History of Woodlawn Baptist Church, 1928-1978

              xJL**,
I
HISTORY
OF
WOODLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH
LOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
1928-1978
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/historyofwoodlawOOwood
3E3E3E
State Library of North Carolina
Raleigh
Presented by
Wake Forest University
Z.S. Reynolds Library
NC Baptist Historical Collection
3E3QQE3QQE3QQQSQQQB3E
.
HISTORY
OF
WOODLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH
1928-1978
Compiled by Jubilee History Committee
Janie Baldwin, Chairman
Ruth Mattox
C. E. Dodson
Ivey Morris
Annelle Jackson
.- . :\
jgg&P^
CONTENTS
Preface
The Art Cloth Community
Our History
Chapter 1 In The Beginning
Chapter 2 Struggle and Victory
Chapter 3 A House Of Worship
Chapter 4 New Fields and Horizons
Chapter 5 Expansion and Growth
Chapter 6 A New Sanctuary
Chapter 7 Achievement and Celebration
Pastors At Woodlawn
Our Staff Members
Commissioned To Christian Service
Our Deacons
Clerks and Treasurers, Trustees and Sextons
WMU Presidents, Choir Leaders, Organists and Pianists
Sunday School Superintendents and Training Union Directors
Our Beloved Dead
Church Chronology
Statistical Tables
Bibliography
The Jubilee Committee
in
PREFACE
In conjunction with its Jubilee Celebration, Woodlawn
Baptist Church assigned to a History Committee the task
of compiling a formal statement of the progress of God's
people in the Art Cloth Community which was developed
about 1923. Thus, we have tried to evaluate and record
the activities, the accomplishments, the failures, and the
blessings of the Lord's people at Woodlawn, especially
from 1928 to 1978, our fiftieth year.
God has led us to see the importance of this history as
a chart of our church's progress and a challenge to its
future growth. We have used not only the previously re-corded
and written histories but oral and pictorial histories
as we have been able to find them. Since this is the most
comprehensive history-writing attempt in these fifty years,
we have, of course, found times when records were in-adequate.
Nevertheless, it has been a great blessing and
joy to us who have worked so closely together in writing it.
We are submitting it to you with a prayer that you too will
be blessed as you read and explore it.
—The Jubilee Histo'ry Committee
IV
THE ART CLOTH COMMUNITY
Art Cloth Mills, Incorporated, came into Lowell in 1923 and pur-chased
more than three hundred acras of land from D. W. Mitchem.
About the same time they bought smaller parcels of land from J. Hol-land
Morrow, Peerless Manufacturing Company, and Henry W. McAden,
making a total of about 45 acres of land. A short time later the first mill
was built and streets were laid out for residential areas.
Many of the people who came to the community were from the
Greenville, South Carolina area, but some came from Lowell and Mc-
Adenville. In addition to textile employees, some were construction
workers who built the houses.
In 1926 the corporation sold to the Gaston County Board of Educa-tion
2-35/100 acres of land to be used as a site for a school building.
A small business district, including a bandstand, was located on the
Main Street and near the Piedmont and Northern Railway.
When financial difficulties arose in the middle Thirties, the corpora-tion
faced bankruptcy and was reorganized as the National Weaving
Company. About 1939 the company began selling the homes to the
emloyees who wanted to buy them. One large house at the corner of
Love and Stowe Streets remained open as a boarding house and was
kept open for many years by Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. Barr.
Beaunit Mills had merged with National Weaving Company and had
built a tricot knit plant. At this time all of the village lay north of the
Piedmont and Northern Railway; but, in the late 1940's, Beaunit Mills
built a housing development on the south side of the railroad which
came to be known as Beaunit Heights. These houses were immediately
sold to people who worked in the plant. Also, Israel Rogosin gave some
of the land across from the Beaunit Heights section to the town of
Lowell for a recreation park.
In 1941 the National Weaving Company sold to Woodlawn Baptist
Church a tract of land upon which to build a church. This is the only
church unit that has ever operated in this part of town.
During its history, the village has supported grocery stores in two
locations, a drug store, a dry goods shop, an auto repair shop, a cafe-teria,
a barber shop and a branch post office. The school was closed
in 1968 and all children began attending school in Lowell. In the fall
of 1978, elementary children will again attend school in the Art Cloth
area when the new school on Power Drive is opened.
Chapter 1— IN THE BEGINNING
The official organization of a Baptist Church in the Art Cloth com-munity
of Lowell, North Carolina, on July 29, 1928, was a crowning
climax to the efforts and dedication of those Christian men and women
who had been migrating to the new village from textile areas in North
and South Carolina since the Art Cloth Mill began operations and built
residences for its employees about 1923.
The first religious services in the community were held in a frame
building, later destroyed by fire, and consisted of preaching services
led by the Rev. C. F. Comstock. Sometime after these worship services
were initiated, Mrs. Brandon, who lived on Main Street across from the
Art Cloth Elementary School, began inviting children to her home for
Sunday School classes. She was concerned for the young people in the
community. When this Sunday School group began to outgrow her
home, the County School Board granted permission, in 1926, for the
classes to meet in the school building. The only restriction was that the
Mission Sunday School, as it had been called, continue to be a non-denominational,
or Union Sunday School, as long as public property
was used. Consequently, the school changed from the Methodist litera-ture
it had been using to David C. Cook Publications.
As the Sunday School grew and prospered, an even deeper hunger
was developing. The people longed for a place of their own to worship
God. This, of course, called for the establishment of some denomina-tional
affiliation. A committee consisting of W. P. Walker, Robert Jack-son,
Mrs. Charlotte Lang, Allene Carman, Mrs. J. F. Vickery, and Mr.
and Mrs. K. E. Sherrill was appointed to canvass the community to
determine the church preference most prominent.
When the committee found that a majority of the community's resi-dents
preferred the Baptist faith, they asked Dr. Walter Gilmore, a
missionary of the North Carolina Baptist Convention to guide them in
developing plans for the church's organization. When the preliminary
plans were completed Dr. Gilmore came to Lowell on July 29, 1928,
to activate them. He spoke to the group on "Baptist Beliefs" and was
elected by them to moderate the business affairs. Rev. E. V. Hudson of
Cramerton First Baptist Church and Rev. J. L. Jessup of Lowell First
Baptist Church assisted Dr. Gilmore. Rev. Jessup read the "Articles of
Faith" and Dr. Hudson expounded them. The congregation pledged their
support to the Baptist doctrine and the new church was born!
On that first day J. F. Vickery was elected deacon; W. P. Walker,
clerk; Allene Carman, assistant clerk; and Augustus L. Stafford and
Luther A. McAlister were named as the first pulpit committee.
Before the meeting adjourned, the doors of the church were opened,
and, according to oral records, thirty-six people joined the church as
charter members. There is no copy today of the session's minutes or its
original roll, but the oldest existing records list twelve members as hav-ing
joined on August 5, 1928, the Sunday following the organizational
meeting. They are: Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Carter, George Carter, Thelma
Carter, Wilma Carter, Mrs. Ruth Brissy Leatherwood, Mr. and Mrs. A. L.
1
Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Cloninger, and Mr. and Mrs. J. J. St. Clair,
Sr. Since J. F. Vickery, W. P. Walker and Luther McAlister were elected
to office, they must have also united with the church, probably with
their wives. Also the name of C. R. Stack was listed as a messenger to
the Gaston Association in October, 1928 and Miss Allene Carman was
listed as assistant church clerk. Very soon after that date—August 5,
1928—these others were listed as new members: Mr. and Mrs. J. R.
Brooks, John and Wade Carter. Catherine and Walter Cook, A. B. Davis,
Mrs. R. F. Flowers, Mrs. E. E. Foster, Mrs. Hunnicutt, Hazel and Carrie
St. Clair, and Mrs. E. P. Greenway.
