Beaver Dam Baptist Church; historical sketch, 1850-1950

McSwain, Jean

Beaver Dam Baptist Church

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DUKE
UNIVERSITY

DIVINITY SCHOOL
LIBRARY

George Washington Flowers
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PREFACE

We the Authors of this historical sketch, wish to express our sincere
appreciation to the many people who have assisted us in making- this
book possible. If this book meets with any degree of success, the credit
in a large measure is due to the membership of the church for their loyal
support of the project.

We wish especially to express our appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. T. P.
Plamrick for the information they so graciously furnished, as well as old
Church records they furnished us access to.

We are also indebted to Mrs. J. G. Greene for the many hours she
spent as our Secretary in preparing the information contained in this
book, so that it might be turned over to the printers. It would also be an
act of ingratitude not to mention those who through the years have kept
the records of the Church, for without these records, this historical sketch
would not have been possible.

Co- Authors ;

Jean McSwain
Robert Morgan

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Rev. JohD W. Suttie

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Minister of the Gospel for 60 years; Modcialui oi Uk Ivihk^ AI(,uiiUiiii I^ai-ilLsi Aa.Vii. iui Ihe
past 38 years; President of North Carolina State Baptist Convention in 1949; Pastor of this Church
since 1935.

The history of Beaver Dam Church is a long and very interesting
history. Throughout this history is found one main theme and that is
progress.

Beaver Dam Baptist Church was constituted on December 23, 1850.
Some question has arisen as to exactly how the name Beaver Dam was
given this church. From the most realible information available, it is
learned that beavers had built a dam across a small creek near where this
church was organized and it was from this that the name Beaver Dam was
taken.

For sometime before the church was constituted, several ministers
had been conducting services at a stand near the present site of this
church. It was necessary for these ministers to ride horseback to attend
these meetings. It was after several such meetings and a great deal of
interest being manifest, it was decided there was what seemed to be an
opportunity to establish a regular Baptist Church and so it was on the SSrd
of December, 1850 that a presbetery composed of and constituted from the
deaconship and ministers of the following Baptist Churches: Sandy Run,
Boiling Springs, Mount Sinai and Zion was assembled. Members for the
new church gathered at this meeting were from other churches and some
desiring to be baptized. The churches from which members brought their
letters were Double Springs, Zion and Sandy Run,

The new church was duly constituted with 43 members, 24 male and
19 female. The charter members of Beaver Dam Baptist Church are as
listed below :

MALE

Elijah Eskridge
John Padgett
John J. Jones ' ■ '
William McSwain
Daivd Hamrick
Jesse Hardin
George McSwain
Drury D. McSwain
Howsen Harrill
Whitson Dye
Thomas Harrill
Nathaniel Harrill
Elijah Hamrick .
D. C. Webb
Isaac N. Earls
David Bostic
Irvin J. Hardin
Andy Hamrick
Charles Webb
Weldon Durham
James McSwain
Reubin Bridges
L. D. Webb

FEMALE
Susannah McSwain
Susannah Bostic
Polly McSwain
Nancy Hamrick
Cynthia Panel
Rachel Padgett
Lucia McSwain
Margaret Pinson
Eliza Eskridge
Sarah Price
Frances Bridges
Priscilla Harrill
Mary Randall
Jane Hamrick
Nancy Pinson
Esther Padgett
S. E. Elliott
Elizabeth McKinney
Nancy McSwain

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At this meeting Rev. R. P. Logan was called as the first pastor and
served the church until 1853, It is reported that he received as a salary
for his first years, work $10.20. It is known further that some of the fol-
lov/ing pastors did not receive this much, some of them receiving as low as
$8.75 for their years work as pastor. In connection with this, however,
it should be pointed out that in the year 1850, being pastor was not a full
time work as it is today.

Evidently, Reverend Logan was an outstanding leader for it was he
who for the first three years of the church life kept it together and saw
that not a single scheduled service was missed. If he could not attend, it
VvRs arranged for someone else to fill his place. Also the same tribute must
be paid to the first members of this church for it was their loyalty and
true faith in Christ that caused them not only to maintain a church but
also to grow. It is significant to note that the first mention of a service
l^eing missed by this group was nine years after the church was founded
in August 1859.

Not very much is known further of the organization of this church.
It is known however that J. J. Jones was elected the first church clerk
and served until 1853 when D. C. Webb was elected.

The only two known deacons in this body was John Padgett and Eli-
jah Eskridge. The first deacon mentioned in the records of the church as
being elected was Nathaniel Harrill, this was in 1852.

