USA > North Carolina > Gates County > Reynoldson > Pride of the past, hope for the future, 1827-1977 : a history of Reynoldson Baptist Church written in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the church > Part 3
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"Mr. Isaac Lee and Miss Mary Goodman were married Thursday after the fourth Sunday in September. I expect you have heard this before now. Mr. Adamaron Duke and Miss Cate Goodman are to be married Thursday after the fourth Sunday in this month. The school has commenced at Reynoldson - two teachers and eight or nine scholars. Dick Williams has put up a full store at Piney Grove. Plenty of goods, provisions high and money scarce. I think it will still continue to make times still hard."16
Even though times were hard, the church continued to plan. Since the former plans were never completed, in August, 1860, a new committee composed of J.H. Parker, William L. Fitcher, J.D. Goodman, J.M. Taylor, F.H. Cobb was appointed to draw up a design of repairs and cost for the building.17 In November the committee submitted the following report: "the church shall be plastered entire, pulpit moved to opposite end of house, two back doors closed and windows put in their place, front doors cut down one foot and lights put above them. The end window over the
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pulpit as it now stands closed. There shall be a gallery nine feet high in front and ten next to the wall and shall be supported by two whole and two half columns; two of the windows on each side shall be closed and three windows of 18 panes 10 x 12 inches shall be inserted above the gallery in the end of the house. The seats of the gallery shall be formed by elevations of the floor and the lower floor shall be filled out with benches corresponding to those now in the house. The house shall be painted inside and out. The windows and blinds shall be repaired. The cost of the whole including timber, paints, nails, workmanship, etc. raising the roof and putting iron columns instead of wooden ones now in use will be about $525.00. To make alterations and add 15 feet to the length of the house cost $705.00."18
Even though the church members were discussing making improvements to the church building, they still had not freed themselves of their prior indebtedness from the bond executed in 1849. Brother Richard H. Lee had been paying the church's obligations, and conference voted September, 1860 to use all Sabbath colections" to the discharge of the church debt and that Brother John Gatling be appointed to receive the funds and pay Brother Lee."19 The above debt was finally settled; however, the plans of 1855 or 1860 were not undertaken or completed until after the war years.
Clouds of the Civil War were brewing. The Piney Grove community was finding itself more involved in a conflict which at first had seemed very distant. 1862 saw Reynoldson Institute close its doors and both teachers and students join the Confederate forces.20 During the war, the more immediate problems of concern for loved ones and friends on the battlefield and lack of funds at home saw the church building showing signs of neglect and dilapidation. In November, 1865, the chill of winter was being felt when conference voted to have the window panes put into the windows to the meeting house and to extend the stovepipe through the top of the house.21 The committee reported back in December that they were unable to do the work due "to lack of funds." J.D. Goodman and Peter Eure were appointed to determine the cost. The following Sunday was set aside as the time to take a special collection for this purpose.22
It was not until Julius F. Howell returned to Reynoldson Institute as owner and principal that the work on the church became a reality. The following letter, written by Col. Howell on March 9, 1939, described the design of the early church and tells about his efforts to improve the physical conditions of the church.
Miss Edith A. Freeman
Gates -- N.C.
My Dear Cousin Edith
Your most welcome letter of yesterday appeal usual; there are several letters on my desk now that should have received attention some days ago, but my time is so completely taken up with my office work (insurance), my Church duties (I am treasurer, as noted above), and many other miscellanous calls especially incident to my position as an officer in the
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United Confederate Veterans' Federation, that I have little time to rest except when asleep; and being now in my ninety-fourth year of age, I require much sleep at night-about eight hours-and then an hour or more just after noon lunch (or dinner, as I still prefer to call it); thus you can understand that I am kept very busy with these lines of work; however, probably these activities conduce largely to my comparative physical and mental vitality, and to my longevity as well.
