04/02/2026
Mark your calendar!
Heritage Sunday at the Old Stone Church
Please join us for our annual Heritage Sunday service this year on May 3rd. This is a unique service held every year at the Old Stone Church, a structure that was our previous sanctuary, built during the period from 1787 to 1802. In the mid 1820’s our congregation moved to the current building in Pendleton where we have worshiped for the last 200 years.
Each year on Heritage Sunday we celebrate our Scottish heritage with a bagpiper and what’s known as a kirking ceremony. The word “kirking” means a “churching” or a “blessing.” It comes from the Scottish Gaelic word “kirk,” which means church. The Kirking Ceremony dates to 1559 and the founding of Presbyterianism in Scotland.
The National Church of Scotland - the denomination’s mother church – celebrates an annual worship service when civic leaders, clan chieftains, various dignitaries, and church officers are blessed by the kirk, or church, and re-dedicated to their positions of influence. I’ve heard a rumor that our Pendleton Mayor, Sarah Stowkowski, may be in attendance this year. In years past we’ve had various members of the town council; perhaps we can make that happen again this year as well.
This year’s service, on 5/3/26, will begin at 10:15 outside on the lawn in front of the Old Stone Church where we will gather and listen to the bagpiper playing. At approximately 10:50 those who wish to process into the sanctuary behind the piper will assemble. The processional order is as follows:
1) Piper
2) Beadle (person carrying the Bible)
3) Minister
4) Choir
5) Active Elders
6) Honored Guests
7) Congregation (those who would like to be part of the procession)
At 10:55 the piper will lead the procession into the sanctuary and continue playing until we are all in. The service will proceed in our usual order of worship with Deacon Brett Ownby leading us in worship. At the end of the service the piper will play “Amazing Grace” as a benediction response and will lead us all out. We will conclude the festivities with “dinner on the grounds”, good food and good fellowship.
For any newcomers that want to use GPS, the address is: 101 Stone Circle, Clemson SC 29631.
I hope everyone can join us for an amazing, inspiring and uplifting experience. Please invite family, friends and neighbors!
See you there-