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 4
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During the Spring and summer months the Sun- day School had outgrown its quarters. The little one-room church was filled each Sunday, until there was hardly room to separate the classes. The pastor suggested that additional room be built to the church. Many or all the officials, before considering the need, thought it impossible to do this. The winter months came and many stopped going to church, thus mak- ing room for those who did attend.
November 15th, 1917, the Fourth Quarterly Con- ference was held at the Pageland Church. John R. Belk, Lee Helms and L. S. Helms represented New Hope Church. The pastor's report was very inter- esting. In the report the pastor spoke of the success of New Hope. The pastor had not given up the idea or the hope of New Hope building in the coming spring. Rev. L. S. Helms, a local preacher since May, and Sunday School Superintendent of New Hope, made a verbal report. He told of his intentions to press on until he had a place in the Conference work. Rev. Helms was officially elected as delegate to the Annual Conference, and was instructed to ask for the return of Pastor Quick.
The pastor informed the conference of his need for a car, and asked the churches to help him get one. Times were now some better and the churches could pay more. The salary was fixed at $400.00. New Hope was to pay $100.00 of the amount. Bear Creek was not assessed, this was a very weak church in South Carolina, near Bethesda, and was trying to die, which it did a few years later.
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1918-Rev. Quick returned for his fifth year on the Pageland Charge. The Sunday School at New Hope was holding up well, some Sundays during the winter the little church was crowded. Early in the year the pastor appointed J. P. Aycoth, J. H. Baker and Robert Cook as building committee, who at once began to accept pledges, and make arrangements to start building. Money was collected and necessary material was pledged to be placed on the ground dur- ing May, June or July. Beginning about the last days of July, 1918, a south wing was built to the church, which added much to the seating capacity. Most ev- eryone contributed to this work, and enough money was raised to re-cover the south side of the old part of the church, which was greatly needed.
Only the First Quarterly Conference is recorded of 1918. This one was held at the Pageland Church on March 22nd. L. S. Helms was Sunday School Superintendent that year, and the following were the faithful stewards: L. S. Helms, John R. Belk and J. P. Aycoth. Some time during the year one of New Hope's charter members passed to his reward, known to his friends as Uncle Fisher Helms. His compan- ion had gone before him in 1914. Mr. Helms was faithful as long as he was able to attend. He was a brother of Mrs. John R. Belk.
The pastor's hopes of getting a car faded during the year, but his need for one increased so much that he made another appeal to his churches for help. He promised the churches, if they would help, he would give each church two services each month the next
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year. The times were still much better, and money was easier to get. The salary was fixed at $700.00 of which New Hope's part was $250.00.
L. S. Helms was again appointed delegate for the charge, since he had to attend conference for personal reasons. He was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Quick.
1919-Annual Conference was held in Greensboro, N. C., in Grace Church. Rev. Quick was appointed to succeed himself, and he began his sixth year. The Great War was now over and America was looking forward to the returning of the boys from over there. But in the midst of this joy a horrible epidemic of in- fluenza began to sweep the nation. From the first of September 1918 to March 1919, there were but few services at any church. There were few homes in the community that escaped the first winter. There was sickness in almost all homes, those that escaped were afraid to attend church, and many would not visit their neighbors, as the disease was contagious. During this first epidemic, in September, 1918, Rev. L. S. Helms lost his wife, and on November 1st, 1918, H. O. Penegar lost his wife. These two good mothers were active members of New Hope Church. They are now resting in New Hope cemetery.
The First Quarterly Conference was held at Page- land Church March 27, 1919. Until this date the pas- tor had filled only one appointment at New Hope, and had received only one dollar on salary. New Hope was not represented at this Conference, and only a very few officials of the Pageland Church were pres-
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ent. This was a trying time for the church, and other churches of the charge had lost several by death, and New Hope was fortunate not to lose more than two members during the entire sweep, but many were left weak and almost invalids. During the spring months the epidemic let up, and people soon got back to the regular routine of life, although many homes over the nation were saddened through death.
Everybody now was anxious to go to church. We wonder sometimes if God does not suffer that trouble and destruction come upon a people because they for- get Him, His church and His goodness. God suffer- ed destruction to come upon the children of Israel for these things, and God is the same today, yesterday and forever. So people that never went to church be- fore were now regular attendants.