As to the building this group met in» the first Beaver Dam Church
building was constructed of logs and situated about 500 yards west of the
present church building near a spring. It was found essential for obvious
reasons during this period that all homes and churches be constructed
near spring. It is further known that this building had no heat nor lights
of any kind. It was the custom for someone to build a large fire in front
of the church before each meeting for those attending to warm themselves
before entering and after the service was dismissed. As to the furnishings
of this church, nothing is known other than that logs were used for seats.

When first organized, Beaver Dam Church was a member of the
Broad RiverAssociation which at that time covered all of Cleveland and
surrounding counties. When the Kings Mountain Association was formed,
this church voted in May 1851, to become a member of this Association.
As delegates to the first Kings Mountain Associational meeting, held at
Double Springs the 7th of December, 1851, this church sent Elijah Esk-
ridge, Wm. McSwain and John Padgett. Thereby this church became a
charter member of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association. It is interest-
ing to note that as their part of the Associational expenses and minutes
for that year, this church sent $1.00 as its part.

Some interesting facts about the first years of the church which
should be mentioned is that the meetings were held once each month,
these meetings being held quite often on Saturday. At these meetings, it
was a part of the church function to hold the monthly conference. Church
communion was held on the 4th Lord's day in August, November, February
and May, and on each Saturday preceding church communioi, the rules of
the church were read.

The regular church conference was considered to be one of the most
important functions of the church life. In these meetings all matters per-
taining- to the operation of the church were taken care of. At these con-
ferences the enforcement of regulations regarding the attendance and con-
duct of the church members were taken up. The rules by which a church
member was governed in the early da,ys of the church were much more
rigid than today. As an example, one of the rules closely followed was:
"Any male member not attending the regular meetings is to send the
cause thereof by some member if possible to the church, or attend the
next meeting if possible to render the cause thereof themselves". Some
iTtembers were excluded from fellowship for not obeying the rule.

In addition there were several other rules for which deliquent mem-
bers were brought to trial and prosecuted. The church was very prompt to
act on these members and in most cases disposition of such charges was'
made at the following conference meeting. Most of the offenders brought
before the church confessed and requested the church to bear with them
which in most cases was done. However, some who refused to make such
acknowledgment or were chronic offenders were excluded. Most of these
excluded were later restored to church fellov/ship when they repented and
asked to become church members again. The first member excluded from
Beaver Dam Baptist Church was excluded, as noted in the minutes, for
fishing and playing on the Sabbath.

The church although limited in it's first j'^ears in such things as trans-
portation and communications v/as able to carry on the normal functions
of a church as we recognize them today and each year the membership
showed steady growth.

As early as September 1851, the church granted Wm, McSwain regular
license to preach. The wording of this license being rather unusual in
that it granted him the right to preach in all the world. It was about the
same time that J. J. Jones was also granted license to preach.

The church v/as able in August 1852 to hold the first revival meeting
at which time 14 members joined the church by letter and experience. It
was in this meeting that the third colored person became a member, the
second colored member being a slave girl whose name was Jane and be-
longed to Elijah Eskridge. She had joined the church in 1851 and in years
to follow other colored people became members of the church. One colored
v/oman, Lucy MsSwain, was a charter member of the church and there are
members in our church today who remember when she attended the
services and sat in the rear of the church. She was buried in the northeast
end of the church cemetery in April 1881.

Several other activities were entered into by the church, one being
the improvement in the first church building when a public subscription
was made to raise money to make seats and line the cracks, in the building.

An attempt was made in March 1856 to organize some sort of Sabbath
KC'iool. This attempt, however, met with very little if any success for no
mention of the existence of such a school is made again until 1877, It was
in this year that a more concentrated effort was put forth to establish a
Sabbath School, J, T. Harrill was elected superintendent and G. C. MsSwain

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was named a teacher. In addition, S. H. Namrick and C. C. Hamrick was
elected as male teachers and Amanda Bostic and E. Webb as female tea-
chers. This attempt did not achieve lasting success for it is known that
some members of the church at that time objected to such an organization
as they feared such a school might bring false and objectionable teachings
into the church. In addition there were other factors which m.ade the ope-
ration of Sabbath School more difficult, one being that no heat was avail-
able in the winter and it was necessary for the Sabbath School when first
organized to operate only in the summer.

Another attempt to reorganize the Sabbath School was made in 1879.
J. T. Harrill was again elected superintendent and J, L. Wray the assistant
superintendent. S. Hamrick was elected secretary and N S. Harrill was
elected treasurer.

To assist the churches in organizing vSabbath Schools, the Rev. G. M.
Webb had been appointed some years prior by the Kings Mountain Ass'n
to work among the churches as a Sunday School Missionary.

