WE REM EM BER OUR H ERI TAGE

FI RST BAPTI ST CHURCH

1 8 80 1 9 76

Florence Winstead Lee PREFACE

ock This is the history of the First Baptist Church , R y NC 1 8 8 0 1 9 76 Mount , , from to , in which we reverently recall how God has worked out his purposes through the mem bers of his Body in this church . We stand in awe and amazement as we view his accomplish ments , using our fragi le strength , undeterred by our weakness , sin , and little faith . May the remembering inspire us and our successors to deeper faith , greater spiritual strength and purer lives , so that the years to come wi ll prove more worthy of our Lord of Lords and King of Kings .

Florence W . Lee Church Historian DEDI CATI ON

This history is lovingly dedicated to all who worship in this place , past , present , and future generations .

t , May the reader find in i s pages a warn ing a guide , and a beckon ing hope . r ohn D Cave D . J .

MESSAGE from OUR M I NI STER

I never weary of great churches . Mankind was never so ” happi ly inspired as when he made a cathedral , wrote Robert

Louis Stevenson . During the past century , the saints of Rocky

Mount have been engaged in making a great church . The steel ,

the stones , the stained glass windows have been united at the corner of Church Street and Western Avenue , giving visible

evidence that men and women , boys and girls have taken “ - seriously the injunction of being co laborers with God .

However , First Baptist is older than the bui ldings we see or

the people we have known who worshipped therein . The church is old in the sense that it is a continuation of the life of

'

l . t srael , the people of God I is new in the sense that it is founded on the revelation , made through Jesus Christ , of

’ God s final message for mankind . The thousands that have identified with its message and mission haven ’ t given their

i n allegiance to a lost cause , but one of the most permanent

stituti ons . of history They have entered in league , not with something local or temporal , but with the divine personality that governs the un iverse itself. The church of the living God was here before these facilities were erected by our forefathers . The land was made and held

in reserve by the Creator for this edifice of worship . The gospel we would proclaim was conceived from a crucified - resur rected Christ event . Down the labyrinthian ways of history many strong ambassadors have brought its message to us . We are indeed debtors to the many who have made First Baptist

Church a real ity here in Rocky Mount . 1 1 8 8 0 96 On June , , years ago , something sign ificant hap pened here . There was a mystical movement in the minds and

m n hearts of i e believing individuals . The stirring within their souls could not be silent . There arose a mind to bui ld , a wi ll to work , and a desire to share a redemptive and edifying message . These living stones ” brought together men and matter to form an edifice of divine worship , a place for scriptural study and

Christian fellowship . Every generation which has passed through these ten decades have poured life and love into the

’ d al realization of Go s kingdom here in Rocky Mount , as it is

i n a rec i a ready realized heaven . We express our love and pp tion for the labors of many lives making possible this church .

The past is prologue . We look back in humble faith on ly to calibrate the compass before advancing forward with hope

into the uncertainties of tomorrow . Standing on the pinnacle of great past achievements , we look beyond as Moses on

Mount Pisgah viewed Canaan . What do we see beyond Jor dan? What is out there in our Canaan for future conquests? I think the names of the streets which border First Baptist I n . , C give us the clue front it is hurch Street , a main

’ thoroughfare through the heart of Rocky Mount . Christ s church must be kept in the very center of community life . The citizens must be conscious that God ’ s message and people are here to stay . We wi ll not be intimidated . We will remain true to our calling , knocking at the gates of hell , releasing people from bondage , sin and death .

Being a church in the inner city wi ll be difficult , demanding and dangerous , for its servants must be involved in social , political , economic and moral areas of the community life .

’ However , at these points the individual s existence is also under assault . If we default by not heralding a redemptive message , both community and individual will be lost . For God ’ s sake and other ’ s let us always be His church in the center of Rocky Mount . There is Western Avenue which runs the length of our “ faci lities . The West recalls the frontier , the place of action , “ conquest and colonization . We canno t stay inner city . God cannot be kept within four walls . We must advance the action to every frontier , out past the city limits into the suburbia , and address ourselves to min ister to those who seek serenity and the security and seclusion of their community . Redemption must work on their sou l as well as upon the concrete streets of downtown .

Furthermore , First Baptist must advance beyond Nash and Edgecombe Counties to relate to a world in dire need of life ’ s

’ ’ necessities , man s disciplines and God s grace . No church can a live long that has no great anguish on its heart , nor gre t redemptive music upon its lips . We must not be content in serving on ly the needs within , but the needs of those without .

s We go West , pursuing the frontier , colonizing the heart of men and commun ity wherever we go . Our address challenges us to en large the circumference of our concern , to keep our church reaching out that the world may know Him . 20 76 In the year , one hundred years hence , should Christ tarry and another lift the pen and record the history of First ? Baptist of the past century , what will the author write Let thes e be the words .

We came . We placed and committed our total

self to the work in this location .

d n We saw . We pursue the visio of what God

n wa ted us to do .

We conquered . We claimed the city for

Christ . ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Special Historical Committee gratefully acknowledges

its indebtedness to the persons named herein . To write a histo ry covering so many years would be utterly impossible without the faithful labors of those members who have preceded us and of those who are our contemporaries . Our older adults have

. S . T . glad ly shared their memories with the committee Mrs .

r A , nderson with her keen mind and sharp memo y , has been

especial ly helpful in this area .

Some have made outstanding contributions in other ways .

Mr . Sam Arrington , church clerk and chairman of the Stand

e ing Historical Committ e , has carefully looked after and W B . preserved the church records for many years . Mr . . Mid dleton , long a church history enthusiast , has worked for years gathering materials relative to our Sunday School and other

churches growing out of the mother church . Many of our members have written brief histories which

i n were prepared for special occasions . Al l have been of

T . M . . s . estimable value The e writers have been Mr Arrington , W D M . . . . . , . . . , r T A Avera , Dr George L Parker Mrs Farmer

S . T . Mrs . George Batchelor , Mrs . George Gorham , Sr . , Mrs .

Extraordi M . (R Anderson , r Turner Coley oyal Ambassador

. R nary) , and Mrs uth Bell who wrote a historical dramatiza “ tion cal led The Prophecy of the Pipes .

Special gratitude goes to Mr . John R . Woodard , Director of

the Baptist Historical Collection at Wake Forest University ,

- C. , N . Winston Salem , who graciously researched old Biblical Recorders and other materials for biographical data on our

early pastors .

To the members of the Special Historical Committee , my

vi i i peers and co - laborers who accepted the task of researching “ - and publishing this history , I can on ly say a heart felt thank you . It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to pay homage to my committee listed below . Ex officio members : W B . . A , , . . Mr Sam rrington Resource Mr Middleton , R esource

. R . . . Dr onald W Higdon and Dr John D Cave , pastors

J r . Mr . A . H . Phillips , . , Mr Earl Posey , Mr . George

J r . Hooks , , and Mr . Don Johnson , Chairmen of the Board of Deacons from 1 9 7 3 through 1 9 7 6 Research members :

J r . . A M . , , . . . rs George Hooks Mrs J Delbridge , Sr , A . L . , M . , M . M Mrs Stancil rs SMam Smith rs ack Brown , iss Fann ie Lee Carter , iss Emi ly Wi lliams , . M , . , . r Roger Lamb Mr John Privott Mr Harry Griffin ,

. . A . . L Mr Bi ll Nelms , Mr Russell Edmondson , Mr . Stan

C1 1

Mrs . John R . Lee , Chairman and Historian CONTENTS

PREFACE DEDICATION MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CHAPTER I WE REMEMBER OUR BEGINNING HA R 1 1 WE REMEMBER OUR EARLY C PTE TORS PAS CHAPTER III WE REMEMBER OUR LATER PAS TORS CHAPTER I V WE REMEMBER TO PRAISE GOD CHAPTER V WE REMEMBER OUR LEADERS CHAPTER VI WE REMEMBER TO REACH OUT IN LOVE CHAPTER VI I WE REMEMBER TO COMMUNICATE GOOD WILL AND GOOD NEWS CHAPTER VIII WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO KEEP US VIABLE CHAPTER I X WE REMEMBER TO BUILD CHAPTER X WE REMEMBER TO TEACH AND TRAIN CHAPTER X I WE REMEMBER OUR WOMEN ’ S WOR K CHAPTER X I I WE REMEMBER OUR MEN ’ S WOR K CHAPTER X I I I WE REMEMBER OUR VI Ps CHAPTER X IV AS WE REMEMBER OUR HERITAGE WE ANTICIPATE OUR FUTURE CHAPTER I

WE REMEM BER OUR BEG I NNI NG

Being confident of this very thing , that he which hath begun a good work in you wi ll perform it unti l the day of Jesus

Christ i - King James Version Phi lippians To stand firm for 96 years in a rapid ly changing world evokes gratitude and praise to God for his preserving and sus

tain ing grace through all our vicissitudes . What memories these years bring to mind ! As we eagerly anticipate our One

Hundredth Birthday , let us look backward at how things were 1 1 8 8 0 that day on June , , when little Rocky Mount Baptist

Church was constituted with on ly n ine charter members .

I n 1 8 8 0 spite of the overwhelming changes since , a few

places have remained relatively the same . For instance , the 1 8 1 8 Rocky Mount Mi l ls , bui lt in at the Fal ls of the Tar R e iver , twice burn d and twice rebui lt , is sti ll operating at the

same site . The rocky prominence to the north of the Fal ls sti l l

’ remains the sole reason for our city s name . We R emember OurHeritage

The Primitive Baptist Church built on the south bank of the Tar about 1 744 was not on ly the first Baptist Church in this e 1 8 7 1 , C area but the on ly Baptist hurch until Nov mber , when the negro brethren formed what is now the Mount Zion Bap tist Church on West Thomas Street .

The Primitive Baptist Church has co - existed with the town itself and has continuously exerted a powerful influence . Many of our members are from Primitive Baptist back grounds .

Another landmark sti ll extant , important both historically “ ” and architecturally , is the Old Lewis Place or Stonewall . 1 8 3 6 Bui lt in on the north bank of the Tar close to the Falls , “ - Stonewal l is a rich heritage from ante bellum days . One

’ other remnant of the past is Soden s Shoe Shop which has been in continuous operation at the same site since 1 8 66 .

I n 1 8 40 when the Wilmington - Weldon Rai lroad was com

leted p , the little vi llage of Rocky Mount chose to remove itself from the northern bank of the Tar to one mi le south , thus link

I n 1 8 6 7 ing its destiny with the new mode of transportation . the vi llage became a little town , duly incorporated , but there was sti ll no white missionary Baptist Church . The Methodist

Church was organ ized in 1 8 5 6 . The Episcopal Church of the

Good Shepherd moved into its new building in 1 8 7 7 . Missionary Baptists were few in number but the local — 2 1 . saloons were plentiful in fact Social life also itncluded dancing , the love for which eventually evolved into he June

German as we know it today , and for which Rocky Mount has become widely known . R ich farm lands , a mill and the railroad drew new people to the struggling commun ity . Stores and offices clustered along We R emember Our Beginning the sides of the track like baby chicks seeking shelter under their mother hen . And the town began to grow .

A prominent Baptist layman , Mr . Noah Biggs , lived in

Scotland Neck . He was a leader in the Tar River Baptist Asso

c i ation and the Scotland Neck Baptist Church . He was also a

- - well to do business man and peanut grower .

For some time Mr . Biggs had been encouraging the handful of missionary Baptists in Rocky Mount to step out in faith and ! form a church fellowship . Final ly it happened The meeting

took place in the parlor of the old G ray Hotel , kept by Mrs .

Louisa J . Hammond . According to the first record book of

: our church , this is how it was D m H fha . E . . . . u R , t A counci l consisting of evs J J Car er , R T . T . H . Pritchard , and Vann and Brethren Noah Biggs of

e R . E . Scotland N ck Church , Riddick of Enfield Church , and E R Powel l of Conacenary Church met at Rocky Mount June 1 m 8 8 0 . . . D . H fha u . l st , Rev J was chosen moderator and Rev

T . H r . Pritchard Secreta y of the Council . After reading l st of Chap . Ephesians the Moderator led in prayer after which thet following persons tprBesentetd letters and were organ ized in o the Rocky Moun aptis Church , adopting a Church Covenant and accepting what is known as the New Hampshire W Confession of Faith as their religious belief: J . . Portis and

. H . D . . Ann E Portis of Wilson Ch . ; Avera and Florence J Ar

rington of Phi ladelphia Ch . ; Louisa Hammond of Peach Tree Ch M . ; G . . Lindsey and Mary Lindsey of Kinston Ch . ; and

Mary Anna Thomas representing an extinct Baptist Church .

“

T . D . . H . . Bro I . Thorp of Chapel Hi ll Ch and Sister Smith of Goldsboro Ch . sign ified their wi llingness to join the Church so soon as their letters could be received . Thereupon the o M derator declared the Church duly organ ized , according to We R emember OurHeritage

the law of Christ , and the Counci l gave the right hand of fellowship to the newly constituted Church . ‘

. D . The Church then elected Bro H . Avera as Clerk and ap pointed the next meeting for business to be held on the 2 nd

. R . T . Sabbath of June After prayer by Rev . Vann the Counci l adjourned . m D . H fha (Signed) J . u Moderator

T . H . Pritchard 1 8 8 0 Secretary , June l st , This copy of the original record is immediately fol lowed the Church Covenant and the New Hampshire Articles

Faith .

Church Cov en ant

As we trust we have been brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ , and by the influence of his

Spirit to give ourselves up to him , so we do now solemn ly covenant with each other , that God enabling us , we will walk together in brotherly love; that we wi ll exercise a Christian watchfulness and care over each other and faithfully warn , rebuke and admon ish one another , as the case shall require; that we wi ll not forsake the assembling of ourselves together , nor omit the great duty of prayer , both for ourselves and

’ others; that we wil l participate in each other s joys and en

’ deavo r , with tenderness and sympathy , to bear each other s burdens and sorrows; that we wi ll earnestly endeavor to bring

admon i up such as may be under our care , in the nurture and tion of the Lord ; that we wi ll seek divine aid to enable us to walk circumspectly and watchfully in the world , denying ungodliness and every worldly lust; that we wi ll strive together We R emember Our Beginning for the support of a faithful evangelical min istry among us; that we will endeavor , by example and effort , to win souls to

C ; , hrist and through life amidst evi l report and good report , seek to live to the glory of Him who has cal led us out of dark ness into his marvelous light .

And may the God of peace , who brought again from the

s dead our Lord Je us , that great Shepherd of the sheep , through

o the the bl od of everlasting covenant , make us perfect in every good work , to do His wi ll , working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight , through Jesus Christ , to whom be glory forever and ever . Amen .

New H amp s hi re Confes s i on of Fai th

Arti cles of Fai th

t The Scri t res 1 s . p u We believe that the whole Bible was written by men divinely inspired , and is a perfect treasure of heaven ly instruction , that God it has for its Author , salvation for its end , and truth with out any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the prin c i les p by which God wi ll judge us; and therefore is , and shall remain to the end of the world , the true center of Christian un ion and the supreme standard by which all human conduct , creeds , and opin ions shall be tried .

2u d . The T rue G od We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one and on ly

, t , , , one living and rue GoMd kan infin ite intel ligent Spirit whose name is Jehovah , the a er and Supreme Ruler of Heaven

and Earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness , and worthy of all

possible honor , confidence and love; that in the un ity of the

- God head there are three persons , the Father , the Son , and the We Remember OurHeritage

Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection , and executing distinct but harmon ious offices in the great work of red emp tion .

r h l M n 3 d . T e Fa l of a We believe that the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness , under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in conse

uence q of which all mankind are now sinners , not by con straint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holi

: ness required by the law of God , positively inclined to evil and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse .

4th The a of Salv ati on . W y We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son

of God ; who by appointment of the Father , freely took upon

him our nature , yet without sin ; honored the divine law by his

personal obedience , and by his death made a full atonement

for our sins; that , having risen from the dead , he is now

enthroned in heaven , inviting in his wonderful person the ten

d erest sympathies with divine perfections , he is in every way

- qualified to be a suitable , a compassionate and an all suffi

cient Savior .

5th . J usti fi cati on We believe that the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is

Justification ; that justification includes the pardon of sin , and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed , not in consideration of any works of righteous ness which we have done , but solely through faith in the

We R emember OurHeritage

- and King , and relying on him alone as the on ly and all suffi cient Savior .

’ 9th od s r os of r . G Pu p e G ace We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God , according to which he graciously regenerates , sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man , it comprehends all the means in connection with the end ; that it is a most glorious display of

’ God s sovereign goodness , being infinitely free , wise , holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting , and promotes humi lity , love , prayer , praise , trust in God and active imita tion of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in al l who truly believe the gospel ; that it is the foundation of

Christian assurance , and that to ascertain it with regard to our selves demands and deserves the utmost di ligence .

l oth . S ancti fi cati on We believe that the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which , according to the will of God , we are made partakers of his holiness , that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration ; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy

t t , Spiri , the Sealer and Comfor er in the continual use of the

- appointed means especially the Word of God , self ex

- amination , self denial , watchfulness and prayer .

1 1 th . Pres erv ati on of the S ai nts We believe the Scriptures teach that such on ly are real believers as endure unti l the end ; that their persevering attach ment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches We R emember Our Beginning

over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God

through faith unto salvation .

th The Law an d Gos el 1 2 . p We believe the Scriptures teach that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it

is holy , just and good , and that the inabi lity which the Scrip tures ascribe to fal len men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin ; to deliver them from which and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law is the one great end of the Gospel and of the means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible

Church .

th A o el h r ch 1 3 . G s p C u We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of d Christ is a congregation of baptized believers , associate by

covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel , observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws , and exercising the gifts , rights and privi leges invested in them by his word ; that its on ly scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors , and

Deacons , whose qualifications , claims and duties are defined

in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus .

’ 1 4th . Ba ti s m and the Lord s Su er p t pp t B t We believe the Scriptures each ttha Christian ap ism is immersion in water of a belitever in o the name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost , o show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified , buried and risen Savior with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privi lege of church rela t ’ t ion and to the Lord s Supper , in which the members of he church , by the sacred use of bread and wine , are to com 1 0 We R emember Our Heritage memorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always

- by self examination .

1 5th . The Ch ri s ti an S abbath We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week

’ is the Lord s day or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by abstaining from all secular labor and

the devout sinful recreation by u observance of all the means of grace , both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God .

th The G os el and Govern ment 1 6 . p We believe the Scriptures teach that civi l government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for consci en ti ous l y, honored and obeyed ; except on ly in things opposed to the wi ll of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the on ly Lord of the conscience , and the Prince of the Kings of the earth .

th Ri hteo s and i ked 1 7 . g u W c We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and wicked ; that such on ly , as through faith are justified in the name of the

Lord Jesus , and sanctified by the Spirit of our God , are truly righteous in his esteem ; while all such as continue in impeni tence and unbelief are in his sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death .

t h World to Come 1 8 h . T e We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is

e approaching; that at the last day , Christ will d scend from heaven and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution ; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked wi ll be adjudged to endless punishment and the righteous to We R emember Our Beginning l l

endless joy , and that this judgment wi ll forever fix the final state of men in heaven or hell on principles of righteousness .

The Church did not call itself the First Baptist Church , but the Rocky Mount Baptist Church . It is uncertain when the name change took place , but the Associational record shows “ 1 3 1 90 7 that on October , , the new division of the Tar River Association convened in its first annual session with the First

’ ”

a NC . . B ptist Church , Rocky Mount , at o clock This was the beginn ing of the Roanoke Association (when the Tar

River Association was divided) . No doubt our church was “ ” e call d First much before this , but the above record is the 7 first found in writing . By this time ( 1 90 ) our church had h : R t mothered t ree other churches North ocky Moun ,

A e . rlington Stre t , and Calvary From the first our church was the recipient of as sociational “

E . mission funds . The record shows that Rev . J . Carter , pastor o M e at Tarbor and Rocky ount Church s , received from the Tar River Association for 1 8 8 0 . Rocky Mount

Church also received help from the State Mission Board .

Times were hard and the tiny membership struggled valiantly , even with help , to meet their expenses .

. . as Rev Joseph E Carter was cal led the first pastor , preach D . H . . ing once a month Mr . Avera was appointed Church Clerk and immediately provided a beautiful brown and red leather record book , which , fortunately , is sti ll in excellent condition . Since the new church had no sanctuary , meetings were held in the old Mason ic Lodge . Later , services were held in the old Methodist Church and then in the Presbyt erian

Church . This was possible because each church met on ly once a month . 1 2 We R emember OurHeritage

1 3 1 8 8 0 At the business meeting June , , a bui lding commit tee was appointed with authority to buy a lot upon which to

. J . H . D . H . M G . build a church Brothers Thorp , Avera , and

. W . H . Lindsey served on this committee Later , Brother Avera D H . . father of Avera , was also appointed . 1 2 1 8 8 0 On December , , the committee reported the

purchase of a lot on Church Street , the site of our present

200 . sanctuary , for the sum of $ They also reported that our

friend , Brother Noah Biggs , had instructed them to draw upon 7 5 0 him for $ toward the construction of the meeting house .

The minutes of the NC. Baptist State Convention for 1 8 80

carries the following report about our church as given by Rev .

: E . J . Carter The cause at Rocky Mount is sti ll looking up

ward and onward . My usual labors have been given to that

church . Since my last (report) we have purchased one of the best lots in the vi llage at a cost of for which provision

for payment has been made , and an accumulating fund is daily

growing to begin and build a handsome church edifice . With a

new house and an uncommon ly promising little membership ,

! in spirit and in character , we hope to see great things done for

us by the Lord , our Master . Our records fai l to show when the church was completed or

e 1 8 8 1 . . T . H . d dicated , but it was sometime in Dr Pritchard ,

then President of Wake Forest College , preached the dedicato

ry sermon in the white frame building with its steeple and bell .

F . M . 1 5 1 8 8 2 T . C May , , Brothers Arrington and Ellen

were elected the first deacons . In the same year , Mrs . Ar rington and two other ladies formed the first missionary soci 4 1 8 3 . 8 ety By the next September , , the church membership had increased to 3 1 and it was deemed necessary to begin a

H . C. Sunday School . Brother Harris was elected the first

. R . C Superintendent Meanwhile , ev arter had resigned and We R emember Our Beginning 1 3

- 1 8 8 2 1 8 8 3 . W . P . s Rev . Blake served as pa tor part of Neither 1 4 8 8 . of these pastors had lived in Rocky Mount , but in Rev

T . . J . Lynch came as pastor , the first one to live in town This precipitated a crisis , for Rev . Lynch was a bachelor and there

. t were no bedrooms avai lable To mee the emergency , on 1 0 1 8 84 February , , a committee was appointed to raise money “ ” to bui ld him a study , a small house of one room . This was bui lt on the corner of our lot and became the beginn ing of the parsonage . All this was accomplished with the devoted help of the

’ Ladies Aid Society . It must be remembered that when the church lot was purchased there was no street where Western

Avenue is now , but the lot was bought with the understanding that when it was needed the street would be forthcoming , thus

r a al insuring ou ccess to two streets . We had a parking area ! ready In those days , there was a little wooded place across in front of our church where the city parking lot is now , and it was used for parking buggies and wagons fi lled with straight chairs .

(h r Fi rst Meeti—ng House Baraca Class 1 909 1 4 We R emember OurHeritage

I n 1 8 8 5 May , , we started having preaching services twice a 4 . 1 904 month On September , , the church voted to become

- self supporting , no longer to be under the care of the Mission

Board . Rev . Braxton Craig was our preacher then . The church , from its inception , had been continuously receiving assistance from the State Board . The first steps were taken to bui ld our present sanctuary in

1 0 7 . I . M . 9 Dr . Mercer worked unceasingly to raise the money to bui ld a fitting sanctuary to the glory of God . The bui lding

. T . C. committee consisted of Dr Mercer , pastor and chairman ; E W . J . H R. P . Rowland , treasurer; . Shearin , . Short , Gibson ,

N. A . . W. . . S . C R Edwards , Jones , Lancaster , George L Parker ,

W . D . I J . J D . . H . . C H . J Joyner , . Dowdy , . Christian , Smith ,

- i T . M . . m Bolton , and Arrington A sub committee having W E . . J . H . mediate charge of the work was Shearin , chairman ,

AC . . Short , and Jones 4 The people all had a mind to work , so on November ,

1 9 1 1 . . , at in the afternoon , Mrs Florence J Arrington , the on ly surviving charter member , laid the first brick of our present sanctuary . Mrs . Arrington commemorated this event

in a long poem which is still extant . Our new sanctuary was completed in the Fal l of 1 9 1 2 with the exception of the basement (left in the rough) and the ab sence of pews in the balcony . We were debt free at completion in thanks to the generosity of members , friends , and the defatigable efforts of our women . What a way to go for the ! Lord Now came the time for joy , worship , celebration , and ! i n praise to God . What a celebration It lasted three days and ! 1 4 volved the whole commun ity Friday even ing , March ,

T . M . 1 9 1 3 . A , the five services began with Mr rrington reading a brief history of the church . Then addresses were given by

W . V . . Rev . M . L . Kesler and Dr . Savage Saturday even ing ,

CHAPTER II

WE REMEMBER OUR EARLY PASTORS

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ , and lie not) , a teacher of the Genti les ” in faith and verity . I Tim . We have been most fortunate in the caliber of men sent by

God to be our pastors . All twenty of them have been outstand ing and far above the average , whi le many have emerged as giants in Baptist leadership .

Rev J os e h E Carter . p .

Our first pastor , Rev . Joseph E . Carter , on ly son of Percy 6 N. C. . and Priscil la Carter , was born in Murfreesboro , , Feb , 1 8 1 8 5 9 3 6 . He prepared himself as a lawyer , but in January , , renewed his Christian profession , was restored to the church and licensed to preach that same month . We R emember Our Ea rlyPas tors 1 7

H e grad u ated fro m the Th eo l og i c a l Sem i n ary at 8 1 M . A , 1 6 , urfreesboro , Tenn in pril married Miss Prisci lla d Burton in May and was ordaine to the min istry in June .

In September of 1 8 6 1 Rev . Carter began his work among

country churches and mi litary camps in West Tenn essee .

Later , he carried on the same work in Rome , Georgia . When the pressures of the enemy army made it too hazardous to re

main , Rev . Carter brought his fami ly back to North Carolina .

Making his headquarters at his old home , he began again to work among the churches and military camps , holding protracted meetings with great success in Murfreesboro , Eden ton , and Elizabeth City .

’ r e At the wa s end , he mov d to Danvil le , Kentucky to work in evangelism under the General Association of Kentucky . In 1 8 6 8 he went to Huntsvil le , Alabama to pastor that church

1 70 . 8 . until Then , in Lauderdale , Miss , he built a home for 74 7 7 a . 1 8 1 8 the orph ns of Confederate soldiers From to , he served as an agent for the Kentucky Theo logical Seminary .

After several pastorates and evangelistic meetings in Ken

. N , t C. tucky Rev Car er accepted a call from Wi lson , in Janu 1 8 8 0 . , t ary He remained here preaching in Wi lson , Tarboro ,

Toisnot 1 M , t M 8 8 2 , ac Rocky ount and un il arch , when he ce ted v NC . . p a call from the Henderson i lle , church In April , 1 8 8 5 Rev . Carter became sole editor and proprietor of the

We tern C Ba t t s N. is B b ca or r . p until it merged with the i li l Rec de 1 n 8 8 . i 8 Rev . Carter remained the Western editor and corre spondent for the Recorder unti l just prior to his death on

24 8 Ba tist nc clo edia 1 8 9 . E February , The p y p by Cathcart calls

Joseph E . Carter a zealous , gifted , and useful man . 1 8 We R emember Our Heritage

Wi lli am Pac ker Blake

was Wi lliam Packer Blake , our second pastor , born in Mar ti nsb r 1 4 1 7 u 8 5 . g , Pennsylvan ia , on November , In March , 1 8 7 5 ’ , he entered the printer s trade in Ohio and moved that

’ same year to Singer s G len , Virgin ia , to pursue his trade unti l

’ 1 8 7 8 . The same year he was licensed to preach by Singer s

G len Church , after which Rev . Blake entered the Southern

Baptist Theological Seminary . Upon graduation from the 1 8 w 8 0 as N. C. Seminary in , he ordained at Weldon , , Decem

1 2 1 8 8 0 . ber , Elder Blake pastored the Weldon Church from 1 8 8 0 - 1 8 8 3

1 - and the Rocky Mount Church from 8 8 2 1 8 8 3 . During

1 8 8 3 - 1 8 8 5 , he worked as General Missionary to the Creek and Seminole Indians in Indian Territory .

1 - 1 8 7 8 8 5 8 . In , he was pastor in Hen ington , Kansas On 7 1 1 8 8 . December , , Rev Blake became superintendent of the

Seminary Academy for Seminole Indian girls at Sasakwa , In

Emahaka dian Territory . He served at Academy near

1 8 94 - 1 9 06 Wewoka , Oklahoma , from , when he resigned to enter general mission work .

w co - I ndian Miss ionar 1 8 84 Rev . Blake as founder of the y in

- and co editor unti l the next year . Later he was associate editor

We tern a tist of the s B p . He gained denominational prominence by leadership in the Baptist Missionary and Educational Con vention of Indiatn Territory , the Baptist General Convtention of Indian Terri ory , and the Baptist General Conven ion of Oklahoma as recording secretary of these bodies consecutively

- 1 8 9 2 1 9 1 8 . His service in educational circles included various Indian mi ssmn schools and the founding of Oklahoma

Baptist Un iversity .

Wi lliam Packer Blake died at Hyattsvi lle , Maryland , April We R emember Our Ea rlyPas tors 1 9

1 1 1 946 t , , , and was buried in Fort Lincoln Ceme ery

Enc clo edia o Southern s t D C . A t t f Wa hing on , ccording o he y p t B tis s . a , . R B t , t , p Vol I , ev Blake was a aptis min ister ed i or n ” t a d t t t . educa or , missionary denomina ional s a esman

Rev T n ch . J . . Ly

T . n Rev . J . Ly ch was our third pastor , but we know very lit tle about him . The following was gleaned from our first records . He was the moderator of the church conference held 4 o 1 0 1 8 8 . February , A letter fr m the Scottsville Baptist

T . Church was read stating that Brother J . Lynch was a mem ber of that church and when he un ited with us would be dis missed by them . urc 2 1 1 8 84 At the ch h conference on September , , Brother

Lynch cal led Brother T homas M . Arringt on to the chair and

D . t . H . e then retired from the meeting Brother Avera , at the

of quest Brother Lynch , announced to the church that the pas e tor had d cided not to return to this field for another year , and had so notified Brother Noah Biggs , treasurer of the Tar River

’ Association . Brother Avera also stated that Brother Lynch s poor health had prevented him from doing the pastoral work he wished to do in our midst . The members expressed their deep regret at losing Brother Lynch , as well as their love and appreciation of him as a min ister of Christ .

Rev li . J . A . Les e

4 2 1 8 8 5 . According to the church minutes of May , Rev

A . J . Leslie accepted the cal l to our church as extended through the Mission Board of the Tar River Association . He was to preach two sabbaths each month and receive $ 1 5 0 per annum 20 We R emember OurHeritage

from our church and a like amount from the Mission Board . 4 1 8 8 5 . On October , , Rev Leslie , our fourth pastor , moder ated the church conference at which time the report to the Tar 20 River Association was read . It included $ to Associational 5 1 Missions , $ to Min isterial Education , and $ to the Minute

Fund .

’

5 1 8 8 6 . On September , , Rev Leslie s salary was raised to 4 00 . $ , to be obtained by pledges The pledges ranged from

$ 1 0 to $5 0 .

At the church conference held the third Sunday in April , 1 8 8 8 t B , the church called our next pas or and requested rother

Noah Biggs to notify him of the cal l .

n Fami l Rev . J . W . Powell a d y We R emember Our Ea rlyPastors 2 1 W 1 8 8 8 . J . . On the third Sunday in June , , Rev Powell was

present at services and accepted our call to this pastorate . In r 1 8 8 9 t Janua y , , he was received into the church by le ter from

Clinton Baptist Church . It is interesting to note that in the early years the church al ways went into conference for the reception of members; that members were excluded from the fel lowship for failure to at tend services or support their families and for sin and worldli

ness such as drinking , immorality , dancing , and card playing . The following partial report to the Tar River Association

7 1 8 8 8 : on October , , is en lighten ing

M embers h i p Baptized 3 Died

’ M al Rec d by letter 1 No . es n Females Restored No e No .

Dismi ssed by letter 5 Whole No . Withd rawn fellowship from 1

Contr i buti ons ’ B S . oard Pastor s Salary S .

i r r Church Expenses (sexton) S . S . L b a y Cont rib tions I mprovements: (Y ard S . S . u Fence Baptistry) M i nute Fund Assoc i ational Mi ss i ons Total Bapti st Orphanage

Home Mission Board

Fore n S . Mem er hi ig Missi on Board S . b s p

State M issions

Education V i n rar ol. Lib No . y

Before the baptistry was built , baptisms were always con ducted at the riverside of the Tar . In the above report , please note the volumes in the library .

7 1 8 8 9 . At the conference July , , Rev Powell made some timely remarks upon the conduct of those members of the 22 We Remember Our Heritage church who were wayw ard and indifferent and asked for the ” prayers of the church on their behalf.

