Courtesy Photo

Midway Presbyterian Church started meeting in people’s homes in 1833, it’s first church was built in 1848 and construction began on the present building in 1896.

Midway Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary on Sunday with several events.

The Anderson County church, at 3238 Midway Road, will have a gathering in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. to greet visitors and recognize special visitors. Morning worship is at 11 a.m. and a fellowship lunch will follow immediately after the service.

The church was formed in July 1833, but had no building, according to a church history. Members met in homes.

“Often the preacher stood in the door of the dwelling, addressing a congregation scattered about the cleared ground,” according to the history. “Most often the men were armed in preparation for an Indian raid.”

The name Midway is believed to have stuck because the location was midway between Due West and Fort Prince George on the Keowee, which was the chief trading post of the Cherokees, according to the history. The points were about 25 miles from the community of Midway, which was “a convenient days’ travel for a packhorse from either point,” the history states.

By 1848, a building was erected on land now used for the church cemetery, according to the church history booklet. The present building was constructed in 1896, with construction lasting eight years.

Former and current members and anyone who is interested are invited. For more information, call (864) 226-1880 or visit www.midwaypres.org.