It is believed that Beaver Dam was one of the first churches in the
association to maintain a year-round Sunday School. The records show
that this church has operated a Sunday School the year-round since 1879.
The -Smiday School was helped a lot y/lien, in 1881, the church bought
its first stove at a cost of $21.00. This enabled the Sunday School to carry
on throughout the winter with a great deal more comfort.

In 1856, the first call was made on the church by the Bible Board of
Nashville, Tennesee, which we now know as the Sunday School Board. This
ca'l -was for money to help distribute Bibles. The church voted not to send
the funds. The following year in September 1857, the church took a pub-
lic collection to obtain money to assist in sending preachers to the Cata-
wba Valley which was called in a letter dated that year, "A destitute
region of baptist preaching".

The church in its early years was also active in helping to organize
(>ther churches and in 1860 sent its deaconship and pastor to help organize
a church 12 miles east of Rutherfordton. The name of this church was
not indentified in the records.

The church was not without its problems in the early years and fin-
ances was one of the main problems. This is shown by the fact that in 1860
some of the church members felt that a more suitable meeting house was
needed but it was decided that this could not be done at this time.
Additional evidenceof the financial problems confronted by the church is
shown by the fact that it took 17 members to raise $1.00 which was sent to
the Kings Mountain Association to help pay for minutes of the associat-
ional meetings that year. This money for some reason was not turned
over to the association by the delegates and was brought back to the church
and used for the purchase of wine for the church communion service.

The affiliation of Beaver Dam Church with the Kings Mountain Asso-
ciation has not always been harmonious, for in 1859, Beaver Dam along
with 5 other churches in the association withdrew and formed what was
called the Constitutional Kings Mountain Association. This action took
place in 1859 and was brought about by the liquor question. This subject
had been discussed in the churche for several years but no definite solution

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Oldest living member of Beaver Dam Church ; Deacon for 52 years ; Church
Clerk 1885 - 1908, and 1913 - 1916; also church trustee.

could be arrived at. In 1859, however, the association passed a resolution
which was not to the liking- of these 6 churches and so it was that they
withdrew from the association. The churches which did accept this resol-
ution were faced with dissension in their churches and it was necessary for
them to turn out of their church large numbers of their members. This
division of the association continued with the two groups holding seperate
associational meetings until 1866, It can be said to the credit of this
church that it was one of the leaders in bringing about the reunion of the
two groups. This was done by the church adopting a resolution in 1866
asking for a consideration of this matter in sending it to their association.

As early as 1878, the church showed an interest in Christian Edu-
cation for it was in that year the church made up money to help J. M.
Bridges receive an education. The record of this action as stated in the
minutes for that year is as follows: "The church voted to help Brother
J. M, Bridges procure aii Eriglish education at Boihng Springs Academy".

As noted by previous mentioned facts, the young church was growing
in all respects. This is emphasized by the fact that in 1868 the church
built its second building, this was built close to a spring as was the first
one. The location was about 150 yards northwest of the present church
building. This new building was needed very badly for several reasons,
one being the old building was not large enough to accomodate the number
of people which attended the services, another being that the old building
was in a very bad state of repair. This fact is shown clearly by an entry in
the minutes of that year which stated that the old building was rotten.
So it was that on Saturday, February 22, 1868, that the first meeting was
held in this new building. The cost of this building, as entered in the
records of that year, was $24.00 and 52 pounds of nails. $30.00 was
pledged but $6.00 was not collected. This building was a plain wooden
structure and it was not until 1878, 10 years later, that this building was
ceiled.

Also in the year 1868, the group felt the need of a buring ground
and in July 1868, a plot of ground, which is now the present cemetary,
was secured. It is of interest to note that Howsen Harrill was the first
person buried in this cemetary in 1870. An unusual fact is that his moth-
er, Mrs. Susannah Harrill who was affectionately called "aunt Sukie"
v/as to follow her son in 1871 and was the second person buried in this
cemetary. To some it might seem unusual that the church had existed
for 18 years without a burying ground but it is to be remebered that in
this period it was customary for people to be buried in famih^ cemetaries.

After the building of the second church house, the membership incre-
ased rather rapidly. In 1872 the total membership was 152 and by 1883
the membership had grown to 258. One of the new members during this
period was James Smith who was baptized in 1882 when he was 80 years
oldl.