During the summer the new part of the church was ceiled and the interior of the entire church was painted.
On November 12th the Fourth Quarterly Con- ference was held at the Pageland Church. The pas- tor submitted a very fine but sad report, in which he reported the deaths on the charge during the year, two were mentioned by name, R. F. Smith of Pageland, S. C., and Thomas Roscoe of Bethesda. In part he said: "Many in all three of the churches all but fell under the grip of the terrible epidemic." Twenty-two were reported to to have joined the church during the year. Pastor's salary was paid in full even though there was a bad start. New Hope more than paid her part.
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Pastor Quick expressed his desire to return to the work, but there was some opposition in the Page- land Church, which he thought would over rule oth- ers who desired his return. He stated, very proudly, that if he was moved he could turn the work over to his successor in much better condition than he had received it six years before. When the time came to instruct the delegate, a report from New Hope re- vealed the fact that they were 100 per cent for Pastor Quick's return. A statement was made that New Hope would help support no other pastor. A state- ment from a representative of Bethesda showed the same, so with just a few words from H. B. Sowell, of the Pageland Church in favor of Pastor Quick, the delegate was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Quick. Rev. L. S. Helms was again elected as del- egate. Rev. Helms was at this time in school at Mid- land, N. C., under the instruction of Rev. Geo. L. Rey- nolds. It was unusual to elect one man three times in succession as delegate, but Rev. Helms had to at- tend each year to meet the Conference Faculty.
Pastor's salary was fixed at $700.00. Bear Creek asked for service next year. They were asked to pay $75.00. It is not known that they paid it, although the pastor gave them one service each month the Con- ference year 1920.
Annual Conference was held in Concord, N. C. Several officials of the Charge visited the Conference there.
1920-Rev. Quick was re-assigned to the Pageland Charge. The people of New Hope were greatly
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pleased, many of whom expressed this pleasure to their pastor on his first appointment.
This winter another sweep of the influenza epidem- ic struck the nation. This one was not as serious as the first, but many were taken by it, although New Hope escaped. Many were sick during the winter and the church was almost abandoned as there were few people to go. The pastor suffered a light attack of the disease, and was unable to fill several appoint- ments.
Early in the conference year the pastor again ask- ed the three churches to help him get a car. T. B. Cook was appointed to raise $50.00 at New Hope for this purpose. The other churches were also asked- to raise a certain amount. In the First Quarterly Concerence, held January 16th, 1920, the pastor re- ported the amounts raised as follows: Rose Hill $32.00; Bethesda $50.00 and New Hope $100.00. A total of $182.00. By consent of the Conference this amount was given to the pastor as a gift to pay on his car. Payment of $120.00 was also reported on salary.
A marriage of interest was that of Ellis Aycoth and Miss Fay Moore, on March 27th, 1920. Mrs. Ay- coth was not a member of New Hope Church at the time of her marriage, but soon after united with the church and became one of its most dependable mem- bers.
J. H. Baker was singing leader at New Hope, Susie Aycoth, now Mrs. Mark Belk, was organist. During these winter months, with so much sickness Mr. Baker
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was unable to attend regularly, so Earl A. Cook, then hardly sixteen, was elected as assistant singing lead- er. The board of stewards was the following: John R. Belk, J. P. Aycoth, T. B. Cook and J. H. Baker. The year was a very successful. one, a well attended prayer meeting was in progress during the summer and was conducted by J. W. Richardson and John R. Belk. J. H. Baker was later elected Sunday School superintendent, after L. S. Helms left for School.
The Fourth Quarterly Conference was held at the Pageland Church on November 18th, 1920. A good representation from all three churches was pres- ent. The same board of stewards of New Hope was re-elected for the next year. New Hope reported pas- tor's salary paid in full, which was $250.00. The other churches fell behind $45.00 on their part. J. H. Baker of New Hope, was delegate, and T. B. Smith, of Page- land, alternate. Mr. Baker was instructed to ask for the return of the present pastor. The salary was again fixed at $700.00.
1921-J. H. Baker, the delegate, was unable to at- tend the Annual Conference, held in Enfield, N. C., but sent a written statement to the president as to the instructions of the Quarterly Conference. There- fore, Rev. J. W. Quick came back to the Pageland Charge for his eighth year. 1.