’

Then romance entered the pastor s life . Miss Lillie F . Ar rington , a Methodist young lady , came to play our pump organ

. . . H . R G . L. and won the heart of ev Powell Brethren J Thorp ,

Parker , and Drew Wi lliams were appointed a bui lding com

’ mittee to erect a suitable bui lding for the pastor s home on 1 1 8 8 9 December , , and accepted the offer of Brother Powell to give from his salary to speed the building . He hoped that this would cut down on his expenses , thus enabling him to

. 1 8 9 0 remain in this field On the first Sunday in May , , a col lection was taken up to fin ish paying the debt of due on the parsonage; was raised . 1 8 8 9 Sometime in July , , Miss Arrington was received for baptism . Later she and Rev . Powell were married .

The Southern Baptist Convention annual lists Rev . Powell

1 9 0 1 - 1 9 02 in Rochelle , Georgia in ; in Kentwood , Louisiana

- 4 1 903 1 9 0 S C. in ; and as having died in Georgetown , on

Histo r o t/i e Ta r Ri ver Ba tist 2 7 1 904 . y f July , According to the p “ A so ciation - 2 1 s 1 8 3 0 1 9 . . , by Thomas J Taylor , Rev Powell was a good preacher and stood well in the Tar River Association ” and the State .

J ames Frankli n Love

The search for a new pastor for Rocky Mount Baptist

J . F 2 3 1 8 90 . B . Church began again September , rother Love came highly recommended , beginn ing his work soon after this NC 1 4 date . Rev . Love was born in Elizabeth City , , July , t 1 8 5 9 . a , the son of David and Amelia Love James Love tended Wake Forest and in later life received honorary doc torates from his alma mater and Baylor University .

24 We R emember Our Heritage wired Love to meet me at the depot and jumped on the passing train . I found him in great agitation , and there were tears in his eyes . He hastened to say he had sent for me to ask if I ‘ thought he ought to leave the ministry , and added , I had

’ rather die than to bring reproach on the gospel . I then learn ed that the ed itor of the town paper had severely crit i c ized a statement it was said the min ister had made in a speech on Prohibition . My friend went to the office of the edi tor to correct the misunderstanding , but the irate editor , with a local reputation for pugilistic prowess , no sooner learned who his caller was than he began a fierce physical attack . Our preacher , with the ski ll of other days , parried the blows , retreating from the room all the while , unti l his assai lant stood at the head of the flight of stairs that led up to the office from

Main Street . Just at this point , our preacher was caught off guard , and received a stinging blow in the face . Quicker than I can tell it , that editor was going headforemost down those — steps , as if shot from a catapult , to the pavement below to be picked up by a passing policeman . Explanations followed , the editor apologized , the two shook hands and it would seem that the incident had ended , with no disturbing recollections for F either . But J . Love recalled the words of his Lord about that

- very matter of cheek smiting , and he was miserable . It mat tered little to him what men might say , what would Jesus think? that was the question ! He wanted me to tell him what I thought about it , and what I thought he ought to do . Loyalty to Jesus Christ was above everything else in the world to him . For a moment I gazed at this great , strong , distressed n man in si le t admiration , and with a feeling of relief in which Baffection , pride and something like amusement were mingled . ut he was tremendously in earnest , and I knew if I had any exegetical abi lity that was the time to use it . I left him com We R emember Our Ea rly Pastors 25

. t t forted So far as I can recall , neither of us ever referred o he

occurrence afterwards .

Though Rev . Love tried to resign from our pastorate , the

congregation would not permit it , extending him a unan imous

call to remain . The next distressing incident took place when one of our ” prominent members joined the Mistic Circle , a local dance

club . Much heartbreak ensued for pastor and people as the church trial drtagged on for five tmonths . tWhen the chuvrch seemed unable o make a decision , he erran member resol ed the matter by requesting that his name be erased from the roll .

When Dr . Love resigned from the Rocky Mount Church on 1 7 1 8 9 2 Apri l , , he went as assistant pastor to the First Baptist

Church , Baltimore , Md . Later he served at the First Church ,

Suffolk , Va . His last pastorate was the First Church ,

‘

. C. Wadesboro , N After this he served as secretary of missions in Arkansas for four years ; as assistant corresponding secretary of the Home Boa Mission rd for eight years; as home secretary and , later , as 1 executive secretary of the Foreign Mission Board from May , 1 1 4 9 3 1 9 2 8 . to May , The fourteen years of Love ’ s service with the Foreign Mis

’

B , t t sion oatrd among he most difficult in he botard s history , covered he period of World War I , reconstruc ion , inflation 7 5 . M and depression The illion Campaign for mission funds , d which promise to exceed the goal , fel l short by approximately

burden ing boards , institutions and churches

t . A t M B wi h heavy debts t one time he Foreign ission oard , con fident of meeting its obligations and sending eager volunteers to foreign fields , owed more than

In the line of duty , Dr . Love traveled to our mission stations

t t , A in he Orien South merica and Europe , thri lling to every 26 We Remember OurHeritage

small advance being made . Besides the writings his office re

. J . L. quired , Love authored n ine books According to Dr .

White who delivered the eulogy to Dr . Love at the Southern 20 1 2 ’ 9 8 . Baptist Convention on May , , Dr Love s greatest

Mission o ur Nation book was the f O . James Franklin Love suffered a slight attack while attending A t 1 9 2 3 the Baptist World lliance in S ockholm in , but recovered and continued his work . His close friends realized he was grieving and his health was breaking under the great 3 1 9 2 8 debt on our board . The end came May , . This giant of a w Va . man is buried in Holly ood Cemetery , Richmond , , where all the former secretaries of the Foreign Mission Board are buried .

Rev W oo er . C. . C p

Rev . Charles W . Cooper supplied for two months according 24 1 8 9 2 to the September , Associational report , and also

24 1 8 9 2 . preached the Thanksgiving sermon November , After this , he was called by the church at a salary of a month . e 1 8 9 3 In Jun , the church had on ly one deacon , Brother

George L . Parker . He said he needed help and asked for others

W . E . N. . E . . C G to be elected . Brethren Shearin , Wilson ,

W . L. . G . Worsley , and Pegram were elected

The church finances were in such bad shape , Rev . Cooper and Brother Parker offered to inform the members about the 1 5 crisis . This must not have been successful , for on October ,

1 8 9 3 t . , the church was again wi hout a pastor We R emember Our Early Pas tors 27

Rev . J . K . H owell

NC James King Howell was born in Granvil le County , , 1 t 1 8 3 7 . 8 5 6 abou In , he was licensed to preach by Corinth

Church in G ranvi lle County . Howell graduated from Wake Forest College in 1 8 60 and was ordained by Wake Forest

1 8 6 1 . Church in Whi le a student at Wake Forest , he preached regularly to the colored members of that church .

Biblical Recorder 1 1 1 8 6 3 The of February , carries the

: fohllowing notice This promising young min ister , late c aplain of the l st Regiment , has removed to

Welborn , Florida .

The H istory of Li n co lnton Fi rst Baptist Church , “ 1 8 5 9 - 1 9 5 9 : , has this comment Reverend Howell , a native of 28 We R emember OurHeritage

Granville County , was a missionary appointed by the North

Carolina State Mission Board for one year .

During his active min istry , Rev . Howell served various

churches and fields , among which were Hickory , Selma , 1 8 9 2 Smithfield , Kinston , and Yanceyvi lle . In , he came to

. 1 9 1 8 9 3 Rocky Mount from Selma On October , , he was called to be our eighth pastor . His last pastorate was the North Rocky Mount Church which he served as their first pastor in

1 8 9 5 .

Rev . Howell lived in Rocky Mount with his daughter , Mrs .

P . B . Kyser , who was distinguished for being the on ly woman

in the State to pass the Raleigh State Board as pharmacist . Mr . Howell at one time was engaged in the lumber business and offered his assistance in organ izing and building North Rocky

Mount Church . The North Rocky Mount short history says that the greater part of the lumber for the original building

was donated by Rev . Howell , in addition to his supervision

and construction of the church . Rev . Howell ministered at

North Rocky Mount for three years , the first year without sal

ary .

While he served us , the church had a very difficult time rais

ing even the smal l salary of $40 a month . Services were being 29 1 8 9 5 held on ly three times a month . On August , , when

Rev . Howell resigned , the church was sti ll trying to raise his

back salary .

Rev . Howell was married rather late in life to Miss Virginia

Caroline Royster of Granville County . She is described as a

devout woman , eminently fitted to be his compan ion and

helper .

Brother Howel l was editor of The Spirit of the Age , r . C. published in Raleigh , N He also w ote a song book entitled “ Sunday School Wreath and a Bible Catechism . We R emember Our Ea rly Pas tors 29

7 James King Howell died in 1 9 0 . The History of the Tar “ River Association states : Brother Howel l was eminent for his great humi lity , his thorough consecration and his untiring zeal .

Rev . V Sav a e D . D . W . g , .

was 6 1 8 64 Dr . Wi lliam Vann Savage born Apri l , at Como ,

C. . N . He was the son of Rev Robert R ison Savage and Rowena

Vann Savage . 1 8 84 After graduating from Wake Forest College in , he taught for several years in the public schools of Mount Ai ry , 1 . C. 8 8 8 Raleigh and Henderson , N In , he married Miss Mat tie W . Wil liams of Raleigh . They were the parents of three sons and one daughter .

i n Whi le teaching school , he was also reading law with the

i n tention of entering this field , but God called him to preach 1 . 1 8 9 stead In , he was ordained to the min istry by Buckhorn

o . Church , N rth Carolina His first two pastorates were Colum w N . . C C. as bia , and Tarboro , N Whi le at Tarboro , he called to our church to preach two Sundays a month . He preached his

1 8 9 5 . first sermon for us in November ,

During his period in Rocky Mount , Dr . Savage broached several matters , such as the need for ushers for the services; of renewal among the members; and the great need of some systematic way for paying our debts . (The church still owed

Rev . Howell about $ 1 2 5 which was not paid in full unti l M 24 arch , B y conducting meetings in the afternoons for Bible reading , prayer , and explanation for believers , and at the same time leading a series of meetings , Dr . Savage endeavored to bring the church out of its spiritual slump . 30 We Remember OurHeritage

1 6 1 8 9 7 His work here lasted until June , , when he left Tar boro and Rocky Mount to accept what would be his last pastorate . C C He min istered at the hurchland Baptist hurch , Virginia ,

3 4 . 1 8 84 for years During this time , the church , built in , burned down . Dr . Savage led his congregation in building

one of the most beautiful rural church houses in the country . hi Dr . Savage received s doctorate from the Un iversity of

Richmond . He was a trustee of the Southern Baptist Theologi cal Seminary in Louisvi lle , Kentucky; of the Virginia Baptist V ’ a . Orphanage in Salem , ; and of the old Woman s College of

Richmond , Va .

2 8 1 9 3 1 . His death came on July ,

r Dr . M arti n Luther Kes le

3 2 We R emember OurHeritage

1 9 3 and $ was subscribed toward building a parsonage . On 1 9 December , the pastor urged the necessity of insuring the

church and the parsonage , now nearing completion . 9 1 8 9 8 At the January , conference , it was discovered that W . C. . we had on ly one living trustee , Brother George Parker

E . W . Simmons and Shearin were elected to serve with him . Later that month the Roanoke Union met with our church with Rev . Kesler as moderator . The following February the church treasurer reported con

’ s iderable indebtedness on account of Pastor s salary . The pastor again emphasized the urgent necessity for system in giv

ing and collecting the money needed for our work . At almost every conference this subject was discussed . Finally , on Octo 1 2 1 8 9 8 ber , , a Finance Committee was appointed . At this time , it was also decided to have church services every Sunday and to accept whatever help avai lable from the state and asso

i n l c atio a boards . W W 2 9 1 8 9 9 . . On March , Brother Avera was elected

Librarian . The need for more deacons was mentioned by the

pastor and it was decided to elect two more . Also that the deacons of the church should constitute the spiritual commit

’ tee of the church . Following the church s action to summon a male member before the church “ to show cause why he

’ shouldn t be excluded for unchristian conduct , Rev . Kesler eloquently urged upon the membership our one great duty to work for the conversion of men and women to

God , showing that all of our church activities are utterly worthless whenever we fal l short of the Heaven - born purpose of bringing souls to Christ and praying for a membership pure

and above reproach . 4 1 8 9 9 ’ fi The June , Treasurer s report showed church 5 1 8 9 9 nances to be in most encouraging condition . July , the We R emember Our Ea rlyPas tors 3 3 records show the town had agreed to grant a street from

e Church Street to Franklin Stre t just north of our parsonage . ” At this same time , a Home Department was added to the

T . M . Sunday School with Brother Arrington superintendent . 2 1 8 9 9 ’ On December , the pastor s salary was raised to 600 1 00 $ , to be paid by the church , with $ each to be paid by the State Board and the Associational Board , making a total of

f . 1 9 n 8 00 or 00 . a $ the ensuing year In August of , Rev Kesler noun ced his intention of accepting the call of Scotland Neck

Church , his resignation effective in September . The minutes of that conference state “ he leaves a church that has grown stronger in every way during his pastorate of three years , and a people that greatly love him .

From Scotland Neck , Dr . Kesler went to Morganton (his 6 1 1 9 0 5 . 0 last church) September , he became General Man ager of the Baptist Orphanage and gave twenty - seven years to this crown ing work of his life . In 1 9 1 6 Wake Forest conferred the Do ctor of Divin ity degree upon him . His other honors are too numerous to men

: tion here , but the following words are said to describe him “ Good , safe , sensible , conservative , prudent , practical , direct ” 20 1 9 3 2 and has common sense . His death occurred August ,

N. C. at Thomasvi lle , as the result of a collision between an automobi le and a freight train . 3 4 We R emember OurHeritage

Walter N J oh ns on Rev . .

- The oldest of eleven chi ldren , red headed Walter Nathan 24 1 8 7 5 Johnson was born March , at Delway , Sampson

County . His parents were Calhoun Cornelius Johnson and

Laura Ann (Alderman ) Johnson . He was prepared for college at Wakefield and graduated A from Wake Forest in 1 8 9 9 with an B . degree . He studied at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1 9 05 and at the 1 University of Chicago in 1 9 1 . 1 8 9 6 Rev . Johnson was ordained to the min istry in and held several pastorates in this state through the years : Roanoke

’

, , R Rapids Weldon , Johnson s Church at Warsaw ocky Mount

’

, M . Church Wake Forest , Baden and King s ountain He served two brief pastorates in Louisiana at Natchitoches and Alex andria , and was Secretary of Missions in that state for two

1 7 - 9 0 1 9 09 . years , We R emember Our Ea rlyPas tors 3 5

M iss Eva Coppedge and Mr . Johnson were married in 1 1 5 900 . Vance County on August , She was the daughter of

W . Rev . G . . Coppedge

Rev . Walter N . Johnson came to the Rocky Mount Baptist

NC . 2 1 Church , with his bride , from Weldon , on October ,

1 9 00 . Financial problems were sti ll plaguing the congrega

tion . Being led by outstanding men , the Sunday School In

stitute 1 6 - 1 8 1 900 d held November , seeme to be a great suc

cess . 1 6 1 9 0 1 The January , conference minutes make this state “ ment: Received by letter from the Baptist Church of Weldon

W . N. N. C. . , Rev Johnson and by letter from the Baptist

W N. N. C. . . Church of Wakefield , , Mrs Johnson into full fellowship of this church . Mr . and Mrs . Johnson were recently

/ w married is hy they come to us from different churches . 2 7 1 90 1 On February , the Pastor presented an outline of the order of business to be followed hereafter in church con “ r 2 8 1 0 1 s fe ences . 9 The Apri l , minute state Our pastor had been trying for some time to work up some interest in a church paper . He finally succeeded in getting out the first issue of ‘ some 3 00 copies April 1 9 . The name of the paper is Our

’ Church and is published weekly .

In May , plans were presented for en larging the church . There was to be an annex with a movable partition for the

5 00 . growing Sunday School , the cost not to exceed $ Also , recommendations were made to the trustees “ to secure proper t t , t y in Edgecombe Coun y near South Rocky Moun , on which to erect a Baptist Church ; or to purchase the public school

r p operty near South Rocky Mount . (For some time our church had operated a mission Sunday School in the school bui ld ing . The m ission became Arl ington Street Baptist

Church . ) 36 We R emember OurHeritage

2 8 1 9 0 1 : The August , minutes state Brother Johnson then resigned as pastor of this church , his resignation to take effect ” at once . No reason is given .

After his Alexandria pastorate , Rev . Johnson came to Wake

1 0 - 9 9 1 9 1 5 . Forest , where he remained from He led Wake “ ” Forest Church in bui lding their elegant House of Worship . He served as Secretary of Missions for the Baptist State Con venti on 1 9 1 6 - 1 9 20 - , , during the famous Seventy Five Mi llion 1 9 1 9 Campaign . In , Wake Forest conferred an honorary doc torate upon him .

During his later years , he was well known as a writer , editor , and speaker on stewardship , his forte . He was Secretary of the Steward League of Baptist Min isters and Editor of The Next

Ste in Churches p , a bulletin of the Steward League , for nearly ’ 4 2 5 l 9 20 s 1 9 5 . years , from the unti l

The So uthern Ba tist Cris is 1 905 Steward He was author of p , ;

Vita li ed 1 9 2 l/Wt ich ? Dominate or Permeate 1 9 29 ship z , 6 ; , ;

d tment in Southern Ba tist Li e 1 9 3 1 The Spinal Rea j us p f , ; and Release of Po wer in Churches Vita lized to Sa ve Our Modern

Wor d 4 l , 1 9 6 .

a e 7 7 . At the g of , Dr Walter Nathan Johnson passed away in

R 24 1 9 5 2 . aleigh on June , He had been in declin ing health for “ many months . He was called a saint and a religious “ McNei ll mystic . Dr . Edwin Poteat eulogized him as an ” authentic saint . “ For the joy of the Lord is your strengt h . Nehemiah CHAPTER III

WE REMEMBER OUR LATER PASTORS

: For though I preach the gospel , I have nothing to glory of for necessity is laid upon me; yea , woe is unto me , if I preach ” not the gospel ! I Cor .

Braxton Crai g 38 We R emember OurHeritage

B NC. Braxton Craig was born in ertie County , on October

8 1 8 6 3 . , His parents were Andrew M . Craig and Clara R .

’ G illam Craig . His Scottish father died in Craig s early chi ld

hood , but his mother was capable and noble . She brought her

chi ldren up well , Braxton becoming a min ister and his

brother , Locke Craig , serving the State of North Carolina as

governor for four years .

Mr . Craig entered the University of North Carolina in 1 8 8 0 , where he studied about three and a half years . 9 1 8 8 6 On December , , Braxton Craig and Miss Helen G .

T ! . , . M . . Wi lson daughter of Dr and rs Wi lson , Sr , were mar

. C. ried at Chapel Hi ll , N They had n ine chi ldren .

M . r Craig was ordained to the gospel min istry in Windsor , 1 . C. 6 1 8 8 9 . N on November , His first pastorate was at

Ahoskie , where he served for six years . He was in West Nor

k , fol Virgin ia for three years , then returned to North Carolina

to pastor the Tarboro church for three years . During his

pastorates at Ahoskie , Tarboro and Rocky Mount , this section of the state was in an agricultural depression because of too 1 8 9 3 1 8 8 9 . much rain and poor crops in Beginn ing with , for

several years cotton was selling for 4 and 5 cents a pound . This

seriously hampered Christian work .

- From Tarboro , dark haired Mr . Craig came to our church 7 0 1 1 90 1 . 0 on November , His salary was $ and the parsonage 5 1 9 0 2 was free . On the th Sunday in January , the Quarterly Conference reports The Board of Deacons recommend that electric lights be placed in church as soon as sufficient funds

can be assured . Recommendations adopted . In discussion of

same , Brother George L . Parker proposed to present to the church a Commun ion Service in the name of his wife and him

self if the church wi ll put in the electric lights .

40 We Remember OurHeritage

I s aac M . Mercer , D . D .

. 1 8 5 8 . Isaac M Mercer was born in Richmond , Virginia in

He was graduated from Richmond College with a MA . degree

1 7 D i nstitu in 8 8 and received the D . . degree from the same 1 9 tion in 8 6 . He was also a graduate of the Southern Baptist

Theological Seminary . 1 8 8 3 In 1 8 8 0 he was licensed to preach . In he was ordained by the Second Church , Richmond , Virgin ia . Dr . Mercer held the following pastorates in Virgin ia : South Boston ; Black

Walnut; Bethcar; First Church , Alexandria; and Tabernacle

Church , Richmond . In South Carolina , he was pastor at

Pendleton Street Church , G reenville . In North Carolina , he was pastor at Washington Church about two years , then came to Rocky Mount First . According to the church minutes , We R emember OurLaterPastors 41

’

. I . M . following Rev Braxton Craig s resignation , Brother

Mercer of Washington was called to pastor this church , to take 7 1 1 9 0 1 000 . charge March , at $ and a home 9 1 9 0 7 t On June , a series of mee ings began with Brother

- Lumpkin of Scotland Neck preaching , resulting in twenty two

conversions . 3 1 9 07 At the church conference July , , it was decided to disconti nue the quarterly meeting on the first Sunday and hold

commun ion service instead . Also , that the regular monthly business meetings be held on Wednesday n ight before the first

Sunday . It was voted that Dr . Mercer name five brethren to meet with the deacons to discuss the matter of bui lding and ap

pointing the different committees . At this same conference ,

Dr . Mercer retired and the members voted to raise his salary to

‘

$ 1 00 a month .

Dr . Mercer led in raising money , plann ing our present sanctuary and a parsonage , working without stint , whi le at the same time leading the missions which became Arlington Street

n Church a d Calvary Church to constitute and build . When

- Calvary was built , it was debt free . The members of Calvary wanted to name their church for Dr . Mercer , but he would not permit it . Instead , he named it Calvary . Dr . Mercer had made

M . E . a staunch friend of Rev . Wi lliford , a Primitive Baptist preacher , who owned most of the land in that vicin ity . When

Dr . Mercer thought the time ripe to bui ld , Rev . Wi l liford generously gave the land upon which to bui ld a Missionary

Baptist Church . Some of the members of our church who W A . worked in the missions were Rev . Braxton Craig , Mrs . . B T . . . C . . , , M B , ul luck Rowland E H Shearin , rs elle Holcombe

. E . . C C . George L Parker , Sr , and lemmons 1 3 1 9 1 4 On December , Dr . Mercer reported the organ iza m tion of two issions at Pleasant Hi ll and Dixie . The church 42 We Remember OurHeritage

accepted these schools under its care and supervision and au “ ” tho rized the General Committee to assist in this work . The 1 4 1 9 1 5 February , conference mentions that money was

- raised for a floral design for Mr . Noah Biggs , long time friend of the church and prominent leader in the Tar River Associa

tion . In the same minutes , Mr . Clarence G riffin is mentioned

as head usher with four helpers .

n Dr . Mercer was a big ma with heavy black hair and black

. k beard Mission wor and Bible study were his special forte , to

which he gave great emphasis . To oversee the building of three churches at the same time must have taken great stamina and

knowledge . One wonders if the death of his son Broaddus had anyt hing to do with his wanting to name one new mission

Calvary . Broaddus was drowned at Flat Rock , close to the

oth . Nashvi lle Rai lroad , whi le trying to rescue an er

After eight years and four months with our church , Dr . 7 2 1 9 1 5 . Mercer tendered his resignation on June ,

N. C. In Thomasvi lle , he pastored the First Church and the

Orphanage Church for about four years , then went to the First

Church in Wi lson . This was his last pastorate . The rest of his

pre - retirement was served as associate professor of religion at

Meredith College . 2 3 1 94 1 8 3 Dr . Isaac M . Mercer died February , at age at

his home in Raleigh . Funeral services were held at Pullen

Memorial Church February 2 5 . Dr . Mercer had been i ll for

five months , the illness terminating in pneumon ia .

An excerpt from A History of the Tar Ri ver Baptist Associa “ tion - 1 1 1 83 0 92 . . T J . by Taylor states , Dr Mercer is an able

preacher , a safe leader , wise in counsel , and one of the best ” loved preachers among us . We R emember OurLa ter Pas tors 43

Li vi ngs ton J ohns on

Livingston Johnson was born in Scotland County , North

7 1 8 5 7 . Carolina on November , He was the son of Duncan

Johnson and Catherine White Johnson .

Mr . Johnson went to Wake Forest College which conferred the Doctor of Divin ity degree upon him in 1 9 1 3 . He was a stu

a 1 7 - dent t Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 8 8 1 8 8 8 . 1 8 1 8 8 2 On October , he was married to Mary Frances

Memory , daughter of Thomas and Rachel Memory , at

N. C. Whitevi lle , They had one son and three daughters , one of whom (Foy Johnson Farmer) became a beloved leader in WM U in this state .

Dr . Johnson was ordained by Spring Hi ll Church in Scot

i n 1 8 8 8 . land County He served pastorates in Rockingham , 44 We R emember OurHeritage

1 8 8 8 - 1 8 9 5 1 8 9 5 ; Lumberton , January to October , ; First

- - 1 8 9 5 1 9 00 . 1 9 0 1 9 C , , 0 1 5 hurch Greensboro From , he was

Corresponding Secretary of the Baptist State Convention . His

1 9 1 - 1 9 7 R k C 5 1 . last pastorate was at oc y Mount First hurch , 2 9 1 9 1 5 . The August , minutes state that Dr Livingston

Johnson was called to our church at a yearly salary of $2000 .

26 1 9 1 6 . On March , , Dr Johnson named a committee for “ ” organ izing the church work . A 1 0 1 9 1 6 T . On May , , Avera stated to the meeting that a music committee had been organ ized among the young men of the church and that they had agreed to guarantee a class of fif

teen pupils for Mrs . Edmonds if the church would assume , 3 0 9 and include in the budget system , the $ per month for

months which they were now paying . 1 9 1 9 1 6 On November , among the newly elected church

N. : S . leaders were M iss Ada Shearin , organ ist; Edwards ,

W . R . . custodian ; . Lancaster , assistant custodian ; T A Avera , A superintendent of Sunday School ; and J . . Harper , president of 1 1 1 9 1 7 On February , the church voted to appoint Miss

E . T . Richardson and Mr . and Mrs . Joyner to take charge of

the Junior work . Also , that the church would raise

of the amount raised for missions for education .

Dr . and Mrs . Johnson gave strong added impetus to the

work of missions , and Mrs . Johnson helped to get the mission

ary society into smaller , more workable un its called circles . 2 1 7 2 9 1 . On July , Dr Johnson resigned from our pastorate

Biblica l Reco rder to become editor of the , a position he held

8 1 9 3 1 NC . until his death on February , in Raleigh ,

Dr . Johnson was trustee of Wake Forest and Meredith Col leges and of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary . He was Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention and a We R emember OurLa terPastors 45 member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist

: Histor o the Ba tist State Convention . He authored two books y f p Con vention of North Carolina ( 1 9 08 ) and Christian Statesman

J ohn Wi lli am Ki n cheloe

6 1 8 7 1 John Wi lliam Kincheloe was born December , in

Fairfax County , Virgin ia . His parents , Wi lliam Simpson

Kincheloe and Annie Maria Suddath Kincheloe , were natives of Fairfax County .

at Kincheloe went to public school in Fai rfax County ,

’ n i n D C C , te ded Wood s ommercial College Washington , and later the Columbia Academy of Washington . He received the A B . degree from Richmond College in 1 9 03 . Young Kincheloe knew he was not adequately prepared for college 46 We Remember OurHeritage

e work , but his earnestness persuad d the officials to give him a

w . ac chance any ay To graduate with his class , he had to complish the equivalent of eight years work , including Latin

k , . t and Gree in four years At he same time , he was serving a full - time pastorate at Stockton Street Baptist Church in Rich mond .

John W . Kincheloe was born on the family farm , part of an m original land grant fro the King of England . At fifteen , he was managing the farm for his father , who married late in life . John was nearly 24 before his next brother was old enough to replace him . When he left the farm , he went to Washington ,

D C. and became a conductor with the Capital Traction Com pany , an old cable line between the navy yard and George

- town . He worked with this railroad for twenty two months , then began his preparation for the min istry .

. d Rev Kincheloe was ordaine at the Second Baptist Church ,

3 0 1 8 9 6 . Co Washington , on September , His pastorates were

lumbia Baptist Church , Falls Church , Virgin ia; Stockton

Street an d C lopton Street Baptist Church , R i chmond ,

Virgin ia; Crew Baptist Church , Crewe , Virgin ia; Princeton

, ; B Baptist Church , Princeton West Virgin ia and ainbridge

Street Church , Richmond , Virginia . 1 8 1 9 0 5 On October , John Wi lliam Kincheloe and Miss

t D C. . Florence Jane Henderson of Washing on , were married

She was the daughter of William A . Henderson and Rebecca

: Tyler Henderson . To this union four sons were born John

J r . Wi lliam , ; Henderson Grady; Hatcher Byrd ; and Garland

Broaddus Kincheloe .

1 9 1 7 . I n September , Mr Ki n cheloe resign ed from Bainbridge Street Church to accept the cal l of the First Baptist

C. C R k . hurch of oc y Mount , N America was entering the first

World War . It was not an auspicious time to begin a new work .

48 We R emember OurHeritage

customers , and pedestrians . Or he visited the Rai lroad Shops and conducted brief services during the lunch hour . On sum mer Sundays after dinner , he frequently led several cars of

young people to a prison camp to sing and help in the services . He was an inveterate visitor in members ’ homes and in the hospitals .

Dr . Kincheloe rarely concerned himself with finances , but the church remained free of debt and built up a reserve for

. 1 9 3 1 future expansion However , in during the depression ,

Dr . Kincheloe requested that his salary be reduced by $3 00 .

The deacons granted his request . 5 1 9 2 8 On June , the Un iversity of Richmond conferred the W honorary degree of Doctor of Divin ity upon J . . Kincheloe . He served on the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Bap tist Convention ; on the Board of Directors of the Biblical

Reco rder N o ; as Vice President of the C. Baptist C nvention ;

N . . and on the C . Baptist Board Dr Kincheloe had the unique 3 distinction of holding the pastorate here for nearly 6 years . 2 5 th On his ann iversary as pastor , the church presented him

’ With a leather - bound book of the church s early history and his 1 3 . 9 5 own pastorate When he retired in , the church elected him Pastor Emeritus . The Chapel was named in his honor five 7 . 8 . years after his retirement He was At the same time , a bronze bust , created by a local artist , Mr . Frank Thigpen , was unvei led in the vestibule of the Chapel .

Mrs . Kincheloe had passed on four years earlier . After several years of failing health , Dr . Kincheloe joined her on

1 2 1 9 6 6 94 . March , at the ripe old age of We R emember OurLater Pastors 49

Do las M Br nch ug . a

’ Douglas M cKi n ley Branch was born November 8 1 90 8 . He was reared on a farm in the Mount Moriah Commun ity of

Wake County and attended school at Mt . Auburn and Garner . 2 1 9 3 3 On June , he married Miss Jessie Averitte Walker , daughter of Mr . and Mrs . Jessie Walker of Windsor . They had

: . three chi ldren Minn ie Frances , Jessica , and Douglas , Jr 1 9 3 4 Entering Wake Forest College in the spring of , he 7 graduated cum laude in the summer school of 1 9 3 . He was ordained to the min istry in October 1 9 3 5 in the Mt . Moriah

Church , Wake County . During his college days he served rural and vi llage churches , main ly in Wake and Franklin Counties .

These churches i n cluded Youngsvi l le , Beth lehem n ear 1 8 , B . 9 3 C , Raleigh and ethany In , he accepted a call to ary his

- first full time pastorate . 50 We R emember OurHeritage

I n 1 94 1 , he became associated with the State Mission Board

as a general missionary , the forerunner of the post of State 1 4 3 . 9 Missions Secretary In , he moved to Louisville , Ken

tucky where he entered the Southern Seminary . He was a stu

1 94 5 a dent here unti l August , , when he accepted call to the

. 1 94 7 First Church , Scotland Neck In November , he went to

1 9 5 3 . C , , the First hurch Kannapolis unti l March At that time ,

he came to his last pastorate , First Church , Rocky Mount .

- i n Doug Branch brought far reaching , constructive and

novative ideas to our church . He began a Jun ior Church in the

Chapel during the Sunday School hour . (The children had

’ Sunday School during the eleven o clock worship service . )

’ Because all the congregation couldn t be seated in the sanctu — at 1 A M . ary at one time , he preached twice and at

Many people preferred the earlier service . 1 9 5 4 In the fal l of , James Batten was appointed chairman

R . E . . of a Kindergarten committee , and Mrs . Lee and Mrs

C . D . Braswell organ ized our first kindergarten with thirty

chi ldren enrolled . Classes were conducted in the old

Kincheloe parsonage . 1 94 5 As early as , there was interest in rotating deacons as

1 2 1 945 . shown by the minutes of November , However , the

“ ’ 1 1 1 9 46 recom committee reported on February , they didn t

mend any change . When the North Rocky Mount Baptist Church split and the divided fellowship took recourse in litigation for possession of the church property , our church was shocked into the realiza ! tion that we needed a constitution When it was written , it con Ac tai ned two articles which were of very particular interest . “ cording to the constitution , all deacons members of the pres 3 1 1 9 5 7 ent board who by December , wi ll have served for a

period of twenty - five (2 5 ) years or by such date wi ll have We R emember Our La ter Pastors 5 1

70 reached the age of seventy ( ) years , shall remain a member

of the active board of deacons unti l death or resignation . All other deacons drew lots determin ing their years of service be

fore rotation . No deacon rotated could succeed himself until

the expiration of at least one year . This was in 1 9 5 5 . The other “ : article was as follows Article III Membership . Section 1 The membership of this church shal l be composed of white

persons who have given evidence of regeneration , who have

been baptized by immersion , who have subscribed to the con

venant and constitution of this church , and who have been

received by vote of the church . 1 9 5 4 In , Youth Week was started , giving the young people actual knowl edge through participation in the operation of the

church . Lakeside Baptist Church was constituted in the First Baptist 5 1 9 5 5 2 5 2 Church sanctuary on June , , with charter members

drawn from our roll . Though we have mothered many

churches in this area , this was the largest single migration . Dr .