Your fine letter is most enjoyable; I will try to take up the points presented and the queries in the order you give them so far as I can:
The first church building in my recollection - late '40's - the Church being called Piney Grove - was bare walls without laths or plaster - no heating stoves - fronting toward where the Institute was erected - two large doors in front - one for the men, the other for the ladies - two large rear doors - for convenient ingress and egress for the negro part of the congregation - a large railing divided the negro seating space - about a fourth - from the space for whites; also, a large railing divided in equal parts the space for whites, thus separating "the sheep' (ladies) from "the goats" (the men); I confess that my nomenclature is not scriptural, but simply "a play on words", the pulpit was built between the front doors and faced the rear of the building; hence all persons entering the front doors passed close by the pulpit, and had to turn round on reaching the benches to be seated so as to face the preacher; altho' I started to school at the Institute in the fall of 1855, and attended Sunday School every Sunday forenoon, and preaching services on the memorable fourth Sundays, I do not remember very much about how we got along with out heat in the building; I doubt whether our membership had more spiritual or physical warmth in those days than in more recent times. Near the present cemetery and close to Mr. Jet Goodman's field adjacent was a frame building used a few months in summer for a public school; some young son or daughter of a prominent family usually taught the school; I visited it on one occasion when one of my older school-mates at the Institute was the teacher, and some younger ones were among the scholars (as they were called). The cemetery was begun after the War between the States, my first-born-child - a son named Finley being one of the first buried there. Such were the conditions till after the War; after returning to school under Major J.M. Taylor for a year at the Institute, I had the effrontery (?) to seek a school; I secured one, and continued in the school business (?) at various points till 1869.
As to your paternal grand-father's having taught in the building alluded to above, I have no recollection; very probably he did; the first teacher I remember to have taught in it was James Morgan about 1856 or 7; I visited it only once.
I think you are correct as to the date of organization of the Church 1827; but as to when the first building was erected, I do not remember the record, even if I ever knew. The first pastor whom I remember was my father; he resigned about 1857 and was succeeded by a Mr. Cone or Kone, who resided, I think, in Hertford county, and visited that section only on fourth Sunday occasions; I think he resigned about 1860, and was succeeded by father, who remained pastor till after the close of the War; I think his immediate successor was Thos. H. Babb, who was pastor when I removed to Arkansas in 1873. As to my father's pastorates at Piney Grove, I have given dates as best I can.
In 1869 I bought the Institute property from Mr. Riddick, who resided near Sunbury, I think; I have forgotten his first name; during the summer of 1870 I made some changes in the first story of the Institute building and with my young bride of nineteen began house- keeping in the fall; during the time I taught there - 1869-1873 - I undertook with permission of the Church some changes in the Church building at my own expenses; I had ceiling put in overhead, the space formerly reserved for negroes included with the rest of the building, and the pulpit removed to the other end - the rear; I bought a large handsome Bible and green velvet cushion for it, and placed them on the pulpit; just here, I may interject that when I removed to Reynoldson in 1869, the negroes were allowed to use the church building - the part occupied by the whites - one or more Sundays in the month; I did not know who gave them aughority, and I did not think to ask; I objected, and let the negroes know it; they ceased, and made arrangements for their own church building in the section between John Gatling's home and the river; I do not remember the location. In slavery times, I do not
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remember that any slaves went to church with their masters except possibly the carriage drivers; my father's negroes - or most of them - attended Holy Neck or South Quay churches.
Rev. C.T. Bailey came to Reynoldson Institute in 1866 or 7 to be associated with Major Jas. M. Taylor; if he was pastor of the Church I do not recollect it, as I was away from that section part of the time; he and his wife boarded with Dr. W.H. Lee's family, whose wife was Miss Rebecca Eure - my sisters called her Cousin Beck.
As to the superintendents of the Sunday School at Piney Grove, I can not recollect any of them; probably some of Institutes teachers filled the position.
It would indeed be a delight to talk over with you those "good old times."
Enclosed I send a clipping from our local morning paper; it may be of some little interest; also, some pictures of wife and myself.
It is now 10 o'clock Thursday; I trust this long letter will not bore you too much; it has been quite a pleasure to write it; I am very glad to hear from you. My little wife joins me in lots of love.