With this large membership the church once again outgrew its build-
ing and in 1883 it was deemed necessary to build another church house.
The committee which had charge of building this house was composed of:
M. N. Hamrick, G. C. McSwain, J. L. Wray, C. Greene, George McSwain
D. Bostic, T. C. Eskridge, Georg-e Doggett, D. B. Greene, L. J. Holland,

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C. C. Hamrick and D. H. Smith. It was during the revival meeting in 1883
on Thursday of that week that the congregation moved into the new house.
The location of the new house was moved to the present site of Beaver Dam
Church. It is said that the very finest forest timber was used in the const-
ruction of this building. This information is substantiated by the fact that
when in 1923 the church voted to remodel and enlarge the church build-
ing, the building which was constructed in 1883, was turned to face the
highv/ay, a basement added and the building brick veneered. So it is that
the main auditorium of our present building incorporates the one construct-
ed in 1883. The committee which directed this work in 1923 was composed
of: T. P. Hamrick, J. S. Wilson, John Wilson, A. B. Humphries, J L
Blanton, and David Greene.

It was during the revival meeting in 1883 that our present pastor,
Reverend John W. Suttle, was baptized when he was 9 years old. When
our pastor joined the chu.rch, lie Vv^as considered by some to be too young,
being only 9 years old but one member of the church believed that this
young lad had truly accepted Christ as his Saviour, this member being Mr.
C. C. Greene, better known as Uncle Neilly, for it was he who made the
motion to accept this young boy into the church. His faith has truly been
justified. A very large group joined the church at this meeting as a total
of 59 new members were added.

The church has not only grown in membership and plant facilities but
also in its scope of activities, having started yearly contributions to miss-
ions and to christian education. These contributions began very modestly
for instance the year 1876 Beaver Dam contributed to state missions $1.60
and also an equal amount to foreign missions. This was increased until in
1888 the church contributed to various missions as follows: Baptist Or-
phanage $10.00, Christian Education $2.00, Home and Indian Missions
$4 00, and to State Missions $6.00.

Another example of growth may be noted in that prior to 1886 the
pastor's salary had been raised each year by contributions from individ-
uals but after that year the excellent method was adopted for collecting the
pastor's salary, the excellent method being that a collection was taken
every Sunday and the pastor's salary was taken from this.

The year 1886, Beaver Dam for the first time was host to the Kings
Mountain Baptist Association, It was necessary to accomodate the crowds
which attended to utilize the school house which at that time was very
near the church. Beaver Dam was also host to the Association in 1906,
1928 and 1949. A report of the meeting at Beaver Dam in 1886 is as
follows :

"The 36th session assembled at Beaver Dam September 23, 1886 and
days following, and after the sermon by Rev. G. M, Webb, from Luke 19:10,
Messrs H. F. Schenck, D. S. Lovelace and T. D. Lattimore were elected
moderator, clerk and treasurer respectively. A committee on Woman's
missions was appointed at that session. The churches pledged for State
missions $234.00, for Education $113.10. A Committee on Baptist Orphanage
was appointed and $28.50 was raised for the Orphanage. Rev. C. Durham
was present representing the Orphanage, and the body passed a resolution
heartily endorsing the Orphanage and urging the churches to contribute

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regularly to it, as much so as to missions and education. The ladies met
in the Academy to consider missions and were addressed by Dr. Nelson
Dr. W. A. Nelson and C. Durham preached missionary sermons, and took
up collection of $31.40. The session raised $350.94 for missions, total
contributions for the past year beinging $7,924.31, with 40 churches and
6194 members, having baptized 423 and received by letter 315 during past
year, making total additions 738".

It would be a mistake to omit the christian influence that the church
put forth in this community during these years. An example of this being
the interest that was taken in the schools of the community for it was as
early as 1861 that the church granted an arm of support to a small school
located close by. This influence and interest was continued and manifest
and it was in 1904 that the church paid $20.00 for an acre of land on
which to build a school. This acre of land being located approximately one
mile northeast of the present church site on what is now the A. H.
Padgett farm.

One could not completely give the history of this period without
mentioning the music of the church. The first mention of a hymn book
was made in 1868 when it is recorded that the church authorized the
purchase of a Bible and Hymn book. But for a period of 20 years after
this the church had no musical accompaniment for it was not until 1888
that the church voted to buy an Organ. It should be mentioned that the
committee appointed to approve the selection of this organ was composed
of three women with Mr. W. J. D. Greene to buy the Organ. The women
on this committee were: Amanda Bostic, Mrs. J. T. Bridges and Mrs.
Fannie Doggett.

This was in some way a radical departure from precedent in as much
as a thorough search of the church records up to year 1888 shows that no
woman before this time had ever been placed on a committee in this church.
It should be mentioned that this action did not meet the approval of all
church members and in addition, the placing of these women on this comm-
ittee caused comment throughout the Association.

