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THE HISTORY OF
SHARON AND WISE
Baptist Church
1858 - 1958
By
CLARENCE H. THOMPSON
C285.09 W81w
THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
LUX
LIBERTAS
THE COLLECTION OF NORTH CAROLINIANA PRESENTED BY NCC Gift Fund
C286.09 W81w
BE 15586
To James. y. Kern From the author Clarence H. Thompson Dic 24-1939.
UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00043581748
FOR USE ONLY IN
THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION
Form No. A-368, Rev. 8/95
Digitized by the Internet Archive
Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of North Carolina. Grant Issued to subcontractor UNC CH for Duke University's Religion in North Carolina project. In 2012 with funding from
http://archive org/details/historyofsharonwoothoni
THE PRESENT WISE BAPTIST CHURCH
THE HISTORY OF
SHARON AND WISE Baptist Church
1858 - 1958
By
CLARENCE H. THOMPSON
PRINTED BY THE JONES PRINTING COMPANY . WARRENTON, N. C.
PREFACE SOME FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am Clarence H. Thompson of Wise, N. C. I make this distinction because the Thompson's are almost as plenti- ful as the Smith's and Jones. Personally, I've known seven Clarence Thompson's in my traveling around. Evidently this name was very popular with the Thompson mothers
I was born just east of Wise, more years ago than I care to remember and am the oldest son of John Lolo and Creola Saint Sing Thompson. However, my grandparents W. H. and Rosa Jane Saint Sing reared me and took care of my early education.
Later my uncle William Webb Saint Sing and his wife, Lucy took care of my education and my physical, and finan- cial needs. They still help me in any way they can. One could not want for truer friends or companions.
I attended grade school in Warren County, and gradu- ated from Wise High School. At the time, it was considered one of the best in the County.
I do not have a college degree. However, I'm probably well educated. By a wide and varied field of studying through the years my knowledge of many things has in- creased. At least, I've arrived at this conclusion. I know very little, when you consider how much there is to know in all the fields of learning and modern research.
I was selected for military service in 1942 -- attended some of the best mechanical and electrical schools of Mary- land and Mississippi, graduated as a fuel induction specialist, and taught carburetion, electrical automotive work, and deisel care and operation for one year at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md.
Later I was transferred to the Army Air Force and spent two years in England attached to the Eighth Air Force in the 2001st. Ordinance Maintenance AVN Co. A. F. At the close of the War, I attended a small little-known university in England that we as soldiers called "The University of
4
Sudbury." There, I studied advance French and Small Busi- ness Management. When I returned to "God's Country," America, my next stop was home. This was, and still is, a farm home near Wise lovingly named "Mocking Bird Hill." Here I am engaged in agricultural work in all of its many phases. I also work in a warehouse in Warrenton, and have managed Warren County's first Farmers' Curb Market for many years. Enough for that.
Since I've written this book, I've been asked many questions, as -- "Have you written anything before?" Yes, I've written some short stories, and I must have written a poem or two about some of the girls I knew in school. Most boys do, you know, and I'm very human. But this is my first flight into a work of this length. Perhaps it will also be my last.
Then, some ask "Why did you do this work?" I can only say I've felt impelled from within to do this work. I'd like to think God has used me as a humble instrument to preserve for posterity the lives and deeds of these great men and women of our church. The records show that they really kept the faith. But many times these records were in the hearts of their neighbors and fellowmen. But could records be treasured better or safer? Many ask, "Will you make money out of this book?" The answer is definitely 'No." The sale of this book may pay the expenses of publishing it, but it could never pay the other expenses that went into its pro- duction. Also, nearly two years of work went into it before it was completed.
Although I will make no money out of this, I will be paid. It has been a work of love to me. I saw the need for this work many years ago. Now that it is finished, I thank God for the privilege of allowing me to contribute this much to the cause of Christ. Yes, I've been paid.
This book is lovingly submitted to your care with the hope that you will like it and treasure it for future genera- tions. Its value will not decrease with age or use.
Sincerely, Clarence H. Thompson
Wise, North Carolina
5
This book is dedicated to the memory of the consecrated men and women whose faith and untiring efforts made this church a living reality, and a power for good in this community. C. H. T.
