The year 1968 marked the Sesquicentennial Celebration of our church. A celebration was held at the church on Sunday, September 22, 1968. The pastor during this celebration was the Reverend Thomas Tinsley Traynham. Dr. William I. Howell, Jr., who was then the Associate Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, preached the sermon at the church’s one hundred and fifty-year celebration. Elder Frank Bullock gave the welcome address and introduced Dr. Howell. Dr. Stuart Roscoe Oglesby, former pastor of this church was also present at this celebration. A picnic was held at the Oxford Woman’s Club across the street from the church with some 300 members and guests in attendance. This year also marked the first woman of the church being ordained as a deacon - Mrs. Rebekah Jennings.
During this same year, Elder Mrs. Doris P. McFarland, chairperson and a committee with authorization of Session, established the “Memorial Fund”. Elder Miss Hazel Currin served as treasurer of this fund for thirty years.
The church continued its worship and growth during 1969 and 1970. On February 1, 1970, the Reverend Traynham resigned to accept a call to become pastor of Pryor Presbyterian Church in Crewe, Virginia. He had served the Oxford Presbyterian Church since June 20, 1954.
History records the Traynham Family’s leaving:
“On February 8, the last service was conducted by the Reverend Traynham as pastor of this church. Mr. and Mrs. Traynham and their infant son, Thomas McIllwaine, arrived in Oxford on June 20, 1954. The Reverend Traynham remained as pastor of this church for fifteen years, six months, and twenty-four days. During their years here, two children - Randolph Demunds and Lucy Sydnor, were born to them. On February 13, Mrs Traynham and “Mac” left for Crewe, Virginia, in the morning and the Reverend Traynham, Randy and Lucy left in the afternoon after
school. Thus ended his pastorate at the Oxford Presbyterian Church.” A pulpit committee was elected as follows:Elder R.S. Bradsher, Sr., - Chairman, Wilson S. Comer, James L. Catlett, Miss Maggie Person, Mrs. E.H. McFarland, Jr., and Miss Sondra Howard. On September 27, a call was made to the Reverend William Massey, Jr. of Charlotte, NC. He did not accept this call. The Oxford Presbyterian Church was without a pastor for a period of a little more than nineteen months. The Sunday School program during 1970 consisted of an enrollment of 157 with an average attendance of 70 each week.
Also during 1970, the old manse beside the church was removed. The deacons bargained to have the manse demolished. A local man paid $300.00 for the house with the agreement that he would tear down and remove the house from the site and clean the premises. The old manse had last been used in 1953. Also during 1970, Elder and Mrs. C.F. Wildman, who had recently purchased the property adjoining the church property, deeded a strip of land between their property and the church as a gift. This allowed access to the back of the church without trespassing on the property of others.
The church history for 1971 began with an expression of gratitude to Elder and Mrs. Robert J. Davis, who were “God’s instruments in bringing people and pastor together.” The pastor being referred to was the Reverend Norman Martin MacDowell who became our 35th pastor. The Davises met the Reverend MacDowell in Salisbury after the death of Mrs. Davis’ father. Mr. MacDowell was the Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, North Carolina at this time. The Davises were so impressed with the Reverend MacDowell that Mr. Davis suggested to the Session that he be asked to preach at our church on August 15, 1971. The MacDowells spent the week-end with Robert and Bonnie Davis and on Sunday morning, “ a large and eager congregation assembled for the morning worship and were attentive to the spirit filled message.” On September 5, 1971, a congregational meeting was held and by a unanimous vote, a motion was passed to extend a call to the Reverend Norman M. MacDowell to become pastor of the Oxford Presbyterian Church. Mr. MacDowell preached as the pastor of our church, September 20 and was installed as our pastor on October 31, 1971.
On October 17, 1971, the Reverend MacDowell was received during the meeting of Granville Presbytery at First Presbyterian Church in Henderson. Elder Edward H. McFarland, Jr., represented the congregation. This was the last meeting of Granville Presbytery. As of January 1, 1972, Granville became part of Orange Presbytery. It is interesting to note that the Granville Presbytery held its first and last meeting at the First Presbyterian Church in Henderson.
The Memorial Fund was established in December of 1971 to be used as a source for collection of monies donated in memory of loved ones.
