DUKE UNIVERSITY 
 
 DIVINITY SCHOOL 
 LIBRARY 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 First FresDyterian Church 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 
 in 2014 
 
 
 
 https://archive.org/details/historyoffirstprOOperr 
 
History 
 
 of the 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 High Point, North Carolina 
 
 1859 «» 1959 
 
PUBLISHED 1959 
 HALL PRINTING COMPANY 
 HIGH POINT, N. C. 
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ?4<p¥fl 
 
 Acknowledgement is here expressed to all of those who by word 
 of mouth: Mrs. Ed Kirkman, Mrs. Martha Robbins Tilden, Mrs. A. 
 E. Tate, Mrs. John S. Campbell, Mrs. Josaphine English Wheeler, 
 Mrs. E. A. Snow, Mrs. Helen Snow Hayes, and others, by giving me 
 information not previously recorded; to the Session Books of the 
 Church; the Church Bulletins; to Mr. Roy J. Spearman for his dona- 
 tion of pictures of the Church Officials at the close of the first 
 seventy-five years; to Mr. Thomas Dodamead for his untiring efforts 
 to restore faded pictures; to Mr. Sanders Dallas for the pictures he so 
 graciously made at the Centennial celebration; to members of the 
 Historical Records Committee who helped; Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Mrs. 
 G. W. Pleasants, Mr. Henry V. Koonts, Mr. George C. Connor Sr., 
 Mr. D. Waring Smith, and to those who assisted in writing the last 
 twenty-five years of the history of the Church; Mr. Noble T. Praigg, 
 Mr. Jack W. Southerland, Mrs. Ernestine Hayes Dallas, Dr. A. B. 
 Croom, Mr. R. Frank Dalton, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Womack, Mr. 
 David Pancoast, and Mr. Charles W. Perry; and to the Centennial 
 Objective Committee; Mr. J. Sanders Dallas, Mr. Hal A. Davis, Mrs. 
 Doris Flythe, Mr. John W. Herndon, Mr. Lawrence H. Mallard, Mr. 
 J. Ed Pleasants, Mr. Jack W. Southerland, and Mr. David K. Tillson, 
 in sponsoring the publication of the Church History as one of the 
 Centennial Objectives. 
 
 V 
 
VI 
 
To 
 
 THE GLORY OF GOD 
 
 and 
 
 HELEN SNOW HAYES 
 
 (Wife of the late Elder William Augustus Hayes, 
 and daughter of the late Elder Ernest Ansel Snow, 
 and Alice English Snow) — A woman whose faith 
 in, and love for her Church is boundless. 
 
 VII 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 For some time, prior to becoming president of the Woman's 
 Auxiliary of the church, Mrs. W. A. Hayes and I had discussed our 
 desire that a history of the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, 
 North Carolina, be written — written to preserve the priceless heri- 
 tage of the church which was only partially recorded. 
 
 A woman qualified to write such a history seemed to be Mrs. 
 T. Wingate Andrews. When I became president of the Woman's 
 Auxiliary, I appointed her to the office of Historian in this organi- 
 zation. She accepted the office, but when approached about writing 
 a history of the church, she emphatically said, "No". 
 
 Several years passed. No one had been found who was willing 
 to undertake such a task — it would require endless hours of research 
 and interviews. The history must be written. Several times Mrs. 
 Hayes asked me to try to do it. When no one could be found, willing 
 to undertake this task, it came to me that I had heard it said, "Stop 
 talking about getting a thing done or do something about it your- 
 self". 
 
 I started writing this history, but since doing so I have many 
 times wondered why I did, for there were few women in the church 
 less qualified to do such a thing than I — my only qualification for 
 attempting such a thing was a burning desire that a History of the 
 Church be written. 
 
 The first seventy-five years was written prior to the celebration 
 in 1934, but financial conditions in the church and throughout the 
 country prohibited it from being published. 
 
 Twenty-five more years passed. No one could be found to com- 
 plete the history. At last I succumbed to the prodding of Mrs. W. A. 
 Hayes, Mr. Henry V. Koonts, and my husband, so with the help of 
 others, here it is. 
 
 Octavia Jordan Perry 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
 PART I 
 
 
 
 History of First Seventy'Five Years 
 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I. 
 
 Presbyterian Faith Enters High Point 
 
 1 
 
 II. 
 
 First Pastorate of The Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton 
 
 7 
 
 i 
 
 III. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Frontis Howe Johnson, D.D. 
 
 19 
 
 *-y 
 
 IV. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend William Buchanan Tidball 
 
 29 
 
 V. 
 
 Second Pastorate of The Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton 
 
 J J 
 
 VI. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend William P. McCorkle 
 
 43 
 
 VII. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend John C. Dinwiddie 
 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend William Lee Harrell 
 
 59 
 
 IX. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend James William Goodman 
 
 71 
 
 X. 
 
 First Pastorate of The Reverend Alfred Shorter Caldwell, Sr. 
 
 79 
 
 XI. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Eugene Leon Siler, D.D. 
 
 87 
 
 VTT 
 
 All. 
 
 Second Pastorate of The Reverend Alfred Shorter Caldwell, Sr. 
 
 97 
 
 y i 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Charles Paul Coble 
 
 103 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Charles Haddon Nabers, D.D. 
 
 163 
 
 XV. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Joseph Rennie, D.D. 
 
 173 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Activities of The Women of The Church— 1859-1934 
 
 189 
 
 
 PART II 
 
 
 
 History or Past lwerity*rive Years 
 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Orin Conway Williamson, D.D. 
 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones, D.D. 
 
 223 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Pastorate of The Reverend Roy Edward Watts, D.D. 
 
 251 
 
 
 Appreciation: The Reverend Roy Edward Watts, D.D. 
 
 277 
 
 
 By Noble T. Praigg 
 
 
 
 Biography of The Reverend Samuel Norman Thomas 
 
 283 
 
 
 Biography of Henry Whipple, B.Mus., M.S.M. 
 
 285 
 
 
 Activities of Women of The Church— 1935-1959 
 
 287 
 
 
 by Ernestine Hayes Dallas 
 
 
 
 Men of The Church by A. B. Croom, M.D. 
 
 302 
 
 
 History of Music and Choir by Robert Frank Dalton 
 
 
 
 The Church School by Jack W. South erland 
 
 307 
 
 
 History of The Young People's Work by David Pancoast 
 
 314 
 
 
 The Scouting Program by Florence and John Womack 
 
 317 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 From earliest historical records the locality around High Point 
 was considered healthy and beautiful, and a good hunting ground, 
 as well as a favorite trading post for the aborigines — here buffalo 
 roamed the meadows and quenched their thirst in Deep River, and 
 the Indians pitched their tepees, hunted, traded wampum and pelts 
 with other tribes. 
 
 The white man, in settling America, soon came upon this locali- 
 ty, with its God-given necessities-of-life, and began building their 
 homes nearby. In time this locality became, not only a trading post 
 for the Indians, but a favorite place for the white trader, traveler, and 
 farmer to bargain, and exchange their commodities with others. 
 
 When the white settlers first came to this locality they were too 
 busy building cabins to spend any time on roads — building them 
 seemed unessential, as the only travel they were forced to do could 
 be made over the same trail they had used to reach the place. Even- 
 tually though, they did improve the trails by filling in holes, moving 
 rocks, or cutting away offensive bushes, so that carts could be used 
 on them, and then, in time, with further improvement, the stage- 
 coach could pass over them. 
 
 With the coming of the stagecoach there arose other necessities 
 for this community. A place had to be provided where the traveler 
 could refresh himself, or spend the night. Inns were built — three of 
 them: Brummells Inn in 1814, on the Greensboro-Salisbury Stage 
 Road, six miles west on what is now West Lexington Avenue; 
 Welch's Inn, known as /. Welch Entertainment, built a mile out 
 from Mechanicsville on East Lexington Avenue; and the third one 
 Towmeys Inn, the oldest of the three, at the intersection of the East- 
 West and the North-South Trails. It stood about two miles from the 
 center of the present city of High Point, well back from the trails, 
 in a section of this city now known as Mechanicsville. 
 
 This last named Inn was constructed of hewn logs and was a 
 story and a half in height. Many years ago it was razed and the logs 
 carted away — few, if any, are the people left, who can say they ever 
 saw it. If it were possible though, for the ground upon which this inn 
 once stood to speak, many are the strange tales it might relate — tales 
 both of mirth and sadness — also many eyes might be opened wide at 
 what could be heard, and ground now transversed so carelessly, 
 would become hallowed. 
 
There might again be heard the sound of the approaching stage- 
 coach, the shrill notes of the stage-driver's bugle, the clatter of the 
 horses' hoofs, and the scraping sound of the brakes against the 
 wheels of the coach, as it came to a stop under the shed of the inn. 
 One might also see the passive inn come to life — the appearance of 
 the inn-keeper, his wife and children, the black boys, and down the 
 road the pedestrian, who had only a moment before been strolling 
 so leisurely along, quicken his pace, so that he might miss none of 
 the excitement created when the stagecoach came to a standstill. 
 
 If one is thoughtful he will know what the stagecoach meant to 
 this community. It brought not only mail, but passengers, and the 
 driver always had interesting stories to tell of what he had seen and 
 heard — sometimes he even had exciting things to tell of what had 
 happened to him on that trip. Then too, while the passengers were 
 stretching their cramped limbs, and appeasing their appetites with 
 apple cider and gingerbread, they were glad to tell of the part of the 
 country from which they had come. In other words, this voice from 
 the past would make it clear to each of us that the stagecoach played 
 a major role in the drama of early life in and around High Point. 
 This same voice might also reveal much about the earliest families 
 which settled here. If it so willed it could tell us of their hardships, 
 their heartaches, and their moments of merriment. 
 
 Concerning the family of Hitchcocks (now Hedgecocks), who 
 still have descendents active in our church, the story goes back far 
 enough to tell of the first man, known in this community, by that 
 name. He was John Hitchcock Sr. Mr. Hitchcock was born on Oc- 
 tober 15, 1747, in Pennsylvania. In the year 1784 he joined a com- 
 pany of Quakers who were headed down the Virginia Valley to- 
 wards Bush River, South Carolina. He brought with him his wife 
 and three small children. They rode on horseback and led two pack- 
 horses, which were heavily laden with household belongings. As he 
 left Maryland, his oldest child, Bennie, was very sick. If there had 
 been any assurance that another migration of Quakers would be 
 coming this way soon, he would have waited, but since that was not 
 likely, he continued with his family and sick child. But, to his al- 
 ready heavily loaded pack-horses he added a spade so that he might 
 dig a grave if Bennie should die. The child did not die. As a matter 
 of fact he lived to a ripe old age. 
 
 When this company of Quakers, Mr. Hitchcock was traveling 
 with, reached this locality — the locality now in the City of High 
 Point, Mr. Hitchcock decided to go no further. He liked the coun- 
 
 XIV 
 
try around him. It was beautiful, fertile, and well watered, so he 
 settled here with his family on a tract of land now known as the 
 Mechanicsville section. 
 
 Before the year 1852 the city of High Point, North Carolina 
 was not even a dream. The first recording of such a place was 
 when the engineers, surveying the route for the North Carolina 
 Railroad from Goldsboro to Charlotte, drove a stake in the earth 
 and Captain Gregg called out, "This is the highest point along the 
 whole survey. Mark it High Point!" 
 
 The place this stake was driven was on the west side of the 
 Fayetteville and Western Plan Road (now Main Street) — a little 
 north of the present train tracks. At the time this stake was driven 
 there was not a dwelling in sight — nothing but farmland owned by 
 Solomon Kendall. Although there were no buildings in sight it was 
 in an easy half -day's walking distance, or stagecoach ride of several 
 little towns — Bloomington and Bush Hill (Archdale), south on 
 the plank road to Fayetteville — Jamestown east on the Salisbury- 
 Raleigh stage road — Penfield west on the same stage road, and 
 Browntown north on the old Salem stage road. 
 
 Soon after the surveying of the "Car Tracks," for that was what 
 the Carolina Railroad was then called, far sighted businessmen be- 
 gan bargaining for the farmland adjacent to, and around the inter- 
 section of the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road with that of the 
 North Carolina Railroad survey. On March 14, 1853, Doctor R. C. 
 Lindsay bought from Nathan Johnson ninety-four acres of land, 
 and on the nineteenth of the same month, six acres from Solomon 
 Kendall, upon which he built a dwelling and moved in. On August 
 20, 1853, W. F. Bowman bought from Solomon Kendall six acres 
 of land, and on October 21, 1853, Solomon Kendall sold to George 
 C. Mendenhall, J. R. Mendenhall, Seaborn Perry, John Carter, and 
 S. W. Tillenhas lots south of the railroad survey and east of the 
 plank road. On October 28, 1853, William Welch bought from Sol- 
 omon Kendall eleven and one half acres of land east of the plank 
 road and north of the railroad survey. 
 
 Buying land in this locality was becoming quite the thing to do, 
 and a good thing for Mr. Kendall. The value of his farmland was 
 spread abroad and people from quite a distance away were becom- 
 ing interested in it. Francis Fries, of Salem bought a tract of land 
 from him on the west side of the plank road, and north of the rail- 
 road survey. And, on November 9, 1853, Eli Denny, from the Buf- 
 
 XV 
 
falo Creek Community, near Greensboro, came over and bought a 
 six acre tract of land north of Mr. Fries. Because Mr. Denny was so 
 impressed with the future of this locality he wanted to move his 
 family to it right away; so he rented a small house from Solomon 
 Wheeler, until he could get his home built, and moved right over. 
 This move was on November 29, 1853, and thus his became the 
 second new family to move into the community. 
 
 These two families had hardly gotten settled in their new homes 
 when William Welch subdivided the land he had bought from Mr. 
 Kendall, and advertised his eleven and a half acres subdivided into 
 lots. Notices of the sale of these lots were posted in all the public 
 places along-side the Plank Road, the Salisbury-Raleigh Stage Road, 
 and all the inns and camping grounds. A public notice was also 
 run in The Greensboro Patriot. 
 
 Johnsons Camping Ground was on the plank road, one mile 
 north of where the railroad survey crossed it, at a strategic place 
 where it caught travelers coming from Salisbury, Salem, Greens- 
 boro, and many other little settlements on the roads, as well as the 
 farmers. The first day these notices appeared at Johnson's Camping 
 Ground a goodly number of travelers had stopped to spend the 
 night. Besides the fifteen or twenty wagons, which pulled up there 
 for the night, there were a dozen or more farmers who were on their 
 way rolling their hogsheads of tobacco to Fayetteville, After supper 
 of this eventful day, the customary ceremonies of horse-swapping 
 started, and for a long time it seemed that there was no other point 
 of interest. But, gradually those who were not actually participating 
 in the horse trading began to congregate around one of the big 
 campfires. One of the men around this fire had a Greensboro Patriot 
 which he had bought as he passed Towmey's Inn. For a long time 
 he sat straining his eyes as he read it by the firelight. Then looking 
 up he said: "Well, evidently Mr. Welch means business." Then 
 striking the paper lightly, with the back of his hand he read: 
 
 "On the 5 th of December, next, I will offer for sale a number 
 of lots at High Point, which is the place where the North Carolina 
 Railroad will cross the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road. 
 
 "The location is healthful and promises fair to become the lo- 
 cation for one of the most thriving towns on the entire line of 
 railroad." 
 
 * The reading of this advertisement seemed to bring the whole 
 group, assembled around the fire, to life for Mr. Welch was well 
 
 XVI 
 
known to most of them. A discussion of this advertisement followed 
 and as it continued it was noted that there was a division of opinion 
 among them over the value of these lots. Some could see no earthly 
 excuse for getting excited over such ordinary farmland. While oth- 
 ers, who had bought boards from Mr. Welch's sawmills, and had 
 known him through the building of the plank road, thought he was 
 a super businessman whose opinion was infallible. Some of them 
 had known Mr. Welch since 1845 when the first survey was taken 
 for the plank road. He had bought stock in it and had twice re- 
 ceived dividends from his investment. This road was the longest 
 continuous plank road that had so far been chartered in the State — 
 one hundred and thirty miles in length — capitalized at $200,000 
 — with the State of North Carolina owning three-fifths of it. By 
 1850 toll had been collected over ten miles of this road and the 
 capital stock had increased to $300,000. With this stock increase a 
 tributary road was to be built to Salisbury, Lexington, Mocksville, 
 and Statesville. This new road would increase the business poten- 
 tiality of the location where Mr. Welch was offering lots for sale, 
 and some of the men voiced the opinion that they were going to be 
 at this sale and might buy themselves a lot. 
 
 There are several versions as to how the old plank road was 
 laid. Some say the boards — varying in width, but two inches thick, 
 and eight to fourteen feet in length — were laid loose across the 
 roadbed, while others claimed that three sleepers, or stringers, were 
 laid on the edges and middle, and that boards of pine and oak were 
 nailed to the stringers. While it is not known for sure how these 
 boards were actually held in place, it is known that they were not 
 cut square on the ends. They were cut on an angle so a wagon, or 
 some other vehicle, accidentally getting off the road, might easily 
 pull on to it again. ft 
 
 In order that a traveler might know how far he had traveled, 
 or was from his destination, mileposts were set along the road every 
 three miles. And, so that he still might be able to compute the dis- 
 tance — even if it were night, notches were cut on each post desig- 
 nating the miles to the next tollgate. One such milepost stood at 
 the intersection of Thurston and North Main Street. Another one 
 out on the Asheboro Highway, where Bloomington was then lo- 
 cated. 
 
 By 1854 the plank road was completed to Salem, and the stage- 
 coach ran regularly on it — making the trip from Salem to Fayette- 
 ville in a much shorter time than the wagons could. The reason for 
 
 XVII 
 
this was, the stagecoach stopped only to change horses, allow the 
 passengers to eat, and to take on and put off travelers, while the 
 wagons camped out over night. 
 
 Until "The Cars" ran, the tollgate nearest High Point was at 
 Johnson's Camping Ground, but with the operation of the railroad, 
 this tollgate was moved to the Jarrell Hotel, adjacent to the rail- 
 road passenger station. 
 
 The tollgates were houses, usually built of logs with shelters 
 that extended over the plank road, and every passing vehicle had to 
 stop at them and pay toll to the next tollhouse. If it were night when 
 the vehicle arrived, and the gates were locked, and the keeper could 
 not be aroused, it had to wait patiently until morning. This patient 
 waiting was usually observed by the driver unhitching the animal, 
 or animals, that were drawing it, but leaving the vehicle on the 
 road right where he had stopped. If the vehicle was left there the 
 driver could maintain his position on the road for the next day. 
 
 The stagecoach passed along this road too, of course, and its 
 first stop from Salem to Fayetteville was at John Chadwick's at 
 Teaguetown. Here the horses were watered while the passengers 
 walked around and stretched their cramped limbs. 
 
 The breaking of the ground for the North Carolina Railroad, 
 which was the other factor responsible for the existence of the City 
 of High Point, took place on July 11, 1851, and work started im- 
 mediately at the extreme ends of the line — Goldsboro and Char- 
 lotte. When it was completed it would meet somewhere between 
 Old Jamestown and Greensboro and there was to be a big celebra- 
 tion. 
 
 (In the construction of the railroad the promoters had had 
 plenty of trouble. There was a tie-up in getting iron for the rails, 
 and the price of it had advanced. Then there were unexpected de- 
 lays in the completion of the bridges, and there were great and 
 trivial complaints from both the stockholders and others, over the 
 way the tracks were being laid.) 
 
 The completion of the railroad was on January 29, 1856, just 
 a little over four and a half years from the time the ground was 
 first broken. The cost of the project had exceeded the $3,000,000 
 it was supposed to have cost by nearly a million and a half. This 
 was upsetting but by no means did it daunt the excitement of the 
 completion of the railroad tracks. There was going to be a big cele- 
 
 XVIII 
 
bration. But, this celebration which had been looked forward to for 
 so long had to be postponed — there were sixteen inches of snow on 
 the ground. The snow was slow in getting off of the ground so the 
 celebration had to be postponed until July 11 — this being the day 
 of the month the ground had been broken for the tracks. At first 
 this date seemed right until it came to the attention of some of the 
 officials that on that date the stockholders would be in session at 
 Raleigh, so July 4, was the date chosen instead. 
 
 When this memorable celebration was over the stockholders' 
 problems were by no means over. There was much criticism about 
 the running of "The Cars," both from stockholders and non-stock- 
 holders. They said that the beautiful scenery of the State could not 
 be seen if they ran at such speed as scheduled. Then, too, the public 
 did not uphold the idea that passengers going the full length of the 
 line should have cheaper rates than those riding only from station 
 to station. The schedule set for the speed of the passenger trains 
 was sixteen miles an hour, and that for freights twelve. This was en- 
 tirely too fast, said some, and the public at large wanted it cut to a 
 considerably lower speed, and no trains allowed to run on Sunday. 
 
 From the first day that freight, on the railroad, was accepted, 
 this locality proved to be all that had been expected of it. It was the 
 central shipping point for towns all around — Salem, Bethania, and 
 Danbury on the west, and Asheboro, Randleman, Cedar Falls, and 
 other factory towns on Deep River. There had been no mistake in 
 Mr. Welch's thinking. It was a town of destiny, but as yet a town 
 without a name. 
 
 There is a great difference in opinion as to when and how High 
 Point was actually named, but it must have been in the year 1855. 
 As to who had the honor of doing this it is not known either. From 
 notes kept by Eli Denny one reads: "Mr. William Welch, and I 
 favored the name of High Point for this locality, but there were oth- 
 er citizens who wanted the name to be Bloomington." 
 