The Gaston Baptist Association met in the Marietta Street Church
in 1928 and recorded (on page 14 of its Minutes) the following action:
Dr. B. A. Bowers, C. M. Robinson, and R. G. Mace were appointed as
a committee to "report on the Church Covenant" at the Mt. View and
Woodlawn Baptist Church. Page 3 of the same journal reports that Dr.
J. W. Whitley introduced the new pastors. Among them were the Rev.
C. F. Comstock at Woodlawn and also the Rev. M. P. Rhyne at Webb's
Chapel. Rev. Rhyne would later be pastor at Woodlawn.
By associational meeting time the church had already had its second
business meeting on August 19, at which time they voted to canvass
the community to solicit financial support for the new church. On the
same day, they elected W. P. Walker their first treasurer. On Septem-ber
16, 1928, following a recommendation from the name selection
committee, the church chose the name "Woodlawn" which had been
the name of an early textile mill in the area. On October 3, two addi-tional
deacons, A. L. Stafford and W. P. Walker, were elected.
The 1928 Associational Minutes give the following breakdown of the
church's finances: Pastor's salary, $70; ministerial help and supply,
$35.31; incidentals, $31; literature, $71.58; other objects, $176; and,
for printing the minutes, $1.23. Sunday School statistics show 132 en-rolled
in the Union organization. K. E. Sherrill remained active as
superintendent though he never joined the Baptist Church.
In October 1929, Rev. Comstock, W. P. Walker, and J. R. Brooks went
to the associational meeting to hear the executive committee report
on the new church at Woodlawn. They reported 18 baptisms and 40
additions by letter. They also mentioned the Sunday School meeting in
the school building, two unions in the B.Y.P.U. (Baptist Young Peoples
Union), and an appropriation of $300 presented to the church by the
State Mission Board.
October 1. 1928, through September 30, 1929, constituted the first
full associational year for Woodlawn. During this time the church held
two revivals and observed the Lord's Supper once. Membership reached
77 members. (They had lost, probably by moving, 27 members during
the year.) This report shows the first Woman's Missionary Union and
a pastor's salary of $1,250. The total budget was only $1,501.
On February 3, 1929, A. L. Stafford and J. L. Vickery were elected
to contact mill officials about a building site. The lot was selected, a
building fund was started, and suddenly the bank at Lowell closed its
2
doors with all building funds lost. The hopes and dreams of the church
were shattered as it faced its darkest hour. The associational minutes
for 1930 are an exact copy of the 1929 report. Apparently, no report
was sent in, and the previous year's figures were used. This year, only
one messenger, Rev. Comstock, registered at the associational meeting.
Allene Carman and J. L. Hawkins attended the sessions as visitors.
1931 is the only year in the church's history that reports no baptisms.
The church listed total gifts for the year as $1,413.56. Much of the
credit for financial support during the next several years goes to the
ladies of the church who pieced quilts, crocheted, sold flavorings, and
cooked chicken stews, cakes, and box suppers. From 1931 through
1935, the offerings averaged $1,044 per year. (The lowest report was
made in 1936 when only $645 was received into the treasury.)
Rev. Comstock resigned the pastorate on August 31, 1930. In No-vember
of this year, Rev. W. T. Baucom came on a half-time basis. In
1934, following Rev. Baucom's resignation, Rev. G. G. Bowen was
called as pastor.
As we close the chapter on the first Sabbath of years for Woodlawn
we would like to mention a few of the names which have not been
recorded elsewhere in this account. This list should include all these
and perhaps others: J. E. Proctor, Ida Campbell, Mrs. Ruth Mullen,
Misses Oda, Ethel, and Eula Smallwood, Mrs. A. B. Davis, Troy Davis,
Mrs. Ben Jenkins, Mrs. Charles Petty, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Sanders, G. T.
League, Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. Barr, Mrs. W. A. Stallings, Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Lockridge, Walter Crompton, J. T. Cox, Sudie Cloninger, Frances and
Nannie Godfrey, Frankie Mitchem Wiley, Virginia Sanders, Mr. and
Mrs. T. M. Curry, Lucille and Josephine Curry, Mr. and Mrs. C. E.
Dodson, Sam Mitchem, Martin Phillips, Annelle Barr (Jackson), Amelia
Barr (Edwards), Vivian Shepherd, James McGaha, J. C. Bolick, Lora
Lane, Irene Barr (Mills), Elizabeth Carter (Causby), Helen Smith, Tom
and Charles Stafford,Earl B. Stogner, Maude and Pauline Petty (Carter),
Mr. and Mrs. D. 0. Ragan, Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Mattox and Jessie Bowen.
Some of these are on the church roll. Others are listed as various offi-cers:
Mrs. D. 0. Ragan led the first Sunbeam Band of fifty members in
1934, Mr. Clarence Grant was the first pianist, and Mr. Bill.Wynn the
first chorister. Clarence Grant is the first reported loss in membership
because of death.
Chapter 2 — STRUGGLE AND VICTORY
Rev. Grady G. Bowen, who pastored the church part-time beginning
June 16, 1934, accepted a call as full-time pastor after six months. In
1935, Gray McArver was Sunday School superintendent and James
McGaha was Training Union director. John Carter was church clerk
and Mrs. J. L. Hawkins continued as president of the Woman's Mis-sionary
Union.
Woodlawn was still economically depressed as was the community
and the nation. The National Weaving Company did not operate full-time
during the years 1933 through 1935 and finally ceased operations
in 1936. Early in 1937, the plant reopened and the people still living
here returned to their work; but during the 1936 period of unemploy-ment,
many church members moved away and did not return. In 1936,
Mrs. A. L. Stafford was president of the Woman's Missionary Union;
Walter Crompton was Sunday School superintendent, James McGaha
was church treasurer and John Carter continued as church clerk. Then,
in 1937 J. T. Stafford became Training Union director.
During conference of December 1938. the church authorized the
printing of its first stationery at a cost of $6.25.
On February 19, 1939, the church in conference accepted a gift of
$95 from the Woman's Missionary Union as down payment on a par-sonage
on two conditions: (1) that the church meet the payments on
the parsonage, and (2) that it advance its efforts to build a church
house. Mrs. B. D. Jones, president of the WMU, was authorized to
appoint a committee to promote action on the two conditions. The com-mittee
was made up of C. E. Dodson, J. T. Stafford and G. G. Bowen.
After much discussion, the church approved the buying of a house and
lot at =10 Geer Street at a cost of $950. Then, on February 26, 1939,
a Board of Trustees was appointed for church property. John Carter
was the chairman of the board, serving with J. A. McGaha and C. E.
Dodson. By August of 1939, the church authorized the committee to
contact an architect about drawing blueprints for a church building.
Other Church actions in 1939 were: the church voted for the mem-bership
to use Southern Baptist Convention offering envelopes, copies
of the Church Covenant and Articles of Faith were distributed among
the membership and the church erased ten members from its roll (most
of whom had moved out of the community earlier in the decade). J. A.
McGaha, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, challenged the whole
church to a better life stewardship as the financial condition of the
church was poor. The church voted to observe the Lord's Supper on the
second Sunday night of each quarter and the Building Program Com-mittee,
chaired by James McGaha, was authorized to canvass the mem-bership
regarding systematic giving to the building fund.
On December 3, 1939, the church was called to conference to con-sider
the resignation of the pastor, G. G. Bowen. The church accepted
his resignation, and Rev. Marshall P. Rhyne of Dallas was called as
pastor on February 4, 1940, at a salary of $15 per week. George F.
Teague was elected as church clerk. On May 5, 1940, L. A. McAlister
was elected to the deacon board as an additional deacon was needed.
On July 21, 1940, the church granted J. T. Stafford a license to preach.
A committee made up of B. B. Mattox, J. A. McGaha, W. D. Gilliam
and J. T. Stafford was appointed by Mr. Rhyne to investigate plans and
cost for an "ideal" church building. Church members were asked to
sign tithe pledges.