6
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I-A History of Old Sharon and Wise Baptist Church 9
CHAPTER II-Rev. L. C. Perkinson, The Founder 11
CHAPTER III-Sharon Church - A Beginning 15
Sharon Church - Exterior 15
Sharon Church - Interior 16
Sharon Church - Organization 1 17
CHAPTER IV-Sharon Church - A Typical Church Day
20
CHAPTER V-Early Music in the Church 22
CHAPTER VI-And Then the War Came 24
Post Civil War Years 26
The Pool 28
CHAPTER VII-The New Sharon Church
30
CHAPTER VIII-The Death of the Founder of our Church 33
CHAPTER IX-William Orris Dunn 35
CHAPTER X-Early Representatives to Our Association 37
Associational Messengers 39
Information of General Interest 40 1 1
CHAPTER XI-Honor Roll - World War I
42
Honor Roll - World War II
42
Honor Roll - Korean War 43
CHAPTER XII-Times at which Association has met at Wise
44
CHAPTER XIII-Education Building 46
CHAPTER XIV-Coley Clemmons Perkinson - Church Treasurer
47
Clerks of our Church 48
CHAPTER XV-Our Cemetery 49
CHAPTER XVI-Progress in Church and Sunday School 55
Proposed Church Budget-1959-60 57
CHAPTER XVII-Roll Wise Baptist Church - February 1959
59
CHAPTER XVIII-Sunday School Superintendents and Assist- ants and Other Officers
62
Deacons of Our Church
63
Hillary T. Jeffress - Church Leader
64
and Early Deacon
CHAPTER XIX-Sunday School Teachers.
66
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XX-The Remodeling of Wise Baptist Church 68
CHAPTER XXI-List of pastors and years of service, followed by Life Sketches in order 71
Josiah B. Solomon 72
James S. Purefoy 73
N. Addison Purefoy 73
C. T. Bailey 74
D. A. Glenn
75
Wilson Bunyan Morton
75
Needham Bryon Cobb 76
George W. Harmon
78
J. T. Edmundson
78
I. N. Loftin
79
William Jackson Jones
80
A. V. Joyner 81 1
W. P. Campbell 82
K. W. Hogan
83
Leonidas L. Johnson 83
C. H. Myers
85
L. Spurgeon Clark
88
Norley Franklin Britt
89
W. R. Stephens 90 1
Frederick Guy
Walker
91
Robert L. Holt 94
James S. Potter
94
E. Eugene Poston
95
Herbert P. Miller 96
Wayne A. Slayton 96
Warren T. Bush
96
Earl Louis Harden
97
E. E. Ballard
99
Alfred Thomas Ayscue
99
IN MEMORIAM
100
CHAPTER XXII-Conclusion 101
Chapter I A HISTORY OF THE OLD SHARON AND WISE BAPTIST CHURCH
Over a hundred years ago there were very few organ- ized churches in this community. This is not to say the people were not devout God-fearing people, for they were, and came to worship whenever and wherever the opportunity presented itself. I say "whenever" because usually there was no fixed time or day for meetings, and no particular place. Often they met in some neighbor's home, and in the summer sometimes a bush arbor was made to gather under, to listen to the Word of God as it was expounded to them usually by some travel- ing preacher called a "Circuit Rider," because they travelled around in such a manner as to try to hold services in the same localities fairly regularly.
These preachers were often religious laymen, some- times not so well educated, but having a burning desire to spread the Word, to minister to those in trouble. They came to say the last words over departed loved ones, many times riding long miles over terrible roads. But feeling it was their duty, they usually came. They united couples in marriage too, usually at the close of worship service.
On account of the roads, these preachers almost al- ways travelled by horseback, carrying all of their equipment in saddlebags. it usually consisted of a Bible, a song book, a clean white shirt, a black string tie, and a long black frock coat. Most of them wore full beards perhaps because it was the custom then for men to wear facial adornment. Then too, barber shops were not as well known as now.
Most of these preachers preached fiery sermons about Hell and Damnation. In fact it is said of some of them that they preached of Hell so plain that you could go home and put your finger on the Atlas where it is.
But the people loved these preachers, and attended
9
their meetings whenever the word was spread around that the "Circuit Rider" is going to be at "so and so's " Saturday afternoon, or any day or time. They came and brought the whole family. In buggies, wagons, oxcarts, on horseback, and afoot they came to hear the Word of God.
Then about 1853 the condition was somewhat improv- ed by the Rev. Josiah B. Solomon's coming regularly to preach in this community. He was then pastor in Warrenton and was a very able and popular preacher. Large crowds attended his meetings. Many were converted, baptized, and taken into the fellowship of the Warrenton church.
