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 4
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Even though rural people were beginning to enjoy some of the comforts of life, travel was still difficult. Although horses and buggies were being replaced by the automobile, the dirt roads and red clay hills at times rendered themselves virtually impassable. Needless to say, in rainy, bad weather, the automobiles usually found themselves stuck up to their running boards in the deep, miry ruts.
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One Sabbath morning on December 7, 1941, on a far away island in the Pacific ocean, an event which was to slow progress and change the lives of many occurred. Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. Thus the road by Reynoldson Church would remain the dirt road it had always been for yet many years to come. After the roar of guns subsided and peace once again returned to our land, conference decided to appoint a committee (T. Beaurie Parker, Charles Eure and J.S. Smith) to confer with the County Commissioners and request that the road from the new highway (U.S. #13) to the church be hardsurfaced.5 The commissioners readily cooperated and a letter went forth from them to the State Highway Commission recommending that this road soon be hardsurfaced.6 This accomplished, travel was then improved for farmers and church members.
In August, 1941, after the death of our beloved pastor, Rev. Thomas Luther Brown, the deacons were directed to sell the parsonage. This property was purchased in December, 1941 by Brother L.C. Powell.7 This sale reduced the property owned by the church by one half, thus reducing the amount of both labor and money required for the upkeep of the church property.
For the next ten years, Reynoldson's pastor did not live in the community, but commuted from his home elsewhere to conduct services here. Ever since the Civil War, people in the Reynoldson area had been accustomed to their pastor residing in the community. In March, 1951 Mr. and Mrs. Horace Eason offered the church one half acre building lot in the village of Gates for a church parsonage. Thus, the church was soon again to become involved in a building program and the following members were selected as the building committee: Thomas White, Charles Eure, Mrs. H.C. Eason, Thomas Bracy and Milton Eure.8
At this time Reynoldson was without the services of a pastor. However, before long the pulpit committee (T. Beaurie Parker, J.R. Freeman, and Louise Pittman) secured the services of James C. Conoly. Suitable housing had to be secured for the pastor and his family. The house next door to the new parsonage lot had become vacant due to the recent death of the owner, Mrs. Anna Martha Gatling Langston. Thus, the church rented this for the home of their incoming pastor.
On October 14, 1951 the church appointed Brother L.C. Powell, Henry B. Harrell and John Lee Smith as trustees for the new pastorium. The trustees were instructed to accept on behalf of the church the building lot in North Gates which had been offered as a gift by Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Eason. This day the plans submitted by the building committee were accepted. The committee was instructed to proceed with the plans to erect a seven room house of Cape Cod design. The house was to include a bathroom and an adjoining garage.9
Charles Eure who had been selected treasurer for the committee reported $1,000.00 in the building fund. Due to Brother Eure's business activities, it was necessary for him to be away from home a great deal of the
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time. Therefore, Thomas White was selected to serve as treasurer for this project.10
On November 11, 1951 Reynoldson Church, represented by the trustees, L.C. Powell, Henry Harrell and John Lee Smith, was the recipient of a deed for the land gift. Mr. and Mrs. Eason presented the deed which was accepted on behalf of the church by L.C. Powell, senior trustee. 11
Naturally, this construction required additional funds. With only $1,000.00 on hand, the ladies were called upon to lend a helping hand. Once again a member of the Lee - Goodman family was called upon to chair the finance committee. Mrs. Gretchen Carroll Ellis, great- grandaughter of Peninah and Jethro Goodman was selected chairperson to work with the following ladies: Mrs. Jennie Bess Freeman, Mrs. Lillie Parker, Miss Edith Freeman, and Mrs. Frances Carroll. These ladies were to contact former members and friends requesting financial aid to help build the new pastorium. 12
At the January conference Treasurer White reported $2,710.00 on hand and that $61.00 had been spent for a pump and a set of blue prints. In February, Horace Eason, builder, estimated that an additional $6,500.00 would be needed to complete the structure. At a call conference, Pastor Conoly read the following resolution which was adopted:
"Whereas, the Reynoldon Baptist Church is building a pastorium at Gates, North Carolina for the use of the pastor of the church; and whereas, certain funds are needed for the completion of the building; and whereas, arrangements have been made by the deacons and pastor with the Whaleyville Bank to borrow an amount not to exceed 60% of the appraised value of the building at the amount of 4% compounded semi-annually, for from one to fifteen years. Therefore, be it resolved that the trustees of the Reynoldson Baptist Church namely, L.C. Powell, Henry Harrell and John Lee Smith, all living in Reynoldson Township of Gates County, be impowered and instructed to borrow from the Whaleyville Bank the sum of $5,500.00 to be repaid over a period of 10 years if possible; the loan to be secured by a first lien mortage on the lot and house. Done by order of the church in called conference this 24th day of February in the year of our Lord, 1952.
