History of the Church

The Reverend John M. Sherwood was the pastor of Big Rockfish Presbyterian Church from 1868 until his death in January 1872.  During his time there, his vision was to have a Presbyterian Church in Gray's Creek.  Though it did not happen in time for Reverend Sherwood to see it, a church building was started in 1873, and the Fayetteville Presbytery petitioned, thus "officially" organizing the church on February 16, 1874.   Thirty members of the Big Rockfish church were dismissed to as to build the new Gray's Creek Church: Sherwood Presbyterian.

1927 brought tragedy to Sherwood's door when the church building was destroyed by fire.  Two chairs from the pulpit were all that remained. The congregation worshipped with Mt. Pisgah Baptist church for almost a year while the congregation looked for both a site and the funds with which to build a new building.  The land at the present site was given by a family in the church, and the proud church held its first service on March 18, 1928.  An educational annex was erected during the winter of 1928-1929. 

In 1950, the Home Missions  Committee recognized the need for the church to have a manse where a preacher might live as long as he was pastor of the church.  The Reverend Leighton McKeithen, Jr was the first minister to be ordained at Sherwood on May 6, 1951, and he and his family first lived in the new manse.

'53 and '54 saw much growth in the little Sherwood church, and it was decided that additional space was needed for classrooms.   Thus, an educational building, which contained four classrooms, a kitchen, a nursery, and a fellowship hall was built.  The vestible and the steeple were added around that same time, and a bell, given by Mr. Horace Clemmons, was installed.

In 1961, the church saw the need for a church cemetary, where beloved members of the church family could be buried.  A plot of land was given by Mr. and Mrs. Upton Tyson, and has been in use ever since.

The church has seen many changes: stained glass windows, bricking, painting, pew cushions, sound system, piano, and paving.  Much of the membership has remained constant through all of this, and the church has continued in faithful service since its founding so long ago.

In 2008, Sherwood again saw major change as it hired, not only its first female pastor, but the first in the Grays Creek area.  Today, Sherwood looks to a bright future together with  the Reverend Kim Justice.

We invite YOU to become part of our history!