The above mentioned Organ served the church up untinl 1900 when
it was replaced with a new Organ the case of which now serves as a book-
case in the cradle roll department. The Organ purchased in 1900 served the
church until 1924 when the church bought its first piano. It is significana
to note that the purchase of this piano was objected to by some of the
church people. .,

Beaver Dam Church has licensed and ordained several pastors into
the ministry. The names of all these are not available, howeper, some of
these men are as follows: Wm. McSwain, J. H. Carboro, M. Pannell, C. E,
Beaver, J. J. Jones, F. B. Hamrick, W. F. McGinnis and Nolan Howington,

The prsent pastor, J. W. Suttle, is a son of the church and it is interest-
ing to note that on Saturday, May 21, 1892, this church was requested to
send the deaconship and minister to assist in the ordination of Brother
John W. Suttle at the Shelby Baptist Church. It is significant to note
that on this date, he delivered the sermon at this church.

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As previously mentioned in this history, Beaver Dam Church has
been a mother church in sending- out members to form several new churches'!
The names of all these churches are not recorded, however, it is known
that members sent from this church helped form Pleasant Ridge, Lattimore
and Poplar Springs. In connection with the founding of Poplar Springs
Church, Beaver Dam Church sent $13.30 to help build the church house.

At the turn of the century, we find the church in a very active cond-
ition with a membership of 305 and a growing Sunday School. The pastor
m 1900 was Pvev. B. M. Bridges, Mr. T. P, Hamrick was Sunday School
Supermtendent and also served as church clerk. The church had six active
: Sunday School classes with the following- teachers : W. B. McSwain D H
Smith, Miss Maggie Glasco, J. D. Brooks, C. W. CaWahan, J. L. Blanton e'
S. Glasco and B. D. Blanton.

The pastor's salary in 1900 was $100.00 per year. The sexton's salary
was $5.00 per year, his duties included not only looking after the church
house, but taking care of the church spring. The pastor's salary in that
year was paid at the end of the year. However, in 1902, the church voted to
pay the pastor's salary quarterly or semi-annually.

The first mention of trustees of the church is made in 1909 those
hsted m the records that year as trustees are: J. L. Blanton, D B Greene
FiJ^f^f'"' ^- ^- Hamrick and T. P. Hamrick. These were naturally
not the first trustees of the church but the first recorded list of trustees.
_ After the turn of the century, the church continued to show proo-ress
m all respects. The pastor's salary in 1910 being $200.00 and the member-
ship had gTown to 276. Also in that year the church contributed $10.00
to the poor. $20.00 to State Missions, $10.00 to Home Missions, $13 00 to
J^7f \7"'"": ^^^'^^ ^" ^^" Orphanage, $2.00 for Ministerial ed.lication
$2.00 for Ministerial Relief, $4.00 to Old Ministers Relief, $2.00 to the
Associational Minute Fund.

Rev. A. C. Irvin served as pastor of the church from 1907 until 1916
Many ot our present members were baptized by Rev. Irvin.

It was in the early 1920';s the church started other activities .in
connection with Christian work. An example of this being the organization
ot a B. Y. P. U., on September 18, 1921. Miss Ozell Gardner met with the
church and assisted in this organization. Mr. J. B. McGinnis was elected
President and Miss Mildred Hamrick, Secretary of this organization. This
Organization has since that date shown steady growth and is today very
active and considered one of the more important functions of the church

The founding of the B. Y. P. U. at this church was followed shortly
by the organization of a W. M. U. No record is found of the first officers
o. this orgamzation other than Mrs. Chivous McSwain was the first Pres
it has grown from its inception and today it is well organized and assists
the church m many ways.

One of the chief reasons for many new activities during these years
was the better church building. In 1923, the church was remodeled and
enlarged which gave the church 6 Sunday School rooms and in 1924 elec-
tric lights were installed. This was followed by a heating plant installed
in 1928.

On January 20th, 1925. a tragic accident occured on the church gro-
unds. It was while working on the church grounds that 'Mv. David Greene
was killed by a falling tree. The church felt deeply the loss of Mr. Greene
as he was a deacon and an outstanding leader in the church. An appropriate
monument was placed in the church yard by the family, designating the
spot where the accident happened.

Rev. J. C. Gillespie served as pastor from 1922 until 1927. and Rev.
D. F. Putnam served the church as pastor from 1927 until 1935.

Since 1935 ,the church has taken several forward steps in the way of
organizational improvements, as well as physical equipment. In 1936 the
church installed a central heating plant which added a great deal to the
comfort of those attending church.

