The original Holly Grove Baptist Church Minutes date to September 7, 1822 and read as follows: "Minutes and proceedings of the Church at Holly Grove formaley the Church at Outlaws Chappel - met according to appointment Sermon by Elder Hilrey Morriss a door opened for members, on motion it was ordered that a Reccord be made of the death of our beloved Brother John Mitchell who departed this life the 6th day of August A.D. 1822 on motion it was ordered that absenttees should render an excuse for their non attendance and if they miss two conferences that they be cited to attend Agreed we adjourn prayer By Elder Morriss---"
It was apparently in 1825 that Outlaw's Chapel officially became Holly Grove Baptist Church for the Minutes for September 10 reflected, "...on motion brethren J.P. Freeman J.J. Hoggard W. Spivey and D. Pruden were appointed a cammity to rase a church fund & report to our next con. Agreed that Brother Pruden take the Deede for the meeting house Land & get it Registered."
The name of the church was apparently taken from the numerous holly trees which covered the property, for in the January 12, 1828 Minutes, a resolution was made "that we meet at this place next friday for the purpose of cleaning up the Grove".
While other pastors have been mentioned as associated with Outlaw's Chapel, the first recording in the Minutes of a pastor for Holly Grove was April 26, 1926. Brother W.H. Jordan was chosen. Noteworthy to mention is the fact that no membership lists survive prior to 1893 for a church which reached its 195th year of continuous operation in 1999.
The original Church Covenant reads as follows: "Forasmuch as almighty God by Grace has been pleased to call us whose names are underneath assigned out of darkness into his marvelous light & all of us have been Regularley Baptised under a profession of our faith in Christ Jesus & have given up our selves to the Lord & to one another in a Gospel Church way To be governed and guided by a proper deciplen agreable to the word of God We do therefore in the name of our Lord Jesus & by his assistance Covenant & agree to keep up the deciplen of the church we are members of In the most brotherley affection towards each other while we endever punctualey to observe the following Rules (Viz)----1st In Brotherley love to pray for each other, to watch over one another & if need be in the most tender & affectionate manner to Reprove each other That is if we discover aneything amiss in a brother to go & tell him his fault according to the direction given in the eighteenth chapter of Saint Matthews gospel, & not to be whispering & backbiteing, we also agree with Gods assistance to pray in our famileys, attend our church meetings, observe the Lords day & keep it holey, & not abcent our selves from the communion of the Lords supper without a lawful excuse To be reddy to communicate to the defraying of the church Expenses & for the support of the ministrey not erregularley to depart from the fellowship of the church without a Regular dismission, these things we do covenant & agree to observe & keep sackred in the name of & by the assistance of the holey trinity Amen-----Signed by the mutual concent of the members whose names are underneath assigned."
This Covenant was read at every conference. The Church roll was called at every meeting. Those who had been absent were required to cite excuses for non-attendance. Grievances were brought before the church membership. If the brothers and sisters failed to confess their "misconduct" and ask for the forgiveness of the brethen, they were merely excluded from the membership.
On March 31, 1860 during the pastorship of John Delk, a committee was appointed to discuss the subject of repairing the existing meeting house or building a new one. On May 5 of the same year, the committee (consisting of J.P. Freeman, James S. Mitchell and J.W. Cowin) recommended that a new structure be built. Such recommendation was adopted and the same committee was charged with carrying out said recommendation.
The indebtedness for this structure was $896.15. The amount raised by subscriptions was $803.63. Following is a description of the building to be constructed (and which stands today) from the May 5, 1860 Minutes: "...we reckomend the building of a new house 32 by 40 feet long 16 feet from sill to plate with the End fronting the Road with 2 doors in the front End Pulpit & 2 windows in the Back end & 3 windows in each Side with a Galory all Round except the Pulpit end which is to be entered by a door outside of the house Said house to be built of good Sound Substantial timber plastored Sealed painted & whitewashed inside and out & to be underpined with open Brick work all round the whole to be made of good material & Executed in a neat & workmanlike manner the House to stand where the oald one Stands & that to be worked up in the new one where it will answer the purpose...."
