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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of Broad Street UMC 1828-1978START — STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES Microfilmed by DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY Archives and Records Section Raleigh, North Carolina IREDELL COUNTY — _ BROAD STREET UNITED METHODIST miro s10);ce7s! a7 nom HISTORY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SECTION CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY This is to certify that the microphotographs appearing on this film are true and accurate reproductions of records originated during the normal course of business by the TRELDEL/ COMmTY Bhonn Street Up fed Methodes? Chuswck STATE SU, Sle _ U,C, and consist of Chrye ctl. Ut's fp reg L827 -/97&E The records begin with (@Uee AOGR 7 and end with It is further certified that the above records were microfilmed in conformity with the provisions of the General Statutes of North Carolina, chapter 8-45.1 and 8-45.4, "Untform Photographic Coptes of Business and Public Records aa Evidence Act"; that the microphotographic processes accurately reproduce the records so microfilmed; that the film forms a durable medium for reproducing the original, if necessary; and that the film used conforms to American National Standards Institute, Spectficatione for Safety Photographic Film, ANSI PH 1.25-1976 and American National Standards Institute, Specifications for Photographic Film for Archival Records, Silver-Gelatin on Cellulose Ester Base, ANSI PH 1.28-1976. This is further to certify that the microphotographic processes were accomplished by the undersigned on the date and at the reduction ratio indicated below. Date Filming of this Reel Began OAgter J /7Z/]_ Reduction Ratio LEX Date Filming of this Reel Ended Microfilm Camera Operator Volume held sv The History ot Broad Street United Methodist Church —- — \ Methodist ¢ ISTOr' ) } Broad Street Us History ot Broad Street United Methodist Church HISTORY OF BROAD STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1828 - 1978 By David A. Bunch Published 1978 to observe 150 years of Methodism in Statesville ACKNOWLEDGME! Acknowledgment is made to the research materiais of Homer Keever am Kaiph Sioan. Grateful thanks go t tienda Jelie Bivens for researching. to Susi« Woody Miller for typing, and to ali others who made contributions to this histor, We have made a carefu! study o! records to gather this information. Nevertheies IL 1S DOSS)Die thal some persons have been omittec who should have been include: 1 SO. We anoios CONTENTS PARTI The Earliest Church: Mt. Zion PART II The Second Mt. Zion PART Ill The Third Mt. Zion — Later Statesville First Methodist PART IV road Street Methodist FORWORD Churches have been woefully negligent in preserving their past. In Methodism, the itinerant ministry may have contributed to the fragmentation of ongoing church life. Records are incomplete, files have often been destroyed, and our sense of history has been dissipated. The church has often lived as if “there were no yesterday and no tomorrow.” This little volume partially offsets all this. In the Sesquicentennial year of its life as a church, Broad Street needed a comprehensive record of its history. We are all indebted to the special Sesquicentennial Committee and especially to David Bunch for this work. In his own acknowledgements, he has recorded the work done by those who accumulated research data and by those who brought artifac's from the past. However, the church today and for generations to come is indebted to David for this competent account of our illustrious past In coming to this church as pastor in 1977, I returned to a county where I had served for eight years previously (1958-66). Therefore, I brought to my present appointment a sense of appreciation for the placethat Broad Street Church has had in the history and ongoing life of Statesville and Iredell] County. She is not the mother church” of Methodism in this county, but she has long been the ‘“‘queen church.”’ This historical account will document that claim One hundred and fifty years are past. One can hardly help but conjecture on the turn of events in the next fifty years until the Broad Street Bicentennial Today’s children will be the “‘old-timers”’ then. We can only hope and pray that the work of the next half century is written in as large a script and printed in as bold a type as the past century and a half Donald W. Haynes November 1978 PARTI THE EARLIEST CHURCH: MT. ZION The year was 1828. A log building had been constructed under the leadership of James Campbell on what is now the site of D. Matt Thompson School on West Front Street. It was the birth of what later was to become the Broad Street Methodist Church. The county of Iredell, settled mostly by Presbyterians, was formed in 1788. Methodism began in the northeast corner of Iredell County about ten years after the formation of the county. (Statesville was incorporated in 1790). Records show that Frances Asbury visited John Fitzgerald on Fifth Creek as early as 1795 In the religious revivals of the years following 1800, Methodism spread southward and westward throughout the section above the South Yadkin River. In 1807 an Ire- dell circuit* was formed and for more than a half century, it was one of the dominant charges in North Carolina Methodism. Soon after the formation of the circuit, Methodism spread across the South Yadkin and by 1823 had edged on toward the county seat town of Statesville. In 1823 a new quarterly conference record book for the circuit was begun and from that time until the late 1880's the records are fairly complete. Methodism was predominately stronger in the nor- thern part of the county through this period.** Early Methodism adapted itself to the times by what is called “‘itinerancy,”’ the preacher on horseback who spent most of his time on the move. The most famous ‘‘man who rambled America,”’ Francis Asbury, had no home, no rented room, no piace that could be called a domicile of any kind. He lived on the road and slept wherever night overtook him in the cabins of the settlers, in the homes of the great, and sometimes on the ground in the forests. He rode an estimated 228,000 miles, outstripping the mileage of Wesley. It was a most practical way to cope with the pioneering situation. By the time a church was established in Statesville, the circuit consisted of twenty “preaching places.’’ In 1834 Joshua Leigh took exactly one month to cover the Iredell Circuit, preaching as often as necessary to cover all the preaching places It was not until the early 1870’s that Statesville was a “station charge,”’ i.e. one preacher to serve the church. Only one other system, the lay ministry of the Baptist Church, was able to match this Two features of early Methodism, the “brush arbor’’ churches and “camp meetings,” were, like John Wesley’s open air preaching, very practical applica tions to the frontier settlements. When cabins or barns proved too small, brush arbors, utilizing poles and trees, made a roof of leaves and boughs for shade, was an effective means of accommodating larger crowds in warm weather. Later, a more permanent arrangement, first of tents, then cabins, provided sites where families could gather and camp for days, for preaching and fellowship. Both the brush arbor and camp meetings accounted for many converts. If meetings were particularly successful, they would be prolonged and the term “protracted meeting’ was quite often used. The time was usually late summer when crops were “laid by” (no more cultivating needed until harvest), and the farmer was relatively free from work. In 1828 Andrew Jackson was still the nation’s hero, John Quincy Adams was President, the Baltimore and Ohio had just begun the first passenger rail service * A circuit was a group of churches served by one pastor. At that time it was not uncommon to have 20 or more on one circuit, and although the system is still in use, the number now varies from a two-point to a five-point charge. ** Records deposited by W. A. Newell in the Duke library give a fair picture of the growth of Methodism in Statesville “BRUSH ARBOR” CHURCHES In the frontier period when cabins and barns proved too small, services were held under brush arbors Wh 0 CAMP MEETINGS Great numbers of people were converted in camp meetings in the early days of Methodist history in North Carolina at Baltimore. The village of Statesville was predominately Presbyterian. In Iredel] County Methodism, records show the second Quarterly Conference was held on June 13, 1829 at Mount Zion meeting house. The year before a group of trustees had bought two lots just outside Statesville for a Methodist Church (site of the present D. Matt Thompson School). Of those trustees, however, only one was a Statesville man, while the others were from Stony Point, Rocky Springs, and Snow Creek. The Statesville man, James Campbell, evidentiy a Highiand Scott, had been appearing with regularity in the records, and he was already recording steward and responsible for keeping those records. He was undoubtedly the main one in the founding of Mt. Zion and bringing Methodism into the Presbyterian stronghold of the county seat. Other records show him as Clerk of Court, and it is supposed he moved here from some of the churches in the northern part of the county, and finding no Methodist Church, had proceded to remedy the situation and built one.* That is the story of the founding of so many churches of that period The Methodists and the Presbyterians were the only denominations in the village until the Civil War days A letter sent by Nancy Campbell King (daughter of James Campbell) to Joseph Caldwell, editor of the Landmark, on January 29, 1882 contains her remembrance of this early church. She wrote “The first Methodist church in Statesville was built in 1828 by James Campbell, with the assist- ance of a few others. He, Campbell, gave more than four hundred dollars Eli Ramseur gave twenty dollars, John Nesbit McClelland twelve dollars, Rev. John Nisbet, Genera! Davidson, John Ricket and Whitfield Kerr each ten dollars. Some others gave smaller sums. Many of the faithful in and around Statesville assisted in the work. There is not a single person living in Statesville who was there when the first church was built except Mrs Ramseur. There was no debt hanging over the church. Before the death of James Campbell (which occurred in 1837) there were seventy members After that, the church declined for years. I would add that Hon. J. P. Cald well (editor J. P. Caldwell’s father) was a very warm friend to the church and its ministry.’ At that time the Presiding Elder (now called District Superintendent) was Peter Doub, one of North Carolina Methodism’s great pioneers. He was Presiding Elder of the District twice, three years from 1827 to 1830, and again from 1841 to 1845. He, too, might have been instrumental in bringing Methodism to Statesville The preacher in charge in 1828 was Charles P. Moorman, and his helper was Thales McDonald. At that time the Iredel) Circuit had more than twenty preaching places and stretched into what is now Wilkes, Yadkin, Davie, and Alexander counties. A helper was not so much a luxury as a necessity. It is questionable whether the pastor or the helper had much time to help with the organizing of a new church. Also, at that time the conference seldom sent any pastor back a second year. The itinerant system was really itinerant! The conference sent cir- cuit riders in bewildering succession. * The deed dated May 27, 1828 called for three acres and 126 poles by Absolom Simeton and James Campbell to the trustees: E. Ellis, Allen Wallis, Nicolas Norton, Thomas James, James Campbell, Andrew Morrison, George Flowers, Robert Allen, Solomon Claywell “er In the frontier period when cabins and barns proved too small, services were held under brush arbors ; CAMP MEETINGS Great numbers of people were converted in camp meetings in the early days of Methodist history in North Carolina at Baltimore. The village of Statesville was predominately Presbyterian. In Iredell County Methodism, records show the second Quarterly Conference was held on June 13, 1829 at Mount Zion meeting house. The year before a group of trustees had bought two Jots just outside Statesville for a Methodist Church (site of the present D. Matt Thompson School). Of those trustees, however, only one was a Statesville man, while the others were from Stony Point, Rocky Springs, and Snow Creek. The Statesville man, James Campbell, evidently a Highland Scott, had been appearing with regularity in the records, and he was already recording steward and responsibie for keeping those records. He was undoubtedly the main one in the founding of Mt. Zion and bringing Methodism into the Presbyterian stronghold of the county seat. Other records show him as Clerk of Court, and it is supposed he moved here from some of the churches in the northern part of the county, and finding no Methodist Church, had proceded to remedy the situation and built one.* That is the story of the founding of so many churches of that period The Methodists and the Presbyterians were the only denominations in the village until the Civil War days A letter sent by Nancy Campbell King (daughter of James Campbell to Joseph Caldwell, editor of the Landmark, on January 29, 1882 contains her remembrance of this early church. She wrote ‘‘The first Methodist church in Statesville was built in 1828 by James Campbell, with the assist ance of a few others. He, Campbell, gave more than four hundred dollars Eli Ramseur gave twenty dollars, John Nesbit McClelland twelve dollars, Rev. John Nisbet, General Davidson, John Ricket and Whitfield Kerr each ten dollars. Some others gave smaller sums. Many of the faithful in and around Statesville assisted in the work. There is not a single person living in Statesville who was there when the first church was built except Mrs Ramseur. There was no debt hanging over the church. Before the death of James Campbell (which occurred in 1837) there were seventy members After that, the church declined for years. | would add that Hon. J. P. Cald well (editor J. P. Caidwell’s father) was a very warm friend to the church and its ministry.’ At that time the Presiding Elder (now called District Superintendent) was Peter Doub, one of North Carolina Methodism’s great pioneers. He was Presiding Elder of the District twice, three years from 1827 to 1830, and again from 1841 to 1845. He, too, might have been instrumental in bringing Methodism to Statesville The preacher in charge in 1828 was Charles P. Moorman, and his helper was Thaies McDonaid. At that time the Iredell Circuit had more than twenty preaching places and stretched into what is now Wilkes, Yadkin, Davie, and Alexander counties. A helper was not so much a luxury as a necessity. It is questionable whether the pastor or the helper had much time to help with the organizing of a new church. Also, at that time the conference seldom sent any pastor back a second year. The itinerant system was really itinerant! The conference sent cir- cuit riders in bewildering succession * The deed dated May 27, 1828 called for three acres and 126 poles by Absolom Simeton and James Campbell to the trustees: E. Ellis, Aen Wallis, Nicolas Norton, Thomas James, James Campbell, Andrew Morrison, George Flowers, Robert Allen, Solomon Claywell al! i! de “BRU SH ARBOR” C HURCHES In the frontier period when cabins and barns proved too small, services were held under brush arbors CAMP MEETINGS Great numbers of people were converted in camp meetings in the early days of Methodist history in North Carolina at Baltimore. The village of Statesville was predominately Presbyterian. In iredeli County Methodism, records show the second Quarteriy Conference was held on June 13, 1829 at Mount Zion meeting house. The year before a group of trustees had bought two lots just outside Statesville for a Methodist Church (site of the present D. Matt Thompson School). Of those trustees, however, only one was a Statesville man, while the others were from Stony Point, Rocky Springs, and Snow reek. The Statesville man, James Campbell, evidently a Highland Scott, had been appearing with regularity in the records, and he was already recording steward and responsibie for keeping those records. He was undoubtedly the mair one in the founding of Mt. Zion and bringing Methodism into the Presbyteriar stronghold of the county seat. Other records show him as Clerk of Court, and it is supposed he moved here from some of the churches in the northern part of the ounty, and finding no Methodist Church, had proceded to remedy the situation and built one.* That is the story of the founding of so many churches of that period rhe Methodists and the Presbyterians were the only denominations in the village until the Civil War days \ letter sent by Nancy Campbell King ‘daughter of James Campbell to Joseph Caldwell, editor of the Landmark, on January 29, 1882 contains her remembrance of this early church. She wrote ‘The first Methodist church in Statesville was built in 1828 by James Campbell, with the assist ance of a few others. He, Campbell, gave more than four hundred dollars Eli Ramseur gave twenty dollars, John Nesbit McClelland twelve dollars Rev. John Nisbet, General Davidson, John Ricket and Whitfield Kerr each ten dollars. Some others gave smaller sum fany of the faithful in and around Statesville assisted in the work. There is not a single person living in Statesville who was there when the first church was built except Mrs Ramseur. There was no debt hanging over the church. Before the death of James Campbel! (which occurred in 1837) there were seventy members After that, the church declined for years. I would add that Hon. J. P. Calc well (editor J. P. Caidwell’s father) was a very warm friend to the churct ana its ministry At that time the Presiding Elder (now called District Superintendent) was Peter Doub, one of North Carolina Methodism’s great pioneers. He was Presiding Elder of the District twice, three years from 1827 to 1830, and again from 1841 t& 1845. He. too, might have been instrumental! in bringing Methodism to Statesville The preacher in charge in 1828 was Charles P. Moorman, and his helper was Thaies McDonaid. At that time the Iredeli Circuit had more than twenty preaching places and stretched into what is now Wilkes, Yadkin, Davie, and Alexander counties. A helper was not so much a luxury as a necessity. It is questionable whether the pastor or the helper had much time to help with the organizing of a new church. Also, at that time the conference seldom sent any pastor back a second year. The itinerant system was really itinerant! The conference sent cir cuit riders in bewildering succession * The deed dated May 27, 1828 called for three acres and 126 poles by Absolom Simeton and ae ampbell to the trustees: E. Ellis, Alien Wallis, Nicolas Norton, Thomas James, James Campbell, Andrew Morrison, George Flowers, Robert Allen, Solomon Claywell THE PRECEDING DOCUMENT HAS MORE THAN ONE FRAME. LOG CABINS AS CHURCHES Soon after the pioneer raised his log cabin the circuit riding preacher was at his door - OPEN AIR PREACHING Circuit riders in the early days preached often in the open air wherever a group of people could be gathered > Var e, - E > we LOG CABINS AS CHURCHES Soon after the pioneer raised his log cabin the circuit riding preacher was at his door ONT ee a LA<4 et aii OPEN AIR PREACHING Circuit riders in the early days preached often in the open air wherever a group of people could be gathered “ CEDING DCCUMI NT if S BEEN 4 aa } } RY betctoresitet- tftp ‘ jrHton LOG CABINS AS CHURCHES Wt AR Li ie Soon after the pioneer raised his log cabin the circuit riding preacher was at COCO EOS his d MAN AAA YY is door. Re j 8 § & S N = = S £ = © 4 v OPEN AIR PREACHING Circuit riders in the early days preached often in the open air wherever a group of people could be gathered. Drawing by Beth Schneider In 1828 Statesville had a population of about 20 families. In its first year of existence, Mt. Zion Church paid for the support of the ministry a total of $15.00. The next year it did not do quite so well contributing only $13.00, but a public collection netted $28.00 extra. This compared favorably with that of other churches on the charge. The larger churches paid little more. As to its membership, there is no reliable record for four or five years. In 1834 when Joshua Leigh was sent to the circuit he soon busied himself making a roll of all the churches on the charge. The Iredell Circuit showed 588 White members and 80 Negroes, scattered among 18 different congregations, by then only in Iredell and the eastern part of Alexander County. The membership of Mt. Zion was 47 Whites and nine Negroes, eight of whom were slaves. The one free Negro was “‘Free Nancy’’ Brenaham, for whom the stream near the present Statesville High School, was named. There were only three other churches that exceeded in membership: Snow Creek, Rocky Springs, and Macedonia. The white members at Mt. Zion were divided into three classes, James Campbell was the leader of one, Goodrich Moore (who shows up in the Quarterly Conference records before Mt. Zion does), was the leader of another. The third was Montford Dejernette.* In one of the classes there shows up the name of ‘Francis Asbury.’’ Alas, however, this is not the Francis Asbury, who was in the leadership of the early American Methodism. This Francis Asbury was married (unlike the better known Asbury). His wife, Elizabeth and daughter, Lucinda, were listed as members. Records of a merchant of the period show his buying quantities of cloth, buttons, and thread. It was established later that he was by trade, a saddler. His name does not appear in the next revision of the roll and his wife and daughter are marked “removed to Hopewell.’’ It was found later that he was turned out of the church for ‘‘disorderly conduct.’’ Many of the names on that roll are not familiar names for Iredell. However, there are family names like Watt, Nicholson, Baggerly, Campbell, Moore, Eidson, and McLelland. In the roll of the Negroes, three of them were slaves to the Simontons. When the Quarterly Conference met in 1837, one of the chief items recorded was a set of resolutions deploring the death of James Campbell. He was buried in the Snow Creek graveyard with a marker which reads: James Campbell Born January 30, 1777 Departed this life June 5, 1837 Age 60 years 4 mos. 4 das. Soon after his death, the pastor made a revised roll of the entire circuit. In the four years since the original roll, the white membership had incr_ased to 49 and the Negro membership to 12. However, the new roll had only 24 of those who appeared on the 1834 roll. More than half of the new roll were newcomers. Of the older ones, some had died, some marked as ‘‘removed to other churches,’’ one had been marked expelled. Financially the church was the strongest on the circuit the year Campbell died. That year it paid $33.50 to the support of the ministry, while the church with the largest membership paid $25.00. The decade of the 1840's was for most of the Iredell Circuit a time of Sunday schools and much of the business of the Quarterly Conference dealt with the setting up organizations for Sunday Schools and encouraging their growth. In 1841 Mt. Zion was given by the conference a Superintendent and four teachers. However, at the end of the year the report was made that a Sunday School had been attempted at Mt. Zion, at first with a membership of six and later of ten, but there were few children not under the influence of the Presbyterians. * See appendix for class roll Drawing by Beth Schneider Sketch of the first wood structure erected 1848 on the corner of Mulberry and Walnut streets In 1828 Statesville had a population of about 20 families. In its first year of existence, Mt. Zion Church paid for the support of the ministry a total of $15.00. The next year it did not do quite so well contributing only $13.00, but a public collection netted $28.00 extra. This compared favorably with that of other churches on the charge. The larger churches paid little more. As to its membership, there is no reliable record for four or five years. In 1834 when Joshua Leigh was sent to the circuit he soon busied himself making a roll of all the churches on the charge. The Iredell Circuit showed 588 White members and 80 Negroes, scattered among 18 different congregations, by then only in Iredell and the eastern part of Alexander County. The membership of Mt. Zion was 47 Whites and nine Negroes, eight of whom were slaves. The one free Negro was “Free Nancy” Brenaham, for whom the stream near the present Statesville High School, was named. There were only three other churches that exceeded in membership: Snow Creek, Rocky Springs, and Macedonia. The white members at Mt. Zion were divided into three classes, James Campbell was the leader of one, Goodrich Moore (who shows up in the Quarterly Conference records before Mt. Zion does), was the leader of another. The third was Montford Dejeriette.* In one of the classes there shows up the name of “Francis Asbury.”’ Alas, however, this is not the Francis Asbury, who was in the leadership of the early American Methodism. This Francis Asbury was married (unlike the better known Asbury). His wife, Elizabeth and daughter, Lucinda, were listed as members. Records of a merchant of the period show his buying quantities of cloth, buttons, and thread. It was established later that he was by trade, a saddler. His name does not appear in the next revision of the roll and his wife and daughter are marked “removed to Hopewell.”’ It was found later that he was turned out of the church for ‘disorderly conduct.’’ Many of the names on that roll are not familiar names for Iredell. However, there are family names like Watt, Nicholson, Baggerly, Campbell, Moore, Eidson, and McLelland. In the roll of the Negroes, three of them were slaves to the Simontons. When the Quarterly Conference met in 1837, one of the chief items recorded was a set of resolutions deploring the death of James Campbell. He was buried in the Snow Creek graveyard with a marker which reads: James Campbell Born January 30, 1777 Departed this life June 5, 1837 Age 60 years 4 mos. 4 das. Soon after his death, the pastor made a revised roll of the entire circuit. In the four years since the original roll, the white membership had increased to 49 and the Negro membership to 12. However, the new roll had only 24 of those who appeared on the 1834 roll. More than half of the new roll were newcomers. Of the older ones. some had died, some marked as “removed to other churches,”” one had been marked expelled. Financially the church was the strongest on the circuit the year Campbell died. That year it paid $33.50 to the support of the ministry, while the church with the largest membership paid $25.00. The decade of the 1840’s was for most of the Iredell Circuit a time of Sunday schools and much of the business of the Quarterly Conference dealt with the setting up organizations for Sunday Schools and encouraging their growth. In 1841 Mt. Zion was given by the conference a Superintendent and four teachers. However, at the end of the year the report was made that a Sunday School had been attempted at Mt. Zion, at first with a membership of six and later of ten, but there were few children not under the influence of the Presbyterians. * See appendix for class roll Drawing by Beth Schneider 3 & « > a g s = = S & o E s e = & S = ¥ o S o o 3 5 M B 5 3 v = £ = a Walnut streets THE mas . MORE ad ry — iF CEDING Ane i¥ WIN DOCUMENT FRAME. H / ro A The ten years after the death of Campbell show a gradual decline in the for- tunes of Mt. Zion. By 1839 the membership had declined to 36 whites and 11 Negroes, and remained at about that level, once climbing back to 39 whites and 10 Negroes, and by 1846 it reached its lowest ebb with only 17 white and still its 11 Negroes. The leader of the single class then was Goodrich Moore, and most of the members were those of the original roll Part of the decline was due to the deterioration of the church building. In 1840 a report was made to the Quarterly Conference that the house was out of repair and preparations were being made to repair it. Five years later, the Quarterly Con- ference appointed a committee to investigate the possibility of building a new church. On the first committee, there was no one from Statesville, but one resigned so that George Watts might be put on it. No further report was made to the con- ference of the activities of that committee, but in 1848 a deed was made to a board of trustees for a lot nearer to the town of Statesville. George Watts was the only one of eight members of the trustees from Mt. Zion.