South Carolina H 4940: Congruity Presbyterian Church 150th anniversary

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4940 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 15, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4940

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE CONGRUITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) 
IN SUMTER ON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO WISH 
THE CHURCH CONTINUED SUCCESS AS IT SPREADS THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY 
ITS CALLED TO SERVE.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate 
Congruity Presbyterian Church (USA) on the occasion of its one hundred fiftieth 
anniversary which it celebrated in August 2025; and

Whereas, began by 
enslaved people who only were permitted to worship in the presence of their 
masters in the Concord Presbyterian Church of Sumter, Congruity Presbyterian 
was officially organized around 1875 under a brush harbor by Rev. W.R. Miller. 
These outstanding and strong laymen gave the organization a sound and durable 
foundation on which to build; and

Whereas, one of the 
rich heritages of the church has been its uplifting music ministry, a tradition 
that continues to this day. Leadership was another key component of the 
church's foundation. Under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Nelson, renovations were 
made to the second church to include restrooms, running water and a heating 
system. A homecoming program was started and continues annually the fourth 
Sunday in August; and

Whereas, in 1967 Rev. 
R.C. Johnson became pastor and a new modern brick structure was erected. His 
tenure also saw the installation of Flossie Benjamin and Pearl Pringle as the 
first female elders, paving the way for future women in the ministry; and

Whereas, Rev. L. Hill 
became pastor in 1975 to begin his ministerial career. His youthfulness 
contributed to the initiation of a number of youth activities including 
baseball and basketball leagues. The sanctuary was remodeled, and financial 
resources were put in place for construction of an educational building. Rev. 
Hill also began an ecumenical outreach to other religious denominations in the 
area; and

Whereas, seeing the 
need for greater educational involvement, an education building was constructed 
under the leadership of Rev. S. Morse, and a tutorial program known as Project 
Uplift was housed in the church's educational building with twenty-six senior 
high participants; and

Whereas, successive 
pastors continued such improvements as a paved parking lot, a pastor's study, 
an IBM computer system, the purchase of a passenger van, and stained glass 
windows. Under the tenure of Rev. A. Washington, the current supply pastor, the 
sanctuary and fellowship hall were renovated, a media technology room to house 
equipment and technology to broadcast weekly services was built, and a security 
system was installed; and

Whereas, with the 
commitment and the dedication of its members and the community, Congruity 
Presbyterian Church (USA) is well poised to continue playing a pivotal role in 
the spiritual, education, and civic life of Sumter County and beyond. Now, 
therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, congratulate Congruity Presbyterian Church (USA) on the 
occasion of its one hundred fiftieth anniversary and wish it continued success 
as it spreads the gospel throughout the community it is called to serve.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the pastor and members of 
Congruity Presbyterian Church (USA).

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This web page was last updated on January 15, 2026 at 11:11 AM