In August, 1940, blueprints and plans for a new church building were
presented by B. B. Mattox and adopted by the church and arrangements
for securing pews were turned over to a Finance Committee. At this
time there was $575.17 in the Church Building Fund. On October 6,
1940, the church accepted by a standing vote the low bid of $7,050.55
for the construction of a church building.
In March, 1941, The Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company
approved a loan of $6,000 to the church. In the meantime, the building
fund had reached $2,122.86 and the pew fund had $195 in it.
It was on the third Sunday in July, 1941, that Woodlawn held the
first service in its own church building. Minutes of the July 13, 1941,
conference showed that the church voted to record the order of first
service in the new church, but no such record has been found. The
church bought song books at $25 per hundred, gave the pastor a raise
to $20 per week and then later called him as full-time pastor at $30
per week for "as long as the mill runs six days" and at $25 when "they
go back to five days." During the year letters were sent to other
churches in the county for building fund donations but only $4.63 was
reported from this action. In September, L. A. McAlister reported a total
of $3,700.70 received into the building fund and a total of $2,996.79
paid out. J. T. Stafford asked for voluntary donations each week for the
pew fund which needed to be paid off within six weeks. In October,
1941, L. C. Morrow, Claude Heffner, and P. P. Truesdale were elected
to the deacon board.
Chapter 3 — A HOUSE OF WORSHIP
The years from late 1941 through 1947 found our country at war
and our church facing new problems and initiating several new pro-grams.
Rev. M. P. Rhyne continued as pastor until October, 1943. Rev.
M. W. Stallings followed him in early 1944, having accepted the call
issued by the church in November. Rev. Stallings resigned in Feb r uarv,
1946, and, on June 26, Rev. Morris Baker came to Woodlawn to work
with our people until late 1947.
The church's financial advantage continued with the war-time econ-omy.
Rev. Rhyne served the church at less than $20 per week; Rev.
Stallings came at $40 per week, and by the time Rev. Morris Baker
came the church was able to offer him $50 per week.
In 1942, the church had sold a bedspread donated by Mr. and Mrs.
Sydney Smith for $35.50. By 1943, they had been able to add $1,000
as payment on the church debt. When Mr. Stallings came to the church
he made a gift of $100 and issued a challenge to the church to pay off
its debt. The Finance Committee recommended that the Sunday School,
Training Union, and Church offerings be combined and the Budget
Plan be adopted. In accordance, the first budget totaling $4,271.75
was set up in May, 1944. In the fall, the first Annual Unified Budget
appeared in the Church Minute Book and totaled $6,500. Rev. and Mrs.
Stallings were very mission-minded and their zeal for missions and edu-cation
is reflected in the church's gifts which included not only the usual
ones to Foreign and Home Missions, and to the orphanage, but special
gifts to Meredith College, the Truett Memorial Fund, Mars Hill College,
Boone Creek Church, and the Chinese War Relief Fund. In addition,
the church pledged 20% of ail funds over the buuget to mission causes.
In July, 1944, the church voted to dedicate its building on Home-coming
Day, September 3, 1944.
There was progress, too, in improving and adding to church facilities
and equipment. J. T. Stafford led in a campaign to pay off the piano
debt, the heating system was extended to the Men's Bible Class, pulpit
and table scarfs were purchased, two rooms were added to the parson-age
on Geer Street, a film projector was purchased, the baptistry was
furnished with an oil heater, shrubbery was added to the grounds and
a garage was built at the parsonage. A lawn mower, hedge clippers, and
a wheelbarrow came next, and then a typewriter and a speaker for the
nursery as well as another piano for the Sunday School.
On July 12, 1942, the church voted to sponsor a local Boy Scout
Troop. Shortly afterward James McGaha was approved as Scoutmaster
and financial support was given to the troop. In November, 1943, the
Scouts were given permission to meet in the Men's Bible Class room.
Another work begun this year, though not followed through nearly so
well, was the library established on August 16, 1942. During Rev. and
Mrs. Stallings' time of service much attention was given to Royal Am-bassador
and Girls Auxiliary organization. There had been a Sunbeam
Band in the early 30's but these were the first youth mission groups.
Two other youth projects included the contributing of $300 per year to
help the other churches in Lowell pay a Bible teacher, and the distri-bution
of Christmas treats to all children under 14 in the church and
community. The Mill company helped in this last project.
One of two very special days during these years was a "Soldier Day"
in November, 1943. Mrs. James McGaha was in charge of the day's
activities in honor of the men in the service of our country. The other
special day was the day when the war ended with the Japanes sur-render
in September, 1945. When the long-awaited news came through,
people in the community and those working in the mill came to Wood-lawn
in humble thanksgiving.
James McGaha, Quinn Howe, Hoyt Patton, and Harold Singleton were
on the pulpit committee that invited Rev. Morris Baker to Woodlawn.
During the sixteen months at Woodlawn, the church voted to investigate
the possibility of chimes, a bell, and a steeple for the church building.
The church was feeling the need for more Sunday School rooms and
B. B. Mattox, J. G. Morrow, and Ernest Buckner were elected as a com-mittee
to plan this addition at the rear of the church. C. E. Dodson,
J. G. Morrow, and H. V. Roberts were approved as the trustees com-mittee,
and J. T. Stafford was ordained to the ministry on February 2,
1947. The church presented him a Bible at the ordination.
Vacation Bible School became a regular feature of the church's sum-mer
program during this period. J. T. Stafford, Georgia Rhyne (from
Gastonia) and Rev. Stallings served as principals.
Ed Powell, who later was hired as choir director, first came to Wood-lawn
in a revival in 1945.
Chapter 4— NEW FIELDS AND HORIZONS
When Rev. John Kinnaman stood in the pulpit of Woodlawn Baptist
Church on the last Sunday in August, 1954, he reviewed the growth
of the church and community during the time he had lived there. He
recalled that when he came as a student supply pastor from Gardner-
Webb College in January, 1948, there were no paved streets in the
small village and only one telephone near the church. By 1954, all the
streets had been paved and telephone service had been offered to
every resident. Along with this community progress, the physical facili-ties
of the church had been enlarged and expanded and several new
properties had been acquired.
In 1948 Burl and Eula Jones had donated a small part of their prop-erty
to the church to change some irregular boundary lines. By 1949
the street in front of the church had been paved and walkways had been
built. It was about this same time that the Beaunit Heights residential
area was opened, the church field enlarged, and Art Cloth stretched
almost to Lowell. In those days, Beaunit Heights seemed so far away
that "taxi service" paid by the church, was offered to any who needed
a ride to church. This offer could be made more readily because one
of the church's members, Lamar Reddick, was driving a taxi at the time.
On the church property itself, the people were concerned about a
new look for their sanctuary. Many members had longed to see a steeple
on the roof, a vestibule in front of the sanctuary, and a new porch and
steps closer to the street. An architect was asked to draw plans for such
an addition, but after several months of investigation the plans were
discarded because of cost and the possibility of a new sanctuary in the
not-too-distant future.
Inside the church, opera chairs were placed in the choir area, an
attractive screen was built before them, and a stage curtain was pur-chased
because Christmas plays were popular in those days. The bap-tistry
was rebuilt and elevated and Walter Keul was hired to paint the
beautiful Jordan River scene in the background. A WMS library room
was built behind the pulpit area, and downstairs, an unused area was
cleared for a nursery. A new baptistry heater was installed and the
church paid $1,278 for its first organ.
In 1953, a 24' x 30' building was erected on the back lot to be used
for Boy Scout meetings and other church activities.
But, the biggest change was getting a new pastorium when the Geer
Street residence plus $5,500 was traded for the house on North Main
Street that had formerly served as the mill superintendent's home. The
house was bought from the Max Guffeys who moved to — 10 Geer Street.
There were several "firsts" during the Kinnaman pastorate. Mrs.
Kinnaman was active in the music program, the ladies Sunday School
Class, and the WMS. As president of the WMU she worked with Mrs.
