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BAPT BX 6209 C24 F52
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY THE Z. SMITH REYNOLDS LIBRARY
EST
U
RSIT
PRO HUMANITATE
1834
CALL NO.
NOT TO BE CIRCULATED
CABARRUS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
5
FIRST KANNAPOLIS
MCGILL STREET
FIRST CONCORD
CENTERVIEW
"Dividing For
WEST CONCORD
KERR STREET
YOUNG STREET
Cabarrus Baptist Association 1936
Greater
SOUTHSIDE
COLDWATER 1
Mecklenburg-Cabarrus Missionary Baptist Association 1886
Conquest"_
ROBERTA
HOWELLS
MIAMI
- 1935
OAK RIDGE
A History of The Years 1936-1986
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/firstfiftyyearsh1986moor
THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS A History of the Cabarrus Baptist Association of North Carolina
Compiled by : Harry J. Moore, Associational Clerk, 1963-1986
Cover Design by : Mrs. Archie Ritchie, Jr.
BX
C24 F52
1
1
CONTENTS
Page
Section One
Acknowledgements 1
Origin of the Baptist Association in the South 1
Organization of the Cabarrus Baptist
Association
1
Constitution
3
Section Two 5
The Next Fifty Years:
Chapter One 5
Chapter Two
12
Chapter Three
21
Chapter Four
28
Chapter Five 42 .
Section Three
Dedication of Annual
60
Short History of Five of the Oldest Churches
in the Cabarrus Baptist Association. 61
Directors' of Missions of Cabarrus
Baptist Association 66
Churches in Cabarrus Baptist Association Listed Chronologically 69
Historical Tables
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The information recorded was drawn together by the Reverend and Mrs. Harry J. Moore, associational clerk, at the request of the General Board, May 19, 1986.
There were many people who cooperated with us in securing this information. The associational office staff, Reverend and Mrs. Russell L. Willis, and Mrs. Robert Kluttz. Surely there were others. Some acknowledgements are at the end of the article.
We have tried to be fair in selecting items for recording, but in all fairness to a true record of our history, we felt it was necessary to include some unpleasant events as well as the pleasant ones.
According to Shubal Stearns who organized the first Baptist Association in North Carolina, "An association is an organization composed of delegates (or messengers) from the church to impart stability, regularity, and uniformity to worth the of the churches. "-1 A more modern definition "An association is a self-determining Baptist inter-church community created and sustained by the churches affiliated with it and responsible to them through their messengers, in which the churches foster their fellowship, their unity in faith and practice, and give and receive assistance in achieving their purpose. "-2
THE ORIGIN OF THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN THE SOUTH
The earliest Baptist Association in the South was founded at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1751, and was known as Charleston Baptist Association.
By the time the Southern Baptist Convention was organized in Augusta, Georgia, May 8, 1845, there were forty-five Baptist Associations. A century later there were 923. £ Today there are over 1200 associations in the Southern Baptist Convention.
The first Baptist Association in North Carolina,
Sandy Creek Baptist and the third in America, was
Association organized in 1758. Shubal Stearns, along with his brother-in-law, Daniel Marshall, organized it. All "Separatists" Baptist Churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina prior to 1770 belonged to the one and only Sandy Creek Baptist Association. In 1770 there was a division and the one Association became three: "The Sandy Creek" in North Carolina, "Congaree" in South Carolina, and "Rapidann" in Virginia. "-3
ORGANIZATION OF THE CABARRUS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
The Baptist Churches in Cabarrus County had for
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years belonged to the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus Missionary Baptist Association, which was organized in 1886. September 11-12, 1935. The Fiftieth Anniversary
for the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus Missionary Baptist Association was held with the Durham Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina.
In the Wednesday afternoon session, September 11, Dr. E. S. Summers, First Baptist Church Concord, spoke on "Dividing for Greater Conquest."
A petition on behalf of thirteen churches in
Cabarrus County for letters of dismissal for the purpose of forming another association were presented. The thirteen churches were: Concord First, Kerr Street, McGill Street, Southside, West Concord, Young Street, Coldwater, Howell's, Centerview, Kannapolis First, Miami, Oak Ridge, and Roberta.
C. W. Durden moved that the letters requested in the petition presented by the churches, said churches being as set forth in the resolution which follows, be granted. The motion was duly seconded and carried.