W . h J . e Kinc loe was called as interim pastor .

1 9 5 5 at On the second Sunday in March , Sunday School 1 1 2 2 7 tendance reached 0 and Train ing Un ion reached 0 . Bevenue Baptist Church was constituted with our help on

1 1 1 9 5 5 64 . September , , with charter members 2 4 1 9 5 8 On September , there was a heari ng i n the Recorder ’ s Courtroom regarding the Ivy Room (a restaurant across the street from the church on the corner of Church

A . Street and Western venue) setlling beer The pastor led the church in vigorously opposing his action , going in a group to the courtroom . The Ivy Room was not given a license to sell beer .

Dr . Branch was concerned about separation of Church and P State ( OAU) and the American Bible Society . He instituted 52 We R emember OurHeritage

1 9 5 8 the Forward Program of Church Finance , begun in , and led the church to set aside 20% of the church collection for the

. t Cooperative Program His interest in CRhris ian Education tled him to work for a Baptist College in ocky Mount , but his

did not materialize . His dream was partially fulfilled when plans were made to raze the scout hut and the old parsonage in

order to build a new educational bui lding . These plans called

for space for a kindergarten and day care center . Consultants were called in to help plan for the best use of

' the existing faci lities so that age grading for Sunday School

classes could be extended to the adults .

Fami ly n ight suppers were instituted , with supper , prayer

meeting , and church organ izational meetings taking place on

Wednesday n ight .

1 9 5 9 . In May , Dr Branch was elected , at a special session of

the Baptist State Convention , to be general secretary and

treasurer of the N . C. Convention . Our church was in the midst

of bui lding the new educational faci lity . This made a difficult

ac decision necessary for our pastor . He made the decision to

cept the new chal lenge and resigned this pastorate .

1 1 9 6 3 . On February , Dr Branch addressed the Chowan

College convocation , lunched with his daughter , Mrs . Ben

Sutton , and was on his way to hunt wi ld turkeys with friends in

- on Martin County . Near Ahoskie he crashed head into a

- stal led truck . He was dead on arrival at Roanoke Chowan

Hospital in Ahoskie . 1 9 5 2 In , Doug Branch had been elected first vice president

1 9 5 3 . NC. . of the Convention In , Dr Archie Ellis , president ,

S C . moved to Columbia , , and Dr Branch automatically

- 4 re 1 9 5 3 1 95 . became president . He was elected in and In 1 9 5 6 k C , Wa e Forest ol lege conferred the honorary Doctor of

Divin ity degree upon him . He served as a trustee of Wake We R emember OurLater Pastors 53 Forest and Wingate Colleges and held numerous committee

: 1 9 appointments , such as member of the committee of which drew up the Nine Year Program of Advance in 1 9 5 1 ; member

B . . of the S . C Executive Committee for several years and chair

- B . . 7 S . C 1 9 5 1 9 5 9 . man of the Special Survey Committee ,

’

Dr. B ranch s funeral was held in Forest Hi lls Church , 3 1 9 6 3 a , , B R leigh , February after lying in state at the aptist

Bui lding in that City . a Perh ps , of the thousands of words of praise written about

: , t t . him he fol lowing are the most descrip ive by Mr Starnes , v t M He ne er lost his human ouch by r Trammel , There

v . was no pretense about his life , no eneer

Low ell F. Sodeman 54 We R emember OurHeritage

Lowell Sodeman was born in Platte County , Missouri on

6 1 9 1 4 . February , His parents were active in the Baptist

Church where his father was a deacon . His father was also a

County Judge .

Mr . Sodeman attended school in Liberty , Missouri and took some of his college work at Wi lliam Jewell College . He d t graduate from high school as an honor student , then came o NC Wake Forest College , , to get his Bachelor of Science degree in 1 9 3 9 .

While a student at Wake Forest , Rev . Sodeman pastored three churches in this state: Trin ity Baptist Church near Ben

, M son Wi lson il ls Baptist Church near Smithfield , and Mount

Moriah Baptist Church near Raleigh . 4 1 9 0 . In June , , Lowell F Sodeman married a Meredith Col

lege graduate , Miss Mary Elizabeth Ferguson , of Durham ,

NC. : and They had four children Betty , Susan , Ann , Lowell

2 n d .

1 9 4 1 - 1 9 42 In , Rev . Sodeman pastored Edgemont Baptist Church in Durham and did some work at the Duke Divinity

School . During his seminary days at Louisvi lle , Kentucky ,

Rev . Sodeman served at the Shepherdsvi lle Baptist Church at 1 94 3 Shepherdsvi lle , Kentucky ( 1 945 During the Second World War in , he was commis t s ioned l st Lieutenant in the US . Army Chaplaincy . He a tai ned Phi lli ines the rank of Captain whi le serving in the p , A US . Japan , China , Iwo Jima , and main land

NC . The First Baptist Church of Clinton , called him in 4 1 9 1 1 9 6 . 5 In , he went to Mars Hi ll Baptist Church , Mars NC Hi ll , , where he led in a building program for a new 1 9 5 4 church and parsonage . Leaving this state in , he pastored the St . Matthews Church in South Carolina , where he again led in a building program .

56 We R emember OurHeritage

R s sell T Ch rr u . e y

2 1 2 7 . . 9 Russell T Cherry was born February , in Virginia

He was reared in a Baptist home at Portsmouth , where his parents were active in Baptist work . 1 944 Graduating from Portsmouth Public Schools in , he entered the Un iversity of Richmond and received his B A . 1 4 7 degree in 9 . He earned the Bachelor of Divin ity degree in — 1 9 5 0 and the Doctor of Theology degree in 1 9 5 4 both from

o the Southern Baptist The logical Seminary at Louisvi lle , Ken tucky . He was ordained to the min istry in South Street Baptist 1 4 7 9 . Church at Portsmouth in December ,

Churches served by Dr . Cherry were Kent , Indiana 1 94 8 k ( 1 9 5 1 ( Duc ers , Kentucky Bainbridge 1 9 5 4 C R , ( Street Baptist hurch , ichmond Virginia and We R emember OurLa ter Pastors 5 7 West Lynchburg Baptist Church from August 1 9 5 9 unti l

1 1 964 . November ,

: Dr . and Mrs . Cherry have three chi ldren Jeann ie Beth

T . . Judy Lynne , and Russell . , III Mrs Cherry is from Ten

nessee and attended the Cookevi lle public schools . She earned

the B A . degree from Tennessee College for Women and a Master ’ s degree in Religious Education from the Carver

School of Missions and Social Work at Louisvi lle . She was educational director in the Tarrant City Baptist Church at Bir

mi n ham . g , Alabama for one year

: Dr . Cherry served on the Virgin ia Baptist General Board ; as chairman of the program committee for the Baptist General Association of Virgin ia; and chairman of the Eagle Eyrie

(summer assembly) committee . He was vice moderator of the Strawberry Baptist Association ; chairman of the Missions Committee; State Board representative from the association ; and president of the Lynchburg Baptist Pastors Conference . 7 1 9 5 . During the third quarter of , Dr Cherry wrote the Sun

’ o day Scho l lessons for the Young People s quarterly , and in 1 9 60 the third quarter of , he wrote the lessons for the Young

Adult quarterly . He has also written articles for the Virgin ia

Reli ious Herald Baptist state paper , g .

Russell T . Cherry began his pastorate in our church Novem

1 1 9 64 . ber , A spirit of disunity which had existed prior to his coming hindered the work of the new pastor . In an effort to overcome friction and un ite the fellowship , the pastor set about visiting every church family street by street . A special Sunday School class for retarded chi ldren was begun “ to train the chi ld spiritual ly and permit the parents to ” attend church . Five families were involved .

’ ; C Dr herry s strong emphasis being teaching the people , he conducted many study classes on the Bible and related sub 58 We R emember OurHeritage

ects . j He gave unstintedly of himself in this effort . A beloved retired Baptist min ister and active member of

. N. h G . ese , R C , T our church ev owan wrote his autobiography ,

ears 93 Y . The deacons voted to purchase copies to be placed in

Southeastern Seminary , the Louisvi lle Seminary , and the

North Carolina Baptist Convention . One was placed in our

church library .

our Due to vandalism , sanctuary doors were locked when

not in use . There had been a rash of thefts , abuse , and 1 9 4 . 6 wrongful use which made this necessary In , whi le the

sanctuary was being renovated , the fel lowship met in the

Center Theater for worship services . 1 9 6 5 3 5 6 In , there were members who made no monetary

contributions to the work of the church . In order to make a more equitable distribution between the funds kept at home

. t and those sent around the world , Dr Cherry at empted to

Co - gradually raise the amount given to the operative Program . According to a study of the church made by a college stu

dent from Ahoskie , Calvin Parker , the resident members of

o r 1 4 1 u 9 60 1 6 8 . 9 69 church in numbered In , the number had

declined to 1 3 5 0 . The net loss in membership peaked in 1 9 6 1 1 9 with a loss of 8 0 . The net gain in members peaked in 66 7 with a gain of 24 . Baptisms declined from 3 6 in 1 9 6 to 1 0 in

1 9 6 8 . 1 9 6 7 In , the fellowship was involved in the celebration of

’

C . , , the city s entenn ial Long dresses , sun bonnets string ties

and bearded faces were the order of the day . The Wednesday night service was canceled and all adjourned to the Rocky Mount bal l park to participate in the Religious Heritage ser

vice . A special committee was appointed i n 1 9 6 8 to study the

church con stitution and make recommendations . In part it We R emember OurLater Pastors 59

’ said : The committee s study reveals a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of the members of First Baptist ”

. t . Church in the purpose , content and use of he Constitution “

1 3 1 9 6 8 . On May , Dr Cherry stated to the deacons that he

was somewhat worried about our church . That he was afraid that some of our members are not enthusiastic over the

re purchase of property and/or an expansion program . He minded that we must be together and not divided on such an

endeavor . He stated great concern about the lack of enthusiasm on the part of our people about anything.He men

'

tioned 1 1 9 6 8 . the net loss in members since January , Prayer

and support were requested by Dr . Cherry on the part of every

deacon , and he suggested that each of us try very hard to rekin

‘ ’ dle the fire under our people .

1 . 9 69 . A In , Mr C Robert Shields was recogn ized at the pri l 1 6th church conference for having received the Layman of the

Year Award . Charles Jones was recogn ized for having been

elected Vice President of the State Royal Ambassadors . ch 1 9 1 9 69 In the urch conference of January , , the follow ing proposed amendment to the church constitution was made: ‘That Section I of Article 3 be deleted from the present Con

stituti on 1 3 and a new Section , Article be inserted , reading as follows : The membership of this church shal l be composed of

persons who have given evidence of regeneration , who have

been baptized by immersion , who have subscribed to the cove

nant and constitution of this church , and who have been 3 03 received by the vote of the church . The vote showed for , 9 1 against . This change in the constitution was a landmark

- decision al lowing non whites to become members .

’ For a number of years before Dr . Cherry s coming , there had been continual discussion about the feasibi lity of building

t t . a new sanc uary , bu no firm decision had been made On June 60 We R emember OurHeritage

8 1 9 69 , , the church met in Special Called Conference in the Sen ior High School Auditorium ; the purpose: to hear the report of the Plann ing and Survey Committee regarding build

. : 3 9 6 ing a new sanctuary Result of the vote for , 3 0 against , 7 no vote , 2 split , commitments 3 5 2 2 2 no comment ,

Later , this decision was cancelled and it was decided to put off bui lding the sanctuary and construct the Fellowship Hall first .

1 9 70 . In June , Dr Cherry conducted a tour to the Holy

Land and attended the Baptist World Alliance in Tokyo ,

- 1 2 1 7 1 9 70 . Japan , July , Besides the Cherry fami ly , six other members of our church took the tour and were delegates to the

Baptist World Alliance . 1 9 1 9 70 The February , issue of the Outreach carries the resignation of Dr . Cherry . His resignation was effective Apri l

1 5 1 9 70 R . C , . , , when ussell T herry Jr accepted the cal l of the N C . First Baptist Church of Lumberton , We R emember Our La ter Pas tors 6 1

R n l i don o a d W. H g

1 3 . 3 1 9 5 Ronald W Higdon was born July , at Louisvi lle ,

Kentucky .

He graduated from Georgetown College , Georgetown , Ken

B A 1 9 5 7 . tucky with a . degree , summa cum laude , in A mem ber of the Biology , French , and English honor societies , he was listed in Who ’ s Who Among Students in American

Un iversities and Colleges .

Mr . Higdon taught English and Biology in high school , and later taught in the Biology Departments of Georgetown Col lege and Kentucky Southern College in Louisvi lle .

’ Rev . Higdon s early pastorates were Old Cedar Baptist

, ; B t , Church Owen County , Kentucky Vine Run ap ist Church

Grant County , Kentucky; and Pine Street Baptist Church , 62 We R emember OurHeritage

1 9 - 7 6 5 1 9 0 . , H Virgin ia e was Min ister ofCMusic and Youth for one year at Virgin ia Avenue Baptist hurch , Louisvi lle ,

Kentucky . Ronald Higdon is married to the former Patricia Downard of Louisvi lle , Kentucky . She graduated from Georgetown Col

B A . i lege with a degree in Elementary Education . The H g dons have two sons , Mark and Michael . e 1 9 6 9 . During the first quart r of , Rev Higdon wrote for

en Windo ws O . , k 1 96 8 p the Baptist Daily Devotional Boo In , he wrote the Sunday School Lessons in Religio us Herald for one quarter .

While in Virginia , Mr . Higdon served in the following capacities : on the staff of Eagle Eyrie (Virgin ia Baptist Assem bly); as Secretary of Richmond Baptist Min isters Conference , 1 9 6 7 ; as President of Oregon Hi ll Neighborhood Counci l ,

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 7 - 1 9 69 ; as member of Baptist Centers Committee , ; as member of the Program Committee for the Baptist General Association of Virginia; as Pastor - Advisor for Virgin ia Bap

’ ti st Men s Convention ; as Pastor - Advisor for BSU of Virginia o C mmonwealth Un iversity; on the Executive Committee , Richmond Baptist Association ; and as Chairman of Associa tion Meetings Committee , Richmond Baptist Association .

On leaving Pine Street Baptist Church , Ronald Higdon began his work with the Rocky Mount First Baptist Church on

7 . 1 5 1 9 0 . September , Mr Higdon not on ly preached , but had a fine singing voice which he sometimes used on special occa sions . Since our constitution had previously been changed to per

- 1 9 7 1 mit non whites to join our fellowship , in January the

- . M , first non white , Mrs Luci lle ae Anthony presented herself for membership and was accepted . As far as is known , this is

64 We R emember OurHeritage

J oh n D av i d Cave John David Cave was born in Wi lliamston South Carolina

29 1 9 29 . A . , , R . . C on October His father ev J ave , was pastor of

Mountain Creek Baptist Church , the largest rural church in

’

. South Carolina His brother is pastor of the St . John s Baptist N C. Church Charlotte ,

: . C C Dr ave graduated from North G reenville Jun ior ollege , A 4 S . . 1 C A . 9 8 Tigervi lle , , with an in ; Furman Un iversity , B 1 S C S . 9 5 0 G reenville , , with a in ; and Southwestern Bap tist 8 D . Theological Seminary , Fort Worth , Texas , with a in

1 9 5 3 . In 1 9 5 4 he was ordained into the min istry by Mountain Creek Baptist Church and in that same year he and Miss Laura

Carden of Tennessee were married . Mrs . Cave is a graduate of

he B . T the University of Tennessee with a S in music . Caves

: Lee . have three children David , Phi llip , and Laura

. 1 9 5 2 Dr Cave was pastor at Honey Grove , Texas from to

1 1 9 5 6 - 1 9 8 9 5 6 . 5 In he was Associate Pastor with Dr .

- Monroe Swi lley , J r . at the Second Ponce de Leon Baptist

A e . Church , tlanta , G orgia He received the Doctor of Theology degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Semi

- 1 9 5 7 . 1 9 5 8 1 9 6 2 nary , Fort Worth , in In he was pastor of the

C D C. East Washington Heights Baptist hurch in Washington , 2 In 1 9 6 Dr . and Mrs . Cave were appointed by the Foreign 1 9 2 Mission Board to serve in Argentina . The years 6 and

1 9 6 3 were spent in language study (Spanish) in Costa Rica .

- 1 96 3 1 9 7 3 . The next ten years ( ) Dr Cave , Professor of

Philosophy and Theology , taught at the International Baptist

Theological Seminary in Buenos Aires . He also served as pas tor of the English - speaking International Baptist Church in

- Buenos Aires in 1 9 69 1 9 7 3 . We R emember OurLater Pas tors 65

Having completed their tour of duty in Argentina , the Caves

— returned to the States and Dr . Cave served as Visiting Professor of Missions at the Midwestern Baptist Theological

M . Seminary in Kansas City , issouri

Dr . John David Cave accepted the call to our church in 1 9 7 5 January , the first foreign missionary to pastor our peo

e and im ple . He and his fami ly were enthusiastically receiv d mediately became involved in both church and community life . Mrs . Cave , a soprano , is a splendid addition to our choir . In February the church was vandalized when fire ex ti n uishers e g were discharg d , towel racks torn from the walls of

e . r st rooms , doors removed from brackets and the walls abused

was Most of the damage confined to the Day Care area . Some R A of our . . boy s repainted the rooms .

Dr . Cave instituted a Neighborhood Fi le (the congregation divided into 2 5 neighborhoods with deacons in charge of each one) and began the practice of having four deacons join the pastor for prayer each Sunday at e 1 1 9 7 5 9 5 th r On Jun , the church celebrated its bi thday at the morn ing worship service with the recogn ition of members 4 0 5 0 60 . belonging to the church for , , and years The drama department presented a costumed skit reenacting the constitut

’

1 1 8 8 0 . ing of our church on June , At four o clock that after

T . S . . W . B . noon , Mrs . Anderson and Mr Middleton , two of our oldest members , cut the ribbons on the double doors at the entrance to our new fellowship hall . Special music , speeches by the city mayor and church leaders , and joyous fel lowship were the order of the day as our newest faci lity was dedicated .

was The Alice Temple Lounge , adjacent to the fel lowship hal l , named in memory of this dedicated member , former church “ hostess and unofficial Goodwi ll Ambassador . 66 We R emember OurHeritage

Also in June , Dr . Cave attended the Southern Baptist Con vention k . in Miami and too his first vacation In his absence ,

. e H . . Dr Edward ugh s Pruden supplied the pulpit Dr Pruden , D C former pastor of the First Church , Washington , , is retired but active as teacher at Southeastern Seminary and chaplain of

. 20 C . re the North arolina Legislature On July , Dr Pruden quested that the congregation share with him by singing a

, A hymn of his own composing nn iversary Hymn , to cele i brate the f ftieth ann iversary of his ordination . 1 9 7 5 During the summer of , the church honored our com B . . C. . munity leaders Mr Capps , councilman , read the scrip

- R 8 . ture from omans ; Mr Jeff Batts , attorney , led in “ prayer; and the pastor preached on Christ and the Com

munity . R ’ I . . The occasion of Rev . Everett s retirement as Min ister of Visitation (for health reasons) prompted the congregation “ ”

R . to show their esteem and appreciation at a J . Everett Day .

Mr . George Hooks , chairman of deacons , gave the eulogy and

presented the love gift from the congregation . A ministry to our sen ior adults was begun September 2 2 with Mr . Carl Ki lgo as temporary chairman of the initial com mi ttee . This group is made up of people 5 5 and over . They

meet each fourth Monday n ight in the month . The name “ ” ob ec Young and Restless was used at first but , due to some j “

H . D tions , was changed to Forever Young . Mr . . White is the present chairman .

Also in September there was a World Missions Conference . Joint sessions were held in the Fellowship Hal l each evening with different speakers each n ight . At the Sunday morn ing worship service Leon S . White , missionary to Argentina , was guest minister . Other speakers during the Conference were We R emember OurLa ter Pastors 67

George Cowsert of South Brazil ; Nathan Brooks of the North

DeLane Carolina Baptist Convention ; Ryals , Director of

Church Extension in Metropolitan New York ; Leslie Keys ,

missionary to Honduras; and Boris Rock , a Russian now working as a home missionary to the Slavics in Pennsylvan ia . Several women ’ s names were submitted by the congregation for the d iaconate in 1 9 7 5 but were rejected by the deacons with a vote of 1 1 to 1 0 .

A 1 9 7 5 t an t the church conference in December , i was

’ nounced that had been received for the Children s Homes and that the 1 9 76 budget had already been subscribed by The 1 9 7 6 budget is This does not i n c lude the mission goals or the Day Care , which is self- supporti ng The month of February 1 9 76 was designated the Five

Fabulous Sundays because of the rarity of this occurrence . Special promotion was given to Sunday School attendance

ac 5 5 8 5 05 . wt hich re hed , with an average of for the month On he second Sunday , Danny Sewel l gave his testimony of what

Sunday School means to him and his fami ly . At the even ing A ” L. . . t A service , Mrs Stanci l presen ed Vocal Focal as a part

W M . U . of the . . Focus Week emphasis

On the third Sunday , six fami lies brought their young chi ldren for dedication and to affirm their intention of pro

vid i ng Christian homes for their fami lies . The fourth Sunday “ ” J O focused on Youth and their Joy Explosion ( esus , thers , .

Y - i n ou . ) This began on Friday n ight with a Lock , followed by

breakfast Saturday morning . Saturday n ight there was a

covered dish dinner in the Fel lowship Hall , followed by a ral ly

and more fun and fellowship . A team of four students from 68 We R emember OurHeritage

Southeastern Seminary worked with our young people Febru “ - 2 2 ary 20 in the Joy Explosion . 29 The fifth Sunday , February , was Old Fashioned Sun day . Old household articles , antiques , and farm implements were on display in the old Fellowship Hall . Many members came dressed in centennial costumes or clothing of a byg one ! era . Even the preacher wore his string tie During the morning

R . L. service , old hymns were sung and Mr . Rogers , one of our

- sen ior members , played a hymn on the reed pump organ , loaned to the church by Mr . Don Johnson , chairman of deacons .

Mrs . John R . Lee , in centenn ial dress , presented an inci dent of church discipline taken from the church record of ” 1 8 9 1 . This concerned The Mystic Circle Affair in which a prominent young man of the church joined the Mystic Circle Dance Club and was brought before the church counci l for trial . This was a customary proceeding at that time . This par ti cular trial was unique in that it lasted five months and was never concluded . We can on ly conjecture why the counci l was unable to come to a decision . It was dropped when the young man asked that his name be erased from the church roll .

Tomorro w Mr . John Privott taught the Home Mission book

tart oda S s T y on February 29 and March 7 at R M . The

Week of Prayer for Home Missions , A New Birth of

- 7 1 4 . Freedom , began March

In the meantime , the Search Committee had secured a

Min ister of Music and Youth , Mr . Wi lliam V . Grisham , who began his work here February 1 7 . Following the evening ser

n 29 G rishams vice o February , the were welcomed with a reception in the Fellowship Hall . The March 1 7th Outreach announced that the church had We R emember OurLaterPastors 69

. J . D acquired an Activity Bus The bus is the gift of Mr . .

Winstead , Sr . and will be gratefully used by al l of our many

organ izations . 1 8 At the morn ing worship service on Apri l , a brief memorial service was held for the twenty members lost by

death during the previous year . At the even ing service, a Tenebrae or Service of Shadows was presented by the Chancel

and Handbel l Choirs , the Chamber Singers , Mr . Bi ll Nelms ,

. di c . re reader , Mr Dave Kirk , organ ist , and Mr Bi ll G risham ,

tor . 24 On the even ing of Apri l , the Martha G il liland Baptist

. M Women received in honor of Dr artha G illi land , med ical

missionary to N igeria who was on furlough . A love offering

. . was presented , to Dr Martha The following day , Sunday , she

addressed the congregation concern ing her work in Nigeria . 9 ’ Sunday morn ing , May Dr . Cave preached the Mother s ’ ”

Day sermon on the topic God s Design for Wives . That “ even ing the Christian Characters presented A Little Bit of ” This , A Little Bit of That .

Dr . Randal l Lolley , president of Southeastern Seminary was featured speaker at a banquet given by the church in ap preciation of the Sunday School officers and teachers on May 2 0 . Our third Pictorial Directory is being prepared by Le Mann and Associates . It should soon be ready for distribution . 1 9 76 9 6 th 6 In our church ann iversary fell on June , at which time we celebrated with a Homecoming . Dr . Russell

was . Cherry , former pastor , our guest min ister Fourteen landmark decisions made by the church through the years were reviewed by members , both vocally and by placards . Returned former members were recogn ized . Follow 70 We R emember OurHeritage

ing the church service , a picnic was spread in the Peoples Bank

Park back of the Fellowship Hall . Good fellowship and a pup

’ pet show concluded the day s festivities .

1 2 . Saturday even ing , June , Mr and Mrs . Norman N .

III , Burnes missionaries on furlough from Greece , were 1 . 3 honored by our church On Sunday , June , Rev . Burnes was guest minister . l Vacation Bible Schoo , Mrs . George Hooks superintendent

1 4 - 2 3 4 was in session June with an average attendance of 2 1 . 5 0 Approximately children were bussed in , using our Activity

. P Bus The chi ldren came from owell Drive , Fox Run , Quail

. e 3 00 . Hollow , and Old Mill Road Enrollment reach d 1 7 4 3 On June , a chartered bus carried about members to the Southern Baptist Convention in Norfolk , Virgin ia for the day . 2 7 On Christian Citizenship Day , June , our special guests were the Rocky Mount city officials . Those helping in the ser vice were City Manager Cyrus Brooks , Counci lman Walter

Mears , and Chief of Police Arthur Butler . 2 7 On the even ing of June , the Music Min istry presented

- Robert Hale , bass baritone with the New York City Opera

Company , and Wi lder , tenor and Director of Vocal ! Dean

Studies at Wi lliam Jewell College , Liberty , Missouri , and also

- N Y . with the . City Opera Ovid Young was accompan ist ar ranger . These dedicated Christians and professional musicians gave a moving sacred concert which included humor , joy , and adoration .

Our Min ister of Music , Bill Grisham , is beginning work with a group in Hand Puppets and expects to expand this min istry in the fall to Sen ior and Junior High students . He also hopes to be able to interest some sen ior church members in

72 We R emember OurHeritage teousness and of thy praise all the day long . Psalm

R . S . V

A ss oci ate Pas tors

Rev M cKi n le i lli lan . y G d

M Ki n e - . c l Rev y G i lli land , our first full time assistant pastor

’ ’ and young peoples worker , came as Dr . Kincheloe s assistant in 1 9 3 9 . Mac and his fiancee had already taken the examina tion for foreign mission work in Africa before he came to

’ Rocky Mount . Due to the war , they couldn t be assigned unti l conditions were stabilized . Mac frankly told the church his plans , saying he would resign from our work when the Foreign

Mission Board called him . Rev . Gi lli land of Attalla , Alabama and Dr . Martha Jordan of Birmingham , Alabama were mar 24 1 9 3 9 ried on June , and returned to Rocky Mount to make fast friends . 1 9 40 Called into service in , Mac was chaplain in China and

India . When his tour of duty ended , he and Martha began final 1 94 2 preparations toward fulfilling their dream . In the Gi lli lands were appointed to Ogbomosho . Mac was made professor of preaching and church history in the Nigerian Baptist 4 7 1 9 . . Theological Seminary , Ogbomosho in Dr Martha , a O surgeon , is resident staff doctor at Baptist Hospital , g

bomosho . , practicing obstetrics and gynecology

After years in Africa , Mac suffered a brain tumor , was returned stateside and died in Birmingham , Alabama on June

2 1 9 4 . 5 , 6

’ Though our church didn t send out Mac and Martha , the ties have been very strong , and they are regarded as our “ ” special missionaries . We have continued to min ister to them We R emember Our La ter Pastors 73

’ with love and prayer . Our n ight Woman s Missionary Society is named in honor of Martha . Under the auspices of the

Benevolence Committee , Carl Ki lgo , chairman , a sun dial was

s placed on the lawn be ide the sanctuary in memory of Mac . 3 0 1 9 6 5 The dedication took place May , following the morn

v . . , ing worship ser ice Dr Gi lliland her daughter Diana , son i n - C , law Bil l onnelly and granddaughter Irene Elizabeth ,

’ i lli lan were present for the event . Dr . G d s son Peter was sti ll in school at the time . Dr . Martha is sti ll on the field at Og

bomosho .

Rev laren ce Godwi n . C

- Rev . Clarence Godwin was our next full time associate pas

- in 1 946 1 94 8 . tor , coming He and his wife , Betty , endeared themselves to our people . Upon resignation , Clarence served pastorates in Cary and Winston - Salem and then was called back to Rocky Mount as the first pastor of the newly con stituted Lakes ide Baptist Church . He is presently pastor at

x . N. C First Church in O ford ,

Rev Wi lli am Lamm . C .

Bil l Lamm was an efficient associate pastor and young peo

’ - pl es worker in 1 949 1 9 5 0 . He is presently a capable leader in the N . C. Convention as head of the Department of Evange li m s . He was taken ill at the Southern Baptist Convention in

1 9 7 5 . Miami in , but is improving

Rev l R Phi lli s r Es i e J . . . p ,

Eslie Phi llips came to our church in 1 9 5 0 as associate to 74 We R emember OurHeritage

Dr . Kincheloe . He graduated from the University of Virginia 1 94 6 in ; from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , 1 1 70 ’ 9 5 0 . 9 Louisvi lle , Kentucky in In he earned his Master s

degree from the Seminary .

Rev . Phi llips was married to Gazelle Hudgins Moore of

Newport News , Virgin ia in our church . Mrs . Phi llips is a grad

uate of Meredith College with a major in organ . Before her marriage she was Minister of Music at the Tarboro Baptist N C . : Church , Tarboro , The Phillips have three chi ldren Rol

land , Kristin , and Nathan .

1 - 1 . 9 5 0 9 5 3 Mr Phillips served our church during , preach

ing Sunday even ing , leading the Wednesday even ing service ,

and directing the min istry to youth . Since that time he has served the Aulander and Downtown

N. C. Baptist Churches , Au lander , ; West End Church , i Petersburg , Virgin ia; Grove Avenue Church , R chmond ,

Virgin ia; and Talbot Park Baptist Church , Norfolk , Virginia . In 1 9 7 1 Eslie toured the Holy Land ; in 1 9 7 2 he went on a preaching mission in Northeast England ; and in September 1 9 7 5 he led a group from Talbot Park in a revival crusade at

- - on . the Tabernacle in Stockton Tees , England

R v Shelb Ro al e . y y

Rev . Shelby Royal served as assistant pastor and youth

- director in 1 9 60 1 9 6 3 . Shelby was the nephew of one of our

i n deacons , T . Ray Vaughn . He was especially effective with termediates and in Vacation Bible School . He was a graduate

’ of Mercer College and received his Master s degree from

Southeastern Seminary . Shelby is presently living at Gretna ,

Virgin ia and teaching at Averette Jun ior College . He also serves as interim pastor as needed . We R emember OurLa ter Pastors 75

m L Blan J a es . d

1 James L . Bland came as an associate pastor in March 9 5 5 and served unti l July 1 9 5 5 .

S ummer Ass i stants

The first seminary student who worked as assistant pastor and min ister of youth during the summer months was Rev .

Samuel Lewis Morgan , Jr . He served our church in the sum

R v . 1 9 3 7 1 9 3 8 1 9 3 9 . e mers of , , and Morgan was from Creed more , the son of a prominent North Carolina Baptist leader .

D C. He is now serving a pastorate in Washington ,

Other summer pastors were Rev . Carlton Mitchell

6 . Rev . Fred Badders ( months in Rev John Carter 1 (summers of 96 5 and and Rev . Ray Flynn (summers of 1 9 6 7 and

H arr D Gri ffin y .

- Hi Rev . Harry Griffin came as a full time associate to Mr . g 7 don i n 1 9 2 . Harry worked for and received his Doctor of Ministries degree from Southeastern Seminary while serving our church . Whi le fulfi lling his regular duties , he gave special impetus and emphasis to supportive work with the elderly and

arran to continuing education . Classes were held in flower g

- , t , . , ing free lance writing , the Psalms , furn i ure refin ishing etc

t t . aBccording to the in erests of those par icipating Durintg the i lly Graham Crusade in Raleigh , bus loads of Senior Ci izens and Youth of the church were taken for an outing and atten dance at the Crusade .

Dr . Griffin resigned in 1 9 75 to accept a pastorate in

Raleigh . 76 We R emember OurHeritage

Ord ai n ed i n Our Ch urch

Seven young men are known to have been ordained in our

. church Six were reared in the nurture of our fellowship . One , M i . alik Rev , was from an outside fellowship . The first young man to be ordained in our church of whom

we have a record was Rev . Q . C. Davis . Rev . Davis was a mem ber of our church and was ordained to the min istry on Apri l

2 8 1 8 9 2 . . J D H m fha . R T . . u . . W J . , , R . . Dr Dr Vann , ev Powell , F and Rev . J . Love made up the consistory .

r . John Wil liam Kincheloe , J , son of our beloved pastor , was

ordained in our church in 1 9 2 8 . After earning his Doctor of Philosophy degree and serving several pastorates (the last of

’

, R , which was Branch s Baptist Church ichmond Virginia) , he

is now retired . Dr . Kincheloe is at present helping Mount Her

C C C . mon hurch in aroline ounty , Virgin ia

Rev . Eugene Wi lliams has served in several capacities and is now Executive Secretary of the Richmond Baptist Associa

tion , Richmond , Virgin ia .

