HISTORY OF SEVERN BAPTIST CHURCH
1896-1996
The years of the 1890's decade brought great change for our nation. The devastation left by the War Between the States was finally beginning to subside. Industrial growth began taking over in the cities of America. Roads and railroads were built to tie our country into one nation. In the larger cities of the United States trolley cars or electric street cars offered cheap transportation. The automobile was beginning to replace horse drawn vehicles. Gas lamps were being replace by Thomas Edison's electric light, invented in the 1870's.
Yes, the cities of the United States were prospering, and things were looking so much better that this era of Grover Cleveland's presidency would later become known as the "Gay Nineties."
However, in rural America none of these conveniences were evident. A few automobiles were in use, but the horse and buggy were still very important. This was pre-REA days, and people depended on kerosene lamps, tallow candles, or carbide battery systems to provide light.
The little town of Severn had its beginning in 1887 when the Seaboard Railroad Co. brought a railroad line from Boykins, Virginia into North Carolina. The small community was made up primarily of the families of farmers and lumbermen, honorable people who got their living from the land.
An elderly gentleman of the community has described the early village school house, which was located on Highway 35 across from our present parsonage, as having two classrooms opening onto a wide porch where the school commencements and programs were held for the parents and on-lookers gathered outside.
It was from this little school run by Miss Lily Gaskins (a Methodist) that our Severn Baptist Church originated. One Friday in February of 1892, Miss Gaskins encouraged the children to stay after school to clean the building and school yard for their first Sunday School which was to be held the following Sunday afternoon. The children were instructed to come and bring their parents. Approximately thirty men, women, and children attended this first place of worship in Severn.
The Sunday School which was organized that afternoon chose Lawrence Stephenson as Superintendent. Roberts Chapel Church at Pendleton shared their hymnals and teaching materials until an order could be shipped from the Sunday School Board.
The little group met faithfully each Sunday in the school house and this keen interest never slackened. When the group grew in size, the need to organize a church became imperative.
CHURCH FORMALLY ESTABLISHED 1896
Finally on July 19, 1896, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church. J. N. Hoggard was elected chairman, and R. H. Burris was chosen secretary. Rev. A. W. Scarborough, pastor of Roberts Chapel Church, read from the third and fourth chapters of Timothy and offered prayer. The following were enrolled as charter members: W. H. Pruden, Molly L. Pruden, J. W. Hoggard, P. M. Fleetwood, Nannie O. Bryant, R. T. Pruden, Julian J. White, Lula M. White, Charlie E. Barnes, C. R Rochelle, George T. Fleetwood, W. H. Howell, Betty S. Howell, 1. B. Howell, Edward Cooke, Mamie E. Smith, and J. P. Darden.
Rev. Scarborough read the Church Covenant and the Declaration of Faith, each of which was adopted. The body chose Severn Missionary Baptist Church as its name. Through the years the missionary spirit has been manifest. It was not nntil 1905, however, during the pastorate of Jesse McCarter, that a Woman's Missionary Society was organized. Mrs. McCarter became the president. From that day forth, the Woman's Missionary Society has been an inspiration, and has led the way in contributing to missions.
At the first conference held July 25, 1896, 1. N. Hoggard was elected moderator and W. H. Howell was elected church clerk. W. H. Pruden was received in his official capacity as deacon. George T. Fleetwood was the first deacon to be elected by ballot and was ordained in January of 1897. At the conference of July 25, 1896, a committee made up of "C. R Rochelle, J. W. Hoggard, and J. P. Darden was appointed to frame the Rules of Decorum A building Committee was also chosen. It included Edward Cooke, W. H. Pruden, and J. P. Darden.
On August 22, 1896, the following joined the church by letter: J. W. Fleetwood and Ernest Deloatch from Galatia Baptist Church, F. M. Stephenson, W. H. Maddrey, Gertrude Maddrey, R M. Edwards, John B. Mann, Emma Mann, W. F. Rowe, Archie Fleetwood, Bettie Fleetwood, Sadie Fleetwood, aud L. L. Maddrey from Roberts Chapel Church.