Affectionately "Cousin Julius"
1877-1927
The last quarter on the nineteenth century saw the members at Reynoldson making every possible effort to keep the church building in a good state of repair. Window panes were replaced, well buckets were hooped, stoves replaced and discarded, some were sold for fifty cents. The church contracted to have the church painted, but later refused to pay the bill until the contractor had received estimates from three disinterested parties as to the cost. This had been a job poorly done and the church considered the price too high.1
The members decided in 1882 to refurbish the church. Therefore, a committee was appointed to solicit funds in order to build new pews. Three sisters, Bettie Edwards, Frances Eure and Claudia Waff, were appointed to help the men collect the necessary funds to accomplish this.2 Two years later the timber was purchased and the pews were built with the understanding that they could be used annually at the closing exercises of Reynoldson Institute.3
During this refurbishment, the sexton was instructed to purchase one dozen spittons, due to the lackadaisical manner in which the gentlemen chewed and spat tobacco while in church. The church paid the $2.75 bill for these spittons.4 Upon completion of the benches and the purchase of the spittoons, "the gentlemen were requested not to cut or mark the benches and not to chew tobacco and spit on the floor."5
Before many years passed major repairs, such as a new roof and replacement of two sills, became necessary. The roof was to be of cypress shingles and the job was to be left to the lowest bidder. The bidder was not to be paid until the job was inspected and accepted.6
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285 FEET
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Book 66, PAGE 385
4 .
REYNOLDSON CHURN LOT
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TO GATES -
Survey 3/14/1913
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TO PITTMAN TOWN
1
/
During the last decade of the 1800's, financial conditions at Reynoldson appeared to be improving. Blinds were purchased and new carpet for the aisles was purchased. The church members met to install the carpet and to put up the new blinds. The treasurer made a motion at the January, 1890 conference to "sing praises to God for the prosperous condition of our church at this time.'
In 1894, for the first time since the church had been built, it became necessary to lock the building. There were intruders in the land! These intruders apparently were animals rather than people, since the church members decided to put a fence around the church in order to keep the stock from the church doors.8 During this era there were no fence laws and consequently, the stock was allowed to roam and graze at will. Brother John Russell built this fence at a cost of $8.00.
With two stoves to keep fire in during the winter services, by 1905 the members decided a place was needed to store the wood in order to have it dry and convenient. Therefore, a wood house was built at a cost of $11.65 and painted for $5.13.9
During the first eighty-five years of the existence of the church, only one building, built during the 1840's had been erected. Church members were beginning to find the maintenance of the old building expensive. Furthermore, the building was quickly becoming inadequate for their needs. Thus, talk of a new building began. However, first the church needed more land. A committee composed of Brother E.S.A. Ellenor, Arthur Parker, and J.B. Holland was appointed to inquire about the church acquiring some of the adjoining property which belonged to Mr. Paul Long.
In February, 1913 this committee submitted the following report to conference: "We have seen Mr. Paul Long and he has helped us stake off some land which he (Mr. Long) offered to take one hundred ($100.00) dollars for and he would give $10.00 of the same."10
The report being received, the committee was instructed to purchase the land and to attempt to raise money to pay for it. During roll call at conference the following month, the members were requested to state the amount each would donate towards paying for this land. Brother I.A. Hines was appointed receiver for the funds.11
The deed for this property was made between Margaret Long (grandaughter of Charity Goodman) and J. Paul Long, (son of Margaret Long) and the trustees of Reynoldson Baptist Church and deacons, G.R. Eure, E.J. Freeman, T.T. Pittman, I.A. Hines, E.L. Smith, T.E. Parker, J.B. Holland and E.S.A. Ellenor. The deed was recorded by Mr. W.T. Cross, Clerk of Court, and T.E. Hofler, Register of Deeds, with no charge to the church on May 8, 1913.12 By June, 1913 the money had been raised and the land had been paid for. 13
After the purchase of the additional land, several years elapsed before work continued on the idea of repairing or building a new church. In the
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meantime, the pressing need for a parsonage claimed the attention of the church members. In August, 1913 "on motion it was decided that this church try to build a parsonage." A committee was appointed to solicit funds and purchase land, and the church would try to raise one-third of the amount this year. The remainder would be raised the next two years. The following brethern were appointed to this committee: E.S.A. Ellenor, T.E. Parker, G.R. Eure, E.J. Freeman, J.F. Lawrence, Robert Duke, W.B. Parker, C.E. Eure, J.T. Holland, T.B. Parker, T.T. Pittman and J.W. Parker. 14 The land was purchased from the school trustees and surveyed by Mr. W.F. Eason at no charge.
Later a committee of sisters, Mrs. T.E. Parker, Edith Freeman, Velma Hines, S.M. Pittman and Hettie Deans, was appointed to work with the men to solicit funds. All committees met together in December to ascertain the amount of money that had been collected and to adopt a plan to collect the remaining needed amount.
