USA > North Carolina > Union County > Monroe > History of New Hope Methodist Protestant Church : Union County, Buford Township, Monroe, North Carolina, from the year 1889 to 1936 > Part 3
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P. L. Jones was licensed to Exhort at that confer- ence. It is not known just what church Mr. Jones was from.
The delegate, Mr. Little, was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Martin as pastor for the next year.
The new year opened with a bright future with Rev. Martin remaining as pastor. Reports show that the Annual Conference gave the Charge a new Church, Rose Hill, of Pageland, South Carolina. This help was greatly needed and other Churches of the Monroe Charge gladly welcomed Rose Hill.
In the First Quarterly Conference the pastor's sal- ary was raised from three hundred to three hundred and fifty dollars. Officials were appointed and re- ports were read. In appointing the officials J. W.
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Quick was appointed Chairman of the Board of Stew- ards of Rose Hill. This is the first account we have of this great man who meant so much in later years to New Hope Church. T. P. Ross was appointed Sun- day School Superintendent for New Hope.
The Second Quarterly Conference was conducted in May. This report shows that the Church located in or near Peachland had failed, and a committee was ap- pointed to look after the property there. A parsonage building committee was also appointed as follows : T. B. Smith, Bascom Swanner, J. F. Little and S. C. Billingsly, chairman.
Just before Rev. Martin came as pastor of the Mon- roe Circuit in 1908, he had the misfortune of losing his wife, and was living and working without the aid of a companion, which made the task greater. While serv- ing the Peachland Church, a part of the Monroe Cir- cuit at that time, he became acquainted with Miss Lil- lie Harrington of that community, and after about two years acquaintance they were married on the 6th day of August, 1909. Immediately after his marriage he conducted a revival at New Hope with Rev. A. B. Haywood assisting.
On September 11th, 1909, the Third Quarterly Conference was held at New Hope Church. At that time a committee of four was appointed to sell the Peachland property, they being: W. P. Martin, J. A. Turner, T. B. Smith, and Calvin Baily. The proceeds of said property to go to the erection of a parsonage for the Monroe Charge.
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The Fourth Quarterly Conference was held at Rose Hill Church on November 13th, 1909. At the request of the pastor, the Rev. John A. Turner, a re- tired minister of the Methodist Protestant Church, presided over this Conference. J. A. Turner was elect- ed secretary. Reports were submitted and the pas- tor's salary was fixed at $400.00. J. A. Turner, offic- ial delegate to the Annual Conference, was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Martin to the Monroe Circuit. At this Conference the members issued a written request petitioning the Boundary Committee to detach Mt. Moriah and Friendship Churches from the Monroe Circuit and recommended Bethsaida and Bear Creek be attached in their stead. It appears that this request was justly granted in the way that Friendship was detached and Bathisda attached in its stead, but still holding Mt. Moriah.
In the first appointments of the new Conference year, 1910, the pastor expressed his thanks to the peo- ple for requesting his return to the Monroe work. He spoke very favorably of the change that had been made in the boundary of the Circuit, because he was now liv- ing in Pageland, S. C., and the change brought his work closer together.
The First Quarterly Conference was held at Rose Hill Church December 18th, 1909. Regular reports were read, in which the committee appointed to sell the Peachland property made their report. The prop- erty had been sold for an amount of $250.00. The Conference ruled that $45.00 of this amount be used to pay overdue parsonage rent of the past Conference
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year, and $5.00 be used to pay for the issuing of papers and expenses of the sale of said property. The re- maining $200.00 to be applied on the erection of a par- sonage, on which a committee was working at the time.
The work at all the Churches was doing unusually well. The pastor gave New Hope several evening services before Christmas which helped very much. Just before Christmas T. B. Cook and family moved back into the community after having lived in South Carolina two years.
In February a Called Conference of the Circuit was held in Pageland in the interest of the building of a parsonage at Pageland for the Circuit. The com- mittee had located a building site and was ready to act. A Board of Trustees was elected as follows: J. A. Turner, T. B. Smith and J. W. Quick. The $200.00 on hand was ordered paid on the parsonage property.
During the summer an unusual interest was taken by most people in the church, the Sunday School grew above anything it had been before. A very success- ful revival was conducted early in September. It is not remembered who assisted the pastor, if anyone.