James C. Conoly, Moderator
Genevieve B. Smith, Clerk"13
Even though conference set the upper limit of $5,500.00 to be borrowed it became necessary for the church to borrow an additional $750.00, making the total cost of the pastorium $12,392.92.14
Both community and church organizations offered their wholehearted support to this building project. The Woman's Missionary Society set as their goal $1,000.00 to be raised and used to install cabinets in the kitchen. The Reynoldson Home Demonstration Club volunteered to landscape the parsonage grounds. 15
Pastor Conoly, who has worked diligently with this project, was never to live in the new pastorium. On April 27, 1952, he offered his resignation to be succeeded by Rev. Oscar Edmonds. 16 Rev. Edmonds moved into the newly completed pastorium in August, 1952. Soon after moving, they
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were honored by the Woman's Missionary Society at a tea given in the new parsonage. 17
The fifth Sunday in May, 1955 was designated as a special day and time to dedicate this newly built house for the work of the Lord.18
Parsonage built in 1952, located in Gates, N.C.
The building of the pastorium was the beginning of an era which would see the Reynoldon Church members involved in a long range building program. Months before the pastorium was dedicated, a committee consisting of Lloyd Hayes, Lloyd Nixon, J.R. Freeman, Thomas White, Charles Eure, Mrs. James N. Eure, Mrs. Jack Carroll and Rev. O.S. Edmonds was appointed to investigate the needs of the church as to the enlargement of the present plant.19 The committee reported at the following conference, and it was decided for the study to be continued.
Brother L.C. Powell, a trustee appointed in 1951, was planning to move from the area. Another trustee had to be appointed. John Carroll Ellis, son of Gretchen, was appointed to this position.20
The need for additional space and improvement was ever present. Pastor Edmonds, spokeman for the building committee (Lloyd Hayes, Ruth Eure, John Lee Smith, Mrs. Jack Carroll, Lloyd Nixon, C.T. White, Jr. and Mr. Edmonds), oftimes reminded the members of this pressing need. Blueprints of other sanctuaries were requested, received, studied and the cost investigated. Church members were reminded that it was possible to build a new sanctuary if they would tithe.21 Soon the church decided they would proceed with plans to build a new sanctuary.
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On March 11, 1956 the church met in conference to discuss the bids on the new church and vote on the recommendations of the deacons. The deacons recommended that the church accept the bid given by Mr. H.H. Byrd of $33,000.00 to build the new sanctuary. One hundred and twenty- two members voted to accept Mr. Byrd's bid.
The building fund of the church now contained around $8,000.00. It was recommended that the church borrow $15,000.00 from the Bank of Whaleyville. Deacons T. Beaurie Parker, M.T. Bracy, W.T.J. Ellenor, H. B. Harrell, Lloyd Hayes, B.E. Smith, John Lee Smith and Thomas White agreed to secure an open note for the amount needed. The church agreed to pay this note first.22
Work was begun and the cornerstone was laid Saturday, June 9, 1956. Dr. M.A. Huggins, Executive Secretary of the North Carolina Baptist Convention, was the guest speaker. Mrs. Nina Ellis, oldest living member of the church and decendant of the members who donated the land for the church, represented the congregation in the service. The building was ready for occupancy the fourth Sunday in June. The sanctuary was completed and furnished for $36,020.62.23
Six years later with the church debt paid, the church decided to dedicate this structure. Rev. Oscar Edmonds, under whose pastorship the new sanctuary had been erected, was invited to be the guest speaker. Former pastor, Dr. J.L. Carrick, was invited to assist with this service.24
1
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New sanctuary built in 1956. Old Church used as educational building.
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Cornerstone Laying June 9, 1956. Dr. M.A. Huggins, Secretary for N.C. Baptist was guest speaker.
