Church History

Reid Memorial can trace its roots back to 1879 when a community Sunday school and Church building was completed to serve the small Summerville population.

Not affiliated with the Presbyterian Church at that time, the fledgling community church had Wednesday evening services with emphasis on the religious training of the young people. These services were led by visiting ministers and speakers and several Bible study groups, which were sometimes called "Praying Societies."

The Reid Memorial

In January 1914, 46 charter members, plus a number of children, stood together and sang "How Firm a Foundation," a beloved old hymn which must have served as a good omen for the stalwart and progressive church. A congregation was formed and the group affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The land for the new church was donated by Robert Alexander Reid and his will stipulated the name "The Reid Memorial." The church was to be used as a missionary field in Summerville under care of the pastor and Session of the downtown First Presbyterian Church. The white marble marker from this first building is now in the narthex and bears this inscription, "Sacred to the memory of Robert Alexander Reid who died July 4, 1876 and of his wife Eleanora Louise Reid, 1813-1866. This church is a monument to their Christian charity."

By June 1914, a minister, the Rev. S.L. McCarty was called, The Reid Meorial Church began services in September.

New Church Built

In the early 1950s while Dr. Massey Mott Heltzel was pastor, the membership had climbed to more than 500. When it became necessary to have two services on Sunday morning, the officers and congregation voted to tear down the little church and replace it with a more modern and larger structure.

The new building was dedicated on November 6, 1955 with Dr. J. McDowell Richards, Moderator of the General Assembly, as the speaker. The new educational building in the rear was completed in 1961.

During those days, then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie, attended Reid Memorial during the winters and President Eisenhower laid the cornerstone for the new building in April 1954. The Redemption Window under the balcony is dedicated to the late President and a plaque in his memory is located on the left-hand side walking in, the sixth pew, where the Eisenhower family always sat.

The Fuqua Center

The Alan Fuqua Center, the large yellow house next to the church was built in 1848, and was known then as "Montrose." Owned by the family and descendents of Dr. Charles Jones, a widely known historian and author, Montrose was donated to Reid Memorial by Mr. And Mrs. J.B. Fuqua in memory of their son Alan in 1973.

The house was donated for youth activities and is now used by Young Life of Augusta, multiple Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, Junior and Senior High Youth Classes and activities as well as weddings, receptions and other social activities.

Significant Symbols

A number of significant symbols are found in the Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church main worship areas.

At the outside main entrance above the door is the iconography symbol, "Lux Lucet in Tenebris", "The Light shines in the darkness". There is an iconography symbol immediately above: the oil lamp, the star and the dove. The dove is mounted on a nimbus or halo, which is a type of Trinitarian symbol of the dove. It represents peace. The entire symbol is tied together with olive branches which also are symbols of peace.

The main church window directly above the narthex is Gothic in style and flanked by two small buttresses. When you enter, you are in the narthex. The three doors in front lead to the sanctuary. The center door is the ceremonial door and the two others are used when traffic demands.

The nave is the main part of the sanctuary, the place for the assembly of the people. The nave has three aisles. The left and right aisles support a clerestory which is decorated with five sets of stained glass windows on either side. These windows are set in lead and are thematic.

At eye level, the theme is memorable persons of the Old Testament; Noah, Ruth and Naomi, Joseph, Hannah and Samuel, David and Jonathan, Solomon, Job, and Jeptha's Daughter.

The higher set focuses on Jesus, his childhood, start of ministry, public ministry, parables, healing ministry, miracles, ministry and miracles of Christ's disciples.

The stained glass windows of the chancel, behind the choir and ministers, illustrate sections of two major canticles of praise from the early church. The windows must be read as a unit from left to right across all four. The top part of each individual section deals with the phrases of the Te Deum which exhort various specific groups to praise the Lord: The apostles, the martyrs, the prophets, etc. Within the windows toward the bottom of the entire panoply may be seen the words of the benediction which exhorts "everything that hath breath" to praise the Lord.

The stained glass windows high in the transept area of the sanctuary on the right and left feature leaders, great persons and events of the Protestant Reformation.

The facade window, behind the balcony, is in honor of President Eisenhower and is called the Redemption Window. The left lancet's theme is Old Testament prototypes. The lancet window, left of center, is the Promise Fulfilled. Center lancet is the Passion of Our Lord. Lancet to right of center is post-crucifixion events, Right lancet is the On-Going Church.

The Chapel area serves as a place for personal meditation and prayer and as a children's chapel for the preschool. The chancel window, whose theme is prayer, and at the opposite end of the Chapel, is the church universal which is the Rose Window depicting the Lamb of God as the hub. Around the Rose Window you see the symbols of our church heritage. The five Nave windows have individual themes - Christian Service, Christian Education, Missions, Marriage, and Immortality.

Your attention is also called to the furnishings and the chancel rails. Symbols from the Bible are used on all of these. For detailed information, please refer to the booklet, "the Symbolism of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Georgia" available in the church office.

Major Renovation

On Sunday, September 10, 2000, the Session unveiled plans to renovate our sanctuary and organ. This was an exciting moment in the life of Reid Memorial. The congregation voted to support a $3,640,000 capital campaign to finance the project, which had been in the planning stages for more than three years and involved the creative ideas and talents of a "dream team" of architects, engineers, liturgical and organ design consultants and a significant number of members from the congregation.

The capital campaign was chaired by William S. Morris IV, who was supported by a team comprised of almost a quarter of the congregation.

A key component in the renovation was a custom rebuilt organ with 3,383 pipes that is the focal point of the sanctuary. It is very exciting news that the cost of the new organ up to $700,000 was graciously committed by the Charles J. Goodwin family in memory of Thomas Wright Goodwin, M.D., Elder Emeritus.

"This was an incredible donation from the Goodwin family that will enrich all of our lives in the future," commented Mr. Morris.

The renovation of our sanctuary not only improved heating, lighting and air conditioning systems, but also improved the acoustics so our organ, choirs and congregation sound better. It also dramatically beautified our worship space.

The original sanctuary was a blend of Gothic and 1950s influences. The renovated sanctuary feels both more classic and more modern at the same time. Our renovated sanctuary brings much joy to our household of faith and to the many people who visit. It is a "legacy" Â for our Lord, our children, and future generations of worshippers.