The Fourth Quarterly Conference was held No- vember 13th, 1910, at Rose Hill. For some reason New Hope was not represented in this Conference. We also find New Hope was absent in many of the future Conferences for a number of years. It is not to be said that New Hope had lost interest in its work, but that most of the Conferences were held at the Page- land Church. It is believed this was done for the con- venience of the pastor who, at this time, lived in Page-
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land. The officials of New Hope showed great inter- est in their local work.
Reports were offered in their regular order, the pastor's report shows that New Hope had paid her part of the pastor's salary for the year just closed, all others being behind. Rose Hill promised to have theirs by Conference. Parsonage Trustees reported the parsonage finished, and the Circuit owed the amount of $676.09, of which $276.09 was now due.
In this Conference E. H. Mullis was granted li- cense to preach. The pastor's salary was fixed at $400.00. A committee was appointed to apportion the amounts to the churches of the charge, and report at the First Quarterly Conference. The Conference again recommended Mt. Moriah be taken from the Monroe Circuit and add Bear Creek instead. The dele- gate was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Mar- tin as pastor for the year 1911. Rev. Martin made the statement that he thought his work was finished there, and asked for a change, but also stated that he would return if the Conference thought it best.
During the Annual Conference session Rev. Mar- tin was assigned to the Caldwell Circuit, now known as Connnelly Springs Circuit. The Monroe Circuit was left without a supply. Immediately after the ses- sion of the Annual Conference, T. P. Ross, from New Hope, and a delegation from some of the other church- es of the Circuit held a private conference. They made a very strong appeal to the President of the Confer- ence, Rev. W. E. Swain, for the return of Rev. Wm. P. Martin as pastor, as he had not yet moved from
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the parsonage at Pageland, South Carolina. These faithful men found favor in the eyes of the President, and the Rev. Martin was released from his appoint- ment to Caldwell Circuit and assigned to the Monroe work.
The people of New Hope Church were indeed proud to have Rev. Martin again as pastor. New Hope with the other churches of the Circuit, pledged to stand by their faithful pastor better this year than in past years, since they came so near losing him. Reports of the Annual Conference show that Bear Creek was attached to the Monroe Charge, Mt. Mo- riah also remaining.
The First Quarterly Conference was called Jan- uary 11th, 1911, and held at Pageland. The following were elected as Conference and Church officials of New Hope: J. R. Belk on Advisory Committee and Steward; T. P. Ross, steward and Sunday School Superintendent ; J. M. Yarbough steward, Cull Rich- ardson, class leader ; J. P. Aycoth to collect funds for a parsonage.
The Second Quarterly Conference was held at New Hope in April. Nothing of interest was done. The Third Quarterly Conference was held at Bethisda in July, J. A. Turner was declared elected delegate to the Annual Conference, over J. M. Yarborough, of New Hope. The pastor's report shows that New Hope was slightly behind on pastor's salary.
In the Fourth Quarterly Conference held in No- vember, 1911, the pastor gave a very encouraging re- port of the year's work. New Hope Church had paid
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pastor's salary in full, all Conference claims had been paid in full, the claims for President's salary was al- most double paid. The entire Charge was to pay $400.00 as pastor's salary, but at the time only $325.00 had been paid. The Circuit was assessed $16.82 for Conference Claims, $29.80 was paid, besides, large amounts from all churches were paid on the parsonage debt, and repair work done on a number of the churches. In his report Rev. Martin asked that he not be considered as pastor for the coming year. He was asked to reconsider and come back for one more year, but he did not think it best. Since Rev. Martin re- fused to consider the Circuit for the year 1912, the delegate, J. A. Turner, was left uninstructed. The pastor's salary was fixed at $460.00, of which New Hope's part was $100.00.
REV. J. W. SELF-1912
At the Annual Conference Session the fall of 1911, held in Henderson, N. C., Rev. W. P. Martin and J. W. Self exchanged places, Rev. Martin was assigned to Mecklenburg and Rev. J. W. Self came to the Mon- roe work. In this Conference Mt. Moriah church was attached back to the Monroe Circuit, therefore, the work was more able to support a pastor.
A long period of extreme winter weather delayed the pastor's moving into the parsonage at Pageland, S. C. Soon it was thought the weather moderate enough for the long trip. By the time the wagons were half way between Matthews and Pageland it be- gan to snow, which proved to be a very large snow and almost stopped traffic. The pastor, J. W. Self, and family, was traveling by buggy, and came through the New Hope community. He stopped in some of the homes during the snow storm, and was snow- bound for about two weeks. Soon he resumed his journey to his new home in Pageland, S. C.
