Faraway Home, Part 4

by John Comer

When William Junkin brought his family to America in 1820, he knew exactly where he wanted to take them. Pendleton District, in up-country South Carolina, where Irish Presbyterians had begun settling back in the 1700s. William even had kinfolk there already. The John Junkin family had come over from County Antrim in 1799.

“The troubles” back in northern Ireland determined who could or could not own or rent land, or live in a certain area, or get a job. Even if you belonged to the “right” church, and were on the approved list for all those good things, life was still dominated by ugliness. Many Ulstermen chose to emigrate to America where they could be good Calvinists in a country where land was plentiful and cheap. Those who settled in the northern reaches of South Carolina would find themselves surrounded by those who shared their faith.

No wonder, then, that on the November day when William’s ship docked in Charleston, he spent as little time as possible in that city. He and his family passed through Charleston so rapidly they hardly noticed that the steeple clock on Saint Michael’s Cathedral had only an hour hand to mark the time. It had never had a minute hand, and it would be years before the parishioners sent to England to have one made, but this would be of no concern to this family who had no intention of looking at an Episcopalian clock anyhow. Their lives would be regulated by the ebb and flow of the Scotch-Irish community which they would be joining.

This immigrant family is added to the nine and one-half million people who already call themselves Americans. They’re home, surrounded by people who speak the language with the old familiar inflections, and who have adapted Carolina farm food to Irish tastes. More importantly, they’re part of a household of faith.

Jesus came preaching a message of peace so none of us need be foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. The fellowship of a good church home is a comfort. It surrounds us with those who speak our spiritual language, share our tastes, and love our Lord. Our Christian concern extends to all, but there will always be a special place in our hearts for those who belong to the family of believers, God’s household. Some people crossed oceans to build a society where these values can be freely practiced. They and the Lord bless us.