with ( former Pastor ) Bill Hornback , we had good , positive messages , not hell , fire and brimstone . We never get any of that .”
Burgett is related distantly to John McElroy , who became the first full-fledged pastor in 1855 . Burgett , however , recalls sermons from Harold Drown , who became the pastor in 1947 .
“ There are just certain pastors that kind of stand out with me , and he was the first one I really remember ,” she said . “ He was just a very loving , caring person . I remember I cried when he left .”
Hornback ’ s hire as pastor was unusual . Normally , the church goes through the presbytery to find its ministers , but Hornback was not from the Presbyterian faith ; he retired in January , giving way to Cameron .
“ He had to get permission from the presbytery for him to be our pastor ,” Burgett said . “ Bill had retired from the Church of the Open Bible , and he ’ d come in maybe once a month and preach . One of our members kept hounding him to become interim , and he finally said he would . He didn ’ t like his retirement .
“ Mostly we go out and find our own pastors through the presbytery , and we have a team right now looking for a new pastor , because Nancy just wants to fill in .”
Now & Then | 27