For some reason 1921 was an off year for New Hope in finances. They had promised $250.00. It was reported in the First Quarterly Conference, Feb- ruary 2nd, that New Hope had only paid fifty cents in cash, and someone had given the pastor a pig, for
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which he had given $12,50 credit. To make matters even worse than that, on May 7th, three months lat- er, in the Second Quarterly Conference, held at New Hope Church, not another penny had been paid on the salary. Ten dollars was credited to New Hope on Conference claims. We may sometimes wonder how this faithful servant lived. It would have been im- possible had it not been for the position he held as Postmaster at Pageland, S. C.
The Sunday School Superintendent of New Hope was one of the younger men, Thomas Belk. The Sun- day School, at this time, was a very live one. J. W. Richardson was the assistant superintendent. Stew- ards were as follows: John R. Belk, T. B. Cook and John Starnes.
The Third Quarterly Conference was held at Bethesda on July 28th. Revivals had been held at Rose Hill and Bethesda, as reported by the pastor in his report. The revival for New Hope was not men- tioned, which no doubt was held in August. Only $151.30 had been received from all churches on the salary. We looked eagerly for the report at the close of the year. We found that New Hope struggled out with its part. Bethesda fell behind twenty-five dol- lars, while Pageland lacked only nine. Total re- ceived from all churches was $666.00.
Lee Sanders, of Pageland, was elected delegate over Robert Belk of New Hope. Mr. Sanders did not attend the Annual Conference, which was held at Burlington, N. C., but sent a written request to the president, asking for the return of Rev. Quick, which was the request of the Quarterly Conference.
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1922-Rev. Quick was returned for his ninth year. This again pleased the people of New Hope. Rev. Quick had been pastor so long until many of the peo- ple did not know how other preachers preached.
We find again that there was some friction in the Pageland Church. Pastor Quick would hardly speak of it. This caused the support in that church to weak- en that year.
On December 29th, 1921, the First Quarterly Con- ference was held at the Pageland Church. J. H. Bak- er, J. C. Cook, J. P. Aycoth and T. B. Cook were list- ed as the board of Stewards for New Hope, John R. Belk being named as an honorary member. Mr. Belk's health was not good, also becoming feeble, yet, since he had been so faithful so long in this office he was kept on the list. J. W. Richardson had just been elected as Sunday School superintendent at New Hope. Should I fail to mention the Sunday School Superintendent in the future chapters, it will be re- membered that he served as superintendent until the Spring of 1930. After one year he was again elected to the same office and served many years thereafter.
A marriage of much interest to the church and community was that of Earl A. Cook and Jocia Mel- ton, on the 25th of June, 1922. They made their home in the community with Mr. Cook's father, T. B. Cook.
Most all the year the pastor was not well and was unable to fill many of his appointments, although he gained some strength during the summer. It is be- lieved by the writer that Rev. T. E. Martin assisted the pastor in a revival at New Hope that year. A
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very successful revival was accomplished under Rev. Martin's preaching and many were added to the church. The spiritual church was greatly revived.
The Fourth Quarterly Conference was held at Rose Hill on October 23rd, 1922. Those present from New Hope were John R. Belk, J. W. Richardson, Earl A. Cook, and T. B. Cook.
There was an unusual problem in this conference. All the churches were far behind on pastor's salary. New Hope was thirty dollars behind while the other churches were even farther than that. It is not known how much more New Hope paid or how much more the other churches paid. Each church promised to try to pay out by the Annual Conference . Final re- ports show that the pastor only received $584.00. A balance of $166.00 was not paid. This had never hap- pened before, there was certainly some reason for this, but it is not known. The salary was raised twenty- five dollars for the next year, this being added to New Hope's part. J. H. Baker, of New Hope, delegate to the Annual Conference, was instructed to ask for the return of Rev. Quick.
1923-With the tenth year before him, Pastor Quick returned to the Pageland Charge. This year started off very good. New Hope paid thirty dollars on salary at the first appointment of that year.