Lack of housing for the pastor may have been a contributing factor to the numerous pastors which served Reynoldson after W.B. Waff's resignation in 1906 until 1913. At conference in December of this year, Brother C.G. Lowe stated that he would accept the call of the church to preach and would move in the spring to occupy the new parsonage. 15
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First Parsonage which was built in 1913 stands in the background. Standing are Rev. & Mrs. T.L. Brown, Pastor - 1922-1940.
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The exact date work began on the parsonage is unknown; however, in January, 1914 a day was appointed for members to meet to help clean up and do work on the parsonage. Members were paying for the parsonage as the work was done. In February they reported that there was not enough money to make the last payment; however, before long the money was forthcoming. By May, the parsonage was nearly completed and paid for. 16 The entire parsonage lot was soon enclosed with wire fencing and Brother W.J. Parker enclosed the front yard with a picket fence. A satisfactory well was dug and curbed for $32.89; the garden was fenced; the porch screened; and fruit trees were planted.17 The church now had a pastor, a parsonage, barns and stables, but the preacher had no means of transportation. He was in need of a horse. Mr. Lowe was not only serving as pastor at Reynoldson, but in a field of churches, composed of Great Fork and South Quay. These three churches combined their efforts and purchased a horse for their pastor. 18
Pastor Lowe was succeeded by Pastor A.C. McCall. Mr. McCall owned an automobile and thus, requested permission from the church to convert the shelter from a stable for the horse to one for his car. In order for this to be accomplished, Brother Linwood Matthews volunteered to give 200 feet of lumber, and Brother J.F. Lawrence offered to haul the lumber in order for the shelter to be properly changed and repaired.19
Soon after completion of the parsonage and helping the new pastor move to his new home, thoughts again turned to the idea of improving the church facilities. In November, 1916 a committee of fourteen brethern, (P.E. Shaw, I.A. Hines, E.S.A. Ellenor, E.J. Freemen, W.M. Matthews, W.B. Parker, J.E. Hayes, J.F. Lawrence, G.R. Eure, J.T. Carter, R.W. Hayes, J.R. Pittman, J.C. Holland, and C.C. Parker) was appointed to meet with an architect and discuss the question of repairing or building a new church.20
This committee appointed in November, 1916 was requested to report to the following conference, but more than two years elapsed before any other reference to the church building was made. After discussion at the December, 1918 conference, the members "voted to empower the clerk to write Mr. E.F. Aydlett, Manager of the Million Dollar Campaign, telling him that due to the fact that the church has to build in the very near future that they are not in position to raise their part of the fund."21
The following April the church began in earnest to proceed with plans and progress toward renovating the existing church building. At this conference, Brothers E.S.A. Ellenor, I.A. Hines, and J.R. Pittman were appointed as the building committee.22 This committee returned in May with plans to renovate the present building. These plans were submitted to and adopted by the church members. Upon adoption of the plans, the following members were appointed as the finance committee: J.R. Eure, J.W. Parker, C.E. Eure, M.P. Ellis, M.C. Fanny, J.C. Holland, T.B. Parker, A.C. McCall, Misses Edith Freeman, Ocie Freeman, Joyce Hines, Mrs. T.E. Parker and Mrs. L.C. Carter.23 At the end of a month, the finance committee reported that $4,728.00 had been pledged by members.24
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Brother W.B. Parker was appointed treasurer for this special committee, and it was decided that stocks be issued to assist with raising the necessary funds. Pastor A.C. McCall was designated to attend to this.
September 1, 1919 was set as the date to begin work on the building.25 The original barn-like structure was to be remodeled, the pulpit was changed from center to corner, and the entrance was changed from two existing front doors to two adjoining entrances on the left front corner. The center aisle columns were removed, four Sunday School rooms were partitioned for the sanctuary by windows which could be raised. This provided for more private Sunday School classes and increased the seating capacity of the auditorium. The roof line of the building was changed, and the floor was elevated. This once barn-like structure now became a more dignified and awe inspiring edifice. How much of the original building was razed before the remodeling began is unknown, but the lumber which was removed was saved to be used again.26
The final cost of this project is secreted in the hearts and minds of those who struggled to make it to become a reality. Several subscription canvasses of members were undertaken in order to continue the work and to pay off the church note when due. At April conference in 1920, church members were requested to give notes so the church could acquire the necessary funds to continue the renovation.27 In 1923 it became necessary for the church to borrow $290.00 from one of her members, Brother I.A. Hines.28 The only found recorded cost was a bill for $50.00. This amount was paid to Brother L.C. Powell to paint the church.29
During the days of renovation and remodeling, the nearby Reynoldson Institute became a real God-send to the church worshipping at Reynoldson. Here the members convened for Sunday School and worship service. This time the school had come to the aid of the church.