 At that time Bloomington was a prosperous little village with 
 a United States Post Office, located south and just off of what is now 
 the Asheboro Highway— three miles from the intersection of the 
 plank road and the railroad tracks. No doubt the nearness of this 
 little village, with its established post office had points in favor of the 
 name being Bloomington. After many meetings though, and much 
 discussion, it was finally decided to call the place High Point — High 
 Point because the locality of it was the highest point on the North 
 
 XIX 
 
Carolina Railroad, between Charlotte and Goldsboro, and where the 
 Fayetteville and Western plank road crossed it. 
 
 In a period of less than ten years there had sprung up this thriv- 
 ing little town of High Point — a town destined to be favorably 
 known throughout the Nation, and in time throughout the World. 
 
 Many years have passed since Mr. Hitchcock made this momen- 
 tous decision — what a difference nearly two hundred years can 
 make! Since those early pioneer days great changes have come in the 
 order of things. Industrialism flourishes, and beautiful homes stand 
 on the land which was once meadows and primeval forests of oak, 
 chestnut, and poplar. And, instead of the lowing herds of buffalo, as 
 they roamed the meadows, there may now be heard the distant drone 
 of airplanes and jets, as they pass overhead, and the sound of buz- 
 zers and whistles as they call man to his place by the machine. 
 
 The world goes on — few mindful of the great change in the 
 order of things. 
 
 XX 
 
CHRONOLOGY OF MINISTERS 
 
 1859-1959 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 High Point, North Carolina 
 
 Rev. P. H. Dalton 
 
 f 1859 to 1866 
 
 1 1874 to 1889 
 
 Dr. F. H. Johnston 1867 to 1872 
 
 Rev. W. B. Tidball 1872 to 1874 
 
 Rev. W. P. McCorkle 1889 to 1891 
 
 Rev. J. C. Dinwiddie 1891 to 1893 
 
 Rev. P. H. Dalton and Rev. John Wakefield 1893 to 1895 
 
 Rev. William Lee Harrell 1895 to 1897 
 
 Rev. J. W. Goodman 1898 to 1901 
 
 Rbv. A. , C^WB LL {SS-S.8S 
 
 Rev. Eugene L. Siler 1903 to 1909 
 
 Rev. Charles P. Coble 1913 to 1930 
 
 Dr. Charles H. Nabers 1930 to 1932 
 
 Dr. Joseph Rennie 1932 to 1935 
 
 Dr. O. C. Williamson 1936 to 1944 
 
 Dr. Paul Tudor Jones 1945 to 1951 
 
 Dr. Roy Edward Watts 1951 to present 
 
 XXI 
 
Our First Meeting Place 
 
PART ONE 
 HISTORY OF FIRST SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS 
 
 1859 - 1934 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 High Point, North Carolina 
 
 By 
 
 OCTAVIA JORDAN PERRY 
 
 XXIII 
 
Charter Elder Eli Denny 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN FAITH ENTERS HIGH POINT 
 
 During the period of years from 1812 to 1861, the United States 
 enjoyed a great season of National peace and material prosperity. 
 It was near the close of this period, September 3, 1859, that the 
 Presbyterian Church in High Point, North Carolina, was founded. 
 
 From 1748 the vicinity around High Point had been predomi- 
 nantly Quaker, but there were mixed among these Friends those 
 who did not adhere entirely to the Quaker belief. The first spark of 
 Presbyterianism ever recorded in the City of High Point was about 
 the date November 9, 1853, when Eli Denny purchased a tract of 
 land and moved his family to this locality. Mr. Denny was a staunch 
 Presbyterian, able to trace his fore-fathers back to William Rankin, 
 who fled from Scotland to Ulster, Ireland, in 1688 — thence to 
 America. 
 
 In 1764 some of the descendents of William Rankin found their 
 way into North Carolina, and bought a farm on the north bank of 
 Buffalo Creek, nine miles from Greensboro. Soon after coming to 
 North Carolina, the maternal grandfather of Eli joined the Buffalo 
 Presbyterian Church, which had been organized there in 1756. And, 
 there he and his children sat at the feet of that great preacher, pa- 
 triot, and doctor — David Caldwell — and learned the right way of 
 living. 
 
 Eli Denny was the son of Hannah Rankin Denny, and Thomas 
 Denny. Hannah was the daughter of a descendent of William Ran- 
 kin — the mother of nine children, the oldest of which was Eli. Not 
 too much is known about the early life of this Eli, but he must have 
 received some of his religious training and education from Doctor 
 David Caldwell, for Doctor Caldwell was pastor of the Buffalo 
 Creek Presbyterian Church until 1820. Because of this close associ- 
 ation of his father, with Doctor Caldwell, and his brief association 
 with him as a lad, it is no small wonder that Eli Denny should be 
 vitially interested in establishing a Presbyterian Church in the vil- 
 lage he had chosen as home. 
 
 As early as the year 1857, when there were only 590 people 
 living in High Point, the Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton, a highly 
 educated, devout, and lovable man, cast his lot with Mr. Denny in 
 an untiring effort to establish a Presbyterian Church in the village. 
 
2 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 It was no easy task — this founding of a church. Much foot-work, as 
 well as prayers was required, but with the determined faith of their 
 Scottish ancestors this task was undertaken. 
 
 The first thing that had to be done was to ascertain how many 
 people there were living in and around the community interested 
 in establishing a Presbyterian church. When Mr. Denny told his 
 wife Margaret about the need for such a survey, she readily agreed 
 to help make it. The survey was started, but as it progressed many 
 strange things happened — some heartening to the surveyors, and 
 some disheartening and irritating. In this last category there is a 
 legend told, however not verified, about how one felt about the 
 Presbyterian Faith in this Quaker stronghold. 
 
 After Eli and Margaret Denny set out to find out how many 
 souls there were in this strong Quaker Community, that were sym- 
 pathetic with their Faith, they found a few. But, among those that 
 were not, they found a dear old dyed-in-the-wool-Quaker, who felt 
 the call to express disdain for the Denny's faith, and so he did. 
 
 This old Quaker had no patience with a faith that had all the 
 frills he felt the Presbyterians put in their worship services. He was 
 so strong in his disdain for the Denny's faith that he began speaking 
 of the Dennys as "Old Pris B, and Mistress Terian." 
 
 Several years passed. Then this same old Quaker's daughter was 
 found guilty of an infraction of a Quaker tenet. She was stubborn 
 and would not repent. She was dismissed from the Quaker Meeting 
 and in time became a member of the Presbyterian Church in the 
 village. 
 
 His daughter's joining this church irked the old Quaker and by 
 no means lessened his ardent denouncement of that faith. It even 
 seemed he was more against it than ever, and he made a point of 
 calling this fact to his daughter's attention often. One day, when he 
 continued to do so, and she had grown weary of courteously listen- 
 ing to his tirades, she tossed her head and retorted, "Now, now 
 Father! That is just enough from Thee! It is plain that Thee dos't 
 not understand the Faith of we Pris-be-terians." 
 
 Previous to this survey Malcolm Shaw, who claimed much the 
 same Scottish heritage as the Dennys, had been located and he was 
 vitally interested in the establishing of a Presbyterian Church in the 
 village. Then in the survey they found that, though Robert English 
 Blair, a professor, had been born a Quaker, he was also interested 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 3 
 
 in the founding of a Presbyterian Church. In time others were 
 found with like interest, so a site was secured upon which a Presby- 
 terian Church building might be erected. The lot was located on 
 the north side of what is now English Street, between Main and Elm 
 Streets — east of where the Alexander home now stands. While there 
 is no record to substantiate such an idea, it is believed that the lot 
 was given to the church by Eli Denny — donated by him because it 
 lay adjacent to his home. 
 
 "The groves were God's first temples," and so was an Old Oak 
 tree that stood on the Presbyterian church site. This Old Oak tree 
 was the first place of worship for the Presbyterians in High Point. 
 It was a majestic thing — a cathedral built by Divine hands, upon 
 which no bonded indebtedness ever rested — a monument to the 
 past and an inspiration for the years to come. Beneath this old tree, 
 on improvised benches of slabs, the congregation, which was often 
 more of other faiths than Presbyterians, sat and listened to the in- 
 spiring spiritual messages from the lips of the Reverend Pleasant 
 Hunter Dalton, and sang the songs of Zion unaccompanied, as 
 Frank L. Stanton expresses it: 
 
 "We never needed singing books in them 
 old days — We knew 
 
 The words, the tunes of every one — the dear old hymn 
 book through; 
 
 We didn't have no trumpets then, no organs built 
 for show, 
 
 We only sang to praise the Lord, 'from whom all 
 blessings flow'." 
 
 Beginning with the year 1857 the Reverend Pleasant Hunter 
 Dalton's interest was primarily centered in High Point, and he 
 moved his family here, but he had another interest — teaching, so 
 for a time he continued to teach school in Madison, N. C. 
 
 About the time Mr. Dalton moved his family to this locality 
 the Methodist Episcopal Congregation completed its church build- 
 ing. They did not have a full time pastor so they invited the Rev- 
 erend Dalton to hold services in their church on any Sabbath when 
 they were not holding services. Mr. Dalton accepted their gracious 
 invitation and on the Sundays, when the weather would not permit 
 holding services under the Big Oak Tree he held them in the Meth- 
 odist Church. His doing this drew the two denominations very close 
 
First Presbyterian Church 
 
 together — drew them so close that at times it seemed there was but 
 one congregation with two pastors. 
 
 As early as funds permitted, work on the Presbyterian Church 
 building was started. It was an unpretentious structure built of 
 boards sawed from virgin trees that had grown nearby, and when 
 completed found to have cost $1234. This was indeed a low cost for 
 such a building, even at that time, but a great deal of labor on it 
 was done by Eli Denny and his two sons, William P. and Washing- 
 ton C. One of the older citizens of High Point remembers hearing 
 her father, who was a close friend of the Dennys tell how untiringly 
 he and his sons worked on this building. 
 
 During the time the church was being built, and after it was 
 completed, the congregation was the recipient of a number of use- 
 ful gifts. One was a two-hundred and ten pound bell which came 
 to the church on February 15, 1859, as a gift from Mr. W. L. 
 Springs; a pulpit Bible, hymn books, and silver communion service 
 were also received as gifts, but time has lost the names of the donors 
 of these last gifts. The bell when purchased by Mr. Springs from 
 Joseph Benard and Company, Bell Founders, cost him seventy-seven 
 dollars and forty cents. This bell was, not only a good one but a 
 sweet toned bell. And, today it still does service as it hangs from the 
 belfry tower in our church home, on the corner of East Parkway 
 and North Main Street, calling out to all those in hearing distance 
 that the Presbyterian Faith in High Point, N. C. is still a living 
 Faith. 
 
 u 
 
The Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 THE FIRST PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND PLEASANT HUNTER DALTON 
 
 1859-1866 
 
 By the middle of the month of August 1859, the first Presby- 
 terian church building in High Point was completed and ready for 
 the congregation to begin making use of it. With the help of the 
 Reverend Archibald Currie and the Reverend J. H. Smith, the 
 Reverend Mr. Dalton, on September 3, 1859, organized the first 
 Presbyterian Church in High Point. It was organized with the 
 following eleven Charter Members: Eli Denny, Mrs. Margaret H. 
 Denny, Malcolm Shaw, A. G. Foster, Mrs. Letitia Foster, Robert 
 English Blair, Mrs. Eliza Dalton, all by certificates, and Miss Maggie 
 Lynn, Mrs. Rebecca Sechrest, William P. Denny, and Washington 
 C. Denny on examination and profession of faith. 
 
 On the next day, after the organization of this church, which was 
 Sunday, a service was held in the new building, followed by a con- 
 gregational meeting. At this meeting Eli Denny and Malcolm Shaw 
 were elected Ruling Elders, and Robert English Blair was elected 
 a Deacon. After these men were ordained and installed into their 
 respective offices, the building was dedicated to the glory and wor- 
 ship of the Almighty God, by the Pastor, assisted by the Reverend 
 Archibald Currie, and the Reverend J. H. Smith. When the dedica- 
 tory service was over, the congregation enjoyed a sweet and solemn 
 hour at which time the Lord's Supper was administered. 
 
 Before and after the completion of its church building, this 
 church had been the recipient of many useful gifts, but not fortunate 
 enough to have received an organ. It needed one, but the thought of 
 buying one was out of the question for those interested in the build- 
 ing of the church had already done all they financially could — The 
 Praise to God would have to be sung unaccompanied when the 
 church was organized. It seemed to Mrs. Dalton, the wife of the Rev- 
 erend Pleasant Hunter Dalton, out of the question to organize and 
 dedicate a church without some other form of music than human 
 voices. She was a music teacher and owned both an organ and piano, 
 so she had her organ put in the church building for this occasion. 
 This organ then remained in the sanctuary until Mr. Dalton s first 
 pastorate was terminated. 
 
 The dedication of the church did not mean that all organization- 
 
Charter Elder Malcom Shaw 
 
 Charter Deacon 
 
 R. English Blair 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 9 
 
 al arrangements were complete; there were yet offices to be filled. 
 The church in order to exist must have financial aid and if financial 
 aid was to be obtained there must be some one competent to handle 
 the church's money. The children of the church must be given re- 
 ligious training so a leader of this work must be appointed. Elder 
 Eli Denny was singled out as the one for both of these offices and 
 thus he became the first Treasurer of the church, and the first Su- 
 perintendent of the Sunday School. There was still another im- 
 portant place to be filled, for with any company, corporation, or 
 organization there comes a time when business transactions must 
 be handled. It was necessary to choose men from the membership 
 to look after such matters. Eli Denny, Sewell Farlow, and A. G. 
 Foster were appointed as Trustees of the Church. 
 
 The first people to join the church after its organization were 
 Mrs. Ellen Thurston, on October 16, 1859, by certificate from the 
 Greensboro Presbyterian Church, and on that same day Bartlett Y. 
 Hunt and his wife, Mrs. Ann Hunt, by profession of their faith. 
 
 There were no children baptized into the church until April 14, 
 I860, then the following were baptized: Enoss Edward Hunt, Har- 
 riett Emalie Hunt, Robert Pleasant Hunt, William Elliott Thurs- 
 ton, and Mary Ellen Thurston. 
 
 When the church was a little over six months old, the time came 
 to make a report to Orange Presbytery of the progress it had made; 
 so a report was tabulated and Elder Maicom Shaw was chosen as a 
 delegate to represent the High Point Church at the first meeting of 
 Presbytery and Synod to convene, since the church was founded. 
 
 No record is made in the Session Minutes as to what time Sewell 
 Farlow joined the church; but it must have been prior to February 
 19, 1860, for in the Session Minutes on that date is recorded: "Ed- 
 ward (servant of Sewell Farlow) presented himself as a candidate 
 for church privileges and after a satisfactory examination on experi- 
 mental religion was received as a member of the church, and at 
 eleven o'clock was publicly baptized in the House of God by the 
 Reverend Mr. Dalton." 
 
 From the founding of the church for a period of about two 
 years there were at almost every Session Meeting one, two, and 
 sometimes three candidates for church membership, either by certifi- 
 cate or by profession of their faith. By the end of the year, 1861, 
 the membership had grown from eleven to thirty-two. Of this num- 
 ber there were two negro slaves, George Washington, servant of 
 the Reverend Mr. Dalton, and Edward, the servant of Sewell Far- 
 low. 
 
10 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 During the early life of the church, the congregation was often 
 privileged and delighted by being permitted to listen to soul-stirring 
 sermons preached by some of the best pastors of the day and time. 
 On Sunday, October 6, I860, the congregation was given the pleas- 
 ure of hearing the Reverend J. B. Shearer, D.D., of Chapel Hill, 
 North Carolina. On this same Sunday the Session met, and ap- 
 pointed Elder Eli Denny to attend both Presbytery at Greensboro 
 on October 18, and Synod at Statesville on October 24. 
 
 This meeting of the Synod which met at Statesville on October 
 24, 1860, had as its moderator the Reverend R. H. Lafferty, and 
 sixty-one members and fifty Ruling Elders were present. The Synod 
 at this time was composed of three Presbyteries, ninety-two minis- 
 ters, one hundred and eighty-four churches, and a membership of 
 15,600. Of this Synod meeting the Reverend D. I. Craig says in his 
 book Development of the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina: 
 "When this meeting of Synod adjourned at Statesville, North Car- 
 olina, on October 27, I860, the members of that body, perhaps did 
 not dream, much less think, that the last meeting of the Synod of 
 North Carolina, under the old system and in connection with the 
 old Assembly, had been held; that the last hymn had been sung 
 and the last prayer offered, and that a national crisis was at hand, 
 and that before they should meet again the whole country would 
 be in the throes of an unprecedented Civil War!" 
 
 The first report of a year's work recorded in the Session Minutes, 
 as sent up to Presbytery, was that recorded June 13, 1861, which 
 reads as follows: 
 
 From the Statistical report for the church year 1860-1861 we 
 find that there were four members added to the church roll by ex- 
 amination, three by certificate, two colored communicants, fourteen 
 adults were baptized and fourteen infants. Total white communi- 
 cants, twenty-eight. There were thirty-five children enrolled in 
 the Sabbath School, and the church had contributed for missions 
 $32, for Congregational purposes $125, and for other expenditures 
 enough to make the total of monies disbursed during the year $211. 
 
 On October 6, 1861, Elder Malcom Shaw was appointed by the 
 Session as a delegate to attend the meeting of the Presbytery at 
 Oakland and the meeting of the Synod at Raleigh. There is again 
 no record that Elder Shaw or any one else attended these meetings; 
 however, if the appellation, "The Faithful One," applied to him by 
 Elder Eli Denny was correct, one must believe that he attended 
 these meetings. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 11 
 
 From previous history it is learned that during the year, I860, 
 and earlier, divisions had developed in most of the religious faiths 
 in the United States over the great question of slavery. Up to No- 
 vember 1, 1861, when the Synod of North Carolina met in Ral- 
 eigh, the Presbyterian Church (Old School) in the United States 
 had stemmed the tide, and it was hoped by all that it would con- 
 tinue to do so. This was not to be, however, for before this meet- 
 ing of the Synod, the General Assembly had adopted a paper, known 
 as the "Gardiner Spring Resolution." It called upon all Presbyter- 
 ians, North or South, to support the Federal Government in Wash- 
 ington in its conflicts with the States which had seceded. It was im- 
 possible for the Presbyterians of this Synod to do this; so on this 
 memorable day, November 1, 1861, when that august body con- 
 vened in Raleigh, the following preamble and resolutions were 
 adopted: 
 
 "Whereas the country is involved in a bloody internecine war, 
 the desolations of which threaten our citizens, and sacrifices of which 
 have affected the church of our beloved State; and 
 
 "Whereas by the tyranny and usurpation of the government at 
 Washington, the safeguards of the Constitution have been broken 
 down, threatening all that is dear in civil liberty and all that is prec- 
 ious in the inheritance received from our fathers; and 
 
 "Whereas the several Presbyteries composing this Synod have 
 in view of these deeds, as well as in view of the extraordinary en- 
 dorsement of them by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church of the United States, requiring us and our churches to ap- 
 prove and to pray for the success of measures so tyrannical and in- 
 iquitous, formally and solemnly dissolved all connection with said 
 General Assembly, declaring, however, their steadfast adherence in 
 all respects to the Concession of Faith, Catechisms, Forms of Gov- 
 ernment, Book of Discipline and Directory of Worship of the Pres- 
 byterian Church, and have severally appointed delegates to meet at 
 Atlanta, Georgia, and, with other commissioners from the several 
 Presbyteries of the South, then and there to constitute and form a 
 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate 
 States of America. Therefore, in the fear of God and under a 
 solemn sense of duty, be it 
 
 "Resolved, by the Synod of North Carolina, I. That the Synod 
 intelligently, cordially, solemnly approves the action of its several 
 Presbyteries in the premises. 
 
 "2. That the Synod, set and appointed by her Divine Head as 
 
12 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 a witness for the right and for truth, deeply, truly sympathizes with 
 the State and with the Confederate States in their present righteous 
 struggle, and cordially approves their action in asserting and main- 
 taining their sovereignty and severing the ties that bound us and 
 them to the late United States of America. 
 
 "3. That the Synod regards the present war on our part as a 
 war of defense, commending itself to our people's efforts, prayers, 
 and hearts, as a hallowed, though stern contest for sacred rights 
 involving homes and altars, liberty and religion, and to it we sol- 
 emnly, prayerfully commit our persons and efforts and energies and 
 property, our sons and lives. 
 
 "4. That the Synod recognize, and here with gratitude records 
 the tokens of Divine favor extended to our struggling, bleeding 
 country, leading our hosts in the day of battle, shielding them un- 
 der fearful peril, and giving them brilliant victories, for all of which 
 we desire to present fervent and unceasing thanksgiving. 
 
 "5. That the Synod would embrace this momentous crisis in 
 our country's history, to urge pastors, elders, private Christians and 
 our whole people to the offering of unceasing prayers in behalf of 
 the Confederate States, in this present noble struggle in defense of 
 constitutional liberty, beseeching our Covenant God and Father to 
 lead our armies, to drive back our enemies, and early to enable us 
 in His fear and love to achieve a new nation's greatness." 
 