But the people were not happy about having no church in which to worship. More and more the need for a house in which to gather themselves together to worship was felt. As ever the case, when there is a sincere desire to do a worth- while thing, a way is opened. No doubt they talked about this great need. They prayed about it too, I'm sure, and then be- gan to do something about it.
It was about then that the Rev. L. C. Perkinson, seeing the great need, *donated a plot of land, one acre, on which to build a church and did much of the work with his own hands.
Old Sharon church, was actually an outgrowth of Tanner's meeting house at Warren Plains, at which Dr. Willoughby Hudgins held meetings from time to time. Some of our members attended there before we had a house of worship.
*Records in Courthouse in Warrenton, N. C., book 31, page 870. Dated August 6, 1858.
10
REV. L. C. PERKINSON
Chapter II REV. L. C. PERKINSON, THE FOUNDER
It might be truly said that the Rev. L. C. Perkinson was the founder of the Sharon Baptist Church, and its suc- cessor the Wise Baptist Church.
He was born in this locality on January 18, 1826, and grew up in this community. He probably attended one of the one-room schools hereabout. Early in life he made a profes- sion of religion and was united with Enon, now Littleton Baptist Church. Later, he moved his membership to Warren- ton. He remained a member there until Sharon Church was constituted, becoming one of the charter members of that body.
Mr. Perkinson was educated at Wake Forest College, and after his graduation was for a time the representative
11
of Oxford Female College. By nature and training he was fitted for large usefulness and was a preacher of decided ability, and a competent school teacher. He was also a man of affairs. He was a successful farmer, and at one time was engaged in the mercantile business. He had a strong mind in his stalwart body and usually succeeded in his under- takings.
At the age of 29, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Hicks, a local girl. The license was procured on April 9, 1855 with E. T. Rice as bondsman and John W. White, then Clerk of Court in Warren County, acting as witness. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. N. A. Purefoy on April 11, 1855. Incidentally, the Rev. Purefoy is the same one that assisted the Rev. Josiah B. Solomon in preaching the dedication sermon at Sharon Church.
Of this union, several children were born, namely : Neanda, Luther, Tommie, Laura, Lucy, and one daughter Mary, who died in infancy and was the second person interr- ed in Sharon Cemetery.
On July 20, 1873, Mary E. Perkinson died after being Rev. Perkinson's help mate and companion for eighteen years. She was buried in the family plot at Sharon Church.
Three years later, on December 14, 1876 Rev. Perkin- son took unto himself another companion and wife, this time marrying Cynthia Burton Perkinson, a charter member of Sharon Church and a member of the Woman's Missionary Society. She came to Sharon Church from Warrenton Baptist Church, and was probably one of Josiah B. Solomon's con- verts that affiliated themselves with the Warrenton Church after attending his services in and around Wise. Miss Perkinson first saw the light of day in this locality on March 1, 1842 and spent her entire life here. It is said of her that she was a faithful mother and step-mother, and served un- tiringly in any way she could the Church and its work of goodness. She gave of her means, her time, and her words.
Of this union two children were born: Calvin, a son; and Eunice, a daughter.
She was the Preacher's faithful helper for thirty-one
12
years, and on the morning of January 13, 1908, she passed quietly to her reward, after a brief illiness. She lacked only a few weeks of being sixty-six years old. Her remains rest in the Sharon burying ground in the family plot. Mrs. Perkin- son outlived her husband by only three days less that two months.
13
AMEN
CORNER
PULPIT
ORGAN
AMEN
CORNER
MOURNERS
MOURNERS
CHOIR
CHOIR
CHOIR
CHOIR
STOVE
STOVE
WOMEN
MEN
WORSHIPERS
WORSHIPERS
UP
GALLERY OVER
PLAN SHARON CHURCH
OLD
SCALE: 1%"=1'-0"
BY LES CHAPMAN CHARLOTTE, N.C.
14
BOOKS
Chapter III
SHARON CHURCH, A BEGINNING
Early in the year 1858, Rev. Levi C. Perkinson gave a plot of land, one acre, to be used for a church and ceme- tery, for the life of the church. This land was 3/10 of a mile east of the present church, and was just about in the middle of our cemetery.
This was a beautiful place for a church as the ground sloped gently to the West, was well drained, and there were many nice oak trees scattered about the lot. It was also near the road and just across from it was the schoolhouse.
It is said that Rev. Perkinson laid the corner stone with his own hands on a clear night so that he might observe the North Star and properly align the building with it.