Not long after the completion of the new church and during the conference held on June 6, 1863, the Minutes reveal the motion, ..."all the members of this church that have left & gone to the yankees are excluded & the clerk appointed to ascertain the no. & names of those gone & report to our next meeting". Subsequent Minutes through 1865 disclosed that those who were excommunicated were black members.
Through the 1800's, Holly Grove supported local and foreign missions and faithfully met its financial obligations. The first Sunday School was organized November 8, 1891 with 17 members. In 1894 a reed organ was place in the sanctuary.
In 1906, the first Women's Missionary Society was formed. Sallie Barnes Hardison was the first President; Fannie Harmon Byrd was Secretary-Treasurer. Sallie Vaughan Garrett was leader of the first Sunbeam Band, organized in 1910. Also in 1910, the membership of Holly Grove raised $500 to assist the Powellsville Baptist Church in its organizational efforts. Church membership during these early years of the twentieth century, exceeded 200.
Remodeling of the building occurred in 1911 and 1912. A handmade pulpit, installed in 1913, remains in use today. New pews were installed in 1915. Interestingly, a baptismal pool was constructed outside of the church in 1917, used once, and later removed due to the cold winters. Baptisms in the 1921-1926 era were held at Stoney Creek. A cemetery on the grounds, is no longer used for burials.
Financial difficulties were experienced during the 1930's and membership decreased. In 1935, Holly Grove joined Republican as a field. Since that time, the church has been in a number of fields with other churches, has used interim pastors, and is now served by a supply pastor. Membership has continued to decline but the faithfulness of the current membership is truly remarkable.
Prepared by Lynn McCarthy
"Baptists began to appear in North Carolina as early as the year 1695, but it was not until thirty years later that the people began to construct church buildings. As early settlers in this new world, they were busy establishing themselves as farmers and constructing rude huts for homes. They chose the groves that nature provided along the river banks as suitable places to gather for worship and fellowship. It was in these lovely settings that the strong-willed Baptist followers would read the Bible, offer prayers, preach and sing songs of redeeming grace. The establishment became discontented with these gatherings and sought ways to prevent them. As a direct action to halt these gatherings, laws were passed in 1715 which required that meetings of 'dissenters' should be public.
The strong will of these early Baptist leaders prevailed and the authorities were unsuccessful in stopping the gatherings. Baptists continued to preach the Gospel and, with these firm foundations established, the first Baptist Church was organized in 1727 in the area of Perquimans County.
From these early beginnings, the Baptist faith has spread throughout the state and has resulted in the founding of many more churches." Dedicated citizens in the community of Powellsville "with their spiritual needs in mind and the belief that a church can be the greatest transforming power in any community", banded together to form a Missionary Baptist Church.
On December 29, 1909 M.A. Adams, S.B. Barnes, A.T. Howell and J.R. Matthews met in the Powellsville school building to organize the church. Bethlehem, Holly Grove and Mars Hill churches furnished members and deacons to this new church, which had 35 charter members. Accepted as deacons from other churches were Josiah Brown and J.E. Matthews. Elected and ordained as new deacons were D.C. Miller, Dr. J.B. Ruffin, Sr. and A.S. Wynns. J.E. Matthews was elected first Sunday School superintendent.
On January 10, 1910, just 17 days after the church was organized, J.O. Askew and his wife, Mary D. Askew and W.P. Shaw and his wife, Mary R. Shaw of Hertford County deeded to J.R. Ruffin and A.S. Wynns, Church Trustees, for $50, 15/16 acre of land for the Powellsville Missionary Baptist Church (Bertie County Deed Book 212, Page 227).
A building program was established and in the fall of 1910, the new church had been constructed. Serving as the initial pastor was J.R. Matthews, followed by the Reverend C.P. Jones who arrived in April, 1910. Services were held the first Sunday of each month. The first revival service began September 5, 1910.
The financial burdens of the church were heavy at this point. A.T.Howell worked diligently to strengthen the church's treasury. It was through donations of neighboring churches and the support of the membership that the church was debt free in December, 1912. It was said of two trustees, in James Earl Cowan's paper on "Powellsville Baptist Church, 1909 - 1995", "trustees Ruffin and Wynns deserve special mention...because their influence continues in the church to this day. Dr. Ruffin, aside from his work as trustee and deacon, was an old-time country doctor who made house calls as far away as Askewville and chose to work with country people who sometimes paid his fees with eggs and chickens. He never got rich. Augustus S. 'Gus' Wynns, the other trustee, was head of a family which contributed several charter members to the church whose descendants are active deacons and leaders in the church today."