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Now debt free the church voted to place the money left in the building fund on interest at the Bank of Whaleyville. A safety deposit box was rented and legal church documents were stored there.25
Whispers of the need for improved educational facilities were soon being heard. By 1966, plans had been provided for the church members to study and consider. On April 22, 1968, C.T. White, representing the survey and planning committee, submitted plan number 233T from the Baptist Sunday School Board, as their selection for the new educational building. this proposed structure was to be two stories, contain 5,000 square feet of floor space and cost about $60,000. This day conference approved these plans and the planning and survey committee was instructed to proceed with the required legal matters and to obtain building specifications. This committee also recommended to conference that the church strive to raise $9,500.00 by the end of the construction. This done the church would have on hand one half of the building cost. the trustees were instructed to borrow $30,000.00 from the bank.26
On June 9, 1968 C. Wesley Brinkley, successful bidder, presented the building specifications to conference. These were approved with a few changes; two bathrooms would be added upstairs, and indoor-outdoor carpet would be used rather than the specified vinyl tile. The cost of $59,500.00 would include razing the first church building and erecting the new one. A five hundred dollar performance bond was secured for a total cost of $60,000.00.26
Construction was completed during the fall. There were a few apparent leaks in the sanctuary roof, so a decision was made to replace this while Mr. Brinkley was still on the site.27 A few other comfortable improvements have since been made. For example, walkways around the church have been installed,28 a better water system has been provided,29 and air-conditioning has been added.30
On July 21, 1974 the note for the debt on the educational building was burned. Once again the church was debt free.
The past twenty-five years have witnessed more construction and improvements in facilities than the previous one hundred twenty-five year span. The church now owns property in excess of $100,000 valuation. The Lord has bountifully blessed His church and her members. May they in return continue to sing His Praises!
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New Church and Educational Building completed in 1968.
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Church Debt Free Rev. Billy P. Presley Brown Smith, Treasurer Note burning Ceremony, July 21, 1974.
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Left to Right - Mrs. Frances Tyler Carroll; Mrs. Nina Edwards Ellis, oldest member and Grandaughter of Jethro Goodman; John Carroll Ellis, her grandson; and Annabelle Edmonds, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Oscar Edmonds.
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RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLIES
Union Meetings Quarterly Meetings
The union meetings were in existence many years before the Chowan Association began. Some of these early meetings were attended by as many as 4,000 people and fifteen or sixteen ministers. At times there were many conversions during the meetings. Later these meetings became more businesslike in character, "bringing in works to enliven our faith the works of missions, Sunday Schools, etc."1
In 1880 churches from three districts, the Bertie Union, Camden and Currituck Union, and Yeopin Union, composed the territory of the Association. The Yeopin Union Meeting was composed of Baptist churches in Gates, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan counties.2
These union meetings held their sessions quarterly on fifth Sundays and the preceeding Friday and Saturday. They worked together with the State Mission Board and Education Board. The executive committees received the money sent to the union meetings for Home Mission work and disbursed it as they deemed advisable by supplying pastors in destitute portions of their own territory and aiding State Missions elsewhere. Special contributions for education and foreign missions were directed to the proper boards. The special collections taken on these 5th Sundays after the missionary sermon were equally divided between education, and home and foreign missions.3
The unions labored hard to establish and foster Sunday Schools. They also worked in colportage distributing Bibles, hymn books, and other religious literature.4
The meetings were usually attended by huge, orderly crowds which attested to the interest and importance of the occasion. The large number of people that gathered at these meetings gave them the appearance of an associational meeting, rather than that of the regular union meeting.5
The very first year of the existence of Piney Grove Church, conference selected William Lee, Edward Howell, and Jethro Barnes as delegates. Brother Howell was requested to prepare the church letter. The cost of preparing the letter and submitting it to the union meeting was $1.50. These delegates were instructed to attend the Yeopin Meeting with a letter applying for admission to the Union and subsequently to the Chowan Association.6
There were some advantages to be gained from belonging to the union
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meetings. The distance to these meetings was not as great as that of the whole association. The smaller number of delegates which attended could be accommodated with less expense and greater ease.7
The faithful Elder Edward Howell, during his fifty years of service to Piney Grove Church, attended many union and associational meetings as one of the church delegates. The church had auxiliary societies for home and foreign missions and education. William Lee and Edward B.D. Howell attended the meetings and were instructed to deliver the funds which had been collected by the auxiliary society. Deliverance of these funds would entitle the church to a seat in the Chowan Bible Society.8
Apparently union meetings were experiencing some type of difficulties. When Piney Grove Conference convened on August 21, 1852, the clerk read a letter which the church had received from Ballards' Bridge Church regarding the urgency of reviewing the union meetings in the association and specifying ways and means for improving the same.9
When delegates William Gatling and Abram Pruden attended the union meeting in April, 1854, they bore an invitation inviting the meeting to convene at Piney Grove for its next session. They also issued a request for the Board of Trustees of Chowan College (later Reynoldson Institute) to be present at this time.