SHARON CHURCH (EXTERIOR)
The work on the building went forward rapidly with Dick Thompson, a local carpenter, taking charge of the con- struction of the church. Rev. Perkinson also helped at every opportunity. The building was constructed entirely of first quality wood, the size being 40 x 60 feet, having an A roof. It was built on pillars about three feet high. Practibility in- stead of ornamentation was the theme in its styling. A row of simple glass windows extended down each side of the building. There were also windows on each side of the pulpit at the North end of the building. Also there was a window up near the eaves on each side at the South end to supply light and ventilation for the gallery. This was entered by a flight of inside steps that went up the West side, to a platform and door opening into the gallery. I'll have more to say about the gallery and its use later.
There were two front doors to enter the church. One door was on the left, and the other on the right. No steeple was built on the Church, and it never had a bell. Only one
15
chimney was used in the center of the roof to which two woodstoves were piped to furnish warmth in the winter.
Incidentally, the space under the building was used to store wood for fuel, this wood being furnished by the church members.
The roof was covered with wood shingles and the out- side of the building was painted white with a brown trim. Altogether this was a beautiful church as it nestled among the oak trees on this gentle knoll. As I've said, its plans were plain and simple, but this did not distract from its ap- pearance.
SHARON CHURCH (INTERIOR)
The walls were plastered, plain white with a base- board and planking extending about three feet from the floor or up to the bottom of the windows and this was painted a dark color probably painted to match the baseboard.
The ceiling was painted a kind of blue color. From the ceiling four swinging oil lamps were suspended over the main part of the building. In addition to these, there were two wall bracket lamps on the wall behind the pulpit, one on each side of the altar.
The pulpit was in the center of the building on the North end and on each side of it were several short pews. These were called the "Amen Corners."
The pews in the main part of the building extended from the South end of the church at front doors down to near the pulpit. (The front doors were never locked and anyone was free to go in and worship at any time.) There was no center aisle. In fact there was a partition in the center of the rows of pews separating the left side from the right. As I have stated, there were two front doors, the women and girls used the left door, and the left side of the pews; the men and boys used the right hand pews. The only difference in the arrangement was that of a cuspidor at the end of each row of pews on the men's side for the use of the men that chewed tobacco. It was permissible for men to "chew" in church if they liked. None of the women used snuff in church though many used it in those days. They probably felt it was unlady-
16
like, or even it was morally wrong to use it in church.
You will perhaps wonder about this kind of seating arrangement, the women on one side and the men, the other, and never together in church - or rarely ever. According to in- formation received from Mr. George W. Hawks, now nearly 86 years old, a former member and first janitor (though he said he was a handyman), he said, "It just was not the style."
About halfway down the right and left aisle the ends of one row of the pews were removed, and there the stoves were placed for warming the building in winter. These were wood stoves and the wood was supplied by members as need- ed and kept stored under the building.
Above the pews used by the white members across the back of the church, or the South end, was the gallery. The floor of this was slightly elevated, and benches with no backs were used for seating the colored people who attended church. There were actually many colored members of the Church. This was probably because there were no colored churches for them to attend and because the white members, and in many cases the owners of these colored members, wanted them to have the same religious privileges and joys as they had. You must remember that these colored people were slaves at this time.
SHARON CHURCH - ORGANIZATION
Sharon Church was organized on July 10, 1858 with Elder Josiah B. Solomon as the first pastor, and the charter members were the following persons:
Rev. L. C. Perkinson, second pastor of Sharon Church; Mary E. Perkinson, Preacher's first wife; Cynthia Burton Perkinson, Preacher Perkinson's second wife-moved member- ship from Warrenton Church. Mrs. Sally P. Perkinson, Mrs. Mary John Perkinson, Weseley Perkinson, Mrs. Salina Pitch- ford Majors, Mrs. Lucy Young, Miss Sallie Hawks - married Tom Young, Mrs. Wilker Pitchford, Armstead King, Johnnie King, Miss Rosa King, Miss Pinky Hicks, Mrs. Susan Hicks, Daniel Hicks, Palmer Hicks, Sr., William Hicks, Jr., Mrs. Winnifred P. Crowder - Our great grandmother on mother's
17
Mrs. Winnifred Crowder, an origi- nal charter member of Sharon church - wife of Wiley Crowder, mother of David Crowder, and Rosa Jane Crowder who later became Mrs. W. H. Saint Sing and my grandmother.
