1976 Old Brick Church (Ebenezer ARP)

This church building, erected in 1788, was first called Little River and afterwards, Ebenezer, but for many years has been known as the Brick Church. The exact date of organization is unknown. Before the Revolutionary War, a log church stood two miles west of the present location. When this church building was erected in 1788, the location was changed to accommodate the people who lived on the east side of Little River. The granite wall around the church and graveyard was erected in 1852.

The first pastor, so far as we know, was Rev. James Rogers, installed February 23, 1791, who came from Scotland and served until his death in 1830. He was followed by Rev. James Boyce, 1832-1843; Rev. Thomas Ketchin, 1844-1852; Rev. C. B. Betts, 1855-69. During the period 1791-1865, the Brick Church was a large and flourishing congregation. Following the War Between the States, the church declined and was without a regular pastor until reorganized in 1893 under the leadership of Rev. A. G. Kirkpatrick, who was pastor until 1899. Presbytery arranged for subsequent supplies, but after a few years, the congregation passed out of existence without any formal dissolution.

... Only a mile from the Anderson Quarry stands the Old Brick Church, originally known as the Little River Church. In it, on May 9th, 1803 a great denomination, The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, was born. On the facing of one of its doors some sixty years later, a Yankee soldier wrote his famous apology to the Confederates, still legible:

Perhaps, the most fascinating feature of a visit to this historic old church is the stone fence around the graveyard and the ancient sarcophagi and memorials and, for our purpose more especially the granite foundation and the original stone steps of the side entrance. The fence is built of granite ashlars, giving to the visitor the impression of their great abundance, as if they were not only the best material for the purpose, but also the least expensive. The steps are of local stone, moss covered and iron stained. ...

The Associate Reformed Synod of the Carolinas was organized at Mr. Robers' church, Ebenezer, May 9, 1803, and Mr. Roger [sic] was the moderator of the meeting, and he was also moderator ..."

James Rogers, a native of county Monaghan, Ireland, but a graduate of the University of Glascow [sic], and educated in theology in Scotland, became pastor of Ebenezer Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (the Brick Church) in 1791. ... James Boyce, D.D., succeeded James Rogers at the Brick Church. ...

On the night of February 19, [Major General H. W.] Slocum [commanding the left wing] wrote to Sherman:--"... Tomorrow night the Fourteenth Corps [commanded by Major General Jeff C. Davis (under Slocum)] will be at Ebeneser [sic] Meeting House, on Little River; ..."