In March, 1913 the Reverend Scott, considered the Founding Father of the church, delivered his final sermon. Reverend H.F. Brinson followed as second pastor in May, 1913. Under his leadership, the first Women's Missionary Society was formed. In October, 1913 Mrs. J.B. Ruffin, Sr. was elected President. Since that time and for 86 years, the WMS of Powellsville Baptist Church has made a significant contribution to the church throught its mission programs.
During the pastorship of the Reverend H.H. Honeycutt (1914-1917), the church initiated an "Every Member Canvass". Conducted by members, these canvasses were designed to "establish a basis for the spiritual needs of the membership". Significantly, under the guidance of the Reverend N.H. Shepperd (1918-1920), the first Baptist Young People's Union was formed to serve the young people of the community.
Serving the church for nine years (1920-1929) was the Reverend L.E. Dailey. In May, 1924 a building committee (W.L. Early, J.E. Jordan, H.O. Raynor, P.L. Raynor, and W.A. Wynns) was formed after the membership voted to build a new parsonage.
By 1930 with the new parsonage constructed (and trustees, the Reverend L.E. Dailey, T.W. Hollomon and J.E.R. Perry, named), the need for Sunday School rooms became a priority. A building program was initiated for a Sunday School extension and Mrs. J.J. Alston, G.W. Belch, Sr., Mrs. H.O. Raynor and J.J. Tayloe were engaged to seek notes and monies for the construction. "By March, 1931, the committee had solicited $1,889.91 in cash, 6,560 feet of lumber, and 30 days of labor." Through the leadership of the Reverend K.E. Byrant and the efforts of the membership, this building program too was brought to a point of fruition.
Reverend Bryant served for 12 years (1929-1941). It was said that "he carefully ministered to the congregation and his influence was long recognized in later activites of the church." In 1938 a porch and bell tower were added to the front of the sanctuary, giving the church its present-day appearance. In April, 1945 the Askew heirs deeded additional land to the church. In 1948, a new pews and a new heating system were installed.
During the 1940's, Powellsville Baptist Church had been in a field with Bethany, Bethlehem and Center Grove Baptist churches. Bethany withdrew and Holly Grove joined the field. In 1954, Center Grove Baptist Church and Powellsville Baptist Church formed a two-church field with Powellsville furnishing the parsonage. The Reverend D.M. Spell was the first minister to serve this two-church field.
The 1950's saw the addition to the church of a nursery and restrooms; the establishment of a Brotherhood organization for male members of the church; and the development of a church library under the direction of Mrs. W.A. Wynns. New carpet was installed; a new piano, new choir robes and new hymnals were purchased. It was the teachings and inspiration of Reverend Spell and his wife, that had a far-reaching impact on the youth of the church in the 1950's. Their loving devotion to the spiritual needs of the youth was perhaps made greater through the untimely loss of twin daughters on October 14, 1955. Crossing the road after a youth choir rehearsal, their daughters were accidently killed by a passing log truck. No event before or after so galvinized the church family.
The Reverend A.C. Sanders followed Reverend Spell, who resigned in April, 1960. In 1963, the procurement of a better parsonage was realized. The old one was sold to members, Ray Tayloe and his wife, Elizabeth, and the new one, belonging to Mamie Hoggard, was purchased for $17,500. Reverend R.O. Brown first occupied the new parsonage. In 1964, the note was paid in full, a new roof was placed on the sanctuary, and the church was painted.
Five pastors served Powellsville Baptist Church in the 1960's. Renovations to the church continued; additions to the parsonage were made; a new organ was purchased totally through the donations and memorial gifts of church members and friends; the tradition of presenting new Bibles to all high school graduates was begun. Most memorable was the presentation in December, 1967 of a Christmas cantata presented by the combined choirs of Holly Grove and Powellsville Baptist churches.
The past three decades have been marked by numerous building programs (including the brick veneer added to the structure in the 1970's), but none more significant than the one that saw the completion of the fellowship hall and baptistry in 1997. This fulfilled a 35 year old dream of the pastors and congregation. (Baptisms had formerly been held at Stoney Creek.)
