Formation of Sardis Church after psalmody dispute at New Providence

Context

The dissertation describes the intensity of psalmody controversy in North Carolina. James Wallis (born 1762) was pastor of New Providence Church near present-day Matthews, North Carolina. The passage illustrates how even a single use of Watts by a supply preacher could fracture a congregation.

Extract

When James Wallis, who was born in 1762, was pastor of New Providence Church (Matthews, North Carolina), he asked the Reverend William C. Davis to supply his pulpit during a Sunday’s absence. By using Watts’ Imitations, Mr. Davis offended the congregations which accused Mr. Willis of having collaborated in this matter with Mr. Davis. As a result, many angry families seceded and formed a separate congregation seven miles away at Sardis.

So heated was the Psalmody controversy throughout North Carolina, that most members of the “Rous party” withdrew from the synod and formed an Associate Presbytery.

Significance

This extract documents a specific instance of church formation directly resulting from psalmody conflict:

1. Trigger event: A single instance of using Watts’ Imitations by a supply preacher caused the rupture
2. Conspiracy theory: The congregation suspected the pastor had “collaborated” with the supply preacher, showing the depth of distrust
3. New church formation: “Many angry families” seceded and formed Sardis Church seven miles away
4. Regional pattern: The passage explicitly notes the controversy was so heated throughout North Carolina that most “Rous party” members withdrew from the synod entirely to form an Associate Presbytery

This is critical evidence for the thesis that psalmody disputes led to denominational realignment. The formation of Sardis Church provides a specific, datable example of a congregation literally splitting over Watts’ psalms, with the anti-Watts faction creating a new institution.