-1940; A Rufus Morgan, 1940-1955; Dr Herbert Koepp-Baker. 1955-.

The present vestry of the church is Tudar N Hall, rector's warden, and James H Howe, people's warden.

(transcribed January 14, 2006)