D r . Earl Parker studied at Oxford , England and worked

briefly at our church . His present address is not known .

Rev . Joseph Harold Cogg ins was ordained in our church 2 1 9 5 0 . C . C . Apri l , haplain (Lt ol ) Coggins has served his

s country as Army Chaplain in the Un ited State , Japan , Alaska ,

and Taiwan . He is presently stationed in Denver , Colorado .

M i alik Rev . Emil was working in the Rocky Mount area as a student missionary when he was ordained by our church . His present whereabouts are not known .

Rev . Russell Myers was a member and a deacon in our church when he was ordained . He accepted his first pastorate in Elm City . We R emember OurLa terPastors 77

I nter i m Pastors

Through the years , we have had unusually fine interim pas

- tors . Among the best loved have been Dr . Luther Copeland

Dr . Eugene Owens , Dr . Marc Lovelace , and Dr . Donald E .

Cook .

Evangeli sts

Some of the most eminent and best remembered evangelists

who have led rev1 vals in our church are Dr . George W

i . M cDan el . . . R , , , Dr oland Q Leavell Dr Ellis Fuller Dr Kyle

t R . A t . . Ya es , ev ngel Mar inez , and Dr Charles Howard

Reti red Mi n i sters

We have been most fortunate in having retired ministers in

our congregation much of the time . Among those in recent W J . . . years have been Dr . Kincheloe , pastor emeritus; Rev N . . E . . . G . Cowan ; Rev . J Lan ier; Rev Hurley C Lowder; and

’

R . Rev . J . Everett , who , during Dr . Higdon s pastorate , served

as Min ister of Visitation . For health reasons , he retired from

7 . 1 9 5 . this work in Mr . Charles M Harrison is an ordained min ister presently serving in our church as deacon and Sunday

School teacher . Rev . Ross E . Moyer , former pastor of North 2 5 t , Rocky Moun Baptist Church , joined our church March

1 9 7 6 . CHAPTER IV

WE REMEMBER TO PRAI SE GOD

Praise the Lord with harp : sing unto him with the psaltery

and an instrument of ten strings . Sing unto him a new song; ” play ski llfully with a loud noise . Psalm 3 .

ed In the early days of our church , all music was offer to

God on a voluntary basis and , for the most part , by amateurs .

Choir members dressed according to their individual taste , for

t . ves ments were taboo in a Baptist Church For a long time , any

instrument other than the human voice , organ and piano was unacceptable . The first musical instrument used was the old style reed pump organ , requiring the organ ist to peddle fast in order to sustain an even flow of tone .

Organ ists for this instrument were Mrs . George L . Parker ,

. . C . , M , Sr , Mrs aroline S Nunn iss Bonn ie Nunn and Miss

80 We R emember Our Heritage

. . C. married Mr Parker of Henderson , N and moved to that

city . Now a widow , she is sti ll active in the music of the First

Baptist Church in Henderson .

During approximately this same time period, Mrs . Minn ie

Haynes , a direct descendant of the famous Siamese twins , mar

ried Mr . Wil l Avera , a deacon , and directed the choir for

about two years . She was followed by Miss Kitty Poole , soloist

and choir director .

. A C. . Miss Poole was succeeded by Mrs Griffin , wife of a

. . . e . deacon When Mr Griffin died , Mrs G riffin resign d Then

J . T . Mrs . Maddrey , interim from Scotland Neck , commuted for choir rehearsals and Sunday services . Because she was una

, M ble to look after funeral music iss Irene Parker , Meredith graduate , was selected for this duty . During al l this time and

1 9 5 0 ev up unti l about , the choir or choir members sang for

ery funeral when requested to do so . This included church

- members , non church members , and transients . Some requests were very unreasonable and all required working choir mem

bers to get off from their jobs in order to sing .

Happi ly , with more funeral chapels and recorded music

available , decisions were made which brought the situation back within the bounds of reason .

Mrs . Clarence A . Griffin and Miss Irene Parker (later Mrs .

E . H . Tharrington) each directed the choir for many years .

Mrs . Griffin remin isced that Dr . and Mrs . Kincheloe used to express their appreciation of the choir by giving them a wild

turkey dinner or quai l supper! (Mrs . Kincheloe was an avid

music lover . ) A few years later , the deacons inaugurated the

custom of giving the choir a banquet , usually around

Christmas time .

After Miss Ada Shearin married , Miss Maggie Mae Rob We R emember To Praise God 8 1

bins (Mrs . Lyman C . Jones) graduated from Salem Col lege

re with a major in organ and became our next organ ist . She

- mained in this position for approximately twenty five years .

Mrs . Jones gave the amplifier for the organ chimes as a memorial to her parents , Mr . and Mrs . S . Robbins .

— Adult choi r i n fi rst vestments 1 948

Until this time there had never been any youth choir in our 1 9 26 church . In , Miss Irene Parker offered to divide her sal ary a month) if Miss Florence Winstead , recent voice

- G graduate of (now UNC ) , would organ ize a youth choir . Miss Winstead accepted the offer , gathered a choir of high school boys and girls and vested them . A moot innova ! t , , ion Unfortunately the cthoir lasted on ly a year for when the director again left town o teach , the choir disintegrated for lack of leadership . It was years before youth choirs were again attempted . 82 We R emember OurHeritage

k . . H . When Miss Par er married Mr E Tharrington , they

. C. A . lived out of town a number of years , and Mrs Griffin

again directed the choir . When Mr . Griffin died and Mrs .

G riffin resigned , she presented the sterling collection plates ,

now in use , to the church as a memorial to her husband .

. . T . Following Mrs J Maddrey , interim director , Mrs . John R . Lee (Florence Winstead) directed the vested choir for four

years .

When Mrs . Lyman Jones resigned as organ ist , interim

1 3 3 . . 9 organ ists who served were T Mason Bell , ; Vernon F

Jordan and Mrs . E . H . Austin . Later interim organ ists were

Miriam Knowles , Phi llip Edwards , and I rene Dixon . In 1 9 3 1 the deacons allowed $ 1 3 0 per month for choir

music and musicians . It was customary to employ paid h soloists . At one time or anot er , almost every musician in

town was used as soloist or director . The following is a list of

: the known soloists from other congregations Jack Brady , 2 1 9 3 . 1 9 29 . . violin ist , ; Mrs Howard T Gunn , soprano , ; Mrs 1 9 . 3 6 G eorge R Edwards , soprano , ; Miss Cody Hipps , 7 m l 1 94 . R . T . Si rel S 1 943 . oprano , ; Mrs , soprano , ; Hugh K

Hughes , tenor , several years; and Mrs . Lester J . Vause ,

violin ist , one year .

- Dr . Leonard Earl Harris , organ ist director , who succeeded ”

Mrs . Lee , was the first to bear the title Minister of Music .

He was with us from 1 949 to 1 9 5 2 .

Dr . Harris was followed by Mr . and Mrs . Charles Horton ,

both of whom were organ ists . Charles directed while Mrs .

Horton acco mpai ned . Mr . Horton was a member of the

- faculty of the state wide music conference in June 1 9 5 5 . Later in the same year he resigned to become a member of the faculty

R. C. of Campbell College . Mrs . Shuler was interim director We R emember To Prais e God 83

B . R . for a few months , and Mrs . Thompson frequently sup

t . 1 a 9 5 8 . plied the organ In March , Mr Horton returned with the Campbell College touring choir to present a sacred con cert . W H . 1 5 1 9 5 5 . . . On October , Mr and Mrs Adams became the first to inaugurate a system of graded choirs . Mr . Adams ,

Minister of Music , and Mrs . Adams , organ ist , started the choirs according to the standard of excel lence required by the

Southern Baptist Convention Music Department . In Decem “ ” ber , five choirs presented The Christmas Story .

1 9 5 6 was In January , an hour set aside for adult music

t . t study , music lis en ing and informal singing Volun eer choir mothers for jun ior age and older children ’ s groups were 1 ’ . 9 5 6 en listed In March , a men s chorus , sponsored by the

Brotherhood , was led by Jack Henderson . In June of the same year , a summer music school program was begun with the

arti ci at Carol , Cherub , Intermed iate and Crusader Choirs p p l n g .

B t 1 9 5 6 was y Sep ember , the music program organ ized as follows : er b r A e 6 7 8 B and G r Ch u Choi g s , , oys i ls r r A e 9 1 0 1 1 G r Ca ol Choi g s , , i ls r der r A e 9 1 0 1 1 B C usa Choi g s , , oys Conco rd Choi r Ages Ju nio r High or I ntermediates Adult Choi r Early Su nday Service or Night ’ Adult Choi r El even o clock Su nday Serv ice

The Kindergarten and Beginners were taught singing and t Rhy hm Band . Adult choir members and prospects were given free private voice lessons . 1 9 5 5 In January , , the music committee had recommended replacing the first pipe organ which now needed constant

. 1 9 5 . . . t t 6 , M repair It was our good for une tha , in rs S E 84 We R emember OurHeritage

Ballentine gave the church a Ki lgan organ in memory of her husband , Simon Eugene Bal lentine , a former deacon . 1 9 5 7 In June , Miss Mary Lee Parker , daughter of Dr .

George L . Parker , deacon and choir member , gave a program of sacred songs and spirituals . 1 9 5 7 In July , a Chapel Choir was organ ized composed of high school youth and young adults . The 1 9 5 7 Christmas

’ program was presented by the Men s Chorus , directed by

W . H Claude Mayo , and the Youth Choir , directed by . Adams .

. A A 1 9 5 8 When Mr dams resigned in ugust , the interim

. t , . directors were Mrs Elizabe h Ingram Mrs Mack Brown , and W D d . . . Mr . Harol Parry Interim organ ists were Mrs . Daniels and Mr . Ted Gossett . Miss Virgin ia Ekleberry assumed the work of Min ister of

1 9 5 8 . 1 9 5 9 Music in September In March , the Carol Choir “ ” received an A rating at the Regional Hymn Festival . The “ ” Christmas Cantata in 1 9 5 9 was King All G lorious . Miss

Ekl err 1 eb y submitted her resignation in September 9 60 . Larry

Gupton worked with our youth choirs in the summer of 1 9 5 9 .

‘

. C. Dr . Wi lliam Sasser of the music faculty of N Wesleyan

1 9 60 . College became min ister of music in October , However ,

’ his responsibi lity was limited to the eleven o clock adult choir .

Mrs . Robert Daughtridge directed the Celestial , Cherub ,

C , . arol Concord , and Chapel Choirs

’ During Dr . Branch s tenure as pastor , an early service was held in the Chapel during Sunday School hour . This was the

’

A M . chi ldren s church . From unti l the Sunday

School hour , Dr . Branch conducted an early morning worship

- service in the sanctuary . Ted Gossett was organ ist director for this choir . The Palm Sunday and Easter music in 1 9 6 2 was presented We R emember To Praise God 85

under the leadership of Dr . Sasser and Ted Gossett . Mrs . Paul Wi lkins began work with the intermediate choir and youth

1 9 6 2 . choir in , and Mrs Edith Strickland directed the Cherub k ’ Choir . Mrs . Charles Ra ov was also a director of chi ldren s

choirs in 1 9 6 2 . 1 9 6 3 t t t In October , the Fi rs Presby erian Choir , direc ed by

Larry Gupton , and the First Baptist Choir , directed by Dr .

t t , Sasser , with Ted Gosset as organ is gave a combined music

’ n n J W . Do ell . O service Mrs . . did some choir directing in

1 9 6 3 .

Ted Gossett and Larry Gupton , both fine young musicians ,

’

, M grew up in our church earned aster s degrees in music , and

returned to Rocky Mount to use their many talents . 1 9 64 i s In , M s Nettie Bunn directed the Primary and Jun ior

Choirs .

Dr . Sasser resigned in 1 9 6 5 and Ted Gossett became

M M . t in ister of usic and organ ist Among o her things , Ted

- raised the money , purchased the handbells , and trained our first handbel l choir . Need less to say , al l choirs had long been vested and choir mothers secured for the young choirs . It had become commonplace to augment the choir by bringing in young musicians from Wesleyan College , East Carolina

i n Un iversity , and Raleigh . For special programs , additional struments t t , t were used such as rumpe s , percussions and s ring quartet . 1 9 6 8 In , Ted Gossett resigned to continue music study and

Dave Kirk became interim organ ist and choir director . He

r 1 9 69 . se ved unti l June , when Roger and Jenn ie Lamb came 1 9 70 Roger and Jenn ie are both organ ists . In , Jenn ie was made paid accompan ist .

1 9 7 3 - 1 9 74 W M . t t t In , rs Lib ordswor h helped wi h he 86 We Remember OurHeritage

Beginner Choir . Roger and Jenn ie worked together to train the graded choirs . This included basic note values , signs , t h m breathing , voice production , musical terms , rhy hm and y no logy . The Handbell Choir is continuing with seventh and eighth graders . The Youth Choir (Chamber Singers) sings for the Sunday even ing service and has done some touring . The eleven o ’ clock adult choir is given special train ing in vocal technique , choral tone , blend and balance .

When Mr . and Mrs . Lamb had been with us five years , in appreciation , an especial ly delightful party was given them by the church , planned by Mr . Higdon and Mr . Harry Griffin , with the cooperation of the adult choir . In addition to the fellowship and refreshments , members of the choir enacted a

“ ” ’ typical choir rehearsal for everyone s merriment . We owe much to our choirs who work hard to produce

, , t lovely music , adding beauty mean ing and atmosphere o evoke the worship experience . Choir members and congrega tion alike profit from the addition of melody and harmony to

’ the timeless and unending riches of God s Word , making them

Stick fast in the memory .

Outreach 8 1 9 75 t resi The for August , carried he letter of g

f . nation o BRoger and Jennie Lamb They began a new work at the First aptist Church of Waynesboro , Virginia on Septem

1 1 9 7 5 . ber ,

Our interim organ ist was Dave Kirk , while Larry Gupton

- c served as part time director . Larry is presently a choral dir e tor i n the public school system .

The new Minister of Music , William V . Grisham of

- 1 9 76 . Arlington , Texas , arrived in mid February He wil l also serve as Minister of Youth .

’ risham s Mr . G undergraduate work was done at Bakersfield

88 We R emember OurHeritage

M A Profes among them the presidency of Phi u lpha , National

ional s Music Fratern ity . He was also ordained to the Gospel

Ministry of Music . Bi ll is married to the former Mary Catherine Baker of

a . Tex s They have two chi ldren , Kristin Elizabeth and William

Todd . Mrs . Grisham , a graduate of the Un iversity of North

Florida , is a violin ist and soprano soloist .

1 1 1 9 76 . On the even ing of April , , Mr Grisham presented

the Chancel Choir , Chamber Singers , and the Handbell Choir

in a Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows) . This moving portrayal through scripture and song showed the suffering of

our Lord as he passed through the shadows to his crucifixion . The Resurrection and Life Eternal climaxed this spiritual ex

’ peri ence as we shared something of our Savior s anguish and victory

Dave Kirk was organ ist , Bill Nelms , reader , and Bi ll

Grisham was director . CHAPTER V

WE REMEMBER OUR LEADERS

unmov Therefore , my beloved brethren , be ye steadfast ,

able , always abounding in the work of the Lord , forasmuch as ” ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord . I Cor .

Ch urch Clerks

When the Rocky Mount Baptist Church was constituted in 1 8 8 0 . , Harlow D Avera was elected church clerk , the first

elected official . The following is a list of all church clerks ,

1 8 8 0 - 1 9 76 :

1 . W Harlow D . Avera C. . Wi lson W 2 . . B A . Spiers C. . Hesser

3 . W G L. . . T . C . Pegram Rowland

E . W W C Timmons . . Avera

. . V 5 S . T . Chamblee Sam L . Arrington 90 We R emember OurHeritage

Ch urch Treas urers

1 8 90 In , Brother George L . Parker , Sr . was elected our first

. D J . E . H C T . church treasurer e was followed by hristian ,

W D . Joyner , . Joyner , D . Ernest Bulluck , and Jeff Batts . Our present treasurer is Russell Edmondson .

D eacons

T . M . CF . The first deacons , Arrington and Ellen , were

1 8 8 2 . elected in For years , the deacons were few in number

’ and unorgan ized . During Dr . Kesler s pastorate , the concept

. 1 9 02 of deacons as spiritual leaders was emphasized By , they ” were known as the Board of Deacons . As their number

grew , a chairman and secretary were elected . Finally , they were fully organ ized and divided into as many committees as

. e necessary , with delegated responsibi lity The chairm n served A ’ for indefin ite periods through Tom vera s tenure , when the

’ chairman s term of service was limited to one year . ’ — . i n During Dr Branch s pastorate , the deacons accord t — wi h the new constitution began rotation , the full quota of

deacons being set at 40 .

Besides their regular duties as spiritual and business leaders , the deacons have had special projects such as the annual ban quet for the choir and their spouses and the furn ishing of a

- room at the Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem . From time to time classes have been conducted to improve the quality of the diaconate by the study of books like The

Deacon at Work 1 7 a E A . . 9 3 by Agar In , a committee was p

- pointed to re examine the method of electing deacons . Their report states We recommend two things that we feel will ben efit our members and help it to be a congregational church government .

92 We R emember OurHeritage

Trus tees

: H . D M . . G . Our past trustees have been Avera , Lindsey , W W . . C. . E . . George L Parker , Sr , Simmons , Shearin , Tom A .

. W T M . W H . . . W A , A , . , A . R. vera rrington J Short vera , Lan

W D . caster , . Joyner , Tom W . Coleman , Wi lliam R . Coleman

J r . George L . Parker , , and Herman Merrell .

e : . , . B Our pr sent trustees are Sam L Arrington Jeff D atts ,

and Russell B . Edmondson .

M i n i s ters of Ed ucati on

t , A Meredi h graduate Miss Imogene Douglas , who came to 4 1 9 5 . us in , was our first educational director She resigned 1 u 5 1 9 5 5 . Aug st , 1 9 5 6 . In , a former associate of Dr Branch , Miss Virginia

Beall , came as educational director . A graduate of Carver

M , School of issions in Louisvi lle she was dedicated , hard

working , and efficient . Virgin ia remained to marry one of our

J r deacons , Mr . George L . Hooks , . , and to serve as interim

educational director following the resignation of Dr . Harold

’

. a . T Gal laspy , Clarence V ssar , and Earl Long Virginia s first

love is Vacation Bible School , but she wi llingly serves in any

capacity where she is needed . When Dr . Branch resigned to

assume state leadership , a heavy load was placed on her d shoulders . The new educational building was unfin ishe ; there was the big job of moving into new quarters; the age grading of the adult Sunday School (against vigorous opposition from

res on some); all of this , in addition to the regular weekly p sibi lities and attempting to prepare for the added cl asses by

conducting study courses and upgrading standards , made her 1 9 7 5 task a formidable one . Again in , Virgin ia served on a 93 We R emember OurLeaders

part - time basis as interim Min ister of Education whi le a

search committee sought a permanent person for this position . 7 1 9 6 e . In , the search continu s

Dr . Harold T . Gal laspy served as educational director from

’ m n 1 96 1 1 9 6 3 . Sode a s . . to , during Mr pastorate Dr Gallaspy was dedicated , kind and cooperative . Perhaps his most lasting

Outreach accomplishment was the publication of the , the weekly church paper which he began in October 1 9 6 1 and which sti ll continues . 1 ’ . 96 5 . r Mr Clarence Vassar came in , during Dr Cher y s pastorate . A disciplinarian , his main responsibi lity was the

Day Care Center and the Kindergarten . He is now associated

N . . C with Dr Cherry in Lumberton ,

Mr . Earl Long was educational director from 1 9 6 7 to 1 96 9 . v t t t . He ga e grea emphasis o eacher train ing His wife , v Rosemary , used her lo ely soprano voice to enhance our choir . 1 7 7 9 0 t 1 9 1 M . t From o , r Ray Luck was the educa ional director . CHAPTER VI

WE REMEMBER TO REACH OUT IN LOVE

And now abideth faith , hope , charity , these three; but the ” greatest of these is charity . I Cor .

Benev olen ce

B enevolence has been a way of life for our church . Our earliest church records reveal Christian generosity toward the needy , the widow and orphan . In spite of hard times and the

a tiny membership of an infant church , food and smal l c sh love offerings were contributed to members in need . At least twice , wooden coffins were supplied as well as transportation of the deceased to the cemetery . The church bore all expenses for these deceased members , including the digging of the graves .

In another instance , a sick mother with small chi ldren was given the loan of a cow so her children could have milk , and the church also pledged her a month . i n Through al l the years , when the membership has been formed of needs , it has rallied to the cause with alacrity and

96 We R emember OurHeritage

where needed , supply heaters , fuel , hearing aids , and meat for

the food baskets at Christmas . Men of the church and the Royal Ambassadors load the baskets and deliver them before

Christmas Eve . 1 9 5 4 , C , In Miss Janet ox who operates the Youth Shop ,

began a Memorial Fund in memory of her mother , Jenny Gar C he rett ox , to be used by t church for benevolent purposes

such as purchasing hearing aids , glasses or in general adding to

the comfort and enjoyment of older people in need . The Benevolence Committee makes use of this fund when neces

sary . 1 9 66 , B In , serious efforts especially by the enevolence

Committee , were made to install an elevator to the sanctuary

as an aid to the aged and handicapped . This was tabled

because of the problems of installation , the great expense , and the hope among many that a new sanctuary would be bui lt soon . Many older members an d hand i capped people are barred from church attendance by the necessity of climbing steps . Several members have been aided by the Benevolence Com mittee to gain entrance into one of our Baptist Homes for the

Aging . Ceramics equipment was purchased by the Committee for Hami lton Home but was later sold when plans to secure a teacher fai led to materialize . The Benevolence report for December 1 9 6 7 through Janu ary 1 9 6 8 was as follows :

Emergency Relief Christmas Food Boxes Supplement to Boxes Wheel Chair Needy Family We R emember To R each Out I n Lo ve 97

Clothing to 3 Families Fuel Distributed Visits 5 0

Mr . Carl Ki lgo served as chairman of the Benevolence

1 9 7 2 co - a Committee through with Jerry Briggs as chairm n .

1 9 7 3 . M . M When r Kilgo resigned in , r Briggs became chair

- M r . co . 9 7 man with Ki lgo chairman Mr . Briggs served in 1 3 1 9 74 t t reacti and , during which ime the clo hes closet was

1 9 7 3 Mabel vated . In , Misses and Hazel Wells found suitable

S lzed storage space , the clothing , delivered it to those in need and sent the unused clothing to the Rocky Mount Workshop .

A en 1 74 cte s . 9 . B t t In , Mrs Jeff a ts and the con inued this work

E . E . 1 75 . . 9 When Mr Briggs resigned in , Mr Edwards

- rm co . became chai an with Mr . Ki lgo sti ll chairman An ar rangement was worked out with the bus station whereby stranded and needy passengers could come to the church to receive tickets for meals (up to at the nearby Duchess

n - Restaura t . Cards are sent to the known sick and to shut ins every two months . In hardship cases , enough gas has been sup plied to get families home . The committee now numbers 26 and has a budget of $6 00 a 1 9 76 year , plus individual donations . Mr . Hiram Harris is the chairman .

The H omebound

W A It is believed that Dr . . . Duncan of New York City first recogn ized the need for Bible study among those unable to at tend Sunday School and inaugurated the Home Department movement in 1 8 8 1 . In 1 8 9 9 our church added a Home

T . M . M . A t Department to the Sunday School , with r rring on as superintendent . 98 We R ema nber OurHeritage

In 1 9 1 0 the Sunday School Board issued its first Home ” Life Magazine . In the beginn ing , the emphasis was on home

. W Bible study , as a link with the church This is sti ll true . hen

the work was expanded beyond the home , the movement was

cal led the Extension Department . The beginn ing of the work in our church under the Exten

sion Department is not clear but was probably about 1 9 2 3 .

E . . Mrs . C Lucas (formerly Mrs . George Parker) was its first

leader . Work was accomplished through a superintendent and

volunteer visitors who formed the committee . Following Mrs . W . . C. . , R Lucas were Mrs Temple Mrs Grover obbins , and

A . Mrs . J . . Delbridge , Sr , who is the present superintendent . In 1 9 7 1 the name was changed from Extension Department

to Homebound Department . (It had been changed to Exten sion because the work had been extended to people who worked on Sunday or were otherwise prevented from attend

ing church) . The committee visited , gave out church literature ,

and arranged Bible study groups . When the name changed to

Homebound , the work once more concentrated on the homes

and the nursing homes . Presently the Homebound Department has six projects :

1 . A prayer service at Guardian Care Nursing Home once a month (the missionary groups have been serving refreshments for this meeting for 1 6 years) . Levitte L. . . C 2 . Visitation in the nursing home of Mrs at

8 1 5 Branch Street for 1 7 years . 3 . Visitation of Baptists at the nursing home on Tarboro

Highway .

4 Nursm . . Visitation of Baptists at Westgate g Home

5 . Sunday School literature furn ished to the Rocky Mount

Fire Station on George Street .

1 00 We Remember OurHeritage

Th e Si lent Ones

1 945 In the spring of , a group of local deaf people felt the

need for Bible study , even though few actually belonged to any

church or faith . The home of Mr . and Mrs . J . C. Mi lls at 2 5 1 3

South Church Street became their meeting place . Some of the first members were:

. J . C. Mr and Mrs . Mills

Mr . and Mrs . Shelton Cartwright

Mr . and Mrs . William Wells Robert Bulluck I rving Reyn olds

Leonard Aycock , Enfield

Mrs . Estelle Hardee , Nashvi lle

Miss Nann ie Humphrey , Farmville

Mr . and Mrs . Shep Roebuck , Hamilton

Mr . and Mrs . Herman Aycock , Fremont

Mr . and Mrs . Otis Upchurch , Castalia

Robert Ethridge , Scotland Neck

J . N. Two interested members of other deaf groups , Mr . Car a I . M . , . R rol teacher of a cl ss in Goldsboro , Mr obertson ,

an active member of the Raleigh Sunday School Class , visited

with the Rocky Mount group often to help them get organized . When the group had grown to an average attendance of 25

they looked for a larger meeting place . Several local churches were approached but fai led to respond with aid for this min is try One of the silent members , while a customer of Quinn Fur

E . . niture . E Company , met Mr Mayo , a salesman there , and

they became good friends . Mr . Mayo secured the approval of the First Baptist Church for the silent group to meet in our

church in a room on the third floor . This was begun in We R emember To R ea ch Out I n Lo ve 1 01

P . M . November 1 945 . They met at on the second and

fourth Sundays . A similar class was held in Fremont on the A first and third Sundays . Mr . J . . Harper was Sunday School

Superintendent and Dr . Kincheloe was pastor when this work

began .

t t M . M t a In he name of he church , r ayo made he de f

t t , , t welcome , becoming heir arden supporter and in return heir

- well loved friend . The attendance grew , drawing the si lent

J . . ones from a radius of forty mi les around . Mr . C Mi lls was the teacher of the first interdenominational Bible class ever

taught in our church . Mr . Mayo was instrumental in securing i n interested people to speak , with Mr . Mil ls sign ing the i terpretat on .

For the next ten years , Mr . Alfred Stanci l taught the class .

Mr . Clinton Hardee is presently the teacher . 2 A u t 7 1 9 5 1 M . M v On ug s , r ayo , belo ed friend and church 1 1 1 9 1 . 5 representative , died of a heart attack On September ,

- - i n . Mr . Alfred Stanci l , son law of Mr Mayo , became the

church representative and was present to welcome the group . 2 1 1 9 5 1 s On November the sixth ann iversary of the cla s , in a

a special meeting , the cl ss was named the Mayo Deaf Bible ”

E . Class in memory of Mr . E . Mayo . The members of the

Mayo fami ly were honored guests and the son , Ed Mayo , pre

sented a picture of his father to the class . Our pastors have been interested in and supportive of the work with the deaf, attending many special meetings and socials , creating good relations between the Si lent and the

Hearing . Many young people have learned to sign phrases in order to commun icate . Three of the deaf girls have had lovely weddings in the church . It was on one such occasion that Dr .

Branch came to the rescue . Due to Sunday traffic and a nearby 1 02 We R emember OurHeritage

patrolman , Jerry Potter was unable to reach the church on time . When the time came , Dr . Branch hurriedly located his ceremony book , remarking to Clinton Hardee , We can get ! ” t , t . B his couple tmarried So on ly a few minutes la e , Dr ratnch performed he ceremony while Clinton Hardee interpre ed ,

r and Jer y Potter observed from the vestibule .

1 9 5 1 - 1 9 5 2 In , Rev . Edsel Jones , representative of the Mis

S l on Department of the State Convention , visited the class to

. N offer assistance Jerry Potter became missionary to the C .

9 . Deaf in 1 5 2 Then Rev . Neal Peyton came as Associate Mis sionar t . B t t y to he Deaf oth have assis ed wi h funerals , wed dings , revivals and schools of missions , adding immeasurably to the deaf work in the state . Our church contributed $3 00 in 1 9 5 9 toward the purchase of a plane to faci litate Jerry Potter ’ s work as he travels over the state . A L. In 1 9 5 5 Mr . and Mrs . . Stanci l organ ized a Training Union for the Deaf and began to learn the sign language them selves . Mr . Ceci l Barnes , a hearing person , began to learn to n sig and to help with this min istry . This Silent Union became 1 9 5 7 Standard in October , the on ly Standard Deaf Union in the Southern Baptist Convention ! They held the Standard for three consecutive years . During these years two of the members (of another faith) moved their membership and 1 7 others came on profession of faith .

9 1 9 5 8 . t t On February , Mr Robert Ethridge wro e o

WNCT - TV in Greenvi lle requesting time for a program on which the gospel would be preached in sign language . Thirteen “ weeks of free time were made avai lable for the Chapel for the ” t . w Deaf, in which he local group appeared The program as discontinued because of the limitations on the missionary ’ s time .

1 04 We R emember OurHeritage

1 8 1 9 7 3 On November , the Deaf Bible Class observed its 2 8 th ann iversary with an impressive service in which the choir

, . t signed the prayer response Mrs S ancil interpretted the music , Miss Hilda Mayo recalled the early history of he class , and

. . t Rev Jerry Potter preached the sermon Following he service , the church hosted a luncheon for the honor guests , during which time a Bible was presented to Mr . Clinton Hardee in ap preciation for his years of service .

Ki nd ergarten and D ay Care Center

E . . . R . . 1 9 5 4 . In the fall of , Mrs Lee and Mrs C D Braswell organ ized our first Kindergarten with 3 0 chi ldren enrolled . w . as Dr . Douglas Branch was pastor and James R Batten chairman of the Kindergarten Committee . Classes were held on the first floor of the old Kincheloe par h s oo sonage in two roo ms heated with oi l heaters . T e teacher t k

Day Care at Lunch We R emember To R each Out I n Lo ve 1 05 turns coming in early to light the stoves before the children ar rived . On rainy days , the old Scout hut behind the church was used for recreation and play period . When the parsonage was torn down to make room for the new educational building , the Kindergarten moved into the old bui lding behind the sanctuary .

- 1 9 5 9 1 960 M . A t t t , In , rs Ramona nderson augh firs grade which was then discontinued .

r Dr . Branch was ve y interested in Christian schooling and the new educational building was planned with this in mind . W 1 9 60 hen the bui lding was completed in , the Kindergarten moved into its new quarters . 1 96 2 By March , a committee had been appointed by the deacons to es tablish a Day Care Nursery School on the first

e was : floor of the new faci lity . The committ e the following

- L. . o H I H . c . . Mrs . Bell , chairman ; Dr Bob Jones , chairman ;

Tharringt on ; Mrs . Harold Gall aspy; Mrs . Ralph Barnes ; Miss

R . E . . Hilda Mayo ; Mrs . Lee; James R Batten ; Miss Ann ie

- : . Gaynor; Mrs . Sam Smith ; Ex officio Rev Lowell Sodeman

t ; . as t . pas or Dr Harold Gal l py , educa ional director

e s The committee , after conducting the nec ssary inve tiga

s 1 9 6 2 tion , pre ented their report to the deacons in June which follows : A Nursery School would :

1 . Be in keeping with Bible teaching to instruct young children in spiritual matters .

2 . Fi ll a gap in our hectic materialistic world left by har ried home life and limited public school experience as to Bible tru ths .

3 . Provide religious education during the most formative ’ —2 years of a chi ld s life through 5 years . 1 06 We Remember OurHeritage

4 . Be a powerful mission opportun ity for our church .

5 . Attract young couples with small chi ldren to our church .

6 . Utilize existing physical equipment .

7 . , t Fi ll a need in our community not o herwise met , for a well - managed faci lity where working mothers may feel that their chi ldren are well cared for , loved and wanted . With a population of over Rocky Mount had no

licensed Day Nursery . Application was made to the N . C. State

B t . t Public Welfare oard for a license o Boperate Inspections ot f our plant were made by the Welfare oard , and by he ci y

San itation and Fire Departments .