 On January 23, 1862, a prorenata meeting of the Presbytery 
 convened in the High Point Presbyterian Church and Elder Mal- 
 com Shaw who had been appointed a delegate represented this 
 church with Elder Eli Denny as the alternate. No doubt they were 
 both present along with a large number of other members of the 
 congregation. Just what was accomplished at this prorenata meeting 
 of Presbytery is not included in the records of the church; but with- 
 out a doubt there were discussions as to what were the right steps 
 for the churches to take, in order that they might be of the most 
 service to the State in face of the existing Civil War. There is a 
 chance that at this same meeting plans for the education of the 
 Presbyterian children, orphaned by the war, were discussed, for at 
 the next meeting of the Synod the Reverend Neil McKay offered 
 a resolution that each of the Presbyteries appoint three men to col- 
 lect and disburse funds for the education of the children of deceased 
 soldiers. 
 
 From the beginning of the Civil War, for a period of ten years, 
 or more, the Presbyterian Church in High Point had a real strug- 
 gle for existence — a struggle for existence, although the church 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 13 
 
 services and prayer meetings were being well attended, and an un- 
 wonted spirit of prayer, closely connected with a profound sense of 
 dependence upon Divine Providence had become apparent with 
 every one. 
 
 Sometime near the beginning of the month of March 1864, a 
 revival service was held in the Church. The Reverend Frontis Howe 
 Johnston was the visiting Evangelist, and although the awful re- 
 alities of war pressed hard upon the people, it did seem that there 
 was a marvelous religious awakening resulting from this revival. 
 
 While there was this religious awakening in the church, by 
 some there were others who, though religiously inclined, were phy- 
 sically weak under the existing conditions. When the irregularities 
 in the lives of these church members were reported, it became the 
 duty of the Session to call to the attention of these sinners their er- 
 rors, and to discipline them if they did not repent. From the min- 
 utes of the Session during the year 1862 there is recorded an ac- 
 count of one of the Session's investigations. The offender was a 
 prominent church member, but he had offended. He must submit 
 to the Church's Trial. 
 
 The offender admitted his sin and wrote the Session that he 
 would cheerfully submit to whatever course the Session decided 
 upon for punishment. 
 
 The Session unanimously suspended the offender from the 
 Church for a period of six months. 
 
 Another case of discipline which is recorded in the Session Min- 
 utes, was that of another member. On February 25, 1865, he was 
 charged with profanity, and other unchristian conduct. He was sus- 
 pended from membership in the church for a year, or until he 
 showed signs of repentence. 
 
 Once again, on May 27, 1866, another member of the church 
 was cited by the Session for irregularities. Elder Malcom Shaw was 
 appointed to visit him and talk with this member in regard to his 
 non-attendance of church, and to admonish him to fullfill his chris- 
 tian duties. 
 
 The Synod of North Carolina which met in Greensboro in 1864 
 did very little routine business. However, it did formulate and adopt 
 and address to the churches and a paper on the state of the country. 
 In this paper there were enumerated some of the terrible results of 
 the war, and it called loudly on the people "for humiliation and 
 prayer." There was a day designated, November 16, 1864, for the 
 people to humble themselves and devoutly pray to God that this 
 
 c 
 
14 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 cruel war might soon be over and that peace might reign again over 
 all the land. The church in High Point, believing in the power of 
 prayer, and wishing to unite with the other churches of the Synod in 
 any way possible to bring to a close this mad conflict, observed this 
 designated day. Before another meeting of Synod rolled around, 
 these great united prayers, which had been sent up from a tear- 
 stained altar had been heard and were answered. The four terrible 
 years covering the Civil War were now history. 
 
 Up to the year 1866 the church had no changes in its official 
 family, but now it seemed wise that an additional elder be added; 
 so Deacon Robert English Blair was promoted to the office of Rul- 
 ing Elder, thus making three Elders and no Deacons in the church. 
 
 The church building which Mr. Dalton had helped to erect and 
 dedicate to the Glory of Almighty God had already, in a great many 
 instances served in other worth while capacities. It had played an 
 important part in the life of the community, serving on many occa- 
 sions as a place for the citizenship of the village to hold community 
 gatherings, and discuss things of vital importance. It was also one 
 of the buildings in the village which served as a hospital, for the sick 
 and wounded soldiers, near the close of the War between the States. 
 As proof of this statement the following is found in the Session 
 Minutes of March 25, 1865: "The church being filled with sick and 
 wounded soldiers the Session met at the home of Elder Eli Denny." 
 
 The remaining days of Mr. Dalton 's pastorate in High Point 
 were busy ones, but no record is left to say just what was accom- 
 plished. His first ministry in the city lasted from September 3, 1859, 
 to April 1, 1867, and for his services the salary varied from year to 
 year. For the first year nothing is recorded; but, from a report to the 
 Presbytery on June 13, 1861, one deduces this fact, that during the 
 year just closed, March 31, 1861, he received $125. For the follow- 
 ing year the report sent to the Presbytery for pastor's salary was 
 $150, then in the report of the Session to the Presbytery for the 
 year closing March 31, 1864, there accompanied the statistical re- 
 port, a report entitled, "Reciprocal Duties." It reads: "I have re- 
 ceived about $660 for services as Stated Supply of the church at 
 High Point during the past years. Signed P. H. Dalton, Stated 
 Supply. 
 
 This last amount reported was quite a jump in salary over the 
 previous years, and it probably may be accounted for from the fact 
 that the Civil War had placed confederate money as a medium of 
 exchange in the Southern States, and it was plentiful about this 
 time. After the war was over, Mr. Dalton's salary for the year end- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 15 
 
 Mrs. Ellen Hedgecock English 
 
 ing March, 1866 was $198, which is the last recorded amount paid 
 Mr, Dalton during his first pastorate in the High Point Church. 
 
 The first period of the Reverend Mr. Dalton's ministry came to 
 a close, and it was indeed with a deep sense of their loss that the 
 members of the congregation bade him adieu. He held the love and 
 respect of all the village, and during his sojourn of ten years in High 
 Point the Reverend P. H. Dalton started a work, not of spectacular 
 nature or of mammoth dimensions, but one destined to grow into 
 power for the upbuilding of the community and the Glory of God. 
 
 It is interesting, here at the close of the first eight years of the 
 High Point Presbyterian Church's life, to note that besides the elev- 
 en Charter Members there had been added to the church roll thirty- 
 seven names, by profession of faith and examination, and thirteen 
 by letter. Among this number there were listed such names as: 
 Mrs. Ellen English, Mr. Sewell Farlow, Mrs. Charity G. Shaw, 
 Mr. J. M. Sechrest, Miss Laura Wiley, Mrs. Isabell C. Wiley, Mr. 
 William M. Wiley, and three negro slaves. These slaves were: 
 George W. Dalton, slave of the Pleasant Hunter Daltons, Edward 
 Farlow, slave of the Sewell Farlows, and Jane Holt. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND PLEASANT HUNTER DALTON 
 
 1821-1896 
 
 The Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton, son of Nicholas and 
 Rachel Dalton, was born on March 4, 1821, in Rockingham Coun- 
 ty, North Carolina — the youngest child in a family of thirteen chil- 
 dren. Little is known of his early education, but it is supposed to 
 have been obtained in the little school house next to the Presby- 
 terian church he attended. In those days our forefathers held to the 
 belief that where ever a Presbyterian settlement existed, and a pas- 
 tor was living, that there should be a school house nearby. More is 
 known though about his higher education, for it is recorded that 
 he attended the University of North Carolina, Princeton, and Union 
 Theological Seminary. 
 
 In April of the year 1847, Mr. Dalton was licensed by Orange 
 Presbytery to preach. In December of the next year, 1848, he was 
 ordained by the Concord Presbytery and became Stated Supply and 
 then Pastor of Bethany and Tabor churches. During the year 1850 
 Mr. Dalton did missionary work in Anson County and the follow- 
 ing year, 1851, again resumed his pastoral work. This time he 
 served as pastor of the Fourth Creek and Bethesda Presbyterian 
 Churches. At the same time he was serving these two churches as 
 Pastor he was also teaching school at Madison, N. C. Records show 
 that his pastoral relations with these two churches lasted until 1856, 
 and that his work, as teacher, in Madison continued until 1858. No 
 doubt this period of two years lapsing between this last pastorate, 
 and the founding of the High Point Church was devoted to much 
 basic work regarding the establishment of the High Point church. 
 
 In the year 1859 Mr. Dalton became Evangelist of Orange 
 Presbytery and in that same year, on September the third, founded 
 the Presbyterian Church of High Point and became its Stated Supply 
 Pastor. He successfully filled the office of Evangelist of Orange Pres- 
 bytery until the year 1866 when he accepted a call to the Presby- 
 terian Church at Washington, North Carolina. He served in Wash- 
 ington until 1874 when he became Agent of Orange Presbytery 
 for Davidson College. In 1875 he returned to High Point and 
 again served it as a State Supply Pastor. While he was Stated Supply 
 this second time he also served the Durham, Chapel Hill, and New 
 Hope, North Carolina, Presbyterian Churches. This Stated Supply 
 pastorate in High Point, though was terminated in 1881 when Mr. 
 Dalton was called as Pastor to it for one-fourth of his time. This 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 17 
 
 same year, 1881, he organized the Jamestown Presbyterian Church 
 and was part time pastor of it until 1889. 
 
 When the year 1889 came, and Mr. Dalton had in all rounded 
 out twenty-two years of service in High Point, he resigned to accept 
 a call to the Presbyterian Church of Mocksville, North Carolina. 
 There he served until his death on July 22, 1896. 
 
 During the last years of his life Mr. Dalton, more than once, 
 returned to High Point and supplied its pulpit — The High Point 
 Church was truly his child, and if it were in his power he was al- 
 ways glad to do a service for it. 
 
 When death finally came to this grand old man it was only 
 natural that his family should bring his body home to High Point. 
 Here in the little church he loved so well his body lay in state and 
 his funeral services were conducted from it — from it his body was 
 also carried by loving hands and laid to rest in the Oakwood Ceme- 
 tery to await that final summons, from his Master whom he loved 
 and had served so well. 
 
 The Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton was married to Miss 
 Eliza Mitchel Carter of Mocksville, N. C, who survived him by 
 twelve years. To this union there were born four sons who grew 
 to manhood: Archie Carter, Robert Frank, Pleasant Hunter, and 
 William Spencer. Archie Carter, the eldest son early dedicated his 
 life to the Gospel Ministry and in the year 1876 was nearing the 
 completion of his course at the Union Theological Seminary, in 
 Richmond, when he was suddenly taken sick and died. The other 
 three sons have passed away, but there remains decendents of them 
 now prominently connected with the Presbyterian Churches in High 
 Point. These are: Grandsons, Mr. Carter Dalton, elder in the First 
 Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Hunter Dalton, III, elder in the 
 Crestwood Presbyterian Church; two great-grandsons, Pleasant Hun- 
 ter Dalton, IV, deacon in the First Presbyterian Church, and Robert 
 Franklin Dalton, Jr., associate deacon in this same church; three 
 great-great-grandsons, R. Frank Dalton, III, P. Hunter Dalton, IV, 
 and David Andrews Dalton; and two great-great grand-daughters, 
 Lucinda Cathrine Dalton, and Mary Beth Dalton. 
 
 Quoting from a clipping taken from the scrapbook of a citizen 
 of High Point, during the Reverend Dalton's day and time: "The 
 memory of Reverend Mr. P. H. Dalton will ever linger sacredly in 
 the hearts of our people. All who knew him were irresistibly drawn 
 in affection to him, and though not a member of his church, I loved 
 him as a brother. He was a faithful and exemplary Christian Gen- 
 tleman, always working for the Master's Cause." 
 
The Reverend Frontis Howe Johnston, D.D. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 THE PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND FRONTIS HOWE JOHNSTON, D.D. 
 
 1867 - 1872 
 
 The decision of Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton to accept a 
 call to Washington, N. C, came as quite a blow to the High Point 
 Presbyterians. Since they couldn't have Reverend Dalton as their 
 Pastor they knew it was imperative that they have a leader so they 
 asked Mr. Dalton for a suggestion as to whom they might get to 
 take his place. Mr. Dalton knew that the Reverend Frontis Howe 
 Johnston, who had previously conducted a revival at the church, 
 was available. He suggested his name. Mr. Johnston was called and 
 accepted the pastorate of the church for one-fourth time at an an- 
 nual salary of $100.00. 
 
 In order to know and appreciate the services rendered the 
 church by the Reverend Frontis Howe Johnston, during his pas- 
 torate in High Point, it is necessary to understand the conditions 
 under which the church and its membership labored. In order to 
 do this one must take a look at the existing state of affairs in North 
 Carolina, as well as in the High Point Church. The war was indeed 
 over, but the people were suffering as much, if not more, than dur- 
 ing the actual conflict. A military government had been set up over 
 the people, administered by aliens; men who were not in sympathy 
 with the suffering in the South. These defeated people of the Con- 
 federacy were being made to drink bitter dregs and to feel the heel 
 of oppression upon them. A reign of terror, trying to the souls of 
 men had spread over all the land; their homes lay desolate; their 
 property was gone, and in most cases their loved ones lay silent and 
 dead. The negro slave was free, but left by his liberators to shift 
 for himself, homeless and in a perplexed state of mind. 
 
 In addition to these deplorable conditions the High Point 
 Church was having difficulties of its own. When the war began it 
 was an infant hardly able to stand alone, and the prolonged period 
 of hardships through which it had just passed had left it barely ex- 
 isting. Then came the resignation of its pastor, the Reverend P. H. 
 Dalton, and for the past period of approximately six months if had 
 floundered about shepherdless, making no progress and in many 
 ways still losing ground. 
 
20 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 From all points of view the picture, into which the Reverend 
 Mr. Johnston was invited to come, bore a rather dismal appearance. 
 However, when called he accepted and became actively connected 
 with the church on October 5, 1867. In accepting the call Mr. John- 
 ston made it clear that he would retain his home in Lexington, 
 North Carolina, for he was already established there and would con- 
 tinue to serve the church there in connection with his work in 
 High Point. 
 
 When it became known to the membership that Mr. Johnston 
 had accepted the call extended him a new spirit seemed to perme- 
 ate the congregation, although they felt that his living out of the 
 village and coming to High Point for one Sunday out of each 
 month would mean little in comparison to what the church needed. 
 
 From the founding of the church to the present pastorate there 
 had been no changes in the officers of the church, except that Dea- 
 con Blair had been promoted to the office of Elder. The total mem- 
 bership in the church was forty-two, although during the eight 
 years since its organization there had been added to the church roil 
 on certificate twelve and by examination thirty-eight. The small 
 enrollment was in keeping with the times. The uncertain conditions 
 and the restless spirit felt everywhere in the South had caused many 
 of the weary people in their perplexed state of mind to move from 
 one community to another in a search for Utopia. 
 
 Soon after assuming the work in the church the Reverend F. H. 
 Johnston began to cast about trying to discern if possible what 
 might be done to alleviate the unsatisfactory conditions existing 
 everywhere. He soon recommended to the Session that there be 
 taken a special collection each service which would go to the bene- 
 volent causes. In so far as the church members were able, this col- 
 lection was a success, and the congregation as a whole was well 
 pleased with the way the new pastor was taking hold of things. 
 They also recognized in him a sympathetic soul and were glad that 
 they had chosen him to lead them during such trying days. 
 
 The Synod met at New Bern in the fail of 1867 and Elder Eli 
 Denny was named by the Session as a delegate to represent the 
 church. At this meeting the Synod fully recognized the conditions 
 of the State, and its addresses to the churches were full of affection- 
 ate council and admonitions — it called upon the people of the 
 churches to pray and to arise and rebuild the waste places which lay 
 in the wake of the recent war. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 21 
 
 From the report sent to the Presbytery by the church for the 
 year ending March 31, 1868, it is not clearly stated just what salary 
 the Reverend Mr. Johnston was paid for his services as the Stated 
 Supply pastor, but it is known not to have exceeded $124, for that 
 was the amount reported as congregational expenses for the year. 
 The total amount of money paid into the treasurer for the year was 
 $148. 
 
 In order to accomplish the most good, both spiritually and fi- 
 nancially, it was necessary that the pastor and officers know the ex- 
 isting state of the church. Up to July 5, 1868, there had been no 
 detailed report on resources and contributions; so on this date the 
 Session named Elder Denny and Elder Shaw, as a committee to make 
 out such a report. At the next Session Meeting, held on August 14, 
 1868, Elder Eli Denny, and Elder Malcom Shaw presented the fol- 
 lowing report and it was ordered spread on the Session Minutes: 
 Number of Communicants, 37; number enrolled in Sunday School, 
 36, of this number 18 were members of the Bible Class taught by 
 Mr. J. H. Brooks; County and State Tax for Current Year, includ- 
 ing Poll Tax, $75.55; Average Tax for Communicant, $2.05; Paid 
 for the Support of the Pastor and Benevolent Causes of Church, 
 $148.00; Average Contribution Per Communicant, $3.43; Amount 
 Contributed by Non-communicants, $21,00; Amount Promised Pas- 
 tor for Current Year, $100.00; Amount Paid Pastor for Current 
 Year, $00.00; and First Installment Due on Pastor's Salary, Octo- 
 ber 1, 1868. 
 
 During the remaining months of the church year, which ended 
 March 31, 1869, nothing of unusual interest was recorded. 
 
 To attend the Spring meeting of Orange Presbytery, the Ses- 
 sion appointed Elder Denny, to attend the meeting of North Caro- 
 lina Synod Elder Shaw. From the report made at this same Session 
 meeting, it was found that the Church's membership had decreased 
 to thirty-five; however, the Sunday School still seemed to be active, 
 with an enrollment of forty-five. The finances of the Church were 
 in a grave condition. The Pastor's salary had not been paid. Dr. 
 Johnston had been promised a salary of one hundred dollars a year 
 for one-fourth of his time, but he had received only eighty-eight 
 dollars. The total amount of money received by the Treasurer for 
 the year had been only one hundred and twenty-seven dollars. Some- 
 thing was vitally wrong. Could it be due to the fact that there were 
 no Deacon's in the Church? 
 
 If the absence of Deacons in the Church was responsible for 
 
22 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 the financial conditions, it did not seem to impress the Elders, for 
 it was not until a year later, April 13, 1870, that the Session decided 
 to call a Congregational Meeting to elect Deacons. This meeting was 
 to be held on Saturday, April 30, 1870, for the purpose of electing 
 Deacons, if the way was open. "The way was open," and the con- 
 gregational meeting was held as duly ordered on this date, with the 
 following church members elected Deacons: Washington C. Denny, 
 and William T. Rankin, who had joined the church on October 
 5, 1867. 
 
 With services held in the church only one Sunday a month, the 
 year passed without any happenings worthy of recording. There 
 had, as a matter of fact, been very little accomplished in the Church, 
 as shown in the report of the year ending March 31, 1870. The 
 congregation at this time consisted of thirty-five members, only one 
 having been added during the year, and this one by certificate. No 
 infants had been baptized. The Sunday School and Bible Classes en- 
 rollment totaled only thirty-six, and for the entire year only one- 
 hundred and ten dollars had been received by the Treasurer for all 
 church causes. The Pastor's salary was again only partially paid — he 
 had only received eighty-two of the one-hundred dollars he had 
 been promised. 
 
 During the following church year, 1870-1871, a slight increase 
 in the membership took place, and a small increase in the financial 
 situation encouraged the congregation and gave a more hopeful and 
 gratifying feeling to the church. Within this year three members 
 were added to the church roll on examination and eight by certifi- 
 cate. The total number of communicants were forty-five, and the 
 number enrolled in the Bible Class and Sunday School were fifty. 
 
 While the membership had made a noticeable increase the fi- 
 nancial status was not so encouraging. The pastor's salary actually 
 paid to him for his year's service was only seventy-two dollars, a cut 
 of ten dollars in the amount received by him for the previous year; 
 however, the total amount paid into the treasury showed an increase 
 of nine dollars over the year before. 
 
 From the Session's report sent to Presbytery for the year end- 
 ing March 31, 1872, it was found that one member had been added 
 to the church membership on examination and two by certificate. 
 The total communicants of the church were now forty-two. There 
 were fifty-five members in the Sunday School and Bible Class. The 
 pastor's salary paid for this year was seventy-three dollars, an in- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 23 
 
 crease of one dollar over the reported amount paid him the year 
 before. 
 
 Evidently the officers, as well as the membership, of the church 
 were very much chagrined over their inability to pay their pastor 
 the salary promised him. Something had to be done. If the amount 
 promised the Reverend Mr. Johnston as salary, one hundred dol- 
 lars per year, was more than the church could meet, then the con- 
 sensus of opinion was to reduce it to such a figure that it could ac- 
 tually be paid. A Session meeting was held on May 5, 1872, at which 
 time a resolution was passed fixing the Reverend F. H. Johnston's 
 salary at seventy-five dollars a year for one-fourth of his time as 
 Stated Supply Pastor. 
 
 It is not so stated but one draws the conclusion that, from the 
 happenings at this Session meeting, Dr. Johnston was very much 
 upset. The hopes he had cherished of some day being paid in full 
 were blighted. Many times he had asked for support from the of- 
 ficers and members of the church and had been unable to secure it. 
 He was not able to keep the spiritual life of the church on that 
 plane necessary for it to go forward when he was at the church only 
 one Sunday in each month. If he could neither expect support or 
 sustenance, there was only one course for him, so he resigned. 
 