The Resolution: "Whereas the First, Kerr Street, McGill Street, Southside, West and Young Street Baptist Churches of Concord, Coldwater, Howell's, and Centerview and First Churches of Kannapolis, Miami, Oak Ridge, and Roberta, having petitioned for letters of dismissal from the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus Baptist Association, do grant the requests o 44 the respective
churches. £ Our Christian fellowship in the past fifty years, together now with the assurance of our prayers and good will confirms our Holy purpose to continue laboring together for the coming of the Kingdom of our Lord."
The association then changed their name to:
The Mecklenburg Missionary Baptist Association.
First Meeting of the Cabarrus Baptist Association. October 8, 1935. The Cabarrus churches came
together to organize. They met at Concord, First Baptist, and elected Reverend E. S. Summers
as Moderator and Reverend L. E. Barnhardt as Clerk. (No other record of this meeting could be located. )
December 17, 1935. The Mecklenburg pastors met with the Cabarrus pastors in a joint session at Concord, First Baptist. The Mecklenburg pastors were recognized by the President and given the privilege of the floor. Brother Griggs expressed their grateful appreciation for the invitation extended them by the Cabarrus pastors.
1. Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists (Broadway) , p. 1007
2. Watson, E.C. The Baptist Association
3. Huggins, M.A. A History of North Carolina Baptists 1727-1932. p.65-76.
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THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CABARRUS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
Article 1 - Name and Constitution
Section 1. This body shall be known as the Cabarrus Missionary Baptist Association. Section 2. It shall be composed of the duly elected Messengers of Missionary Baptist Churches in Cabarrus County, and of the duly elected messengers of other Missionary Baptist Churches who may hereafter, upon petition, be received.
Section 3. Each church having fifty members, or less, shall be entitled to five messengers, and one additional messenger for each additional fifty members or fraction thereof; Provided, that no church has more than ten messengers in addition to the pastor. In all cases the pastor shall be ex-officio messenger.
Article 2 - Objects
Section 1. The object of this Association shall be to devise and recommend measures for increasing the intelligence and spiritual power of the churches, and for developing and directing their energies, their resources and gifts in advancing the Redeemer's Kingdom through the whole world.
Article 3 - Annual Church Reports
Section 1. The churches connected with this body shall annually, furnish, by letter, a statement of their number in fellowship, number baptized, received by letter, restored, dismissed by letter, excluded and died since last Association; of the number in Sunday School, and of the amounts contributed to church expenses, pastor's salary, building and repairs, Missionary, Educational and Benevolent, miscellaneous purposes and printing fund. Any church failing to report for two consecutive years, the officers of the Association shall investigate and endeavor to reclaim it.
Article 4 - Officers and Their Duties
Section 1. The officers of this body shall be Moderator,
Vice-Moderator, Clerk-Treasurer,
Associational Sunday School Superintendent,
Associational Baptist Training Union President, Associational Woman's Missionary Superintendent, and Statistician, all of whom shall be elected by a majority vote
by ballot, at each annual meeting. These officers shall assume their duties at the close of the Associational meeting at which elected and serve until the close of the next annual meeting.
Section 2. The Moderator shall preside over all meetings of the body and see that order and decorum are observed by every member. He shall be ex-officio chairman of the Promotion-Exceutive Committee, and
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shall be fraternal visitation counsel and adviser with the churches regarding their work through the year. He shall be elected for one term and cannot succeed himself after the third successive term.
Section 3. The Vice-Moderator shall preside at the pleasure of the Moderator.
Section 4. The Clerk-Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the body, mail blank letter forms to the clerks of the churches affiliated with the Association, prepare and publish the minutes of the Association as soon as practicable after adjournment, and have charge of any funds which may be raised by the Association.
Section 5. The Statistician shall fill in from the church letters the records of the churches on the chart provided for that purpose, and shall report to the Association other such statistical data as he deems profitable.
Article 5 - Committees and Their Duties
Section £ 1. At each annual meeting of the Association a Promotion-Executive Committee shall be elected to foster the work of the Association between the annual meetings. This Promotion-Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Association, and the Pastor and one member of each of the affiliated churches. The Moderator of the Association shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Association.
Section 2. At the meeting of the Association the Moderator shall appoint the following Committees to report to the session at its convenience: 1.State Missions, 2. Home Missions, 3. Foreign Missions, 4. Christian Education, 5. Mills Home, 6. Sunday Schools, 7. Woman's Work, 8.
