A few weeks ago I was discussing issues coming before the General Assembly with friends from around the country. We all agreed there were more than a few “hot topics” for the commissioners to debate. Someone brought up how amazed they were by the number of overtures petitioning the Assembly to keep the Montreat Historical Society open. There was laughter as he pointed out what an important issue it was.
I have to admit I was shocked. I thought everyone knew how special the Montreat Historical Society was, how much it meant, how important it was to inspire denominational loyalty. But I realized I was only one of two southerners in the conversation. The two of us began protesting that keeping open the Montreat Historical Society was indeed important, even crucial to the Presbyterian Church(U.S.A.). A friend then kindly said, “We don’t get it. Please explain why this is important to the rest of the church. We want to understand the passion and the pain this decision is arousing.” So I am writing this to try and convey why keeping the Montreat Historical Society open is important to so many people and to the future of the PC(USA).
I am a lifelong Presbyterian. I was baptized at First Church in Lancaster, S.C., and my first memory is of going to church there. Being a Presbyterian is a part of who I am and, like so many others who grew up in the south, Montreat helped form my image of what Presbyterianism was. The other great influence was Presbyterian Women — their dedication, faith, and selflessness made a vivid impression upon me. My first awareness of the Historical Society occurred when an older woman at a conference in Montreat pointed at the building with pride and said “That’s where the ladies keep all their records.” Surely few places could have been more sacred after such a description! Throughout the years, each time I attend a conference, it never fails that some lady will point out with pride the building that houses the records of PW. I cannot imagine how these ladies would feel if this tangible reminder of their service and sacrifice were forever removed.
In this age of eroding denominational loyalty, we cannot disband the very things that connect us to one another. We cannot take away the landmarks that remind us that we are part of a larger church. The decision to close Montreat Historical Society did not consider the true cost. Many churches’ records are housed there as well as much material on missions. This wonderful testimony to our Presbyterian heritage was readily accessible to the many people who came to conferences in Montreat. This made the history more alive and vibrant. Even if most of the countless youth who come to Montreat don’t visit the building, they do learn that a vital part of who they are as a people of God is preserved and protected there. What would this lack of connection ultimately cost the next generation of Presbyterians?
I have used the Historical Society many times; let me share one example. A few years ago the church I served celebrated its 250th anniversary. The history major in me was so excited and I took my family to Montreat so I could do some research. We had a blissful day. It was late spring and my boys, then ages 6 and 3, played on the playground and jumped on rocks in the creek. My husband and I relaxed by the creek as the boys hunted water bugs. I then went to the Historical Society in search of a pulpit the first pastor at my church used. After I found it, I brought the boys in to see it. I was able to tell them about the Reverend James Hall, a patriot in the Revolution, Moderator of General Assembly, and devoted pastor who grew up in the town where they lived.
All down the mountain we talked about the American Revolution and our Presbyterian forebears. My boys learned about John Witherspoon and the Presbyterian churches in which their ancestors served and where they were buried. Finally my exhausted boys drifted off to sleep, but my older uttered these groggy words, “I sure am thankful to God that we are Presbyterians.” I too thank God that my boys appreciate being Presbyterian, and the Montreat Historical Society is partially responsible for that.
In an age of membership loss let’s not close something that can inspire other generations to love our denomination without exploring every possible option.
Tracie Mayes Stewart is a parish associate for Christian Education at First Church in Statesville, N.C.
