Church History
OUR CHURCH HISTORY
1954-2019
Mother Carrie Heyward, our Founder, in 1954 received a vision from God to build a one room worship house for Him and to name it “The Temple of God.” She was a woman of vision, and ahead of her time, she was a Prophetess. Mother Heyward was often called, “Crazy Carrie” because she dared to tell people what thus says the Lord! Her grandson, Fred Welch, once asked Mother Heyward why she was building a church when everyone in this community was already attending the local churches. Her reply to him was, “The members of my church have not been born yet.”
Upon the death of Mother Heyward her only daughter, Mrs. Martha Heyward was advised by others to close the church and rent the building out as a house. Mrs. Heyward refused and said, “I am not going to change my mother’s plans. I will let it remain as a church.”
Upon completion of the church in *1958, prior to her death, Mother Heyward offered members of Good Shepherd Holiness Church in Remley's Point, Mt. Pleasant, to have service on Thursday night. Elder Enoch Fordham served as Pastor for the Temple of God from 1958- 1975.
In March of 1975, Elder Mary F. Mitchell became the 2nd Pastor of "The Temple of God" with five active adult members. Sister Rosa Shaw, Sister Martha Mitchell- Carter, Sister Lillie Kennedy, Sister Augustus Hastings, and Sister Jane (Anna) Jenkins. Our Pastor Mitchell became the first female to pastor a church in Wando community. Under the pastorate of Elder Mary F. Mitchell, the membership grew. As new souls were added to the kingdom, Elder Robert Porcher, Jr. became her assistant pastor. Several different ministries were birthed under the anointed leadership of Pastor Mitchell.
The mother church at this time was in need of repairs; therefore, in 1979 a new church was constructed. Pastor Mitchell was given a vision from God to name the church Holy Rock Temple of God Holiness Church.
On May 26, 2002, Elder Robert Porcher, Jr. was installed as 3rd Pastor of "Holy Rock" and on January 6, 2003 and Elder Marilyn Porcher joined him as Co- Pastor. Elder Mitchell became our Overseer-- which she served God and the ministry until her death on September 10, 2010. Elder Robert Porcher, Jr. retired as lead pastor in April of 2008.
On July 1, 2008, Dr. Marilyn Porcher was installed as the 4th pastor of Holy Rock. On August 21, 2016 Dr. Marilyn Porcher was ordained as Holy Rock's first Presiding Bishop.
Under the leadership of Dr. Marilyn Porcher, Elder Terry A. Shaw, Sr. was appointed as our Pastor Elect from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
On January 15, 2017, Elder Terry Shaw, Sr. was installed as the 5th pastor of Holy Rock.
Our Journey Continues! As we look back over the years and look ahead at the infinite possibilities yet unrealized, we want to GROW as a guidepost to keep us on a path of worship and spiritual maturity. All thanks goes to God for a growing Church- Past, Present, and Future.
“Reaching the Lost and Teaching the Found.”