* PART II THE SECOND MT. ZION The site selected for the second church structure was what is now the corner of Mulberry and Wainut Streets (The present Anglican Orthodox Church). The lot consisting of about one acre was purchased for $30. The building of the new wood structure, 36 ft. by 22 ft. was not an easy thing.** Squire Billy Grant was the boss carpenter and the main helper in the venture. From the Landmark a description was given of the progress. ‘‘All the neighboring country, too, was laid under con- tribution for it, and among the most generous givers and earnest workers for it, were Messers Thomas L. Tucker, Thomas, James, and Jimmy Campbell. But for all the help it got, the tru: tees got stuck in the mud. They found themselves in the position of the gentleman in the Bible who, starting to build without having first having sat down and counted the cost!’’ Finally, with the help of the Freemasons of the town it was finished and the keys turned over to the trustees in 1856, more than ten years after a committee had been appointed to study the proposition. It was a sound structure, with weatherboarding outside and a wood ceiling showing fine carpentry. There was mounted on top a slatted steeple about 10 feet high and three feet square on the roof line. Dr. Anderson recalled it years later in a talk, as having a high pulpit with unpainted seats. He remembered yellow hammers making nests in its sides, and roaming hogs found shelter from rain and sunshine under its hospitable floor (In a letter by E. F. Rockwell to the Landmark issue of January 27 1882 he recalled, ‘‘The Methodist church was erected on the line of the town, which was not laid out square with the world, but the lines run North 67 deg. East and North 24 deg. West. Therefore, as it is not proper for a church to stand that way, it was moved to conform to the points of the com pass!’’) The old Mt. Zion church on West Front was removed and used as a tan bark shed at Col. Sharpe's tannery at the corner of South Center and Bell streets The Sunday Schoo! Superintendent (and one of the two class leaders) was Henry Mowbray, a young single man, who had come from Maryland to take care of *Deed for the lot dated Nov. 23, 1848 Book Z pp. 427-28 by G. W. Chipley to the following trustees: Andrew Morrison, Robert Allen, Thomas S. Tucker, Silas D. Sharpe, John D. Patter son, George C. Watts, and Milton Campbell **The first Mt. Zion church building had been moved to Sharpe's tannery where it was used as a tanbark shed one of the tanneries of the town. After a few years, he moved to Olin and is better known in the development of that town.* That same year, the old faithful class leader who had remained with the church during the lean years, Goodrich Moore, died, and D. C. Stimpson took his place. In 1849 there was a membership of 54 Whites and the Negro membership had increased slightly. The Sunday School reported five teachers and scholars. During these years, according to Mr. John Sharpe, the church was used as a school, Mr. Sharpe having attended there in his childhood. By 1844 the political divergencies of the North and South began to be reflected in social institutions and the churches. After furious debate, the general con- ference held in New York, a Plan of Separation was adopted. Under this action the Southern Conferences held a convention at Louisville and decided to organize the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Its first General Conference met at Peters- burg, Va. in May 1846; its business sessions were held in a Negro church and its first elected Bishop was William Capers of South Carolina, who had won fame as founder and superintendent of missions among the slaves on southern plantations. Along with the revival of the church at Statesville, came the buying of a par- sonage for the pastor of the Iredell Circuit. The move was initiated by John Tillett in 1848, and the next year the committee appointed for that purpose announced that it had purchased ‘‘a small place, containing 57 acres, conveniently situated with a good dwelling house, all necessary outbuildings, for the sum of $260."’ Later records show that it was in or near S‘ atesville. Money to pay for it came in slowly, repairs had to be made, aid the rest of the circuit evidently did not think that it was conveniently enough located, as it was on one side of the circuit, although some South Iredell churches had just been added to the old circuit and Methodism was spreading in that section. In the early 1850’s two moves were voted down to move the parsonage from Statesville to New School which was being built in the north of the county at what was to become Olin, but in 1854 a new circuit was formed in South Iredell, and the next year the parsonage at Statesville was sold for $900 and a new one bought at Olin for $750, allowing all debts to be cleared, furniture to be bought and leaving a surplus. Thus Statesville, which for a few years had seemed to have a chance of becoming the center of the circuit was again left on the edge and relegated to a place of secondary importance in Iredell Methodism. However, the assessments made by the stewards show that it was far from the weakest financially. Trinity, Clarksbury, and Snow Creek were assessed $110 a piece for 1854, while Statesville had an assessment of $60, and the others trailed even behind that. Contrary to what might be expected, however, the time of the Civil War had been a time of progress for the village. The impetus of the forces set in motion during the building of the railroad were not stopped by the coming of war; they might not even have been slowed down, or they might have been speeded up by the seeming prosperity that any war can bring. In 1862 a new brick Presbyterian Church had been completed. The same year, a second railroad had been built into the town from Charlotte (Just before the opening of the War, the Wallaces, Ger- man Jews, had moved into the village, and as soon as the war was over, they opened what became the dominant wholesale house in Western North Carolina.) ° { center of Methodism in Iredell County from 1850 until past 1880 was Olin. Brantley Youmans the first school there; there Baxter Clegg began New Institute. Later the name was changed to Olin for Stephen Olin, early Methodist educator of South Carolina and Virginia. He was the first president of Randolph-Macon College. North Iredell tradition is that Olin had a larger population than Statesville, and later, lost by one vote of becoming the site of Duke University. Both statements are questionable. The Statesville Church remained in such a relative position as a second rate church on the edge of the Iredell Circuit until during the Civil War, when for a few years it was set aside as a separate charge which Methodists call a ‘‘charge.”’ At the Conference of 1862, J.B. Bobbitt was sent to Statesville and remained there for two years. However, there is considerable evidence that during the second year, he considered his main job as that of agent for Olin College, and Statesville as secondary. He was followed the next year, as the Civil War was ending, by L.F Way and C.P. Jones as joint pastors. The next year Statesville was left blank, to be supplied later. George W. Callahan, a Confederate Chaplain, trying to make his way back home in Tennessee agreed to supply the pulpit in the interim. In 1866 M.V. Sherrill was appointed by the Conference as pastor. When he went to Con ference at Wilmington the next year, he reported a membership of 144 Whites and prevailed on the body to meet here the next year. Such is surprising when it is remembered that not only was Statesville a comparatively small congregation between 60 and 80 families likely, but also that it was almost at the extreme edge of the North Carolina Conference as then constituted. The South Carolina Conference still took in the territory across the Catawba River and around Charlotte and Lenoir. However, the Conference did meet in Statesville on the Second of December, with Bishop Wightman presiding To prepare for and play host to that meeting in 1868, the conference sent for one of its outstanding ministers, Dr. E.A. Yates. Brantiey York, the old blind teacher of Piedmont North Carolina, who had founded both Trinity College near High Point (the school that grew into Duke University) and Olin, its most insistent rival, passed through Statesville in June of 1868. He telis that he was strongly solicited to form a grammar class in that place and after a few days at his home at Rocky Springs, came back and formed a class for both night and day. About the time that he began to teach, one of Dr. Yates’ children diec, and his wife refused to stay in Statesville any longer, and they both went to Beaufort, and he returned nc more as a pastor. York filled his place while teaching his class, for he had long been one of the most popular and best known of the locai preachers in Wester North Carolina. (After he left Statesville, Yates became Presiding Elder of the New Bern district, and it was he who much later persuaded Washington Duke to put in a bic for Trinity College to be moved to Durham. However, he did not find Statesville z satisfactory place to live The problem of entertainment was aggravated by the fact that for only the second year lay delegates, four to a district, attended the conference. However, the Christian Advocate reported that ‘‘We feel under great obligations to our Presbyterian brethern, who by reason of their numerical strength, bore the burden of entertainment.’’ Preparatory to the Conference, Yates announced through the Advocate that there would be a special train sent down on the Western Railroad, where trains were running only three days a week, to bring the ministers arriving at Salisbury on Monday night on to Statesville Tuesday morning Another problem in playing host to so many delegates was the lack of room in the church building. Since the conference then had sixty ministers who answered the roll call the first day, and for the second year, laymen, thirty from over the state, the church could not have been expected to have served as a meeting place The minutes of the conference, handwritten and stored in the manuscript room at Duke University, say however, that it was held in the new Presbyterian Church Both the Presbyterian pastor, W.W. Pharr, and the president of what then known as Statesville Female College, Rev. E.F. Rockwell, were introduced to the body on the first day of its meeting The editor of the ‘Methodist Episcopal’’ (which was the name of the Christian Advocate for a while), Hilary T. Hudson, himself a native of Davie County and ex- teacher of Snow Creek Academy, described the entertainment given the con- ference. ‘‘The hospitality of the citizens of Statesville was full and flowing. They entertained the conference with great ease and dignity. We feel under great obligations to our Presbyterian brethern, who by reason of their numerical strength, bore the burden of entertainment." Whether because of Yates’ leaving or because he had simply cleaned house so far as the church roll was concerned, the year before the meeting of that first conference the membership of Statesville had been almost cut in half, and they reported only 75 white members and five Negro members. The loss of Negro members is not surprising, for they were at that time withdrawing fast and for- ming churches of their own. The loss of nearly half the white members does raise questions. The result was that the very conference that met in Statesville put that church back on the Iredell Circuit, where it remained for another two years When district conference met in 1870, W.F. Way reported ‘‘Statesville station is the youngest appointment in the district — about 70 members. Though long out of harness, we are now at work. Prayer and class meetings regularly, congregations good and increasing, Sunday School in a flourishing condition. An organ has been purchased. The church is unfortunate in having a pastor who declines renumeration, though they have paid something in that direction.’’ From this report it would seem that Way was a retired preacher who was willing to give his services to putting Statesville back as a station church as it had been during the years of the Civil War and until conference had met there. From that time on it was no longer a part of a circuit but on its own i. ry oo : i re eee ie gory AOE hey ose Zion Church replaced the wood structure on the same site. The name Statesville First Methodist was adopted in 1896 when the W: ° gregation moved to Race Street. ™ iicncilocaina PARTIII THE THIRD MT. ZIQ STATESVILLE FIRST ME In 1876, the congregation had increased to 182 mer new brick church on the same location, corner of records refer to Mt. Zion but more often as ‘‘Statesv' Mt. Zion disappeared entirely.* The old wood structure prominent citizen of the day.** He moved it to the rea property (to the rear of what later was the Cowan re there until it was demolished about 1950 The new church was a brick building about 45 x 85 about 20 feet. It was originally planned with a tower o without it. A main entrance opened from Walm# Stre entirely across the front of the building about 15 fe auditorium was by double doors and on each side matching vestibule on the upper level. From this po! onto a balcony which extended across the rear. The m row of pews in the center, had a row on each side. T! with a choir loft to the rear. All this was elevated, with around it. In each corner were short pews running ler the right rear, leading to a path to the parsonage, w corner of Mulberry and Front Streets The Sunday School classes were in scattered sect cluding the balcony. The late Prof. D. Matt Thompson Ralph Sloan (at the age of 10) was secretary and trea preached by Rev. William A. Wood, D.D. of the First P 6, 1877, a good indication of the cordial relationship the two churches The most faithful member of the church was a m called “Aunt Jennie.’’ She was the widow of a Negro m She lived on Salisbury Road, just off East Broad St did not keep her from coming to church. It was nothin, her feeling of happiness by shouting. When the new Bra she moved into it with the other members and was faith had to go live with a daughter in the country, where she In 1883, Rev. J.T. Harris had plans for building a tower to the church, not only to hold the bell which it p the appearance of the building. The congregation vote the project which was estimated to cost $1,900.00 a $1,000.00 for the purpose. At first it was proposed to pl plans were changed to put it on front of the building The 160,000 brick for the new tower was made here in S be 140 feet high and later on the Landmark was to obse! tower has already reached a fearful height!’ Aside swarm of wasps that kept workers on the ground, it bell which arrived by rail was installed. (The old bell w Church at Olin.) About the new bell, Ralph Sloan re *At the formation of what was to become Race Street Methodis' officially in 1896 to “Statesville First” ** Actually it was traded for the plastering of the new church ¥- oa ~~ ae se ht pete oy AS, ce ee chic} eee ~ y T : eis 5 Lyle a oe 2% a . ti aN eileen A uti PY Ru AAs hel atta Ss Pe TRU UaL k Mt. Zion Church replaced the wood structure on the same site. The sville First Methodist was ad i ei ieesteee opted in 1896 when the West End con PARTIII_ |THE THIRD MT. ZION — LATER STATESVILLE FIRST METHODIST In 1876, the congregation had increased to 182 members. It decided to build a new brick church on the same location, corner of Mulberry and Walnut. The records refer to Mt. Zion but more often as “‘Statesville” and by 1896, the name of Mt. Zion disappeared entirely.* The old wood structure was sold to J.F. Van Pelt, a prominent citizen of the day.** He moved it to the rear of his lot to the east of the property (to the rear of what later was the Cowan residence.) The building stood there until it was demolished about 1950 The new church was a brick building about 45 x 85 feet with a ceiling height of about 20 feet. It was originally planned with a tower on the side, but was finished without it. A main entrance opened from Walmet Street into a vestibule extending entirely across the front of the building about 15 feet in depth. Access to the auditorium was by double doors and on each side were stairs winding to the matching vestibule on the upper level. From this point doors on each end opened onto a balcony which extended across the rear. The main auditorium, beside the row of pews in the center, had a row on each side. The pulpit stood in the center, with a choir loft to the rear. All this was elevated, with the chancel rail extending around it. In each corner were short pews running lengthwise. A door opened on the right rear, leading to a path to the parsonage, which stood in the rear on the corner of Mulberry and Front Streets The Sunday School classes were in scattered sections of the auditorium, in- cluding the balcony. The late Prof. D. Matt Thompson was the superintendent and Ralph Sloan (at the age of 10) was secretary and treasurer. The first sermon was preached by Rev. William A. Wood, D.D of the First Presbyterian Church on May 6, 1877, a good indication of the cordial relationship that always existed between the two churches The most faithful member of the church was a mulatto woman, affectionately called “Aunt Jennie.”’ She was the widow of a Negro minister, Rev. John Murdock She lived on Salisbury Road, just off East Broad Street. Even rain, sleet or snow did not keep her from coming to church. It was nothing unusual for her to express her feeling of happiness by shouting. When the new Broad Street Church was built, she moved into it with the other members and was faithful until she became ill and had to go live with a daughter in the country, where she passed away In 1883, Rev. J.T. Harris had plans for building a beautiful and symmetrical tower to the church, not only to hold the bell which it proposed to buy, but to add to the appearance of the building. The congregation voted unamiously to undertake the project which was estimated to cost $1,900.00 and immediately subcribed $1,000.00 for the purpose. At first it was proposed to place the tower at the side, but plans were changed to put it on front of the building with the entrance through it. The 160,000 brick for the new tower was made here in Statesville. The tower was to be 149 feet high and later on the Landmark was to observe “The Methodist Church tower has already reached a fearful height!” Aside from interruptions like a swarm of wasps that kept workers on the ground, it was completed and the new bell which arrived by rail was installed. (The old bell was sold to the new Methodist Church at Olin.) About the new bell, Ralph Sloan recalls it was B-Flat tone, dif- *At the formation of what was to become Race Street Methodist Church the name was changed officially in 1896 to “Statesville First”’ ** Actually it was traded for the plastering of the new church THE PRECEDING DCCUMENT MORE THAN ONE FRAME MORE i rir iN Vivi. , ear } E e ferent from any other in Statesville, and weighed 900 pounds. The cost was $216 delivered. After fire destroyed most of the church in 1907, the bell was recovered and installed at Broad Street and is in use today. The church debt was paid off in time for the Conference which met in Statesville so that Bishop J.C. Keener could dedicate the building. The 47th Annual Conference which met in Statesville on Nov. 28, 1883, was the second time for the local Methodists to play host. The Landmark became a daily newspaper for the period of the conference. Mr. J.B. Connelly* had rushed to completion his beautiful new home on Walnut Street so he was able to entertain the bishop. Many of the delegates were assigned to homes, some to the Female College, and several to the St. Charles Hotel One unfortunate delegate, Rev. R.B. Hoyle, had the misfortune of being rob- bed of his wallet in a back lot. Mr. M.W. Norfleet of Winston, who was staying at the St. Charles Hotel, started a campaign to get 30 people to contribute $5 each to make up his loss. A few days later, the Rev. Hoyle received a postal card telling him that he would find something of value if he would look under a rock behind the barn of Col. S.A. Sharpe. The card was signed “Your unknown friend of Last Night.”’ He found the spot, and recovered his pocketbook, containing his railroad ticket, a post office lock box key and some private papers but none of the $300 that he had when he was robbed Plans were made for the dedication of the building following the bishop’s sermon. However, at the close of the sermon a debt of $700 balance on the church was reported. This was hurridly paid up and the dedication service proceeded At the close of the conference, ministers on the train to Charlotte had to complain that the students of Davidson College who boarded the train there ‘“‘were disorderly and loud, singing songs, jeering the ministers, and annoying them greatly.” The balance of the century is told in excerpts from the Landmark like the following Dec. 11, 1885 — The budget of the Methodist Church showed $1,270 of which $800 sent for the salary of the pastor August 1, 1889 — ‘The Methodist congregation has given to C.S Wagner the contract for certain work, kalsoming, etc., on the interior of the church, which is expected to last two weeks. While the work is in progress the Methodist will worship in the Presbyterian Church.’ February 18, 1892 — ‘“‘The ladies of the Methodist Church gave their pastor, J.H. Page, a pounding Tuesday night. ** October 11, 1894 “Statesville M.E. Church is having its steeple painted. Mr. Charles Boggs has the contract, but the perilous work of climbing to the top of the steeple and adjusting the pulley and tackle was performed by Mr. G.W. Tull. Mr. Tull utilized his knowledge gained while he was a Sailor in the United States Navy. He was watched with bated breath as he hung in the air up above the world so high.”’ Statesville was again host for the conference in 1894. The painting of the steeple and redecorating of the interior was completed in time for the event. The Landmark again became a daily newspaper to cover the program and the ap- pointments. By this time, the Methodist Church had the largest membership in the town, even though the records show that from time to time members were ‘‘ex- pelied’’ or removed “‘under censure.”’ *Connelly was from Caldwell County and in the 1880’s was Clerk of Court **Pounding”’ was the custom of the congregation to supplement the pastor's income by donating a “‘pound”’ of this and a ‘‘pound”’ of that, usually staple groceries. The annual conference of November 1895 sent Rev. Robert Graham Barrett to Statesville to establish a church in the western part of the town. A year or two before when Rev. Barrett was on the superannuated list and living in Statesville he became interested in such a move and secured a building for a chapel on West Front Street. On June 16, 1896 the new West End Methodist Church was dedicated with Rev. Dr. Atkins conducting the service. In 1895, on a motion by Dr. Atkins, a committee was appointed for the purpose of selecting a site and building a chapel in the southwestern part of the city. The committee, consisting of A. Turner, R. B. Joyner, and E. J. Stafford, reported later they had purchased for $1500 a lot with 200 ft. frontage and 175 ft. deep. Thus was born the Race Street Methodist Church. In 1896 several members of Statesville First Methodist agreed to help the congregation from the West End Church, and transferred their membership. This group consisted of W. F. Bowie, Mrs. F. A. Bowie, S. H. Craig, Mrs. A. N. Craig, H. L. Drumright, Agnes P. Watkins, Emma J. Jenkins, Mrs. E. H. Wilson, Bettie Wilson, Mrs. May W. Vaughn, Robert Vaughn, Robert Vaughn, Mary L. Ward, Mrs. S. M. Ballard, R. H. Craig, Mrs. Hannah E. Kirkman, Lillie E. Kirkman, Hugh F. Kirkman, T. J. Kirkman, Daisy Mae Kirkman, Lena J. Kirkman, Calrinda Duke, Mrs. Sallie E. Thompson, Walter R. Thompson, Fannie B. Reid, Mrs. C. D. Harris, Miss Bettie Watkins, Annie Mae Benbow. In 1896 the pastor, D. Atkins, made a comment in the records, “‘There is one graded school in the city well attended by our own people. One pupil has attended the Statesville Female College, two at Greensboro Female College, and some at the male academy in town. Others to the State Normal School, and one to the Agricultural College in Raleigh.” In 1900 a hot air furnace supplanted the two pot-bellied stoves. The entire in- terior was repainted, along with a new pipe organ, and art glass memorial win- dows installed. (One window, in memory of Salley Denny Armfield, is in use at Broad Street today.) Ralph Sloan served as assistant sexton around the turn of the century. He recalls the climb, by lantern light, to the belfry to ring the bell for evening services, his boyhood imagination holding full sway. He recalls ‘those dark, winding stairs, the pitch-black rooms opening on the landing, with the bats darting about.” At that time the Presbyterian church already had a pipe organ, which had to be pumped by hand, but the new Methodist organ was operated by a water pump, which was deemed quite an improvement. The spiritual condition of the church was described by one minister in the quarterly conference records as, ‘The members are a loyal, true folk, and out- broken sinning is rare in this congregation.” Building as it appeared in 1907 ANNUAL CONFERENCES AT STATESVILLE 1868 : Pastor E. A. Yates+ N. C. Conference Bishop W. M. Nightman 1883 ; oe seuss Rev. James T. Harris N. C. Conference Bishop J. C. Keener 1894 Neen Rev. J. C. Rowe Western N. C. Conference Bishop A. W. Wilson 1911 ; : Rev. Harold Turner Western N. C. Conference Bishop E. E. Hoss 1925 peveesevevnunxe Rev. Z. E. Barnhardt Western N. C. Conference Bishop Collins Denny 1943 ; ... Rev. Houston G. Allen Western N. C. Conference Bishop Clare Purcell * Yates left mid-year for reasons of his wife’s health and Brantley York finished the year Yates came back to host the conference. oe ee ee ee a eer Mer ee ae a _— 2 we Organ of the 1876 church building later mov Church Building as it appeared in 1907 ANNUAL CONFERENCES AT STATESVILLE 1868 Pastor E. A. Yates+ N. C. Conference Bishop W. M. Nightman 1883 Rev. James T. Harris N. C. Conference Bishop J. C. Keener 1894 Rev. J. C. Rowe Western N. C. Conference Bishop A. W. Wilson 1911 ‘ Rev. Harold Turner Western N. C. Conference Bishop E. E. Hoss 1925 Rev. Z. E. Barnhardt Western N. C. Conference Bishop Collins Denny 1943 Rev. Houston G. Allen Western N. C. Conference Bishop Clare Purcell * Yates left mid-year for reasons of his wife’s health and Brantley York finished the year Yates came back to host the conference. ¥ x on *) cf. aa «+ t. to Heo bo eho hiadh Eri Ss f ae . BAS ze wenn Organ of the 1876 church building later moved to Broad Church ANNUAL CONFERENCES AT STATESVILLE Pastor E. A. Yatess N.C. Conference Bishop W. M. Nightman Rev. James T. Harris N. C. Conference Bishop J. C. Keener Rev. J. C. Rowe Western N. C. Conference Bishop A. W. Wilson Rev. Harold Turner Western N. C. Conference Bishop E. E. Hoss Rev. Z. E. Barnhardt Western N. C. Conference Bishop Collins Denny Rev. Houston G. Allen Western N. C. Conference Bishop Clare Purcell Yates left mid-year for reasons of his wife’s health and Brantley York finished e year Yates came back to host the conference. Cee eR RIS . She tos pee Organ of the 1876 church building later moved to Broad Street Methodist Church PRECEDING DOCUMENT HAS BEEN FILMED IN ’ ANE FRAME iAis VIN fTRAPIC o an -ooes ee - Ue ‘ Me wh bias ORDER iE EI =e + x © aa tes Pe ig. : : - ee * ~ . we CBRE DOO RO EE Be > DR roe re) inSe i Sie Baer * 7. "Bat ae tie: i f . mre fam 68s ¢ i Ae ae STOR eT SR AE POE GE SR ET EIT, EER Ge FEIT PART IV BROAD STREET METHODIST In 1905 under the ministry of Rev. Hugh Boyer, a movement was begun to build a new church, the fourth church structure. After stormy sessions during which one of the wealthiest and most influential families, that of Congressman William M. Robbins,* left the church, a decision was passed to buy the lot on West Broad Street. The resolution was introduced by George B. Nicolson and adopted by the following vote: For the resolution, Dr. T. E. Anderson, J. F. Harbin, Z. V. Long, George B. Nicholson, E. G. Gaither, J. W. Nicholson, J. L. Sloan, D. Matt Thomp- son, A. Turner, W. D. Turner, R. L. Sloan, T. Foy White. Those who voted against the resolution were, G. W. Clegg, J. G. Colvert, R. K. Murdock, N. P. Watt The next minister, Rev. Frank Siler secured a deed from the heirs of the W. A Wood estate for the present for $5,000.00. It was decided to use the name of Broad Street Methodist Church.