Page 2 - SHCC Early History

Early History

The Snow Hill Christian Church began when 25 people
accepted Christ at an evangelistic meeting held in August,
1897. It is estimated 1500 were present at an outdoor
Sunday session held in the Snow Hill Park (west side of the
Pocomoke River, the south side of the present Salisbury
Road). The stadium was so crowded when W. J. Wright
preached, Willie Timmons (Mrs. D. M. Austin) found a seat
on the deck of the steamer “Pocomoke.”

Mr. P. D. West, a lay minister at Perryhawkins,
presided at baptismal services held at Dyton’s and
Purnell’s Mill Pond. Later his son, William, was one of the
24 ministers serving our Church in the last 80 years,
(1897-1977).

The congregation was organized in Purnell’s Hall on
September 5, 1897. This hall was owned by Dr. J. S.
Aydelotte and was located on the second floor of a building
on or near the corner of Bank and Green Streets. Here
Sunday School was held, and P. D. West preached as often as
possible. Capt C. C. Kensey was the first superintendent of
Sunday School.

The present church building was dedicated in August,
1899. It is located on a lot from the Burroughs tract. Mr.
James Burroughs lived in the house at the end of Park Row,
now occupied by Mrs. Ruth Timmons. It was the only house
north of Bay Street.

Isaac W. Pusey, Nathaniel J. Pusey, Angelo Harris,
Willard Pusey, Henry West, Edward Agnew, George J. Dryden,
and James A. Dorman were the first elders, deacons, and
trustees.

Willie Timmons (Mrs. D. M. Austin) and Emma Pusey (Mrs.
Sewell Riley) solicited money for the first communion set
which is now on exhibition in the vestibule. Nora Tull and
Elmer Pusey were the first couple married in the church.

Under the leadership of J. A. Hopkins, minister, the
mortgage on the church was burned at a tent meeting held by
J. W. West at Public Landing in 1909.