Church History

From a charter membership of 17 in 1886, Easley Presbyterian Church has grown to a membership of 841 with congregational contributions in 2011 nearing a million dollars. Our current dynamic pastor is Dr. William P. Seel who excels as a preacher, teacher and counselor.

At the organizational meeting on May 9, 1886, held in the Old Easley Academy (local all grade school), Reverend John R. Riley was installed as the first minister, W.W. Ford and C.T. Martin were elected elders, and W.A. Mauldin and J. McD. Bruce were elected deacons.

Places in Our History

Throughout its history the congregation of this church has worshipped in a total of four different buildings, all of which were located on the same site.

• The original church building was erected in 1887 on Church Street (now South First Street), on a lot donated by W. M. Hagood, Sr.
• A second church building constructed of brick veneer was erected in 1913 on the same location but closer to the street. Some years later a section housing the Sunday School rooms was built as a two story addition.
• Our third building was erected in 1954-55 in large part due to the generosity of Mrs. Gertrude Hagood Mathews. Mrs. Mathews, affectionately known as “Tooda,” not only was responsible for the church building, but she also unselfishly served the church in a variety of ways for more than half a century.
• On March 4, 1983, as plans were being made to add an educational wing to the existing facility, the sanctuary was destroyed by fire. The congregation met in the high school auditorium until a new sanctuary (larger but similar in design to the old sanctuary) and educational facilities, including a family life center, were constructed and dedicated on November 10, 1985.

Pastors of Easley Presbyterian Church

Pastors who have served the Easley Presbyterian Church are listed as follows: