February 2 Today in OPC History

On February 2, 1992, Covenant OPC in Charleston, South Carolina was received by the Presbytery of the South as a mission work of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The congregation was able to purchase a building for worship at a low cost from a Plymouth Brethren group that was disbanding.

Five months later the church was closed as the closing of a local military base caused the transfer of many of the members. Nevertheless, the Lord used those involved in the work in Charleston to help grow other churches. Ruling elder Mike Shields and his wife Cindy later became charter members of two different OPC churches: Covenant OPC in Salinas, California, and Covenant Reformed Presbyterian in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Mr. Shields now serves on the session in Mount Airy. Additionally, two men who served as pulpit supply for the Charleston group are now OPC ministers. The Rev. Robert Berry served in Fort Pierce, Florida for seventeen years before retiring and the Rev. Archie Allison is in Fort Collins, Colorado. The building that was purchased was re-sold for $80,000, which was given to help plant Sandy Springs OPC in Maryville, Tennessee.

Picture: Members of Covenant Church in February 1992.