The Hallsville Presbyterian Church had its beginning in 1882. At that time it was a Sunday School Outpost a the Blaylock School, about a mile from the present site. The Wilmington Presbytery Minutes for March 1882 reported that the Hallsville Sunday School gave $5.00 for World Missions. In 1883 it gave an additional $3.00 for World Missions.
In October 1895 the minutes of the Presbytery state that a committee had been appointed to organize a church at Hallsville, if the way was clear. In January 1895 the minutes staid that the commission did not see the way clear to do so.
January 18, 1886 a meeting at the 18 Church in Wilmington was held. The commission to organize (Wesley’s and) Hallsville visited both but did not organize. Both were to become preaching points under the care of Grove Church.
In April 1896 a Rev. John S. Wood was preaching at Hallsville Mission. He was followed by Rev. R.V. Lancaster and a candidate for the ministry named Robert Murphy Williams.
The Hallsville Church was organized on June 29, 1903. Twenty one members of the Grove Church constituting the Hallsville Mission were enrolled as members of the new church. S.Q. Middleton and Richard Miller were elected and installed as Ruling Elders. John Houston, deacon of the Grove Church was installed as a deacon. The Lords Supper was served.
Land for the church was given by Jones and Ellen Smith. It contained 7/8 of an acre and was given to the Trustees. The deed stated that the land that was given for the church be named Hallsville Presbyterian Church. Since that deed, land has been given to the church by Neal Smith.
Fire destroyed part of the early records, so there is no record of the Cheer Members. It is however, believed that the Trustees were all Charter Members.
Among the early ministers were Rev. L.E. Wells, Peter Mclntyre and Robert King.
The session records state that a meeting of the session on June 26, 1921 with Rev. G.W. Oldham, Moderator and J.L. Miller and J.H. Judge received Ralph Miller and Norwood Miller as members of the Hallsville Presbyterian Church.
A record of the Wilmington Presbytery on April 11, 1922 recorded for the church the following: Elders and Deacons-4, total membership-53 and Pastor salary-$120.00.
A Revival service was held from December 1, 1929 to December 8, 1929 by Rev. R.C. Clontz. Twenty-five members united with the Hallsville Presbyterian Church.
A Ladies Auxiliary was organized in 1930 by Mrs. W.P.M. Currie and the Pastor’s wife, Mrs. Frank L. Goodman. The group divided into three circles, one in the Judge area, one in the Miller area and one in the Grady area.
In November, 1939 the Rev. Frank L. Goodman presented his resignation. Rev. G.A. Wilson and Rev. Ben Rose supplied the pulpit and after a few months Rev. J.C. Morrison was called in December 1939.
Rev. Morrision was commissioned a Chaplain in the Armed Forces on September 20, 1941. A supply Pastor, Rev. Monroe Wickler immediately began serving the church. He too was called to active duty. He was lolled in action on November 8, 1942 in Africa. Other supply Ministers included Allen Craft and W.P. Baldly.
Rev. R.C. Clontz conducted a Revival and added eleven new members to the church. The women of the church purchased a new set of Pulpit furniture. This was in 1944. In 1946 me Women’s Auxiliary organized a young peoples Intermediate League.
In observance of the return of the pastor from active duty with the Armed Forces, Homecoming was observed in September to welcome back Rev. I.C. Morrison. The following year plans were formulated for an Educational Building. Rev. Morrison accepted a call from a church in West Virginia.
The next Pastor was Rev. J.T. Hayter who served until July l, 1954. He was followed by Rev. Stradford Snivels. In 1958 Rev. Snively submitted his resignation. Rev. Eugene Davis came to the church on October l, 1958 as a temporary supply. He was called into service in June 1959.
The new Manse was completed in June 1960. Rev. Richard Holshouser moved in to serve as Pastor of Hallsville and Grove Churches.
On April 24, 1962, Mrs. Julia R. Miller, the last remaining Charter member of the Hallsville Presbyterian Church died. In October 1962 Rev. Holshouser resigned and Rev. Richard Lomenack Jr. served as supply.
A milestone in the history of the church was reached in July, 1963 when the church called Rev. Clement Sydnor III as its Erst full-time Pastor.
In February 1964 a planning committee was formed to serve as a research team to bring before the session and the congregation concerning the need of the church for more room.
Choir robes were given to the church in memory of Mr. Jim Evans by his wife, Mrs. Lucy Evans.
On June 19, 1966 Rev. Jack Dail was installed as Minister of the church. A goal of $8 000.00 was set before actual construction was to begin on the educational building. By Christmas the building fund had reached $6,062.24 Soon after the goal set by the building committee had been reached, the Sunday school had been removed from the back of the church and a new Educational building had been started. It was expected to be completed by Christmas at a cost of $25,000.00. At that time the active membership
was 125.
In April 1968 J.W. Smith donated 9/10 of an acre to the church. All Sunday school classes were to be held in the new educational building by October 1, 1968. In February 1971 a review was made of members that were responsible for planning, construction and decorating the Educational building. The same committee
was reappointed to serve as planning for additional building to the church. Later that month the Chairman of the Planning Committee proposed that additional rooms be built on the manse, also to find a new water supply for the manse, fill dirt for the front yard and a rail be built on the front of the church. The cost was to be about $5,000.00.
New plans for a Church Sanctuary were presented and approved on October 4, 1973. At least $15,000.00 was to be in the building fund before the start of construction. This was approved by the Session and by the congregation at a Congregational meeting on October 21, 1973. As soon as the requirements were reached the old church was to be disposed of at once. Plans were made on ways to raise money for the new Sanctuary. During 1974 Rev. Art Crosswell came to pastor the church. He was there during the construction of the church. The new Sanctuary was ready for use by February 1975. Finishing touches were completed in May 1975.
A congregational meeting was held on July 11, 1976 and authorized the trustees to borrow $5,700.00 to be paid over a period of five years. The purpose of the loan was to be used for a present loan, choir furniture and other outstanding bills.
Art Crosswell resigned in 1978 to accept a position in Texas. In 1979 Madison Highfill was installed as our new minister. Hallsville was Matts second pastorate. To quote: Matt said “During my years at Beulaville there were no earth shaking events for the Hallsville Church but there were many such events in the lives of the individual members and families that made up the congregation. While I was there we celebrated and grieved together on many occasions. The funerals, weddings and the bin’s were among my most vivid memories.”
Two things stand out about Matt while at Hallsville Church, he often rode a moped and most important he met and married June Hicks, who at the time was pastor of the Pleasant View Presbyterian Church at Albertson, N.C.
Matt said it was difficult to leave Hallsville Presbyterian Church in 1986, when he received a call from a church in Lillington.
Powell Sykes came to the church in June of 1988. According to session records it was agreed to hook up to the Chinquapin water system soon after Rev. Sykes arrived.
During Rev. Sykes stay at Hallsville Presbyterian Church, a son was born to he and Kathy. Many good things happened during his stay at Hallsville Presbyterian Church. We remember the play he wrote, Where is Wisdom.
In April, 1994 the Hallsville Presbyterian Church sent a letter to the Grove Presbyterian Church in Kenansville thanking them for their help in the organization of our church and sharing Pastors until the early 1960s.
Rev. Powell Sykes received a call from a church in Burlington and left the Hallsville Presbyterian Church in August 1996.
From 1999-2000 Rev. Robert Sandercock served as Interim Pastor. He was indeed a blessing sent by God. Our church, Educational building and Manse were destroyed by the flood water from Hurricane Floyd in 1999. With help from Rev. Sandercock and the congregation some $187,579.79 was received from many sources for the reconstruction of the church.
Rev. Barbara A. Hedin was called and came in March 2000 to become our new Pastor. Earlier we had yoked with the Bethel Presbyterian Church, She would serve both churches. Many good things and new programs have been put in place such as Children’s Church, Presby Frogs and a great deal of participation with our members in our church services.
On June 29, 2003 we celebrated the church’s centennial (100 years) with worship and visits with former Ministers. After church services, everyone enjoyed lunch served by the congregation.
A contract was signed in September 2003 to place a steeple on the church using Memorial Funds received over the years . . . a fitting memorial to those whose faith and dedication allow us to worship God in this place today.
To God be the Glory!