Rev. Self began his work in the new field with zeal and determination and the people liked him very much.
In the spring he purchased a Saxon automobile, in which to travel his Circuit. This was a new and an unusual thing, the people of New Hope Church now looked upon their pastor with pride, because he came to his appointments in an automobile.
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The Second Quarterly Conference was held April 20th, 1912, at the Pageland Church, with the pastor presiding. New Hope was not represented at this Conference. The pastor reported $71.93 paid on sal- ary at that time, also spoke very favorably of the en- tire work. John Wesley Quick made application for license to preach. He was examined by the Commit- tee and the license was granted. Rev. Quick later be- came the pastor of the Circuit, but always lived in Pageland, S. C., where he held a position as postmas- ter.
Very little is remembered of the local activities this year. It is not known who assisted in the revival or what time of year it was held.
The Third Quarterly Conference was to be held at Mt. Moriah, but a report is not given, although, we find that Mr. J. C. Braswell was elected as delegate to the annual conference. At this time all the church- es were struggling to pay a large parsonage debt, to make it more discouraging all the churches but Rose Hill, the Pageland Church, was showing very little interest, so much that the Fourth Quarterly Con- ference moved to drop all the churches on the circuit except Rose Hill, Bethesda, Bear Creek and New Hope. A committee was appointed to dispose of the church and property at Polkton, N. C., which had al- ready gone down some time before. John R. Belk, of New Hope, was one of the committee.
This year closed with the entire work behind $128 on pastor's salary. New Hope was behind some on
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her part, but promised to try to raise the amount be- fore Annual Conference. It is not known if this was done. About all other claims were reported paid and a large amount reported used in repairing church buildings. Pastor's salary was fixed at $325.00 for the next year. This was divided between four churches of which New Hope's part was $60.00. It is not known how the delegate was instructed, but Rev. Self did not return the next year.
REV. O. D. STACY-1913
Rev. O. D. Stacy was appointed pastor of the charge, and Rev. Self went to Mocksville. Rev. Stacy moved to Pageland, the home of the Circuit parson- age, and began his work early.
This year seemed to be the turning point in the history of New Hope Church. From the organization of this church until about 1912 and 1913 it was the outstanding church of the entire circuit, but in 1912 it began to fail in many of its outstanding features. The year 1913 and several years following, dropped almost below reconisition. For several years it was not rep- resented in the quarterly conferences. John R. Belk was the outstanding official and representative of the church during this time. Rose Hill, of Pageland, S. C., was the dominating church of the Charge. The parsonage, of course, was there, and many or all the strong and talented members of the charge were mem- bers of that church. Few quarterly conferences from 1913 are found recorded except those held at the Page- land church, which was at least two each year. The reports of conferences and official meetings conducted at New Hope Church and the other smaller churches of the Charge are not available until about 1920. You will notice the declining financial interest of New Hope for several years, compared with what it had done in the past and to other churches of the charge.
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The First Quarterly Conference is not reported, but the Second Quarterly Conference was held at the Pageland Church on April 19th, 1913. New Hope was not represented, although, J. P. Aycoth was elected as one of the committee on examination. Both nomi- nees for delegate to the Annual Conference were from the Pageland Church, W. L. Marze and J. A. Turner. It is not known why any of the other churches were not recognized in this important office. Bethesda was chosen as the place for the Third Quar- terly Conference, and we suppose it was held there, but no record is found in the reports.
As usual, the last or Fourth Quarterly Conference was held at Pageland on November 14th, 1913. John R. Belk was the only representative from New Hope. The report of the pastor was favorable, all the pastor's salary, which was $390.00, was paid, most all claims of the conference were paid, some items were over paid.
New Salem and Mt. Moriah churches were still on the Monroe Charge, but were very weak, and could not be depended upon for the next year. It was again suggested that these two churches be dropped from the charge, but for some reason they were not drop- ped at this time. It was hoped that these churches could be helped by the Annual Conference. A motion was put before the Conference that the Monroe Charge would hereafter be known as the Pageland Charge. This motion carried, and for sixteen years it was known as the Pageland Charge. The pastor's salary was fixed at $445.00. Mt. Moriah and New Sal-
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em churches would not accept their part, neither would New Hope accept all their part, which was only $65.00. Then the salary was brought down to $315.00. W. L. Mirze was the official delegate to the Annual Conference and he was not officially instructed. .