The First Quarterly Conference was held early that year, at the Pageland Church on November 26th, 1922. Since it was so very early there was little to re- port. Plans were made for the new year. J. W. Rich- ardson was elected as a member of the Advisory and
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Examining Committee. Stewards were elected for New Hope as follows: John R. Belk, J. C. Cook, J. H. Baker, T. B. Cook and J. P. Aycoth. New Hope was named as the place for the next Quarterly Con- ference.
There was much sickness in the community during the early part of the year. The pastor too, was very sick most of the year, and was unable to fill many ap- pointments. As spring approached the Sunday School began to grow, while some time in July Rev. Allison Belk, son of J. Pat Belk, and the first preacher produc- ed by New Hope church, conducted a revival at New Hope church. The revival was a wonderful success. Several were converted and joined the Church. Earl A. Cook, one of New Hope's young men, was deeply convicted in this revival, and was converted in Aug- ust of the same year. Immediately after his conver- sion, as a surprise to everyone, he announced that he was called to preach, and at once took up the Chris- tian work by studying his Bible and conducting pray- er meetings in the church and community. He was the leader of a cottage home prayer meeting, and many were helped through it.
The Fourth Quarterly Conference was held at Rose Hill, Pageland, S. C., on October 24th, 1923, all the churches were represented and a great interest was taken. The following were present from New Hope: J. H. Baker, Oscar Baker, Leroy Helms, J. W. Richardson, Earl A. Cook and Nile Helms. At this conference Earl A. Cook asked for license to preach. This request was granted. The pastor's report was
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read, and was a splendid report. The pastor was pleased by the progress made, both spiritually and fi- nancially. He had been promised $725.00 and had received $790.00. New Hope paid twenty-five dol- lars more than they had promised, the other churches also paid more than their assessment. J. W. Rich- ardson, of New Hope, was the delegate. He was in- structed to ask for the return of the same pastor.
Annual Conference was held in Thomasville, N. C., in Community Church, which had just been complet- ed. Rev. Quick made arrangements for entertainment at this conference for Earl A. Cook, who, at this time, tried to enter the Conference Classes, but was refused for the lack of education. He was advised by the Conference Faculty to enter High School, and return four years later for entrance examination. J. W. Richardson, the delegate, Earl A. Cook and Luth- er Aycoth attended that conference together.
1924-Rev. Quick had just completed ten years of satisfactory service on the Pageland Charge. Now his health was failing him, and his service could not be as complete as before. Some suggested a change, while many others knew that this was no time to turn their backs upon a man who had given his all in service to his people. Realizing his service would be less, all were glad to have him begin the eleventh year as their pastor. He was promised more than $800.00 for 1924.
The First Quarterly Conference was held at the Pageland Church on November 28th, 1923. New Hope was represented by J. H. Baker, Clyde Baker, Earl A.
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Cook and T. B. Cook. Stewards for New Hope were elected as follows: J. H. Baker, T. B. Cook, J. C. Cook and Lee Aycoth.
During the entire winter the pastor was ill, and fill- ed very few of any of his appointments that winter. Many of the appointments he did meet he was very weak and could hardly speak, and should have been in bed. It is believed that the responsibility of his work this year and his determination to go was great- ly against his health.
On the second Sunday in January 1924, at New Hope Church, Earl A. Cook preached his first ser- mon1. It was announced for several weeks. The Church was filled and all the standing room was tak- en. Mr. Cook kept himself busy in the spiritual work since his conversion by conducting prayer meetings and teaching a class of young men in his Sunday School, but this was a new experience for him, yet he did it as if he were accustomed to it.
Pastor Quick had been conducting most of his re- vivals, but this year he was not well, and he secured Rev. C. E. Phillips, of Lincolnton, N. C., to conduct the revial at New Hope in August. A wonderful and successful revival was remembered. An unusual num- ber of conversions were witnessed and many united with the church.
Rev. Phillips was a very strong and impressive evangelist. The people of New Hope were deeply impressed by the evangelist and insisted that he come again the next year in a revival.
