For years one of the most special times of the year for me was late spring. It means Homecoming at Duncan’s Creek Church. We called it homecoming, but more often than not we referred to it as “4th Sunday in May” reflecting the date when it is help annually. I remember as a child that there was no room to sit in the church. Service began at 10 and went until noon. It was one of the few times we did not have Sunday School. The morning was filled with a variety of Hymns and Special songs separated by prayers and reading the names of those church members who had passed in the previous year. People and families would return on this day annually to revisit the church that had influenced them or their family.

One of the more unique parts of the morning was when we went to the cemetery. Usually about 45 minutes into the service the meeting recessed and all that were physically able walked to the cemetery. Led by the choir director we would sing “When the Roll is Called up Yonder” and a prayer would be offered. When I was young maybe one or two cars would pass down Highway 124 while we were singing and I wondered why those people were not in church or how anyone in the world didn’t know about “4th Sunday in May.” These days the roar of automobiles can almost drown out the heavenward tones as they speed past during the song in the cemetery.

Next, the congregation would return to the sanctuary and complete the service. The morning services was concluded with a sermon delivered by the current pastor. As a kid, this was the longest part. Not that I was bored by the pastor, but my mind and stomach was thinking heavily about what happened next…dinner on the grounds. Dinner on the grounds was and is an experience you can never fully appreciate if you were not brought up with it as part of your ethos. There is something special about the hours of preparation, the quality and quantity of food that makes a young boys heart leap with joy unspeakable. I was able to walk through entire tables of homemade cakes and pies and while my mother was distracted with perfectly placing her dishes I could make a game plan to attack the fired Okra that had been brought by at least 12 different families. The meringue on Lemon icebox pie just tastes a little sweeter on 4th Sunday in May. As the years pass the amount of food is smaller, as is the crowds. But to tell the full truth, I still seek out the fried Okra. Calories don’t count on 4th Sunday.

A tradition that has ceased in recent years in the afternoon shaped noted singing. I have written about those singings in a earlier post, but I can tell you a finer group of sight readers never existed. To hear people from all reaches of Georgia and the Carolinas singing with all their heart…and on pitch was awesome. That too has faded with time and the recent challenges of Covid. Last year, for the first time that anyone remembers, 4th Sunday didn’t happen. Covid forced the congregation to make the tough decision to call it off. I’d still say it happened in a way. The Reverend Dr. Dee Dillin recorded a message from the pulpit and sent it to the congregation. So in a small way, the tradition continued. I’ve dropped a link to that sermon below if you want to give it a listen. A unique thing you can see in the brief video intro is the grave of William Holman. He was a soldier in the Confederate States Marine Corps and is buried at the church. The rarity of Confederate marines makes that spot a little extra special on the approach to Memorial Day. In 1965 Mrs. Burel put together a brief history of the church. I’ve included that in a link below the video. She does neglect to mention the time a fight broke out about scriptural interpretation in the church pulpit in the late 1800s. Pull me aside sometime and I’ll share that story with you.

This Sunday I will wake up and pull out the gray suit and bow tie. I’ll tune up my Martin and warm up my voice. I’m excited because this year, we’re meeting again. Should you find yourself free this Sunday about 10am, come on down to Duncan’s Creek Congregational Church. You’ll hear the hymns, walk to the grave yard, and take in the sermon. There is no afternoon singing anymore, and this year we are still holding off from celebrating dinner on the grounds. But if you are inspired after the service and need to keep the fellowship going come on over to the house because we’ll be having a big meal to reflect on the day. I’m excited for Homecoming, I’m excited for 4th Sunday in May.

1965 History