** Membership at that time was 528 with a Sunday School of 215. The superintendent of the Sunday School was James L. Sloan Work on the new building was slow and interrupted several times. When lightening struck the tower of the older building June 25, 1907 and severely damaged the auditorium it paved the way for renewed activity to get on with laying the corner stone at Broad Street. The last sermon was preached in the old church on Sunday, June 23. The work of tearing down the rest of the damaged building was begun and the congregation erected a huge tent at the rear for the rest of the summer. By fall the county commissioners gave permission to worship at the county court house. The Baptist had been building a new church on the corner of Davie Avenue, Tradd and Broad Street and had just moved in, making it possible for the Methodist to use the Court House. The lot on the corner of Mulberry and Walnut was sold to David J. Craig. Work got under way with Lazemby Brothers Contractors, as builders The proposed building was a copy of the famous ‘Akron Plan’’ used for many churches throughout the land. The architect George Washington Kramer (1847- 1938) ot Akron, Ohio provided for a semi-circular auditorium with three towers, and a matching circular auditorium without towers to be used by the Sunday School. There was a double tier of Sunday School booths at the back of this quadrant. These booths used curtains, supported by rods with rings, which could curtain off the class while in session. The two auditoriums were separated by huge panel which could be pushed up for overflow crowds. The alcove in the present auditorium is a small part of the previous Sunday School Assembly room. The curved hall at the rear marks the extent of the previous auditorium To the extreme west side of the Sunday School auditorium were two smaller sliding panels that separated the nursery and kindergarten. From time to time this part of the Sunday School would present a program, then these panels would be raised and form a sort of stage *W. M. Robbins, Iredell’s Representative to Congress in the 1870's, was a native of Randolph County, came from Salisbury after his election to Congress. After his defeat, he was given the job of Superintendent of the Gettysburg National Park **The Trustees were: A. Turner, G. W. Clegg, R. L. Sloan, J. W. Nicolson, John G. Colvert, T E. Anderson, E. G. Gaither, W. T. Nicolson, W. D. Turner The Board of Stewards: T. E. Anderson, T. C. Anderson, F. J. Axley, J. F. Harbin, Z. V Long, George B. Nicolson, J. L. Sloan, J. E. Stimpson, D. Matt Thompson, A Turner, N. P Watt, G. W. Clegg, J. G. Colvert, J. C. Duke, E. G. Gaither, T. Foy White Building Committee: W. D. Turner, Chairman, J. L. Sloan, Sec. & Treas. W. T Nicolson, W N. White, T. E. Anderson, R. K. Murdock, F. Siler P.C ORIGINAL BROAD STREET CHURCH CURTAINS CLASSROOM STALLS RISING ~~ PANELS PRIMARY /CLASs ES _STUDY PANELS SANCTUARY* \\\ a PEWS TOWER [ *~ “ Y es al h £ ere NS ct R ma EXISTING FIREPLACE r~PULPIT +-C HOIR ROOM BROAD ST Qokn. Pas Machllamwih, The entire Sunday School would meet in assembly, have a devotional, then return to the booths up and down stairs for class instruction, then re-assemble to check attendance, offering, etc. and announcements. It was not until the new addition was added that the concept of departments was begun. The “Landmark” of July 12, 1907 carried the following announcement about the laying of the cornerstone: Broad Street Methodist Church Landmark, Friday, July 12 Next Monday at 5 o’clock a tablet will be placed in the new Methodist Church, in course of construction on Broad Street, and the following programme has been arranged for: 1. Hymn No. 210, ‘‘Glorious things of Thee are spoken.” 2. Prayer, Rev. J. H. ZWeaver, presiding elder of Statesville District 3. Responsive reading, Rev. H. H. Robbins, pastor of Race Street 4. Historical sketch of Methodism in Statesville, Dr. T. E. Anderson 5. Depositing of articles a. Bible D. Matt Thompson, repeating Deuteronomy 21-26, II Kgs. 22-8 b. Methodist discipline, J. L. Sloan, Gal, 6-1 c. Nashville Christian Advocate, Eloise Connelly, I Tim. 4-13 d. North Carolina Advocate, Miss Laura Turner, II Cor. 13-10 e. Epworth Era, Miss Nola Sherrill, II Tim 2-15 f. Woman’s Missionary Advocate, Mrs. Emma Sherrill, Mark 14-8 g. Our Homes, Mrs. E. G. Gilmer, Romans 16 1-2 h. The LANDMARK, Henry Nicholson, Deut, 19-14 i. Mascot, B. W. Crowson, Habbakkuk 2-2 j. Membership director — T. C. Anderson, Matthew 16-18 k. Building committee, W. D. Turner, Psalms 127-1 1. Trustees, G. W. Cleg :, Luke 19, 45-46 m. Stewards, Geo. B. Nicholson, Acts 6, 2-4 n. Sunday school directory, Ralph Sloan, Deuteronomy. 6, 6-7 o. Children in Easter offering, 1906-1907, Perry Guy, Matt 21, 15-16 ory Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. Wm. Anderson, Matt q ae Woman's Home Missionary Society, Mrs. J. F Anderson, Luke r. Young Woman's Missionary Society, Miss Lottie Harbin, Acts, 2-18 s. Officers Epworth League, J. H. Stimson, Acts 2, 17 t. Officers Junior League, Alan Anderson, Isaiah, II, 6 u. Pastoral Directory, Dr. J. H. Weaver, Acts 20, 28 v. Historical sketch, Dr. T. E. Anderson, Haggai 2, 9 6. Address, Dr. H. K. Boyer, pastor of Tryon Street, Charlotte 7. Greetings by ministers of other denominations 8. Remarks and placing of tablet by Dr. J. H. Weaver 9. Closing Hymn (written especially for the ceremony by the wife of the pastor Mrs. Emily Allen Siler.) 10. Benediction, Rev. R. G. Barrett. The cornerstone was inscribed, ‘‘Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South.”’ The economy of the county was in a “panic’’ and hard times slowed the progress of the building. The cornerstone tablet was inserted under the front window, July 16, 1907, but it was to be several years of slow, agonizing work to complete the building. The congregation continued to worship in the county court house. It was not until the last Sunday in the year 1909 that services were held in the new main auditorium. While work on the new church was underway, a movement was made to establish a church in the Bloomfield section, (West Front Street), a lot having been donated by Mr. N. B. Mills. Records of 1909 show a West Statesville Circuit, in- cluding with it Bethlehem and Bethel with Rev. E. A. Yates assigned to it. The Board of Missions appropriated $50 towards the project. By 1912 no mention is made of West Statesville and it is assumed that the plans came to an end These ‘“‘Landmark”’ articles recall the effects of the economy of the early 1900's July 6, 1909— ‘The seats are now being installed in the Sunday School room of the new Broad Street Methodist Church and the congregation hopes to be able to worship in their new building Sunday. The Sunday School room has a seating capacity of from 400 to 500, and all of the ser- vices of the church will be held in this room until the interior of the main auditorium is occupied.”’ ‘The First Baptist congregation held services in the court house for about 18 months while their church was being built. The Broad Street congregation began using the court house immediately after it was vacated by the Baptists, so that the court house has been used as a regular place of worship for about three and a half years.”’ July 20, 1909 — ‘‘At a congregational meeting of the members of Broad Street Methodist Church, held immediately after the regular morning service Sunday, additional subscriptions were taken to the amount of $3,000. This means that the work on finishing the main auditorium of the new edifice will begin at once and be pushed to completion.” September 10, 1909 — “‘The large church bell of the old First Methodist Church, which was cracked when the old church was struck by lightning was sent back to the foundry to be recast, has been returned here and was hauled from the depot to the new Broad Street Methodist Church yester- day afternoon. The sound of the new bell indicates that the tone of the old has been preserved.” December 17, 1909 — ‘About $155 was realized from the bazaar con- ducted at the court house yesterday by the ladies of Broad Street Methodist Church. This amount is applied to the fund being raised to buy aisle carpet for the church. Fancy articles were sold and a salad course was served.” December 31, 1909 “The first service was held in the main auditorium of Broad Street Methodist Church the last Sunday of the year, with the pastor, Rev. Harold Turner, in charge April 29, 1913 — ‘There will be held in the main auditorium of Broad Street Methodist Church Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock a Jubilee Service in celebration of the accomplishment of securing the amount of sub- scriptions necessary to the liquidation of the church debt.”’ January 21, 1913 “The congregation of Broad Street Methodist Church, at its morning service last Sunday, voted to endorse the plan submitted by its committee to liquidate the entire indebtedness on the church within the next four years. The sum is $11,000 and with this amount raised, the congregation will have completed the task set for themselves several years ago under the leadership of Dr. H. K. Boyer. The work was continued under the next two pastors, Rev. Frank Siler and Rev. J. R. Scroggs, and the building brought to completion during the first years of the pastorate of Rev. Harold Turner.”’ It was to be Dec. 1917 that the debt was paid and Bishop James Alkins could dedicate the building. Other churches suspended services that day to join with the Methodists. The Statesville District in 1910 was pianning to build a new district parsonage, and since Broad Street had plans to build a new parsonage for its pastors, the church donated a lot next to the church parsonage on Wainut Street directly at the rear of the new church and the two were built side by side. Rev. Harold Turner was the first to occupy the new home with his family. They had been living in the Stimson house on the corner of Walnut and Race Streets. The old parsonage at the corner of Mulberry and Front Streets was sold to M. P. Alexander for $4,000.00, E G. Gaither, F. B. Bunch, and Dorman Thompson were appointed a committee to use the money for the new building at the rear of the church property, facing Walnut Street. During the pastorate of Rev. John F. Kirk (1912-16) the church debt stood at $6525.00 with a Sunday School enrollment of 256 and church membership at 535 members. World events of the time were reflected in the Broad Street Church. The Titanic disaster was noted in an appropriate memorial service. When World War I began, before our involvement, a concert to raise money for Belgium relief, was given by the Broad Street Choir with the aid of the McDowell Music Club. The state militia unit, known as the “Iredell Blues’ was nationalized as our entry into the war seemed inevitable. In August of 1917 a union service of all Statesville down town churches was held at Broad Street in which the Iredell Blues attended as a body. Dr. Raynal of the First Presbyterian Church preached the sermon and 165 pocket testaments were distributed to the men The list is incomplete of those from Broad Street who served in the armed forces, but some names are recalled like Henry Nicholson, Dr. D. 0. Montgomery, Frank Anderson, Perry Guy, Ross Bunch, Dr. James Davis, Flake Chipley, Shelton Henniger, Godfrey Kimball. Casualties were Paul Ward, George Orren, and Lt. R. Hurst Turner, killed in France. Lt. Turner had married Lily Presnell on July 26, 1917. The American Legion Post here was named in his honor When peace came on November I1, 1918, there were many adjustments to be made. The flu epidemic of 1918-19 took its toll of many Statesvillians. At one point people were dying so fast, there was a shortage of caskets. Public servants, like policemen and postmen wore handkerchiefs over their mouths and noses to try avoid contagion Cars were now more numerous and Broad Street was paved from the college to Tradd Street and Center, a block each way from the square. Huge flat stones that had provided side walks were replaced by concrete. Watering troughs for horses were still in the downtown district. Horse-drawn funeral carriages persisted for many years into the “‘car-age’’ since many of the older residents requested these for their last rites. When the funeral homes could not economically keep horses, the dapple greys from Holland Coal Co. were borrowed, and draped with black netting with long black tassels for the journey to Oakwood Cemetery. Into the late 1920's it was a familiar sight to see Captain W. H. H. Gregory, a Civil War Veteran, hitch his buggy under the mulberry trees along side of the walk to the Men’s Bible Class. January 27, 1921 marked the installation of four huge ceiling fans for the church auditorium, in addition to some renovation, which included sanding the dark brown floor, to reveal a beautiful yellow grain pine. Only the aisles were carpeted. Later about 1927, the entire floor was covered with a beige carpet. The Annual Conference accepted Broad Street's invitation to meet in Statesville in 1925. The pastor at the time was Rev. Z. E. Barnhardt. He served only about six months. He suffered tuberculosis and in May contracted influenza and died, Statesville lost several of its outstanding citizens that year, Dr. Scott, who had served Mitchell College so many years, D. Matt Thompson, a leader in church and civic affairs, and Miss Nell Armfield who was principal of Mulberry St. School. Miss Celeste Henkel became superintendent of the count y schools, a somewhat unique event for a woman at that time. Dr. James Davis, a member of Broad Street, opened his new hospital on West End Avenue Waiter Kelley, who had just finished college, was assigned to complete the conference year As early as 1925 it was proposed to build an annex for classrooms but it was in 1928, our centennial year, under the ministry of Rev. A. L. Stanford, plans were made and executed to erect an educational building and install a new pipe organ at a cost of about $75,000, a large part of which was borrowed from Pilot Life In- surance Company. After the financial crash of 1929, the congregation staggered under this huge loan until the early 1940's when the balance of some $40,000 was liquidated. The Men’s Bible Class had erected a hut in 1921 where the educational building now stands. This had to be removed for the new addition. The hut was moved to Caldwell Park and used many years by the American Legion The new organ was a three manuel! Pilcher built in Louisville, Ky. The first program was by Mr. Edwin Steckel and the soloists were Miss Margaret Sloan and Mr. Thomas B. Spencer The beautiful and spacious educational building made it one of the finest in the state. The Sunday School was departmentalized with each age group having its own area and officers. Sunday School membership stood at 635 and the congregation at 944. On March 28, 1943 the building was dedicated with Bishop Clare Purcell preaching the sermon, and Dr. H. G. Allen as minister. The year 1939 saw the fruits of many years of ventures and plans to unite the three great bodies of American Methodism. The Uniting Conference met in Kansas City in May of that year for the merger. It re-united tte Northern and Southern churches with the Methodists Protestants. Each group in North Carolina held their final conferences, then met together at West Market Street Church at Greensboro with mixed emotions. It was a great service of thanksgiving, declaration, and consecration concluded with a rendition of ‘‘The Hallelujah Chorus’’ frorn Han- del’s Messiah. No longer was it Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, but simply “The Methodist Church.” (Later when a union with the United Brethern was effected, the name was again changed to “The United Methodist Church.”’) WORLD WAR II 1941-45 During the last years of the 1930’s the economy of the country was somewhat improved, but the effects of the depression lingered on in spite of all the govern- mental programs like NRA, CCC, and PWA to spur empioyment. The WPA (Works Progress Administration) rebuilt the loose stone wall around the Third Creek Burying ground opposite the First Presbyterian Church and also a new small library building on the corner of Kelly and Broad Streets. World War II put the country on full employment. The draft program had begun when the war clouds began to gather, and the young men of the church joined the various services Mary Louise Ervin was the first Statesville girl to join the WAC’s (Women’s Auxillary Corps). The local papers began to carry columns ‘‘With the Colors” pictures and write-ups of local men in the services. ‘‘War Mothers’’ became an active group to contribute to the war effort. And then the inevitable ‘‘Gold Stars”’ those killed in action. Nearly every day items appeared about those ‘‘wounded,”’ “‘missing in action,”’ and those repatriated from prisoner-of-war camps. C. J Benge was the first hometown repatriate. Governmental bureaus swelled by the hundred, to control prices, hours, wages, salaries, to issue stamps for rationed gasoline, tires, and food. Many items disappeared from grocery shelves, not to reappear until afier the war. No more cars were built, all these plants having been converted for tanks and guns At the Sunday morning service in November 1942 the Honor Roll of members* serving in the armed services listed the following HONOR ROLL J.C. Adams, Jr M. Eugene Johnson Harold H. Tomlinson Robert Adams James Knight Ben H. Troutman Wesley I. Ayers, Jr 3. P. Link, Jr Jas. C. Wasson, Jr Paul R. Anderson 'm. R. Lackey Thos. Wasson W. E. Adkins John L. Milholiand, Jr Robert Wasson, Jr William Beckham Roy W. Mohler, Jr Herbert Watson David A. Bunch Chas L. Moore Lee Roy Whitley R. V. Brawley, Jr Thomas Moore Edwin Eugene Woodruff Robert A. Collier M. W. McCombs, Jr William E. Webb, Jr C. H. Darman William Munday Richard Rives Bryant Jno. L. Davis Paul Moore Robert Dellinger, Jr Boyce Mayhew Miles Foy Lamont Mayhew L. M. Gaither, Jr Morton Maugans Thos. K. Gaither Walter R. Newbern John B. Glover Henry H. Nicholson** Clyde Gaither, Jr R. E. Page, Jr Richard F. Guerrant Wm. S. Powell James B. Holland J. Carlton Reddick Joe S. Hiatt, Jr Mary Elizabeth Rhyne J. Edwin Holland Albert Rhyne W. R. Holland, Jr Ira Royster, Jr. Chas M. Horton Alva R. Sherrill, Jr James T. Hughey Jack Sentman Merritt Johnson N. D. Tomlin, Jr *The war was to last another three years, and many other members also served **Henry H. Nicholson has the destinction of serving in both World War I and World War II By May 1946, five of these had given their lives in the service of their country and a memorial service was held to honor: William Moore Beckham Paul Maurice Hager Frank Link Johnson, Jr James Carlton Reddick Ira G. Royster, Jr. Roosevelt did not live to see victory. After his sudden death, the European phase ended and the new president, Mr. Truman, directed all the war effort to defeat Japan Church life went on during the war. A Crusade for Christ with Dr. Y. C. Yang of Soochaw University and Bishop Clare Purcell did much to enrich the spiritual life of the church In the midst of the war years, Statesville was host to the Conference on Oc- tober 18-22, 1943 during the ministry of Dr. H. G. Allen. Members were hard put to get enough ration coupons to entertain the delegates. Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Woody were able to feed many of the delegates at their home opposite the church Bishop Clare Purcell presided. Governor Broughton spoke to the laymen’s luncheon. Dr. Clovis Chappell was the preacher on evangelism. A young minister was ordained, Julian Lindsey, who was later to serve Broad Street eight years 1953-6 This was the sixth time that Statesville had hosted the conference, the other times were 1868, 1883, 1894, 1911 and 1925. The last conference to meet in a host city was in 1956 at Centenary Church at Winston-Salem. It was decided there to move the conference date to early June to facilitate family moves and the school year. It has met since at Lake Junalusk In 1944 Mr. Kari Sloan of Fayettevilie presented the church with a check for $5,000 to be used as a memorial to his parents. Mr. Ralph Sloan, acting on the ad vice of his brother, decided to use these funds to completely overhaul, refurnish and equip the kitchen and social hal In 1946 the deed for a lot adjacent to the church to Mulberry Street was pre sented to the congregation by a group of men who preferred to remain annoymous Two years later another memorial gift, that of a beautiful remodeled chance! made possible by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wagner and Mrs. A. W. Barringer in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Turner In 1952 Mr. Gordon Wilson made possible a beautiful chapel added to the west wing of the church. Mr. Wilson made a challenge for ten men to give $1,000 each and he would provide the balance. The total cost was $32,000. It was dedicated by Bishop Costen Harrell WOMEN OF THE CHURCH Although the administrative roles of the church were usually men, the women of the church demonstrated in many ways their supportive action. In various ef- forts and campaigns, they raised money, encouraged missionary efforts, memorials and remembrances, all of which enriched the spiritual life of the church. Some of the more interesting endeavors in the middle of the last century were the organization of a Juvenile Temperance Union to encourage young people to sign pledges ‘‘to abstain from all intoxicating drinks and tobacco and refrain from the use of profane language.”’ Old fashioned spelling ‘“‘bees’’ were held as a fund raiser. Self denial Easter offerings paid for seating and lighting. A bazaar at the Court House raised $115 to buy aisle carpet for the church. A favorite among the ladies was a series of lawn parties at which they would have for sale ice cream and cake. Oyster suppers and festivals were featured in the empty storerooms over local stores. This announcement appeared in 1888: “The Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist Church will serve High Tea this evening until 11 in the vacant store room in the Cooper House. For the benefit of the parsonage.” The Woman’s Missionary Society was responsible for an interesting service in 1884 commemorating the centenary of Methodism in the United States. The Society of Bright Jewels was a ladies organization for missionary work that raised $175.00 for Miss Fleaggood’s school. With no social action programs, poverty was a problem that had to depend on charitable organizations. Newspapers frequently carried accounts of someone being declared a pauper by the County Commissioners and committed to the County Home near Barium Springs. In 1882 a resolution was passed at Broad Street to make the whole church a committee to look after the poor. Thanksgiving was a time to collect canned goods, staple foodstuffs, and clothing to be taken to the Children’s Home at Winston-Salem. Women really came into their own in 1920 when two were named to the Broad Street Board of Stewards — Mrs. J. V. Johnson and Mrs. George M. Foard (sister of J. B. Ivey, prominant Methodist Layman-merchant). On August 8, 1921 Miss Louise Parks Sloan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Sloan, drowned in the surf at Wrightsville Beach, and has been memorialized with the Louise Sloan Missionary Society. Mrs. A. J. Salley, a very able teacher, built a large Sunday School Class with many members from outside the church. Mrs. T. V. Goode was very active in Women’s Missionary work. As host to the women of the Western N. C. Conference in 1936, the church was filled to capacity with the 900 delegates. Over the years, the official name of the women’s organizations changed several times. When it was first organized in 1878, it was called “The Women’s Missionary Society’”’ and had 20 members. In 1898 it became “The Parsonage Aid Society” and in 1903 used a combination, ‘“The Parsonage Aid and Home Mission- ary Society.”’ Again in 1907 it was changed to “‘The Women’s Foreign Missionary Society.”’ After the unification of the three branches of Methodism in 1940 it adopted the name “The Women’s Society of Christian Service’ with working women in Wesleyan Service Guilds. When the United Brethren merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 it was again changed to ‘‘The Women’s Society.”’ Finally in March 1973 with sweeping changes to have one organization with as many in- terest groups as needed, the name became ‘United Methodist Women.” Broad Street now has 10 interest groups with 252 members. MUSIC The music program of the church shines with such names as Margaret (Sloan) Muse, who was organist at age 14 with her father Jim Sloan as Choir Director. Miss Vee Copeland served as organist at Mt. Zion and later at Broad Street. She later married David Craig who built a home on the site of the old church. Other organists were: Miss Minnie Willis, Laura Moore, Requa Webster, Mrs. Eugene Davis, Mrs. Harold Wilson, Mrs. Jo Bunch. Mrs. Thomas Spencer served many years as choir director and was followed by Mrs. Margaret Muse. Many others served as both organists and choir directors for shorter periods. In 1958 there was a total of five choirs under the direction of Mrs. E. H. Thompson, Mrs. Thomas H. White, Mrs: Melvin Kelly, and Mrs. Russell Hanson. MINISTERS FROM THE CHURCH No record has been kept of how many sons the Methodist Church in Statesville has furnished to the ministry, and only those of the past two or three generations can be recalled. The Statesville circuit had a unique situation of twin brothers, Revs. A. W. and M. T. Plyler, both became Methodist ministers. A. W. Plyler be- came a member of the Western N. C. Conference and M. T. Plyler joined the North Carolina Conference. Later A. W. Plyler was removed from the Presiding Elder- ship of the Salisbury District and sent to a small station near Davidson because, as Bishop Atkins said “‘He is not a married man and I think a Presiding Elder shoula be married.” Among those who have gone into the ministry from Broad Street, Joe Taylor, Pardue Bunch, Robert P. Bunch, Julian Holmes, Lonnie Turnipseed, Robert Crawley, and most recently, John Rowe. Sherrill Holland is a student in graduate theological school. Gary Moran, Ann Chilton Templeton (Mrs. Lee) and Martha Trunipseed Berrier have served as Directors of Christian Education SERMONS Sermons were quite frequently ‘“‘relative’’ to the times, as noted in one that dealt with the evils of ‘‘theatre going.’’ Sometimes, like Rev. Dr. J. G. Page in 1892 stirred up the congregation that there was at least 100 members who were a dead weight to the church, and unless there was a change for the better, he proposed to have a weeding out. Several weeks later, during a Sunday evening service, a thief entered the rear of the church and stole two suits of the “‘doctor’s’’ good clothes Apparently he delayed too long with his weeding out! FORMER STAFF MEMBERS CHURCH VISITOR Mrs. Amy Price (Mrs. Fred DIRECTORS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Miss Lena Davis Mrs. Ramona Morton Clapp (Mrs. Donald Mrs. Christine Crawford Winberry Mrs. Gerry Rash White (Mrs. Thomas Mrs. Herman Mrs. Betty G. Putnam (Mrs. Thomas Mrs. Dorothy Pendleton (Mrs. Andy Mrs. Jeannette Glass Plyler (Mrs. Joe Mrs. Dixie Fisher Hull (Mrs. Donald Mr. Charles Vaughn Mrs. Louise Doyle (Mrs. Howard Miss Lisa Roberts ORGANISTS and CHOIR DIRECTORS Mr. Joe Armburst Mrs. Ruby Mclivaine (Mrs. William Mrs. Jo Bunch (Mrs. Robert Mrs. Corelli L. Wilson (Mrs. Harold Mrs. Margaret Muse SECRETARIES and TREASURERS Mrs. Mattilee Nicholson Hughey Mrs. Calveen S. Grant (Mrs. Jack (Mrs.G.E Mrs. Barbara Kunkle Campbell Mrs. James R.) Mrs. Janet Harrelson Fox Miss Dora Moore (Mrs. Jerry W Mrs. Sally B. McLelland (Mrs. George) Mrs. Martha Mohler Ervin (Mrs. Dan CHURCH HOSTESSES Mrs. Minier Matheny (Mrs. Thomas Mrs. Dorothy Chuber (Mrs. W. C Mrs. Carrie Lowrance (Mrs. Fred Mrs. LaVerne Edwards (Mrs. Thurman) CUSTODIANS and HOUSEKEEPERS Dolph Lawrence Mrs. Ellen Nesbit (Mrs. Flake) Flake Nesbit Mrs. Lula Mae Mabry J.H. Lenderman Mrs. Corine Garner Mrs. Carolyn Bell Gibson (Mrs. H. ( SUNDAY SCHOOL During the early years of the church, Sunday School had a slow start. Most of the children were enrolled in the Presbyterian Church which from its start had placed much emphasis on education. However, records show that after several efforts that soon waned, an effective school was established. The building of the brick building in 1876 saw a full program of several classes and teachers. By 1895 they could boast of 20 officers and teachers and 219 scholars. Names of superin- tendents frequently seen in the records were Dorman Thompson, J. F. Anderson, Ralph Sloan, A. W. Bunch, and R. C. Bunch. The Men’s Bible Class has a record of outstanding teachers and projects. The walls of the classroom have portraits of a few of its teachers, men like Dorman Thompson, Charlie Turner, L. S. Weaver, Tom Dysard, M. T. Lambert, and C. H. Dearman. The photograph of the class in 1919 shows Miss Gertrude Allen who was sent to Davenport College in Lenoir by the class. During the 1920’s the attendance of the church school was about 550 with nearly 200 in the men’s class. This led R. C. Bunch to note that ‘‘The founders thought when they erected this handsome build- ing they were building 50 years ahead of time, now, 15 years since the laying of the foundation, it has been found too small.”’ The building of the addition in 1929 en- couraged this growth to the point the Sunday School enrollment almost exceeded the church membership HERITAGE AND DESTINY The pertinent features of John Wesley's theology include salvation for all, free- dom from rigid creed, search for perfection, education, and social reform. Wesley had a genius for organization, he had to, in order to preach 15 sermons a week, and travel 5,000 miles a year. Some observers comment that Methodism is “‘overly or- ganized.’’ But regardless of the arguments, the system has been effective and en- dured. The great growth of the Methodist Church was due in part to the ability to deal with conditions like those of the frontier. The almost military efficiency of the Methodist system of circuit riders was successful where the distances were far and life was hard. The devotion, the evangelistic zeal, and the willingness to use lay preachers contributed to its growth. Broad Street United Methodist Church is the result of all these factors. However, it cannot rest on its history. The church of Christ has never had greater opportunity or a more profound responsibility than now. That we press on towards the goal that was set for us in Jesus Christ is not a matter simply of our religious freedom, but of imperative public duty. How do we do this? How much of the old should we keep? "iow much of the new should we accept? Once, when Jesus had been teaching his aisciples and had given them a bewildering series of stories each beginning with ‘‘The Kingdom of God is like... .,”” he concluded by asking an awkward question and then giving them another little picture. “ ‘Have you understood all this?”’ he asked and they answered ‘‘yes.’’ He said to them, ‘‘When therefore, a teacher of the law has become a learner in the king- dom of Heaven, he is like a householder who can produce from his store both the new and the old’.”’” Begun 1828 Milestones in Church Buildings Name Mt. Zion Mt. Zion Mt. Zion later First Methodist Bell Tower Added Broad Street Sunday School Addition Chapel Educational (Children’s) Building Type Log building Wood Structure Brick Site Years Used West Front at 20 site of D. Matt Thompson School Corner of Mulberry St. & Walnut Corner of Mulberry St. & Walnut West Broad St. PASTORS OF THE IREDELL CIRCUIT Charles P. Moorman, Thales McDonald Stephen W. Jones, John I. Head Joseph Goodman, Thomas I. Starr Joshua Bethel, John J. Carter Thomas Barnum, Robert L. Harrison John J. Hicks, John Lewis Joshua Leigh, John E. Edwards SE cL ne ceed bean wenekecencaneuesssnsceecedecdsriiaiaereTl .John H. Watson John H. Watson John W. Lewis Thomas Jones John Tillett Pr cas dnen se deunnaet ews ke cetesievusksessussbineisissaeseee J.T. St. Clair DUETS cuskucnbkasaceencenkescni ikeeuckassnkeelibiscusi ee J.T. St. Clair William H. Barnes William M. Walsh William M. Walsh John Tillett John Tillett ERA a eee eon rorn eran tot aniy iclereprany eM EREME ESI Morte pope sey ee J.D. Lumsden i ee ec ete ls eee deck b ace ke kes cco aes J.D. Lumsden William M. Walsh A.C, Allen 555 605.06 5 ONS Cec ereensccsedrtecsserccunsevencwenehebes J.B. Bobbitt 1863 .. 55d C MEE Cvavdbdussanviesnstsneuseeeneuie oe J.B. Bobbitt ME cs nexaends Citi L.F. Way, C.P. Jones 1865 ge To be supplied — George W. Callahan« 1866 1862-1868 M.V. Sherrill SEK 6 4650s 6 6 SemaEONNNN 6 6.006066 00500000s0006805s0000606050R00sR0K" E.A. Yates a ances James W. Wheeler 1870 . James W. Wheeler *Callahan was a Confederate chaplain on his way home to Tennessee, agreed to supply the pulpit PASTORS FROM 1871 (STATION CHARGE) L. F. Way James Wheeler Thomas A. Coon Oenjamin R. Hall J. T. Harris James H. Gordon W.S. Rone J.C. Rowe Jessie H. Page * D. Atkins B. F. Dixon 1. C. Rowe * D. Atkins Robert M. Hoyle M. A. Smith Hugh K. Boyer Frank Siler J. R. Scroggs Harold Turner John F. Kirk Lay D. Thompson John W. Moore * Z.E. Barnhardt Walter Kelly M. F. Moores E. K. McLarty Alfred LeLand Stanford M. T. Smathers C.N. Clark 4. C. Gibbs H. G. Allen C. P. Bowles R.G. Tuttle Julian A. Lindsey Walter Lee Lanier + James C. Stokes Frank Jordan M. G. Ervin Assoc Earle R. Haire C.F. Womble Assoc Melton E. Harbin C. F. Womble Assoc. Donald Haynes C. F. Womble Assoc * Atkins took over editorship of Raleigh Advocate 1871 1871-76 1876-79 1879-82 1882-84 1884-86 1886-88 1888-89 1889-92 1892-93 (6 mos.) 1893 — (6 mos.) 1893-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-1901 1901-05 1906-06 1906-08 1908-12 1912-1916 1916-1920 1920-24 1924-25 1925 1925-26 1926-27 1927-30 1930-33 1933-35 1935-39 1939-43 1943-48 1948-53 1953-61 1961-65 1965-66 1966-71 1966-72 1971-74 1372-78 1974-77 1977- (Retired 1978) * Rowe was made Presiding Elder in 1895. Atkins returned again to supply. + Z. E. Barnhardt died May 25, 1925 * James C. Stokes left to become editor of N.C. Christian Advocate CHURCH ROLL FOR MOUNT ZION CHURCH STATESVILLE — 1834 (Although American Methodism had separated from the English societies, the Wesley custom of dividing the church roll into classes with a leader for each, was still followed Class No. 1 James Campbell — departed this life 1838 Hiram Henry George Watt James Nicholson Abner Henry Solomon Templeton John Burgess — Expellled 1836 James A. Moore Nancy Nicholson Jane Henry Nancy Burgess Alex Baggerly Martha Burgess Elizabeth Eidson Nancy Moore Mary Ann McLelland Amos B. Samford — from Snow Creek Class No. 3 Montfort DeJarnette, C. L Robert S. Calvert James F.. Harbin Elizabeth Kerr Chloe DeJarnette Mary Bryon Cliza Baker — removed Jane Kerr — removed Lucy Welch Martha DeJarnette Sarah Fleming Francis Asbury — expelled Elizabeh Asbury Lucinda Asbury Class No. 2 Goodrich Moore, Class Leader Henry Baggerly Edward Eidson Thomas Moore Katy Lowry Jane Campbell Nancy Campbell Jane E. Campbell Mary Baggerly Martha Beaver Elizabeth Henry Mary Watt Nancy Moore Nancy E. Moore Condy — to Mosses Sarh M. Moore Rebecca Badger Colored Class Helen Campbell Jane Davidson Mahala Campbell Nancy Bremham (?) free-removed Joseph Ramsour Jacob Watts Matilda Simonton — removed Polly Simonton Edith Simonton — removed Mt. Zion Thyatira Providence New Union Mt. Bethel Clarksbury Macedonia Campbell's Mosses Snow Creek Centre Mt. Pleasant Liberty Rocky Spring Mt. Pisgah Hopewell Barkers Chestnut Grove Mount Zion 49 whites Mount Zion 36 whites Mount Zion 37 whites Mount Zion 39 whites Recapitulation for Iredell Circuit —1834 1838 12 black 1839 11 blac’ 1840 8 black 1841 11 black White. . Black 9 1 2 78 17 er +) .39 Total white-588 black- Mount Zion — 1842 34 whites 10 black Mount Zion — 1844 23 whites 10 black Statesville — 1846 17 whites ll black Class at Statesville — 1846 (lowest year) Goodrich Moore Jane Ca™.prell Jane C. Campbell Sarah A. Hampton Rebecca Scott George Wait Elizabeth Kerry Rachel Stimpson William Condrey Nancy E. Condrey Eli Johnson Edith Beggarly Jane Badger Benjamin Baggerly Caroline Bagarly Sarah Rickert Elizabeth Hennessee Henry A. Mowbray C. L D. C. Stimpson C. L Goodrich Moore — died 1850 Jane Campbell Jane E. Campbell George C. Watts Rebecca Scott Sarah A. Hampton Wm. Condy Nancy E. Condey Edith Baggerly Jane Badge Agnes A. Lock Clarissa A. Tucker Sarah Ann Page Statesville — 1849 Mary N. Houston Barnabas B. Eidson Elizabeth C. Watts Jane L. Waugh Sarah Parks Jane V. Badger Sarah Rickert Sarah Lock Sarah F. Williamson Mary Rickert Mary A. Rickert Matilda Ricart Lessee F. Williamson Forgus L. Green John F. Green Margret T. Green Thomas M. Shuford Rachel C. Day Zadock L. White Margaret Rickert Eliza. Hennessee Mary L. Moose George Shuford Margaret E. Shuford Thomas C. Anderson Jane Stimpson Andrew A. Rickert Wm. McJ Haines Julius Rogers Harriet Rickert Possibly some of Brother James Campbell's family may be living. Miss Nancy, | think that was her name, was prodigiously clever. She was a great reader, and remembered everything she read. Up to that time I had never met anyone who was better versed in Shakespeare than she. !i seems as | try to recall the family that one of the sons was named Bayard He, too, was well up on English literature. His familiarity with *he best o: poets was a matter to be admired The Statesville of Today! Now a considerable town I am told. How I would like to see it! A fine Methodist Church and a stationed preacher! And to crown it all — a Methodist Conference — one of the very largest in the connection — now holding an annual session there. Such a thing was not in a thousand leagues of the wildest dreams on the most enthuiastic Methodist in 1834. Then, to add to the wonders, the preachers go to the Conference by railroad! In 1834, not one person in a hundred from Statesville to Snow Creek had ever heard of a thing such as a railroad. Now there are churches and banks and fine stores and what not. If a man had predicted such a thing for Statesville as likely to occur within 50 years of the date of which I speak, he would have been called a crank, in modern Henry H. Rickert George Hinson isabella Chipley Ruffin Brown Mary Olifant Mary A. Green David Moose James A. Moose Margaret Roseman The following is part of a letter written by Rev. Dr John E. Edwards, who ser ved the Iredell circuit in 1834. It was copied from the Raleigh Christian Advocate, and appeared in the Landmark December 21, 1883 “When I was sent by the presiding elder, Rev. John Wesley Childs to the Iredell Circuit in 1834 as a helper to Rev. Joshua Leigh, Statesville was the first point | reached within the bounds of the circuit. But what was Statesville in that day? There was but one family of Methodists in Statesville in 1834, and that was a family by the name of DeJarnette. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. He had but one child, and she a daughter about 17 years of age, and a pretty girl she was. It was a pleasant place to spend a rainy day. Amanda DeJarnette, I think that was her name, was a bright and ‘sprightly girl, and I have always felt sorry to leave Brother DeJar nette’s. | wonder what has become of that girl” Statesville at that time was a village, and not a large village at that. I suppose there might have been as many as 20 families, not more. The Methodist Church, I mean what was called then generally, ‘the meeting house,.”’ was running in a westerly direction from the court house. The Presbyterians were predominant at the time. They had a house of worship in the village, and everybody that was not a Presbyterian, was nobody in the community, except James Campbell, Clerk of Court, who, though, a Methodist, was somebody and a very considerable somebody he was There was a very prosperous boarding school in Statesville in 1834, under the principalship of a Mrs. Caldwell. Rev Gould, I think, assisted her in the conduct of the school. I have a pleasant recollection of Mrs Caldwell to this day. After hearing me preach, (her boarders being very well pleased with my boyish sermon) she did me the honor to spend the evening with her, and an enjoyable evening it was. I have never forgotten the distinguished consideration shown me at that time, and under all the circumstances of the case. . . phrase, and a crazy fool in the dialect of that day and time. So it goes!"’ W_E. Webb Sr W.D. Turner J.G. Powell J. F. Anderson Rev. Lloyd Thompsor R.C. Bunch Dorman Thompson W.S. Johnsor J. L. Sloan A. J. Salley George Ballance J. H. Cornelious Richard Bryant W. J. Lazenby Parks L. Wooten Fred B. Bunch Sr E. M. Sentman E. G. Gaither A. W. Bunch T. M. Crowell Capt. W.H.H. Gregory J. E. Deitz B. L. Seronce M. W. Harwell Charles D. Moore Cari Axley William N. White J.P. Little Clyde Little Roster of Mens Bible Class of 1919 Marvin Joyner George Lentz C.R. Sloan John F. Bowles H. B. Lewis Jesse Sherrill Notley Tomlin Billy Anderson J.W. Chipley Frank L. Johnson Feister Sherrill Henry Nicholson F.T. Meacham W. Reece Sloan J.C. Holland Ned French Thomas Nicholson Dr. Tom Anderson Bruce Harris J. F. Henninger Buddy Steele Perry Guy Joe Taylor George Foard Clarence Bailey Sr Clarence Stimpson Chil Henley Dr. Wes Nicholson Lawrence Hudson Sr Albert Nash Arthur Linberger Charles Mills Columbus Tharpe R. H. Troutman John Beli Glover C. E. Pennington George Orren John Harbin Talmadge Adams Marvin Joyner Sr J. E. Culbreth Walter Adams Roy Sherrill Frank Anderson A. D. Boggs Shelton Henninger Walter E. Sloan V. Buren Journey Ross Lazenby C. W. Boshamer Clarence W. Boshamer Dr. 0. C. Lynch J. W. McKee A. R. Sherrill J.B. Foster W. W. Holland Short Starette J.B. Fraley Jack Little Glenn Holland Frank Neill Frank Culbreth George Chipley Elgie Hamict Frank Harbin Dr. James Hollanc Forest Holland William Sherrill Perry Herman J. A. Conner W. T. Nicholson Frank Sherrill J.T. Davis Thomas D. Shuford Jack Grant D. J. Kimball Fred Summers John Colvert George Eagle Lorenzo Boggs Frank Ledbetter Flake Chipley MEMBERSHIP OF BROAD STREET METHODIST CHURCH 1934 Abernethy, H. H. Abernethy, Mrs. H. H. Abernethy, Harry, Jr Abernethy, Mrs. Frank Adams, Mr. & Mrs. W. M Adams, Walter H. Jr Adams, Mrs. V. E Albea, Mr. & Mrs. J.R Albea, Cordia O Albea, Claude Anderson, Dr. & Mrs. T. E Anderson, Grace Anderson, Ina Anderson, Thos. H Anderson, Mrs. J. F Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Geo Anderson, Sara Anderson, Billie Anderson, Paul R Armfield, Mrs. R. F Armfield, Junius Armfield, Mr. & Mrs. R. F armfield, Alfred Ashburn, Dr. & Mrs Atwell, W.I Austin, Gibsor Austin, Mrs. Gibs Austry, Mrs. Matti Ayers, Wesley Ayers. Mrs. Bert Bailey, T. | Bailey, Mrs. T. i Bailey, C.1 Bailey, Mrs. C. 1 Barkley, Ray S. and family Beam, C.E Beam, Mrs. L. J Beckham, Mr. & Mrs. A.S Beckham, Billie Bell, Mr. & Mrs. M.A Bennett, Mrs. R. H Biack, Mrs. Eugene Black, Mrs. Marvin Blackwell, W. B Blackwell, Mrs. W.B Blackwell, Mr. & Mrs. G. L Blankenship, Hessie Blankenship, A. J Blanton, Dorothy Blanton, L. E. and family Boggs, A. D. Boggs, Mrs. A. D. Boggs, Pearl Boggs, Mary Lou Boggs, Roy Boggs, Estaline Bogle, C. E. Bogle, Mrs. C. E Bogle, Hilda Bogle, Loween Boshamer, Mrs. C. W Boshamer, Henry Boshamer, Mr. & Mrs. Cary Bowie, W. F Bowles, John F Bowles, Mrs. W. E Bowlin, Mr. & Mrs. D. K Bracy, Lucile Brawley, Mrs. R.