Rev. Hugh Roderick McAulay

The McAulay family, from whom Rev. Hugh Roderick McAulay descended, came from the highlands of Scotland prior to the Revolutionary war. They settled in Mecklenburg Co., N. C., on McAlpin's Creek, near where Sardis church now stands. The great grandfather of the above mentioned minister attained the wonderful age of 102 years, The mother of Rev. McAulay was descended from the Grier family, being the daughter of Robert and Mary Heard Grier. The Griers came from the North of Ireland, and settled in Wilkes Co., Ga. Here the mother of the subject of this sketch was born. Her name was Melvina Heard Grier.

Her parents shortly after her birth moved to Alabama, near Cahaba, and there they both died and are buried. The children were brought to North Carolina bv Dr. Isaac Grier, an uncle, then pastor of Sardis Church.

In the course of time Neil McAulay, the father of Hugh Roderick, married Melvina Heard Grier, and they moved to Iredell Co., N. C., and located near Coddle Creek Church. Hugh R. was born June 3rd, 1849. The opportunities for an education were very limited during his youth, as the country was disturbed by the Civil War. But by close economy his father managed to give him an education, sending him first to Profs. W. A. Kerr and R. A. Leaser at Coddle Creek, and then to Erskine College, which he entered in 1871, graduating in 1875. Having joined the Church at Coddle Creek under the ministry of Rev. J. E. Pressly, D. D., when a youth, his mind was turned towards the ministry. He connected with the First Presbytery at Huntersville, N. C, in the fall of 1875. entered the theological seminary at Due West and completed his course under Dr. James Boyce in 1877. He was licensed in the city of Charlotte by First Presbytery, Sept. 4th, 1877, and sent to Texas, here he remained as a home missionary one year. He spent also one year in Virginia. He then attended one session at Allegheny, Pa. He was ordained by the Virginia Presbytery in 1880 at Old Providence. In 1882 he was sent as supply to Woodruff and Cannon Creek, and received a call from both these churches. He accepted the call from Woodruff, and was installed in 1884. In 1888 he demitted his charge, and labored in vacancies in Kentucky, North and South Carolina. In the fall of 1890 he was sent to Hopewell, Ga., and remained there for two years teaching and preaching. After his work in Georgia he supplied Prosperity and Head Springs in Newberry Co., S. C., for some time. Since that time he has had no stated appointments, living at his home in Woodruff he has preached as opportunity offered in some of the vacancies.

Rev. McAulay was married at Union, S. C., to Miss Thompson Carlisle, Nov. 26th, 1884. They had one daughter.



Photo from the book: The Centennial History of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 1803- 1903. Published by Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1905