INTRODUCTION

In the Historical Room of our church is a beautiful cabinet which holds mementos of the past for us.  The latest additions to these artifacts are thirteen volumes of collected history which have been collected and compiled over the years by faithful members.  Mrs. Claude Wheeler (Edith) was extremely faithful in her collections of all articles which she deemed to be of importance to the history of the church.  At her death, Mrs. Ed McFarland, Jr. (Doris) took over this valuable collection and began to sort and compile until she had everything in order.  The Presbyterian Women’s organization of Oxford Presbyterian purchased albums in which to display these important historical items.   On May 20, 2001, Doris dedicated these history albums to the church in memory of Edith Wheeler.  Each one has an engraved plaque on the front to indicate the noted time frame within its cover.  We are truly appreciative to Doris for the years of work in getting this project completed.  It will be forever treasured.

In 1993, Oxford Presbyterian Church celebrated its 175th Anniversary with much fanfare throughout the year.  During this time, a brief history was written and compiled into a small booklet for every member and other interested parties to have.

This booklet of an  abbreviated history of our church, bringing us up-to-date,  is taken from the volumes in the Historical Room, with some added information coming from the 1993 booklet, Session minutes, files and annual reports. It is written so that every member can have a copy to be able to know their church - its beginning, struggles, gains, losses and most of all, to realize how God has worked through this church to bring the lost unto Him and to exalt the name of Jesus Christ. There are references from the past that OPC is called a “friendly church”.  In recent years, we have heard the term “warm church” often used. May it ever be so.

I wish to thank all those to whom I gave sample copies to read and make their comments, suggestions for change, offer additions and deletions to this project.  After further scrutiny and changes of my own, this book is offered to you on behalf of the church family.  May your copy be a part of your library to share with family and friends.

Delores A. Johnson

Elder and Secretary of Oxford Presbyterian Church

INTRODUCTION

In the Historical Room of our church is a beautiful cabinet which holds mementos of the past for us.  The latest additions to these artifacts are thirteen volumes of collected history which have been collected and compiled over the years by faithful members.  Mrs. Claude Wheeler (Edith) was extremely faithful in her collections of all articles which she deemed to be of importance to the history of the church.  At her death, Mrs. Ed McFarland, Jr. (Doris) took over this valuable collection and began to sort and compile until she had everything in order.  The Presbyterian Women’s organization of Oxford Presbyterian purchased albums in which to display these important historical items.   On May 20, 2001, Doris dedicated these history albums to the church in memory of Edith Wheeler.  Each one has an engraved plaque on the front to indicate the noted time frame within its cover.  We are truly appreciative to Doris for the years of work in getting this project completed.  It will be forever treasured.

In 1993, Oxford Presbyterian Church celebrated its 175th Anniversary with much fanfare throughout the year.  During this time, a brief history was written and compiled into a small booklet for every member and other interested parties to have.

This booklet of an  abbreviated history of our church, bringing us up-to-date,  is taken from the volumes in the Historical Room, with some added information coming from the 1993 booklet, Session minutes, files and annual reports. It is written so that every member can have a copy to be able to know their church - its beginning, struggles, gains, losses and most of all, to realize how God has worked through this church to bring the lost unto Him and to exalt the name of Jesus Christ. There are references from the past that OPC is called a “friendly church”.  In recent years, we have heard the term “warm church” often used. May it ever be so.

I wish to thank all those to whom I gave sample copies to read and make their comments, suggestions for change, offer additions and deletions to this project.  After further scrutiny and changes of my own, this book is offered to you on behalf of the church family.  May your copy be a part of your library to share with family and friends.

Delores A. Johnson

Elder and Secretary of Oxford Presbyterian Church