NCROOTS-L Archives

From: MR ROBERT W HARRIS< >
Subject: Elm Grove Church History (written 1961)
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 02:09:01, -0500

I have started going through some of my papers and came accross this.
Elm Graove Church is in Pitt Co. NC in the area called Littlefield,
between Ayden and Grifton. If someone wants to post this to the NC
web site feel free, but let me know.

A Brief Historian Sketch of Elm Grove Free Will Baptist Church
Prepared and given out March 26, 1961

The first Free Will Baptist service were held in an old log school
house about quarter of a mile south from where the church now stands.

The founders were Nehemiah Garris and wife, Susan Bowden Davis Garris;
Jobe Manning and wife , Nancy Bowden Manning, and Katie Harper.
Nehemiah Garris who served in the was of 1812 was the oldest among
the workers of the church. Others she assisted were: Abron smith,
Edward Harper, cannon smith and Jep Braxton. The church was built
between 1830 and 1840.

There were no trees except two gums on the site at first. Nehemiah
Garris set the elm trees, for which the church was named.

There were no saw mills at the time, therefore t he timber had to be
sawed by hand with a rip saw. The logs were lined off by a cord or
tape to gage the width. One person would stand above the log and the
other below it, so they could hold it and work the saw at the same
time.

The box type pulpit was placed at the east end of the church. There
were three doors, one on each side and one at the west end. Wooden
shutters were used at the windows and the seats were arranged in four
blocks so as to make three aisles.

The church was remodeled in 1875. T he old weather boarding was taken
off and replaced by mill sawed lumber. The pulpit was moved from the
east end to the north side. The north door was replaced by a window.
This left two doors, one on the south side and one in the west end.
A back rest was added to the seats, thus making them more comfortable.
This making it necessary to rearrange the seats, and change the
aisles. The riven boards on the roof were replaced with shingles.

The church Bible

during the Civil War the Bible was stolen or misplaced, and for a
short time the church didnt have one. Susan Bowden Davis Garris
gave one of her Bibles hoping that it would remain there as long as
the church stood. The bible still remains, but is not being used
because the print is very small. A bible with large print has been
purchased by the members for use.

Susan Bowden Davis Garris made candles of tallow to furnish light for
the church. After the church was remodeled in 1878 glass lamps
glowed for the first time. The use of these were continued until
about 1922, when they were replaces with gas of carbolic lights.
Since 1929 electric lights have added to the joy of night services

First Conference

The first conference that we have any record of being held at Elm
Grove Free Will Baptist Church was in 1864. Elder H. A. Dixon
delivered the introductory message. His scripture was 1 Cor 3:11.
The officers were Elder William J. Baker, Moderator; Elder William
May, Clerk. Bros. J.B. Garris as Assistant Clerk. At this
conference Elder B. B. Albrititons name was added to the list of
ministers. The finance committee reported $279.25 contribution.

In 1876, after the remodeling program had been completed, the general
Conference met at Elm Grave Church again. Elder J. W. Linton
preached the introductory sermon. His scripture was taken from Heb
13:14. Jessie Stanneil was chosen moderator, and J. W. Linton was
his assistant. E.R. Ellis was elected Clerk and J. Holland as
assistant. Elders William May and Asa Garris, W.C. Little was
appointed as committee on arrangements. N. Hill, W.R> Sawyer, and H.
Gurkin as committee on finance. The following churches were received
and entered on the minutes: Good Hope, Craven C., Piney Grove,
Duplin C., Woodington, Lenoir Co., Blounts Creek, Beaufort Co.,
Rains Cross Roads, Johnson Co., Davis Shore Cartaret Co., North River
Chapel, Cartaret Co., and Frying Pan, Tyrell co.

This Conference, the General Conference, was later divided into three
conferences; Eastern, Central and Western. The conference met at Elm
Grave again in 1921.

In the general Conferences of 1859 and 1860, plans were made to hold
a Union Meeting in the three districts in our connection on fifth
Sundays. Elm Grove to have the first union in the second district.

In 1867, the Conference advised the colored members of this
connection to unite and from churches to themselves. But if any
wished to remain enrolled among the white members they could do so as
private members. Allen Cox remained until his death in 1917.

In 1898 or 1899, elder Charlie Vause served the church as pastor.
His health wasnt very good, so he stated, that during mid winter he
might fail to be there for services. In that case, said Sue Beddard,
she would fill his place, so she had the opportunity. She emphasized
the "Needs of the Church" in which she stressed the need for new
windows, new seats, new floor, and a heater. A committee was
appointed to carry on this work. Glass windows replaced the wooden
shutters. New seats were built. A new pulpit stand was built and
placed in the east end. A new floor added to the comfort in the
winter. The doors at the west end were added to make two aisles.
Asa Garris and sons sawed the lumber and built the seats. LaFalle
Cox, Jerry McLawhorn, John A. Fleming, Elisha Lang, and many others
aided in many ways.

In 1926, while Elder M.C. Prescott served as pastor, the church was
moved back from the road, replastered and underpinned. The two doors
were removed and a double door placed in the center of the west end.
Elias Garris and sons did the most of the work.

In 1933 Members of the church furnished the paint and the government
NRA workers painted it. A ditch was out on the back line, the ground
cleared of stumps and trees were set in memory of friends and
relatives.