In 1937. the church brought into use the method of rotating the church
deacons. This method allows a deacon to serve 3 years and then rest for
i year, however, if the church so desires the same deacon may be re-elected
after a years rest, or a new deacon can be elected. To this date, this method
has proved satisfactory.

In 1938 the need was felt for more room for the Sunday School and
so it was on May 8,1938 that a building and purchasing committee was
appointed. This committee composed of: 0. Z. Morgan- Chairman, John
Wortman, M. H. Hamrick, E, D. Humphries and Cletus McSwain. In 1939
an addition v/as completed by the church that added six new class rooms
and a baptistr5^ The bapistry was a welcomed feature of this project for
it had been necessary before this date to perform the ordinace of baptism
in outdoor pools. By this time the church membership had increased to
over 400.

The growth of the church building and equipment was not to stop at
this, for in 1947 the church again deemed it necessary to enlarge, so in
April of that year a building committee w^as appointed to investigate the
l.ossibilities of a building program and report to the church. This comm-
ittee reported favorably and in Julj^ 1947 a building fund for the church
initiated. The handling of this fund and the records of same, from that
date until completion of same, was capably handled by Mr. Jasper G.
Greene.

In the summer of 1-48, this building committee advised the starting
of this program. It was a very ambitious program and involved the ex-
penditure of approximately $45,000.00. The committee which directed
this program : 0. Z. Morgan, Chairman, E. D. Humphries, Cletus McSwain,
M. H. Hamrick, and for the first time in the history of the church two
women were placed on a building comittee, Mrs. Eugene Hamrick and Mrs.
Jasper G. Greene,

Construction of this new addition was started in the summer of 1948.
When this addition was completed it added 10 new class rooms, a very
modern and fully equiped kitchen and an assembly hall v/ith a seating
capacity of 150.

At the same time this addition was built, the auditorium and all furn-
ishings were refinished and carpeting put on the floor. An additional choir
loft was added so that we might have a junior choir in the church.

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In addition, a beautiful pastorial scene was painted back of the bap-
tistry. This painting was done by Mr. Grady Humphries, a member of
the church. He did this in memory of his mother, and his older brother
died in the service of his country.

It would be impossible to give too much credit to the membership
of the church for their loyal and wholehearted support of this building
program and of the large expenditure necessary to complete the work.
In August 1950, only $8,000.00 remained unpaid. It is hoped that in this
centenial year, this amount will be taken care of.

The church today stands as one of the most modern and beautifUil
rural churches in the entire association, having 24 class rooms, a fully
equiped kitchen, an assembly hall and a beautiful auditorium.

As to the organization of the church, it has 520 members, a Sunday
School enrollment of over 300 with an average attendance of 225.

The Baptist Training Union consists of five departments : Sftory Hour,
Junior, Intermediate, Young People and an Adult Union with an average
attendance of approximately 100. The director of this work is Mr. B. P.
McSwain. He has served in this capacity since 1946.

The Woman's Missionary Society of this church is under the directoin
of Mrs. 'Eugene Hamrick and is very active in all phases of Woman's Miss-
ionary work with a membership of 30. This society is firmly established
as an integral part of the church organization.

The Young Peoples work of WMS is under the direction of Mrs.
Brou.ghton McGinnis and is made up of the Sunbeams, Royal Ambassadors,
Junior Girls Auxiliary and the Intermediate Girls Auxiliary. The enroll-
ment in this department of the work is 85. This work is recognized by the
church as being very important for it is from this group that the leaders
of the church of tomorrow must come.

In 1949 the church supported the organizing of a Boy Scout Troop,
being one of the first rural churches in the Association to take such action.

Also in 1949, a Baptist Brotherhood was organized. This church being
t'le second rural church, and the fourth church in the entire Association
to take such action. This organization is growing rapidly and at the pre-
sent time has an enrollment of 44.

The Sunday School tcday hrs an nverr{^;e r.ttcrdance of 221, with six
departments and over 20 classes and 50 officers and teachers active in this
work. Mr. E. D. Humphries is Superientendent of the Sunday School and
has served in this capacity since 1936.

The church has two choirs, the Junior and Senior. Mr. Schieman
McSwain is director of the church music. The Junior choir is directed by
Miss Saranan Morgan, and Maultie Ann Callahan is pianist for this group.
Miss Josephine McSwain is church pianist and plays for the Senior choir.