Geneva Wade and Mrs. Janie Baldwin in drawing up the first set of
menus to be used in carrying food into the homes of bereaved families.
This plan was first used when Mr. Holland died and the family gathered
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Algie Ammons, in Beaunit Heights.
In 1948, polio became epidemic and during that summer children
were not allowed to gather at any public places or in churches. This
affected Sunday School and Training Union attendance.
7
Even though the war had ended, our young men were still being
drafted into military service. The church and its pastor sought to sup-port
and encourage these young people by sending or giving to them
a Bible. Rev. Jackie Stafford, now pastor at Lakeview Church in Mc-
Adenville, had written to say that he still owns and cherishes the Bible
that was given to him through this ministry.
The church had no office secretary at this time, but Mr. Kinnaman
had his typewriter and the mimeograph machine and, almost single-handedly,
he began printing "The Woodlawn Messenger," a newsletter,
usually several pages long, that was mailed to all young people away
from home. It always carried news about church activities and people
and a brief message of encouragement. Occasionally, the pastor would
ask others in the church to submit articles for publication.
It was Rev. John Kinnaman who established the policy of weekly
bulletins for the Sunday services. During his ministry, he designed and
printed these himself, and after his resignation Janie and Julius Baldwin
continued the practice at the request of the church.
In 1951, the church voted to enroll the pastor in the Relief and
Annuity Program. In 1953, a preaching mission was opened in the
Smyre area. J. N. Grant served as pastor. Later, a Sunday School was
organized and Carroll Watts served as its superintendent. This program
had to be disbanded the next year when the owner of the building de-cided
to use the building for personal purposes.
The practice of giving pins for Sunday School attendance was initi-ated
in 1954 and has continued through the years since that time.
Several Sunday School members have attained many years of perfect
attendance. A really outstanding family example of the effectiveness of
the plan can be seen today in the Robert Kendrick family.
John Kinnaman came to Woodlawn as a ministerial student. He told
the church on the day they asked him to supply that his heart was burn-ing
with a desire to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. His experience
prepared him to be a blessing to others who were called by the Lord
into His service. After his graduation in 1948, he counseled with three
young people in the church who were already being led to study for the
Lord's work. In the fall of 1948, Charles (Pete) Stafford, Marion Eugene
Gibson and Janie Dunlap (now Baldwin) entered the Freshman Class at
Gardner-Webb. During the next two years the church was generous in
its support of these students, and it continued to help others who in
the next several years felt the same call.
During Rev. Kinnaman's ministry eight men were licensed to preach
the gospel. They were Charles Stafford and Gene Gibson in 1948: Jasper
Grant in 1949; Ray Henderson, Tommy Ellington, and Homer Bennett
in 1952 and Leonard Home and Charles Ray Moseley in 1954. In addi-tion
both Charles Stafford and Tommy Ellington were ordained in 1954.
While Tommy Ellington was in school at Gardner-Webb he brought a
classmate to visit and soeak at Woodlawn. He was Fuad Saknini, an Arab
Christian from Nazareth. Today, Fuad is pastor of the First Baptist
Church and School in Nazareth, Israel.
8
John and Bernice Kinnaman, with their daughter Phyllis, left Wood-lawn
on August 31, 1954. He had been called as pastor to the Wilmont
Baptist Church in Charlotte.
Chapter 5 — EXPANSION AND GROWTH
Rev. Morris Baker came back to Woodlawn on the fourth Sunday in
April, 1955. In the interim Ed Wells. J. T. Stafford, and J. N. Grant had
supplied as preacher. In their first pastorate the Bakers had lived in the
Geer Street house. This time they moved to North Main Street.
In July, following their arrival, Jasper Grant was ordained to the
gospel ministry and Sammy Wiley was licensed to preach. Mr. Grant,
now retired, still lives in this community. Sammy is a school principal
in South Carolina.
There were several changes around the church and pastorium as the
Fifties merged with the Sixties. The parking lot behind the church was
paved and with the permission of adjoining property owners, a driveway
to Geer Street from the rear was opened and paved. This made for
greater convenience, especially in directing traffic at funerals. Also, the
drive at the pastorium was paved and a carport was built. The first bell
system was installed in the classroom area, the first church-owned
stove was placed in the Jones annex, and drinking fountains for adults
and children were installed.
In 1963, the church gave the Art Cloth Parent-Teachers Association
permission to cut some of the trees on its property so that a play area
could be provided for the children.
Inside the church, the choir seats which had always faced the pulpit
from its right were taken up and placed behind the pulpit so that the
choir faced the congregation. The Hammond organ was purchased in
1960. Ed Powell of East Gastonia had been hired to direct the adult
choir in 1956. In 1960 George England came in the same capacity.
In 1954, Janie Baldwin became the first "paid" secretary at $5 per
week. She prepared weekly bulletins, monthly financial statements,
budgets and other typed material. Mrs. Baldwin worked closely with
Garney Morrow and together they set up the first individualized records
of contributions.
In 1950, the partitions downstairs were removed to make an assem-bly
room for the Primary age children. The Men's Class met across the
hall and the ladies met in the area under the church porch. In 1955, a
second Bible Class for men was organized and met for some time in
the Scout Hut.
In 1960, the church voted to change the constitution of the deacon
board by rotating its membership with each deacon serving three years.
In the election which followed the following men were elected as
deacons: Stowe Petty, H. V. Roberts, James McGaha. Ivey Morris, R. L.
Culbreth, J. G. Morrow, Jimmy McGaha, Julius Baldwin, and J. T.
Stafford. Three of these would serve three years; three would serve two
years; and three would serve one year.
An outstanding achievement of Rev. Baker's second pastorate was
the erection of the present educational building. The church had been
looking forward to this for several years, and in May 1956, it elected
B. B. Mattox, R. J. Dellinger, and Merle Yarborough as a Building Fund
Committee. Later, J. T. Stafford was elected to serve as treasurer for
the fund. In September of this year Martha Ann Dodson (Huffstetler)
was recognized as the first child who had contributed to the fund. Her
name was placed by vote of the church in the Book of Minutes.
In 1957, the church bought the residence adjacent to its lot that
belonged to Burl and Eula Jones. The land would be needed as a future
building site and the house could be used for classroom space until
the building was completed.
In 1958, the church elected Roy Ervin, T. H. Lemons, Joe Corn, and
Tom Roberts as its Building Planning Committee. In 1961, they sub-mitted
the first plan, which, after revision, was accepted, and a low
bid of $63,000 was taken.
Tom Roberts, Joe Corn, Roy Ervin, and T. H. Lemons, with Stowe
Petty, served on the Building Committee. The church borrowed $40,000
for the building and $5,000 for furnishings from the First Federal
Savings and Loan Company in Lincolnton. The building was opened for
Sunday School in April 1962. In the meantime, the Jones annex had
been sold to Earl Cannon who removed it from the church lot.
In 1958, the church grieved and shared with the Bakers in the loss
of their only son and two of their grandchildren, who were killed in an
automobile accident near Dallas, only minutes after they had ended a
visit at Woodlawn pastorium.
In the fall of 1963, Mr. Baker resigned, but agreed to serve the
church until the end of the year. A pulpit committee was appointed, and
when fall revival time came, the pastor asked this committee to find a
preacher for the revival. They invited Rev. Wade McKnight of Vale,
North Carolina, to come. On December 15, as the pulpit committee
continued their work, they brought Mr. McKnight back for a trial sermon
that he preached in the presence of his predecessor. Rev. Morris Baker,
in turn, moderated the business meeting in which his successor was
called to come as pastor in January 1964.
On December 8, 1963, the church held a dinner in honor of the
Bakers and presented them with $500 as a going-away gift. On Janu-ary
19, 1964, Mr. and Mrs. Baker were granted letters so that they
could join the Friendly Chapel Baptist Church in Maiden, N. C. The
Bakers left a beautiful and loving testimony at Woodlawn.