When the first revival was held in August of 1896, five more people were added to the growing membership. During this same month $270.00 was subscribed by the male members to the building fund, and W. H. Howell was added to the building committee.
The site on which our present building stands was given to the church by Richard Smith.
The church became affiliated with the association in October, 1896, with W. H. Howell and W. H. Pruden serving as delegates to this meeting.
Mrs. J. J. White was the first organist of our church. Her contribution as well as that of J. W. Hoggard, the first choir leader, was quite effective and of great value during the first meeting held in the new building on July 24, 1897. At his time, however, the building was not completely finished, the people sat on rough board, backless seats.
The first funeral was that of Ethel Edwards, daughter of the late R. M. Edwards and Mrs. Sally Edwards of Boykins, Virginia.
The first marriage mentioned in the church records was that of Miss Lucille Pruden to Mr. Emmit White on February 11, 1902.
Early records indicate that the first custodian received $10.00 a year, and the first pastor received $150.00 a year. And although money was scarce for everyone, the church evidenced a generous spirit by making financial contributions to several other churches. Those mentioned include: Conway, Holly Grove, Jackson, Speed, Holly Spring, and Wake Forest.
On July 23, 1899, a committee was appointed concerning the purchase of a cemetery lot for the church. Land was purchased for the sum of $25.00, and the deed was read in conference on December 23, 1899. The church kept the cemetery until March, 1953, when it was deeded to the town of Severn.
Some of the early records indicate that discipline had a very definite place in the church. For failure to uphold certain standards of Christian living, members were sometimes excluded from affiliation with the church. However, some were re-installed upon renewed allegiance.
Membership numbers have fluctuated during the years. Its first year the number grew from 17 charter members to a total of 45. Several years later it had reached a high of 320 members. In 1966 the membership was recorded as 221.
Two members of the Severn Baptist Church who became ministers were Rev. R P. Downey and Rev. Joe Mack Long. Both men attended Wake Forest College and our Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Both Rev. Downey and Rev. Long, now deceased, served churches in Eastern North Carolina. Rev. Downey also became a leading pastor in Virginia where he served for many years on the Virginia Beach Board.
Another of our members, John Long, was educated at Chowan College, Wake Forest and Southeastern Seminary. He was ordained by our church and served as Educational Director at Watts' Street Baptist Church, Durham, North Carolina.
There have been many pastors for our church since its beginning in 1896. The young church chose for its first pastor Rev. J. M. Hoggard who served from October 1896 until December 1898.
Rev. S. M. Curtis followed Rev. Hoggard and served from March, 1899, until December 1906. Then Rev. Dancy Cole served from January 1901 until January of 1905.
The next pastor, Rev. Jesse McCarter, served from April, 1905, until September, 1906. Rev. W. B. Waff succeeded him and served from 1907 until 1914. It was during a severe epidemic of flu in 1918 that Severn Baptist Church had to close for a brief time.
In 1919 Rev. J. P. Downey came to us as pastor and rendered faithful service until 1924. Rev. Downey was the Father of Rev. R. P. Downey, one of the ministers ordained by our church.
Rev. J. P. Downey was succeeded by Dr. A. W. H. Jones. The pastorate of Dr. Jones was the longest of any in our history, serving from 1925-1937. This proved to be a period of great Christian Growth.
Rev. R H. Moore followed Dr. Jones and served from 1937 until 1939. In June of 1940, Rev. E. Y. Averett became our pastor and served until 1943.
Our next pastor was Rev. Fletcher Ford who stayed with us from March of 1944 until December of 1948.
Rev. J. C. Ray succeeded Rev. Ford and served our church from 1949 until 1959. During his ministry the church gave him a month's leave to do mission work in Cuba. It was during Rev. Ray's ministry that the church voted in October of 1953 to go full time. Up to this time we had been in a field with Roberts Chapel Church at Pendleton.
The ministry of Rev. John C. Dean began October 1, 1960, and lasted through April 23, 1967. Rev. Dean also was permitted to do some mission work, and was sent to North Dakota for a week to work with Rev. Lamb. Rev. ·Dean left our church to become a chaplain for the U. S. Navy.