Having met all req uirements , a licensed Day Care Center 1 9 6 2 and Kindergarten was opened in September of , with an

2 - 5 5 5 . enrollment of children , ages The school week is Mon

- A . M . P . M . : day Friday , to Serving at this time were

Miss Lillian Harmon , director and teacher;

Mrs . Clarence Jones , Dietician

R . E . Mrs . Lee , kindergarten teacher

Mrs . C . D . Braswell , kindergarten teacher

P . C. Mrs . Coppedge , Day Care teacher

Mrs . Inez Campbell , Day Care teacher

P . M . LY . M . . , rs Shaw , Day Care worker

M . Ren ard P . Mrs . y Morgan , Day Care worker ,

P . M . R M . Mrs . . Chandler , Day Care worker , P M Mrs . Hiram Harris , Day Care worker , . . (summer)

From September 1 96 3 until June 1 9 7 2 Mrs . Herbert Aber nathy served the Day Care Center as dietician .

E F St si e - 1 96 3 . . . us t In , Mrs was part time coordinator of he

Day Care Center , serving in this position until September 1 1 6 1 9 66 . The enrollment had grown to children , req uiring a

1 08 We R emember OurHeritage

. N contact with the chi ld Nash Techn ical Institute and C . Wesleyan College also took advantage of the opportunity to ”

t . learn through our faci li y A little child Bshall lead them . With the completion of the Fellowship ui lding , a new pri

v t . ; a e office was avai lable for the director , Mrs Dixon lunches 2 1 1 9 75 were served in the new din ing hall , beginn ing July ; the playgrounds are in the process of being rearranged accord ing to landscape plans; and off- street parking is now available — for un loading and pick - up of the chi ldren a new safety pre

caution . 1 9 7 5 Mr . Bennett Bunn is the chairman of the Kin der arten - g Day Care Committee of five , while the present faculty numbers 2 1 . “ Train up a chi ld in the way he should go : and when he is ” old , he will not depart from it . Proverbs

The War Y ears t t During he war years , he members of our church fellowship participated in various ways :

The Sunday School Department bought bonds . In the name

t . of he trustees , the church bought bonds These bonds formed

the nucleus for our future expansion . 1 942 B t In , a ible teacher was engaged to each in the public

schools . Her salary was underwritten by several local

2 8 0 . churches . First Baptist contributed $ yearly 1 943 ” (t In , The G leam was sent to al l our servicemen his

is told in detail elsewhere) . w 1 94 3 US O . as In June , the Booth manned by women ’ 5 0 from our Woman s Missionary Society . It took $ to feed the

soldiers . We R emember To R each Out I n Lo ve 1 09

1 94 5 In , the Finance Committee recommended that the church pay per man for each of the members serving in

the Armed Forces . This money went to the American Red

Cross and Dr . Kincheloe personal ly delivered it .

During this same period , Mrs . John R . Lee , with the help of

al two friends , gathered together wives of our servicemen not i n ready Sunday School and sought , through Bible teaching , to

meet their special needs . Later , under other leadership , this

class grew into a whole department .

During World Wars I and II , an Honor Roll of our Baptist boys in service was erected in the vestibule of the sanctuary so

all that who would could lift them up in prayer .

s In recent years , during the Vietname e debacle , a Young

/ Adults Away Department of the Sunday School was begun W with Mrs . J . . Henderson as director and Mrs . Truett Tan ner , associate director . This department is concerned with young people in col lege , working out of town , or serving in the

’ r i Armed Services . Its pu pose s to serve as a continuing link

a and anchor with the hometown fellowship . The names and d dresses of these young people away are published in the Out reach; the fellowship is urged to write to them ; and the Out reach is mai led to each one .

One young woman brought up in our church , Miss Olivia

Pitt , graduated with a degree in sociology and went with the

American Red Cross to Vietnam . She was stationed in Da

. M t t , Nang as a recreational leader iss Pi t , presen ly stateside is serving with the Red Cross as a case worker at the US . Naval

t . Hospi al in Portsmouth , Virgin ia “ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth ; he breaketh the bow , and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth

: the chariot in the fire . Be sti ll and know that I am God I wi ll 1 1 0 We R emember OurHeritage

be exalted among the heathen , I wi ll be exalted in the earth . Psalm

M i ss i ons Commi tt ee

1 9 6 2 In January , the church appointed its first Missions

Committee , Mr . John Harper , chairman . After committee members investigated the various areas of need in the vin ci nit y, it was decided that a Bible class for the student nurses at Park View Hospital would be the most fruitful place to begin a new work . Having consulted with and received the approval of the hospital authorities , plans were made to begin a class in the

’

t C . A basemen of the Nurses Home on hurch Street t that time ,

1 9 6 2 20 . June , there were students , ten of them Baptists

In the beginn ing , Mrs . John R . Lee , Missions Committee member , taught the class , quarterlies furn ished by the church , until other teachers could be en listed . Each teacher taught for one month . Meetings were held once a week from to

P . . M . , open ing with a brief fellowship followed by Bible study T he Missionary Society was asked to furn ish light refresh

the ments and circles accepted this responsibility , each serving for one month . This weekly contact with the nurses strengthen ed the ties between the church and the hospital staff and kept spiritual values before the nurses . Many attended our e church when off duty and also church socials and parti s , transportation being furn ished . W 1 9 1 9 6 7 . The last classtwas held September , hen talk of a large new hospi al began , Park View Hospital decided to dis ’ continue its School of Nursing . Since they couldn t complete

t t t . their rain ing , no new s uden s were coming in The School of

Nursing closed in 1 9 69 .

was e 1 9 6 5 M . R . M In , rs John Lee nam d chairman of the is

1 1 2 We R emember OurHeritage

children . In itially , Mrs . Angie Roberts and Mr . and Mrs . D . . r t , M . . J . John Pridgen led the class La er rs J Winstead , ,

Hi lda Mayo , and a Mr . Harris worked with the small group of

chi ldren involved . This class not on ly gave the children spiritual training but let the parents have an opportun ity to at

tend church services .

There have been other workers , Pritchard Ham and Ronn ie

W . Smiley among them . The present workers are Mrs . . C M P Marshall and Mr . and Mrs . . . Woodard .

Mr . Batts sought to lead our church to cooperate with other local churches in beginning and sustain ing a Day Care Center

for working mothers in the West End Terrace area . For some

t t . , reason , our church chose not to participa e in i ially However 1 9 74 t $600 t beginning in , we have con ributed yearly to his

project . The Christ Chi ld Day Care Center is located at 1 1 0 1

Aycock Street and is fully licensed . Mrs . Gordan Blanchard is

t t . t he direc or Working mo hers paty for chi ld care on a sliding scale , according to income and he number of fami ly mem

bers . The chi ldren come from the housing project and trai ler

parks , many from broken homes . J ette I . . . . s c s , C , t t t Five churches , the the and he In ermedia e

’ Woman s Club are supportive with money , staple and canned

goods , paper goods , and volunteer services . 1 9 7 5 1 000 M . B M , $ r i lly Kilgo , issions chairman is allowed

’ by the church budget for the year s work . It is being spent as follows : $200 a year to the Little League Baseball team $6 00 a year to the Christ Chi ld Day Care Center $7 5 a year to the Smal l Fry YMCA Baseball Team $ 1 2 5 for the Bus Min istry for Vacation Bible School CHAPTER VI I

WE REMEMBER TO COMMUNICATE GOOD WILLAND G OOD NEWS

h That t ey do good , that they be rich in good works , ready

t t t t t . o dis ribu e , wi l ling o commun ica e I Timothy

Li brar i es

Between 1 8 8 0 and 1 9 76 we have had three church libraries!

As incredible as it seems , the tiny Rocky Mount Baptist

Church , whi le struggling for its very existence , was concerned with the acquisition of good literature for its members . Our report to the Tar River Association for September 1 8 7 “ 8 has the following listing for the Sunday School : No . of volumes in library 3 6 . 1 8 8 8 3 9 In , $ was given to the Sunday School library which

1 7 5 . B 1 1 8 9 1 had grown to volumes y October , the Associa

1 1 3 1 1 4 We R emember OurHeritage

ti onal Report shows 2 6 7 volumes . But the record fails to reveal what became of this gallant beginn ing . Perhaps it perished for lack of funds . Known early librarians were Miss W W 1 R . . 8 9 8 . Ann ie eams , Archie Nunn , and Avera in

The second library in our church , now called the First Bap

’ tist 1 940 s 200 Church , was organ ized in the late with $ given

’ by the Circles of the Woman s Missionary Society . The new educational wing had been completed and the rather large

a stair landing was selected as the best available space . With p 3 0 0 k k proxi mately boo s , th is attractive l ibrary n oo was named the Estella Riley Finch Memorial Library in memory

H . M . . of Mrs . Finch This remarkable woman had been presi 1 5 dent of the Missionary Society for years , a beloved and in defatigable worker . Few women have equaled her in Bible

teaching , leadership , and compassionate outreach to the poor , the sick , the Negro , the lawbreaker . The Estel la Ri ley Finch Library was manned by volunteers 4 unti l 1 9 5 when Mrs . Maude Clark Bishop and Miss Myrtie

Cox were elected by the church as librarians . 1 9 60 In , when the new educational building was com

leted 9 2 7 - p , books were moved to the well planned new facility . For the most part , the new library was furn ished by

’ memorial gifts . It s not known why the memorial name was not c k B retained , but this library be ame nown as the First aptist

Church Library .

Mrs . Bishop and Miss Cox labored faithfully to purchase , i n k , , catalogue , and care for the boo s supplies and monies 1 9 60 volved . Miss Nancy Hooks began working as assistant in and remains dedicated to the work .

1 9 6 8 . , M In , at the death of Mrs Bishop iss Emi ly Wi lliams became assistant to Miss Cox . When Miss Cox resigned in

1 1 6 We R emember OurHeritage

Shearin , Li la Williams , Betty Nethercutt , Catherine Pitt , Jessie W . D . M Anderson , and Mrs . . Farmer church secretary . These young women produced and mailed The G leam ” to each of our men in service during World War II and also the church

members at home .

’ ’ During Dr . Cherry s pastorate , and again in Dr . Higdon s

pastorate , the Pictorial Church Directories of America pre pared a directory of our church members at no cost to the

church . This was financed by the sale of family and ln

dividual portraits .

Our third church paper was in itiated by Dr . Harold T .

tr h . Ou eac Gallaspy , educational director The was first

published in October 1 9 6 1 . It still continues under the same

m ni . co mu ca name In the opinion of this writer , this means of

tion in a large church is essential . We should use it to the max

imum . Other publications have been the Forward Program of 1 9 5 8 Church Finance , begun in ; reports of the financial secre

tary; promotional material ; the book of Church Committees ,

published yearly; and the Missionary Society Yearbooks .

The Even ing Telegram

For years our church activities have been listed in the Eve

n ing Telegram and special events have been fully publicized .

The paper has been most generous in its church coverage , for

which we are very grateful .

Rad i o

Broadcasting the morn ing worship services began in April 1 9 60 1 9 3 5 . over Station WEED In , the early morning service We R emember To Communicate Good Vt l And Good News 1 1 7 was taped and played the following Sunday at ten o ’ clock over

WEED . When the early service was eliminated , the eleven

’ o clock service was taped and played back in the same manner .

This min istry is especial ly helpful to the sick , aged , and home bound . It was estimated in 1 960 that approximately people were reached by this broadcast . The estimate jumped from

up to in 1 9 74 .

Book Store

The First Baptist Book Store began as an idea in the mind of

Rev . Ronald Higdon . He realized the importance of providing a non - profit resource for the purchase of cl assic and current religious books at a discount . 1 7 2 This idea was presented to the church in January 9 . The book store opened in Apri l 1 9 7 2 in the church office . f Hundreds o books were sold , yet the store was phased out in 1 9 74 .

Through the min istry of the book store , the church was seeking to impart its conviction that Christ was serious when he said you shal l love the Lord your God with al l your

mind heart , and with all your soul , and with all your , and with al l your strength .

The Chr i sti an Characters

(Drama Dep artment )

t an Drama is the art of expression by action . I s origin is as

cient as Man himself, for he has long expressed himself through story - telling accompan ied by gestures and facial

movements . 1 1 8 We R emember OurHeritage

Greek drama , the forerunner of modern drama , is believed to have developed from dithyrambs or hymns sung in honor of

e . Dionysus , god of wine , by a chorus dr ssed as satyrs This form

of entertainment became so popular that , when the Church

had grown in power , the plays were produced under the con

trol of the Church itself. They were part of the actual liturgy so t were cal led mys ery plays or min istry plays , extensions of

e short dramatic scen s , such as the uncovering of an empty tomb on Easter Day and the representation of the manger at

was Bethlehem at Christmas , which introduced into the Mass

itself.

It wi ll be remembered that in Bible days , even David , the

King , danced with joy before the Lord .

In our church , through all the years , various groups and

organ izations have presented tableaus , pageants , playlets , and

skits . Often the Christmas or Easter music has been supple

n me ted by tableaus . But there was no regular organized effort

to develop local religious drama . 1 9 69 In , in the place of Vacation Bible School for young

people , Mrs . Ruth Bell conceived the idea of having a drama 4 . 3 5 0 workshop It was largely attended , or young people

coming each n ight . A dramatic presentation of the history of

our church , The Prophecy of the Pipes , was the culmination

of this experiment . The presentation generated sufficient interest in drama to

result in the formation of a drama group for young people . “ ” They called themselves The Christian Characters . With Mr . B i n i ll Nelms named director , the new drama department was

cluded in the church budget . Individuals also contributed to

a the new youth ende vor .

The eight youths in the original group have grown to twenty ,

1 20 We R emember OurHeritage

This interesting paragraph is recorded on page six of the “ 1 8 8 0 Tar River minutes : Elder Carter rejoiced to get back home among North Carolina Baptists . This would soon be the banner state of the South in missions . He had been laboring for years in the rich blue - grass region of Kentucky where the population was nearly all Baptists , but the long leaf pine , tarheel Baptists of North Carolina gave twice as much for mis sions . He came back here to work and prayed God to prosper our efforts . 1 8 8 0 4 , R 6 In the Tar iver Association listed churches , with 44 7 8 3 6 70 8 0 8 members white and colored . In 1 9 06 1 00 1 , there were churches and members . The ter ritor y was large , extending from the Chowan to the Eastern and the Cape Fear Associations . When the Tar River Association was divided and the 1 9 0 7 49 Roanoke Association was formed in , there were churches and 4 3 02 members in the new association—includ ing our church , which hosted the first annual meeting of the 1 7 1 3 9 0 . Roanoke Association on October , The Tar River

Association retained 5 0 churches and 6 3 7 8 members . 1 9 5 5 In , the Roanoke Association was divided into the

South Roanoke and the North Roanoke Associations . The First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount was a charter member of the North Roanoke Association .

- From non existent gifts , our church became the largest giver

. challen in the Association At present , several churches are g

s . s ing this record and sometime exceed it In the pa t , our church has been called “ The Sleeping Giant in the Associa

’ tion but , with God s help and deeper consecration , our church can reach its full potential and become “ A Light Set Upon A

Hill . We R emember To Commun icate Good Wi ll And Good News 1 2 1

Though we are an autonomous body of baptized believers , we have chosen to cooperate with the Southern Baptist Con venti on and the North Carolina Baptist State Convention . It is good for us to remember that the Conventions have no authority over us except as we permit it . We are subject to no

t . hierarchy , on ly the authori y of God Several of our pastors and a few of our members have been privi leged to attend the Baptist World Al liance , but we have no direct connection with this body . Publications which our church subscribes to include Cha rity and Children Church and State Biblical Recorder FOAU , , , and

ot t nt n t er A r c n t d (Pr es a s a d O h me i a s Un i e ) . The American Bible Society has been especially dear to our members . It has long been included in our budget . Individual members also make private contributions to this important work . Many of our members have contributed to the Howard

Memorial Fund started by the beloved Dr . Charles Howard to aid needy students to remain in college . Many outstanding foreign students have been helped by this fund and returned to their native lands to give Christian witness through their leadership .

Scouti ng

It is believed that Scouting got its start in our church in 1 9 1 7 , but there are no records to substantiate this . It is thought that Troop #2 was organ ized in that year but soon faded away because of World War I .

The next Scout Troop was started in 1 9 2 5 or 1 9 26 . Edgar

Joyner was the Scoutmaster . Known members of the troop 1 22 We R emember OurHeritage

: , C , C were James Moore Tom oleman Wi lliam oleman , and

Hatcher Kincheloe . Main ly through the efforts of Mr . Tom

M ed ock Coleman , the troop had a hut on Mountain . He secured the building materials , sent them to the site on his coal D J . trucks and got . Rose and Son to send two carpenters to bui ld the hut . The carpenters stayed four days until the work was completed . Mr . Coleman also secured donations from

re several individuals to help with troop activities . This troop mained active unti l 1 9 2 9 or 1 9 3 0 when the Great Depres ” sion seemingly quelled our interest in scouting . W B . 1 9 3 6 . In , under the leadership of (Captain Billy) Mid dleton , the next troop to be sponsored by our church was 6 organ ized . Troop # met on the third floor of the old educa

i n l t o a bui lding . It lasted on ly two years . To quote Captain “ Billy , It was doomed from the start as the church was just not

ready to support a scout troop . 1 8 This ended scouting in our church unti l September ,

1 9 5 1 when Dr . Kincheloe signed an application for a troop

charter to Boy Scouts of America , the troop to be sponsored by

our church . The Scout Committee was composed of Marvin A .

; . C. ; R . ; , Barnes , chairman J Whaley Eslie Phillips John Scott

. J r . ; Herman S . Merrell ; John H . Bland ; and Fred A . Parker The Charter was issued and Troop #2 3 9 became the First

1 1 9 5 1 . Baptist Church Scout Troop on October , 2 3 9 1 6 Troop # had charter members , all but one having C #3 8 transferred from ub Pack , also sponsored by our 1 5 s church . This made a troop of Tenderfoot Scout and one

Second Class Scout who had transferred from Troop # 1 1 3 .

’

. John H . Bland was the troop s first Scoutmaster , with Fred A

Parker as the Assistant Scoutmaster . The charter members

I r . r . : J . ; B , ; ; were Keith Abbott , John H land Bill Hudson

1 24 We R emember OurHeritage

3 6 1 9 7 2 . to in In this year , the fourth Scoutmaster , Lelon

Mitchell , was appointed . His assistants were Ollie Lamm , 1 7 , . B 9 3 Gene Viverette and Page Wood y February of , the 1 8 membership reached a low of and a new Scoutmaster ,

e . Johnny Marshall , was appoint d His assistants were Davis

. 1 7 t Gardner and Ollie Lamm Within two months , new Scou s

d 3 5 . had been adde , bringing the total to Under the enthusiastic leadership of the new Scoutmaster , the troop grew strong and active .

I n 1 9 74 . , Bi lly Edgerton became Scoutmaster During the 1 9 76 summer of , he took six of our Scouts to the Philmont

Cimmarron . Scout Ranch at , New Mexico Troop #2 3 9 has pi led up many accomplishments through

: 1 8 t 3 the years . Among them are the fol lowing Eagle Scou s; God and Country Awards; 1 Silver Beaver Award ; Blue Rib bon Awards and other citations at Camporees; Advancement

Award , given by the Kiwan is Club , each year except one . Scouts earn ing the God and Country Award were:

h . . T eodore D Manos , J immy Delbridge , and Gene Viverette Members of our church should be proud of Troop #2 3 9 and appreciate the dedicated work of its leaders . Especially is ”

W B . tribute due to Captain Billy . Midd leton who has been a driving force behind our Scout work since 1 9 3 6 .

Buc ks for Boys

’ 1 od man 9 6 1 . S e s In during Mr pastorate , the church gave “ for the cause Bucks for Boys . Mr . Sodeman also led the church in supporting the G ideon Bible Society . We R emember To Communicate Good Will And Good News 1 25

Sp ec i al G i fts

To honor Dr . Kincheloe on his thirtieth ann iversary with ‘ 1 v t $ 000 . us , the church ga e him a love gif of 1 9 5 1 By October , the church had given to Wake Forest Un iversity a total of

Ri chard T . Fountai n School

The First Baptist Church played an important part in the rehabilitation of youth at the Eastern Carolina Train ing n i 1 9 26 . . , t Schooltfrom its beginninvg Dr Kincheloe our pats or at the ime , kept bee hi es at the school and was in cons ant touch with the boys . Students were carried in to the various for Worshi e t i n churches p servic s by bus , and of en fami lies vited them into their homes . Many boys chose to come to our

’

. . B . church During Dr ranch s pastorate , many were baptized

3 0 . One Sunday even ing , Dr . Branch baptized about boys One of the boys became a min ister . Years later , the Rev . Carson

Blanton , head of the interdenominational Un ion Mission in

N . , . C A ARoanokt e RMapids , whitle addressing the Florence vera rring on issionary Socie y , asked How many of you were in this church in 1 9 3 0 when I was baptized with a group of students from Eastern Carolina Train ing School? ” 1 9 26 1 9 70 ’ Between and , the Woman s M issionary Society , various Sunday School classes (including the Young People ’ s

t ) , t t t depar ments and the You h Choirsv visi ed the scthool o give religious and musical programs , ser e refreshmen s , and show th . t t ey cared Where dress clo hes were needed , hey were pro vided , and other physical and spiritual needs were met which contributed to rehabilitation . Students were encouraged to become members of a church 1 26 We R emember Our Heritage in Rocky Mount because most of them were from non - church families and backgrounds . It was hoped that when a boy

, C returned home if he aligned himself with hristian people , his rehabilitation would be permanent—his life and soul given to

God .

’ was After some years , the Train ing School s name changed to the Richard T . Fountain School .

N C Wes le an Colle e . . y g W C. s N. C hen We leyan ollege opened in Rocky Mount , our church collaborated with other downtown churches in paying for a chartered bus to bring the students in to worship services on Sunday .

Since there were about a dozen foreign students enrolled , a defin ite attempt was made to win their friendship inthe hope

mlSS I On of presenting Christ . One of the action groups of the Woman ’ s Missionary Un ion invited the International students to a tea , a reception , and a spaghetti supper in different Baptist

homes . Transportation was provided both ways and ten stu

e . d nts accepted the invitations , but on ly three or four came

After a year of fai lure , this project was given up because the

students seemed disinterested .

However , Mrs . Charles M . Harrison who teaches at Wesleyan is an excellent li alson between our church and the

students . She and Mr . Harrison are leading a Sunday School

class for college - age students in Adult I and are meeting with

some success .

Ch ri s tmas Parad e

’ 1 9 5 0 s One year during the early , the spirit of revival and

CHAPTER VI I I

WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO KEEP US VIABLE

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than

4 : 8 l 0b . to dwell in the tents of wickedness . Psalm 1 8 8 0 In , the pastor was the on ly one receiving a salary , all other necessary work being done by wi lling lay volunteers . The church report to the Tar River Association for October 7 1 8 8 8 mentions Church expenses —Sexton ’ s hire This was for the year ! The names of these early sextons are now unknown with one

1 8 9 1 M alvi er exception . In February , Charles was hired at

’ per month . During Dr . Kincheloe s pastorate , Ed

n 1 9 1 Young came to be ou r j a ito r . Ed began working in 3 and 4 2 retired in 1 9 6 2 . For 1 8 consecutive Sundays he never missed a Sunday at work . Of course , he had other days off. Ed was written up in Biblical Recorder and honored with an Ed We R emember Those Who Keep Us Viable 1 29

Young Day . His service extended through three pastorates

’ ’ ’ man d e s . . So Dr . Kincheloe s , Dr . Branch s , and Mr Ed is alone now after having lost two wives and having

’ - 8 3 . suffered a stroke but , at , he s still able to be self sustain ing

’ The fami liar sound of Dr . Kincheloe s voice cal ling Ed still

echoes in the memory of the older members of the church .

Robert Wiggins , Elijah Boddie , and Alexander Thorne suc

ceeded . Ed Young Alexander is sti ll serving , but Robert , after

a long hospitalization and leg amputation , could no longer

work . During his trying il lness , freq uent love offerings were

sent to Robert and his salary continued for months . He was

. s replaced by Alfred Graham Due to change in terminology ,

our sextons became jan itors , and they are now custodians . The Day Care Center and Wednesday n ight suppers necessi tated more workers to maintain the upkeep of our en larged

. . M . , M . R , faci lities Mrs Jean Si lver , rs Jean Sum lin rs uth Fox and Mrs . Lizzie Powell have served as maids . Mrs . Mattie

Lewis now serves as kitchen maid and Mrs . Ruby Grant as clean ing maid .

- Our first full time office staff member came to us in 1 9 2 6 .

Miss Ida Ballance was a M . R . E . graduate of Carver School of

Missions , Louisvi lle . She came expecting to serve as educa ti onal director but , when met at the train , was informed by the

di sa deacons that she would be church secretary . Though p

i n pointed , she found comfort her work and in the warm friendships that developed . She especially loved working with the Vacation Bible School .

e 1 9 2 8 M s . In , iss Ballance re ign d to marry Mr Dred Darden

N. C. . and went to live in Wi lliamston , She is a widow now

W . . . C 1 9 29 Mrs Farmer succeeded Miss Bal lance in , serv

’ ing during most of Dr . Kincheloe s long pastorate . She was 1 30 We R emember OurHeritage

well known for her loyalty to both pastor and church . Mattie was church secretary and financial secretary as well as the ’ ! m church s memory bank At retire ent , Mrs . Farmer sold her

home and moved out of town , but returned to visit each year .

After months of being confined to a nursing home in Augusta ,

. 1 9 76 . Georgia , Mrs Farmer died in August

One of our own girls , Miss Janice Murchison , was church

secretary in 1 9 5 4 .

Miss Faye Cummins came as church secretary in 1 9 5 5 . A talented artist , she used her abilities freely for poster work , so contributed greatly to mission and prayer promotion . Faye

. . C. married Mr Thomas Weeks and moved to Lumberton , N Miss Barbara Winstead served in 1 9 5 8 as church secretary

and secretary to Dr . Branch .

Mrs . Godfrey G iddeons (Mary June) began working in our

church in 1 9 5 9 . She began by doing special work connected

I n 1 9 60 with our building fund drive and census . she worked

- - part time as financial secretary . She went to full time employ 1 9 6 2 ment in , with responsibility for the Sunday School o a rec rds . Gr dually more secretarial work was added , until she

’ r was fi lling the educational secretary s position . Ma y June 1 1 9 7 . resigned in Though retired , she is constantly called on “ ”

to help out as needed .

St s ie Mrs . Edward F . us (Elsie) served as church secretary

i e n for approximately a year while Mrs . G dd o s was financial

- secretary . Then she became part time Coordinator of the Day

- ad Care Center . When the Day Care required a full time C 1 9 6 7 ministrator , Elsie resigned to teach in the enter during

and 1 9 6 8 . s 1 9 60 Mrs . Rose Goodwin was church ecretary in and

1 9 6 1 . She passed away a few years ago .

1 3 2 We R emember OurHeritage

mi ttee on Sunday . She knew all the members and visited “ wherever needed . She became known as the unofficial Good

Wi ll Ambassador of the First Baptist Church . A chi ldles s widow , the church was her fami ly , and she gave herself to it .

Her death , while greatly mourned , turned into a spiritual triumph .

When the new fellowship hall was completed , the lovely small meeting room adjacent to the hal l was appropriately “ named the Alice Temple Room . When Alice was hospitalized with a heart attack and under J W a . . . s went long recuperation , Mrs Knowle became church

hostess , supervising the clean ing and meal preparation .

Though now retired , Ethel has given years of devoted service

to the church she loves . Each hostess was assisted by selected good cooks who freely

: gave their services to this demanding work . Among them were W E P . Z ...... C M rs Ki ng , M rs i m merman , M rs Roy Z H . . . Daughtridge , Mrs . . Wheeless , Mrs Eugene Braxton , Mrs

M . . I . Nell Winstead , and Mrs . Turner

Later , Mrs . Dorothy Lewis served as Dietician for a short time and was followed by Mrs . Donn ie Denton , who is now

serving as Dietician and Clean ing Supervisor . Of all the work necessary to operate a big church on a viable

basis , cooking is perhaps the work which receives the least

commendation . However , without the willing hands of the

good cooks , much of the other work of the church would

suffer . Day Care , Kindergarten , Youth Choir , Missionary

oc youth organ izations , Fellowship suppers , and many other

casions would quickly feel the difference . This is our salute to

our good cooks .

When our physical plant became more complicated , it was We R emember Those Who Keep Us Viable 1 33

decided to engage one of our members as a maintenance Y w ll . L. . e engineer . Mr Shaw was qualified for this work and

1 9 5 9 1 9 60 . served at a min imum salary , beginn ing in or

Mr . Lyman Hoggard succeeded Mr . Shaw , serving well for

a number of years .

We no longer have a maintenance engineer , though one is

needed . We do have a Building Maintenance Committee

E . . C. chaired by Mr . Vick , a retired civi l engineer This com mittee is responsible for making regular and frequent i nspec tions of our whole church plant and for minor or emergency

repairs . Much of the work of the church is delegated to the leader

3 0 s ship of committee , excepting the Sunday School and Mis

ion s ar . y groups Each committee is of vital importance , some

more pleasant than others .

One such committee is the flower committee . Tribute

should be paid to those men and women who have , for years , r contributed thei flowers , time , and arranging talents for

church services , mission study meals , church banquets , wed

t s , . dings , all kinds of church par ie and so forth They have add ed beauty to our countless Baptist meetings! Another group which smooths out difficulties and adds

grace and dign ity to our worship services is the ushers . These

t . men represent our church o members and strangetrs When they function efficiently and with suitable dign ity , hey con

tribute to the worshipful atmosphere , extend friendship , and

stand ready to cope with any emergency . Two of our members have had a special interest in our

. A . L. ushers Mr . and Mrs . Brandon furn ished flowers for their

lapels and did much to boost morale . They also furn ished

cushions for the pews in the balcony . The church now supplies 1 34 We R emember OurHeritage

’ special identification for the ushers breast pockets . We see that the work of the church is so great and varied that anyone who loves the Lord can find a way to serve him . We need on ly to look into our heart and at our church with a perceptive eye .

1 36 We R emember OurHeritage

Th e Or i gi nal Church House

the necessary money to finance the above study and build a

new parsonage . One of their projects for doing so was called 1 909 The War of the Roses . In , to spark enthusiasm and

lively rivalry , the Society chose two leaders and divided into

two groups , the White Roses and the Red Roses . Oyster stews ,

k , , ice cream suppers , ca e and pie sales rummage sales

brunswick stews , booths at fairs , catered meals for clubs , any thing to raise money for their cause motivated these women to

work and win . We R em ember To Build 1 3 7

! And win they did But the rivalry got out of hand , and the res idue of jealousy and bitterness required some time to dissi

e pate . Th se devoted women continued their work unabated , led . n however , unti l Dr Livi gston Johnson the church toward the concept of tithing , as opposed to other means of raising money for the church . Though it was then and is still accept

’ able to some to raise money for God s cause by such means ,

e . Dr . Johnson was firmly oppos d to it His leadership in this crucial matter was a giant step forward , for the church began to trust God more and tithe . But it was not unti l Dr .

’ Kincheloe s pastorate that this practice was entirely climi

nated .

The North Rocky M ount Church

1 8 9 5 the In , North Rocky Mount Baptist Church was 1 1 organ ized with charter members . It was our first spiritual child and grew out of a mission Sunday School sponsored by

s . . our church and encouraged by our pa tor , Rev James K

Howell .

Calvary Bapti st Church

Our next spiritual offspring was the Calvary Baptist Church ,

8 2 a 1 9 0 . 05 now located at N shvi lle Road In , a mission point was established in the commun ity on the western edge of

M , . . B Rocky ount called Willif—ord Town Rev raxton Craig I . M and later Dr . . Mercer c onducted services in a three room school house on Nashvi lle Road . The Sunday School teachers were volunteers from our church who taught on Sun

. A . M day afternoons few years later , Dr ercer , helped by his friend , Elder Wi lliford , the Primitive Baptist min ister who gave the land , and Mr . Ed Shearin , who gave the timber for 1 38 We R emember OurHeritage

1 1 bui lding , formally organized Calvary Church with charter 1 . 9 09 . members This was in Shortly thereafter , the auditorium

. M . E and two small Sunday School rooms were built Elder . Wi lliford was invited to preach the open ing sermon for the

dedication service .

At the same time Dr . Mercer was supervising the plans and

he construction of Calvary , - was deeply involved in making plans for our own present sanctuary and helping Arlington

Street Church get organ ized and bui lt .

Arli ngt on Street B apti st Ch urch

Braxton Craig , as at Calvary , had begun a mission Sunday h ” Sc ool at G ibson Hi ll , as it was then called . Members of our church worked in the Sunday afternoon Sunday School which 1 1 90 7 . began February , The church was constituted March 1 7 0 1 9 0 . , When the lot at the present site was purchased , Ed

Shearin and George L . Parker , Sr . of our church were made 4 1 700 0 . trustees . The church house cost $ and the lot $ 0 Arlington Street received help from our church and the State t Mission Board . Rev . Hight C . Moore preached the firs ser

L . mon and Elder G . . Merrell was called as the first pastor v Under the leadership of Tom A era of our church , funds were

raised to liquidate the Arlington Street mortgage .