Chapter 6 — A NEW SANCTUARY
From the time the first sanctuary at Woodlawn was built in 1941,
there were those who felt the building was not complete because there
was no steeple reaching heavenward above its roofs. Plans for such an
addition were drawn but were put aside in the hope of having a more
adequate building and a more magnificent steeple! Today, that steeple
10
stands tall over Woodlawn Baptist Church with its cross pointing upward
to the God whose love has made it possible, and outward to the people
who have come to know Him and are continuing to serve Him because
of the Christian witness moving in and around this church.
In April 1964, shortly after Wade A. McKnight had come to Wood-lawn,
church offerings increased to the extent that $2,500 could be
applied to the $35,000 debt owed on the educational building. In a
year's time, the monthly payments of $400 were increased to $1,000
per month and in July 1966, the debt was completely paid. The church
immediately established a savings account, placing there $1,500 each
month, the same amount as the final regular payments on their debt.
Even before the debt was paid, in December 1965, a Planning Com-mittee
composed of Annelle Jackson, Virginia Fulbright, Tom Roberts,
Stowe Petty, Ivey Morris, Hoyt Cowan and Max Earley, was set up to
begin plans for a new sanctuary.
A year after the debt ended, in July 1967, the trustees of the church,
C. E. Dodson, H. V. Roberts, and J. Garney Morrow, were named as a
Steering Committee to guide a Bond Sale. Bonds, Incorporated, repre-sented
by Ben Sturm, was secured to present the program in which the
church approved the sale of no more than $150,000 in bonds. The
bonds were issued and sold in October 1967.
After the overwhelming success of the bond sale, the church was
ready to ask for an architect. Benjamin Sides of Charlotte, North Caro-lina,
presented plans in November 1967. At this time the Planning
Committee was released, as such, but they were asked to continue their
service in an advisory capacity.
In the meantime, school consolidation in the Gaston County System
had closed the Art Cloth School and the church decided to wait on the
building plans until they were able to buy the school site if it were sold.
Tom Roberts, George Waldrop and H. V. Roberts were appointed to
offer bids on the property and were able to purchase it for $9,000. In
1969, the school building, erected in 1926, the first worship place for
Woodlawn, was torn down and the land prepared for a new church.
In March 1969, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Cloninger, both charter members
of the church, stood with Hoyt Cowan, Building Committee Chairman,
and the pastor, Wade McKnight, in a ground breaking ceremony. Ray-field
Construction Company, Bessemer City, North Carolina, was given
the contract for $175,633. Later the church decided to complete a
balcony in the church and $30,000 in bonds were sold to cover the
added expense. The building was completed in 1970 and appropriate
dedication services were held to commemorate the event.
During this period 1964-1970, other strides were being made in the
church program itself. In 1964, the part-time secretary, Janie Baldwin,
was given a raise of $10 per week because of an increased workload.
She continued in this position until 1968, when the church voted to
hire an office secretary to work 15 hours per week. Jane M. Saunders
was secured for this position and has been serving the church for the
past ten years.
11
J. T. Stafford had been elected the first librarian in 1943. Jimmy
McGaha, Sunday School superintendent, had donated the first book, a
Bible dictionary, when he moved from Woodlawn in 1962, but other-wise
little progress had been made in library service. On August 3,
1969, the church voted to establish a memorial library which would be
housed in the new sanctuary. All books in the Memorial Library would
be given in honor or memory of family members and friends. As Library
Committee Chairman, Mary B. Pinnix was very active in setting up the
Memorial Library and Ruby Usery has served as librarian since its
opening.
In 1969, while construction was going on at the new sanctuary, fire
seriously damaged the educational building. The loss, covered by in-surance,
was repaired by the same contractor who was working on the
other building for $60,000.
A very old custom faded away in 1969. For many years the mill com-pany
and the church had joined together in giving Christmas treats to
the children in the church and community. Time changed, and with con-tinued
prosperity, this need vanished and the policy was discontinued.
In 1970 the church honored the McKnights by giving them a tour of
the Holy Land. They were accompanied by Virginia Fulbright, Annelle
Jackson, Marion Baker and James Battle. This was the year also, that
the church first purchased robes for the choir.
Chapter 7 — ACHIEVEMENT AND CELEBRATION
August 2, 1970, was "Victory Day" for Woodlawn Baptists. On that
day at 10:50 a.m., Mrs. S. A. Cloninger, one of the charter members,
cut the ribbon across the front door and the people moved into the new
sanctuary. A series of dedication services began with the morning wor-ship
hour and an open house was held in the afternoon when hundreds
of people came to see what God had done at Woodlawn.
"The Church's Responsibility" was the theme chosen for the series
of dedication services, and Pastor Wade A. McKnight preached on "The
Church's Responsibility to Its Founder" during the morning worship
and on "The Church's Responsibility To The Community" during the
evening service. Also during the evening service, greetings were re-ceived
from other churches of the community and from Dr. Charles
Lowery, Mayor of Lowell, who represented the civic community.
—August 23, Dr. Howard Ford, Director of Missions for North Carolina
Baptist State Convention, spoke on "The Church's Responsibility to
Missions— Home and Abroad".
—September 13, Dr. Eugene Poston, President of Gardner-Webb Col-lege,
spoke on "The Church's Responsibility to Christian Higher Edu-cation".
Thomas McGraw, associate to Dr. Poston at Gardner-Webb,
spoke on the same subject during the evening service.
—October 11, Dr. Hoyle Allred, Superintendent of Missions for Gaston
Baptist Association, spoke on "The Church's Responsibility To The
Association".
12
—November 15, the series of dedication services for the new sanctuary
was concluded with Dr. Perry Crouch, Executive Secretary of the
North Carolina Baptist State Convention, speaking on "The Church's
Responsibility To The Denomination".
In February 1971, the Church voted to change the Church Building
Fund to Parsonage Building Fund as the church had already been given
a lot by Beaunit Corporation on which to build. Later, in December
1971, the church received a $3,600 anonymous donation to the Par-sonage
Building Fund along with a challenge to get it built, and in the
same month the church elected a Planning Committee. Committee
members were Everette Warren, Chairman; Marion Baker, Donnie Ben-field,
Ruth Mattox, Joyce Grant, Roger Baucom, Roy Ervin, C. E. Dod-son,
and Howard league. Alternate members were Julius Baldwin and
Shirley Culbreth. In March 1972, the Committee presented plans to
build a one-story brick veneer house at an approximate cost of $42,000.
The church approved the plans and a bond issue, of $15,000 to help
finance the construction. The bonds were sold even before they were
printed. In May 1972, the church elected a Parsonage Building Com-mittee
composed of Fred Darnell, Chairman; Shirley Culbreth and Roy
Ervin, and authorized immediate construction of the parsonage. In April
1973, the pastor's family was moved into the beautiful new house at
727 Lineberger Street. It was dedicated to the Lord for the use of the
Church's minister and his family. Open house was held and many
people, including friends from across the state, came to visit and see
the new home.
Other actions of 1971 included installing intercom units in the homes
of shut-ins, enabling them to participate in the worship services and
cooperating with other Lowell churches in providing emergency help
for the needy through the Lowell Goodwill Center. Also, Miss Rita
Justice, spring graduate of Gardner-Webb College, worked with Wood-lawn
youth for the summer.
January 16, 1972, was proclaimed "McKnight Appreciation Day"
which marked the pastor's eighth anniversary at Woodlawn. During the
morning service and the luncheon that followed, more than-500 people
paid honor and tribute to Pastor Wade McKnight and his family in a
surprise "This Is Your Life" program.
In August, after much planning and organizing, Woodlawn launched
its first "Loyalty Crusade." The theme was "Rediscovering Sunday Eve-ning."
The average attendance for the ten Sunday evening services was
310.5 which exceeded the goal of 303 set at the beginning of the Cru-sade.
Nineteen membrs were added to the Church roll and offerings
increased over $150 per week.