At this time a very favorable report was made by J. W. Quick, a local preacher. This Conference sent a recommendation to the Annual Conference recom- mending him to the Stationing Committee for work. This recommendation was favorably accepted and Rev. J. W. Quick was given work in the Conference.
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REV. J. W. QUICK-1914-1924
The year 1914, and the following year 1915, were the most trying years of the existence of New Hope Church, in the opinion of the writer. As was men- tioned in the chapter before this one, New Hope was failing, and it can be easily seen that it was failing fast. All the other North Carolina churches of this Charge had failed, and it was greatly feared that New Hope was going to fail. Since the other North Caro- lina churches had failed the Charge lost its old name, "Monroe" Charge. Since most of the interest was in Pageland, S. C., the name was changed to "Pageland" Charge.
Rev. Stacy was left in the hands of the President, and Rev. J. W. QQuick was assigned as pastor. This was Rev. Quick's first pastoral work. At first New Hope bitterly opposed Rev. Quick as pastor, some openly opposed him and asked him not to fill any ap- pointments at New Hope. By this time the pastor realized that he had a problem in New Hope Church. He was a man true to his name, "Quick," and was well able to handle the job, and at once informed the church and those who opposed him, that he was pas- tor of the church for one year and would preach there if he did not receive a penny for his service. Undoubt- edly New Hope remembered this, for no one seemed to show any interest the whole year. They only paid
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about $45.00 of the $65.00 that was assigned as their part. Rev. Quick only received $?60.00 from the whole charge this year.
The First Quarterly Conference was to be held at New Hope Church, but for the lack of interest from them, and the lack of co-operation, it was held at the Pageland Church. New Hope was not represented in this Conference. New Hope was named as the place for the Second Quarterly Conference, although no rec- ord can be found of either the Second or Third Quar- terly Conference. The reason for these reports not being available, in the writer's judgment, is because of the failure of the secretary to attend the conference held at the other churches besides his home church. Neither did he receive the minutes of these confer- ences to be placed in the records.
Some time during this year Mrs. Tressie Helms, wife of Fisher Helms, passed to her reward. Mrs. Helms was a charter member of the church. She was laid to rest in the New Hope Cemetery.
The Fourth Quarterly Conference was held late in the year, November 13th, 1914, at Rose Hill Church of Pageland. John R. Belk was the only representa- tive of New Hope Church. At this time it seems that the Pageland Church was the only church backing Pastor Quick. They made a strong plea for his re- turn, and their strength was sufficient to carry things their way. J. E. Turner of the Pageland Church, was delegate to the Annual Conference, and since this last Quarterly Conference was composed largely of the members of the Pageland Church, he was instruct-
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ed to ask for the return of Rev. Quick. Pastor's sal- ary was again fixed at $315.00. New Hope was again assessed $65.00. Mt. Moriah and New Salem church- es were still on the charge this year, but nothing was reported that they did in a financial way, so they were dropped from the charge and appointments for good. The property of these two churches was handled later by special committees.
1915-In 1915 Rev. Quick returned to the work for his second year, still brave and willing to work under many handicaps.
It is very necessary that we say what we do about the other churches on the charge, for it is by them that we guage the strength of New Hope Church. In those days many may have doubted that New Hope would ever come back in strength, but at this time a large and fine bunch of young men and girls are find- ing their places and feeling their responsibility in this struggling church. There were many vacancies made by the older ones who had fallen by the wayside or had passed on to their rewards. As we read these pages I trust we will watch many of these as they step into action.
The year 1915 must have been the crisis. No in- terest was shown by the church, but the same faithful pastor was careful to fill every appointment, which was once each month. Later in the year he would give extra services occasionally by preaching Sunday morning and at night.
First Quarterly Conference was held at Rose Hill, the Pageland Church on January 14th, 1915. New
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Hope was not represented, although T. P. Ross was elected on the Advisory Committee. A commit- lee was appointed to sell the New Salem Church and property.
The Second Quarterly Conference was held at New Hope Church, but no record of the proceedings was given.
The last Quarterly Conference of the year 1915 was held November 11th, at the Pageland Church. John R. Belk was again the only representative of New Hope. His report to the Conference showed that the last part of the year was on a climb over 1914. More had been paid on pastor's salary than the year before, but it was only in the last part of the year that an increase in interest was shown. One of the young- er men, Joe Ross, came at this time and took his place in the church, and was placed on the board of stew- ards with J. P. Aycoth and John R. Belk. The pas- tor's salary was fixed at $335.00. This time New Hope stepped up five dollars, and made their part $70.00, Bethesda still leading New Hope five dollars, Bear Creek falling far below. J. E. Smith was elect- ed delegate and was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Quick as pastor. The pastor's report showed that he only received $286.00 for the year 1915.