£ Baptist Training Union, 9.
Ministerial Relief, 10. Hospital, 11. Religious Literature, 12. Public Morals, 13. Stewardship.
Section 3. Other committees which shall be
appointed by the Moderator at the meeting of the
Association to report to the session at its convenience are: 1. Nominations, 2. Programs, 3. Time, Place, and Preacher.
Other committees will be raised as will be deemed advisable for the work of the Association.
Article 6
This Constitution may be changed or amended at any regular meeting of the Association by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, provided notice of the change be read to the Association during the morning session of the first day fo the annual meeting.
By-Laws
1. The Association shall convene at 10:00 A.M., on Thursday following the fourth Sunday in September.
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2. All questions of order shall be decided by "Kerfoot's Parliamentary Law. "
3. The By-Laws may be changed at any session by a vote of a majority of the members present.
Amended September 1936
1. The Association shall convene at 10:00 A.M., on Tuesday, following the third Sunday in September .
Statement
For the convenience of the reader we have divided this book into chapter headings along the line of ten year intervals.
SECTION TWO CHAPTER ONE 1936-1945
October 1-2, 1936 -The First Annual Meeting was held at McGill Baptist Church, Concord. The North Kannapolis Baptist Church petitioned for membership in the Association. £ It was received under
watchcare until their letter could be received from the Rowan Association.
November 5, 1936 -The Pastor's Conference met with Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. The church extended an invitation to the members of this group to sit in conference with them on the fifth Sunday of November for the purpose of ordaining their
pastor, Lee Johnson.
A question was raised concerning his previous ordination. After some discussion it was deemed wise to appoint a committee to investigate. A motion was made and carried that, Brothers James, Baucom, Stallings, and Haynes serve on this committee.
February 8, 1937- The Pastor's Conference voted the following letter be written to W.L. Poteat, Wake Forest, North Carolina: "Dear Brother Poteat: The following Cabarrus County Baptist pastors urgently request that you memorialize the legislature of North Carolina in our behalf and in behalf of the churches we represent, that they vote to call for a statewide referendum on the liquor question.
Please be assure of our deep appreciation of your labors in behalf of sobriety, and of our continued prayers. (There was no record where anyone signed this letter).
September 21-11, 1937- The second Annual Meeting was held with Centerview Baptist Church, Kannapolis. Franklin £ Heights Baptist Church requested to be received into the fellowship of the Association. The Petitionary Letters £ Committee recommended it £ be
The letter for North accepted. It was received.
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Kannapolis Baptist Church was received from the Rowan Association and a motion was made to receive the church into the Association. It carried.
Woman's Missionary Society Report: There is now a Woman's Missionary Society in our churches consisting of six Sunbeam bands, three Junior R . A. 'S, one
Junior Intermediate R .A., six G.A. 'S, three Intermediate G.A.'s and six YWA organizations, making a total of thirty-five organizations. September 14-15, 1938-Annual Meeting held at
Coldwater Baptist Church. The Baptist Training Union had enrolled 12 Unions and 3 Story Hours with a total enrollment of 425.
Temperance and Public Morals. A report was given
and an offering of $11.00 was received for the furtherance of the temperance cause. Library Committee recommends : (1) That the Association adopt a program looking toward the purchase of a full line of study course books for the Sunday School, the Baptist Training Union and Woman's Missionary Society. (2) That we purchase the books with the paper binding, which are 40$ per copy; that twenty-five copies be the minimum per set. (3) That the library be kept in the most central and convenient
place in the association. We suggest the First Baptist Church of Concord as that place.
That it be kept under lock and key at all times.
Digest of letters for 1938:
Net gain in membership 605
Net gain in baptisms 228
Net gain in letters, etc. 276
Net gain in Baptist Training Un. 316
Net gain in S.S. Enrollment 978
Net gain in Local Expenses $11, 886.70
Net gain in Missions 2,061.38
Net gain in Orphanage 373.39
September 13-14, 1939 -Annual
Meeting with North Kannapolis Baptist Church. Petitionary Letters Committee recommended that Bethlehem, Shadybrook, and White's Memorial Churches be accepted to become members of the association. The recommendation was accepted, and the right hand of fellowship was extended to the pastors and delegates (messengers) of said churches by the Moderator.
Reverend E.S. Summers presented the Association with a gavel made from wood of an oak tree under which the first group of Missionary Baptists met to worship in Cabarrus County. Later this group organized Howell's Baptist Church in 1857.