Our next pastor was Rev. Robert Wyatt who served from June 1968 to February 1973.
Rev. Kenneth Pittman became our next pastor and served from 1973 to 1981.
Our next pastor was Rev. Ed Westbury who ministered to us from April 1982 until June 1984 when he became a chaplain for the U. S. Army. During the tenure of Rev. Westbury equipment for amplifying and taping the services was installed, and our church continues to provide a tape ministry to absentees and shut-ins. Major contributors to this were Howard Barnes and Garland Barnes.
Rev. Luther High came to our church in December 1984 and remained until June 1989. He and Mrs. high went to Alaska on a mission trip while they were with our church. It was also during Rev. High's ministry that members and friends of Severn church held a service of dedication for a new steeple and chimes on March 5, 1989. Guest speaker for the morning service was James Y. Greene, director of the division of youth and campus ministries for North Carolina Baptist. Mr. Luther Wheeler made a significant contribution in memory of his wife, Madelaine. The plaque in the vestibule list other people who gave memorium as well as many other contributors. The chimes were financed over a period of years through memorial gifts.
Our next pastor was Rev. Jack Burnette who served from 1991 until 1993.
On December 19, 1991, a Trust Fund known as the George D. Barnes Trust Fund to be used by Severn Baptist Church for college scholarships for youth was established by Howard G. Barnes, Garland D. Barnes and Elizabeth P. Barnes in loving memory of family.
At the present time our pastor is Rev. Kristopher Beaman who, along with his wife, Lisa, came to us in the summer of 1993, and he was ordained here in the fall of that year. Rev. Beaman is currently attending Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest.
At the present time the oldest living church member at 94 years of age, is Mrs. Janie Grant who resides at Roanoke Valley Nursing Home. For many years she served faithfully as our very dedicated custodian.
BUILDINGS
We have come a long way from the two-room school house of origins. Gone and almost forgotten are the kerosene lamp, the horse and buggy, and the hard backless seats. We now enjoy newer and more modern conveniences. However, we should remember that much hard work, and planning were needed to achieve this accomplishment. During the pastorate of Rev. 1. W. Downey, a movement was begun to build a brick structure. Some members were a bit skeptical, but the majority of the members saw the need for new opportunities, hopes and ideals that a more modern and suitable house of worship would offer.
Miss Mary Emma Long made the first contribution to the building fund. Others followed her example, and in May of 1923 a Canvassing Committee was appointed. Members of this committee included: C. H. Britt, G. D. Barnes (later replaced by J. J. White), G. A. Pruden, Mrs. Verona Hoggard, Miss Una White, and Mrs. G. A. Pruden. In July of 1923, C. H. Britt, G. A. Pruden, and R. E. Maddrey were appointed as a building committee.
On July 24, 1924, the wooden church building was sold at an $800.00 bid. Later the bid was raised 6%. The property was bought by the Macedonia Methodist Church, and the bid confirmed. The building was then moved to its present location on Water Street.
The church fumiture was sold for $145. 10. Later the financial committee was instructed to transfer the note against this church of $10,000.00 from the Bank of Severn to the Building and Loan Association.
With the combined efforts of the pastor and the membership, the plans and work of building continued wltil the last brick was laid and the last note paid. The new church was dedicated June 22, 1930.
In November of 1915, construction was begun on a parsonage. The building was completed in March of 1916. It remained the home of our pastors and their families until 1954, when it was sold to Johnny Heller for $14,515.00. A new parsonage was authorized for construction by church conference on April 25th of that year. The lot on which the new parsonage was built was donated by Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. Taylor and son Quen. A dedication service for the new parsonage was held on October 12,1958. Rev. J. M. Long gave the dedication message. The building committee was: Garland Barnes, Chairman, R. T. Long, M. A. Britt, Mrs. Ray Futrell, and Carol Parker.
Before the sermon a note burning ceremony was held with Howard Barnes, chairman of the finance committee, officiating. TIle total cost ofthe building was $28,000.00.