The church has been active in the support of christian causes espec-
ially Christian Education, In the last few years having supported Gardner-
Webb College monthly. In 1945, the Church gave $3,000.00 to this institut-
ion. In addition to this, the church voted in 1949 to give $1,000.00 toward
the movement of Wake Forest College. In 1948 the church also voted to

n .

5'*^

*..'* i

give a $100.00 scholarship at Gardner-Webb College each year to assist
some worthy young person from this community in furthering their edu-
cation.

The church budget for the fiscal year 1949-50 was $6700.00 and it
is known now that the church contributions will exceed this amount by
several hundred dollars. This amount does not include the building fund
for the year which will be in excess of $6500.00. For all purposes, contri-
butions to the church for this year will exceed $15,000.00

The pastor of the church is Rev. John W. Suttle. This outstanding
and widely known man of God has served the church as pastor since 1935.

Today the members of Beaver Dam Church are justly proud of the
history for the first one hundred years of this church and hold in high
esteem the many christian saints v/ho have gone on before, whose untir-
ing and devoted efforts have made easier our paths today. Many members
of the church today are descendents of the founding fathers of this church.
We also reflect upon this history, with a just pride, in the fact that the
progress of this church under God has been continuous and that the found-
ation and desire for the future work of helping God's Kingdom to grow
upon this earth is firmly entrenched in the minds of all.

We look to the future with a faith born of christian endeavor and
with a determination based upon the promise of our Saviour, that we can
go forward in this work, a work which is important above all other work
and that is the salvation of mankind.

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LiEMBERS THAT SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN WORLD WAR 1

Grover Humphries
Fred F. Callahan
John Humphries
Nestor Hamrick
George Hastings
0. Langdon Runyons
F. Fitzhugh Runvons

Joe W. Runyons
Cleefane Greene
J. Bryan McGinnis
Will Lackey
Boyce Jonas
Clint Hastings

5IEMBERS THAT SERVED THEIR rOUNTRY IN WORLD WAR 2

N orris Brooks
Ralph Greene
Loran Callahan
Homer Hamrick
Clyde Humphries
Dewey Cabaniss
Carson Hamrick
Max Humphries
Willard llanxiick
Earnest Hayes
Herman Jones
Hoyt McCurry
Palmer McMurry, Jr.
Thurman Jones
Clyde McSwain, Jr.
Hatcher Poteat
Miller Jones
T-amton McSwain
Charles Philbeck
Daniel McCurry
Robert Morgan
Willie Pyron
Clarence Pyron
Clay Wilson
Ralph Wallace
Hudson Wilson
Royace Hayes
Ed¥7ard McSwain
Ben Jours

Horace Poteat

Jewel Justice

Everett Cabaniss

Harold McCurry

Eugene Hamrick

Henry Harrill

Edwin McGinnis

Jack McMurry

Ar]:,^.Lh Bl?nton

V\^illiam McSwain

Arthur Blanton

Herschel Wilson

A. V. Hamrick

J. D. Harrill

Ben Wilson

Ralph Greene, Jr.

Oelandl Humphries

Garland Bowen, Jr.

Hazel McSwain

Johnnie Pyron

Hovv^ard Padgett

Arnold McSwain

Ralph Callahan

Thomas McMurry

Leon Wortman

Howard Bowen

Edgar Jones

r^velyn Glascoe, Lt. A. N. C.

. R. C. Doggett, Ji\, USAF and Sgt. Bennett T. Humphries died in the
vice of their country in world war 2.

E. D. Humphries
Sunday School Supt. from 1927 to
1932, and from 1936 until the present
time. Church Clerk, Deacon.

W. H. HUMPHRIES
Church Treasurer from 1923 until
present time. Deacon and S.S. teacher.

V. C. Justice
Church Sexton, Deacon

'*^

Ralph C. Callahan
Assistant Supt of Sunday School fr-
om 1936 until the present time. Dea-
con, incoming director of B. T. U.