 His sudden resignation came as quite a shock to the whole com- 
 munity, and sorely grieved the citizenship. High Point had not had 
 the opportunity of claiming Dr. Johnston as a citizen, but it had 
 known him during his brief trips to the village for the past five 
 years, and all of the intellectual citizenship had grown to look for- 
 ward to the first Sunday in each month when he so ably preached 
 and mingled among them. 
 
 As far as the membership was concerned the Presbyterians had 
 lost in number at the close of Dr. Johnston's pastorate, but it had 
 made great strides in other ways— ways in which there is no yard- 
 stick to measure. The services he had rendered the church, in the 
 Master's name were legion. It was a great fete to even hold the 
 church together during the frightful reconstruction days through 
 which the Nation had just been passing. 
 
 During the years that the Reverend Johnston had served the 
 High Point Church, there had been added to the roll seventeen by 
 letter, and four upon profession of faith and examination. (Among 
 those joining the church during this time appear such names as Miss 
 Eliza Fisher (Mrs. P. B. Rodgers) and Mr. William Thomas Ran- 
 
24 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Miss Eliza Fisher (Mrs. Philip Rodger s) 
 
 kin ) . With these additions it did indeed seem strange, but it was a 
 fact, that at the time of Reverend Frontis Howe Johnston's resig- 
 nation the membership of the church was smaller than when he 
 came. This was due of course to the restlessness of the after war 
 years. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND FRONTIS HOWE JOHNSTON, D.D. 
 
 1834-1901 
 
 Fronds Howe Johnston, D.D., a son of the Reverend Thomas 
 Pickney Johnston and Mary Howe Johnston, missionaries to Asia 
 Minor, was born in Constantinople, August 8, 1834. He was a scion 
 of sturdy Scotch-Irish settlers of upper Rowan county, North Caro- 
 lina — the Johnstons, Halls, and other families long prominent in 
 that region. From these families there had already sprung in the 
 past, many useful ministers of the Presbyterian faith. Frontis was 
 named for a beloved friend of the family, the Reverend Stephen 
 Frontis, and the maiden name of his mother was added. 
 
 The first sixteen years of young Frontis Howe's life was spent 
 with his parents in Constantinople, Aintab, Trebizond, Smyrna, and 
 other places in Asia Minor. From his parents he received his early, 
 and preparatory education for college, and from the natives a con- 
 versational knowledge of Modern Greek. 
 
 In 1851 he was sent to North Carolina, the home state of his 
 parents, and entered Davidson College. From this institution he 
 graduated in 1855 with first honors, and the distinction of being 
 chosen to deliver the valedictory oration. This same year he entered 
 the Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, and completed the 
 course there in 1858. He was licensed as a probationer for the 
 ministry by Concord Presbytery, at Bethpage Church on Friday, 
 May 14, 1858. 
 
 For nearly a year he served the Philadelphia Church in Meck- 
 lenburg County, North Carolina, then was dismissed to the care 
 of Orange Presbytery, April 14, 1859. On July 30, 1859, he was 
 ordained to the full work of the ministry and installed as pastor of 
 the Lexington, North Carolina Church, by Orange Presbytery. Here 
 he served for sixteen years. 
 
 In 1860, Dr. Johnston began to preach, occasionally in what 
 was then the new town of Winston, North Carolina, and later, on 
 October 4, 1862, he organized a church there. This little church 
 grew under his guidance, and by 1873 he began to divide his time 
 equally between the Lexington and Winston churches. Prior to this, 
 from 1867 to 1872 Dr. Johnston served the High Point church as 
 Stated Supply pastor for one Sunday in each month. By 1876 the 
 Winston church had grown strong enough to support an all time 
 minister; so it called the Reverend Dr. Johnston as its pastor. He 
 
26 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 served there until 1887, a continuous pastorate of seventeen years. 
 At this time he resigned to become Evangelist of Orange Presby- 
 tery. After leaving Winston he moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, 
 where he resided for three years, then moved to Elizabeth City in 
 1890. Here he made his home for ten years, laboring in the city and 
 in the neighboring counties, founding churches and preaching the 
 Gospel in destitute and remote regins. In 1900 he again changed his 
 residence, this time to Tarboro, where he preached in the churches of 
 Parmele, Falkland, Aurora, and other places. He served here until 
 the end, passing on November 14, 1901, to that world of peace 
 and love for which he had so fervently prepared. 
 
 The Reverend Johnston was married to Miss Christine Ben- 
 edict, daughter of the Reverend E. P. Benedict, on August 22, I860. 
 To this union was born five children. The youngest of these children, 
 the Reverend Thomas Dabney Johnston, was at one time a member 
 of the Synod of North Carolina. 
 
 Dr. Johnston, during his lifetime was the recipient of many hon- 
 ors and the depository of various trusts. He was the representative 
 orator of his society at Davidson College in 1854 and the Alumni 
 orator in 1871. In 1866 he became one of the Synod's trustees of 
 the Union Theological Seminary, and in 1878 was elected Stated 
 Clerk of Orange Presbytery. 
 
 In this capacity he served until his resignation twelve years la- 
 ter. He was elected moderator of the Synod of North Carolina at 
 Wilmington, in the year 1883, and the same year his Alma Mater 
 conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. 
 
 Dr. Johnston was a faithful and diligent laborer, giving his best 
 in each of the various fields of labor and departments of Christian 
 work in which he served. He was a man of scholarly tastes and at- 
 tainments, keeping himself acquainted with all that was best in sci- 
 ence and literature, and accurately and extensively informed con- 
 cerning Theology and Church History. 
 
 The Reverend J. Rumple in a memorial sketch of Dr. John- 
 ston's life says of him: "His sermons were prepared with great care, 
 full of sound doctrine, crisply and gracefully expressed, without rhe- 
 torical blemish, and though not delivered in the most popular style 
 of oratory, were always listened to with profit and pleasure by in- 
 telligent hearers. Though keeping himself informed on the points 
 of modern criticism, and the vagaries of modern spiritual mysticism, 
 he continued sound in the faith once delivered to the Saints. Dr. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 27 
 
 Johnston was somewhat retiring in his manner and utterly destitute 
 of aggressive self-assertion, but at the same time, was courageous in 
 defense of the truth, and easily approachable; a most agreeable com- 
 panion with his old and tried friends, having a fine sense and ap- 
 preciation of pure and elegant humor. 
 
 "In his intercourse with men, and especially with his minister- 
 ial brethren, he was so friendly and gentle as to call forth universal 
 affection and confidence. The Synod of North Carolina has lost from 
 its rolls one of its loveliest ministers, and we shall miss him until 
 we are permitted to meet him in that world of peace and love to 
 which his spirit had been, while on earth, so wonderfully con- 
 formed." 
 
The Reverend William Bunchanan Tidball 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND WILLIAM BUCHANAN TIDBALL 
 
 1872-1874 
 
 After the Reverend Frontis Howe Johnston tendered his resig- 
 nation as Stated Supply Pastor of the High Point Church, some of 
 the members of it went over and listened to the part time pastor 
 of the Alamance Presbyterian Church, near Greensboro. They 
 liked the Reverend William Buchanan Tidball. His whole time 
 was not taken up in his pastoral work with the Alamance Church, 
 so the High Point Church extended him a call, for one Sunday out 
 of each month at a salary of seventy-five dollars a year. Mr. Tidball 
 thought well of the call so accepted it and began his work as Stated 
 Supply Pastor of the High Point Presbyterian Church in August of 
 the year 1872. 
 
 In the Session Records it is not recorded which Sunday, in each 
 month, Mr. Tidball gave to the High Point Church, but from rec- 
 ords of all the Session Meetings he moderated one is lead to believe 
 that his Sunday for High Point was the second one. 
 
 Because Mr. Tidball was serving the Asheboro Presbyterian 
 Church too, he kept his residence in Greensboro. 
 
 There is little known about the affairs of the High Point Church 
 for the two years Mr. Tidball served it. The only records of this 
 period of time, that shed any light on it, are those kept by the Clerk 
 of the Session, Elder Malcom Shaw. His records only show seven 
 meetings of the Session held during the Reverend Tidball's entire 
 ministry, however, in these records there is found that the first 
 Sunday School Convention held in the Synod of North Carolina, 
 since the founding of the High Point Church, was held at Madison, 
 North Carolina, September 3, 1872. Elder Shaw was elected to 
 attend this convention as a delegate from the church, but there is 
 no record that he did attend. 
 
 The Statistical Report adopted by the Session for the year end- 
 ing March 31, 1873, showed that two members had been added to 
 the church roll on profession of faith and examination, none by 
 certificate, and with the dismissal by letter, the church roll was left 
 
30 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 numbering only forty-two, which was exactly the same number re- 
 corded when Mr. Tidball came to the church. At this time the mem- 
 bership of the Sunday School had decreased, and only numbered 
 thirty-two with an official staff of five — this including teachers. 
 While the Sunday School attendance had decreased it was gratifying 
 to find that the church had paid the salary it had promised to its Pas- 
 tor. What a fine sensation the officers and members of the congrega- 
 tion must have experienced in once again being able to meet their 
 obligations to their Pastor. 
 
 The report made out by the Session to Orange Presbytery 
 for the church year closing March 31, 1874, was as follows: One 
 added by profession of faith and examination; one by certificate; 
 total communicants, forty-six; for sustentation, $10.00; Foreign Mis- 
 sions, $4.50; Education, $7.50; For Publications, $3.00; Disabled 
 Ministers, $3.50; Pastor's Salary, $75.00; and Miscellaneous, $6.00; 
 Total $109.50. 
 
 Although the Reverend Tidball was pastor of the church ap- 
 proximately two years, and there were five added by profession of 
 faith and examination, one of these being Miss Josephine M. English 
 (Mrs. R. A. Wheeler) on October 13, 1872, and five by letters, 
 the total membership when he left was exactly the same as it was 
 when he came. And, the officials of the Church were the same; Eli 
 Denny, Malcom Shaw, and R. English Blair were Elders, and Wash- 
 ington C. Denny, and William T. Rankin were the Deacons. 
 
 The Reverend William Buchanan Tidball's ministry here was of 
 short duration. At first glance it seems that little had been accom- 
 plished during his sojourn, but when it is remembered that the Re- 
 construction Days were still in full swing, and nothing was stable, 
 his achievements take on a different light. The influence of this 
 godly man was indeed felt in the community, and although the 
 times were trying he could boast that the church membership, al- 
 though status quo when he left it was not less than it was upon his 
 arrival. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND WILLIAM BUCHANAN TIDBALL 
 
 1822-1896 
 
 The Reverend William Buchanan Tidball, a son of Dr. Brown- 
 hill and Lovely Caldwell Tidball, was born at Wheeling, in Mar- 
 shall county, Virginia (now West Virginia), December 1, 1822. 
 
 In the year 1842 William was sent to Martinsburg Academy, 
 Ohio. After one term at this school, because of the fact that he had 
 to make his own way, he stopped and taught in Kentucky. In the 
 year 1846 he entered Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, but being 
 short on funds remained only one term. At this time he was given 
 the opportunity of securing a school at Botanic Hill, North Caro- 
 lina, so he took it. 
 
 In June of the year 1848 he entered Hampden-Sidney College 
 and graduated from it in 1849, at the same time pursuing his stud- 
 ies in the Union Theological Seminary. He received his license to 
 preach from the West Hanover Presbytery in 1851. 
 
 On January 19, 1853, he was married to Miss Susan Mosley 
 Todd of Prince Edward Court House, Virginia, and to this union 
 there were born three children; the Reverend Charles M. Tidball, 
 Charleston, Arkansas; the Reverend William Jared Tidball, form- 
 erly in the Chair of Greek and Hebrew in the Theological School 
 at Austin, Texas; and Miss Lily Tidball, late missionary to Hang- 
 chow, China. 
 
 Soon after his marriage, in December, 1853, responding to the 
 crying needs of the southwest, Mr. Tidball went to Corpus Christi, 
 Texas, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Western Texas, July 
 9, 1854, at Goliad. During the late months of the same year he 
 accepted work at Brownville, Ohio. Here he lived until in the 
 Spring of 1856 when he returned to Virginia as pastor of the 'Old 
 Concord Church,' in Appomattox County. Mrs. Tidball died in the 
 year 1861, eight years after being married. 
 
 About six months before the close of the War between the 
 States, Mr. Tidball gave up his work and left his motherless children 
 in the care of an aunt and became Chaplain in the Confederate 
 Army. There he served until the close of hostilities in 1865. 
 
 After the close of the war his next field was in North Carolina, 
 as pastor of Old Alamance Church, near Greensboro. While he was 
 
32 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 serving the Old Alamance Church, in 1868, he organized a church 
 at Springwood, and served also as its pastor. His labors as pastor of 
 the Alamance Church extended over a period of seventeen years, 
 from 1866 to 1883, the longest of his pastorates, and a blessed and 
 fruitful one. While still serving the Alamance Church he accepted 
 a call as Stated Supply Pastor to the High Point Presbyterian Church, 
 from August 1872 to April 1874, for one Sabbath in each month, 
 and during this same year he also accepted a call for part of his time 
 as Supply Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Asheboro, North 
 Carolina. 
 
 In 1872, during his residence in Greensboro he was married a 
 second time; this time to Miss Maria L. Caldwell of Madison, North 
 Carolina. 
 
 Moving to the western part of the state in the year 1884, he 
 became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Taylorsville, North 
 Carolina, his last pastorate. There he served until 1888. Taylors- 
 ville and Wilkesboro were in the same field, and there he did some 
 of his best and most acceptable work. Indeed, it was true of him that 
 so long as he remained in regular and active work, his power as a 
 clear, incisive and convincing preacher grew in effectiveness. His 
 style of preaching generally, though never slavishly delivered from 
 a carefully prepared manuscript, was popular, and seemed to com- 
 mend itself to his brother clergy and to members of the legal pro- 
 fession. He liked to preach and was wont to say: "I would rather 
 preach the Gospel than eat when I am hungry." 
 
 He died at Madison, North Carolina, on April 20, 1896, and 
 was laid to rest in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he had served 
 so well, and had loved to live. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 SECOND PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND PLEASANT HUNTER DALTON 
 
 1874-1889 
 
 For a period of time, from April 11, 1874, when the Reverend 
 W. B. Tidball preached his last sermon as pastor of the Church, 
 until September 13, 1874, there was no shepherd of the High Point 
 Flock. The month of September, however, ushered in a period of 
 great rejoicing. The beloved Mr. Dalton, the Founder and first Stat- 
 ed Supply Pastor of the Church had been extended a call and had 
 accepted it. He was coming back home. The faithful members of 
 the Church, who had been shouldering the duties necessary for the 
 continued existence of the Church, heaved a big sigh and willingly 
 shifted the responsibilities of the Church to Mr. Dalton's shoulders 
 again. 
 
 This second term of Mr. Dalton's Ministry should be divided 
 into two distinct periods — the one in which he served as Stated 
 Supply Pastor for one Sunday out of each month, and the one in 
 which he served as Pastor of the Church for one-fourth of his time. 
 
 When Mr. Dalton had previously served as pastor of the Church, 
 he had made his home in High Point. When he returned this second 
 time he again chose to live in the village, although his services were 
 to be shared with the Durham, Chapel Hill, and New Hope Presby- 
 terian Churches. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Dalton returned to the High Point Church there 
 was created a vacancy on the Board of Trustees, by the death of 
 Deacon A. G. Foster. No action was taken as to the filling of this 
 vacancy until a Congregation Meeting on February 14, 1875. At 
 this meeting William T. Rankin was elected a Trustee to fill the 
 vacancy. 
 
 From the Statistical Report made out to Orange Presbytery at 
 the close of the church year March 31, 1875, it was recorded that 
 there were the same elders, as previously reported, serving the 
 Church: Eli Denny, Malcom Shaw, and Robert English Blair, and 
 that the deacons were Washington C. Denny and William T. Ran- 
 kin. The number of communicants added by examination were three 
 
34 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 and by certificate one; the number of children enrolled in the Sunday 
 School forty; the salary paid the Reverend P. H. Dalton for his serv- 
 ices was seventy-five dollars. From the reciprocal report sent up to 
 Orange Presbytery on April 10, 1875, it was gratifying to learn that 
 the financial conditions in the church were better, for the Reverend 
 Mr. Dalton says in this report: "The High Point church has ful- 
 filled its promises to me during the year past and thinks it can pay 
 me for the next twelve months one-hundred and twenty-five dollars 
 instead of the seventy-five dollars as heretofore promised." 
 
 The year 1876 brought two deep sorrows into the life of the 
 Reverend P. Hunter Dalton. The death of Archie Carter, his son, 
 who had completed his studies for the ministry, but had not been 
 licensed, and the death of Ruling Elder Eli Denny. The death of Eli 
 Denny in January 1876, was the first break in the ranks of the offi- 
 cial family of the Church since its founding seventeen years before. 
 It was with profound sorrow and a keen sense of their loss that the 
 membership of the Church laid to rest the remains of their brother 
 Eli Denny. He was a man who might well be called a co-founder of 
 the Church. 
 
 From the report prepared by the Session for the church year 
 ending March 31, 1876, we find that the enrollment of the Sunday 
 School was again losing ground — there being only thirty-five re- 
 ported on the roll. The report also noted that the congregation had 
 fallen short, by nine dollars, in meeting the salary promised to Mr. 
 Dalton. 
 
 The Church had recently had two deaths among its officers, 
 these offices must be filled. A Congregational Meeting was held on 
 April 7, 1878, and Washington C. Denny, and Peter Thurston were 
 elected Trustees to fill the vacancies left by the death of Eli Denny 
 and Sewell Farlow. 
 
 Just why the vacancies on the Board of Elders were not filled at 
 this same Congregational Meeting is not recorded, but it was not 
 until two years later, at a Congregational Meeting held on Novem- 
 ber 3, 1878, that Deacon Washington C. Denny, and Deacon Wil- 
 liam T. Rankin were elected to the office of Elder. At this same 
 meeting William M. Wiley, and Joseph S. Newlin, who had joined 
 the Church August 5, 1877, on profession of faith and by examina- 
 tion, were elected Deacons to fill the vacancies caused by the pro- 
 motion of Mr. Denny and Mr. Rankin. With the exception of Wil- 
 liam M. Wiley, these newly elected officers were all ordained and 
 installed on the next Sunday that services were held in the Church. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 35 
 
 A long period of time had elapsed since the Session had been 
 called upon to sit in judgment as a court upon the short comings of 
 any of the church members, but in the year 1878, a member of the 
 congregation was reported to have transgressed. He was called be- 
 fore the Session and charged with the sin of fornication. After the 
 trial he was suspended from the privileges of the church until he 
 could give sastisfactory evidence that he had repented. 
 
 In January, 1879, there was a change in the Session. Elder 
 Shaw, who had served as Clerk of it since the organization of the 
 church, resigned and Elder Washington C. Denny was appointed 
 to succeed him. At a Session Meeting held on February 2, 1879, be- 
 fore the morning services, there was cause for sincere rejoicing; for 
 the member of the church who, a few months earlier, had been sus- 
 pended from church privileges, appeared and gave satisfactory evi- 
 dence of his repentance. The Session then unanimously voted to re- 
 store him to full fellowship in the church, believing that God had 
 pardoned him for his transgressions. 
 
 From the yearly report made out by the Session in March of the 
 year 1879, there is only one deacon recorded, Deacon Joseph S. 
 Newlin. It is, therefore, evident that William M. Wiley, though 
 elected a deacon in November, 1879, did not at that time nor later 
 accept this office. There were four elders; Malcom Shaw, R. English 
 Blair, Washington C. Denny, and William T. Rankin. A total of 
 thirty-seven communicants was reported on the church roll and 
 there were sixty-five children enrolled in the Sunday School. The 
 total amount received by the church Treasurer, Elder Washington 
 C. Denny, was one-hundred and fifty-dollars and fifty cents, and of 
 this amount collected Mr. Dalton had been paid on salary one- 
 hundred and two dollars. 
 
 At the Session meeting held on November 29, 1879, Major 
 W. B. Lynch and his wife joined the church by letter from Mebans- 
 ville, North Carolina, and the following February he was elected 
 and installed as Elder of the church, thus making five elders and 
 only one deacon. By the close of the church year, March 31, 1880, 
 the total number of communicants was thirty-five, the enrollment 
 in the Sunday School thirty-eight, and the amount which had been 
 paid in to the treasury for the year was two-hundred and sixteen 
 dollars. 
 
 Near the close of the Reverend P. H. Dalton's Stated Supply 
 ministry, on December 13, 1880, H. C. Bowman came before the 
 
36 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Session, and after a satisfactory examination on experimental relig- 
 ion, was received as a member of the church. 
 
 Sometime near the close of the year 1879, or early in the year 
 of 1881, the Reverend Dal ton founded a Presbyterian Church at 
 Jamestown, North Carolina and began to preach there one Sunday 
 out of each month. Upon request, the following church members 
 were granted letters of dismissal to the Jamestown Presbyterian 
 Church; William M. Wiley, Miss Laura Wiley, Miss Bell Wiley, 
 J. M. Wharton and Mrs. J. M. Wharton. (This church at James- 
 town was originally located on part of the lot now occupied by the 
 residence of Mrs. W. G. Ragsdale. After several years of service the 
 Jamestown Church was disbanded and the property sold.) 
 
 A Congregational meeting was held following the morning 
 worship on May 15, 1881. At this time the following men were 
 elected to the office of deacon; H. C. Bowman, Dr. J. R. Brown, and 
 George Stuart. 
 