During the pastorate of Rev. Fletcher Ford, a Loyalty Day plan was adopted. A date was set aside to be known as "Loyalty Day" when special gifts would be contributed to meet the growing financial needs of an expanding church. A goal of $500.00 was set. The goal was surpassed and sufficient funds have been made available for many improvements in the church. This has become a tradition in our church, and each year we set a goal and look forward to Loyalty Day which is also a "homecoming" day for all our members and former members.
In 1944, a modem oil-burning fumace replaced the old coal burning stoker. A new lighting system was authorized in August of 1960.
On November 24, 1946, during the ministry of Rev. Fletcher Ford, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary. During the celebration Mrs. Mary Woodard read the history of the church.
A Hammond electric organ was installed in the church sanctuary at the cost of $2,529.00 in May of 1948, during the ministry of Rev. Fletcher Ford. Mrs. K. E. Stokes was chosen as organist; Mrs. R. P. Watson, assistant. The old organ which the church had previously used was later donated to the Portuguese Mission Church near Gaston, N. C. on August 27, 1950. The organization of this church stemmed from Severn Methodists who began a mission for Portuguese people in Northampton County.
The sanctuary was painted and wall to wall carpeting was installed in July of 1952.
Plans for a new educational building started at a Deacon's meeting January 3, 1961. These plans soon became the subject of much discussion, including suggestions for remodeling and redecorating the present sanctuary, as well as adding an East wing of the church for an educational building. Finally on June 17, 1962, the church voted to construct the building and remodel the sanctuary at an approximate cost of $30,325.00.
Nine months later, on March 7, 1965, the building was completed! This building includes a modern kitchen and fellowship hall as well as additional class rooms and bathrooms. By the year 1971 the building was paid for.
With this remodeling, for the first time our church provided a pastor's study. Also, a room was allocated as a church library. The attractive bookshelves were donated by the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Britt in their memory. Many books have been donated through the years.
On April 25, 1965 the congregation enjoyed the use of modern pews. The dedicated leadership of Rev. John Dean guided the church through this building program.
Through the years the church has continued to strive toward making improvements. In 1973 a new piano was purchased for the sanctuary.
In 1974 the parsonage was air conditioned. In 1975 the Educational Building was air conditioned. In 1976 once again the sanctuary was recarpeted and the church pews were cushioned.
OFFICERS
The following people have served as church clerks: W. H. Howell, J. C. Stephenson, H. P. Stephenson, Carol Parker, Wallace Stephenson, John S. Britt, Mildred Tyler Ann Barnes, and Debbie McGee.
Treasurers for our church have included: J. W. Hoggard, H. W. Maddrey, J. C. Stephenson, Ernest Howell, C. H. Britt, J. Q. Taylor, Garland Barnes, and George McGee.
The first deacons for our church were W. H. Pruden, W. H. Maddrey, George T. Fleetwood, and M. M. Long. Since that time many dedicated people have served in this capacity. Our Current deacon board consist of: Frank Ferguson, Chairman, Melvin Mann, Co-Chairman, Welford Barkley, Henry Barnes, George McGee, Sam Cannon, Glen Barnes.
The current Board of Trustees include Atwood Long and Melvin Mann. Our present church officers include: Dennis Woodard, Sunday School Superintendent, Lisa Beaman, Music Director, Elizabeth Barnes, Assistant Music Director, Lynda Tyler, W. M. U. Director, Gail Ferguson, W. M. U. President; the Church Ministry Committee, Mary Outland and Mildred Parker, the Tape Ministry, Lynda Tyler and Earl Ricks, the Hospitality Committee, Virginia Barkley, Sylvia Mann, Wilma Plaunty, Marty Woodard, and Cindy Burke.
Acknowledgments: The church history comes mainly from a report which Mrs. Mary Woodard' wrote for the 50th anniversary of the church in 1946. Also Martha Susan Fleetwood compiled a booklet of the church history in the 1960's.
History of Severn Baptist Church 1896 1996 Revised: Lorice F. Britt
Centennial Committee: Paige B. Pinnix, Debbie W. McGee, Dennis Woodard