Fi rs t Bapti s t San ctuary

2 8 1 9 1 1 The Mornin On October , the Rocky Mount paper , g

Tele ram g , carried a picture of the proposed new sanctuary and : “ I . M . an article written by Dr . Mercer It states that the build

so - ing wi ll be of called Colon ial architecture , but in reality

1 40 We R emember OurHeritage

S uns et Av enue Bapti s t Church

1 2 1 9 26 Johnson Tabernacle was organized March , , with a

3 8 . . B . A charter membership of Rev . Long was called as part

time pastor . This church requested no help from our church

. R . but received our good wi ll One of our church members , ev

E C. Sexton , became a pastor there . The name of this church

has been changed to Sunset Avenue Baptist Church .

Un i on Bapti st Church

I n r 1 9 3 0 Janua y , Union Baptist Church was constituted . It was located in the Methodist “ Bulluck ” building on the west 9 7 R . side of oute For reasons not presently known , the doors were locked as a result of some friction . When the few mem bers were unable to hold the meeting inside , car lights were turned on and the meeting proceeded in the church yard . Then a small dwelling on the east side of Route 9 7 was acquired .

R . J . Rev . Works , a member of our church , was pastor at this time .

As was usual , this church began with Sunday afternoon

Sunday School meetings . Among the First Baptist members

A . who led and taught were Mr . Edwin J . Meeks , Mr . J .

R . J i . . H . M . . . , , M Harper , Mrs Finch Mrs Works Mr and rs

B . . W. Middleton

- Eftna Rev . Ralph Jones was the first full time pastor . Mr .

J . H . . Dawes and Mr . Luper were deacons and Mrs Mamie

E . . C . R Davis , deaconess Our ev Sexton served as one of their pastors . We R emember To Build 1 41

’ Proctor s Ch ap el

J . L. According to the minutes recorded by Coley , acting m 2 1 9 2 5 8 7 t , clerk , men and wo en me on July to organ ize a missionary Baptist church in the Juven i le School House in

Edgecombe County . The church was called the Juvenile Bap

. L. . ti st . Church , and Rev J Coley was cal led as pastor The last 1 3 minutes for this Juveni le Church were recorded May , 1 2 1 9 8 9 3 8 . 1 9 2 8 . The church remained inactive from unti l 1 9 3 5 Prayer services and Sunday School were begun in ,

I . A . E ! . . . with the assistance of Mr Meeks , Mr Harper , and

B . F Mr . . Proctor of our church , at the Pleasant Hi ll Club

House . When this arrangement proved unsatisfactory , Mr .

Charles Proctor secured a church located on his property . A census revealed that 3 5 0 people in the commun ity were ln terested in organ izing a mission Baptist Sunday School . Mr .

Charles Proctor deeded the property to the church , which was — ’ named for him Proctor s Chapel . This church was con J A u 1 2 1 9 3 8 . . L. stituted ne , The first pastor was Pollock , and

B . F . the first Sunday School superintendent was Proctor , former member of our church . The new church began with six deacons and twenty charter members .

Fi rst Bapti st Educati onal Wi ng

Meanwhi le our church had recogn ized a pressing need for m . i le more Sunday School rooms As a result , plans were p mented to meet the need through an educational wing attached at the rear of the south side of our main building.It was com leted 1 94 1 p in and quickly fi lled to capacity . 1 42 We R emember OurHeritage

Oakd ale Bapti st Church

According to the history of Oakdale Baptist Church on Tar boro Highway , it was the outgrowth of cottage prayer meetings and a community Sunday School . The Sunday School was 2 1 9 3 9 organ ized April , in an old store building and later

P . moved to a borrowed pack house belonging to the late L. wa Ezzell . His pack house s on the lot which the church now occupies . Mr . Ezzell sold the lot to the church soon after the church organ ized , then returned the purchase price to be used in the bui ldi ng fund . W Dr . J . . Kincheloe made an inspiring address two weeks before the church was organ ized , giving important suggestions as to forming the new church . The church was constituted in 4 4 20 1 9 3 0 . the pack house on June , with charter members A A . Mr . . Shearin of First Church was the first Sunday School N . . G . . superintendent Rev Cowan , retired member of First

Church , was helpful and interested in this work also .

Wes t Edgecombe Bapti s t Ch u rch

F B . . 1 940 . In January , as a result of the efforts of Mr Proc tor and Mr . Robert W . Lancaster , a Sunday School was started on the Pinetops Highway near West Edgecombe School , with d Mr . Proctor as superintendent . The church was constitute

1 1 944 40 t . . t October , with char er members George W Proc or

D M . was elected church clerk and Rev . . Singletary called as first regular pastor . The present bui lding was erected in June

1 946 . We gave our blessing and good wi ll to this church also .

1 44 We R emember OurHeritage

purchase price was This was the home of Dr .

Kincheloe unti l his death , after which it was sold .

Ki ncheloe Memori al Ch apel

Fi rst Bapti st Ch ap el

WA . Under the enthusiastic leadership of Bulluck , plans were inaugurated to bui ld a smal l chapel next to the sanctuary facing Church Street . The structure was to be somewhat simi lar to the sanctuary , but smaller , with a seating capacity of

1 5 0 .

e 26 1 949 D dicated October , , the chapel is used for small 1 9 5 8 weddings and religious meetings . In , the chapel was for d mally named for Dr . Kincheloe and his bronze bust place in the foyer . We R emember To Build 1 45

Oak Vi ew Bapti st Ch urch

F . . B . J r Through the leadership of Mr . and Mrs . Proctor , , chi ldren in the Taylor Hi ll commun ity were transported to Proctor ’ s Chapel for Sunday School over a period of approx

W . m T s C. i atel . y ten years hen a sociational missionary ,

z Ba emore , suggested establishing a Sunday School within the 7 1 947 ’ t . Taylor Hi l l commun i y itself On December , Proctor s Chapel became responsible for organ izing a Sunday School on

Arlington Street Extension . The Sunday School was started the first Sunday in January “ ”

E . J . 1 94 8 under the name Oak View as suggested by Mr .

’ Braswell . Under the sponsorship of Proctor s Chapel and its

P M . pastor , Rev . . Hutchinson , classes were held in two homes

in the area . Prayer meetings and revivals led to baptisms which

were conducted at First Baptist . 2 5 1 9 5 1 On November , the Oak View Sunday School was constituted the Oak View Baptist Church with 4 8 charter

- s. . w member Rev Rudolph Evans as the first ful l time pastor .

As a church body , we gave Oak View no financial assistance

t t , s bu ex ended our good wi ll and as in other case , individual

members were involved .

Fi rs t Bapti st Recreati onal Center

3 1 9 5 1 . . W . On July , Dr J Kincheloe turned the first shovel of earth in the ground - breaking ceremony which marked the beginn ing of construction of a youth center in back of the W . B . church . Midd leton was chairman of the bui lding com mi ttee . D . P G . M . H . Other members were odlin , Bradshaw , K E . . W . A . , , . B . Hawkins Sr ulluck , and John Wells The Youth Center cost about $4 5 00 and inclu ded an 1 46 We Remember Our Heritage

Old Ki nch eloe Parsonage and Recreati on Bui ldi ng

auditorium 40 x 3 1 feet and two rooms for meetings and youth

activities . It was used especially as headquarters for our Boy 2 3 Scout Troop # 9 .

Edgemont Bapti st Ch ur ch

1 9 5 1 In the summer of , the North Roanoke Associational

Missionary , Rev . L . Grady Burgess , saw the need for a Baptist

Church in the Edgemont area of Rocky Mount . Several Baptist

Churches of the city , including First Baptist , joined together to

rent a tent and set it up in the 1 200 block of Tarboro Street . 2 1 9 5 1 24 Services were held there from August , to August , then removed to the Scout Hut on the corner of Redgate Ave 3 5 nue and Nugent Street , where Sunday School began with enrolled .

1 48 We R emember OurHeritage

2 1 5 . 6 , 9 3 A t 5 6 this home until April t his time , persons met at 200 Lee Avenue for the purpose of organ izing Swelton Height

Baptist Church under the aegis of Rev . Ernest Howell and

Rev . L . Grady Burgess , Roanoke Associational Missionary . 5 6 The charter members came from Edgemont , Southside ,

Oakdale and North Rocky Mount Baptist Churches . Par ti c i ati n p g in constituting the new church were Rev . John E .

N. . . G . . , , R C R E C. Lan ier Dr Douglas Branch ev owan , ev

R . . Sexton (al l of our church) , and ev Vivian W Evans , in addi tion to Rev . Burgess and Rev . Howell . 1 9 5 3 In September , after much discussion and thorough study , it was recommended that the church apply for member i n ship the Roanoke Baptist Association . Since the church had been the mission of no church nor received financial assis tance from any source , this had not previously been decided .

i nde en Upon the favorable vote to join the Association , an p dent group of 2 1 members withdrew to join an independent movement . 1 9 5 7 Rev . Ernest Howell was the first pastor . In church growth came to a halt with no additions , no missionaries spon sored , nothing given to missions . Rev . Howell resigned in

1 9 5 8 . . . . February , and Rev M L Pridgen was called By March 1 1 9 5 8 , the church moved into a new air conditioned bui lding

- and Rev . Pridgen was called as first full time pastor . The 5 00 5 5 3 5 church gave $ for missions and received members , by baptism . The church was on the move .

Av alon Bapti st Church

A building on Springfield Road belonging to Woodrow L . Marshal l of our church was used as a meeting place for ser We R emember To Build 1 49

W vices by a potential Baptist group . hen the storm Hazel 1 9 5 4 v t demolished the house in , ser ices were held a the home

of a Mr . Warbritton unti l the new church was bui lt on land

purchased from a Mr . Battle .

R V . The church was bui lt by Rev . . Thomas , also a building t 1 9 5 4 t contractor , at a cost of and constitu ed in wi h

20 charter members . Rev . George Breed love was the first and

Rev . Thomas the second pastor of Avalon Baptist Church .

Fi rs t Bapti st Plans for th e Future

1 9 5 4 In this same year of , under the leadership of Douglas F Branch , our irst Baptist members began to think of the future

- in terms of long range planning . Being a downtown church meant that future expansion necessitated the acquisition of ad

t . jacent proper y if possible , or else removal to another site No one wanted to consider the third option of remain ing as we

- were and slowly drying up spiritual ly . A Long Range Plan ning Committee was appointed and gradually the needed

property was acquired on Church , Western and South

Franklin Streets . 1 8 1 9 5 4 6 3 2 On February , a house and two lots at Hi ll Street were purchased for This was used as the par

sona e g during the Branch and Sodeman pastorates . After that

period , the church decided to change its policy regarding a parsonage and included a certain amount in the pastor ’ s salary to be used for rent or on the purchase price of a private dwell

. e ing The Hi ll Stre t property was later sold .

Meanwhile , much thought and study was being expended on

plans for a new educational bui lding . 1 50 We R emember OurHeri tage

A Sp urt i n Mi s s i onary Bapti st Churches

1 9 5 5 was an extraordinary year in this locality for Mission

. 1 9 5 5 ary Baptist growth By the end of , four new Baptist churches had been constituted .

Lakes i d e Bapti st Ch urch

Lakeside Baptist Church was the first of these four to be organ ized . Most of their 2 5 2 charter members were from our church , trained , active and of unusual leadership capability . d “ Dr . Kincheloe remarke that in the many years of my minis

’ try , this is the on ly church I ve ever known to be full grown at birth . 20 1 9 5 5 On February , fifteen interested people met at the home of Austin Robbins to discuss the possibi lity of organiz ing a missionary Baptist Sunday School and Mission Station in the west Rocky Mount section . Austin Robbins and Joe Sugg

c - were elected o chai rmen .

After discussion , a unanimous decision was made that the co - chairmen appear before the Board of Deacons of our church with a statement of principle; the group being deter mined to establish the fact that this move was in no way to be construed as a rebellion against or a breaking off from the mother church . A site committee was appointed to begin work at once . 20 1 9 5 5 On March , a general meeting for the community at large was held at the Rocky Mount Senior High School ; 1 5 3 people were present and heard the report that this movement had received the blessings of the First Baptist Church . The site

’ committee reported the availability of the Skeel s property ,

G lenwood Hall , at the city lake . The group voted to

1 5 2 We R emember OurHeritage

2 5 1 A 9 5 7 . Homecoming services were celebrated ugust ,

- Rev . David J . Cranford was the first full time pastor .

Be nvenue Bapti st Ch ur ch

The third Baptist Church to be constituted in this same year D 3 . was Benvenue Baptist Church on R E . # A previous at tempt to start a missionary Baptist church in this area had fai led . Now some people in the commun ity appealed to the First

Baptist and to Stony Creek Churches for help . Permission was granted to use the Benvenue Home Demonstration Club 20 1 9 5 5 House as a meeting place , and on March , the first 7 meeting was held with 8 present . The five people from our A . , . . , M . , church were Dr Kincheloe N Wiggins George illar , Sr

Brian Scott , and Miss Imogene Douglas . From Stony Creek

Church were Mr . and Mrs . John T . Coley . Brian Scott

E . H . . T . . presided and Mrs . Saunders , Mrs J Boseman , Sr , and

R B . Gordon were appointed to organ ize a Sunday School .

’ Dr . Kincheloe s sermon instructed them on how to organ ize a church .

ob Quickly outgrowing the Club House , permission was tai ned from the Benvenue School Board to use the school faci lities . A finance committee , Sunday School officers , and choir director were elected . As the Sunday School , under

’ Superintendent Gordon s leadership , continued to grow , a plot of land bound by Routes 4 3 and 4 8 was purchased from

Randolph Griffin for $6 8 70 . The State Mission Board con

$ 1 000 B . tributed t and First aptist assisted in raising the rest During this ime , services were being conducted by guest

1 5 1 9 . R . C. . 5 5 ministers August , the Rev Shearin accepted the 3 We R emember To Build 1 5

- cal l to be full time pastor . A religious survey revealed many prospects . t 1 1 1 9 5 5 t t t t On Sep ember , the mission was cons i u ed in o the

Benvenue Baptist Church with 64 charter members . Taking part in the service from our church were M . L . Clack , modera

. B , . , . . tor , Dr ranch Rev Cowan and Dr Kincheloe

Blandwood Bapti s t Ch urch

Blandwood Baptist Church was the fourth missionary Bap tist Church organ ized in this locality during 1 9 5 5 . The follow “ ing facts are taken from the History of Blandwood Baptist ” Church written by Margaret Works Threatt . “ Plowing deeply into the rich soi l of Baptist heritage and the was B landwood tradition , seed ling that to become Baptist Church was carefully planted and nurtured by the Roanoke

Baptist Association . The husbandry actually began in the for ty - third annual associational meeting held at Rosemary "

h r h R n . c 0 1 9 0 . C u oa oke . C 1 5 , Rapids , N on October , “ Here , upon a recommendation of the Executive Commit

a tee , motion was unan imously passed to purchase a tent for use in extending mission efforts in the needy areas of the Asso n w c iatio . An offering as taken both days of the meeting which amounted to The First Baptist Church of Rocky

Mount underwrote the balance for the purchase of the tent . “ At t t t t t a la er mee ing a Williams on , the Execu ive Commit tee was empowered to call a missionary for the purpose of im plementi ng this different type of Associational mission program , emphasizing the establishment of new churches . Rev .

Grady L . Burgess , then pastor of the First Baptist Church of

C. Jacksonvi lle , N . , was called as new missionary for the

Roanoke Association . 1 54 We Remember OurHeritage

1 9 5 5 . In the spring of , Mr Burgess turned his attention to a newly developing suburb in the southeastern sector of Rocky

Mount which seemed a likely place for a Baptist church . The Roanoke Association secured the services of a student mis

i on r s a . i li , . A . M a k y couple Mr and Mrs Emi l , whose work i i . M al k with the tent was highly successful . Mr conducted ser M i lik . a vices , did visitation and survey work , wthile Mrs played piano or organ , sang and helped wi h Vacation Bible

School . The survey revealed that at least 200 persons were i n

er t ested . Those helping with the survey were the members of

First Baptist Church , the Rocky Mount Council of Baptist

Churches , and other interested Baptist leaders . Arlington Street Church provided teachers and equipment for the Vaca 6 1 tion Bible School , which enrolled

1 8 1 5 M ia k 9 5 . li On June , Mr called a meeting of the resi

of B landwood dents commun ity , presenting a report on the

Associational Tent meetings . All agreed a mission was needed and an executive committee of 8 was appointed . Mr . George Stein offered the large basement of his new home for Sunday

School and worship services .

Supported by the Executive Committee and Dr . Douglas

Mialik 1 7 1 9 5 5 . B , t ranch on July , the mission cal led Mr o be 2 1 their minister . On August the Sunday School members voted to purchase an option on three lots in Blandwood for a church site and to proceed with organ izational plans . The Rocky Mount Baptist Counci l of Churches was asked to cal l

2 1 9 5 5 . an organ izational meeting for October , “ M ialik 2 5 th . On September , Emil A was ordained in the

First Baptist Chapel . Dr . Stewart Newman of Southeastern

led . Seminary and Dr . Douglas Branch this service On Octo

2 1 9 5 5 Blandwood 5 8 ber , Church was constituted with

1 56 We R emember OurHeritage

Englewood Bapti st Church t t t When i becametapparent ha tthe Englewood area would develop into a subs antial residen ial section of the city , Bap ti st leadership had sufficient vision to accept the offer of an option on land that could become the site of a Baptist work .

O However , years of discussion brought no fruits and the ption expired . 2 7 1 9 62 On February , , following a study of G limpses of

CC. G lory by Warren , the North Rocky Mount Baptist Church accepted the challenge to commitment and the invita tion to begin a mission . A survey was taken and on March 1 4 a mission committee w was elected . Sanction of the North Roanoke Association as secured . In August , cottage prayer meetings in five homes brought 1 00 interested persons into focus . Revival services were held in Englewood School by the sponsoring church . 2 A t 6 . tt t On ugus , Rev John Privo taught he Sunday School

lesson . Afterwards , at a business meeting , it was decided that this group would be a mission of North Rocky Mount Baptist

a Church and that its pastor would serve as supply p stor , con P M . A . M . . ducting services at and , with Sunday

School and Train ing Un ion following these services .

2 1 9 6 2 - On September , eighty three people came to worship and found that arrangements had been made for regular ser

- vices as they had known them i n a full time program . The next decision was to acquire five lots (approximately 2 acres) of the Westridge subd ivision adj oin ing

Englewood . North Rocky Mount Church , Baptist State Con vention , and North Roanoke Builders Club all gave sizeable contributions to help defray the cost . Arlington Street Church ,

R R C , k , ocky Mount Calvary , ocky Mount First hurch La eside We R emember To Build 1 57

M o m eyer , Sto n y C reek , Weld o n , West Edgeco m be , W t t t mlssion hi akers , and he people of he made liberal con

i n tribut o s . 1 1 1 96 5 On July , in Englewood Grammar School

Auditorium , this mission of North Rocky Mount Baptist Church was constituted into Englewood Baptist Church with

74 charter members . Among those taking part in the service were Rev . Ted Wi lliams of the Baptist State Convention ; Rev .

’ Joe Lister , president of the pastors conference; Rev . John Pri vott , Superintendent of Missions of North Roanoke Associa tion ; Rev . Clarence Godwin , moderator of North Roanoke A R . . Association ; Clack , chairman of the Steering Committee;

R . . G . and Scruggs , chairman of the Missions Committee

' Followi n the g organ izational service and fel lowship , the body of worshipers adjo urned to the site of theRproposed new sanctuary at Englewood Drive and Winstead oad , where a

- ground breaking ceremony was held .

Rev . Boyd Lambert was called as first pastor .

” New Fellows hi p H all and Ch urch Staff 1 58 We R emember Our Heritage

Fi rs t Bapti s t Fellows h i p Bu i ld i ng

After several years of discussion as to the feasibility of tear ing down the present sanctuary and building a new one or

r building a fellowship hal l first and then the sanctua y , the die was final ly cast , the decision made . We would build the

Fellowship Hall first . It would be next to the new Educational nA 1 1 7 5 . 9 Building , facing Wester venue June , was not on ly

9 5 th as our birthday a church , but the dedication day of the beautiful new Fellowship Hall with its lovely Alice Temple

R , oom , large meeting and din ing area modern stain less steel kitchen and storage areas . If and when we do build a new sanctuary , the Fellowship Hall can serve as an interim worship space during the constructioRn . Though we hBave seen the ocky Mount area well saturated with Southern aptist Churches and noted that our chut rch has been mother to many , we must never slacken our in erest in missions . There wi ll always be pockets of need for the knowledge of Christ and his forgiveness .

1 60 We Remember Our Heritage

’ — Men s Bi ble Clas s 1 945 follows : Second Sunday n ight for Sunday School ; third Sun day morning and n ight for Associational missions; all of which , for the present , are to be applied to this church in order ” to relieve it of the debt and to build up the Sunday School . 1 8 8 7 64 an In , our Sunday School enrollment was , with 1 9 1 9 7 3 5 . 8 average attendance of By , enrollment was and in f 1 90 7 29 3 . had reached Except for a few igures , records for the Sunday School are very scanty for the first forty years .

As the town and church grew , the Sunday School grew also , 4 7 1 9 5 1 8 0 . at reaching its peak in with enrolled Since then , 1 9 7 3 tendance has steadi ly declined until , in , the enrollment 1 4 w was down to 1 206 . 9 5 as the peak year for attendance 1 9 72 9 7 5 . also , averaging By , the average had declined to

1 7 Outreach 4 74 . 2 1 9 6 The January , lists Sunday School 9 6 8 8 4 en rollment as ; Homebound , ; Young Adults Away , 1 3 1 1 1 8 3 3 1 0 ; total enrollment , ; new members , ; visitors , ;

3 6 1 . and total attendance , 2 8 1 8 9 8 In the conference of December , the motion was carried that a statement of the financial condition of the Sun

’ day School be included i n the treasurer s monthly report . We R emember To Teach And Train 1 6 1 t t t From his and succeeding reports, we no e that he Sunday School was expected to be self- supporting but was church con trolled in that the church elected the officers and approved policies and procedures before their adoption . The Sunday School continued to be self- supporting unti l the church

’ adopted the un ified budget in the 1 9 5 0 s . 1 1 8 99 On February , the church elected officers of the Juven ile Sunday School ” and urged the adults present to take a more personal interest in the school . All children were “ ” placed in one department to form the Juven i le School . All of the officers elected at that time were men , while today men seldom work with Sunday School chi ldren . W B . . 1 900 B t , , In , ro her Spilman Sunday School missionary

- led a SundaySchool Institute in our church November 1 6 1 8 .

- — Out of town delegates and visitors were entertained in the 1 1 90 1 homes of members . The church minutes for January , indicate that the attendance was good and the institute a great success .

At one time , the Sunday School had an orchestra . The 9 1 9 1 7 December , minutes state that was to be paid to the Sunday School orchestra each month out of the Sunday

School treasury . 1 9 1 2 In , when our sanctuary was bui lt , the basement was left unfinished but was intended for Sunday School use .

However , sufficient funds were not avai lable to complete this work unti l 1 9 20 . 1 9 2 1 e In , the Beginner and Primary Departm nts were organ ized . Mrs . George Gorham , Sr . was superintendent of

A . the Beginners and Mrs . C. Griffin superintendent of the

. . er n n Primary Department Mrs ST . Anderson became sup i te dent of the Primary Department about 1 9 24 and led this work 1 62 We Remember OurHeritage

t 3 6 . 1 9 5 5 t 200 for the nex years In , here were Primaries in

our church school .

’ - 1 9 3 0 s By the mid , Sunday School enrollment had reached

1 200 6 - 7 00 00 . , with an average attendance of We again faced

the need for en largement . The Infanti le Paralysis epidemic in 1 9 3 5 t postponed the need emporarily , for al l young depart

ments , from intermediates down , were closed for the dura

tion . 1 9 3 8 But in October of , a special business conference was I A . . . . H called regarding Sunday School expansion Mr arper ,

chairman of the Deacons , led the discussion and cal led on Mr . R J . . B t , t M . obbit superin endent of Sunday School , r Kirby

T . . S . . Hawkins , Mrs Anderson , and Mr A Hicks for a pres

entation of specific needs in the various departments . The

‘ Bui lding Committee presented plans for a new wi ng to be at tached to our sanctuary as a Sunday School Annex , which

wou ld doub le our existi ng capacity . The plans were

unan imously accepted by the church and the Annex built .

’ During Dr . Kincheloe s tenure , the church records for v se eral years were inadvertently destroyed . The next minutes

’ avai lable were recorded during Dr . Branch s pastorate .

Now the Sunday School was emphasizing outreach . In

t - coopera ion with other churches , city wide religious censuses and visitation programs increased Sunday School enrollment 1 9 0 . 5 and attendance Easter Sunday , April , the attendance 1 9 5 1 1 0 1 3 . reached For the whole month of March , the 4 1 9 4 9 5 . 5 average attendance was In , our peak year for atten

dance , Dr . Branch began Junior Church in the Chapel in an

effort to relieve overcrowded conditions . During the eleven ’ d o clock service , the Jun iors had Sunday School in the e uca i n t o al faci lities .

1 64 We R emember OurHeritage at morn ing worship of what grading adults had accomplished

in his church . A i n s the new building neared completion , it became creasi ngly clear that age - grading adults was meeting with a

- . 20 1 9 5 9 ground swell of resistance On December , an article appeared in the church bulletin stating that the deacons unan imously and wholeheartedly endorsed the reorgan iza tion and regrouping of adult classes .

1 7 1 9 60 en The January , bulletin carried the unan imous do rsement of the monthly church business meeting when Ran dolph Sutton , Sunday School superintendent , put the motion

- to age grade adults . This meant we would move from 8 adult 0 3 5 . classes to , with new adult departments

For many years , our church had maintained large adult

’ classes . The men s class was so large it could on ly meet in the 4 . 8 3 . sanctuary At its peak , it boasted members Among the long - time teachers of this class were Tom Avera Sam Ar rington , John Harper , Jack Murchison , John Daughtridge ,

Earl Privott , and J im Batten . Two large women ’ s classes met in the former Ladies ’ Parlor with a movable partition separating them . Teachers of the

’

M . . . M . T . H . Woman s Bible Class were Mrs Arrington , Mrs

Finch , Mrs . C . A . G . Thomas , Mrs . John R . Lee , and Mrs . Pen

n M . y Jones . Mrs . J . Fox started the Mary Ella Fox Class which was named for her . Other teachers of this class were Mrs . Mary

T . . . S Kidd Richards , Mrs . John R . Lee , and Mrs Anderson — From these two classes grew two more the Thomas Class , with Mrs . C . A . G . Thomas as teacher , and the Mary Kidd

Richards Class , with Mrs . Richards , teacher . While Mrs .

Richards was teaching the Mary Ella Fox Class , it outgrew its room space and moved to the Chapel . The Fox Class then We R em ember To Tea ch And Train 1 65

fi lled its ranks with other young . women . The Thomas Class

’ drew some of its members from the Woman s Bible Class .

1 9 60 4 - 8 In , January was the Big Week for the Sunday

- - D . P School age grading change over . Mr . . Brooks of the State Sunday School Department and 8 Sunday School leaders from the Southern Baptist Convention devoted a week to leading conferences , teaching department books , and mapping out a

Sunday School En largement Campaign . At the monthly workers conference in January , the Sunday School voted to reorgan ize the school according to the plan worked out by the 1 9 0 . 6 visiting leadership In March , when the new faci lity was

: occupied , the organ ization changed as follows

When we moved into the new educational bui lding on 20 1 9 60 March , , the church school began Extended Sessions for Nursery and Beginner chi ldren . This meant voluntary

su eri nten workers , under supervision of the departmental p

M . dents , cared for the children during the 1 A . worship service , continuing the Sunday School activities .

As already indicated , some adults found it difficult to adjust to smal ler classes . There were misunderstandings and errors in records which caused confusion at first . Some refused to 1 66 We R emember Our Heritage

cooperate and stopped attending , whi le some were pleased with the new arrangement .

’ 1 9 5 0 s n During the , a strong evangelistic fervor for the u saved led not on ly to a visitation program in the commun ity

see ces but , under the leadership of the pastor , special were 8 1 9 5 5 held for various age groups . On May , all adults were asked to meet in the sanctuary during the Sunday School hour for an evangelistic service . At other times , the pastor or visit ing evangelist would conduct a special service for Juniors or

Intermediates . 1 9 5 5 In October , the Jun ior Church was discontinued and the Jun ior Department again integrated into the Sunday

School , meeting in the Fellowship Hall .

’ u - 1 9 5 0 s Youth Week was inaug rated in the mid , with a

large part of the activities centering around the church school . de i A staff of youth leaders was en listed and trained . On a s g nated Sunday , they led departments and taught classes , thus bridging the gap between youth and adults . i n C. . B For years , special offerings for N aptist causes and stitutions were promoted through the Sunday School on the following schedule:

Homes for Aging Baptist Hospital Christian Education State Missions Children ’ s Homes

Presently , the first three of these offerings are included in

the un ified budget . The church has placed great emphasis on

the Thanksgiving offering in the past , having always had a

1 68 We Remember OurHeritage

1 9 6 - 7 6 6 . In , Dr Cherry conducted weekday Bible study for adults . The class met for 1 hours every week for three 1 9 7 fall. 6 months , in the spring and In , with the coming of

Earl Long as Min ister of Education , special studies were con ducted for n ine months to improve the quality of work done by volunteers , with the last four months of the Sunday morning sessions designed to train Sunday School workers . Other classes had been conducted during the even ing Training

Un ion hour , when Bible and Doctrine were emphasized . This special training was given for two years .

1 9 6 7 In August , the Sunday School Counci l decided to put the chi ldren and youth departments on a grade basis rather than an age basis . This method of grading conformed to that of the public school and went into effect in October . The chi ldren in the first six grades are in the Children ’ s Depart ment” and those in seventh through twelfth grades in “ Youth

Departments . When Irvin Rackley became Coordinator of Visitation in 1 96 7 , the Sunday School prospect files were updated and the

Sunday School Counci l approved an active visitation program . Goals were set and guidelines laid down for developing Bible teaching ski lls and outreach min istry . This Adult Thrust resulted in the formation of a new class for adults 3 7 - 4 1 ; over al l increased attendance; and 1 7 new Sunday School mem bers .

1 9 6 8 was In December , our Sunday School awarded a cer tificate for being l oth in the state among the churches com pleti ng train ing books in Category # 1 7 on Sunday School

Principles and Methods . The church appointed a Plann ing - Survey Committee in We R emember To Teach And Train 1 69

1 9 69 to review every aspect of our church life . Their report follows : n n Enro ll d I n Year A ve rage Att e d a c e e S . S . 1 9 26 700 9 29 1 945 1 1 00 1 9 54 9 75 1 8 70 1 9 64 5 75 1 3 00

Within the past five years ( 1 9 64 the pattern of our

Sunday School organ ization and en rollment has changed . We went from five nursery departments to four; three Beginner departments to two; six Primary departments to three; four Jun ior departments to three; three Intermediate departments to two; then last year changed to two Jun ior High and two

Sen ior High departments . Average enrollment in the younger

has departments declined , whi le enrollment in adult depart ments has increased . “ 1 26 We enrolled persons , on the average , each year for the past four years in Sunday School but needed 1 3 9 persons to

wn hold our o in total enrollment . “ 3 9 The median age span for our Sunday School is years , whi le the median age for the city population is years . This means that half the en rollment is over 3 9 and reflects a high age average which tells us we have not reached younger groups as we should . The Young People Away Department was organ ized in 1 J W . 9 69 . 1 2 with Mrs . Henderson superintendent . 5 young people living out of town , in school , service or business , made up the enrollment . 1 1 9 70 On October , the Southern Baptist Convention Grouping - Grading plan for Sunday School became effective as follows : Pre - school (replacing the terms Nursery and Beginner 1 70 We Remember Our Heritage

Chi ldren (replacing Primary and Jun ior Youth (replacing “ Intermediate and “ Youth ” ) Adults (persons having fin ished high school)

In preparation for these changes , study courses were held by our church and by the North Roanoke Association at our church . The date for grading in the adult division was changed 1 5 1 from October to January , and the Cradle Roll Depart 7 3 0 1 9 0 . ment was discontinued on September , As the result of a survey in the Bel - Air subdivision of the

. i n city , Mr Irvin Rackley , superintendent of Sunday School , a rat ugu ed a bus min istry . The bus was chartered from Safety Transit Company and used first for Vacation Bible School in 1 70 7 June 9 to transport a total of 0 pupi ls to the school .

Following Bible School , the bus operated on Sunday morn ing 1 7 until the spring of 9 3 . The expense was shared by our Local

Mission budget and the Sunday School .

’ I n 1 9 1 8 , the Woman s Missionary Society compiled a list of ’ 1 9 26 Cradle Roll babies for the first time . It wasn t until that the Cradle Roll was reported in the Associational record .

There were 2 8 enrolled .

’ During Dr . Branch s ministry , he worked with the Cradle Roll Department in plann ing two Dedication services each year in May and November . Parents were invited to partici pate i n a service in which they dedicated themselves to the task of providing a Christian home and nurture in the Christian faith . Five to ten fami lies participated in each service .

I n 1 9 5 6 December , the Crad le Roll Department began rec ogn izi ng each new member by placing a rosebud on the pulpit

’ lectern at the eleven o clock worship service . The pastor recog n ized the parents during the service , and a member of the family carried the blossom home afterward .

1 72 We R emember OurHeritage

Baptisms in the years 1 9 6 7 - 1 9 69 were: 1 9 6 7 - 3 6 ; 1 9 6 8 - 1 0

1 - 9 69 26 . The budget for 1 9 76 includes $43 00 for Sunday

School and Vacation Bible School .

