One of the oldest established churches in Charles-Mix County is the Greenwood Presbyterian Church. The town, now village of Greenwood, had opened a post office in 1859 with 1859 being the only date on record of the beginning of the town of Greenwood. The post-office remained in operation until 1965. The town’s name of Greenwood actually comes from the naming of the post-office itself, which was called Greenwood because of a grove of trees that was near the original town site.

As the history of Greenwood Presbyterian has been passed down orally from generation to generation, there is very little to be found on the history of the church’s beginnings. In 1869, John P. Williamson was the first missionary to come to the Yankton Agency Dakota (the modern Yankton Sioux Tribe Reservation) under invitation with its agency headquarters located on the Missouri River close to Greenwood. Williamson was a licensed preacher for the Presbyterian Church of Minnesota in 1859 and started his mission work in South Dakota on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. In 1871, after doing mission work amongst the Yankton Agency, the Greenwood Presbyterian Church was built. Greenwood Presbyterian Church is the first and oldest church on the Yankton Sioux Tribe Reservation. Greenwood Presbyterian was one of 39 churches in South Dakota that Williamson oversaw, but Greenwood was where Williamson chose to live until he passed.

The major result from the early mission work in South Dakota by the Presbyterian Church was that the Bible was translated into the original Dakota language not today’s modern dialect, with J.P. Williamson doing a majority of the translations. In order to be able to do the translations a small group of missionaries worked together to create a Dakota dictionary that would better aid the group in the translating of the Bible. Not only was the Bible translated, but the song book of hymns that were sung during the services were also translated into the Dakota language and are still used today during the services of the Greenwood Presbyterian Church.

The church as it stands today is still in its original location. The church is not currently able to be used for services, but it still stands as a beautiful historical beacon 153 years later to anyone that passes through Greenwood. Even though it was a well-cared for church, like most things over time parts of the church started to deteriorate. The current state of the church has led to the decision to start renovations.

Renovation plans include replacing all of the windows, replacing/repairing the front steps that lead into the church, returning the ceilings to the original high ceilings and gutting the entire interior of the church. These are all first stage parts of the renovation, with more to come as the church raises more funds in order to restore the church. The two people that have been a huge part of getting the renovation efforts off the ground are Pete Kazena and the church’s minister, Jerry Zephier. Both Pete and Jerry grew up in the church as their parents and grandparents were members, during the era where churches were the hub of the community. When Greenwood was a growing and thriving community, there were several other churches that were a part of the town including an Episcopal Church, and a Catholic church. The different churches worked together and had an open table for communion. Life was not easy during those times and they chose to work together for the betterment of Greenwood as a whole. That tradition of the church has not wavered as the church was no longer available for wakes, funerals, baptisms, weddings, etc., the church has worked with the Oblate Sisters of Blessed Sacrament in Marty to help facilitate places to hold these life events.

Greenwood Presbyterian had been holding weekly services at the church up until about eight years ago when it shut down. Even though members of the church no longer had a place to worship, that did not impede them. As of right now the congregation of around 20 active members (of which there are currently 50 members in total) uses the Marty Community Hall to hold their weekly service until the church in Greenwood is renovated. These church members continue to attend even without the church because of the fact that Greenwood Presbyterian played such a large roll in their lives. Current church officers include: Ida Ashes Brown and Pete Kazena as commissioned ruling elders (CRE); Jerry Zephier, moderator; and Faye Corey, treasurer.

Pastor Jerry Zephier grew up attending the Greenwood Presbyterian Church. Growing up he was not that interested in religion like a lot of kids and ended up moving to Arizona after coming home from the military. Jerry had a calling 40 years ago to go back to school for ministry. After completing his ordained minister requirements, Jerry ministered in Arizona and eventually in Minnesota. Nine years ago, when Jerry was on the brink of retiring, he and his wife, Eunice, were traveling through the area and decided to stop at Greenwood. The church did not have a minister at the time and instead of retiring Jerry felt a call to continue to minister and began serving the Greenwood Presbyterian Church and congregation.

The mission of the church always has been and continues to be that all are united; no matter your beliefs, everyone is welcome at Greenwood Presbyterian Church. The church continues to hold services for baptisms, communion and funerals. Even though the renovations may take time and happen slowly, it is of no discouragement to those overseeing the projects due to their unwavering faith.