Other actions in 1972 include the securing of Gerry Mentzer as a
part-time youth director, the decision to keep the old parsonage, and
the establishment of an Activity Bus Fund. This bus was purchased in
September 1974.
In 1973 the church hosted the Gaston Baptist Association and pur-chased
the Overman property for $6,000.
13
Pictorial Church Directories for all resident members were ordered
in 1974 and six listening units were installed in the sanctuary to ac-commodate
those with hearing disabilities. On Memorial Day, May 26,
1974, a Flag Pole Dedication Service was held to express gratitude for
those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of our
country. A plaque, in honor of Larry K. Morrow who was reported "miss-ing
in action" on May 29, 1972, was dedicated.
In November 1975, because of growth and expansion, Jerry Watts
was secured as first Minister of Music and Youth. His responsibilities
were to include leadership in music, youth and recreational activities.
In December, Appreciation Day for George England, retiring Minister
of Music, was observed. He was presented a color TV and the church
voted to continue his pay through the rest of the year.
On Christmas Eve, Woodlawn's first Silent Communion Service was
observed, beginning at 11:30 p.m. and lasting until midnight. This
service is now a custom.
In celebration of our Nation's Bicentennial, our town and church had
many special activities. In the Bicentennial parade, our church float won
second place. On Sunday, July 4, 1976, Woodlawn's congregation joined
with the rest of our nation in celebrating America's 200th birthday.
The bell from Woodlawn's first church rang out with a call to worship
in this land of freedom. Many members walked from the ball park which
was several blocks away to the church and joined with the rest of the
congregation on the porch of our "Meeting House." Costumes and styles
of 1776 were copied in Woodlawn's dress for the day and believers all
drank from a common cup when we observed the Lord's Supper after
the morning sermon. Dinner was spread on the walk between the Sanc-tuary
and the Educational Building because of heavy rain. Pictures were
made and fellowship was enjoyed on into the afternoon.
In February 1977, a Fiftieth Anniversary Committee (Jubilee Com-mittee)
was appointed to plan and implement the history, activities,
events, speakers and celebration of Woodlawn's Fiftieth Anniversary in
July, 1978. Committee members were Annelle B. Jackson, Coordinator;
Ruth S. Mattox, Jane M, Saunders, Janie D. Baldwin, Gene Morrow,
Calvin Arrowood, Everette Warren, Ivey Morris, Marie Lawing, C. E.
Dodson, Myra M. Black, Joyce B. Grant, Virginia H. Fulbright, T. H.
Lemons, and Jerry Autry. On the Lord's Day, July 31, 1977, during the
morning worship service, the Jubilee Committee formally proclaimed
Celebration of Jubilee and in this service, the church joined in respon-sive
reading of its Message and Doctrines. At this same time, a Survey
and Long-Range Planning Committee was also appointed to make re-commendations
pertaining to Woodlawn's property needs, facilities, re-sources,
and finances over a long period of time. Melvin Grant was
appointed chairman to serve with Max Earley, W. C. Jackson, Ruby
Usery, Lillian Morrow, Roy Ervin and Shirley Arrowood.
In January 1978, the church voted to participate in the James Robi-son
Crusade to be held in June at the Ashbrook Stadium.
14
On January 28, 1978, Mr. J. J. St. Clair, Sr., our oldest charter mem-ber
died at age 89. Several other octogenarians— including Mrs. S. A.
Cloninger, Mrs. Kate Powers, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Phillips, J. 0. Barr,
D. W. Dunlap, Fred Bumgardner, Floyd Bumgardner and Mrs. Bessie
Morrow—are in Woodlawn's congregation.
On Boy Scout Sunday 1978, James McGaha, Scoutmaster for 36
years of Troop —47 which Woodlawn sponsors, was presented "The
Good Shepherd Award."
Easter Sunrise Services were held at Woodlawn on March 26 for the
community and the Woodlawn Sanctuary Choir under the direction of
Jerry Watts, presented the music, including "The Church Triumphant."
After an inspiring service, the Jubilee Committee served refreshments.
Invitations are being prepared, special services planned and excite-ment
is bursting forth as Woodlawn climaxes her year of celebration on
July 30, 1978.
WOODLAWN'S JUBILEE-FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE.
15
PASTORS AT WOODLAWN
C. F. COMSTOCK
1928-1930
Led the congregation before the church was organized and became its first
pastor. Called as pastor on September 16 1928. Resigned August 31, 1930.
W. T. BAUCOM
1930-1933
Served on a part-time basis because there was no work at the mill.
GRADY G. BOWEN
1934-1940
Led church through a period of economic difficulty and to a much stronger
position. Fifty persons baptized in 1934. Pastorium on Geer St. was purchased.
MARSHALL P. RHYNE
1940-1943
Commuted from Dallas, N. C, and did not live in the pastorium. Guided building
program which erected the first sanctuary. Led in its first worship service in 1941.
MELVIN W. STALLINGS
1943-1946
In his pastorate, church membership increased from 142 to 223. Baptized 59
people in 1944-45 church year. In his ministry he served congregations in Okla-homa,
and North and South Carolina.
J. MORRIS BAKER
1946-1947 and 1955-1964
In first pastorate, ground broken to add twelve Sunday School rooms to church
physical plant; in second pastorate, he led in planning and building of the educa-tional
building. Served as pastor in Gaston and Lincoln Counties for over 35 years.
Was in great demand as a revival speaker.
JOHN P. KINNAMAN
1948-1954
Led in a period of growth — membership increased from 257 to 393 — first served
as student supply pastor from Gardner-Webb College. Church sanctuary and Sun-day
School rooms remodeled and redecorated during this time. Scout Hut erected
and parsonage on Main Street purchased. Beaunit Heights added to church field.
Seven men licensed to the ministry while he was pastor.
wade a. Mcknight
1964-
Has led in a period of tremendous growth and development. New sanctuary and
pastorium have been e rected; membership increased to more than 700; intercom
telephone ministry and activity bus have been added.
16
OUR STAFF MEMBERS
.
JERRY A. WATTS
Minister of Music and Youth
1975-
Called in November 1975 as first full-time Minister of Music and Youth, with
responsibilities in music, youth and recreation. Organized graded choir program,
developed youth and recreational activities. Works with Senior Adults.
JANE M. SAUNDERS
Secretary
1968-
Became first office secretary in 1968. She also serves as Church Clerk, Assistant
Treasurer and publishes the Woodlawn News newsletter. Her artistic talents are
another asset to her church.
17
COMMISSIONED TO CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Judson T. Stafford Licensed 1940, Ordained 1947
Marion E. Gibson Licensed 1948
Charles W. Stafford Licensed 1948, Ordained 1954
Jasper N. Grant Licensed 1949, Ordained 1955
Charles Ray Henderson Licensed 1952
Thomas Ellington Licensed 1952
Homer Bennett Licensed 1952
Leonard Home Licensed 1954, Ordained 1956
Sammy Wiley Licensed 1955
Richard Peek Licensed 1965, Ordained 1966
Keith Chronister* Ordained
Keith Chronister was not a member at Woodlawn, but was ordained
here. Other full-time Christian workers who at one time or another
attended regularly at Woodlawn include: Rev. Quinn Howe, Rev. Jerry
Rumfelt, Rev. Ned Buckner, Rev. Jackie Stafford, and Rev. Ronnie
Wilson.
18
OUR DEACONS
On the day of its organization, J. F. Vickery was elected as deacon
and very soon thereafter A. L. Stafford and W. P. Walker were chosen
to complete the first board of deacons. The asterisk indicates those
known to have served as chairmen. The deacons did not serve on a
rotational plan until 1960.
J. F. Vickery*
A. L. Stafford
W. P. Walker
A. B. Davis
Luther McAlister
James A. McGaha*
L. C. Morrow
Claude Heffner
P. P. Truesdale
M. E. Gibson
James A. McGaha, Jr.
