David's Episcopal Church, less than a mile from Christ Church, was opened in 1803 by Parson Charles Pettigrew. The history of Christ Church Creswell is linked inextricably with Saint David's Church, often referred to in it's early years as Pettigrew's Chapel. Christ Church came into being because of a muddy road and the wishes of the majority of the parishioners to worship within the town of Cresw
ell. Today you can drive from Christ Church to Saint David's in just about three minutes but in the late 1890's this wasn't the case. Creswell was growing and it was thought that a church within the town would increase attendance and help the parish to prosper. There was some opposition to this move and Mr. Dempsey Spruill even offered to cover the expense of constructing a paved road from Creswell to Saint David's if the parishioners would abandon the effort to build the new church. This effort failed and on May 20, 1897 there was a call meeting of the vestry which decided to build a church within the town. A lot was secured and under the supervision of Mr. Swain the cornerstone was laid and construction began in 1898. In a pouring rain the cornerstone was dedicated by Bishop A. Watson who charged the parishioners "not to forget old Saint David's". It is interesting to note that this first Bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina was confirmed and ordained priest at the rail of Saint David's. In 1901 Bishop Watson consecrated the new structure as Christ Church, Saint David's Parish. A few years later Mr. Swain also constructed a new building for Saint Andrews Church (a mission of Saint David's) in Columbia and the architectural details are very similar. Spruill lost his campaign against the new church, he never lost his love for Saint David's. In 1918 he donated $2000 so that the old church's interior could be renovated and as a consequence, services were held there during the summer months. In 1922 Rev. Charles Williams came to the parish as resident minister and was ordained at the rail of Christ Church. He began a mission in the old hospital at Somerset Place Plantation on the shores of Lake Phelps. In 1923 Mrs. Annie Sheppard Graham donated the funds necessary to build a chapel and in 1924 Galilee Mission was completed and continues to function to this day, alternating services with Christ Church. Though more than a century has passed Christ Church has never forgotten Bishop Watson's charge for Saint David's. The old church is still beautifully maintained and scheduled services are held there at Easter and at Christmas Eve. Today's small congregation at Christ Church consists largely of descendants of the parishioners from Saint David's, Galilee Mission, and the very earliest years of Christ Church itself.