For the past few years, including 1915, New Hope was the second weakest church on the charge, Bear Creek first and New Hope second. For several years Bethesda rated above New Hope and showed much more interest, but watch New Hope climb the next few years.
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1916-The opening of the Conference year found New Hope working, taking on new life. For some reason the whole church appeared to be proud of the return of Rev. Quick as pastor. After two years of hard work and patience with those people, he began to weave himself into their affections. More people began to take greater interest. J. H. Baker and fam- ily, G. R. Montgomery, J. H. Clawson and family were an added interest to the church, besides a host of young people growing into its service. The Belk boys, DeWitt, Tom, Robert, Worth, Ottis, Paul, Charlie, the girls, Era, Rebecca, Rosa, the Aycoth boys and girls, Lee, Jake, Bundy, Ellis, Luther, Dove, Wincie, Susie, the Ross boys and girls, Joe, Henry, Raymond, Ernest, Carl, Bunion, Lovin, Ida, Mary, Lula, Bright ; the Cook boys, Crawford and Earl, then too Canty, and the Richardson girls, Lula and Lillie, and there were a host of Penigar boys and girls. All these and many others, seem to have come in at once, many giving and offering their services. Sunday School took on new life, of which J. W. Richardson was superintendent.
The First Quarterly Conference was held Febru- ary 17th, 1916, at Rose Hill, of Pageland, S. C., the weather was reported as rough and cold, and for this reason only the Pageland Church was represented. At this Conference Joe Ross was elected as one of the advisory Committee.
On March 21st, 1916, Cull M. Richardson, one of New Hope's Sunday School Pioneers and church lead- ers, passed on to his reward. For several years before
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his death he was unable to attend the church services. but he was always there in spirit.
The next Quarterly Conference was held at New Hope with much interest shown, only New Hope and the Pageland Church represented.
A revival was conducted this year by the pastor, the people had grown to love their pastor enough that they thought no other preacher could preach better than he, and too, this was true, Rev. Quick was grow- ing better each year, until now his messages were very impressive.
On November 16th, 1916, the Fourth Quarterly Conference was held at the Pageland Church, John R. Belk representing New Hope Church. The Pastor reported in his personal report that New Hope paid in full their part of the pastor's salary, Although he only received $302.00 from all churches. Bear Creek and Bethesda failed to pay their parts.
The following were appointed stewards for New Hope : John R. Belk, J. P. Aycoth and Joe Ross. The pastor's salary was fixed at $335.00, of which New Hope's part was $75.00. M. D. Roscoe, of Bethesda, was the official delegate to the Annual Conference, and was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Quick.
1917-The new conference year opened with a greater interest taken by everyone. At this time rumors that the United States would enter the great World War, were being taken seriously. The Sunday School during the winter was large and regularly at- tended. J. H. Baker was officially elected Choir lead-
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er, or singing leader. Mrs. T. B. Cook was organist. Mrs. Cook had been organist since the church had purchased an organ in 1913. Joe Ross was also a noted singer. He and Mr. Baker took much interest in the singing, and by summer a very splendid choir was organized.
January 22nd, 1917, the First Quarterly Confer- ence was held at the Pageland church. Several rep- resented New Hope Church in the conference. Ac- cording to the pastor's report a great year was pre- dicted at all the churches on the Charge. New Hope was spoken of very highly. The report revealed the fact that L. S. Helms had just been elected Sunday School Superintendent of New Hope Sunday School. Mr. Helms had been a member of New Hope Church for several. years, and had been taking an unusual part in the activities of the church all the while. John R. Belk was elected as a member of the advisory com- mittee. This Conference had an unusual problem. The parsonage trustees were pressed by the huge debt on the parsonage. After discussion, it was de- cided the debt could not be paid, and the trustees were given power to dispose of it in any way to re- lieve the churches of the debt. New Hope was set as the place to hold the next Conference, which was held in May, Rose Hill and New Hope were the only churches represented. The regular business of the conference was transacted. Then, as a surprise to many, L. S. Helms, Sunday School Superintendent of New Hope, asked for license to preach. He was ex- amined by the proper committee and the request was granted.
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