 On Wednesday night, October 26, 1881, directly after Prayer 
 Meeting another Congregational Meeting was held. Soon after it 
 was called to order the Reverend Dalton invited Deacon J. R. 
 Brown to act as Moderator of the meeting and retired from the 
 room. 
 
 Up to the time of this Congregational Meeting the Church had 
 only had a Stated Supply Pastor. The purpose of the meeting was 
 explained and a motion made calling for the services of the Rever- 
 end P. Hunter Dalton as Pastor of the Church. The motion carried, 
 and immediately a call for one-fourth of his time, at a salary of two- 
 hundred dollars per annum was placed in the hands of Mr. Dalton, 
 and on October 29, 1881, he accepted it. The following week 
 Orange Presbytery met in the High Point Church and granted the 
 Church's request for the services of Mr. Dalton as its Pastor. 
 
 On Friday night November 11, 1881, Mr. Dalton was installed 
 as the first Pastor of the Church. 
 
 At the beginning of the Reverend Dalton's second Stated Supply 
 Pastorate, the membership of the church was forty-six. By the time 
 he became Pastor the loss by death and letters of dismissal to other 
 churches had reduced the enrollment to forty. 
 
 The first organ the Church ever owned was a second-hand reed 
 one, purchased from Mr. Henry Millis. (This little organ is still do- 
 ing occasional service in the Church today and may be found in the 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 37 
 
 Ladies' Parlor). The date this organ was purchased is only proble- 
 matic, but from all indications it must have been when the Daltons 
 moved from High Point after his first pastorate, when Mrs. Dalton 
 had to move her organ with her. 
 
 Records again do not substantiate it, but it is believed that the 
 first Pipe Organ owned by the Church was bought near the begin- 
 ning of Mr. Daltons Second Pastorate. This Pipe Organ was a 
 model which had to be hand pumped to make music, and the teen- 
 age boys of the congregation took turns pumping it. On several well 
 remembered occasions, however, the organist was quite embarrassed 
 when she fingered unresponsive keys and all the sound that could be 
 heard was short snoring sounds coming from the location of the 
 pumper behind the organ. (When the second church building was 
 erected this organ was installed in it.) 
 
 Miss Eliza Fisher was the first Church Organist, after "The 
 Pipes" were installed, and she served as the official organist until 
 she accepted work in Salisbury, North Carolina, and moved there. 
 When she left there was no other member of the Church who could 
 play a pipe organ. Mr. Dalton had an idea. Miss Betty Hunt Sapp 
 (Mrs. J. Ed Kirkman) could. She played the pipe organ at the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, and they held services on different Sundays 
 to the Presbyterians. Mr. Dalton went to see Miss Sapp and laid his 
 troubles before her. She graciously agreed to help him out with the 
 music and became organist for the Presbyterians until Miss Eliza 
 Fisher moved back to High Point. 
 
 From the reciprocal report of Mr. Dalton's, which accompanied 
 the Statistical report of the Church sent to Orange Presbytery in 
 April 1882, we read: 
 
 "The High Point Church has, in the main, discharged its duties 
 to me during the past year. The salary fell short of the hopes of all 
 of us, but it was because we had no deacons. As they now have four 
 deacons they expect to pay promptly the two-hundred dollars which 
 they have promised their pastor." 
 
 In the report to Presbytery for the year closing March 31, 1883, 
 it is noted that the pastor had received his full salary — the deacons 
 were on the job. 
 
 At a congregational meeting held on an the second Sunday in 
 June 1883, Mr. J. J. Long was elected a deacon to fill the va- 
 cancy made when Deacon George Stuart moved to Winston. 
 
38 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 On February 10, 1884, a financial report for the church was 
 presented to the Session, but being unsatisfactory was tabled until 
 the next meeting when there would be more time to discuss it. At 
 a Session meeting held on March 9, 1884, this report was again 
 presented, and with few corrections was accepted along with the 
 Church's yearly report that was to go to Orange Presbytery — stat- 
 ing that the one-hundred and seventy-five dollars promised Mr. Dal- 
 ton for salary had been paid. Evidently, sometime during the year 
 Mr. Dalton's salary had been reduced from two-hundred dollars to 
 one hundred and seventy-five dollars per year, for the reciprocal re- 
 port of Mr. Dalton's which accompanied the statistical report read: 
 "I hereby certify that the church of High Point has discharged its 
 duties to me during the past year." 
 
 On March 9, 1884, Thomas H. Patten and his wife were re- 
 ceived into the membership of the church from the Central Pres- 
 byterian Church of Denver, Colorado. The church letter Mr. Patten 
 brought stated that he was an elder in good standing in the Denver 
 Church. Another elder was needed in the High Point Church, as 
 Elder W. B. Lynch had recently moved to Florida. At a congrega- 
 tion meeting held on April 13, 1884, Mr. Patten was elected an 
 elder and installed the same day. 
 
 On September 1, 1884, Elder Robert English Blair passed to his 
 reward and his remains were laid to rest in the graveyard of his an- 
 cestors — at Springfield Friends Church. The passing of Elder Blair 
 was keenly felt by the membership of the church, for he had faith- 
 fully served it for a period of twenty-five years — first as a deacon, 
 then as an elder. The death of Elder Blair, and that of Eli Denny, 
 a few years before, had taken from the church two of its sincerest 
 and most devout officers and members. 
 
 The date September 3, 1884, marked the twenty-fifth birthday 
 of the founding of the Church. No doubt there were members who 
 recalled that fact, but there is no record of any special celebration 
 of the day. 
 
 The report from the Session closing the church year's work 
 March 31, 1885, shows that the pastor's salary was paid in full; 
 there were four elders and four deacons; the number of communi- 
 cants on roll were forty-three, and non-communicants forty-four; 
 infants baptized three; scholars in Sunday School and Bible Class 
 seventy; total amount of money paid into the treasury for year two- 
 hundred and thirty-nine dollars and twenty cents. 
 
 With the passing of years there had been continual changes 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 39 
 
 among the officers, as well as the members of the Church. On Sep- 
 tember 12, 1886, Deacon J. S. Newlin was granted a letter to join 
 a Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, and on November 13, 
 1886, the Church lost another elder, Thomas H. Patten, to a Pres- 
 byterian church in Denver, Colorado. 
 
 At the close of the church year, March 31, 1887, it was re- 
 corded that there were only three elders and two deacons in the 
 Church — elders, Malcom Shaw, W. C. Denny, and William T. Ran- 
 kin; deacons, H. C. Bowman, and J. R. Brown; additions to the 
 church roll for the year were ten on profession of faith, and three 
 by letters; however, there were only thirty- two communicants on 
 roll at this time, and four non-resident members; and sixty scholars 
 enrolled in the Sunday School. 
 
 On Saturday night, May 28, 1887, a congregational meeting 
 was held for the purpose of electing one elder and one deacon. Dr. 
 J. R. Brown was elected the elder, and C. W. Worth, who had 
 joined the church on November 13, 1886, was elected the deacon, 
 and on the following day they were ordained and installed as offi- 
 cers in the Church. 
 
 At a Session meeting held on February 12, 1888, it was agreed 
 to join the Alamance Church Session in an overture to Synod, Or- 
 ange Presbytery consenting, for a division of Orange Presbytery. 
 This overture was granted by Synod, resulting in the forming of 
 Albemarle Presbytery by Synod later on. 
 
 For a number of years there had been carried on the Church's 
 roll names who were inactive. At a Session Meeting held on July 8, 
 1888, a revision of the church roll was made. 
 
 On January 22, 1888, Elder S. C. Lindsay of the Presbyterian 
 Church of Kernersville, North Carolina, moved to the village. Soon 
 after his arrival the Session planned to call a congregation meeting, 
 to elect him as an elder, but they did not get around to calling this 
 meeting until September. When the meeting was finally held he 
 was both elected an elder and installed at the same meeting. 
 
 The Statistical Report to Orange Presbytery, prepared by the 
 Session, of the Church's activities during the last year of the Rev- 
 erend Pleasant Hunter Dal ton's pastorate with the Church is as fol- 
 lows: Elders four; Deacons one; Added by Certificates two; total 
 Enrollment thirty-one; Non-resident Members three; Scholars in 
 Sunday School sixty-three; Paid to Benevolent Causes and Tax forty- 
 
40 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 dollars; Pastor's Salary two-hundred dollars; Congregational Ex- 
 pense thirty-three dollars and eighty cents; Miscellaneous (roofing 
 church) sixty-two dollars; Total Money Paid in to the Treasury 
 three-hundred and thirty-five dollars and eighty cents. 
 
 During his residence in the city Mr. Dalton made a great many 
 friends among all classes of people, especially with the youth of the 
 village. He was a great croquet enthusiast, and on the days he went 
 to market for Mrs. Dalton, he usually carried a croquet mallet with 
 him. If one examined the basket on his arm closely, nine times out 
 of ten there would be found a croquet mallet, and before he re- 
 turned home, one would likely find him on the croquet ground be- 
 hind English's store enjoying a game with some of the young folk. 
 
 Had the Reverend P. H. Dalton stayed at the church until Sep- 
 tember of the following year he would have seen the Church pass 
 its thirtieth birthday. This church was old enough now, so Mr. Dal- 
 ton reasoned, to look out for itself; so with sadness in his heart he 
 decided to take leave of it as its pastor — take leave of it with the 
 satisfaction of knowing that during this second period of time he 
 had sojourned in High Point, there had been added thirty-seven to 
 the membership on profession of faith and examination, and forty- 
 three by Certificate. 
 
 ffl 
 
The Reverend William P. McCorkle 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND WILLIAM P. McCORKLE 
 
 1889-1891 
 
 Mr. Dalton's resignation left the church again without a pastor, 
 and it was not until April 9, 1889, that a congregational meeting 
 was held to fill this vacancy. This meeting was called to order and 
 opened with prayer by the Chairman of the Pulpit Committee, Elder 
 S. C. Lindsay. After the prayer, Elder W. C. Denny was asked to 
 serve as clerk of the meeting. The first business for the congrega- 
 tion to transact was the approving of the Pulpit Committee which 
 had been appointed by the Session, composed of Elders S. C. Lind- 
 say and Dr. J. R. Brown. After this committee was approved the 
 next business was the recommendations of the Committee, then 
 came the motion to call the Reverend William P. McCorkle of 
 Mecklenburg Presbytery to serve the church as Stated Supply Pastor, 
 for two Sundays in each month, at a salary of two hundred dollars 
 per year. (The Lexington, North Carolina Church was coupled with 
 this church for the other part of his time.) The issuing of the call 
 and the completing of all arrangements with the Reverend Mr. Mc- 
 Corkle, if he accepted, was placed in the hands of the Pulpit Com- 
 mittee. Mr. McCorkle was interested and soon after receiving the 
 call notified Elder S. C. Lindsay of his acceptance. The other ar- 
 rangements were looked after by the committee in charge and Mr. 
 McCorkle preached his first sermon as Stated Supply Pastor of the 
 Church on May 26, 1889. 
 
 At a Session Meeting held on August 25, 1889, Elder Brown 
 was appointed as principal and Elder W. C. Denny as alternate to 
 attend the next meeting of Orange Presbytery and to ask that the 
 necessary steps be taken to make the Reverend W. P. McCorkle the 
 Stated Supply Pastor of the church for two Sundays out of each 
 month. Orange Presbytery was agreeable to the request; so the Rev- 
 erend Mr. McCorkle became the Stated Supply Pastor and began 
 his ministry in the church with very favorable prospects. At the 
 time the membership of the church was only thirty-four; a small 
 band, but most of the members were active, and interested in their 
 church. 
 
44 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Elder Malcom Shaw had moved to Greensboro. On April 9, 
 1889, a request was received from him, asking that his church let- 
 ter be sent to him so that he might place it in the Greensboro Pres- 
 byterian Church. This request brought a feeling of nostalgia to 
 the High Point Church. Eli Denny and Robert English Blair had 
 passed to their reward some years earlier, and now the last of the 
 Church's Charter Officers was withdrawing his membership. They 
 did not want to give this letter but there was nothing else to do but 
 grant his request. 
 
 At the first Session Meeting held after Mr. McCorkle took up 
 his pastoral duties in the church, J. C. Callum and J. J. Lindsay ap- 
 peared before it and upon satisfactory examination of their faith 
 were accepted as members of the church. The number of deacons 
 in the church had dwindled to such an extent that it was felt by the 
 entire membership of the church that more should be elected. A 
 congregational meeting was held on June 10, 1889, for this pur- 
 pose, and W. E. Thurston, J. W. Snell, and J. C. Callum were elect- 
 ed to this office, and on the twenty-third of the same month J. W. 
 Snell and J. C. Callum were ordained and installed. 
 
 Because of the absence of the Clerk of the Session, Elder W. C. 
 Denny and Elder J. B. Brown served as clerk protem for the year 
 1889, however Clerk Denny did return and compiled the Statistical 
 Report to go to Orange Presbytery, for the church year ending 
 March 31, 1890. This report read: 
 
 "A year ago the number of members on our roll was thirty-five. 
 We closed the year with fifty-six, having been received during the 
 year; nine persons on profession of faith, and twelve by certificate 
 from other churches. 
 
 "Of the members received on profession of faith all are adults 
 and five are heads of families. Congregations at the services during 
 the year were believed to be twice as large as they were during 
 the previous year. 
 
 "While there has been no marked revival, there has been uni 
 form and serious attention to the preached Word, and at times a 
 very decided religious interest. We have had preaching by our Stat- 
 ed Supply Pastor two Sundays in each month and have maintained 
 a Friday evening prayer meeting. The benevolent collections have 
 been duly attended to, save that for church erection, and our people 
 have responded cheerfully to every appeal. It is proper, however, to 
 state that the increase in our membership does not represent a cor- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 45 
 
 responding increase in financial strength. Family prayer is observed 
 only to a limited extent, and so far as we know, only by the elders 
 and deacons. 
 
 "There remains very much to be done in the way of stimulating 
 our membership to increased consecration and fervor of spirit. 
 
 "We record our gratitude to a Soverign God for his Grace be- 
 stowed upon us and we are encouraged to trust Him for larger 
 blessings in the future." 
 
 No doubt, since the town had been founded years before, there 
 had been other revivals held in it, but during the month of May 
 1890, Evangelist Bill Fife conducted a town- wide revival of far 
 reaching results — so far reaching was this revival that a great many 
 people in the town changed their way of living, and joined churches 
 of their choice. There were a number of these converts who were in- 
 clined towards the Presbyterian Faith, so they united with this 
 Church. Out of the number joining the Presbyterian Church, there 
 came before the Session on June 6, 1890, an individual who later 
 became a leading lay worker in the growth of the Church. This in- 
 dividual was Mr. Ernest Ansel Snow. 
 
 On June 8, 1890, he was baptized into the church and imme- 
 diately began a great christian work which continued until his 
 death. Soon after joining the Church Mr. Snow was made Super- 
 intendent of the Sunday School. (He continued in this office for 
 twenty-two years.) A complete year had not passed before he had 
 so impressed the congregation with the sincerity of his conversion 
 that they unanimously elected him an elder in the church on Jan- 
 uary 11, 1891. At this same meeting Mr. H. C. Bowman was also 
 unanimously elected an elder, and Mr. J. M. Walker. Mr. P. H. 
 Johnson and Mr. John R. Brown unanimously elected deacons. On 
 January 25, 1891, the Reverend Mr. McCorkle preached a sermon 
 on the Nature, Warrant, and Duties of the Office of Ruling Elder 
 and Deacon, charging the elders and deacons-elect, to be faithful in 
 the performance of the duties required of them. After the sermon 
 E. A. Snow and H. C. Bowman, having signified their acceptance 
 of the office of elder, and W. E. Thurston, William Partridge, and 
 John R. Brown, having signified their acceptance of the office of 
 deacon, were all duly ordained and installed. W. E. Thurston had 
 been elected to the office of deacon June 10, 1889, but had not at 
 that time been ordained and installed. P. H. Johnson and J. M. 
 Walker, although elected as deacons were not ordained and installed 
 
46 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 at this time because they did not feel they were ready to accept 
 the office. 
 
 For the year ending March 31, 1891, the following Narrative 
 of the State of Religion in the Church was adopted, to be presented 
 to Orange Presbytery at its session held in Greensboro April 14, 
 1891: 
 
 "Dear Fathers and Brethren: 
 
 "We are gratified and at the same time grateful to a gracious 
 God, that we are able to report progress in our church during the 
 last year. 
 
 "Twelve members have been added to our rolls; ten were re- 
 ceived on examination and two by certificate. Several members, 
 however, have removed during the year, so that our actual gain is 
 less than it was during the previous year. At present our number of 
 communicants is sixty -seven — fourteen are non-residents. 
 
 "All things considered our congregations have been good, and 
 the people have been uniformly attentive to the preached word. In 
 May last, our community enjoyed a precious revival of religion of 
 which the good results were especially apparent in our church, and 
 are still in good measure abiding. 
 
 "Our pastor-elect has served us faithfully and efficiently; while 
 our elders and deacons have held up their hands by their uniform 
 sympathy and co-operation. 
 
 "During the past six months we have maintained a regular 
 weekly prayer meeting with encouraging attendance. It has been 
 conducted by our elders. 
 
 "We report no out-breaking violation of Sunday — and yet we 
 fear that our people do not sanctify the day as they ought. Family 
 worship is sadly neglected, being confined to the families of our 
 elders and deacons, so far as we can ascertain. 
 
 "Our people are not as yet fully enlisted in the cause of Foreign 
 Missions. Our church, however, has paid its full apportionment to 
 this cause, and a farther contribution of four dollars and eighty cents 
 was made by our Sunday School for the work in Mexico. 
 
 "Our Sunday School is flourishing more than at any former pe- 
 riod of its history. The enrollment of teachers and pupils aggregate 
 one hundred and six and the average attendance is sixty. We have 
 
High Point, North Carolina 47 
 
 found it impracticable as yet to establish Bible Classes apart from 
 the Sunday School, nor have we as yet any mission chapel or out- 
 post Sunday School. 
 
 "Our church has paid all its apportionments for the various col- 
 lections ordered by the Assembly, except that for church erection 
 and for Tuscaloosa Institute, which we report as paid in part. 
 
 "Members of the church, we have reason to believe, are faith- 
 ful to a commendable degree in the religious instructions of their 
 children. All our members are living together in harmony and 
 brotherly love. 
 
 "We paid to our pastor a salary of two hundred and fifty dollars 
 which was promised him. An increase was made in the amount paid 
 into the different causes over last year of twenty-eight dollars and 
 ninety cents. 
 
 "None of the members of the church depend upon public 
 charity. 
 
 "The expenses of the Reverend McCorkie were paid to Presby- 
 tery and Synod. Mode of collection — subscription and basket col- 
 lection. 
 
 "There are ninety-eight scholars in Sunday School under con- 
 trol of the Session. Pastor preaches twice a year to the children; 
 Catechisms are taught, but not the Confession of Faith and Form of 
 Government; Children's Friend taken. Our young people memo- 
 rize the Scriptures. No special religious interest in school during the 
 year. We use the International lessons in connection with the Bible 
 and Shorter Catechisms. No collection is taken in the Sunday School 
 during the year for Assembly's Objects, except for missions. Atten- 
 dance of school upon preaching is small. (Signed) J. R. Brown, 
 Clerk Protem." 
 
 At a Session Meeting held on April 27, 1891, it was decided 
 that the Session should hold regular meetings in April, July, Octo- 
 ber, and January and that the deacons should be present at these 
 meetings. 
 
 In the month of May, 1891, the Reverend W. P. McCorkie, 
 after an enviable two years of masterful service, as Stated Supply 
 Pastor of the church, resigned and sought new fields in which to la- 
 bor. This sudden decision of his to resign was the result of no snap 
 judgment. He had considered it from all angles before taking the 
 
48 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 final steps. Some time earlier in his ministery in this church he had 
 preached a powerful sermon on temperance expressing his views un- 
 compromisingly. Some of his ideas, as set forth in this sermon, did 
 not coincide with those of some of the members, so a growing fac- 
 tion of opposition had sprung up. The Reverend Mr. McCorkle was 
 conscious of this so he voluntarily resigned. 
 
 The Reverend McCorkle was the first Stated Supply Pastor to 
 serve the Church for two Sundays out of each month, and during 
 the whole history of the Church there had been no such religious 
 progress made as in the two years under his guidance. Among the 
 thirty-four members joining the Church while he was Stated Supply 
 Pastor in High Point, were such names as E. A. Snow, Mrs. E. A. 
 Snow, P. H. Johnson, J. J. Lindsay, and William Partridge. 
 
 Mr. McCorkle was an earnest, faithful, and most sympathetic 
 pastor, and while he did not make his home in the town, the mem- 
 ory of his faithful life will ever be a heritage to the Church and 
 this city. 
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND WILLIAM P. McCORKLE 
 
 1855-1933 
 
 The Reverend William P. McCorkle, the second son of the Rev- 
 erend Alexander B. McCorkle and Lucilla Gambol McCorkle, was 
 born on April 16, 1855, in Talladega, Alabama. 
 
 William received his early training at a private school in Ala- 
 bama and entered Washington and Lee University in 1870, the year 
 that General Robert E. Lee died. He distinguished himself there 
 and was awarded the Santini Medal. After leaving the University he 
 taught at Middlebrook, and at the once famous Wesleyan Female 
 Institute in Staunton, Virginia. 
 