With the building completed and debt free, the fourth Sunday in May, 1925 was selected as the day to dedicate anew this church. A committee composed of Miss Edith Freeman, Mrs. Lillie Parker, Mrs. M.P. Ellis, and Mrs. I.A. Hines was selected to arrange the music for the occasion.30 The dedication sermon was preached by a pastor who had become a Christian while a youth at Reynoldon, Dr. G. Clinton Smith.
The end of 1927 marked a century of work and prayers for the Lord here at Reynoldson. From the small dedicated group which met in a school- house December 14, 1927, the light of Piney Grove - Reynoldson glowed to include the history of building and renovating a church edifice, the building of a home for the pastor and the help and guidance of the nearby school, Reynoldson Institute. Through the struggles were many and varied, the finances at times nil, through faith and prayer these dedicated Christian workers continued on an upward path as they worked and witnessed for Christ.
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DEDICATORY SERVICES OF REYNOLDSON BAPTIST CHURCH OF GATES, GATES COUNTY, N. C. MAY 24, 1925
MORNING SERVICES 11:00 A.M.
"Praise Ye The Father" Choir
Doxology
Invocation
Hymn #860
Scripture Reading
"Holy Is The Lord"
Choir
Prayer
Duet, "It Pays To Serve Jesus" Rev. & Mrs. J.O. Long
Announcements
Offertory Female Quartette
Hymn #865 Dedicatory Sermon Dr. G.C. Smith, Pastor of West End Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va.
Dedicatory Prayer
Hymn #867 Benediction
AFTERNOON SERVICES 2:30 P.M.
Anthem Hymn #715
Scripture Reading
"Come Where The Lilies Bloom"
Quartette
Prayer
Solo, "Open The Gates Of The Temple" Rev. L.F. Paulette Sermon- Rev. C.G. Lowe
Hymn #712 Benediction
REYNOLDSO LITIST CUROI
Reynoldson Baptist Church after remodeling in the early 1920's.
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(1927-1977)
For a few years after the rededication of the church, the members were busily engaged in keeping the parsonage and church properly repaired. They also spent time and money making the path from the parsonage to the county road into a passable access road for the pastor's use. They were also busy keeping the church grounds and cemetery presentable. This lull was for only a few short years, however. The church was soon seeing the need to enlarge and improve its educational department. In July, 1933 after a sermon by Pastor T.L. Brown, the church met in conference at which time a motion was made for the church to undertake to build Sunday School rooms. A committee which had been appointed by the Teachers' Council was given authority to continue with plans for the building. They were also authorized to have the necessary trees cut in order to make room the the educational addition which was to be erected.1
A finance committee composed of Mrs. Pattie Savage, Mrs. J. Ray Freeman, Mrs. T.E. Pittman and Miss Mildred Parker was appointed to canvas the members to raise the needed funds.2 Recently, Mrs. Freeman was recalling her work on this committee and stated, "This was the easiest work I've ever done."
Today most of us would consider canvassing for money to construct seven additional rooms a huge undertaking. Just think this work occurred during the era referred to now as the "Great Depression." In the span of five months, the Sunday School rooms were built, the unused materials disposed of, and the church was debt free.3 Great accomplishments had once again been achieved for God!
Oil lamps and lanterns had been the church's source of light during the past century. These lamps had to be filled with oil and the wicks trimmed often. On several occasions the church had seen fit to sell the old lamps and replace them with more modern ones; however, the luminosity of the lamps remained dim, the the flames still flickered as the worshippers gathered for evening services.November, 1940 began a new era for Reynoldson Church and community - an era which would blow out the flame of the candle and see the flip of a switch set the darkened room aglow as if at noontime. The introduction of electricity would not only brighten the church and make it easier to use during evening hours, but also influence the way in which its members would live. The wood cook- stoves and washtubs soon disappeared and electric stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, and radios appeared. City living was migrating to rural Gates County!4
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