Vacati on Bi ble Sch oo l

Show me thy ways , O Lord ; teach me thy paths . Psalm

The Southern Baptist Convention began active promotion l 1 1 9 24 t of Vacation Bib e School September , when he depart

S T . . . at ment was organ ized Soon thereafter , Mrs Anderson

a tended meeting at which a N. C. Baptist worker spoke on the value of Bible School . She returned home determined that our chi ldren should have that opportunity . Miss Ida Ballance had just been employed by our church and was well qualified for this new educational approach .

Miss Ballance and Mrs . Anderson collaborated to conduct

. 9 0 a two week Bible school Mrs . Anderson worked with chi ldren from the Beginner and Primary Departments , while

k . . . Miss Ballance too the Jun iors John W Kincheloe , Jr was principal and Miss Florence Winstead the music director . 2 This was in the summer of 1 9 6 . ’ 1 9 2 7 The Association didn t report on Bible Schools until , at which time First Baptist reported a school with 1 49 en rolled 1 20 we and an average attendance of . After this , reported no

1 9 3 6 . other schools until However , there is a discrepancy in

W D . the records . Mrs . . Farmer believed the records were 2 wrong and that a school was conducted each year after 1 9 6 . Substantial and continuous reports are not avai lable until

1 9 5 4 Was . , when Miss Imogene Douglas principal The record book for this year states : First school was held in 1 9 26 and We R emember To Teach And Train 1 73

each year since . Associational records do not support this . k Mrs . Anderson was unable to wor in Bible School for several

years but believes the school continued each year . She did help with the preparation for the second year when the school was

again led by Miss Bal lance . The third year M iss Ballance had married and no one else

a to . was av i lable lead , so Mrs Anderson petitioned the Board

of Deacons for $ 1 00 to employ Mrs . Darden to return long

enough to conduct Bible School . Our known Vacation Bible School superintendents have been :

Miss Ida Bal lance Mr . Lowell Sodeman

Mrs . Dred Darden Mrs . George Hooks , Jr .

H . . Mrs . J . Stokes Mr Clarence Vassar

Miss Imogene Douglas Mr . Earl Long

Miss Virgin ia Beal l Mr . Ray Luck

allas ie . Dr . Harold G p Mr Harry G riffin

There are no records of the superintendents from 1 9 29 3 1 9 7 1 9 3 9 1 9 5 3 . through , or from through The year of

1 9 5 4 4 1 5— at greatest en rol lment was , with and an average tendance of 3 5 0 and 3 professions of faith . Miss Douglas was superintendent during this landmark year which has never been equaled . Mrs . Virgin ia Beal l Hooks has served longer — t t t a han any o her superin endent total of eleven years , but not consecutively . The Vacation Bible School has usually followed the same

: pattern Preparation Day , ten days to two weeks of school , and

’ - Parents Night Program . For years a school picn ic or cook out

- climaxed this effort , but the most popular was the church wide picn ic held in a city park , followed by a Sing and devotional . 1 74 We Remember Our Heritage

I n 1 9 6 0 , when we could Buse our new educational faci lity , there were two Nursery and eginner Departments , three Pri

mary , four Jun ior , and one Intermediate Department . In 1 9 64 it was decided to have the Intermediate section at

. 2 1 1 9 4 1 4 night Enrollment went from in 6 3 to in 1 9 6 . Since

’ then , we ve kept the Intermediates at n ight but also had a sec tion for seventh and eighth graders during the day in

7 - 7 1 9 2 1 9 3 .

- at - The Youth Night section ran five to ten n ights , using

varied material . Two studies which aroused particular interest were centered on beliefs of other denominations and a short

history of our church . The presentation of the former featured

speakers from other faiths who led open discussions . The latter combined a drama workshop with a study of some of the dra

matic parables of Jesus . Dr . Cherry led the Bible study; Mrs .

H . L . Bell and Mr . Bi ll Nelms led in writing and rehearsing a drama on the history of our church cal led The Prophecy of ” the Pipes which was presented at an evening worship service . 7 7 7 1 9 0 1 9 1 1 9 2 . A bus min istry was provided in , , and The first year the bus route went on ly to the Bel - Air section on

7 o 1 7 1 9 7 0 . 9 Highway , with a total of pe ple reached In , the 1 00 Englewood area was added . Two buses brought in over

children to Bible School . Mr . Irvin Rackley , Sunday School

superintendent , supervised the bus min istry . Unfortunately ,

when he moved his membership , the bus min istry was discon

- ti nued unti l 1 9 7 5 1 9 76 .

1 9 6 7 . . In Mr Earl Long , Min ister of Education , and Mrs

Sam Smith , Day Care Director , thought that the Day Care chi ldren should be allowed to share in the training offered by

Bible School . Day Care workers were provided with materials

as exce and followed the same schedules the others , with the p

1 76 We R emember OurHeritage

’ - 7 1 9 1 5 1 9 1 . In the years , during Dr Livingston Johnson s

’ ministry , there was a strong Baptist Young Peoples Un ion . The Roanoke Assoc 1 atlon report for October 1 9 3 5 listed ’ E F the young peoples work as Y U . This record shows we didn ’ t list a general EYFU organ ization but had a BYPU with

, t , . Adult Sen ior , Intermedia e and Jun ior un ions The 1 9 3 6 Roanoke Associational record lists this organ iza tion as Baptist Train ing Un ion . In this year , our church reported having a BTU director , Sen ior , Intermediate , and

BTUs . Junior , and a Story Hour For 6 2 years ( 1 9 09 our church offered this train ing

1 9 7 1 . in church membership to all age groups . In , Mrs

- Cameron Winston was the last church elected BTU director . One adult group and the Silent People continued to meet 1 9 74 i n for a whi le , but the gas shortage of and decreasing terest finally brought the meetings to an end . Known BTU directors were:

1 9 3 9 - 1 946 I . A . Watson , W W 1 94 7 . . Mangum ,

AL . 1 94 8 - 1 9 5 2 Stancil , W D 1 9 5 3 . . Waters , W 1 4 M . 9 5 Mrs . . Wester ,

1 9 5 5 - 1 9 5 7 L . O . Gupton ,

1 9 5 8 - 1 9 5 9 Nancy W . Lancaster ,

I r 1 9 - 1 9 1 . 60 6 George Hooks , ,

J r 1 9 2 - 1 9 6 3 . 6 A . H . Phi l lips , ,

1 9 64 - 1 9 66 Douglas Barnes ,

1 9 6 7 - 1 96 8 Harold Austin , 1 9 69 James Ingoldsby ,

P 1 9 70 - 1 9 7 1 . C. . Mrs Winston , CHAPTER X I

WE REMEMBER OUR WOMEN ’ S WORK

But sanctify the Lord God in your heart: and be ready al ways to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of ” the hope that is in you with meekness and fear . I Peter

’ Ladi es Ai d Soci ety

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shal l rejoice in time to come . Proverbs 1 3 1 8 8 2 The church minutes for September , state that Sister Westie Armstrong was appointed a committee of one to wait upon our members and see what amounts each one would ’ r a t t t t pay quarte ly on our p s or s salary , and repor a our nex ” meeting .

was Times were hard , the church in debt , and since it so

’ difficult to raise the pastor s salary , it became the practice to

’ select men and women who would visit the members homes

d t t . t t t t t an solici for his purpose Par of he ime , hese collec ors 1 78 We R em ember OurHeritage

were paid a small percentage of the receipts for their work . W Even so , the monetary difficulties grew worse . hen Reverend Lynch became pastor and had no place to stay a

T . M . J . t A t B . C commi tee of Brother rring on , rother J oley , and t n t t d t M Pas or Ly ch ook heir nee to the ci izens of Rocky ount , “ ” soliciting funds to build the Baptist preacher a study . The women of the church addressed this problem in a

’ different way . It is now unknown when the Ladies Aid Soci

ety first began , but it must have been very early in the life of the ’ church . The Ladies Aid used their proven talents for cooking and sewing as a means to serve their Lord and alleviate the

church debt . Catering for private clubs and the general public , they served brunswick and oyster stews; fried chicken and fish ;

e z homemade ice cream , cake and other sw et treats; held ba aars

t t . and rummage sales , and eviden ly sold at leas one cookbook 1 9 76 In Apri l , a local back yard sale produced an old

cookbook which was purchased and presented to Mrs . Sam

Smith as a memento of our church . This yel lowed and fragi le old paperback carries on its cover the following legend : DAINTIES LADIES ’ AID SOCIETY of the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

N. C. ROCKY MOUNT , HOUSEHOLD ORNAMENTS and

are t , Good cookRing always aAccep able as are alsAo good JEWEL Y , SILVERW RE and CUT GL SS Bought from

GEO . L . PARKER JEWELRY CO .

N. C. 1 t St . s North Main , Rocky Mount ,

1 80 We Remember OurHeritage

W E . . E W , . . . , . A King Mrs Stewart and Mrs lice Temple , each of whom served several years . “ That they do good , that they be rich in good works , ready ” to distribute . I Timothy

TH E FLORENCE AVERA ARRI NGTON MI SSI ONARY SOCI ETY

: O woman , great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt Matthew

Laborers together with God . I Cor . The Woman ’ s Missionary Un ion of the Southern Baptist

’ Convention began in 1 8 8 8 . The North Carolina Woman s Missionary Un ion began with its first Central Committee ap i n 1 7 8 7 . J . M . , s t . pBointed wtith Mrs Heck otf Raleigh pre idetn ecause of opposi ion by the men of he Convention , he

Central Committee was discontinued for the next nine years . 1 8 8 6 t t Then in the second Cen ral Committee was appoin ed ,

’

E . S . with Miss Fannie . Heck as president Therefore , Woman s Missionary Un ion in North Carolina has been in continuous

’ existence since 1 8 8 6 . But the Woman s Missionary Society of little Rocky Mount Baptist Church began in 1 8 8 2 ! This amaz

- ing feat was accomplished by a brave , spirit led lady by the name of Florence Avera Arrington .

From its beginn ing , Rocky Mount had been steeped in the influence of the strong Primitive Baptist Church , which believed in neither missions nor Sunday School . Our church

. M . A was weak , a mere infant less than three years old Yet rs r rington would not wait but gathered two other women (one of whom didn ’ t real ly believe in missions) and formed a mission ary society . She herself served as president , secretary and treasurer . Since she had no precedent or format to follow , she ’ We R emember Our Women s Work 1 8 1

t : t B t t M used wha she had he ible , trac s sen out by the ission

B . t t t t oard , and prayer Each woman would lay en cen s on he a

t t t . t t ble each mon h , amoun ing o a year This was sen o

Miss Heck in Raleigh for distribution .

. t In a day of small things , Mrs Arring on courageously per

W . sisted in this work for 29 years . hen Mrs Arrington resigned

H . M . 1 9 1 1 M . , t t in , rs Finch he capable and farsigh ed wife of

the new director , succeeded her Since it is not known exactly when our Society became N ’ . C. affiliated with the Woman s Missionary Un ion , we quote W W . D . . M . . U from a letter written by Mrs Briggs , . Executive

Secretary of North Carolina , sent in reply to an inquiry from

D . M . s : Mrs . Pearsall , our Society pre ident “ The first year i n which W. M . U. minutes record a meeting w as 1 89 1 . I could not find a report from Rocky Mount that

. 1 8 9 2 t M t year In , here was reported from Rocky oun ,

then in the Eastern Association .

(Our church was never in the Eastern Association . It began

in the Tar River Association which , when divided , became the

Roanoke Association . This was also divided , and we were then

t t A t . t tt v in he Nor h Roanoke ssocia ion From his le er , howe er ,

W. M S . it appears that the . could have been in the Eastern As

sociation in the early years . ) ’ 1 8 7 . : 9 Continuing with Mrs Briggs letter In , the report to the state says ‘Our membership is smal l but our average atten

dance is ten . We are arranging to send a box to a frontier mis ’ sionary . “There is no mention of Roanoke Association unti l 1 90 8

S . J . w t M . v tt W t e t i h rs E ere of illiams on as Vice Pr siden , as

t t t . t Superin enden s were hen called From hen on , Rocky

Mount reported every year with Roanoke Association . 1 8 2 We R emember OurHeritage

The Woman ’ s Missionary Society of our church grew very slowly as long as the Ladies ’ Aid was striving to help with the financial problems . Once these obligations were taken care of the women could turn their attention to missions . 1 9 1 5 . In the fall of , Dr Livingston Johnson came to be pas tor . Many women credit Mrs . Johnson with our en larged vi

sion of missions , for she was dedicated to its cause . t 1 8 8 2 1 9 1 6 From i s inception in until , the financial ar

rangement of the ten cents on the table remained in effect .

Then it was observed that Mrs . Johnson was giving far more

’ t . t han this Inspired by her example , he women s pledges zoomed to 2 5 —even to a month !

Mrs . Johnson and Mrs . Finch both knew about the idea of “ ” dividing the Society into small groups cal led Circles . So in

1 9 1 6 . October , five or six neighborhood circles were formed

necessi By the following February , the increased membership

ted ta . the formation of more circles At this time , our offerings went through the W . M . S . rather than the church .

One of the special interests of the W . M . S . during this era was participating in the 7 5 Mil lion Campaign . Mrs . Belle

t t t , t Ricks Holcombe , reasurer of the Society a hat time says hat in five years the Society raised for the 7 5 Million

Campaign , all of which passed through her hands .

Other activities included aid to a Mr . Baker , min isterial stu dent at Mars Hi ll and Wake Forest; mission work in the com mun ity; and conducting meetings at Caledon ia Prison Farm

and the County Home . 1 9 2 7 When Mrs . Finch resigned in , she was succeeded by

D M . . . Mrs . . . Pearsall and Mrs S E Ballentine , each serving for

W . D . two years . They were followed by Mrs . Joyner , who

served ten years .

1 84 We Remember OurHeritage

voted to limit the terms of office to two consecutive years . An ’ f exception to this rule was made of the treasurer s of ice . Two

R . , M . . M . R v sisters rs J Chambliss and rs Grtover obbins , ser ed as treasuretrs for many yetars by alterna ing their work , one serving as reasurer whi le he other was circle chairman , and vice versa . 4 r 1 9 1 . ST . In Janua y , Mrs Anderson , a faithful member 1 9 0 8 e . since , b came president Emphasis was given to tithing

Ro al ervice S . . . and securing subscriptions to y , the W M S magazine which carried the program and informational material as well as the Prayer Calendar of Missionary Birth days . One project dear to the hearts of the women was the Milk

Fund . Melvina Roberts , missionary to the Navajo Indians in ” Farmington , New Mexico , had appealed for help for her In dian babies . Miss Annie Gaynor , nurse and loyal member of

’ the Business Women s Circle , responded by contributing in

memory of her sister . Soon , the Business Circle and then the whole Society were involved , continuing this project for many years . Another project was the Hundred Thousand Club in which the whole Society and the youth groups participated . This was an effort to relieve the Foreign Mission Board of debt and embarrassment after a member absconed with a large sum of money . t 1 94 1 t was In he summer of , he whole church thrilled when two of our girls were crowned Queens Regent at the Girls ’

Auxiliary House Party . Mrs . D . Ernest Bulluck was their

leader at this time . s Two representatives were sent to Ridgecre t , the Society

underwriting part of their expense . The ’ We R emember Our Women s Work 1 85

and Sunbeams were bei ng carefully fostered and nur

’ tured t . in hte Lord s work t t t t During he war years , he Socie y collaborated wi h o her churches and paid $ 1 70 toward the salary of a Bible teacher in

the city schools . We were also involved with the Red Cross , s s tt v , making bandage , kn i ing , sending package o erseas and

’ serving at the Servi cemen s Booth . One report states that this

- last activity cost for one month . The various churches

shared this duty in rotation . Our Society gave a lamp for the was Red Cross Recreation Room at Fort Bragg , which fur

nished by the local Red Cross Chapter . Y . W . A . girls and

s . W M . S . . t t t v women fi l led many Russian ki s o—be sen o ersea t t 3 1 1 94 1 M . A Par of the repor for December — rs nderson n E . : t a d M . . B , presiden , rs J rown treasurer was as fol lows

e 1 6 No . of Circl s Home Missions 49 8 No . on Rol l Lottie Moon

No . Heck Memorial . Club Members 3 0

’ Hipps Salary Total .

1 944 In , we sent four Negro G irl Scout leaders to Atlanta , d Georgia for study and train ing . Four recently organ ize

’ s churches (Oakdale , Southside , Johnson s Chapel , and We t

Edgecombe) were assisted with contributions , and W . M . S .

members served as hostes ses at the U . S . O . House . 1 945 By , the Hundred Thousand Club was no longer

e n eded , but the Protestant Christians in Italy were in dire

- . x straits , so the W . M S . began to send four pound bo es of food

e , t . t tt each we k also boxes of clo hes For hese , charming le ers of appreciation were received frequently from Mario and Bianca 1 86 We R emember OurHeritage

mm w G i a etti of Rome . This as also the year we prepared our

- 8 3 . first year book , and reached a total of tithers A A t M e Besides the Florence vera rring on issionary Soci ty ,

W M . U . : . M the included ary Ella Fox Sunbeams , Mary Currin

s Intermediate Laura Parker Luca Matthew T .

E . . Yates Fann ie S Heck Jr . and Juliette Mather

With the Southern Baptist Relief Board furn ishing the duf

fle bags in which to make shipment , the W . M . S . now engaged in sending clothes to the World Emergency Relief. 1 946 In , the Society was requested by the Roanoke Associa tion to contribute to the Educational Fund being established to help foreign students at Chowan College . This project lasted many years . Also in this year , Mrs . Alice Temple reported that 245 boxes of food and clothes had been sent to the Italian

Christians . B J . . 1 94 8 . In June , Dr Hipps , missionary to China , spoke to the Society while on furlough . I n 1 949 t t t 20 8 ; , he number of i hers reached a Round Table Book Club was begun ; Bibles were sent to foreign lands; and the mission to become Oak View Church was given $ 1 00 . 1 9 5 0 Av A In , Florence era rrington Society received the Certificate of Award for meetl ng all the requirements on the

Standard of Excellence . The Roanoke Baptist Bui lders Club began in 1 9 5 1 and

t t . ga hered many loytal supptor ers among our members Through monthly contribu ions , his org an ization was able to assist young or weak churches in the Association to bui ld , buy a site , W M . U . 1 9 5 1 . . A or en large lso in , our had three Sunbeam

Fox Bands (the Hi lda Mayo , Mary Ella , and Arthur Gi llespie 2 1 R . A . Sunbeams); a new Intermediate ; circles , including a

1 88 We R emember OurHeritage

Months earlier , the W . M . S . had in itiated plans for a church

. 20 1 9 5 3 was s library On the n ight of January , all in readine s

for the dedication service . The library was situated on the

M . landing in t—he South Educational Wing and named for rs H . M . Finch the Estella Riley Finch Memorial Library . About this time it was proposed that the Society sponsor its own Educational Loan Fund in order to assist needy local w . . as young people Mr Sam Arrington trustee for this fund . o M , t any young pe ple were aided but unfortunately , af er a

reasonable length of time , on ly two recipients had repaid their

loans . Each one had been required to sign a pledge that they

would begin to repay the loan when they started to work .

Eventually , this forced the discontinuance of the Loan Fund .

1 . . 2 9 5 5 . 000 , M t In , in response to a request the W S sen

n z processed used Christmas cards to Miss Evely Schwart , mis

sionar . y in Jakarta , Indonesia These were to be used in her

’ t e . chi ldren s work , hopefully o gain entrance into more hom s

’ Crayons were sent by the young people s organ izations .

T o . . stimulate use of our library , Mrs John R Lee , then

t tw t - v - president , dona ed en y fi e credit approved books in

r . . . memo y of her parents , Mr and Mrs Saul Winstead The custom of presenting the prayer calendar and praying

for the missionaries at each general meeting was instituted , and the Society received the Certificate of Recogn ition of Ad

vancement to Advanced Society .

. . onnsen A love offering was sent to Mrs . M V G in Col orado to help the Dulce Baptist Mission buy a need ed musical

instrument . A young Negro girl was sent to Shaw Un iversity

for a week in summer to receive religious leadership train ing .

M s t , The iranda , wo Cuban girls attending Chowan College were sent a gift to help meet their expenses . ’ We R emember Our Women s Work 1 89 — 1 9 5 6 1 9 5 7 v d v t t t In — , we recei e a co e ed award he S eward 0% . . . ship Award for finally achieving 5 of the W M S tithing . We also received the Certificate of Achievement in Mission Study and the Certificate of Recogn ition as an Advanced

7 - 4 10 1 9 5 1 9 5 8 . W . M . S . for During these two years we had 60 . M . . t , W S members , young people at ending camp and won

the Nash County Banner . ’ 1 9 5 8 - 1 9 5 9 In , programs and refreshments at the Boys Train ing School were sustained on a regular basis by the

was 2 8 W . M . S . A memorial service held for the members who had passed away and memorial books in the name of each deceased member were presented to Estella Riley Finch Li

- r M . . b bra y by the W . S The constitution and y laws of the Soci ety were revised ; strong support was given to the Forward Program ; plans were executed for the Farewel l Reception for

Dr . and Mrs . Branch at the Ricks Hotel ; the mahogany

breakfront in the new church parlor was given by the W . M . S .

D . M . in honor of Mrs . Pearsall , president emeritus , when the

new Educational Building was dedicated ; four W . M . S . mem bers received 5 - year accreditation cards as a result of the

Jubilee Leadership Course; and our missionary , Rachel

Thompson Humphrey , and her husband spoke at our church .

’ 1 9 60 s In Apri l of , the Baptist Busine s Women s Federation W M . . . S disbanded , and our general meetings were held at

night every other month to accommodate the Business Circles . A $ 1 00 donation was made to the Mixon Memorial Fund of A . . . d Chowan Col lege; our W . M S and the Y . W A . received

’ vanced recogn ition ; one Girls Auxi liary received Honor rat

ing and one received the Advanced Certificate . 1 9 6 2 brought a sign ificant change in that the Florence

Avera Arrington Society was divided into two Societies . The 1 90 We R emember OurHeritage original Society continued meeting in the morn ing or after ” — noon , while the n ight Society later named for Martha — Gi lli land met at n ight . The latter was made up of women who worked outside the home or preferred to attend night

meetings . The work which years before had been called directed per sonal service ” had become “ commun ity missions ” and

broadened in scope . The new terminology now became mis ” sion action , growing still further in concept . Some of the projects of this era have been : collecting newspapers for the Workshop for the Handicapped (a sheltered workshop); serv ing supper to the Youth Choir prior to the Sunday n ight ser vice; mission action at rest homes ; Christmas in August; ditty bags fi lled for servicemen in Vietnam ; operation Santa Claus (g ifts for mental hospital patients); help with school lunch 8 00 programs , the church pantry and clothes closet; $ for Hon duran relief; funds for local relief due to the economic depres sion ; supply clothes for needy school children ; and stuffing N s . C. plastic bags with toilet article for migrants in Ashevi lle ,

During these later years , a continuing problem has been

poor attendance at the general meetings . In order to alleviate

this , the social committee began to serve light refreshments

prior to the general meeting . After several years , this was dis w 7 i n 1 9 6 . continued . The mi lk fund as also discontinued

1 9 69 N. C. In , Camp Mundo Vista at Asheboro , became the

W M . . U . focus of summer activities , with many of our women

and young girls in attendance . In this year also , the Florence ” 4 3 A . Arrington Society became a Distinguished Society; 3 7 girls participated in the G A . Coronation ; and girls went to

G A . camp . As a result of the review of the book Shantung Revi val by

1 92 We R emember Our Heritage

John Cave gave a presentation , with slides and artifacts , of his

mission work in Argentina . 4 1 9 76 As of May , Florence Avera Arrington Baptist 1 2 Women had 1 6 5 women enrolled . Our presidents from 8 8 to 1 9 70 were:

1 . T . M . 1 1 . . W D Mrs . Arrington Mrs . . Waters

H . M . 1 2 . . 2 . M . M rs Finch rs George Gorham , Jr

3 D . M 1 . . . 3 . . Mrs . Pearsall Mrs John R Lee

4 . . 1 4 . . T . . Mrs . S E Bal lentine Mrs S Anderson W D W D 5 . . . 1 5 . . . . . Mrs Joyner Mrs Clark

T . 1 . . 6 . Mrs . S . Anderson 6 Mrs Harrison Potter

7 1 7 . . Mrs . E . H . Tharrington . Mrs Helen Bulluck

1 . . . 8 8 . Mrs . Don O Bulluck Mrs Douglas Moore A E E 1 9 . . L. 9 . Mrs . . . Mayo . Mrs Stancil

2 . . . 0 . 0 . Mrs Edgar Joyner Mrs George L Hooks , J

2 . 1 . Mrs G lenn Carpenter 1 7 9 1 . . . . In , the W M S became Baptist Women Since then , we have had three presidents of the Florence Avera Arrington

Mr . M n : s ac . a d Baptist Women . Brown , Mrs Quinton Hatcher ,

Mrs . Don Haynes , the incumbent .

. . 1 9 2 Wh . 6 en the W M S was divided into two Societies in , it W M . . was necessary to have a . U director to coordinate the work of two Societies and the youth organ izations . The women who served in this capacity have been the following :

1 9 2 - 6 1 9 6 3 Mrs . Harrison Potter

1 9 4 - 1 W . D . 6 9 6 5 Mrs . Clark

1 9 6 6 - 1 9 7 6 Mrs . Helen Bulluck 1 9 6 8 Mrs . Alfred Stancil

1 9 6 - 1 9 70 9 . . . Mrs George L Hooks , Jr 1 9 7 1 - 1 9 7 2 Miss Helen Daughtridge

1 7 - 4 9 3 1 9 7 . R B Mrs . . Edmondson

1 9 7 5 - 1 9 7 6 Mrs . G lenn Carpenter ’ We R emember Our Women s Work 1 93

— Sunbeam Band 1 948

M Yo th Work W . . U. u

Even a child is known by his doings , whether his work be

1 . th t t . v pure , and whe er i be righ Pro erbs

Sunbeam Band

e And that from a chi ld thou hast known the holy scriptur s , which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus . II Timothy 1 4 . 90 Mrs James Fox founded the Sunbeam Band in , lead

ing them unti l her death in 1 9 26 . The Sunbeams included boys and girls up to twelve years of age .

’ The years following Mrs . Fox s death were marked by many i n n T . er te . S Su difficulties as Mrs Anderson , Sunday School p t of t t t t t den he Primary Departmen , sough o teach missions o a

an small group between Sunday School d Church . 1 4 9 2 . . H . and In , Mrs F Peters became leader was followed 1 94 We R emember OurHeritage

L. A . 1 4 . 9 5 1 . 942 1 946 t by Mrs Stanci l in From to , he Sun beams received recogn ition for being A - l on the Standard of

Excellence . 1 94 8 B , 60 y the Sunbeams had reached a membership of , so

T . . . . S were divided Mrs Watson and Mrs . Kenneth Tucker led

the four and five year olds , with the assistance of Katherine

Batten . They were named the Hilda Mayo Sunbeam Band in

honor of Miss Hi lda Mayo , one of our girls serving as State

W . M . . U Youth Director .

A . L. The six to eight year olds were led by Mrs . Stanci l and

Mrs . Leslie Hi ll . This group was called the Mary Ella Fox

Sunbeams in memory of Mrs . Fox . Each year the Sunbeams observed Focus Week with ac

tiviti es planned to inform the church about their work . In May

1 94 8 - , they gave a program for their parents . Forty two boys

- and girls participated . Both groups were recogn ized as A 1

1 4 - 1 during 9 9 9 5 0 . 1 9 5 1 In , a group of eight year olds was organ ized and

named the Arthur Gillespie World Friends . Mrs . Tom

Braswell and Mrs . A . H . Phillips , Jr . were among the first

leaders .

These three groups , together with a youth director who

coordinated all of the youth work , continued in this way until 1 9 5 6 when the need was felt to have a director for each age

level organization . Some of the Sunbeam Band directors who 7 1 9 0 . W . F . . . . served unti l were Mrs Jones , Mrs A H Phillips ,

J r . . l , Mrs Harold Austin , and Mrs . Lou s Rickman . 1 9 70 In , a new plan was adopted by the Southern Baptist

five Convention . The younger children , birth through years

o . were cal led Mission Friends . Mrs . L uis Rickman and Mrs

Rhaford Garner were the first Mission Friends directors . At

1 96 We R emember Our Heritage

Y B . . W . M . Graham Herring was the first president , with rs

. as t . George Hooks , Jr consul ant

’ — Gi rls Aux i li ary Coronati on 1 9 59

’ Gi rls Auxi li ar y

e . I wi ll love the , O Lord , my strength Psalm Realizing the need for an organ ization between Sunbeams W ’ I . . and in 1 9 1 5 Mrs . Rose began the Girls Aux i li ar 9 1 5 . y . These girls were aged through

V . D . Mrs . . Huggins was one of the early leaders Others who

E . F . 1 940 . . . led unti l were Mrs George L Parker , Mrs Duke ,

W . D . T . . . S . Mrs . Watson , and Mrs Waters 6 1 9 3 9 On June , Betsy Ann Bulluck and Lola Jean Parker

’ were crowned our first Queens in Girls Auxiliary while at

A . . tending the State G . House Party at Meredith College On ’ We R emember Our Women s Work 1 97

7th June , Betsy was chosen as State Queen , her responsibi lity being to give the devotional at theHouse Party the following

1 4 1 . . 9 year In , she became a Queen Regent 1 94 3 fi t t , In , he rs Coronation was held in our church at which time Jean Daughtridge and Jean Shields became Queens

1 949 By , eight Queens in the Coronation received their W n . M . U . . crow s from Hi lda Mayo , State director These girls

, B v t were Leah Lee Sal lie rown Ellen , Lucinda Oli er , Pa ricia

, B tt , Gedd M a Harris e y Sue Cash Peggy Jo y, argaret Wi lli ms , and Katherine Batten . Leaders serving during these years were

M . , M . . . t , . rs Edgar Joyner rs L O Gup on Mrs George Davis , and Mrs . George Gorham , Jr .

/ ’ - o . s A l re The Jun i r and Intermediate G A . received cogni t t 1 94 3 t h 1 946 ion by the S andard of Excellence for hroug , 1 9 5 5 . 1 9 5 9 and again in In , the two Jun ior groups were rec o nized g as Honor Groups , holding this level of achievement

1 9 70 e unti l when the program chang d . 1 9 A ’ 5 6 G . . s In October of , the third group of Jun ior was begun . Now there were the following groups : 9 year old girls ” Elizabeth Hale (missionary to Malaysia); 1 0 year old girls Otis and Martha Brady ” (newly appointed missionaries from —“ North Roanoke Association); 1 1 and 1 2 year old girls Ma j orie G lass ” (n ewly appoi nted m ission ary from North —“ Roanoke Association ) and Intermediate G irls Dr . and W Mrs . C. . Applewhite (newly appointed missionaries from

Statesvi lle , 1 9 5 6 G A . Also in , a director began to coordinate the work for this last age group . Directors serving from 1 9 5 6 to 1 9 70

. A . L. M , M . t M . B tt were rs Stancil rs Dean Rober s , rs Jeff a s , and Mrs . Robert Martin . 1 98 We R emember Our Heritage

1 9 5 5 By , a large group of girls were prepared for Corona t . t v 1 9 70 ion This yearly Corona ion ser ice continued through , when the program structure changed . These Coronation services recogn ized the girls who had ad vanced in their Forward Steps by memorizing scripture passages and gaining mission knowledge . Their work had to be approved by a church Reviewing Council , with the higher step fi material being sent to the State Of ce in Raleigh for approval .

: - i n - The Forward Steps were Maiden , Lady Waiting , Princess ,

- - a- Queen , Queen with Scepter , Queen Regent and Queen w Regent in Service . Queen Regent in Service as an optional e r step , r cogn ized by North Ca olina several years before South wide recogn ition . 1 9 5 8 5 3 1 9 5 9 In , there were girls being recogn ized , and in Carol Joyn er became the first Queen Regent in Service in our

: church . Other girls who achieved this honor were — 1 9 60—Becky DeRatt 1 9 6 1 G loria M cDonald 1 9 6 2— Jean Joyner , Mary Wright Edmondson , Ann —Chandler 1 9 6 3 A fi , t , nn Grif n , Johanne Vaughan Lona Bat en

Cora M . Bell 1 964—Ann Bell 1 9 6 7— Jane Carol Abernathy , Carol Lee Barnes , Debbie

Osterkam Rawls , Jeann ie Beth Cherry , Donna p 1 9 69— Lee Rawls , Millie Shields 1 1 9 5 8 t ’ A On October , he fifth group of G irls uxi liary was F C. . formed . This Intermediate group was named Mrs . ” Clarke in honor of the missionary nurse serv ing in Japan .

1 9 6 3 B , In June , Cora Mac ell and Linda Faye Jordan with 5 0th An G A . A . L. Mrs . Stancil as counselor , attended the

200 We R emember OurHeritage — 1 4 - 1 4 9 8 9 9 M . — rs Edgar Joyner - 1 9 0 1 9 . W . 5 5 1 Mrs D . Waters — - 1 9 2 1 . . 5 9 5 3 M M S . — rs Hayworth 4 - 1 1 9 5 9 5 6 Mrs . Alfred Stancil

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places , ” a goodly heritage . Psalm

The M arth a Gi lli land Bapti st Women

But let it be the hidden man of the heart , in that which is

t , t no corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quie spirit , which is in the sight of God of great price . For after this man

t t , t t ner in he old time he holy women also who rus ed in God , 5 adorned themselves . I Peter

Laborers together with God . I Cor .