 In December, 1879, he married Miss Lutie Andrews, the noted 
 writer of Charlotte, North Carolina. His first pastorate was in Beau- 
 fort, North Carolina. From there, on account of his wife's health, 
 
High Point, North Carolina 49 
 
 he accepted a call to El Paso, Texas, where he did splendid work 
 for four years. After this stay in Texas, and a great improvement in 
 the health of his wife, he returned to North Carolina and served as 
 pastor of the Shelby Presbyterian Church; the churches of Lexing- 
 ton, High Point and Jamestown from April 1889 to May 1891; 
 then back to the Shelby church from 1891 to 1896; then at the 
 Graham church from 1896 to 1901; subsequently going to the First 
 Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Georgia. From there he went to 
 the Presbyterian Church of Martinsville, Virginia. His next pastor- 
 ate was again in North Carolina at Piedmont, where he served the 
 three churches, Piedmont, Shilo, and Elmira; and on the second Sun- 
 day in May 1920, he began work at the Burlington, North Caro- 
 lina Church. He started this work but had to resign in May 1924, 
 on account of increasing deafness and eye trouble. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. McCorkle was an outstanding preacher; his 
 sermons were strong and scriptural, always making a profound im- 
 pression upon those who heard him. As a pastor he was earnest, 
 faithful, and most sympathetic. 
 
 Mr. McCorkle was a profound and accurate scholar, and was 
 thoroughly familiar with the history and doctrine of his church. 
 After he retired from active ministry he continued to serve the 
 church through his magazine and newspaper articles. He was a fre- 
 quent contributor to the leading newspapers of North Carolina on 
 timely subjects. He was also the author of an important book, Chris- 
 tian Science or the False Christ of 1866, which he had published in 
 1904. At the time of his death he was making a study of the Barth- 
 ian Movement in Theology. 
 
 On March 5, 1933, at the age of seventy-eight, the Reverend 
 W. P. McCorkle passed on to his reward. His funeral service was 
 held from the Presbyterian Church of Graham, North Carolina, and 
 his body was laid to rest in a cemetery at Charlotte, North Carolina. 
 
 m 
 
The Reverend John C. Dinwiddie 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND JOHN C. DINWIDDIE 
 
 1891 - 1893 
 
 With the untimely departure of the Reverend W. P. McCorkle 
 there came for a few months a lapse in the progress of the church. 
 On Thursday evening July 16, 1891, a congregational meeting was 
 held in the church for the purpose of calling a pastor. Elder S. C. 
 Lindsay, previously appointed chairman of the Pulpit Committee, 
 called the meeting to order and after reading a passage of Scripture 
 and fervently imploring divine guidance in the approaching hour 
 of decision requested Elder J. R. Brown to act as clerk of the meet- 
 ing. The purpose for which the meeting was called was clearly 
 stated, then Elder Lindsay reported the recommendation of the Pul- 
 pit Committee, and after a thorough discussion a motion was finally 
 made as follows: "Resolved: That the congregation of the Presby- 
 terian Church of High Point call the Reverend John C. Dinwiddie 
 as its pastor for three Sundays out of each month, at a salary of 
 seven hundred dollars per year." 
 
 This call was placed immediately in the hands of the Reverend 
 J. C. Dinwiddie, and by the last of August, he had signified to Elder 
 Lindsay, by letter, that he would accept the call and that he was 
 making arrangements to move his family as soon as possible to High 
 Point. The Dinwiddie family was settled in their High Point home 
 late in the month of September and by the middle of October the 
 church was ready to install its new pastor. 
 
 The Sunday selected for the installation, October 25, 1891, was 
 a brisk and perfect October day. The congregation which assembled 
 would have done credit to a much larger church. Besides a majority 
 of the sixty-two members of the church there were present many in- 
 terested friends from other churches. The Reverend J. H. Smith, 
 D.D., of Greensboro and the Reverend E. P. Davis of Winston, who 
 had been named by Orange Presbytery to install the Reverend Mr. 
 Dinwiddie, were present. Dr. Smith delivered a powerful charge 
 to the congregation, and the Reverend Mr. Davis charged the pastor 
 and preached an outstanding sermon. 
 
 From the yearly report made out by the Session for the church 
 
Elder William T. Rankin 
 
High Point, North Carolina 53 
 
 year ending March 31, 1892, there are found the following facts: 
 
 The church officers were: elders S. C. Lindsay, W. T. Rankin, 
 E. A. Snow, H. C. Bowman, and J. R. Brown, Clerk; deacons, J. C. 
 Callum, William Partridge, William E. Thurston, J. W. Snell, and 
 John R. Brown: added on examination two; added by certificate 
 three; total enrollment fifty-three; total to benevolence twenty-six 
 dollars and ninety seven cents; actually paid to Pastor two hundred 
 and seventy-six dollars and twenty-five cents (due Pastor seventy- 
 three dollars and seventy-five cents for first six months); congre- 
 gational expense twenty-five dollars and five cents; and total contri- 
 butions three-hundred and twenty-eight dollars and twenty-seven 
 cents. 
 
 On June 18, 1892, a tragedy occurred in High Point which 
 shocked the citizenship of the town, and deeply grieved the entire 
 congregation of the Presbyterian Church. It was the untimely death 
 of Dr. Joshua Riley Brown, a ruling elder of the church. Dr. Brown 
 was returning to his office from dinner, and while crossing the rail- 
 road tracks was kept from seeing an approaching train by an open 
 umbrella he carried, and was struck by the engine and died twenty 
 minutes later without regaining consciousness. 
 
 Dr. Brown's death was a severe blow to the Church for he was 
 truly a Pillar in it — Dr. Brown, besides being elder was the Clerk 
 of the Session. 
 
 The office of the Clerk of the Session was filled in due time, by 
 Elder W. T. Rankin but no man could fill Dr. Brown's place in the 
 Church for there were few Doctor Browns. 
 
 For a great many years there had been carried on the church roll 
 a long list of inactive members. No one seemed to know where some 
 of them were, or anything about them, while some of the persons 
 on the list had, without asking for their letters, affiliated themselves 
 with other churches in town. A general house cleaning was needed, 
 so on August 30, 1892, the church officers decided to go over the 
 list and delete any name they thought wise. Twenty-seven names 
 were struck from the Church Roll. 
 
 About this time the High Point Church seemed to literally be 
 on fire, for at the same meeting of officers, Elder E. A. Snow re- 
 ported that a chapel had been built by him in the southern part of 
 town, known as Macedonia, and was to be used by the Church as a 
 mission. He also stated that he hoped this mission in time would 
 
54 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 become the Second Presbyterian Church of High Point. Then he re- 
 quested the Session to elect a Superintendent and Treasurer for it. 
 Mr. Snow was named as Superintendent and Mr. W. T. Rankin, 
 Treasurer, and Mr. Snow was instructed to select his own Sunday 
 School teachers. 
 
 Before Mr. Dinwiddie had served a year with the church a num- 
 ber of the members were seriously thinking and talking "An-All- 
 Time-Pastor," for the church. At a meeting of the congregation 
 held September 12, 1892, the elders of the church were instructed 
 to make application to Orange Presbytery for the services of The 
 Reverend Mr. Dinwiddie for all his time. Elder S. C. Lindsay went 
 as a delegate to the meeting of Orange Presbytery carrying this ap- 
 peal with him. At the November 2, 1892, Session Meeting Elder 
 Lindsay reported that Orange Presbytery had granted the request of 
 the church, and that from that date The Reverend J. C. Dinwiddie 
 would serve the church as a full time pastor. Thus The Reverend 
 Mr. Dinwiddie became the first full time pastor to serve the Church. 
 
 Prior to this all time pastorate Mr. Dinwiddie had preached one 
 Sunday out of each month at the Jamestown, North Carolina church. 
 He would continue filling the pulpit there but at a different time. 
 
 During his Jamestown pastorate a humorous incident occurred 
 in connection with Mr. Dinwiddie and this Church. Mr. Dinwiddie 
 was a very active man for his age, and was accustomed to walking 
 to and from Jamestown on the Sundays he preached there. On this 
 particular Sunday it was bitter cold and the ground was covered with 
 snow. The Jamestown Church building had not been built with an 
 eye for blizzards, so was not a suitable place for such weather. The 
 person in charge of the church building realized this fact so bor- 
 rowed the Methodist Church, in which to hold services on that spe- 
 cial day, but he had failed to leave a note on the Presbyterian 
 Church door for Mr. Dinwiddie, stating where the services would be 
 held. Mr. Dinwiddie came to the appointed place found the church 
 locked, stomped around in the cold for sometime, then turned 
 around and walked back to High Point. 
 
 The Session met on March 27, 1893, at the home of Mr. Din- 
 widdie, for the purpose of making out the Statistical Report for the 
 church year ending March 31, 1893. 
 
 From the narrative report which accompanied this statistical re- 
 port there is found the best insight into the religious conditions ex- 
 isting in the church. "During the past year," so the report says, "a 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 55 
 
 group of thirteen members affiliated themselves with the church by 
 profession of their faith and by letters. The elders and deacons are 
 faithful in fulfilling their duties. The attendance of the congrega- 
 tion at public worship is very good; however, the number usually 
 found at prayer meetings is pitifully small. The observance of the 
 Sabbath Day is average, and there are only a few families who make 
 any pretense at having family altars in their homes. A manifested 
 interest is shown in Foreign Missions by the collections taken for 
 this cause in both the church and the Sunday School. The Sunday 
 School is well attended and the parents seem vitally interested in 
 the spiritual training of their children. A spirit of brotherly love 
 seems to prevail among the church members." 
 
 "A Chapel Sunday School was organized on September 4, 1892. 
 It, at the present date, has an enrollment of eighty-eight members 
 with an average attendance of fifty. The same lessons from the Ear- 
 nest Worker are used at it as at the First Church Sunday School. The 
 Catechisms and Scriptures are memorized. The Children's Friend is 
 given each child to take home and read. The First Church Pastor 
 preaches at the Chapel every third Sunday afternoon. Much interest 
 is manifested in the Sunday School, and also in the preaching." 
 
 In early June of the year 1893, word was received in High Point 
 that a one time church member, W. Jasper Sechrest, the son of Mrs. 
 Rebecca Sechrest, a charter member of the Church, had finished his 
 training at the Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, 
 and had been licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Eastern Texas. 
 
 During Mr. Dinwiddie's pastorate in High Point Miss Ada G. 
 Myers (Mrs. A. R. Harrison) joined the Church. 
 
 Before another yearly report was ready to be sent to Presbytery 
 Mr. Dinwiddie had resigned as pastor of the church. As to the rea- 
 son for his decision to resign there is no record; but a probable cause 
 might have been the failure of the congregation to meet his salary 
 fully and punctually. Mr. Dinwiddie did not receive, if the records 
 are correct, the promised amount of salary for a single year he served 
 the High Point Church. Had it not have been for a supplement to 
 his salary from his teaching at the Academy in the village he could 
 not have existed. 
 
 A great many things of interest happened during The Reverend 
 Mr. Dinwiddie's pastorate in the High Point Church, but perhaps 
 the most outstanding and lasting thing was the influence of his 
 Godly life in the community. He was earnest, fearless, and some 
 times honest to the extent of giving offense with his opinions. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND JOHN C. DINWIDDIE 
 
 1834-1898 
 
 The Reverend John C. Dinwiddie, was born on July 1, 1834, 
 in the New Concord Presbyterian manse, Campbell County, Vir- 
 ginia. His education was received from Hampden-Sidney College 
 and the University of Virginia. He afterwards prepared for the min- 
 istry by studying Theology under the private tutoring of Drs. Ram- 
 sey and Mcllwaine of Lynchburg, Virginia, and also studied at the 
 Seminary, from 1865 to 1866. 
 
 He taught school for fifteen years, first at Sayre Institute, Lex- 
 ington, Kentucky, and then at Romney, West Virginia. 
 
 Mr. Dinwiddie was granted license to preach on May 5, 1871, 
 in Virginia, by the Montgomery Presbytery, and the same year was 
 dismissed to West Hanover Presbytery, where he was ordained and 
 installed on October 28, 1871, as pastor of Orange and Gordons- 
 ville Churches. After serving these two churches and teaching in the 
 class room for several years he returned to Montgomery Presbytery 
 where he served the Church of Big Lick for two years. From here 
 he was dismissed on February 1, 1881, to Roanoke Presbytery, 
 where he served for several years the Old Concord, New Concord, 
 and Concord Churches. From Roanoke Presbytery he accepted a call 
 to the Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Carolina. Here he 
 served as pastor and also taught at the local Academy from 1891 to 
 1894. At the High Point Church, he preached three Sundays each 
 month and one Sunday each month at the Jamestown Church. From 
 High Point he went to Oxford, North Carolina. From Oxford he re- 
 turned to Montgomery Presbytery and on September 19, 1895, be- 
 came pastor of Bethany Church, Roanoke City, where he served un- 
 til May 18, 1897. 
 
 The Reverend John C. Dinwiddie married Mrs. Selma Pluncket, 
 who before her first marriage was Miss Selma Hunter. To this union 
 was born one daughter, Miss Nannie L. Dinwiddie. The Reverend 
 John C. Dinwiddie died at Greenwood, Albemarle County, Virginia, 
 on July 19, 1898, and was laid to rest in a cemetery there. 
 
 Quoting from Mr. D. L. Clark who knew Mr. Dinwiddie per- 
 sonally while he lived in High Point: "The Reverend John C. Din- 
 widdie was endowed with a great intellect, and as a theologian there 
 were few, if any, so brainy or cultured. In his manner of presenta- 
 tion he was honest, earnest, and fearless, and sometimes gave of- 
 fense to those who were unable to comprehend or understand the 
 deep researches of his great mind." 
 
Our First Church 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND WILLIAM LEE HARRELL 
 
 1895 - 1897 
 
 After the resignation of The Reverend J. C. Dinwiddie in De- 
 cember 1893, until Sunday February 18, 1894, nothing concrete 
 was done about dissolving the the pastoral relationship with him and 
 the Church. On this date, however, a congregational meeting was 
 held and a resolution was passed asking Orange Presbytery to dis- 
 solve the pastoral relationship between Mr. Dinwiddie and the High 
 Point Church. Mr. E. A. Snow was elected to prosecute this resolu- 
 tion to Orange Presbytery, which would meet in Mount Airy on 
 April 10, of that same year, and to also give Presbytery an invita- 
 tion to hold its fall meeting in the High Point Church. Elder Snow 
 went to this meeting of Orange Presbytery and reported on his re- 
 turn that the pastoral relations of The Reverend Dinwiddie had been 
 dissolved, but that the Fall Meeting of Presbytery would not be 
 held in High Point. 
 
 From the resignation of The Reverend J. C. Dinwiddie on De- 
 cember 31, 1893, to January 1, 1895, there was no regular pastor 
 in charge of the Church. The Reverend P. H. Dalton of Mocksville, 
 North Carolina, came to the church for one Sunday in each month 
 as a supply, and the pulpit was filled on the remaining Sundays, 
 when possible, by available ministers. Some of the ministers thus 
 supplying the pulpit were: The Reverend John Wakefield, The Rev- 
 erend D. M. Mclver, and The Reverend John B. Shearer, D.D. 
 
 A congregational meeting was held on April 29, 1894, for the 
 purpose of electing additional officers for the church. The call also 
 carried the clause that the officers so elected should be ordained and 
 installed on the same day. There was but one officer elected, or- 
 dained, and installed — Mr. R. G. Lea as an elder. 
 
 Because the Church was pastorless the burden of the spiritual 
 life of the Church fell heavily upon the shoulders of the Church 
 Elders. But, the elders were equal to the situation that had been 
 thrust upon them. A Protracted Meeting was planned and held for 
 a week during the month of July 1894, with the Reverend William 
 Black, Evangelist of Orange Presbytery conducting the services. For 
 this series of services Bibb Davis, A. J. Dodameade, Alvin Parker, 
 
60 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 and Frank Brown acted as ushers, and The Reverend John Wake- 
 field, who was at that time supplying the Church pulpit, was re- 
 quested to invite the other ministers of the town, and their congre- 
 gations, to join the Presbyterians in this revival meeting. They were 
 also asked to hold Cottage Prayer meetings for a week prior to the 
 opening of these services. 
 
 At a Prayer Service held three days before the opening of the 
 Revival Services, on July 25, 1894, fifteen persons professing their 
 faith appeared before the Session, and after being duly examined 
 were baptized and admitted to the sealing ordinance of the Lord's 
 Supper. Just four days later, after Sunday School, three more people 
 presented themselves to the Session and upon satisfactory examina- 
 tion were also admitted to the sealing ordinances of the church. 
 
 Throughout this entire year of 1894 a number of ministers came 
 to preach trial sermons before the congregation. On October 22, 
 1894, The Reverend William Lee Harrell of Georgia was present in 
 High Point for this purpose. He moderated the Session Meeting held 
 after Sunday School and conducted the morning service, making a 
 profound impression upon all who heard him. His personal appear- 
 ance and manner of presenting his sermon was very pleasing, and 
 as a result a call was sent to him four days later by the congregation. 
 
 The Reverend William Lee Harrell responded favorably to the 
 call sent him from the High Point Church, and on January 1, 1895, 
 became Pastor of the Church for three-fourths of his time. On Janu- 
 ary 6, 1895, he preached his first sermon as Pastor, and on the same 
 date his wife, Mrs. Annie B. Harrell, presented her letter from the 
 Second Presbyterian Church of Rome, Georgia. This same Sunday 
 was distinctive for other reasons than those pertaining to the Har- 
 rells for W. C. Denny and his wife, reunited with the Church bring- 
 ing their letters from the Westminster Presbyterian Church of 
 Greensboro, North Carolina. The arrival of The Reverend and Mrs. 
 Harrell as well as the return of the Dennys was a welcomed event. 
 Prior to Mr. Denny's removal from the village five years earlier, he 
 had faithfully served the Church for a number of years as Deacon, 
 Elder, Church Treasurer, and then as Clerk of the Session. As soon 
 as possible after Mr. Denny's return, on February 16, 1895, a con- 
 gregational meeting was held and Mr. Denny was again elected El- 
 der of the Church. At this same congregational meeting Dennis 
 Aldridge was named a deacon and on February 23, 1895, he was or- 
 dained, and he with W. C. Denny, was installed into their respec- 
 tive offices. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 61 
 
 For the church year closing March 31, 1895, the following re- 
 port was compiled by the Session and sent to Orange Presbytery: 
 
 Elders in the Church were: R. G. Lea, E. A. Snow, W. C. Denny, 
 H. C. Bowman, and W. T. Rankin — Clerk; deacons were J. W. 
 Snell, W. E. Thurston, J. C. Callum, John R. Brown — Treasurer, 
 William Partridge, and D. C. Aldridge (deacons Thurston and Part- 
 ridge are inactive); added on profession of faith twenty-eight; by 
 certificate three; total church enrollment ninety-seven; seventeen 
 adults baptized and two infants; children in Sunday School one- 
 hundred and ten; children in Chapel Sunday School ninety-five; to- 
 tal paid in to Benevolences one hundred and eight dollars and forty- 
 eight cents (increase over the preceding year of sixty dollars and 
 forty-eight cents; ) and Pastor's salary paid three hundred and fifty- 
 nine dollars (salary promised five hundred dollars). 
 
 With the coming of Mr. Harrell to serve as pastor of the Church 
 there seemed to return much of the same spirit that had existed in 
 the Church during Mr. Dalton's pastoral days. Especially was this 
 true when within a period of six months two of the charter mem- 
 bers had moved back to the town and had again become active in 
 the work of the Church. 
 
 On July 7, 1895, after Malcom Shaw had moved back to town, 
 from Greensboro, and become a member of the High Point Church 
 for a second time, a congregational meeting was held and he was 
 again made an elder. On an unrecorded date in the late Fall of the 
 year 1895 members of the congregation began to talk about build- 
 ing a new church. The number on roll had substantially increased 
 and the congregation had outgrown its old quarters. There were at 
 this time one hundred and five communicants enrolled and thirteen 
 non-resident members. Noticeable signs of reawakening in all the 
 departments of the Church were evident and toward the latter part 
 of the church year ending March 31, 1896, the Church was moving 
 forward with a spirit of religious fervor and unity which is seldom 
 found in churches. 
 
 The talk of building a new church building gathered momen- 
 tum as the days passed, and by the first of the year 1896, the entire 
 congregation was inspired with the idea. On January 29, 1896, the 
 officers held a meeting to consider the building of a new building, 
 and if favorable to decide upon the site. When the group assembled 
 they thought well of the plan to build a new building, and decided 
 to buy a lot for this purpose from Mrs. W. H. Snow, on Fayetteville 
 Street. 
 
The Second Home of The First Presbyterian Church 
 
High Point, North Carolina 63 
 
 After the choice of this new church site became known there 
 were several members who were very unhappy and dissatisfied with 
 this site. Some of the members were so vehement in their objections 
 to the chosen site that when the officers met on February 20, 1896, 
 the action previously taken concerning the church site was rescind- 
 ed. Those present at this officers meeting were: The Reverend Wil- 
 liam Lee Harrell, E. A. Snow, D. C. Allridge, John R. Brown, and 
 William T. Rankin. Before the meeting adjourned another lot was 
 suggested as available and desirable. This lot was the one upon 
 which Mr. R. Frank Dalton's home had stood before being destroyed 
 by fire recently. It was a corner lot and had a frontage of one hun- 
 drd and thirty feet on Fayetteville Street (now S. Main) and a 
 depth of two hundred feet on E. Green Street. This lot could be 
 bought for twelve hundred and fifty dollars. 
 