A highlight of the meeting was a playlet entitled "The Sweetest Ever Told", presented by the Training Union of Concord First Baptist, with Mrs.
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Walter F. Cunan, Director.
An interesting statement on Baptist Hospital: "The
hospital treated last year
about one hundred preachers, missionaries and ministerial students.
Almost all of these were free service. The total amount that the 72 doctors and 4 interns rendered last year was $196,177.00 free service. We have been compelled to turn away more than 2,000 patients for lack of rooms. Plans are going forward to immediately add space for 100 more beds to the hospital, giving the hospital a bed capacity of 212".
A Resolution Adopted. First, that our Associational Committee on Evangelism be requested to plan and promote an intensive and extensive program of evangelism for the coming year, and Second, that Sunday, December 31, 1939, be recommended to the churches as a day of fervent prayer for lost souls and for a worldwide revival, uniting in prayer with Baptist throughout the South, the Nation, and all the Nations represented in the Baptist World Alliance, and Third, that it be recommended to the churches to seek to bring all the members to humility, repentance, faithfulness preaching attendance, soul-winning,
and scriptural stewardship, and fourth, that our people strive to win to Christ not less than one person for every ten church members, and Fifth, that their evangelistic programs be planned far in advance on a perennial basis, with at least one major activity each month.
Treasurer's report stated no bills were due and a balance on hand of $23.19. This amount was given to the clerk-treasurer as renumeration for his services. September 11-12, 1940 -Annual Meeting with Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. The Petitionary Letters Committee recommended that Calvary and Brookdale Baptist Churches be received, and the Right Hand of Fellowship was extended to the pastors and delegates of said churches by the Moderator.
Stewardship report: According to our minutes, we had 501 tithers and 737 systematic givers reported last year. This year we have 773 tithers and 862 systematic givers. For this nice increase, we thank God and take courage.
December 9, 1940 - At the Pastor's Conference at North Kannapolis Baptist Church, a general discussion took place concerning the Bible taught in public schools.
April 14, 1941 - At the Pastor's Conference at Franklin Heights, a motion was made that all pastors preach a sermon on or about the fourth Sunday in May, concerning our Lord's Sabbath. A committee was appointed by the chairman, to ask the Concord pastors
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to request this.
September 17-18,1941 - Annual Meeting with First Baptist Church, Kannapolis.
State Missions report -Committee chairman, Dennis Wright could not give his report due to the illness of his wife. In his absence, Reverend E. S. Summers discussed the subject, and a motion carried that Brother Wright send his report to the clerk, the report to be incorporated in the minutes. (This was done ) .
The Missions Advisory Committee: reported that "In May we got Secretary Huggins to come to Kannapolis and inspect several possible locations for a mission in the Jackson Park area. Later two members of our committee went to Raleigh to confer with Mr. Huggins with the result that a joint working agreement was reached between the State Board of Missions and the Cabarrus Association with the understanding that the mission was to become an arm of the North Kannapolis Baptist Church until such time as a co-operative Missionary Baptist Church should be organized.
A suitable lot 150 by 150 feet was purchased by the Association at a cost of $1600.00. The State Board paid $1,000 of the purchase price, and the Association assumed the balance of $600. We still owe $320.00 to be met by October 1, 1941.
The Association's portable Tabernacle has been placed on the lot in Jackson Park and mission work is being fostered by the North Kannapolis Baptist Church as requested by the Committee. Two reactions followed: (a) That we raise all we can through our churches, (2) That the Promotion-Executive Committee borrow the amount lacking and pay off the debt.
December 22,1941 - In the Pastor's Conference it was thought that money could be saved by the Biblical Recorder by using a cheaper grade of paper. They asked that a letter to this effect be written to The Recorder.
September 16-17,1942 -Annual Meeting with
Centerview Baptist Church.
The Harrisburg Baptist Church was received into full fellowship, rights and privileges of the Cabarrus Baptist Association. The right hand of fellowship was extended to the pastor, H. E. Nash, and several members of the church.
