From the Historian - Ellen Kate Parker
Rev. Colin Lindsay
Colin Lindsay was an early preacher at the Galatia shelter. He was a popular leader in his native Scotland and in North Carolina. The story or legend of his birth has become part of the history of the Presbytery.
In the 1800’s, there was no embalming process when a person died. Colin’s mother died and was buried with her wedding ring on her finger. Grave robbery was common. The night after her burial, grave diggers went to the cemetery and dug up her body. They tried to cut the ring off her finger. It was her from her coma. She sat up and the robbers ran. She got up and went home.
Colin was born later...it has been rumored that when she really did die, her husband removed the ring from her finger...Colin was the son of a dead woman…
Colin Lindsay was an early preacher at the Galatia shelter. He was a popular leader in his native Scotland and in North Carolina. The story or legend of his birth has become part of the history of the Presbytery.
In the 1800’s, there was no embalming process when a person died. Colin’s mother died and was buried with her wedding ring on her finger. Grave robbery was common. The night after her burial, grave diggers went to the cemetery and dug up her body. They tried to cut the ring off her finger. It was her from her coma. She sat up and the robbers ran. She got up and went home.
Colin was born later...it has been rumored that when she really did die, her husband removed the ring from her finger...Colin was the son of a dead woman…
Peter Munroe
Joyce Monroe found an article from the 1972 "The Fayetteville Presbyterian" about the Peter Munroe Family. Peter Munroe built Galatia Presbyterian Church. The report is on the bulletin board in the Heritage Room.
Peter built the courthouse and jail in Montgomery County. He was really a builder of churches to include Pee Dee Presbyterian, Spring Hill Baptist, Montpelier Presbyterian (Wagram), Bethel Presbyterian (Raeford), Laurinburg Academy, and Sandy Grove Presbyterian. The last church he built was Galatia Presbyterian in 1862.
Peter was an elder and with wife Isabelle Cameron and had six sons and one daughter. Davidson College was the institution of choice for his family, which produced ministers and doctors who made a remarkable impact on our people.
Joyce Monroe found an article from the 1972 "The Fayetteville Presbyterian" about the Peter Munroe Family. Peter Munroe built Galatia Presbyterian Church. The report is on the bulletin board in the Heritage Room.
Peter built the courthouse and jail in Montgomery County. He was really a builder of churches to include Pee Dee Presbyterian, Spring Hill Baptist, Montpelier Presbyterian (Wagram), Bethel Presbyterian (Raeford), Laurinburg Academy, and Sandy Grove Presbyterian. The last church he built was Galatia Presbyterian in 1862.
Peter was an elder and with wife Isabelle Cameron and had six sons and one daughter. Davidson College was the institution of choice for his family, which produced ministers and doctors who made a remarkable impact on our people.
Rev. J.C. Sinclair - Galatia Pastor (Fall 1858 - Spring 1863)
The Reverend Sinclair was the last of the native Scotland preachers to serve in the Cape Fear region. He preached two sermons each Sunday, one in English and on in Gaelic. Large crowds would attend the services with the main interest in 'Gaelic Preaching". The influence of Galatia Church was recognized throughout the Presbytery. The Cape Fear region with Gaelic language preached sermons became known as "The Little Highlands of Scotland". Out of this connection to Scotland came the vigorous creed and high moral standards of the Presbyterian Church in America.
The second church building, the large white wooden building was erected by Peter Monroe, contractor, during the Sinclair time at Galatia. Construction time took one year and the material was kiln-dried and hand dressed on the church grounds. Peter, his brother Dougald, Daniel Graham, and Coolie and Sacks did the work.
After leaving Galatia, the Presbytery granted Rev. Sinclair a transfer to the Presbytery of the Island of Mull, Argyleshire, Scotland. The native Gaelic language was not heard from the pulpits in the area after his departure.
The Reverend Sinclair was the last of the native Scotland preachers to serve in the Cape Fear region. He preached two sermons each Sunday, one in English and on in Gaelic. Large crowds would attend the services with the main interest in 'Gaelic Preaching". The influence of Galatia Church was recognized throughout the Presbytery. The Cape Fear region with Gaelic language preached sermons became known as "The Little Highlands of Scotland". Out of this connection to Scotland came the vigorous creed and high moral standards of the Presbyterian Church in America.
The second church building, the large white wooden building was erected by Peter Monroe, contractor, during the Sinclair time at Galatia. Construction time took one year and the material was kiln-dried and hand dressed on the church grounds. Peter, his brother Dougald, Daniel Graham, and Coolie and Sacks did the work.
After leaving Galatia, the Presbytery granted Rev. Sinclair a transfer to the Presbytery of the Island of Mull, Argyleshire, Scotland. The native Gaelic language was not heard from the pulpits in the area after his departure.
If you have any information on the history or life of our church, and would be willing to share with the congregation, we would love to hear from you.