Piney Grove members tried to support the work of the Lord in every possible way, thus when the church received a letter requesting their support and cooperation in supporting a missionary and helping to circulate Baptist literature throughout the area, they readily agreed to help. A special collection was taken on Sunday to aid the colportor working in the area.10
As the clouds of war approached, it became more difficult for the men to leave home for three days quarterly. Instead of appointing delegates only, the church began to appoint alternates also, and letter to leave this position to anyone from the church who could attend. For a period of more than twenty years, many of the same members served as delegates. Some of these were Elder Edward Howell, William Lee, E.B.D. Howell, John P. Lee, William and James Sears, Francis Rogers, J.D. Goodman and William Gatling.
After Chowan Reynoldson Seminary opened, many new people were worshipping and becoming active church members at Piney Grove. Some of these were James Delke, James D. Boushall, James M. Taylor, Julius Howell, Thomas E. Waff and others. These eager young men added vitality to the entire area as they served God, man, school and church.
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In January, 1860, J.D. Goodman and James D. Boushall were appointed delegates to the Yeopin Meeting. Brother Boushall was instructed by the church to pledge $15.00 for missions for the year. This year the delegates issued an invitation to hold the meeting at Piney Grove.11 Again in 1873, the same amount was sent to the meeting for missions and an invitation was issued for them to again convene at Piney Grove for their next meeting.12 This invitation must have been declined since they were invited again in both 187513 and 1876. The invitation was finally accepted for the 5th Sunday in October, 1876.14
Time marched on and the names of the delegates changed. I.A. Hines, E.J. Freeman, G.R. Eure, E.S.A. Ellenor, L.C. Powell, W.M. Matthews,
PROGRAM YEOPIM UNION MEETING, REYNOLDSON CHURCH, GATES COUNTY, AUG. 28 -- 30, 1914,
Friday A.M.
11:00 Introductory sermon,
Friday P.M.
2:00 Devotional Service.
2:15 Roll call of churches.
2:30 The mission of our Union Meeting. Elders Josiah Elliott and J. Tynch.
3:00 What about Chowan College
Elder G.E. Lineberry
3:40 Are we depending too largely upon our annual protracted meetings
in soul winning?
Elder C.G. Lowe
Saturday A.M.
9:30 Devotional service
9:45 Report of Hyde County Missionary Elder H.B. Hines
10:00 The present status of State Missions:
10:00
(1) In the bounds of our Union Elder H.B. Hines
10:20
(2) In general Elder T.S. Crutchfield
10:50 The business side of our church work Bro. J.E. Parker and Elder C.G. Lowe.
11:20 The relation of Missions to the spiritual life of a church -Elder R.C. Hubbard.
12:00 Report of Executive Committee and Miscellaneous business.
Saturday P.M.
2:00 Devotional service
2:10 Some encouragements in our work of world wide evanglization,
Elders H.B. Lamb and J.O. Aldermen.
3:00 The advisability and best plans of forming
compact pastoral fields Bro. Lycurgus Hofler and Elder C.G. Lowe.
3:30 Larger things in our orphanage work. Elder H.B. Hines
Sunday A.M.
10:00 Sunday school mass meeting.
Speakers to be appointed by the Moderator.
11:00 Missionary sermon Elder J.O. Alderman
T.S. CRUTCHFIELD, For the Committee.
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Elder R.C. Hubbard
T.T. Pittman, T.E. Parker, E.L. Smith, T.B. Parker, J.C. Holland, T. Beaurie Parker, W.T.J. Ellenor, T.J. Jessup, A.M. Eure, J.E. Hayes were a few of those who most often served as delegates during the later part of the eighteen hundreds and up until 1936. In May, 1936 A.C. Matthews, E.S.A. Ellenor, J.C. Holland, T.E. Parker, W.T.J. Ellenor, M.P. Ellis were appointed as delegates for the meeting at Center Hill.15 What transpired at this meeting can only be understood by searching the old union meeting minutes. However, one can surmise that perhaps the state of the economy influenced the decision for disbandment, or maybe the group decided the associational meeting was sufficient. Whatever, the reason, the union meeting had evidently outlived its usefulness and consequently, faded into oblivion.