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It now was a sad time for the people of the charge, especially New Hope, in the Fourth Quarterly Con- ference held at the Pageland Church on October 20, 1924. The pastor made his official report which was very sad as well as brief. He praised all the church- es for their loyalty and support during the eleven years he had served as pastor. In his final report on- ly $715.00 was paid of the $875.00 promised. New Hope was to pay $325.00, and according to local re- ports that amount was paid by them. Yet Rev. Quick thanked the churches for the amount which was paid, as his services had not been near complete dur- ing the year. After reading his report he made a long talk. He realized his condition and knew the time had come when he had to give up the work he loved so well. He asked the people not to consider him as pastor for another year, he wished to rest a year and give his health a chance to improve. All the people knew this was best, but they were very sor- ry to give up this beloved pastor who meant so much to them. Many had not remembered any other pas- tor. J. E. Smith, of Pageland, S. C., was the dele- gate and was left uninstructed.
Earl A. Cook entered High School at Prospect at the beginning of the school term of 1924 and 1925, to comply with the request made by the Conference Faculty. The young preacher was having a hard struggle, his faithful wife was working in a knitting mill in Monroe, N. C., while he was in school.
At a prayer meeting at J. Bunday Aycoth's on De- cember 3rd, 1924, Mrs. Aycoth suggested that the
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people of New Hope help the young preacher by hav- ing a box supper, and let the proceeds go to him. This was left open for discussion on the next Sunday morn- ing at church. J. W. Richardson, Sunday School Superintendent, put it before the church, and Sun- day, December 21st, 1924, was set as the date on which a special offering would be made for Mr. Cook. This was done and an offering was received which amounted to ten dollars and fifty cents, for which the young preacher and his wife were very grateful.
Rev. Quick was not physically able to attend the Annual Conference which was held in Reidsville, N. C., but J.E. Smith, the delegate, insisted that he ac- company him, which he did. During this session of the Annual Conference Rev. Quick was ordained an Elder in the Methodist Protestant Church. He had never finished the required work, although the mem- bers of the faculty understood his condition, and re- alized he deserved the degree, so it was granted. At his own request he was left without appointment the following year, 1925.
This officially ends the pastoral work of Rev. J. W. Quick, but as his Master would see fit he served another half year, which will be explained in the fol- lowing chapter.
REV. M. IVEY CRUTCHFIELD-1925
The new pastor assigned to the Pageland Charge was Rev. M. Ivey Crutchfield. Rev. Crutchfield was a young man and a student in Westminster Theologi- cal Seminary, and could not resume his pastoral du- ties until his Seminary work was finished, which would be in June 1925. This left the Charge without a pastor for half the Conference year. A meeting was called by the officials of New Hope Church, in which a committee was appointed to consult Rev. Quick and ask him to serve New Hope until the new pastor came. The three churches met in a confer- ence at the Pageland Church. Rev. Quick promised to serve the work as best he could, provided the Pres- ident of the Conference made the appointment. This was done by correspondence by A. G. Dixon, the Conference President. The Charge promised and paid Pastor Quick $400.00 for the half year service. He was not able to give complete service, and did not fill all appointments, but he was worthy of all he re- ceived. The young preacher, Earl A. Cook, filled a good many appointments for him at New Hope and Bethesda.
A wedding of much interest to the community was that of Luther Aycoth and Miss Lessie Penegar on April 5th, 1925. Also another on April 18th of
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the same year was Floyd Cook and Miss Idell Mc- Guirt. These young people were promising mem- bers of New Hope Church.
Pastor Crutchfield assumed his pastoral duties in June, which automatically released Rev. Quick. The new pastor was a young minister and inexperienced. Since the people had become accustomed to the style in which Rev. Quick had preached, it was hard for all to become accustomed to the new pastor and his new ways. Rev. Crutchfield was well educated and able to serve the work from this point of view. There were no educated people in New Hope Church at that time, and many could not understand, and considered their pastor higher socially than themselves, which made it hard for the young preacher.
The pastor moved to Pageland, S. C., and as he was not married, he roomed in the home of a member of the Pageland Church. Very soon after he came to his work he asked the people to help him get a car, which he very badly needed. He at once bought a high class used car, which, when paid for would re- quire almost all his salary.
There is no report of any Quarterly Conference this year. It is not understood why these reports are missing, although we have a few local church reports we will use.
Rev. C. E. Phillips was secured by Pastor Crutch- field to conduct the revival at New Hope again that year. A great revival was witnessed. The Phillips Evangelistic Club, which was organized by Rev. Phil- lips a year before, had been in full action all the year
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