Land adjoining the church property was deeded to the church in 1977 by the family of Bessie H. Mitchell, which allowed for expansion of the church building.
The church celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary on September 30, 1984 with a special homecoming celebration, attended by 250 present and former members as well as descendants of former members. The Reverend D.M. Spell spoke at the morning service. Former pastors and members spoke in the afternoon session. Oldest members present were Mrs. Sue Wynns and Mrs. Alice Dilday, both now deceased.
In November, 1984, the long-time association with Center Grove in the church field was severed. The last pastor to serve the two-church field was the Reverend J.H. Mace.
B.A. Mitchell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Mitchell and J.B. Wynns, son of Mr. and Mrs. Braxton Wynns, both entered the ministry from Powellsville Baptist Church. Mitchell was ordained by the Reverend K.E. Bryant in 1933 and Wynns was licensed to preach in 1972.
Church membership in 1936 totalled 329. In 1995, the membership stood at 233. Sunday School enrollment in 1934 was 230. In 1995, the enrollment was 125.
The advancement of Powellsville Baptist Church has come through many materialistic accomplishments, but these accomplishments were and remain today, directed toward the spiritual needs of the members and the community and "the advancing the Kingdom of God...." "Powellsville Baptist Church has every reason to take pride in its past accomplishments; to rejoice in its blessings and in its many saintly members who have given generously of their talents and resources in building and maintaining this House of Worship...." "The church should not, nor does it take this backward look for the purpose of congratulating itself or resting upon its labors, but only with the hope and the prayer that it may be inspired to greater things in the future. Just as it did in its early years when its members were few and its problems great",... the church "calls for men and women of ability, courage and wisdom, of patience in service, and of faith in God who will labor unsparingly and unselfishly to maintain the high standards set by those who served so faithfully and so well...."
Pastors of Powellsville Baptist Church C.P. Scott 1910-1913 H.F. Brinson 1913 H.H. Honeycutt 1914-1917 N.H. Shepperd 1918-1920 L.E. Dailey 1920-1929 K.E. Bryant 1929-1941 J.U. Teague 1942-1948 T.H. Williams 1948-1954 D.M. Spell 1954-1960 A.C. Sanders 1960-1963 R.O. Brown 1963-1965 H.R. Orr 1965-1969 C.C. Wells 1969-1970 J.H. Mace 1972- C.T. Edmondson Current Clerks D.C. Miller M.L. Rayner J.E.R. Perry J.J. Tayloe Ella A. Raynor J.C. Hoggard Oma D. Askew Sunday School Superintendents J.E. Matthews W.E. Matthews J.W. Raynor L.H. Freeman W.L. Early H.O. Raynor J.C. Early C.B. Harrell C.L. Askew J.D. Hoggard J.M. Askew C.D. Hoggard T.E. Bass C.B. Jones, Jr. J.E. Cowan E.L. Swain, Jr. R.D. Smith S.M. Freeman T.T. Tayloe
On July 25, 1944 an Honor Day was held to pay tribute to the young men of Powellsville Baptist Church who served their country in World War
II. Listed in the Church Minutes were:
Cecil Barnes Johnnie Barnes Savage Barnes John Bass Thomas E. Bass Johnnie Burch Fred Carter Sidney Castello James A. Cowan James E. Cowan Raymond Cowan Rupert Cowan Thomas H. Dilday Carlton Early Vernon Early Garland Harmon Jack Harrell George A. Harrell Edgar Herring Milton Hester Joseph C. Hoggard Elmo Holloman J.C. Holloman Raymond Holloman J.C. Jones Marshall Jones Dr. W.P. Jordan Rudolph McKeel Wallace McKeel Eugene Mizelle Charlie Oakey Lewis Overton Charlie Raynor Merrill Raynor Vernon Raynor Howard Robertson Jesse Robertson Guy Ruffin Dr. J.B. Ruffin, Jr. Dr. Winston Ruffin Wilson Saunders William Sessoms Clyde Ward
My thanks go to Mary Anne Williams, Rosalie Hollomon, Mary Kathlyn Early and
James E. Cowan, J.C. Hoggard and Oma D. Askew, for making the presentation of
this Abbreviated History possible.
Lynn McCarthy