1 9 60 - 1 96 1 In the church year , a committee was appointed to discuss the feasibility of having two missionary societies . This committee was drawn from both day and n ight circl es

F T . : E . . . S t . wi h the following women serving Mrs Duke , Mrs

I r . Anderson , Mrs . Helen Bulluck , Mrs . Kirby Hawkins , , and

Miss Helen Daughtridge .

The decision having been made to take this step , the n ight

1 9 1 - 1 96 2 . . 6 W M S . was organized and began function ing in , with Miss Helen Daughtridge as the first president . The night society was made up largely of women who had worked outside the home . Instead of being circles on ly , they

res on were now a society , requiring more officers and larger p ibi s lities . It took a little time for these changes to be absorbed and reckoned with .

- 1 9 6 3 t b . In , the constitu ion and y laws were changed In 1 9 64 t M ” , the society discon inued the ilk Fund and began ’ 201 We R emember Our Women s Work serving refreshments and presenting programs at the Boys ’ 1 96 5 Train ing School . In October of , the Educational Fund was discontinued .

B 1 9 6 7 t t t A v t t . y , he socie y had a tained ppro ed s a us On ly ” a lack of en listing new members prevented Advanced rat ing .

1 96 8 th t t . A In , e work was reaching ou in many direc ions

K . . Jr . . I r E . committee of Mrs . Hawkins , , Mrs George Hooks , ,

A . L. Mrs . Grover Robbins , and Mrs . Stanci l revised the con sti tuti on of both soci eti es ; was given to the Benevolence Committee for Christmas Cheer ; was contributed for school lunches for a Jun ior High girl ; refresh ments for Nash - Mont Nursing Home and Edgecombe Board ing Home weresupplied ; Christmas in September boxes were sent to Rev . and Mrs . Marvin Sorrels , missionaries to the In

was dians in Muskogee , Oklahoma; and a contribution made to a Lebanese student . 1 96 8 d In September , a prayer retreat was conducte by the

W. U . M . and the church staff in the interest of the Young

Americans Week Crusade .

1 96 8 1 09 ln Sl x By October , there were members groups in “ ”

M . . the Approved n ight W . S Society members helped with

A - the G . Mother Daughter Banquet and gave an offering to

’ the Baptist World Alli ance for Baptist Women s work around the world . 1 3 1 96 9 On June , a Prayer Retreat was held in the Chapel . Special prayer was made for the Home Mission Board and for the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans . The n ight society agreed on and chose as its official name ’ ” The Martha Gi lli land Woman s Missionary Society on Oc 1 1 7 9 0 . tober , 202 We Rem ember OurHeritage

Other activities included helping Baskervi lle and Fannie Gorham Schools with lunch money; filling ditty bags for ser vi cemen overseas ; bringing food and clothes to the church ;

A . and contributing to G Focus Week .

Then the society made preparations to give Dr . Martha Gilli land a much needed piece of equipment by giving each ” member a Martha box which she was to fil l with money . Now health kits were prepared for migrants in North Carolina; old newspapers were taken to the local sheltered d workshop; and magazines place in laundromats . ” was 1 7 Distinguished status achieved by the society in 9 0 . 1 7 1 9 was a furlough year for Dr . Martha and she returned 1 8 to speak at a prayer meeting on August th , followed by a

social hour in the Fellowship Hall . In this year also , the society

‘ redressed the dolls for our Day Care Center ; sent gifts to the local mental health center; some members attended the Retreat “ at Camp Mundo Vista; and the society dropped back to Ad

v anced rating . 1 9 7 2 In , the Florence Avera Arrington and the Martha Gilliland Baptist Women combined their efforts to raise

money for Contact Near , a new organ ization in town . Since our custom of raising funds on ly by tithes and offerings had e v remained unchang d , the women asked and recei ed permis sion from the deacons to raise funds by holding a bake sale at

Tarryt own Mall . It was felt that since the money would not go

t . A to our church , this would be an accep able procedure total 7 of $20 was secured for Contact Near .

For some time , the n ight society had been having a picnic 1 7 2 . 9 meeting in July In , the day society was invited to a joint

meeting and picn ic on the church grounds . This has become a

- looked to event for both societi es .

204 We R emember OurHeritage

cakes . Contributions were continued to the Chowan College

Fund and to Vacation Bible School refres hments . A birthday gift was sent to Katherine Burnes and refreshments and clothes delivered to the sheltered workshop . A tea was held for new and prospective members and a “ welcome” meal prepared for our new min ister of music and fami ly . 1 9 6 2 1 9 76 M t From to , the presidents of ar ha Gilli land Baptist Women have been as follows :

1 . Miss Helen Daughtridge

K . E . . m . Mrs Hawkins , Jr m Miss Emi ly Wi lliams -

E . . b K . Mrs . Hawkins , Jr

u Mrs . Charles Harrison

H . L. o Mrs . Bell

q R . Mrs . J . Everett

8 . Mrs . Ivey Powell

Keep me as the apple of the eye , hide me under the shadow

of thy wings . Psalm CHAPTER X I I

WE REMEMBER OUR MEN ’ S WORK

But as we were al lowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel , even so we speak ; not as pleasing men , but God , which ” trieth our hearts . I Thessalon ians

The Broth erh ood

2 Our Brotherhood began in 1 9 5 under the aegis of Dr . w Kincheloe . Horace Eason as guest speaker for the in itial meeting and again when they celebrated their tenth anniversa

ry . ? What is a Brotherhood Dr . Douglas Branch gave this “ answer in September 1 9 5 4 : The Brotherhood is engaged in

open ing the floodgates of consecration and knowledge , so that ’ God s power may flow through the lives of mi llions of dedi cated men for the accomplishment of the purposes of Divine 206 We R emember OurHeritage

Grace . Our Brotherhood was encouraged and helped , not

N. . , R . G . C R . i on ly by Dr Kincheloe but by ev owan , ev Esl e

Phil lips , and Dr . Branch . 1 9 5 2 ’ Through , the Woman s Missionary Society had car ried the responsibility for and leadership of the Royal Am bas sador 1 9 1 s since their beginn ing in 5 . Now the years

1 9 5 3 - 1 9 5 6 were to be the transition years , marking the trans fer of leadership and responsibility for the boys ’ work from the

Missionary Society to the Brotherhood . This was done slowly and gradually in order to make the transfer as smooth as possi ble . 2 1 9 5 9 On January , the Brotherhood Worship Commit — W . co M . tee with . Wester , chairman , and John A Harper , chairman—submitted ten suggestions to the church (subject to

’ the pastor s approval) . These suggestions included proposals “ for stimulating interest in church and Sunday School ; a

’ Father - Son Service and social hour; a special men s service with singing by the Brotherhood Chorus; attractive business size cards of invitation to our worship services and Sunday School to be distributed to contacts; a canopy over the Western

Avenue church entrance; preparation of a brochure of names , addresses , and phone numbers of all church members , with officers , committees , and a chart of the church bui lding; placement of higher watt bulbs in the light fixtures of the sanctuary; some backing on the baptistry doors to eliminate shadows during baptizi ngs ; erection of Sunday School Di rec tory in the bui lding; and endeavor to spot visitors at our ser ” vices and make them welcome . 20 1 At about this time , a roll of the Brotherhood lists mem

: bers , with the following group leaders iddeo ns G . G l . d . A v n R e P . J B . t u y m n n B . Ed d r n n R . n E . T r J . N. Batte H . ha i gto o so

208 We Remember Our Heritage

— R A Reco n i ti on Serv i ce 1 959 . . g

Th e Royal Ambas s ad ors

Thy testimon ies have I taken as an heritage for ever : for ! ” they are the rejoicing of my heart Psalm 1 1 . “ ”

1 1 . Now then we are ambassadors for Christ . Cor 1 9 1 5 s . In , the Royal Amba sadors were organ ized by Mrs Laura Parker Lucas as part of the mission responsibility of the

’ Woman s Missionary Un ion . This organ ization later came to be called the Laura Parker Lucas Royal Ambassadors in her hono n Early leaders who took special interest in bp ys aged 9

1 . L. . M . . through 5 were Mrs E . Taylor and Mrs . J Scott Others

- 1 9 40 1 9 5 6 : . . who served from were Mrs Charlie Gibson , Mrs

E . F . . MT . . Duke , Mrs . Morris , Mrs Paul Wells , Mrs Mae W D Knowles , Mr . and Mrs . John C . Gray , Mr . and Mrs . . . ’ We R emember Our Men s Wo rk 209

Waters , and Mr . and Mrs . Alfred Stanci l .

’ - A . A The Jun ior and Intermediate R . s were recogn ized as l

4 - on the Standard of Excellence during 1 9 2 1 946 .

1 9 5 2 at In November of , eight boys with two counselors

n A . tended a overn ight State R . Congress held in Raleigh : In

1 9 5 3 R . A . , the North Roanoke Associational Conclave was “ ” held in our church , with large attendance on a bad weather

n ight . A large number of boys attended the Associational Camp at Chowan or the Regional Camp at Fort Caswell each

summer .

R . A . M The regimen for work consists of Recreation , is

sions , and Ranking work . The Ranking program means scrip ture to be memorized and mission facts to be learned . The a e , , , A ranks are P g Squire Kn ight Ambassador , mbassador Ex traordi nar r y, and Ambassador Plen ipotentia y . Counselors purchased Royal Ambassador “ T shirts bear ing the emblem in order to motivate the boys to pass off their work before a Reviewing Counci l who must approve their work . The first boys to pass their work were recogn ized along with the girls in G irls ’ Auxi liary when they held the Corona 4 . 1 9 5 t , t ion In he boys had their own Recogn ition Service , R A ” each boy wearing his . . T shirt .

1 9 5 5 - In November , twenty six boys were recogn ized in the

A . R . e v , t Recognition Ser ice with Truman Smith , S ate Fi ld w . Am Worker , presenting the awards Bill Stanci l as the first bassador Plen ipotentiary in our church . There were four Am bassadors : Extraordinary Carlton Harlow , Turner Coley , Bi ll W aters , and John Waters . The next year Carlton became our second Ambassador Plen ipotentiary . 1 9 5 6 ’ A . R . s In August , a group of from North and South A R . . W B . . Carolina , led by our State leader , Jackson , made a 2 1 0 We Remember OurHeritage

mission tour to Cuba . Bi ll Stanci l of our church was a member of this group . Bi ll was recognized at the state level for his ac co mplishment in November 1 9 5 6 and served as Page to the

Baptist State Convention in Greensboro .

The years 1 9 5 3 - 1 9 5 6 were the transition years during

R . A which sponsorship for . work was gradually transferred — W M . . from women to men from the . U to the Brotherhood .

1 9 70 e In , the men assum d responsibi lity for boys age six and R . . C. . R . A up Mr Shields was chairman of the . Joint Commit tee during the transition period .

, R M at Two Ambassadors onnie Smiley and ayo Stancil ,

R . A . tended the National Congress in Fort Worth , Texas ,

- 1 2 1 4 1 9 5 8 . August , They went on a mission tour with others from this area . 1 9 6 1 — In , four boys Willard Williams , Billy Fryar , Roger

i l r— A . G eor e M la R . Stanci l , and g attended the State Congress held in Statesville . Men who led the boys in succeeding years were Herbert

Smiley , Ernest Taylor , Julian Gatling , Don Biggerstaff,

Gerald Brabham , and others .

A . 1 9 3 A National R . Congress was held in August of 6 in R A ’ D C. . . s Washington , Counselor Ernest Taylor took five to this meeting . They were Rusty Russ , George Millar , Roger

Stancil , Billy Fryar , and Wi llard Wi lliams .

1 9 6 5 1 0 - 3 1 In , August , eighteen boys from the Un ited States were given the opportun ity to serve on a mission tour to

Guatemala , each paying his own expenses . There were on ly two from North Carolina . Roger Stanci l of our church was one of them .

They worked hard leveling a playground , painting build ings , making benches and witnessing in smal l local churches .

CHAPTER X III

WE REMEMBER OUR VI P s

: But ye shall not be so but he that is greatest among you , let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth ” serve . Luke

VI Ps i n the Local Ch urc h

The Lord lifteth up the meek . Psalm It has taken a host of Christians serving through the years to fi ll the ever - increasing offices and opportun ities for making our Lord known . This is intended as a praise of gratitude for all the committee members , baby sitters , secretaries , group leaders , teachers , choir members , ushers , cooks , visitors ,

- f pian ists , and faithful pray ers who have joy ully given their time and talents for 9 6 years . Most of our church members love the Lord and want to ’ We R emember Our VIP s 21 3

serve him in whatever capacity they are able . Three persons have been chosen to represent the devotion of our people: a druggist who gave the grape juice for the Lord ’ s Supper for

many years; a busy wife and mother who , able to make on ly

meager monetary contributions , asked permission to launder

’ the Lord s Supper cloths , which she kept snowy white as long

as she was able; and the homemaker who had her own maid , yet chose to come to the church weekly in order to personal ly

polish the silver col lection plates .

For these unheralded acts of love and the myriad of others , “ we praise God ; like our tears in his bottle , He knows and

records each one .

VI Ps Who Reached Beyond Our Ch urc h A nd that repentance and remission of sins should bet preached in his name among all nations , beginn ing a em ” Jerusal . And ye are witnesses of these things . Luke

- 4 8 . Some of our members have been privi leged to serve outside

, t t t the local fellowship reaching ou to the Association , he Sta e ,

the Nation , and the World .

The disciple is not above his master , nor the servant above ” his Lord . Matthew We no longer know who among us served in the Tar River W D . Association , but in the Roanoke Association Mrs . . Joyner served as Associational Superintendent of the Woman ’ s

Missionary Un ion for about ten years . Mrs . Edgar Joyner and

- W D . Mrs . . Waters each held this same office for five year

. A terms Mrs . D . O . Bulluck served three years as G . . leader in

the Roanoke Association . 21 4 We R emember Our Heritage

W M . . U . Miss Hilda Mayo , graduate of the Train ing School

(now Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) , served as

Y . W . A . president of the Roanoke Associational Director of Christian Education in Roanoke Association in 1 9 5 2 - 1 9 5 5 ; and Director of Associational Missions in the

1 - North Roanoke Association in 9 5 5 1 9 6 0 .

’ At the state level , Hilda served as Young Peoples Secretary

W 1 4 7 - 1 9 1 M . U. 9 5 of the . in ; five years as Second Vice Presi

’

f N. o C. dent the Woman s Missionary Un ion , with special

’ responsibilities to the Business Women s Circles ; two years on the Committee on Committees for the Baptist State Conven tion ; and two years on the Nominating Committee of the W M . . U. of the Southern Baptist Convention . 1 9 6 0 Since , Hi lda has been an Associate in the Sunday

C. . School Department of the N. Baptist Convention Her

responsibilities are with the Preschool work , the mentally

retarded , and church libraries .

W. . . . M U Mrs . John R Lee served five years as Prayer Chair man i n the North Roanoke Association and one year with the

M . . . Region as W . U Mission Study Chairman

W M . U. Mrs . Paul Wi lkins served five years as . Stewardship

Chairman in the North Roanoke Association .

I . R . Mrs . Everett helped in the North Roanoke Associa tional Vacation Bible School Clinics for several years . She served at the State level in various positions : for twenty - two years as Jun ior Approved Worker; taught Jun ior Leadership for the Training Un ion Department in this and other states;

N. directed the Jun ior Department of the C. Training Union Assembly at Caswell each summer; taught leadership courses at the Assembly at Fruitland ; helped the Sunday School Department in En largement Campaigns in this and other

2 1 6 We R emember OurHeritage

For the state convention , Mrs . Stanci l served seven years on W M . U . the . Executive Board as Chairman of the G A . Com m ittee A . G . N. ; two years as State Jun ior Camp Director at C.

C. Baptist Assembly at Southport , N . ; one year as State Inter A mediate G . . Camp Director at Fruitland Assembly; as a

M . W . U member of the . Camp Development Committee (for the bui lding of Camp Mundo Vista); and as a member of the State Committee of 1 1 to study Baptist policy in differing

churches . A . G . For two years , Mrs Stanci l led the Leadership Con

ferences at Ridgecrest for the Southern Baptist Convention .

Ti et e Mrs . Don pp t served in the North Roanoke Associa

n 4 tion as Actee Director in 1 9 7 3 and 1 9 7 .

J r . Mrs . George Hooks , , our former Educational Director , has served in the North Roanoke Association as Jun ior Train ing Union Leader for three years and as Adult Train ing Union W . M . U. Leader for three years . She served the Associational

’ as Baptist Women s Director for three years; as assistant W M . . . U Director two years; as a member of the Nominating Committee for two years; and on special assignments such as teaching in Mission Study Institutes and Associational Vaca

tion Bible School Clin ics .

1 9 60 . In , Mrs Hooks was president of the North Carolina Baptist Education and Music Conference (for Min isters of

Education and Music) . She served for several years on the faculty at Caswell Baptist Assembly during Train ing Union Week teaching methods to Intermediates and working with

Jun iors in Training Un ion in the Region .

- 1 9 76 . In the fall of , Mrs Hooks begins a three year term in

W. . . the North Roanoke Association as M . U Director

R , oger Lamb , a former Min ister of Music served North ’ We R emember Our VI P s 2 1 7

Roanoke as Song Leader and William B . G risham , our present

Min ister of Music and Youth , has just been elected to be

- Church Music Director for 1 9 7 6 1 9 7 7 .

, t Earl Long , former M in ister of Education served the Nor h

Roanoke as Train ing Un ion Director .

Di vers i ty of Gi ft s

Now there are diversities of gifts , but the same Spirit . I

Cor .

R . V . Mrs . Mattox has reared two outstanding sons , neither

of whom are members of our church , but each has maintained

close ties with our fellowship . Both James and Bernard have

spoken to and visited in our church frequently .

Rev . JamesO . Mattox is a graduate of Wake Forest Un iver

s it . y and the Baptist Seminary in Louisvi lle , Kentucky Whi le

serving as Chaplain in Korea , he was awarded the Bronze Star .

Rev . Mattox served pastorates in Hertford and Red Springs

and is now pastor of the First Church in Rutherfordton . He N has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the . C. Baptist

Homes for the Aging for sixteen years , serving as president of the Board for two years . He has served on various committees

of the N. C. Baptist Convention and is currently on the

General Board . James has also been Moderator of the

Chowan , Robeson , and Green River Associations . M — Bernard attox better known by his professional name , — Gregory Walcott is a lay preacher and an actor . He has led

revivals in California , Texas , in Charlotte and Greensboro

N. 1 4 C. . 96 1 9 6 5 , and in Japan In and , he was vice president

of the Southern Baptist Convention . Gregory Walcott has appeared in many movies such as ” “ Battle Cry , Mr . Roberts , and Man of the East . He is a 21 8 We Remember OurHeritage

regular on television , portraying roles in such dramas as “ ” “ “ Bonanza , Last Hero , and The Quest .

He directed , produced , and portrayed the leading role in “ the movie Bi ll Wallace of China . This is the story of a Southern Baptist missionary doctor who was murdered when the Commun ists took over China . Bi l l Wallace was stationed at the Stout Memorial Hospital in Wuchow , China . “ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is ” given to us . Romans Our church fellowship has been a seedbed for many doctors and nurses but on ly one woman doctor has emerged . She is

Roberta G . Wi lliams , daughter of Mr . and Mrs . Robert W .

Williams .

Roberta was a member of the Train ing Un ion , and

Choir . When she graduated from Sen ior High , she was a Na tional Merit Scholar Finalist and received the Certificate of

- Honor . At Duke Un iversity , she was secretary of the Pre medi cal Society in 1 9 6 2 and president in 1 9 6 3 when she received her B S . degree .

At the Un iversity of North Carolina School of Medicine , she was secretary of the Whitehead Counci l and Chairman of

1 9 6 - 1 8 e . 3 9 6 the National Committ e on Medical Ethics From , she did research on Apexcarodiography in the Department of

M D . Cardiology . Roberta received her from the UNC School of Medicine in 1 9 6 8 .

- 8 1 N. . 1 9 6 9 69 . C In , Dr Wi lliams interned at the Memorial

9 - 9 7 as . 1 69 1 0 Hospital at Chapel Hi ll In , she served Pediatric Resident at Columbia Presbyt erian Medical Center in New

1 7 - 1 9 7 3 . 9 0 York City In , she was a Fellow in Cardiology at

’ Children s Hospital Medical Center in Boston , Mass . , serving

- as Assistant in Cardiology in 1 9 7 3 1 9 74 .

220 We R emember OurHeritage

- G Following her graduation from UNC , Sherrie entered Princeton Seminary on a one - year trial fellowship for

Theological Education , preparatory to the Master of Divin ity degree . During her three years at Princeton , she served as chaplain at the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf at Tren ton , New Jersey . For one year , she was Student Assistant Pas tor at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church in Princeton . 1 9 76 Presently , in the summer of , Sherrie is researching the

Old Testament for one of the seminary professors . In Septem

- ber , she wi ll be a full time chaplain at the Marie Katzenbach

School for the Deaf in Trenton , New Jersey , in addition to other responsibilities .

R . . R . , obert Lee Wynne , son of Mr and Mrs oscoe L Wynne

1 9 6 1 . received his B A . degree from Wake Forest College in After teaching social studies at the Newport News High

1 9 6 1 - 1 9 6 2 C School in , Robert joined the Peace orps and served his two - year tour of duty at Kirij i Memorial College in

Igbajo , Nigeria , West Africa . During his stay in Africa , our church made a contribution toward the purchase of a fi lm projector to be used in his work .

When he returned stateside , Robert entered Southeastern 4 1 9 6 . N. C. Seminary at Wake Forest , , where he studied in

1 9 6 5 R M M , In , obert married iss artie Spencer of Hampton

Virginia . Whi le she completed her training at Norfolk

General Hospital as a trained nurse , Robert taught in

Portsmouth , Virgin ia . 1 9 6 6 R In the fall of , obert again entered Southeastern Seminary to graduate in 1 9 6 8 with a Master of Divinity degree . 1 9 69 In June , he earned the Master of Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City . ’ We R emember Our VI P s 221

1 9 69 - 1 9 7 1 From September unti l August , Robert was associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Portsmouth ,

Virgin ia . He was ordained at Calvary Baptist in February

1 9 7 1 . While taking a course in Commun ity Plann ing at Virginia

1 9 7 1 - 1 9 7 3 Commonwealth Un iversity Septem ber Jun e , Robert served as youth pastor at the First Baptist Church in Richmond , tVirgin ia . Since tha time , he has been Director of Bethlehem Com mun ity Center in Richmond .

The Wynnes have two chi ldren , Christina Noel and

Jonathan David .

VI Ps i n Other Fellows hi p s

t : And o her sheep I have , which are not of this fold them also I must bring , and they shall hear my voice; and there shal l ol be one f d , and one shepherd . John “ And there are diversities of operations , but it is the same

God which worketh al l in all . I Cor .

Three young people , having been brought up in our fellow ship , after reaching maturity felt led to serve God under the aegis of other fellowships . Miss Elizabeth Wheeless studied at a Presbyt erian school in the Chicago area and went to India as a Presbyterian mission ary . It is not known whether she remained with this denomina tion . It is certain that she married a Mr . Cunn ingham and served in India as a missionary for many years .

As a youth , Jasper Harper thought God was calling him to be a Baptist min ister . Then he assisted Mrs . C . A . G . Thomas and others with the mission which became Southside Baptist 222 We R emember OurHeritage

Church . Here he began to experience a need to be close to peo ple , to share , and possibly lift their burdens . Jasper Harper felt the leading of the Spirit even more strongly when he came under the influence of Major Wi lbur Young of the Salvation

Army .

Feeling himself on the horns of a dilemma , Jasper took his W J . problem to Dr . . . Kincheloe His pastor counseled and blessed him , and he entered into his plan of serving God in this different fellowship . Major Jasper Harper of the Salvation Army has been in this service thirty - two years and is presently ( 1 9 76 ) stationed in

Rocky Mount . His daughter , a talented musician , and her hus

fo r Salvation band are now in train ing Army service . When

Lieuten this train ing is completed , they wi ll be commissioned ants .

Rev . Gene Gurganus grew up in our church , received his degree from the Bob Jones Un iversity , and went to East Pakistan as a foreign missionary with the Association of Bap tists for World Evangelism . The local Falls Road Baptist

Church has given him strong support .

When war came and East Pakistan became Bangladesh ,

Rev . Gurganus continued to serve there . Altogether , he and his fami ly served eighteen years in this distressed area .

R . At the present time , ev Gurganus is in the Un ited States doing home mission work under ABWE as representative to S C. the Southeastern Region , headquartered in Greenville ,

Our S outh ern Bapti s t M i s s i onary VI Ps

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of ! ” peace , and bring glad tidings of good things Romans

224 We Remember OurHeritage

but we may not be able to take out any of our belongings . We live from day to day not knowing what a day may bring forth . If we cannot carry on here Mrs . Hipps and I hope to go to Japan to teach in our Baptist College there . If this is not

possible we will return to the States . We will keep you i n if formed we can . Mai ls may be stopped . Pray for us . “ 1 0 1 9 49 April , , Un iversity of Shanghai . It is said that people now are on the point of

starvation . If the war continues the best part of the rice pro duc i ng section of the country will be greatly affected within the next month or so . This will add to the lack of food next year . How pathetic and tragic the condition of the masses of the people is! They are in the hands of men who are struggling for power . It is very difficult to carry on Christian work in the com

m n i . u st areas Most missionaries have had to leave . Most of the

country churches have not been able to carry on . No religion is being taught in the high schools there and the hospitals are

carrying on with d ifficulty . “ We are sti ll going on here in the Un iversity with more than 1 1 00 students on the campus and more than 3 00 in the School

of Commerce in the city . We hope to fin ish this term in May .

We have a baptismal service every month in our church . Many

students have become Christians this year . “ Most missionaries of all boards plan to stay in China . We wi ll stay as long as we can . Pray for us . 1 4 . 9 6 9 . , R , Dec , ichmond Va We are here with mixed feelings—great regrets that we had to leave the Un iversity and China , but something of a relief to be free from Commun ist rule . It is something that has to be felt to understand . It is difficult to explain in writing . ’ We R emember Our VIP s 225

Briefly stated a group of about 1 0% of our faculty and

o staff led by a professor , and assistant professor and an instru

, t t tor , through threats intimida ions , and unscrupulous me hods within a period of about two months got control of the newly organ ized Admin istrative Counci l of the Un iversity . They forced out the president , his chief secretary and the business manager and made it necessary for the Board of Directors to appoint an Admin istrative Committee taking the place of the president and to recogn ize the new counci l on the campus .

This new counci l is composed of teachers , staff members ,

laborers , and students . “ There is a fight going on as to who shall control the Un iversity—the new counci l or the regular constituted Board

of Directors . The same strugg le is going on in the other Chris

tian colleges and un iversities of China . The Un iversity is sti ll a private college but controlled by a

m orit of aj y commun ist influence on the new counci l . In spite of all the difficulties the Un iversity was re- opened in the fall

1 200 . with students , about of whom are Christians A few

courses in religion are sti ll being taught . Four single mission

aries are sti ll there teaching English chiefly . The commun ists

wanted these missionaries to remain . The church and its work

still goes on . What will happen in the future we do not know . The Chinese Christians are carrying on in a very fine way

under great difficulties .

’ Following Dr . Hipps return to the States and his retire

e , B , ment the Foreign Mission oard at our r quest , assigned M rs . James Edward Humphrey as our new missionary . Mrs .

1 8 1 9 2 3 . C. Humphrey was born December , in Durham , N She was appointed by the Foreign Mission Board as a missionary 4 t A 6 1 9 8 . o Nigeria on pri l , 226 We R emember OurHeritage

. C , Mrs Humphrey attended Wingate Jun ior ollege Wingate , W M . N. . . U C ; Wake Forest; and the . Train ing School in

Louisvi lle , Kentucky . Prior to her appointment , she gained ex

erience p as assistant to the Bursar , Wingate College; as library

, k ; t B assistant Wa e Forest College as educa ional director , rag town Baptist Church , Durham ; and as mission worker during 1 944 1 945 1 946 the summers of , , and at Whitesburg ,

M cRoberts , and Neon , Kentucky with the Home Mission

Board .

Mrs . Humphrey was stationed in Ogbomosho , Nigeria and ,

Ki n l lli l n M c e G i a ds . of course , knew the y She speaks in glow 1 1 ing terms of the new seminary (June , the largest structure the Baptist had in Nigeria at that time . She said it was

all something Baptists over the world could be proud of. When Rachel Humphrey was forced to res ign as a foreign

M . missionary to Africa for health reasons , we were assigned rs

Charles T . Stephens , Jr . 5 . . C. Mrs Stephens was born in Hildebrand , N on October ,

1 940 . She was Helen Yvonne Yoder . She and Mr . Stephens were appointed by the Foreign Mission Board to serve in In

n i do es a in December 1 966 . The Stephens have a son named

Danny . ’ 2 7 1 3 S C. 9 . Mrs . Stephens home address is Filbert , Her

H armonah 4 1 . D 1 . e mission address is j g , Bandung , Indonesia “ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels , that the ex ” cellenc . . y of the power may be of God , and not of us II Cor

. M Ki n l Rev Wi lliam c ey Gi lliland and Dr . Martha Jordan Gi lliland have appeared in this history at length prior to this but , of course , must be included in this roll of our missionary V “ I Ps . Mac , so kind and understanding , has gone to be with

228 We R emember OurHeritage

met her future husband in the person of Norman Burnes III , a

first year student at Southeastern Seminary . Kathryn graduated from Duke in 1 9 60 and married Nor

man that same summer . She taught school in Creswell and

N. C. Creedmore ,

Rev . Burnes is a native of Rome , Georgia and a graduate of

Mercer Un iversity , Macon , Georgia . He received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological

N. C. Seminary in Wake Forest , During his seminary training , he served one summer as youth director for the First Baptist

N. C. Church in Mooresvi lle , In his sen ior year at the semin

ary , he served two Baptist churches in Creswell . 1 9 6 7 1 9 6 8 From March to October , Norman served as

assistant pastor at the West Lynchburg Baptist Church . After 1 72 9 . that , he was pastor until June , at which time Rev and

Mrs . Burnes were appointed by the Foreign Mission Board to

be missionaries to Israel . 1 9 73 s . After language study , the Burne arrived in Israel in They lived on the Mount of Olives in an Arabic vi llage and

e served the West Bank . Kathryn work d with the women and children and Norman preached and served as Moderator of

- the Baptist Convention in Israel , composed of the thirty n ine

Southern Baptist missionaries working there .

7 . 1 9 5 . . In August of , Rev and Mrs Norman N Burnes were

- transferred to Greece . There are English speaking Americans in Greece and the Burnes are the on ly missionaries

- min istering to their needs . Among the Americans working a overseas , many wish to visit the Holy Land , so once a ye r Norman prepares them by means of lectures and slides before

leading them on a guided tour of Israel . In Greece he is the official representative of our Foreign ’ We R emember Our VI P s 229

e Mission Board . One of his duties r quires him to fly to Kavala , Greece once a month to min ister to the fami lies working with the Voice of America . Norman is a fourth generation missionary! His great - grand

1 8 5 3 . father , Wi lliam Hen ry Clarke , went to Nigeria in His 1 8 9 7 grandfather , Wi lliam Harvey Clark , went to Japan in , to

- - be followed a year later by his bride to be . They served in

’ Japan for forty years . Norman s mother was born there . Cole

’ was a man Clarke , Norman s uncle , missionary in Japan when 7 M 3 1 1 9 6 . World War II ended and retired on arch , Kathryn has the distinction of being the first foreign mis sionary to come out of our fellowship who is serving under the

Southern Baptist Convention . She is the answer to countless prayers and , hopefully , the first of a long line of Ambassadors for Christ to follow her example .

: . M . B Rev and rs urnes have three children Norman IV , 1 96 2 1 9 6 6 born in ; Kathryn , born in ; and Robert , born in

1 9 6 8 . 1 9 76 Norman and Kathryn , on furlough in , were honored by our church on June 1 2th and Norman was guest min ister for the morn ing service on June 1 3 th .

But ye shal l receive power , after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in

ut Jerusalem , and in al l Judaea , and in Samaria , and unto the termo t s part of the earth . Acts CHAPTER X IV

AS WE REMEMBER OUR H ITAG ER E , WE ANTI CI PATE OUR FUTURE

Remember the days of old , consider the years of many

: generations ask thy father , and he will shew thee; thy elders ” and they will tell thee . Deuteronomy

Land mar k Dec i s i ons

As we have reviewed the n inety - six years of our church history , we have recogn ized landmark decisions which have shaped our character and spirit , and will continue to influence our future . 1 1 8 8 0— June , The decision to begin a missionary Baptist church in the midst of a strong Primitive Baptist environment .

23 2 We R emember Our Heritage

methods , plans and terminology have been in a constant state of flux , making it difficult for the layman to keep abreast of

. conf the changes At times , he has been tempted to give in to u sion and frustration . But the future is not likely to hold any hope for the cessation of rapid change . So it is imperative that we learn how to meet it with equan imity , flexibility , and relaxed joy as we confront the enormous challenges . As the time comes ever nearer for the glorious return of our

Lord , we must find new innovative , imaginative , relevant ways — to present the gospel to all people where they are . Time is of

’ the essence , as mil lions die out of Christ . The King s business ! is urgent We , his messengers , must not fai l him .

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying , Behold , the tabernacle of God is with men , and he will dwell with them , and they shall be his people , and God himself shall be with ” them , and be their God . Revelation

Come , Lord Jesus , come .