CHURCH CLERKS — BEAVER DAM BAPTIST CHURCH

18:^0 1852 J. J. Jones

1:53 D. C. Webb

1854 D. Hamrick

1855 __ I860 J. T. Harrill

1861 — 1864 John Br'clges

1864 — 1865 W. A. Jores

1867 N. S. n?rrill

1^68 — 1882 J. T. Harrill

1883 — 1886 S. H. Hamrick

1887 — 1894 C. C. Hamrick

1895 — 1908 T. P. Hamrick

1909 — 1912 - C. C. Hamrick

1913 — 1916 T, P. Hamrick

1917 — 1919 J. P. Humphries

1920 — 1923 H. H. McGinnis

1924 — 1950 E. D. Humphries

CHURCH PASTORS — BEAVER DAM BAPTIST CHURCH

1850 — 1853 R. P. Logan

1854 L. McSwain

1855 — 1856 R. Poston

1857 William McSwain

1858 — 1859 R. Poston

I860 — 1864 D. Pannell

1865 — 1867 L. H. McSwain

1868 — 1871 L. C. Ezell

1872 M. Pannell

1873 — 1874 T. Mullinax

1875 R. Poston

1876 — 1877 C. M. Webb

1878 — 1885 J. M. Bridges

1886 G. P. Hamrick

1887 — 1890 A. P. Hollifield

1891 J. M. Bridges

1892 — 1893 G. W. Rollins

J 894 — 1895 A. P. Hollifield

1896 — 1903 J. M. Bridges

1904 — 1906 M. E. Parish

1907 — 1915 A. C. Irvin

1916 — 1918 A. H. Sims

1919 R. C. Campbell

1920 — 1921 W. G. Moore

1922 — 1926 J. C. Gillespie

1927 — 1934 D. E. Putnam

1935 _ 1950 J. W. Suttle

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Schieman McSwain Josephine McSwain

Director of music at this Church. Church pianist since 1948 until now.
Deacon

Saranan Morgan Maultie Ann Callahan

Director of Junior Choir since its or- Pianist for the Junior Choir
ganization in 1948. S. S. Teacher.

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Mrs. Broughton McGinnis

Mrs. Eugene Hamrick

Directoi' of Young People's work, also Sunday President of Women's Missionary Society, also
School teacher. Sunday School teacher.

B. P. McSwain

Director of B, Y, P. U. since 1947. Deacon and
Sunday School teacher.

Jasper G. Greene

Deacon, Sunday School teacher and Secretary &
Treasurer of Building Pi^ogram started in 1948.

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Robert F. Morgan

Jean McSwain

Deacon, President of first Brotherhood. Supt. of Sunday School Teacher and Co-author of Church
Adult Dept. and Co-author of Church history. history.

,^

0. Z. Morg-an

Chairman of Board of Deacons, Sunday School teacher, and Chairman of Building Program in
1939 and again in 1948.

IBSn 1950

BEAVER DAM BAPTIST CHURCH

REV. JOHN W. SUTTLE, Pastor

Route No. 4 Shelby, N. C.

MORNING SERVICE
October 29, 1950

Piano Meditation ■

Anthem: "Praise Ye The Lord"

Invocation ;

Hymn No. 406: "The Church's One Foundation'''

Announcements & Recognitation of former members & visitors

Presenting- of Church History , -.

Scripture Reading

Morning Prayer and Choral Response

Tithes and Offerings

Male Quartet

Message : Rev. W. G. Moore, Sumter, S. C. ■

Hymn No. 249: "On Jordon's Stormy Banks"

Benediction

Piano Postlude

AFTERNOON SERVICE

2:00 P. M. , ,

Piano Prelude

Hymn No. 46: "Onward Christian Soldiers"

Prayer -

Junior Choir: "Fairest Lord Jesus"

Announcements & Recognitation of former members & visitors

Message: Rev. J. C. Gillespie, Reidsville, N. C.

Hymn No. 239: "Blest Be The Tie"

Benediction ■

Piano Postlude :

(§m Munhnhtl^ Anmtipraarg
1B50 1950

^^'

BEAVER DAM BAPTIST CHURCH

REV. JOHN W. SUTTLE, Pastor

Route No. 4 Shelby, N. C.

"^^ MORNING SERVICE

October 29, 1950

Piano Meditation •

Anthem: "Praise Ye The LorcF'

Invocation

Hymn No. 406: "The Church's One Foimdation"

Announcements & Recognitation of former members & visitors

Presenting- of Church History ^^.^- ,^,.,. ^ ■

Scripture Reading i

Morning Prayer and Choral Response

Tithes and Offerings . ■

Male Quartet

Message : Rev. W. G. Moore, Sumter, S. C.

Hymn No. 249: "On Jordon's Stormy Banks"

Benediction

Piano Postlude ^

AFTERNOON SERVICE
2:00 P. M.

Piano Prelude

Hymn No. 46: "Onward Christian Soldiers"

Prayer

Junior Choir: "Fairest Lord Jesus"

Announcements & Recognitation of former members & visitors

Message: Rev. J. C. Gillespie, Reidsville, N. C.

Hymn No. 239: "Blest Be The Tie"

Benediction

Piano Postlude

l>j

Date Due

Demco 293-5

■ GAYL AMOUNT®
] PAMPHLET BINDER
j____ Syracuse, N.Y,
^33 Stockton, Colif.

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