The Following pastors have served the church:

Rev. Jesse ShackfordRev. Bomb hart
Rev. Thomas MooreRev. Oliver Harper
Rev. Mathew ManningRev. William Kornegay
Rev. William BilbroRev. Billy May
Rev. Arch Tyson, 1879Rev. E. D. hathaway
Rev. Nile ManningRev. John Branch,
Rev. Henry CunninghamRev. R. K. Herrn
Rev. Fred McLawhornRev. Bob P. Hill
Rev. John Philips, 1893Rev. B.B. Albrittion, 1894-95
Rev. R. F. Stiley, 1896-1897Rev. Charlie Vause, 1898-99
Rev. Callis Little, 1900Rev. E.T. Philips
Rev. Wilson Lupton, 1901Rev. I.Q. Burrough, 1902-03
Rev. Lewis Worthington, 1904Rev. Sidney Jones, 1905
Rev. Lloyd Vernon, 1914Rev. Phillip Woodard
Rev. herbert GoodwinRev. L.L. Smith
Rev. S. H. StryonRev. John Sawyer, 1915
Rev. M.C. Prescott, 1925-30Rev. J. C. Moye, 1919-22
Rev. M. A. Woodard, 1931Rev. C.J. Harris, 1932
Rev. J.E. Wooten, 1933-34Rev. D. A. Windham, 1935-37
Rev. A.L. Davidson, 1938,(2 months)
Rev. J.E. Wooten, 1938Rev. Phillip Woodard, 1939-41
Rev. M.C. Prescott, 1942-43Rev. Bruce Barrow,1944-45
Rev. J.C. Moye, 1945-52Rev. Frank Davenport, 1953
Rev. J. C. Lynn, 1954-59Rev. Bruce Barrow, 10/1959 to 12/1960
Rev. Wayne W. Smith, 1981

First Deacons to serve the Elm Grove Church

The first deacons were Nehemiah Garris, SR, and Jeff Braxton.
Following them were William C. Little, Jack Smith, Bryant Dail,
Guilford Stocks, Elias Garris, Shade Smith, Charlie Worthington, and
Bennie Murphy

There were three types of schools taught in this church, namely ,
public school, singing school, and Sunday school. Miss Abbie Nelson
taught public school before the Civil War, and during this time she
joined the church. The Rev. William Bilbro was then serving as
pastor. Nancy Manning taught for several years (public school).

The first singing school was taught before the Civil War, in which
the pupils paid the teacher. Many teachers taught for free, among
whom was Rev. M. C. Prescott.

Before the Civil War and during the war, Nancy Bowden Manning was
Superintendent of the Sunday School. The literature used was the
Bible and a Blue Back Speller. We have records of many Sunday
schools being started here, but many of them lasted only a few years.
The one we have now has been running steadily since 1919. The Rev.
J. C. Moye was pastor and greatly encouraged those who took part in
it. J.T. Beddard, SR was the first superintendent and served
faithfully, Latter, Clarence Burrough, the assistant, was elected as
superintendent. He served until January 1st, 1951, except for one
year, when he moved out of the community.

A Free Will Baptist League was organized by Rev. M.C. Prescott in
1926. The officers were: President, Clarence Burroughs; and Lossie
Bell Jones as Secretary. Later, Levi Worthington was elected
Secretary-Treasurer. Our present League was organized in April 1941,
by Elma Beddard. The officers were: President, Elma Beddard, Vice
President, Eva Worthington, Secretary Treasurer, Marie Garris; Group
Captains: Levi Worthington, Lanier Garris, and Marjorie Dean Garris.

The Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1922, by Mrs. Hatie Jackson.
The following officers were elected: President, Willie Beddard, Vice
President, Pheddie Worthington; Secretary, Nora Garris; Assistant
Secretary, Mollie Garris; Treasurer, Sue Beddard. There officers
served until 1941. They held their monthly meetings in the homes of
the members. The spiritual, mental and social life is developed
through this close contact with each other. They help the pastor and
assist those in need. This society does much work for the church.
Their prayer is that, the "Faith of our Fathers" will inspire us to
carry on the Lords work as in the days of old.

On November 11-1946, a building program was begun to build the
beautiful edifice in which the Church is thankful to have as its
place of worship today.

The members worked faithful toward t he day when they could realize
their dreams for a nice brick church in which to hold their services.
The firs services was held in the completed building on the second
Sunday in July, 1952.

During the ministry of Rev. J. C. Lynn, plans were made for the
building of a brick paracnage. A ground breaking ceremony for the
parsonage was held on August 12, 1954, under the direction of the
pastor, Rev. j. C. Lynn.

It was during the pastorate of Rev. Lynn, that the church went to
full time. It has been blessed since in a very noticeable way.

The present pastor, Wayne W. Smith, who collected this historical
information, and made it possible for each family to a copy, makes a
special prayer request.

The next historian will be able to write, that God has blessed the
church until it will be supporting all the enterprises of our great
denomination with at least 50% of its entire income. That it will
have adopted a number of full time missionaries to the foreign fields
of the world.

____
Linda Harris
1872 Regents Park Ct
Marietta GA 30062
770 578-0105
Researching in eastern NC and VA and southern PA

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• Elm Grove Church History (written 1961) by MR ROBERT W HARRIS< >