 This lot seemed to be an ideal one so the officers voted to buy 
 it. Then they decided to sell the old church property just as soon 
 as they could. After these affairs had been settled the officers ad- 
 journed the meeting to go to their several homes, thinking all nec- 
 essary steps had been taken for the early erection of a new church 
 building. But, this thinking was erroneous, and a tie-up developed. 
 The officers, and apparently in this matter the Trustees, had failed 
 to follow established procedures in church affairs. They had over- 
 looked the fact that approval of the congregation had not been se- 
 cured, and some of the Trustees, had indicated they wouldn't sign 
 the deed. Before anything could be carried to conclusion, a gen- 
 eral shake-up in the Trustees was necessary. Earlier in the life of the 
 Church, it was deemed wise to put all the officers of the Church on 
 as Church Trustees. Some of the officers now were living more than 
 a hundred miles away, and their signatures were required on all 
 legal documents. The fallacy of this plan for Church Trustees was 
 seen, and a change seemed in order. A congregational meeting was 
 called after prayer meeting on May 6, 1896. At this meeting, all of 
 the resident Trustees, to wit: Malcom Shaw, W. C. Denny, W. T. 
 Rankin, J. C. Callum, John R. Brown, H. C. Bowman, E. A. Snow, 
 and D. C. Aldridge tendered their resignations. Upon motion duly 
 made and carried the non-resident Trustees were discontinued. 
 Those being: William Partridge, W. E. Thurston, and J. W. Snell. 
 The congregation accepted the resignations of the resident Trustees. 
 A motion was then made to elect five Trustees, to serve in that ca- 
 pacity until their successors were elected. This motion carried. The 
 following men were nominated and duly elected as Church Trustees: 
 W. C. Denny, E. A. Snow, H. C. Bowman, John R. Brown, and 
 
64 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 D. C. Aldridge. After the election of these men as Trustees the Con- 
 gregation elected them as a committee, to dispose of the old Church 
 property on English Street, and to purchase a lot for a new Church 
 Site, and they were empowered with authority to do all things neces- 
 sary to carry these matters speedily to conclusion. This Committee 
 selected a lot for the new church site, on the corner of Fayetteville 
 (now Main) and Green Streets, known as the R. Frank Dalton lot, 
 at a price of $1,250.00. The old Church property on English Street 
 was sold for $1,000.00. 
 
 A congregational meeting was held on Tuesday night May 26, 
 1896, immediately after Prayer meeting, for the purpose of elect- 
 ing a Building and Finance Committee, and to consider the plans 
 for the new church building. After the election of D. C. Aldridge, 
 as Clerk of the meeting, the moderator, The Reverend Mr. Harrell, 
 explained the object of the meeting. When the explanation had been 
 made clear a motion to proceed was made and the business for 
 which the meeting was called went forward. A building committee 
 composed of E. A. Snow, T. H. Patten, W. C. Denny, and R. Frank 
 Dalton was elected and a finance committee composed of John R. 
 Brown, D. C. Aldridge, J. C. Callum, H. C. Bowman, and E. A. 
 Bencini was elected. Before the meeting adjourned the following 
 resolutions were adopted: "Resolved that the Trustees of the Church 
 be authorized to sign all documents necessary for the construction 
 of a new church and sale of the old church property, and that the 
 building committee be given full power and discretion to adopt 
 plans and to let contracts for same." 
 
 The building committee chose Mr. C. C. Hook, an architect of 
 Charlotte, to draw the plans for the new church building, and when 
 ready the contract for the construction of it was awarded to Mr. 
 John Weedling. Work was begun on the building in the Spring of 
 1896 and by Fall of the same year the church was completed. When 
 the foundation of this church was completed and the side walls 
 were well under way a corner stone was laid and a service held in 
 connection with it, but there is no record of the program carried out, 
 nor of those who assisted The Reverend W. Lee Harrell in the 
 service. 
 
 In June of the year 1896, about the time construction work was 
 begun on the building, the Session gave the Lutheran minister per- 
 mission, for a short period of time, to hold services on the second 
 Sunday in each month in the old church. 
 
 On July 22, 1896, news of the death of the dearly beloved 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 65 
 
 founder of the High Point Church, The Reverend Pleasant Hunter 
 Dalton was received. He had died at his home in Mocksville, North 
 Carolina. His body would be brought back to High Point for burial, 
 and would lay in State in the little church on English Street from 
 where his funeral would be preached. The entire congregation was 
 deeply grieved over the news of Mr. Dalton 's passing, and to some 
 it seemed to be a peculiar omen that death should claim him, just 
 before the High Point Church congregation would desert the little 
 church building, he had watched over with so much love. 
 
 When the final touches were added to the new church building 
 it was not strange to find that the cost of it had been more than an- 
 ticipated. The Finance Committee had been successful in securing 
 enough pledges to have paid for the original plans for the new build- 
 ing, but more money was needed, and the collection of the pledges 
 were slow and in some cases not paid at all. 
 
 A congregational meeting was held on January 3, 1897, after 
 the morning service, for the purpose of electing a deacon and em- 
 ploying a sexton. Mr. W. C. Herndon, who had joined the Church on 
 March 31, 1893, on profession of faith, was elected the deacon. Just 
 who the sexton was was not recorded but it is believed he was the 
 first sexton ever employed by the Church. At this same congregation 
 meeting it was decided to appoint ushers for the Sunday morning 
 services. W. C. Herndon, Dennis Aldridge, Harry Hoffman, and 
 Fletcher Barbee, who had joined the church on July 10, 1895, upon 
 profession of faith, were named as the ushers. 
 
 During the month of January 1897, the Session voted to invite 
 Orange Presbytery to hold its April meeting in the new High Point 
 Church. This was the third time in the past years that the Church 
 had extended an invitation to Presbytery to meet with it. This third 
 invitation was accepted and on April 28, 1897, Orange Presbytery 
 convened in High Point with The Reverend C. W. Robinson as its 
 Moderator. 
 
 The yearly report for the Church presented at this meeting was 
 as follows: Elders five; deacons six; added on profession of faith 
 seven; added by certificate ten; communicants on roll one hundred 
 and twenty-four; baptized adults three; baptized infants two; total 
 paid in to benevolences sixty-five dollars and forty-four cents; salary 
 paid Pastor not reported; teachers in Sunday School four; scholars 
 enrolled in Sunday School eighty; and collections in Sunday School 
 thirty dollars. 
 
66 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 The Church had, for the past two and one-half years enjoyed a 
 blessed period of existence — in many ways the best since its organ- 
 ization thirty years before. It was therefore, with profound dis- 
 appointment that the elders, on November 12, 1897, received The 
 Reverend William Lee Harrell's resignation as Pastor of the Church. 
 
 In presenting his resignation to his session he told them that 
 he had received a call to The Presbyterian Church of Toccoa, Geor- 
 gia. This news came as a profound shock, and the Session loudly pro- 
 claimed "No!" Then Mr. Harrell made it clear that his mind was 
 made up to accept the Toccoa, Georgia call. 
 
 A congregational meeting was called for November 17, 1897, 
 immediately after Prayer Meeting. This meeting was opened with 
 prayer by Elder H. C. Bowman, after which Elder Snow was named 
 moderator and Elder William T. Rankin, Clerk. As soon as the pre- 
 liminaries were over, Mr. Harrell presented his resignation, as Pas- 
 tor of the Church to the congregation. He said that in making up 
 his mind to resign, to accept a call to Toccoa, Georgia, he had had 
 an inward battle with himself — because he didn't want to leave the 
 High Point Church, but felt it was best that he did, for both himself 
 and the Church. Reluctantly, Mr. Harrell's resignation was accepted, 
 and once again the High Point Church found itself without a shep- 
 herd, but before the meeting adjourned the following resolution 
 was passed: 
 
 "Whereas, The Reverend W. Lee Harrell has received a call to 
 the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Toccoa, Presbytery 
 of Athens, Georgia, and has signified his willingness to accept said 
 call, and has tendered his resignation as Pastor of the church, and 
 asks the congregation to unite with him in a request to Orange Pres- 
 bytery, to dissolve the pastoral relations existing between him and 
 this Church, be Resolved: 
 
 "1 — That in justice to Brother Harrell we, the congregation, 
 do reluctantly consent to unite with him in this request and assure 
 him of our heartfelt sorrow at parting with one who has so zeal- 
 ously labored amongst us in the Master's cause for the past three 
 years. 
 
 "Resolved, 2 — That we recognize in Brother Harrell a preacher 
 of marked ability, eminently pious and entirely consecrated to the 
 work to which the Lord has called him. 
 
 "Resolved, 3 — That in parting with Brother Harrell we assure 
 
High Point, North Carolina 67 
 
 him of our appreciation of his work, his labor of love among us, and 
 that our best wishes and our earnest prayers shall follow him, and 
 that God's richest blessings may attend him in his new field of 
 labors." 
 
 Mr. Harrell had come to the Church as its pastor, only a few 
 years before, but a great many things had been accomplished both 
 spiritually and physically. The church membership had nearly 
 doubled itself and the Sunday School was better organized and 
 boasted a much larger enrollment than it had ever had. A new 
 church building had been completed and occupied, if not paid for. 
 
 Mr. Harrell hated to leave this church with the debt upon it, but 
 he sincerely believed that the congregation would come out of the 
 dilemma in which it found itself financially, if it had a new pastor. 
 
 During the period of time Mr. Harrell was in High Point there 
 were added to the Church roll twenty-eight by certificate, twenty by 
 profession of faith, and two by restatement. Among the fifty added 
 to the roll during this period of time the names of Mr. Fletcher Mar- 
 vin Barbee, and William Ernest Herndon had been added by pro- 
 fession of faith. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND WILLIAM LEE HARRELL 
 1866-1906 
 
 The Reverend William Lee Harrell, was born in Roberson 
 County, North Carolina, July 1, 1866, the son of Hugh and Mary 
 Carlisle Harrell. 
 
 William Lee was prepared for the ministry by collegiate and 
 theological training at Hampden-Sidney, Virginia; graduating at 
 the College in 1889, and at the Seminary in 1892. He was li- 
 censed in May and ordained in July of the year 1892, by the Pres- 
 bytery of Cherokee, Georgia, and immediately became Pastor of a 
 group of Churches including the Second Church, Rome, Georgia; 
 Cave Spring Church, Georgia; and Silver Creek Church, Georgia. 
 
 In June 1893, he was married to Miss Anne Bowne of Russell- 
 ville, Kentucky, and to this union there were born four children — 
 two sons, and two daughters. 
 
 All of Mr. Harrell's ministerial life was spent in the Synods of 
 Georgia and North Carolina. He served the High Point Church, and 
 Asheboro Church, in North Carolina for three years beginning on 
 January 6, 1895, and ending December 31, 1897. During this pe- 
 riod of time the second church building for the High Point Church 
 was built. 
 
 Because of failing health Mr. Harrell tendered his resignation 
 as Pastor of the High Point Church in November 1897, to take ef- 
 fect at the close of the month of December that same year. Lately 
 he had not been well and had accepted a call to lighter work in Toc- 
 coa, Georgia. 
 
 By a very distressing accident on Wednesday, February 14, 
 1906, The Reverend William Lee Harrell met his death. He and a 
 neighbor, for a day of recreation, had gone bird-hunting, when he 
 was accidentally shot by his companion. This shot was fatal because 
 he died before a doctor could reach him. 
 
 At the time of his death Mr. Harrell was Pastor of two Georgia 
 churches — the Monticello and Crawfordville Churches, and in the 
 prime of his life, only forty years of age. 
 
 His death was deeply grieved and the loss of him to the Pres- 
 byterian Ministry was keenly felt, both in the churches he was serv- 
 ing; in the Presbytery he was a member of; and in the Synod of 
 Georgia. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 69 
 
 In his brief life The Reverend William Lee Harrell was a power 
 for good, especially active and earnest in all his endeavors and in 
 the short time he lived he accomplished many worthwhile things. 
 In telling of his death one says: "Would that all the servants of the 
 Lord could have the same zeal, earnestness, and efficiency in the 
 work as was shown by our Brother Harrell/' 
 
The Reverend James William Goodman 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND JAMES WILLIAM GOODMAN 
 
 1898-1900 
 
 From January 1898 to October of the same year, there was no 
 regular pastor of the High Point Church. The pulpit was filled when 
 possible by some available minister. Since the completion of the new 
 building the church had been having financial difficulties which grew 
 more acute during this pastorless period of time. The material re- 
 sources of the church were so reduced that the Session, as a probable 
 way of helping to alleviate this financial strain ordered the collection 
 basket passed at both morning and evening services. 
 
 On September 12, 1898, The Reverend John Wakefield supplied 
 the Church pulpit and met the Session at their regular Sunday 
 morning meeting. At this time the Elders recognized the fact that 
 no worthwhile progress could be made in the Church until a pastor 
 was secured. So they, "being of one mind," called a congregational 
 meeting for September 25, 1898, for the purpose of calling a pastor. 
 
 The congregational meeting was held as ordered and moder- 
 ated by The Reverend W. A. Gillan, who was supplying the pulpit 
 on this specific day. The meeting was opened with prayer, after 
 which Elder Shaw explained to the congregation the object of the 
 meeting. A motion was immediately made to call The Reverend J. 
 W. Goodman. Mr. Goodman had supplied the pulpit at an earlier 
 date and had made a most favorable impression on all who heard 
 him. After the motion was made, seconded, and voted upon, it was 
 found that Mr. Goodman was unmistakably the choice of the con- 
 gregation; so immediately the following call was sent him. "The 
 Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Carolina, being in suf- 
 ficient grounds, well satisfied of the ministerial qualifications of you, 
 J. W. Goodman, and having good hopes from past experiences of 
 your labors, that your ministration in the Gospel will be profitable 
 to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call you to undertake the pas- 
 toral office in said congregation for all of your time, except one Sun- 
 day morning in each month, on promising you in the discharge of 
 your duty all proper support, encouragement, and obedience in the 
 Lord. And that you may be free from worldly care and avocation 
 we hereby promise and oblige oursselves to pay you the sum of five- 
 
72 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 hundred and twenty-five dollars ($525) yearly, in regular monthly 
 payments, during the time of your being and continuing the regu- 
 lar pastor of this Church. 
 
 "In testimony whereof we respectively subscribe our names this 
 day the twenty-fifth of September, A.D., 1898. 
 
 Pulpit Committee 
 
 Malcom Shaw, Chairman 
 W. C. Denny 
 E. A. Snow 
 W. T. Rankin 
 
 "Attested W. A. Gillan, Moderator of the congregational 
 meeting, September 25, 1898". 
 
 W. A. Gillian, Moderator 
 
 W. T. Rankin, Recording Secretary" 
 
 In due time after receiving this call The Reverend J. W. Good- 
 man decided to accept, and he notified the chairman of the Pulpit 
 Committee, Elder Shaw, of his acceptance and immediately came to 
 High Point to take up his pastoral duties. At the time of his arrival 
 the elders and others in the church were vitally distressed over the 
 seeming lack of concern shown by many of the church members in 
 the distressing financial condition of the church. The high plane up- 
 on which the Church had moved prior to the construction of the new 
 building was gone and there were numbered among its members 
 those who blamed the laxness of the spiritual life and the neglect 
 of the ordinances of the church upon the erection of this new build- 
 ing. The deeper thinkers, however, knew differently. They knew it 
 was merely the pendulum of time in its outward swing, and that at 
 a future date the interest of these indifferent members would again 
 be revived with a deeper religious fervor. 
 
 Because of this feeling in Church, the elders felt the need of 
 a revival. Soon after The Reverend Goodman came a revival was 
 planned and held — conducted by Orange Presbytery's Evangelist 
 William Black. During this meeting a marvelous amount of pure 
 religion was poured out upon the people, in and around High Point, 
 and as a result of this out pouring there was a great spiritual awak- 
 ening in the town. Sixty souls were added to the High Point Presby- 
 terian Church Roll and many to the other church rolls in the 
 community. 
 
 On account of the unpaid debt on the church building, it was 
 
High Point, North Carolina 73 
 
 feared, by some, that this would retard the continued growth of the 
 Church unless something was done about it. In every way possible 
 expenses were cut but still there was no sizable reduction in this in- 
 debtedness. The elders changed their monthly meeting date to the 
 first Wednesday night in each month so that they might save on 
 the fuel. 
 
 By February 5, 1899, the Session felt it was time to call for a 
 concerted action on their financial problem; so a congregational 
 meeting was called for March 12, 1899. On March 6, prior to this 
 meeting, the elders and deacons had had a joint meeting to formu- 
 late plans to present to the Congregation, which would likely solve 
 the Church's financial problem. 
 
 The result of this meeting was that Deacon W. C. Herndon be 
 named as collector for the Church, and that Building and Loan 
 stock be purchased to retire the Church's debt. 
 
 At the meeting on March 12th, referred to earlier, the congre- 
 gation whole heartedly approved the plans submitted by the joint 
 meeting of the Elders and Deacons — Deacon Herndon was named 
 collector and Building and Loan stock was purchased. 
 
 During the first six months of Mr. Goodman's pastorate a great 
 many things were accomplished, and by the end of the church year, 
 March 31, 1899, it seemed the Church's boat was sailing in quieter 
 waters. This fact is substantiated by the following report: 
 
 Elders in the Church were: Malcom Shaw, W. C. Denny, W. T. 
 Rankin — Clerk, E. A. Snow, H. C. Bowman; Deacons were: John R. 
 Brown — Treasurer, W. C. Herndon, D. C. Aldridge, William Part- 
 ridge, W. E. Thurston (non-resident), and J. C. Callum (non- 
 resident); added on profession of faith sixty; by certificate eight; 
 communicants enrolled one-hundred and eighty-four; non-resident 
 communicants twenty-four; infants baptized two; children in Sun- 
 day School two-hundred and seventy-five; paid to benevolences and 
 miscellaneous expense four-hundred and seventy-seven dollars and 
 thirteen cents; Presbyterian Funds seven dollars; Pastor's salary (in 
 full from October to April). 
 
 Accompanying the above Statistical and Financial Report there 
 went a Narrative Report which related the existing conditions of 
 the Church more in detail; the Pastor's expenses to both Synod and 
 Presbytery had been paid by the Church; no member of the Church 
 was receiving public charity; several members were tithers; source 
 
74 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 of securing kinds for the support of the Church and its causes was 
 by passing the basket; there had been a marked increase in church 
 attendance and family alters; and the observance of the Lord's Day 
 would be much improved if the members would refrain from Sun- 
 day mails, newspapers, and social visiting. Then there was the re- 
 port of the two Sunday Schools — the Church Sunday School and 
 the Mission Sunday School. Officers and teachers in the Sunday 
 Schools were twenty-six; scholars two-hundred and seventy-five; cur- 
 rent expenses one-hundred and thirty-five dollars; other objects fifty- 
 dollars; Elder E. A. Snow was superintendent of both Sunday 
 Schools; the Catechism and Scriptures were taught, and the publica- 
 tions of the church were used in the Sunday School. 
 
 Doubtless vacations had been granted to previous pastors of the 
 Church, but the first recorded action of this kind was taken by the 
 Session on August 6, 1899, when they voted to grant Mr. Good- 
 man a vacation. 
 
 For a great many years no recorded short comings of any of the 
 Church members had been reported to the Elders, but at the Sep- 
 tember 18, 1899, Session meeting the report was made that one of 
 the Deacons of the Church had been guilty of intoxication. The Ses- 
 sion moved and seconded that this Deacon be cited to appear in the 
 Lecture room of the Church at three o'clock on the second Saturday 
 in October to answer to the charge of intemperance. The Deacon 
 did not appear at this time but instead wrote a letter admitting his 
 guilt. He stated that during the Spring months he had been guilty 
 of drinking to excess, but that since June he had not touched a 
 drop. After considering his letter, which seemed to be of a repent- 
 ant nature, it was moved and carried that The Reverend J. W. Good- 
 man write him a letter of kind admonition and advice, and that the 
 matter be dropped. 
 
 Never before in such a brief period of time in the Church's 
 history, had so many members united with it. Within the past two 
 years ninety-two names had been added to the Church Roll. The 
 membership at this time totaled two-hundred and four. 
 
 By April 13, 1900, the Church felt that in justice to its self and 
 to The Reverend Goodman, that it should call him for all of his 
 time, so a congregational meeting was called for the following Sun- 
 day, immediately following the eleven o'clock service. 
 
 This meeting was held and Mr. Goodman was extended a call 
 for all of his time at a salary of eight-hundred dollars per year. At 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 75 
 
 this same congregational meeting Deacon W. C. Herndon was ten- 
 dered a vote of thanks for the efficient manner in which he had col- 
 lected the Pastor's salary and other church money. 
 
 Some time during the year 1900 a young people's society, known 
 as the Christian Endeavor Society, was organized, but nothing more 
 is known about it than that it was organized. 
 
 During The Reverend J. W. Goodman's two years of leader- 
 ship, the Church had become more spiritually minded and made 
 much progress. It was therefore unwelcomed news, when on De- 
 cember 16, 1900, Mr. Goodman handed his resignation as the 
 Church's pastor to the Session, saying that he had accepted a call to 
 the Presbyterian Church at Hillsboro, North Carolina, and a group of 
 churches linked with it. He wanted his pastorate to be terminated 
 with the beginning of the month of January. 
 