Tom Roberts
T. H. Lemons
Ivey C. Morris
Raymond Dellinger
Jack Ruppe*
Robert L. Culbreth
Max Earley
Charles R. Lowery
Charles Stafford
J. G. Morrow, Sr.
J. N. Grant*
George Waldrop
Stowe Petty
Julius Baldwin*
Roy Ervin
H. V. Roberts
J. T. Stafford*
Gary Huffstetler
James G. Morrow, Jr.
Carroll Watts
Roger Baucom
Howard Teague*
Everette Warren*
Fred Darnell
Leonard Hollifield
Robert Bingham
James McKnight
Calvin Arrowood
Gordon Ramsey
Ralph Faulkenberry
Larry Black
W. P. Walker
D. 0. Ragan
James McGaha
L. A. McAlister
Ernest Buckner
C. E. Dodson
CLERKS AND TREASURERS
A. L. Stafford
Eugene Gibson
Charles Stafford
Amos Grant
S. A. Cloninger
John Carter
George F. Teague
Harold Singleton
Ivey Morris
J. G. Morrow, Sr.
J. G. Morrow, Jr.
Jane M. Saunders
TRUSTEES AT WOODLAWN
John E. Carter A. L. Stafford
James A. McGaha L. A. McAlister
C. E. Dodson H. V. Roberts
Clarence E. Dodson was selected as one of the first trustees and has
remained on the board through all of its history.
J. G. Morrow, Sr.
J. Thomas Roberts
Mr. Ashe
Malcolm McAlister
SEXTONS
Jackie Stafford
James McGaha
Robert Johnson
Max Earley
19
WMU PRESIDENTS
1929-30 Mrs. S. A. Cloninger 1943-44 Mrs. A. L. Stafford
1931 Miss Ida Campbell 1945 Mrs. H. V. Roberts
1932-33 Mrs. G. W. Bowers 1946-47 Mrs. George Waldrop
1934 Mrs. E. K. Carter 1948 Mrs. J. E. Harwell
Mrs. D. O. Ragan, 1949-52 Mrs. John Kinnaman
Sunbeams 1953-56 Mrs. George Waldrop
1935 Mrs. J. L. Hawkins 1957-61 Mrs. Morris Baker
1936-37 Mrs. A. L. Stafford 1962-66 Mrs. Jessie Stafford
1938-39 Mrs. Eula Jones 1967-69 Mrs. Wade McKnight
1940-41 Mrs. B. B. Mattox 1970-72 Mrs. Blanche Teague
1942 Mrs. Eula Jones
CHOIR
1973-78
LEADERS
Mrs. Velma Earley
Bill Wynn B. B. Mattox George England
A. L. Stafford Victor Guin Ed Powell
J. T. Stafford
ORGANISTS AND PIANISTS
Clarence Grant Earlene E>arr Vivian McGraw Denton
Mrs. D. . Ragan Martha S, Jacobs Virginia Fulbright
Allene Carman Joyce M. Roberts Bernice Kinnaman
SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS
1928-30 Karl E. Sherrill 1949 Donnie E. Rabb
1931 Roy Lockridge 1950 Raymond J. Dellinger
1932 J. T. Cox 1951-59 James A. McGaha
1933-35 W. G.ray McArver 1960-61 James McGaha, Jr.
1936 Walter Crompton 1962 Jasper N. Grant
1937-43 James A. McGaha 1963-66 James A. McGaha
1944 Clau de W. Heffner 1967-77 Robert L. Culbreth
1945-48 Ernest Buckner 1978 Gordon Ramsey
TRAINING UNION DIRECTORS
1929 Jesse Proctor 1951 Henry Phillips
1930-32 W. F'. Walker 1952 Joe Corn
1933-34 W. Giray McArver 1953-59 Roy Ledwell
1935-36 James McGaha 1960-61 Julius Baldwin
1937-41 J. T. Stafford 1962-64 Jack Ruppe
1942-43 Clau de W. Heffner 1965-67 Julius Baldwin
1944-49 James A. McGaha 1968-78 Carroll Watts
1950 Ray Henderson
20
OUR BELOVED DEAD
1928
1929-
1932
1933-
1947
1948-
1953
— Clarence Grant
1931 — none
— W. E. Sanders
1946 — none
— Mrs. W. G. Leatherwood
Master G. Leatherwood
Mrs. Betsey T. McDonald
1952 — none
Irs. L. A. Proctor
Mrs. Charles Overman
Mrs. A. L. Stafford
J. C. Mattox
1954 — none
1955 - W. G. Leatherwood
1956 -Jim Chandler
Kelly Simmons
1957 — Miss Doris Huffman
Walter Stallings
Mrs. Davis Cannon
1958- F. H. Pope
1959 -G. M. McDonald
1960 — Jerry Moore
Mrs. W. E. Stiles
Mrs. Ruby Watts
Merle Yarborough
1961 — Mrs. Minnie Long
Raymond Dellinger
1962 - Mrs. L. A. Proctor
1963 — Mrs. Eula Jones
Charles Warren
1964- William Baker
Charlie Turner
Mrs. Ella Jackson
1965 — Lee Moseley
Mrs. Ralph Rowland
Earl Pettit
1966 — Miss Earl Jordan
1967 -A. L. Stafford
Mrs. Maude Greenway
Will Brown
Hugh Jones
1968- Glazier Warren
Mrs. Dorothy Overman
J. C. May
Clifford Cloninger
Mrs. Harding Overman
1969 — Mrs. James Battle
Houston McDonald
Billy Wilson
Mrs. Mary E. Sharpe
1970- Mrs. Carrie St. Clair
B. B. Mattox
Mrs. Ocie Mitchem
Mrs. Mae Huffman
Sidney Bolick
J. G. Morrow Sr.
S. A. Cloninger
1971 - Miss Gale Baker
Leroy Barr
Wallace McGraw
Charles Carter
Floyd Hall
1972 - none
1973 — George Ervin
Mrs. Bertie Barr
1974— Mrs. Mattie Wilkerson
Mrs. Grace Walker
1975 — Mrs. Eunice Roberts
Richard Peek
James Shinn
1976 -Sherrill McGraw
1977 -J. A. Lewis
Michael Bingham
Mrs. Cumi Dailey
1978- Mrs. Lela Pettit
Eugene Knight
J. J. St. Clair, Sr.
Barbara Land Harwell
William A. Bess
Robert Dean Lemons
21
CHURCH CHRONOLOGY
1923-26 Art Cloth Mill, village, business district and school building
erected.
1923-28 Preaching services and Sunday School in old store building,
Mrs. Brandon's home and later in the school building.
1928 July 29 — Church organized in the school building.
1928 September 1 — Church officially named Woodlawn and C. F.
Comstock called as first pastor.
1929 Committee elected to select a building site for church. Bank
closed and all building funds were lost.
1930 W. T. Baucom called to serve part-time as work at the mill
had been curtailed.
1934 Harold Smith, Greenville evangelist, held a revival that added
to membership at the church. Grady G. Bowen called as
pastor.
1936 Mill ceased operations.
1937 Mill reopened as National Weaving Company.
1939 February — Women's Missionary Union presented the
church with $95 to be applied as down payment on a $950
house at — 10 Geer Street to be used as pastorium. First
Board of Trustees elected and deed for house recorded in
Register of Deeds office.
1940 February — M. P. Rhyne called as pastor.
August — Blueprints for new church presented and adopted.
October — Bid of $7,050.55 accepted on building.
1941 July 20 — First service in new sanctuary.
December 7 — Pearl Harbor attacked.
1942 July 12 — Church voted to sponsor Boy Scout troop.
1943 Melvin Stallings called as pastor.
1944 September — Building debt now paid and dedication ser-vices
at homecoming.
1945 Eddie Lieberman, a converted Jew, led in one of Woodlawn's
great revivals. World War II ended and church was gathering
place for grateful worshippers.
1947 Morris Baker called as pastor.
1948 April 19 - Borrowed $6,000 to build Sunday School rooms
and install a heating system. John Kinnaman called as full-time
pastor.
