Smyrna Presbyterian Church, located 5 miles west of Newberry, was organized September 15, 1838 with 17 charter members. The first five in the following list were charter members of Aveleigh Presbyterian Church, organized in 1835: John Sr. and Mary Senn, Harriet Senn Coppock, David and Elizabeth Clary, George and Sarah Wilson Boozer, David and Caroline Sheppard Boozer, Elizabeth Boozer (widow of Henry Boozer of the Revolutionary War), Christina Senn, Nary Boozer, Pamelia Boozer Burton, Caroline Boozer, Mary Boozer Fair- bain, Sarah Boozer McKittrick, and Rebecca Boozer Hendrix.

Three acres of land wore given by Emmanuel and John Senn, Sr. for the church. While it was being built, services were held under an oak arbor. Rev. John McKittrick was the first Pastor. There have been thirty Ministers serving Smyrna under the Presbyterian Church, U.S. and three under the Presbyterian Church In America. Rev. John Ivy Boozer Boozer was a Commissioner to the notable General Assembly in Augusta, Ga. in 1861 when the Southern Presbyterian Church was formed. A continous pastorate has been kept, even during the War Between the States. In early days, many blacks sat in the back of the church, singing and taking communion.

A Session House was built beside the church and used as a nursery also. The manse was built in 1884 and in 1958, a brick residence was built. In 1916, a new sanctuary was added and the old one converted into Sunday School rooms and extra auditorium space

The church was completely destroyed by fire in January 1934. In four month's time, the present structure was dedicated debt-free. An additional educational building was added in 1958 and stained glass windows were installed in 1975.

 

Quite a few descendants of the charter members have gone into full-time service of the Lord in various denominations.

On March 21, 1982, by a unanimous vote of 110, the church chose to enter the Presbyterian Church In America. Smyrna was received into Calvary Presbytery on April 28, 1983. Then, on January 15, 1984, Rev. Gaynor Phillips was installed as the first Pastor in the P.C.A. The second pastor installed at Smyrna was Rev. Brian Wright. Our Current pastor is the Rev. Scott Hill.