On April 25, 1972, the new Orange Presbytery convened in First Presbyterian Church in Durham. We remained in Orange Presbytery until 1989 when a new Presbytery was formed after the northern and southern churches were united. It was named the Presbytery of New Hope and the Reverend Alfred Thomas was named Stated Clerk.
The present pulpit Bible was given in memory of Ward Boring, Elder Emeritus by Mrs. J. Ward Boring in 1973. On April 4, 1973, a large cathedral size cabinet was placed in the historical room, a gift from Mrs. Claude C. Wheeler, in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Howell. The cabinet is made of wood from the former pipe organ, designed by Mrs. Wheeler and built by Mr. Ira I. Miller, a local craftsman. It is used to store memorabilia, historical records and data of our heritage. The deacon’s bench in the Ladies’ Parlor was given by the Reverend Robert M. Cochran, retired minister of Granville County Presbyterian churches (Geneva, Oak Hill, Hebron and Grassy Creek) on September 25, 1977. The bench was made by the Reverend Cochran from a pew formerly used in the Old Goshen Chapel, Presbyterian Mission Church from 1922 - 1973. (The “Ladies’ Parlor” became known as the “Historical Room” in 1973 as granted by the Session). Also in 1973, the Karastan rug in that room was given by Mrs. Nathaniel Ellis Cannady (nee Ora Wootteon, of Fairport, Northumberland County, Virginia.)
In this same year, Miriam MacDowell (Mrs. Norman) began her music ministry in this church by organizing a children’s choir of kindergarten age. She became the full time organist in 1975 and soon thereafter, the Director of the Adult Choir. Until her retirement in 1997, she provided the music for all worship services, as well as, holidays and special services.
In 1976, the two pulpit Bibles were bound and restored by Mr. Mike Jacobs. This expense was paid for by the Women of the Church.
In November of 1978, the Session set up a trust fund which was authorized by resolution and established in the name of the Gifts and Bequests Fund. The purpose of these funds which is accumulated by the stewardship of gifts over and beyond regular giving to the church budget, are to be used for (a) improvements, major maintenance, additions to the church property, and (b) provide for securing the services of outstanding Christian speakers to conduct special preaching, teaching, and lecture services to enrich the spiritual life, rekindle the faith and promote evangelism in the congregation, under the sponsorship of the Oxford Presbyterian Church.
An honorary life membership into the Women of the Church was bestowed to Mrs. Edith Wheeler during the worship service of April 3, 1983.
On September 9, 1984, a special tribute to Lucy Taylor Baird was presented by Mrs. Edith Wheeler during the morning worship service.
The Oxford Presbyterian Church worshiped under the direction of the Reverend Norman MacDowell until he retired in June of 1986. The Reverend Victor Scott, from Durham, was our main supply minister during the year the church was without a pastor. Mr. Scott served our church from October 12, 1986 until October 4, 1987, with the exception of seven Sundays.
According to church records, it was in 1986 that the Christmas Joy Gift Offering became a part of the annual Christmas pageants and plays. At these events, the Joy Gift offering was received as the recipients of the offering were explained. Following the plays, a supper would be served in the Fellowship Hall. In 1990, the beginning of a “lasagna supper” was enjoyed by all for several years. However, over time, the menu has changed.
In 1987, a new concept in the ministry of our church came about. Co-Pastors were called to be our ministers. The Reverends Philip Walker Butin and Janet Bohlander Butin held their first worship service in the Oxford Presbyterian Church on October 11, 1987. On November 22, 1987, the Reverends Butin were ordained and installed. The sanctuary was filled for this occasion. A reception followed the Ordination/Installation Service in the Fellowship Hall. When the co-pastors were called, the Nominating Committee proposed to Granville Presbytery that we give our permission to allow the Butins to serve the Nutbush Presbyterian Church in Townsville located in Vance County, NC. The Presbytery was very grateful to this congregation for this action.
On April 24, 1988, a Lifetime Membership from the Women of the Church was presented to Mrs. Mary Frances McSwain with a reception following the worship ceremony.
In the Summer of 1988, the congregation elected not to have a Board of Deacons and to organize the Session with nine elders. This arrangement took effect on October 30 with the ordination and installation of the new elders. The Diaconate held their last meeting in October.
On May 2, 1989, Articles of Incorporation were signed by the Secretary of the State incorporating our church as Oxford Presbyterian Church, Oxford, North Carolina, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Articles of Incorporation were recorded in the Register of Deeds office of Granville County, North Carolina.