The Temperance and Public Morals Committee
recommends the following: (1) That we, the Cabarrus Missionary Baptist Association, go on record as favoring the closing and padlocking of every
distillery, every brewery, every saloon, every cocktail lounge, every booze joint, and every house of prostitution and shame in North Carolina but more especially in Cabarrus County. This should be done,
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not only for the duration of the war, but until Jesus comes. (2) That we preach, pray, teach, train, work and vote against this enemy, the liquor traffic, that fosters drunkness, gambling, vice, prostitution and shame. (3) That we commend the fine work of Mr. Kale K. Burgess of Raleigh and the United Dry Forces of North Carolina. An offering was taken for the United Dry Forces of North Carolina, which amounted to $16.55.
During the year North Kannapolis Baptist Church organized Blackwelder Park Mission into a Missionary Baptist Church.
Blackwelder Park Baptist Church was received into
full fellowship, full rights, and privileges of the Association. The Moderator extended the right hand of fellowship to the pastor, J. C. Hill.
Pitts Baptist Mission, Harrisburg, has become an arm of First Baptist, Concord. The church helped them purchase a lot and have almost completed a house of worship. The work at Pitts is under the leadership of Brother W. R. Moorehead.
November 9, 1942 - The Pastor's Conference,
meeting with McGill Street Church discussed co-ed education at Wake Forest College. The pastors seemed to all be in favor of a co-ed school.
September 15-16,1943 - Annual Meeting with Kerr Street Baptist Church.
The roll call of the churches disclosed that 24 of the 26 churches were represented. Total enrollment for opening session was 216.
Foreign Missions Report, by W. W. Jones stated
that "The Commission" now has a circulation of more than 60,000. He then brought a message on world conditions and needs, which the Foreign Mission Board is trying to remedy and supply through its ministry. An offering was taken for the hungry and dying in China called "World Relief" in the amount of $58.00.
The North Kannapolis Baptist Church asked to be released from the sponsorship of the Jackson Park Mission. The request was granted and Franklin Heights was asked to assume the over-sight of the mission. Treasurer's report as of September 7, 1943:
Cash on hand September 1, 1942 $ 57.05
Receipts 318.96
Disbursements
210.50
Cash on hand September 1,1943 $ 171.46
R. V. Cooke, Treasurer
A happy note is a mission work in the "Royal Oakes" area being conducted by Centerview Baptist Church . They have purchased a lot and respectable building for the work.
The Petitionary Letters Committee recommended the
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Pitts and Wil-Mar Park Baptist churches be admitted to the full fellowship of the Association. (Pitts was an arm of Concord, First Baptist, and Wil-Mar Park an arm of McGill Street Baptist Church. )
1943-44 Budget;
1. Clerk's Honorarium 30.00 $
2. Supt. of S.S. Expense Fund 30.00
3. Director of T. U. Expense Fund 30.00
4. Evangelism Committee Expense 10.00
5. Minute Fund
130.00
6. Missionary Advisory Committee Expense Fund 10.00
7. Moderator's Expense Fund
10.00
8. Printing Programs and Enrolment cards 10.00
9. Miscellaneous Expenses 25.00
10. Other Mission work 600.00
Total Associational Budget $885.00
In adopting the budget the churches were asked to send the Associational treasurer regularly an offering which shall at least be equal to one cent per member per month.
A Report on Wingate College - the ownership of the
college was turned
over to the Baptist State Convention in 1923, but was returned by request to the original owners in 1929.
The college is now owned and operated by the following Associations in North Carolina: Union, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Anson, Pee Dee, Stanley, and Chesterfield in South Carolina. The Baptist State Convention, now jointly with these Associations lend support to the college.
September 11, 1944 - Pastor's Conference Meeting with Concord, First Baptist, heard the following proposal: Reverend E.S. Summers presented the idea of buying a cottage at Ridgecrest. No interest was shown by the brethren to purchase.
September 13-14,1944 -Annual Meeting with the North Kannapolis and White's Memorial Baptist Churches.
The Mission Advisory Committee reported that Royal Oaks Mission has been organized into a Missionary Baptist Church, and is going forward nicely under the pastoral leadership of Brother W. T. Furr.
The church petitioned and was received into the fellowship of the association. The Moderator extended the right hand of fellowship to the pastor and members present.
The Committee on Evangelism expressed appreciation of the work being done by Brother E. S. Summers with the boys at Jackson Training School. He has faithfully and lovingly worked with these boys for several years. This past year he has baptized 39 of -10-
them into the fellowship of First Baptist Church, Concord. Report by: W. Walter Jones, R.F. Gardner and J. Townley Davis.
The Promotion-Executive Committee met June 5, 1944, to consider a proposition by the Mission Advisory Committee to employ a full
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