MRS. WINNIFRED CROWDER
Mrs. Salina Majors one of the original charter members of Sharon church. Wife of Neal Majors - mother of Frank Majors of Henderson and Bessie Majors now Mrs. Neal Magnum.
MRS. SALINA MAJORS
18
side of family, Mrs. Lucy Coleman, Mrs. Annie Coleman, Dick Coleman, Mary Pitchford, Mrs. Anne King, Deosa Hicks.
These people constituted the charter membership insofar as I have been able to ascertain at this time and I might say that they were some of the best people of the first families of the community of that day and time.
Among the colored people who were members were: Edd White, Austin White, Emma White, Mag Green, Squire Davis, Katherine Davis and their daughter Mary Davis. Pleasant Alexander was probably a member as was also Donahue Perkinson and many others. I might be safe in say- ing that most, or many, of the leading colored people's ances- tors of this community were members of old Sharon Church. Our present janitor, Charlie White, descended from the Whites previously memtioned.
These colored people joined in the singing and wor- ship for many years until the regretful incident I'm about to relate occurred. It seems that on one occasion during worship service, one of the colored members, perhaps in religious zeal and excitement, spit tobacco juice on the white members beneath them. After this, they were no longer welcome and went to services elsewhere.
The highest membership of colored members ever recorded in Sharon Church was in 1870 with a total of thirty eight members. In 1874 only twenty were mentioned, and afterwards gradually decreasing until in 1882 only three colored members remained. I believe my grandmother said these were three good old colored ladies who had no desire to go anywhere else to worship and remained for years after all the others were gone.
Many of these colored people later attended Locust Grove, local colored Baptist Church, upon its organization.
The dedication sermon was preached by Elder Josiah B. Solomon and Addison Purefoy, the text being "I am the Rose of Sharon." Elder Solomon served until 1860 at which time he moved to Richmond, Virginia to preach there.
The Church was received into the Tar River Associ- ation in August of 1858. The Association was entertained at Sharon Church in 1859, and 1869.
19
Chapter IV
SHARON CHURCH - A TYPICAL CHURCH DAY
After thinking it over, I'm inclined to think that the roads and the modes of travel had much to do with the schedule of the early meetings in our church.
The roads wandered across country, seemingly trying to pass by everyone's door -- pretty as could be in summer, actually a kind of green and leafy aisle cut through the forest. It was very pleasant to travel these roads in summer and spring, but it was an entirely different story in winter because the roads became two muddy ruts that you traveled over slowly and with great difficulty. As people had to use buggies and wagons, and sometimes oxcarts, and sometimes they went to church on horseback, those that were unattach- ed; namely very young men, bachelors and widowers, travel was slow and ardous sometimes taking several hours to arrive at church. So our church services at first usually lasted all day. Usually they began with the Sunday School and then going into the morning preaching service. After these services, basket lunches were served on the church grounds. The tables were situated on the West side of our Church among the oak trees. The well was just off the East side of the Church across the road near the school building and was used for drinking purposes. Later it was used to fill the pool.
The meals were something for gourmets to dream about: golden fried chicken, baked hams, corn puddings, fresh cooked biscuits from homegrown wheat with a nice nutty flavor, all kinds of homemade pickles and cakes. In addition to this, in season many kinds of vegetables were served. When you think of all the women members fixing of their very best and trying to excel each other, no wonder the meals were such a success. There are still living some who have not forgotten Sunday dinner at Old Sharon Church.
After the dishes and leftovers were packed away in
20
lunch baskets and hampers, friends, and relatives gathered together in little groups under the trees and enjoyed a social hour. For many this was the only chance to visit some of their friends and relatives.
Perhaps the women talked of someone's new baby, or the newly weds in the community, or how best to bake a pound cake. Then they could have gossiped a little, or would they ?
The men as they leaned back against the oaks and chewed their tobacco, talked of farm problems, politics, and no doubt about the War, for even then the dark clouds of war loomed over the horizon. But most of the men did not think the "Yankees" would fight to free the negro. Four years later many of these men were on the battlefront de- fending their opinions and their way of life.
The children had a good time too. They played games like "Annie Over," "Fox in the War," Cat ball, hide and seek, and so on. Many of these games of children have been re- placed by others and are only remembered by older people.
The young people took advantage of the noon hour to court a little. Many romances that began here blossomed into true love, with these couples going on to get married and to raise families that have had much to do with this community and its welfare. I've been told that the buggies, and surreys were the favorite courting spots, and I know my father courted my mother in the family buggy at Sharon Church after the noon meal.
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