In 1990, our church began two yearly events that led in directly to one thing that we Presbyterians like to do --- eat! This was the first year of our “Lenten Soup Suppers” which preceded the Lenten Bible Studies, and our “Lasagna Dinners” following the Joy Gift Christmas Program.
As Session Minutes record, all committees were active and events went smoothly. During
the year, two members were added to the roll; four members lost by death and one by certificate of transfer; one infant baptism, and one marriage.
In May of 1991, new carpet was installed in the Assembly Room (now referred to as the Fellowship Hall). During this year, a tape ministry was begun; another committee was added to the roster, bringing the number of elders from nine to ten; the Youth Group was organized and led by John and Tonya Dunning; the Sunday School collections were channeled through Missions.
Our church continued in its growth and ministry with the Reverends Phil and Jan Butin as co-pastors. Through the years we continued to worship God through the Lenten Services, Maundy Thursday Communion Services, All-Church Retreats, and worship services at Presbyterian Point, Sunday School Openings, Sunday School classes, and a revitalized Vacation Bible School program.
In April of 1992, Joyce Doughty of Henderson, was hired as secretary to work twelve hours per week. She continued in this position for two years.
1993 marked our 175th Anniversary year. Many special events were planned throughout the year to help mark this historical occasion of our church. In January, we began a five minute review of our history at the morning worship services. Members of the church reviewed the 25 year intervals of history. Those participating were: Elder Rebekah Jennings, Mr. John Beach, Mrs. Diane Craig, Mrs. Lucy Floyd Baird, Elder Arial Stephens, Elder Doris McFarland, and Mrs. Cynthia Twisdale. A pencil sketch of the three churches, drawn by Allen Wilson of Henderson, NC and Vance-Granville Community College, was presented to the church in January of ‘93.
In February, our first Church Pictorial Directory was made. The Reverend Norman M. MacDowell was named pastor emeritus of Oxford Presbyterian Church in March.
In April, the congregation met at Grassy Creek Presbyterian Church in Stovall for a worship service and a picnic bag supper on the lawn. Grassy Creek was our mother church. An organ recital celebrating our anniversary was held in May. David A. Arcus of Duke Chapel in Durham was the organist. A reception followed the recital.
Our present church building was 100 years old on July 4, 1993. A picture of the 1830 church given to us by Mrs. Irene S. Branch and her family of Redlands, California, was unveiled. The picture was painted by Mrs. Branch’s grandmother, Mary Anderson Duty (Davis) when she was nine years old in 1835.
In August of 1993, our co-pastors, the Reverends Phil and Jan Butin, announced to the congregation that they would be leaving our church so that the Rev. Dr. Philip W. Butin could accept a call to the Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Butins served the church for six years. While here, two children were born - Matthew Walker and Kristen Elizabeth Butin.
In September, OPC celebrated it’s 175th anniversary with a special worship service on Sunday morning, the 26th at 11 o’clock. All former members and ministers were invited to attend. Elder, Mrs. Doris P. McFarland, chair of the Steering Committee, welcomed guests, former members, and the Peace College Inner Choir, as well as Price H. Gwynn III, Elder and former moderator of the General Assembly, as the guest speaker. Others were the Reverends Jim McChesney, Thomas Traynham, Norman MacDowell and Philip Butin and Jan Butin, current pastors. Following the service, a luncheon was served across the street at the Oxford Woman’s Club. Cookbooks and Christmas cards were offered for sale as a part of the celebration.
The Reverend Jan Butin left for Albuquerque, New Mexico in November of 1993, joining Phil, who left in October. In December, the Reverend Richard Hildebrandt was called as interim pastor. He was recently retired from Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hildebrandt served this church for twenty-two months, commuting from his home in Hillsborough four days per week.
Another highlight in the life of this church in 1993 was the honor bestowed on one of our cherished members - Mrs. Eben G. (Mary Frances) McSwain, elder. She was the recipient of the Zoulean Anderson Award for Distinguished Bible Teaching. Letters of nomination were written to the Church College Council of Montreat-Anderson College, USA, Montreat, NC, by Dr. Phillip Butin and elders Doris P.McFarland and Ellen Gould. On October 24, Mr. L. Everett Vincent, director of Church and Community Relations office of Montreat-Anderson College came to this church to present the award to Mrs. McSwain during the morning worship service. A reception was held in her honor following the service, at which time family, friends and guests paid tribute to her.