Chowan Association Annual Sessions
"In 1805, eighteen churches were dismissed by the Kehukee Association: All lying on the east side of the Roanoke River, to form a new body, which received the name, Chowan Association." This association was organized at Salem Meeting House on Newbiggin Creek, Pasquotank County, North Carolina May 16, 17, 18, 1806. Elder John Wall preached the introductory sermon using as his text, "Peace be Unto You".2 Delegates from 18 churches attended with churches of Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates (Middle Swamp), Hertford, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties being represented.
"After the reading of the letters and enrolling the delegates, 35 in number, of whom eight were Elders, the association was organized by the appointment of Brother George Outlaw, Moderator, Elder Lemuel Burkitt, Clerk, and Elder James Ross, Assistant Clerk."3
The first items of business to transpire were resolutions to adopt the name North Carolina Chowan Baptist Association for the organization, followed by the adoption of a constitution and rules of decorum.4 This association represented a total of 1,839 members at this time.5
The Chowan Association had been functioning for more than twenty years when the newly born Piney Grove Church requested admission. Brother Edward Howell was delegated to prepare the letter requesting admission. Brothers Howell, Jethro Barnes and William Lee were appointed to attend the meeting and deliver the letter. The next annual session the same delegates returned to petition the association to meet at Piney Grove in 1830.6
This invitation was accepted and on May 15, 1830 these same three men
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represented Piney Grove in their home church as delegates. At this time the association was composed of thirty churches. James Ross was moderator, James Hall, Clerk and Rueben Lawrence, main speaker. The Piney Grove delegates delivered the following letter for their church:
"The revival has subsided. We have many marks of Divine Favor entire peace and harmony exists and much life and enjoyment in religious duties is manifest, accompanied with increased desire for pure devotion and complete subordination to the will of God."7
The Chowan Association encompassed such a large territory that meetings were held alternately on the eastern and western sides of the Chowan River. In 1831 a resolution was passed providing for the division of the association into three districts. However, this idea was recinded before any definite action was taken. This same year each church in the association was requested to send one member to attend a convention to be held at Sandy Cross the second Sunday in October. The purpose of this convention was to draw up Articles of Faith and Practices to be observed by members of each church. Elder Ned Howell was appointed to represent Piney Grove.8
In 1843 a committee reported that they considered it inadvisable to divide the association until the wishes of the churches were determined. The churches were requested to signify their wish in their letter to the next session.9 Piney Grove submitted the following letter to the 1844 session:
"Piney Grove expresses her sympathy with their aged Bishop John Harrell, and is opposed to dividing the association; has both a home and foreign missionary society, and sent $2.00 in funds to the association; baptized 28; received by letter, last 6; whites 46; colored 45; total 91 members.
Delegates William Lee, William Gatling, E.D.B. Howell."10
When Conference convened in March, 1849, delegates Elder Edward Howell, E.D.B. Howell and John P. Lee, son of William, were selected to represent Piney Grove at the annual session. They were instructed to petition the association for the next annual session to be held at Piney Grove." This invitation was not accepted, but when reissued in 1851, was accepted.12
The 1852 session meeting at Piney Grove found G.C. Moore acting as Moderator, S.J. Wheeler, Clerk and W.P. Britton, Jr. preaching the introductory sermon. The association now boasted forty-three churches with a total membership of 9,960 professing Baptists.13 A committee of John R. Cross, Joshua Lee, James E. Howell, and Thomas B. Langston was selected by conference to preserve order during the session of the association.14
The custom was for the associational meetings to begin on Friday and close on Sunday. However, in 1856, it was determined that the sessions be
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held in May on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with Wednesday being the "Big Day".15
The 1867 Church letter of Piney Grove revealed the following statistics: "Received: baptized, 16; letter, 5; restored, 1; total gain, 22. Dismissed: letter,2; excluded, 1; total loss, 3. Present Membership 97 Whites 55 Colored
Total 152."16
During the previous twenty-three years, Piney Grove had gained fifty- one white members. This was in a large part due to the influence Reynoldson Institute was having on the community. There had been a small gain in colored members. However, in a few years there was to be a mass exodus of these members, when most of them left to organize their own church, Stoney Branch.
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