\ Brawley, Mrs.C.S Brawley, Martha Brawle Bernice Brawley, R.V., Jr Bristol, Mr. & Mrs. H._ ¢ Brawley, Mrs. Wallace Brown, C.W Brown, Mrs. C. W Brown. Mr ! Brow Veré I Mrs. Hermar Brown, Mr. & Mrs. Finnie Brown, Mrs.Q.R Bryant, Mrs. Frank Bryant, Frank Jr Bryant, Richard R Bryant, Betty Jear Bunch, Mr. & Mrs. A. W Bunch, George Bunch, Henry Bunch, Thomas Bunch, Charles Bunch, David Bunch, Mr. & Mrs. F. B Bunch, Mr. & Mrs. F. B. Jr Bunch, Pardue Bunch, Martha Bunch, Anne Jean Bunch, Jennie Dye Bunch, Littleton Bunch, Bobby Bunch, Mr. & Mrs. R. C. Bunch, Mary Elizabeth Bunch, Mr. & Mrs. H. Ross Burris, Mr. & Mrs. D. M. Burris, Alma Carlisle, Mrs. J. M. Carpenter, Grace Cashion, Mr. & Mrs. W. K Chunn, Miss Sallie Clark, Mrs. Phyllis Lackey Clifford, Mrs. H. W Collier, R.A Colvert, Mrs. M. J Conger, Mrs. T. J Conger, Margaret Conger, Mr. & Mrs. Luther Conner, Mrs. J.A ‘onner, J. A. Jr onner, Phyllis onner, Ella Deal ‘onner, Adeline Conner, Miss Mary Neill ‘cooper, Mrs. Bertha Yooper, Mrs. R.A orneilson, Mrs. Heler Cowan, Mr. & Mrs. D. ¢ ‘owles, Mrs. Margare orey, Mrs. Margaret ourtney, Mrs. R.M ourtoey, Merr rawiey, R. L Crawley, Mae ‘rawley, Mildred ‘rawiey, Robert rowell, T.M ‘rowell, Mrs. T. M ‘rowell, Tom ‘rowell, Margaret rowell, Mr. & Mrs. G. L Crowell, Gwyn Crowell, Glenn Jr Crowell, Mr. & Mrs. Parks Crowell, Parks Jr Crowson, Mrs. L. L. & family Crouch, J. Kenneth Culbreth, Mr. & Mrs. F.C Culbreth, Mrs. E. W Davis, Eugene Davis, Mrs. Eugene Davis, Dr. & Mrs. James W Davis, Mrs. Josie Davis, J. L. and family Davis, Mr. & Mrs. J. T. Davis, Joe Davis, Jessie Davis, Fred Davis, Roby Davis, Dora Davidson, Azile Daxtater, Mrs. Pauline Dean, Ernest DeLozier, Mrs. Ira Hefner Dillon, Mr. & Mrs. P. M Dillon, Mr. & Mrs. W. P Deaton, Mrs. Fred Gray Dozier, Mr. & Mrs. A. T Duke, Mrs. J.C Dulin, P. P Duncan, Mr. & Mrs. W. J Duncan, Mr. & Mrs. Otto Duncan, Marion Eagle, Bertie Eagle, Mr. & Mrs.G. F Early, Mrs. Frank Early, M. L. & family Ellis, Mr. & Mrs. J. F Ensign, Mrs. Chester Farrar, Mr. & Mrs. 0.S Foard, Mr. & Mrs. Geo. M Foster, Mr. & Mrs. J.B Foster, Sara Foster, Jimmy Fraley, Mr. & Mrs. C. E Fraley, Mrs. J. B. Sr Fraley, Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Jr Fraley, Elizabeth Fraley, Robin Fargasso, Grace Gaither, C. E Gaither, Clyde Jr Gaither, Mrs. E.G Gaither, Tom Gaither, Fannie Gaither, Mr. & Mrs Gaither, Mrs. N. J Gaither, Mabel Gaither, Marvin F Gibson, Miss Janie Gibson, Miss Annie Gibson, Virginia Gibson, Josephine Gilbert, Mrs. Ross Gill, Mr. & Mrs. H. A. Gill, John Gilliam, T. D. Gilliam, Mrs. T. D. Gilliam, Nancy Gilliam, Betsy Gilliam, Sonny Gilmer, Mrs. E.G Henley, Mariemma Henley, Jessie Henley, Jamie Henley, Nola Pear! Henninger, J. F. Henninger, Mrs. J. F. Henninger, Miss Elizabeth Henson, Mr. & Mrs. W. M. Glover, Mr. & Mrs. John Bell Hewitt, Ollie Goode, Dr. & Mrs. T. V. Goode, Evelyn Goode, Tom Goode, Georgellen Goode, John Grace, Mrs. A. P. Gregory, Mrs. Nan Gully, Mrs. Frank Guerrant, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Guerrant, Dick Guerrant, Betty Guy, P.T Guy, Mrs. Emma Guy, Mrs. Perry Hagins, Mrs. Julia Hansford, D. W Hansford, Mary Ann Hamlet, Elgie Hamlet, Elaine Hamlet, W.A Hamlet, Clifton Harbin, Mrs. Frank Harbin, Carolyn Harbin, Wm Harrison, Mr. & Mrs. W.G Harrison, Mr. & Mrs. W. A Harrison, John F Harrison, Mrs. John F Harwell, Mr. & Mrs. 0.0 Harwell, Mr. & Mrs. J.C Harwell, Mr. & Mrs. M. W Harwell, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Harwell, Phyllis Harwell, Winifred Hays, Mrs. Helen Brown Heade, Ersie Hefner, Ira D Hefner, Mrs. Ira D Helton, J.B Helton, Mrs. J.B Herman, Dr. & Mrs. C. B Henley, J. F Henley, Mrs. J. F& Hicks, E. M. Hicks, Harry Hinshaw, Mr. & Mrs. W.C Hinshaw, Coite Holland, Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Holland, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Holland, Mr. & Mrs. F. B Holland, Edwin Holland, Elizabeth Holland, Houpe Holland, Mrs. J.T Holland, Glenn Holland, Mrs. Glenn Holland, Mr. & Mrs. S. R Holland, S. R. Jr Holland, Mr. & Mrs. W. R Holland, Rachel Holland, Bill Holland, James B Holland, Ruth Holmes, J.C. & Family Horton, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Horton, Charles Horton, Mr. & Mrs. James Howard, Lucy Hudson, J. L. Hudson, Mrs. J. L Hudson, Geo. M Hudson, Mrs. G. M Hudson, Katherine Hudson, Harold Hunter, Mrs.G. A Hughey, Mrs. G. E. & Mattilee Isenhour, J. A Isenhour, Mrs. J. A Jenkins, Mrs. D. F Jenkins, Mrs. Flake Jenkins, F. L Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. 1. E Johnson, Mrs. Mattie Johnson, Mrs. Laura Johnson, Mrs. W.S Johnson, Clarence Jonnson, Ruby Johnson, Lois Johnson, Wm. S. Jr Johnson, Lati Johnson, Mrs. Latta Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Helen Johnson, Betty Johnson, F. L. & family Johnson, Mr. & Mrs Thos. A Johnson, ( Jonnson, WF. & family Johnson, Eveiyr Joyner, Mr & Mrs. Jach Joins, Mrs. Pau Joyner, J. N Joyner, Mrs. J.M Joyner, J. M. Jr Joyner, Nancy Joyner, Sara Kale, Agnes Kale, Mrs. J. E Kincaid, Mrs. H. ¢ Kimball, D. J Kimball, Mrs. D. J Kimball, Godfrey Kimball, Lucile Kimball, Mrs. J. L Kimball, Gordon Kluttz, Mr. & Mrs. F.S Knight, Annabel! Knight, Mrs. J. T Kunkle, Mr. & Mrs. Ear! Kunkle, Mr. & Mrs. S.H Lane, Byra Lackey, Mrs. Ceci! Lackey, M. L Lackey, Mrs. M. L Lackey, Hilda Lackey, Rachel Lackey, Wm. R Laugenour, Mrs. P. F Lawrence, Mr. & Mrs. J. W Lawrence, Elizabeth Lawrence, Brevard Lazenby, Dr.G.A Lazenby, Mrs.G. A Lazenby, Corelli Lazenby, Percye Lazenby, Glenn Jr Lazenby, Mr. & Mrs. D. H Lazenby, Thos. S Lazenby, Lelia Leagon, Rosamond L Lentz, Mrs. Maude Lentz, Margaret Lentz, Martir Lentz, Mrs. Geo Lee, Mr. & Mrs. J. 0 Lee, Mr. & Mrs. R. ¥ Lewis, Mrs. L Lewis, Lorer Lewis, Mrs. D. A Lewis, Mrs. Wm. Ort Leonard, Mrs. Owen Little, Mr. & Mrs. J. ¥ Little, Mr. & Mrs. J. E Little, Rhoyde Little, Rebeccz Little, Jack Jr Little, Mary Alice Little, Bobby Link, Mr. & Mrs. B. F Lowrance, Mrs. Emma L Lowrance, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Lowrance, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Lowrance, Carolyn Lowrance, Margaret Maugans, R. M Maugans, Mrs. R.M Maugans, Summer Maugans, Jonn Maugans, R. M. Jr Marquette, Mr. & Mrs. J. F Mayhew, WC. & family Meacham, Mrs. F. T Meacham, James Meacham, Ear! McCombs, Mr. & Mrs. M. W McCombs, Billie McGimpsey, Mr. & Mrs. E.R McHargue, A.C McLeod, Mr. & Mrs. 0. B Mills, Mrs. G.C Mills, Oscar Mize, Catherine Mize, Mr. & Mrs. George Mize, J.V Mize, Earl Mize, John Ross Money, Mrs. Fred Montgomery, Dr. & Mrs Moore, A. A. & family Moore, Mrs. C.D Moore, Corine Moore, Pau! Moose, M. L. & family Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Moroney, Mrs. J. J Moroney, Louise | Moroney, J0« Mohier, Mrs. ! Mohier, Mr. & Mrs. Ro Munday, Mr & Mrs W ! Munday, Elizabetr Munday, Frans Munday, Mrs Garian Munday, Billie Murdock, Tor Murdock, Mrs. Tor Nail, Mr. & Mrs. W.M Nail, Pauline Nash, Mrs. T.A Nash, Alber Nash, Mr. & Mrs. Andersor Nash, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Neill, Mrs. Carrie Neill, J. Fran Neill, Mrs. J. F Neill, Jimmy Neill, Bobb Nicholson, Mr. & Mrs. E. H Nicholson, Henry Jr Nicholson, Martha Nicholson, Mr. & Mrs. W. T Nicholson, W. T. Jr Nicholson, Miss Willie Nicholson, Miss Maude Nicholson, Miss Frances Noell, Mrs. B. B Noell, H. E. & family Null, Mr. & Mrs. Z. E Null, E. E Oakley, C.M Oakley, Mrs.C.M Parks, Mrs. Ella Parks, Trent Patrierne, Dorothy Patterson, Mrs. Margaret Patterson, Miss Nell Patterson, Mrs. James W Pegram, J.H Perry, Charlies Edwin Pierce, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Poplin, Wm. R Poston, H. A Poston, Banks Poston, Kenneth Poston, Henry H. Poston, Howard Poston, Mr. & Mrs. Hoy Poston, Mary Marshall Poston, Willie Faye Poston, Thomas Poston, R. S. Powell, Mr. & Mrs. B. J Poston, Mrs. Joe F Powell, Mr. & Mrs. Joe M Powell, Mrs. W.H Powell, Mary E. Powell, Albert Powell, Wm. P Powell, Mrs. 1.M Powell, Billie Presnell, Mrs. W. H Puett, M. W Rash, D. W Rash, L. W. Jr. & Estelle Ramsey, Mrs. J. M Ramsey, James Ramsey, Virginia Raymond, Mr. & Mrs. A.G Reavis, Mrs. J.A Reavis, Miss Mayme Reavis, Ralph Reed, Mrs. W.C Reid, Miss Emma Reddeck, Mr. & Mrs. T. J Reid, Jimmie Renegar, Mrs. Roy Rives, Miss Lena Robbins, Louise Robertson, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ross, Mrs. Alex & family Ross, Nell Ross, Mrs. J. E. P Rimmer, Mr. & Mrs. LB Rimmer, C.R Rimmer, Mrs. C. R Rimmer, Charlye Stone Rimmer, Azile Royster, Mr. & Mrs. IraC Royster, Ira Jr Salley, Mr. & Mrs. A. J Sams, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Jr Schell, Mr. & Mrs. L. L Schell, Kathleen Scroggs, J. E. Scroggs, Mrs. J. E. Scroggs, Ewing Sentman, E. M. & family Sells, Miss Alice Sellers, Mrs. H. B. Sharpe, Mrs. M. L Sharpe, Miss Virginia Sharpe, Miss Willard Sharpe, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Shaver, Mr. & Mrs. L. B Shaw, R.W Shaw, Mrs. R. W Shaw, Pauline Shaw, Franklin Sherrill, Mrs. A.R Sherrill, A. R. Jr Sherrill, Edith Sherrill, Mr. & Mrs. H.G Sherrill, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Sherrill, Flake Sherrill, Mrs. J. L Sherill, Mrs.C.M Sherrill, Margaret Neal Sherrill, Sara A Sherrill, Dr.W.M Sherrill, Mrs. W.M Sherrill, W.W Sherrill, Mrs. W. W Sherrill, Jeanette Sherrill, Mrs. M. F Sherrill, Mr. & Mrs. J J Sherrill, Joe Sherrill, Roy Sherrill, Mrs. Roy Sherrill, Eleanor Sherrill, Alice Sherrill, Catherine Sherrill, Russell Sherrill, Mrs. Russell Sherrill, Russell Jr Sherrill, Mrs. R. D Sherrill, Mrs. Harry Sherrill, Hassie Mae Sherrill, James H Sherrill, Miss Lois Love Sherrill, Ivey Shuford, R. H Shuford, Mr. and Mrs. T. D Shuford, Anne R Shuford, Charles W Shumaker, R. C Shumaker, Mrs. R. C Shumaker, Mrs. M. K. Sills, Mr. & Mrs. Fred R Sloan, Mr. & Mrs. .J.L Sloan, Mr. & Mrs.C.R Sloan, Miss Margaret Sloan, Mrs. W. E Smathers, Mrs. M. T Smathers, Miss Christine Smith, W. L Smith, Mrs. W. L. Smith, Edith Sronce, Martha Sronce, Jack Steele, Mrs. J. H Steele, Mrs. Thos H Steele, Julia Bates Steele, L. C Stewart, Mr. & Mrs. J.A Stilwell, Mr. & Mrs.S.R Stilwell, Wm. E Stilwell, Josephin Stilwell, Josephine Stilwell, Roscoe,Stout, Mrs. C. D Stephenson, Clarene Stephenson, Miss Janie Stephenson, Mrs. B. M Stikeleather, Mrs. T.M Stiles, C.M Stiles, Mrs.C.M Stiles, Mrs.C.M Stiles, Cynthia Stiles, Anne A Stiles, Porter Stimpson, Clarence Stimpson, Mrs. Clarence Stimpson, Clarence Jr Stimpson, Gertrude Stimpson, Shirley Summers, Mrs. Thad Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. J.M Tharpe, Mr. and Mrs. R. V Thomasson, S. S Thomasson, Mrs. S.S Thomasson, Havener Thomasson, Robert Thrower, N.W Thrower, Mrs. N.W Tillery, Mr. & Mrs. W. L Tomlin, Mr. & Mrs. N. D Tomlin, Mr. & Mrs. J. 1 Tomlin, Dorothy Tomlinson, H. H Tomlinson, Mrs. H. H Wilkinson, Endean Tomlinson, Dorothea Wolfe, J. L. & George Tomlinson, Joyce Woody, Frank Tomlinson, Jean Woody, H.C Tomlinson, Harold Woody, Mrs. H.C Tomlinson, Mr. & Mrs.L.B. Wooten, Mr. & Mrs. P. L Tomlinson, Leon York, Mr. & Mrs. Chester Tomlinson, Indo York, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Troutman, Mr. & Mrs. R.H Troutman, Sam Troutman, Ben Turner, Mr. & Mrs. C.H Turner, Wm Turner, Mrs.Z. E Turner, Bernice Turner, Douschka Turner, Latonia Turner, Mrs. Hurst Turner, Bobbie Turnipseed, Mr. & Mrs. R. E Wagner, Mr. & Mrs. J.M Wagner, Frances Wagner, Mrs. Mayme Walker, Mrs. T.B Walker, Miss Bettie Wall, Mr. & Mrs. J.B Wasson, Mrs. J.C Wasson, George Wasson, Tom Wasson, J.C. Jr Wasson, Mr. & Mrs. R. L Wasson, Gladys Wasson, R.L. Jr Wasson, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Weber, T. J. & family Webb, W. E. & family Weber, Flake Webb, Oscar R Webster, Elree Wheeler, J. W Willis, Theron White, Miss Elizabeth White, Mrs. 1. J Whitley, LeRoy Whitley, Matthew Wilkerson, Everette Wilkinson, Mrs. Fannie Wilkinson, Nola Wilkinson, Pearl Wilkinson, Harold Wilkinson, George Composition Work Furnished by Statesville Record & Landmark DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SECTION CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY This is to certify that the microphotographs appearing on this film are true and accurate reproductions of records originated during the normal course of business by the THELEL/ COMMTY Bhoah Steeet ln ped Melhodis? Chuseck sTAt#Hs ve lle Al, and consist of Chreye ch. +t’ s, fo ress L827 -1497E The records begin with C@U€e NaGe : oe and end with Ai-77t Page OF héw, O£R 54 AsZ LITT, Gust ev free, [om li 5 ba), Thas. Het. It is further certified that the above records were microfilmed in conformity with the provisions of the General Statutes of North Carolina, chapter 8-45.1 and 8-45.4, "Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records ae Evidence Act"; that the microphotographic processes accurately reproduce the records so microfilmed; that the film forms a durable medium for reproducing the original, if necessary; and that the film used conforms to American National Standards Institute, Spectficatione for Safety Photographic Film, ANSI PH 1.25-1976 and American National Standards Institute, Specifications for Photographic Film for Archival Records, Silver-Gelatin on Cellulose Ester Base, ANSI PH 1.28-1976. This is further to certify that the microphotographic processes were accomplished by the undersigned on the date and at the reduction ratio indicated below. Date Filming of this Reel Began Oetyter Z 17B/_ Reduction Ratio [6 x Date Filming of this Reel Ended Lette, << taf Microfilm Camera Operator END OF REEL