Tuesday, November 7, 1905 a Birthday!

It was a chilly autumn Saturday when people gathered to begin writing a story.  Perhaps we don't know the essence of what sparked the journey.  I imagine the anticipation of those believers the Monday night before (the church was organized on a Tuesday before the Central Conference on Wednesday).

I can almost imagine the conversations around dinner tables with handmade biscuits and molasses.  How many days, weeks, months, or even years did it take these gathered believers to decide to start a congregation?  But with the arrival of new industry, Winterville was born and with it a new congregation.  

I imagine the meager purses and wallets that opened as people gave sacrificially.  I wonder how many chickens and pigs were "fully committed" to the pots of chicken and pastry or ham biscuits at that first homecoming.  There is no way I could touch on the true experiences of those early years.  I can only dream! 

I wonder how they selected the first deacons and preacher?  I wonder if they had to beg people to serve as treasurer or clerk?  I wish youth programs could be as simple as they were in those days! I wish I could have been there for the first business meeting! My only source is the Tuesday, November 7, 1905 minute of that first meeting.  

Upon confirming membership of the original 49 charter members, the next item of business was to elect delegates and send a donation to the Central Conference meeting what was held at Gum Swamp Church.  Those 49 voted to send $1.50 as a contribution to the conference.  It was not until after those items that they church elected its first pastor, Reverend T.N Manning and elected J.R. Smith clerk. 

As the congregation grew, two deacons were selected, Bryant Tripp and William S Nobles.  The first trustees, A.M. Stox and J.W. Harper were elected.  Then the building program began by appointing A.M. Stox, J.W. Harper, Bryant Tripp, David McGhlohon, William S Nobles, and J.R. Smith was the building committee.  From this historic beginning, Winterville Free Will Baptist Church was born. 

What a rich heritage of missions!  It is important for us to realize our church was birthed out of a mission…not out of division.  Our DNA holds the essence of the original congregation’s calling and mission.  To this mission, and to Christ’s high calling, we must be committed.