1953 Scout Hut built for $2,400. Pastorium on Geer Street plus
$5,500 traded for the house on North Main Street. Preach-in
Mission and Sunday School established in the Smyre
community.
22
1954 Sanctuary remodeled and baptistry installed with a loan of
$2,500. Janie Baldwin hired as Secretary.
1955 Morris Baker called to pastor second time.
1956 Ed Powell began working as choir director.
1959 George England called as choir director.
1960 Deacon Board began Rotation Plan.
1961 June — Plans for a new eductaional building adopted.
1962 Educational Building completed and opened.
1963 December — Wade McKnight called as pastor.
1964 Young At Heart Club began under sponsorship of church.
1965 Sanctuary Planning Committee elected.
1966 Debt on Educational Building paid off.
1967 $150,000 bonds issued and sold to finance building.
1968 Jane Saunders hired as office secretary.
1969 Art Cloth School bought; bid accepted on new sanctuary.
1970 August — Sanctuary opened and dedicated.
1971 Ministry extended to shut-ins by telephone intercoms.
1972 Plans for new pastorium presented and approved. Loyalty
Crusade, another of Woodlawn's great revivals.
1973 Pastorium completed and dedicated. Church hosted the
Gaston Baptist Association for first time in its history.
Overman property in front of church and on Main Street
purchased.
1974 Church and Gaston College cooperated in opening an Adult
Education Department at our church. Bought Activity Bus.
1975 Jerry Watts came as first full-time Minister of Music and
Youth.
1976 Church observed nation's Bicentennial; entered a prize-winning
float in the town parade.
July 4 — Observed Bicentennial by walking from ball park
to church in a group, wearing 1776 costumes, old fashioned
Sunday School and dinner on the grounds.
1977-78 Church observes it year of Jubilee.
1978 July 30- Jubilee Day.
23
STATISTICAL TABLES
YEAR BAPTISMS
OTHER
ADDITIONS
TOTAL
MEMBERSHIP
MISSION
GIFTS
TOTAL
GIFTS
1928 43 41 7.42 392.54
1929 18 43 77 115.45 1,616.64
1930 18 43 77 115.45 1,616.64
1931 17 88 50.27 1,413.56
1932 21 3 110 118.05 982.50
1933 21 9 148 97.00 1,176.00
1934 50 9 176 64.74 1,068.78
1935 9 11 170 139.65 950.63
1936 2 5 150 17.00 645.80
1937 2 23 164 82.40 952.57
1938 1 8 123 158.77 1,286.34
1939 1 4 89 124.47 1,403.00
1940 24 26 123 178.28 1,458.17
1941 8 7 131 303.36 5,282.95
1942 22 13 158 478.80 5,184.36
1943 7 4 142 549.69 5,199.98
1944 2 2 140 655.82 7,722.59
1945 59 34 223 1,683.81 9,077.16
1946 1 9 213 1,317.84 6,765.30
1947 31 11 240 846.00 11,700.87
1948 15 12 257 1,939.93 24,470.83
1949 35 18 284 1,050.00 14,021.15
1950 19 16 290 1,359.26 14,112.32
1951 29 17 324 1,241.00 14,172.73
1952 14 21 280 2,123.89 19,457.39
24
STATISTICAL TABLES
YEAR BAPTISMS
OTHER
ADDITIONS
TOTAL
MEMBERSHIP
MISSION
GIFTS
TOTAL
GIFS
1953 24 10 373 2,519.40 19,343.44
1954 37 15 393 2,721.00 23,492.54
1955 24 22 428 2,400.00 20,924.92
1956 15 6 435 4,217.00 17,710.00
1957 17 18 450 4,896.00 27,287.00
1958 16 9 459 3,170.00 19,303.00
1959 34 5 488 4,484.00 21,100.00
1960 11 7 457 3,330.00 27,379.00
1961 6 13 467 2,629.00 26,839.00
1962 6 7 471 3,382.00 27,586.00
1963 12 8 477 4,903.00 31,045.00
1964 27 13 503 3,323.00 34,583.00
1965 11 12 514 3,576.00 39,437.00
1966 20 2 • 528 4,938.00 44,027.00
1967 16 11 540 4,724.00 42,128.00
1968 17 14 560 4,168.00 49,531.00
1969 24 9 571 5,699.00 62,836.00
1970 16 10 577 5,944.00 59,552.00
1971 11 6 579 7,956.00 66,603.00
1972 7 24 587 7,559.00 65,262.00
1973 25 34 646 7,726.00 75,283.00
1974 16 36 686 8,293.00 98,644.00
1975 7 19 694 11,433.00 91,554.00
1976 20 9 703 10,869.00 93,534.00
1977 17 10 720 11,333.00 93,500.00
TOTALS 845 737 — 151,110.75 1,330,614.70
25
STATISTICAL TABLES
YEAR
SUNDAY SCHOOL
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
TRAINING UNION
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
WMU
ENROLLMENT
1928 32 None Reported None Reported
1929 165 40 Enrolled 11
1930 165 40 Enrolled 11
1931 200 None Reported 14
1932 235 133 32
1933 185 97 Enrolled No Report
1934 No Report 90 70
"Sunbeam Band"
1935 No Report 64 No Report
1936 No Report No Report No Report
1937 No Report 23 Enrolled 14
1938 No Report 34 14
1939 105 37 Enrolled 24
1940 132 42 16
1941 125 47 20
1942 77 38 16
1943 102 64 14
1944 77 34 67
1945 132 No Report 55
1946 118 69 40
1947 157 73 98
1948 140 53 69
1949 163 52 49
1950 180 68 49
1951 182 101 38
1952 No Report 54 36
26
STATISTICAL TABLES
YEAR
SUNDAY SCHOOL
AVG.ATTND./ ENROLLED
TRAINING UNION
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
WMU
ENROLLMENT
1953 205 60 92
1954 222 48 108
1955 226 40 77
1956 240 53 114
1957 250 82 108
1958 246 62 108
1959 258 73 125
1960 240 65 114
1961 No Report 76 118
1962 221 52 118
1963 217 44 85
1964 211 55 80
1965 210 52 99
1966 205 48 99
1967 190 41 101
1968 177 42 84
1969 177 58 75
1970 170 61 86
1971 198 59 84
1972 194 62 101
1973 196 65 117
1974 208 86 100
1975 216 68 92
1976 217 52 120
1977 199 51 129
27
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Church Minutes and Membership Record Book I: October 2, 1938 to
September 10, 1950
Church Membership Record and Minutes of Church Business, Book II:
October 1, 1950 to March 4, 1962
Church Membership Record and Minutes of Church Business, Book III:
November 22, 1970
Gaston Baptist Associational Minutes: 1928-1977
Gaston County Register of Deeds
History of Wood I awn Baptist Church: 1920-1962
Minutes of Deacons' Meetings
Ten Years of Progress: 1964-1974: Woodlawn Baptist Church, 1974
Woodlawn Baptist Church: Dedication, 1970
Wooley, Davis C. Guide to Writing the History of a Church, Broadman
Press, 1969
28
WOODLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH
Wade A. McKnight
Pastor
Jerry A. Watts
Minister of Music
Jane M. Saunders
Secretary
JUBILEE COMMITTEE
Annelle B. Jackson
Chairman
History
Janie D. Baldwin
Ruth Mattox
Ivey Morris
C. E. Dodson
Program
Everette Warren
Virginia Fulbright
T. H. Lemons
Jerry Watts
Social
Joyce Grant
Marie Lawing
Gene Morrow
Correspondence
C. E. Dodson
Ruth Mattox
Calvin Arrowood
Jane Saunders
Publicity
Jane Saunders
Myra Black
Jerry Autry
Finance
Calvin Arrowood
C. E. Dodson
.
•
29
STATE LIBRARY OF NORTH CAROLINA
3 3091 00636 9524
DATE DUE
GAYLORD FRINTED IN U.S.A.