 By this time the High Point Church was getting used to resig- 
 nations from their pastors, and they had found out that when a pas- 
 tor resigned there was nothing much could be done but accept his 
 resignation. A congregational meeting was then duly called and Mr. 
 Goodman's resignation was reluctantly accepted. 
 
 The Reverend James William Goodman began his pastoral 
 work at the High Point Church in the fall of the year 1898, with a 
 membership of one-hundred and twenty-five, and closed it at the end 
 of December 1900, with an enrolled membership of two-hundred 
 and nineteen — over a hundred additions to the Church Roll. This 
 was quite a record for any minister, and the more outstanding in 
 that it was his first charge. Among the number joining the Church 
 there were listed the names of Stephen Chester Clark, Allie Hern- 
 don, Nina Josephine Wheeler (Mrs. Thomas J. Gold, Sr.) and Win- 
 fred Snow (Mrs. Hiram Armentrout.) 
 
 SB 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND JAMES WILLIAM GOODMAN 
 
 1867-1924 
 
 The Reverend James William Goodman was born on December 
 26, 1867, near Thyatira Church, Rowan County, North Carolina. 
 
 His early education was received from the Thyatira Academy, 
 not far from his home, and his collegiate course was taken at 
 Davidson College, where he graduated in 1894, as an honor student. 
 After teaching school for one year he entered the Union Theologi- 
 cal Seminary at Richmond, Virginia, and was graduated from that 
 institution in the class of 1899. He was ordained the same year he 
 graduated from the Seminary by Orange Presbytery. His first charge 
 was the Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Carolina, which 
 he served for about two years. In December of the year 1900, he 
 became pastor of a group of churches at Hillsboro, Eno, and Fair- 
 field, doing a splendid work while serving them. In February of the 
 year 1905, he was called to serve another group of churches, in 
 Orange Presbytery, composed of Buffalo Church, Bessemer Avenue 
 Church, Greensboro, and Midway Church. In 1911, he accepted a 
 call to Hawfields, Bethlehem, Bethany, and Saxapahaw churches, 
 North Carolina, and in this field he won the everlasting love of the 
 people by the hard and self-denying work he did. In January of the 
 year 1917, he answered his last earthly call to serve as pastor of a 
 church. This time it was to serve the Antioch Church, near Red 
 Springs, North Carolina. While serving this last charge the Rev- 
 erend Mr. Goodman put into practice a plan which he had thought 
 out for financing the Country Church. 
 
 In February of the year 1924, Mr. Goodman went to Charlotte 
 for a few days in order to attend a meeting being held there by 
 Evangelist Billy Sunday. Soon after he reached his destination he 
 became ill and died a few days later, on February 13, 1924. His 
 body was carried to his old home near Thyatira Church and buried 
 in the Thyatira burying grounds. 
 
 On January 16, 1901, The Reverend Mr. James W. Goodman 
 was married to Miss Nettie Matton of High Point, North Carolina, 
 and from that day until his death she was a devoted wife and faith- 
 ful helper in all his good works. Of this union there was born one 
 daughter, Miss Grace Goodman. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Goodman was a faithful and active member 
 of the Presbytery and a devoted pastor, "Devoted to his Lord and a 
 friend to man." In his passing there was created in the Synod of 
 North Carolina, in which he had served since his ordination, a va- 
 cancy which was hard to fill. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 FIRST PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND ALFRED SHORTER CALDWELL, SR. 
 
 1901 - 1903 
 
 With the resignation of The Reverend J. W. Goodman there 
 again crept into the congregation that desolate and helpless feeling, 
 which often follows the loss of a beloved pastor. The Church was 
 in a much better state, both spiritually and financially than it had 
 been at times in the past — to keep it this way the Session decided 
 not to let it remain pastorless too long. A Pulpit Committee was 
 named and in due time a congregational meeting was called to get 
 a report from it, and if the way was clear to call a pastor. 
 
 At this meeting the Pulpit Committee presented the names of 
 several prospective pastors. Each of them was discussed both pro 
 and con, and when a vote was taken it was found that the Reverend 
 Alfred Shorter Caldwell was the congregation's choice. 
 
 A call was immediately sent to Mr. Caldwell asking for his full 
 time as pastor of the Church at a salary of six-hundred dollars a year. 
 At this same meeting which called Mr. Caldwell, Elder Malcom 
 Shaw was elected representative to Orange Presbytery, with Elder 
 E. A. Snow as an alternate, to prosecute this call for the services of 
 Mr. Caldwell if he saw fit to accept it. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell was living in Oxford, North Carolina, at the time 
 the call was extended to him. After prayerfully considering it he 
 notified the Pulpit Committee that he would accept the call and ex- 
 pected to begin his pastoral duties at the High Point Church on 
 April 1, 1901. 
 
 When the new church building had been erected it was the in- 
 tent of the congregation to place a manse by its side, but when the 
 church building was completed, the financial conditions of the 
 Church did not warrant the building of a manse. In 1901, it was 
 erected on South Main Street, next to the Church building at a cost 
 of two-thousand dollars. 
 
 The church manse was not quite completed when the Caldwell 
 family arrived in High Point, but in a few days they were permitted 
 to occupy it and thus the Caldwells became the first occupants of it. 
 
80 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 At the close of the church year, just before The Reverend Caldwell 
 became the pastor of the High Point Church, the following report 
 was sent to Orange Presbytery: Added on profession of faith seven; 
 by certificate nine; total number of communicants on roll two- 
 hundred and nineteen; non-resident communicants twenty-four; in- 
 fants baptized two; adults baptized eight; number enrolled in Sun- 
 day School two-hundred and fifty-five — teachers fifteen; paid to be- 
 nevolent causes two-hundred and fifty-five dollars and thirteen cents; 
 Presbyterian tax seven dollars and twenty cents; pastor's salary paid 
 six-hundred dollars; Mission Sunday School enrolled eighty; teachers 
 seven; contributions thirty-one dollars and sixty-five cents; Elder 
 E. A. Snow Superintendent of both Sunday Schools; number en- 
 rolled in Young People's Work thirty-two. 
 
 Some time during the last of August, 1901, The Reverend A. S. 
 Caldwell was granted a leave of absence to assist in a protracted 
 meeting in Stokes County. At the same time this leave was granted 
 the Session went on record as requesting Mr. Caldwell to arrange 
 for a like meeting in the home church as soon as possible. All of 
 the details of the meeting such as time, place, and Guest Minister 
 were left to Mr. Caldwell to handle as he saw fit. The meeting was 
 held but the records are not clear as to who assisted him in the meet- 
 ing or the exact time it was held. 
 
 The first year with Mr. Caldwell as pastor passed quickly with 
 more or less the usual things happening, and before the Session re- 
 alized, it was time to compile another yearly report. After Prayer 
 Meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 1902, the Session convened for 
 the purpose of making out the report to Orange Presbytery for the 
 church year ending March 31, 1902. For the past two years there 
 had been no changes in the officers of the church except the great 
 loss which had come to the Church by the death of Elder W. C. 
 Bowman on February 12, 1902. 
 
 With the death of Elder Bowman there was created a vacancy 
 in the Session of the Church. A congregational meeting was held on 
 April 13, 1902, for the purpose of electing officers. Deacon W. C. 
 Herndon was elected to eldership to fill the vacancy caused by the 
 death of Elder Bowman, but for some unknown reason no deacon 
 was elected to fill his place; so the Diaconate was left with only two 
 deacons. 
 
 The little Mission Chapel which Elder E. A. Snow had built 
 several years earlier had outgrown itself; so during the year 1902, 
 
High Point, North Carolina 81 
 
 he had built a church to take its place. This church was located on 
 the corner of Russell and Park Streets and it was known from the 
 time of its completion as the Snow Memorial Church. Soon after it 
 was finished, the last week in November, a series of services were 
 held in it. These services were conducted by Evangelist William 
 Black of Orange Presbytery, and the results were gratifying. Fifteen 
 persons professed their faith in Jesus Christ and joined the First 
 Church. Among this number was the name of Samuel E. Tucker, 
 who came by letter. 
 
 One perhaps wonders why these converts and others joining by 
 letters joined the First Presbyterian Church. The reason is simple. 
 Snow Memorial Church, up to this date had not been officially organ- 
 ized into a church, and this was the procedure necessary for receiving 
 these members. After the Snow Memorial Church was organized 
 The Reverend A. S. Caldwell was called to preach there one Sunday 
 afternoon out of each month, and these members and others so de- 
 siring were given letters to the Snow Memorial Church. 
 
 On March 29, 1903, The Reverend A. S. Caldwell startled the 
 Session by saying to them that it was his intention to resign as pas- 
 tor of the church. When it was made clear to the Session that this 
 was the earnest desire of Mr. Caldwell they called a congregational 
 meeting for April 5, 1903, to consider his resignation and to take 
 action upon it. After careful consideration of Mr. Caldwell's request 
 the congregation voted to accept his resignation to take effect on 
 April 30, 1903. Then the following resolution which had been pre- 
 viously drawn up by a committee from the Session was adopted: 
 
 "Whereas, under the Providence of God, the relations heretofore 
 existing between The Reverend A. S. Caldwell and the First Presby- 
 terian Church of High Point have been severed by his resignation. 
 
 "Therefore, be it resolved: first, That the church because at his 
 earnest request and desire, accept the same, although we do so with 
 regret, and with the hope and trust that wherever God in His wis- 
 dom may direct his steps, that he may find a great field for useful- 
 ness in the upbuilding of His Church here on earth, and the gath- 
 ering of Souls into His Kingdom. 
 
 "Second: That we cordially commend our Brother to the church 
 or churches where he may labor, and may God in his love and wis- 
 dom direct his future and, Resolved: 
 
 "That the Clerk of the Session be directed to furnish him a copy 
 
82 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 of this Resolution, and that it be spread upon the records of the 
 Church." 
 
 At this same congregational meeting Elder W. C. Herndon, who 
 had been appointed by the Session, as representative to Orange Pres- 
 bytery, was instructed to carry to Presbytery the action of the Con- 
 gregation in uniting with The Reverend A. S. Caldwell in request- 
 ing that the pastoral relations between Mr. Caldwell and the Church 
 be dissolved. 
 
 The yearly report for the church year ending March 31, 1903, 
 is as follows: 
 
 Added on profession of faith nineteen; by certificate eight; to- 
 tal communicants one-hundred and six; non-resident communicants 
 fifty-three; infants baptized four; adults baptized nineteen; paid to 
 benevolences one hundred and ninety dollars and ninety-eight cents 
 (Increase over preceding year of fifteen dollars and ninety-one 
 cents); one-hundred and forty enrolled in Sunday School; teachers 
 in Sunday school seventeen; current expenses seventy-three dollars 
 and eighty cents; Home Missions fifteen dollars; and orphange 
 eighty-six dollars. Total one-hundred and seventy-four dollars and 
 eighty cents. Part of the reason for drop in church membership 
 and lower figures in the year-end report was caused by the loss to 
 the New Snow Memorial Church which had been organized dur- 
 ing the year. 
 
 The pastoral relations of The Reverend A. S. Caldwell, Sr., and 
 the First Presbyterian Church of High Point were dissolved as re- 
 quested at the meeting of Orange Presbytery held on April 7, 1903. 
 
 During his brief sojourn with the High Point Church, a great 
 many worthwhile things were accomplished by the Church. A total 
 of seventy names had been added to the church roll. Among these 
 names were to be found the names of Alfred Shorter Caldwell, Jr., 
 Miss Ara Neal Hall (Mrs. W. T. Taylor), Miss Ruby Snow (Mrs. 
 Bencini), Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lineback, Mr. and Mrs. George L. 
 Taylor, and Robert L. Waynick. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND ALFRED SHORTER CALDWELL 
 
 1848-1932 
 
 The Reverend Alfred Shorter Caldwell, son of The Reverend J. 
 M. M. and Caroline Ling Caldwell, was born on September 23, 
 1848, at Rome, Georgia, and was named for a friend of the family, 
 Colonel Alfred Shorter. 
 
 Alfred spent the first fifteen years of his life in Rome and there 
 received his early education. Owing to the results of the Civil War 
 The Reverend J. M. M. Caldwell accepted the presidency of the 
 Statesville, North Carolina, College (now Mitchell College) and 
 moved his family to Statesville. Here Alfred continued his educa- 
 tion, studying at the college and under a private tutor, Professor 
 Samuel Stevens of the college faculty. When he had completed his 
 collegiate education his mind was definitely made up that he wanted 
 to enter the business world, so he was sent to Eastman's Business 
 College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, to obtain his training. 
 
 In 1868, Mr. A. S. Caldwell entered upon a business career at 
 Charlotte, North Carolina, and during his sojourn in that city served 
 as deacon in the First Presbyterian Church, and later was made 
 Elder and Sunday School superintendent in the Second Presbyterian 
 Church there. In 1874, Mr. Caldwell assisted in organizing the 
 Young Men's Christian Association in Charlotte, and became its 
 first president, and later on served as secretary of it. On January 1, 
 1889, he moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, having been elected State 
 Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of that State. 
 After serving in this capacity for three years, during which time he 
 often discussed with his ministerial friends an urge he frequently 
 felt to become a Minister of the Gospel, he responded to the dic- 
 tates of his heart and entered the Southwestern Presbyterian Semi- 
 nary at Clarksville, Tennessee, to prepare himself for the Ministry. 
 
 He was licensed and ordained by the Muhlenburg Presbytery, of 
 Kentucky, and served churches in Kentucky, Florida, and North 
 Carolina. In 1906, he became field agent for Barium Springs Or- 
 phanage and served in this capacity for two years. 
 
 He was twice pastor of the Presbyterian Church of High Point, 
 North Carolina, first from 1901 to 1903, and again from 1909 to 
 1913, and was the first former pastor to preach in the new First 
 Presbyterian Church building at North Main Street and East Park- 
 way, High Point, North Carolina. 
 
84 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 His last work was Home Mission work in Polk County, North 
 Carolina, and in 1921, he retired from active service at Try on, North 
 Carolina. Six years later he moved to Davidson, North Carolina, 
 where he lived until his death on May 21, 1932. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell was twice married, his first wife being Miss Eliza- 
 beth Hutchison of Rock Hill, South Carolina. To this union were 
 born four children, Mary Hutchison, who died in 1900, the Rever- 
 end Eugene G, who died in 1931, Caroline Elizabeth (Mrs. A. W. 
 Peace), and Alfred Shorter, Jr., who became an Elder in the First 
 Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Carolina. His second wife 
 was Miss Inez Ballard, of Mooresville, North Carolina, and to this 
 union there were born two children, David John, and Inez 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 The Reverend Alfred Shorter Caldwell died in his eighty-fourth 
 year, and although a great loss was felt at his passing, it was not 
 expedient to grieve too much for one who had gone to a reward 
 which he so richly deserved. 
 
 T 
 
The Reverend Eugene Leon Siler, D.D. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND EUGENE LEON SILER, D.D. 
 
 1903 - 1909 
 
 If the old adage — practice makes perfect — is to be believed, by 
 the year 1903, the High Point Church should have attained pro- 
 ficiency in the art of pastor calling. Near the close of the month of 
 March this same year, Mr. Caldwell tendered his resignation, and on 
 June 21, a congregational meeting was held for the purpose of call- 
 ing another minister to the Church. At this meeting Elder W. C. 
 Denny, Chairman of the Pulpit Committee, was instructed to send 
 the Reverend M. McG. Shields, of Gastonia, a call to become pastor 
 of the Church. 
 
 This call was sent and Mr. Shields promptly replied that he was 
 prayerfully considering it, but would give the Church a definite 
 answer later. The Church patiently awaited his answer and after sev- 
 eral weeks Mr. Shields wrote that his Presbytery would not dissolve 
 his pastoral relations with the Gastonia Church; therefore he could 
 not accept the call to the High Point Church. 
 
 The letter from The Reverend Mr. Shields came as a great blow 
 to the congregation. They had waited patiently for his answer to the 
 Church's call, now they realized the delay in receiving an answer 
 sooner from Mr. Shields had done something to them — even the 
 Pulpit Committee seemed lax in settling upon another minister to 
 recommend to the congregation. Finally, a congregational meeting 
 was held though, on August 30, 1903, and at this meeting it was 
 voted to send The Reverend Eugene Siler, D.D., of Baton Rouge, 
 Louisiana, a call to become pastor of the Church at a salary of 
 $1,000.00 per annum. 
 
 By November 8, 1903, Dr. Siler had accepted the call, preached 
 his first sermon and was living in the manse in the city. 
 
 At the time Dr. Siler came to the Church as its pastor, High 
 Point was a town of five thousand inhabitants; the total enrollment 
 of the Church was one hundred and sixty-nine; there were five el- 
 ders, W. C. Denny, E. A. Snow, Malcom Shaw, and W. T. Rankin; 
 and two deacons, D. C. Aldridge, and J. R. Brown; W. C. Denny 
 
88 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 was Clerk of the Session; W. C. Herndon was treasurer of the 
 Church; and E. A. Snow was superintendent of the Sunday School. 
 
 After Dr. Siler took up his abode in the city, as pastor of the 
 Church, the life in it seemed to take on a more even tenor, and it 
 was noticeable that the indifferent spirit towards the affairs of the 
 church was disappearing. As the membership and Dr. Siler became 
 better acquainted a spirit of peace and harmony seemed to prevail 
 throughout the entire church. 
 
 Nothing of great importance happened in the first six months 
 of the life of the church under the new pastor. There were the cus- 
 tomary services of the sanctuary and the usual amount of visiting 
 among the sick and new comers. There was not at this time any or- 
 ganized work among the women of the Church. However, this was 
 one of the first things Dr. Siler planned for the beginning of the 
 new church year. 
 
 On January 31, 1904, Samuel E. Tucker brought his letter from 
 the Snow Memorial Church and cast his lot with the First Church. 
 On April 7, 1904, the Session met with Dr. Siler at the manse for 
 the purpose of making out the past year's report to Orange 
 Presbytery. 
 
 During the first year of Dr. Siler's pastorate the chairs in the 
 sanctuary had been replaced by pews; a missionary society for the 
 men as well as the women had been organized; and Orange Presby- 
 tery had been invited to hold the spring meeting of 1905, in the 
 Church. 
 
 Orange Presbytery accepted the invitation to High Point and 
 opened its meeting in the Church on April 12, 1905, with The Rev- 
 erend E. R. Leyburn as Moderator. 
 
 On April 2, 1905, Dr. W. A. Hayes was received into the 
 communion and full fellowship of the church by letter from the 
 Second Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, North Carolina. And on 
 May 14, 1905, W. B. Kimmons was received by letter from the 
 Associate Reformed Church of Coddle Creek, North Carolina. Also 
 about this time the necessity of another deacon in the church was 
 recognized; so a congregational meeting was held and S. A. Chand- 
 ler was added to the Diaconate making the total number of dea- 
 cons in the church three. 
 
 During the summer months no special activities were carried 
 on in the church. The services conducted in the sanctuary by Dr. Siler 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 89 
 
 were well attended, but in all other activities the hot weather com- 
 plex prevailed. At the July Session meeting it was voted to give The 
 Reverend Dr. Siler a vacation for the month of August. 
 
 The fall months of the year came and went adding a few to 
 the Church Roll by letter and by examination, and a few were dis- 
 missed to other churches. On a whole no changes of material im- 
 portance happened until February 25, 1906. On this date Elder Mal- 
 com Shaw, that embodiment of what an elder should be, passed to 
 his eternal reward. He was the oldest elder in the Church both as to 
 age and years of service. He had served the church faithfully as a 
 Charter Elder since its founding forty-seven years before, except for 
 a few years when he had resided in Greensboro. His passing was 
 keenly felt by all who knew him because of his many sterling 
 qualities. 
 
 The first record of a budget system and an every-member can- 
 vass inaugurated in the church was recorded during the year 1905- 
 1906. At a joint meeting of the Diaconate and Session held at the 
 manse on February 27, 1906, a motion was made and carried to 
 adopt the budget system of raising funds for the church's needs. The 
 amount considered necessary at this time was about $2,000 for the 
 year. This motion also carried a clause which read: "that an effort 
 be made to secure enough pledges for this amount by April 1, 1906." 
 There were three elders present at this meeting: E. A. Snow, W. C. 
 Herndon, and W. C. Denny, and one deacon, D. C. Aldridge. 
 
 On April 12, 1906, the Session met at the manse for the purpose 
 of making out a report for the year 1905-1906 to be sent to 
 Presbytery. 
 
 On April 1, 1906, W. C. Herndon was elected by the Session 
 to attend the meeting of Orange Presbytery, which was to be held 
 at Hillsboro, North Carolina. He was authorized to request the 
 Presbytery to dissolve the Snow Memorial Church of the city, and to 
 state to it that the reason for this request was because the church 
 building had been burned earlier in the year and the congregation 
 did not feel able to rebuild it. If the Presbytery saw fit to grant this 
 first request Mr. Herndon was also to ask this assembly to grant let- 
 ters of dismissal to some of the Snow Memorial members in order 
 that they might join the First Church. On his return from the meet- 
 ing of Orange Presbytery, April 30, Elder Herndon reported to the 
 Session that the Snow Memorial Church had been dissolved by order 
 of the Presbytery and that the following had been granted letters to 
 join the First Church: Elder George L. Taylor, Mrs. Dora Appling, 
 
90 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 F. P. Clark, Mrs. F. P. Clark, John Carroll, Mrs. John Carroll, and 
 Miss Kate Clark. 
 
 A congregational meeting was held on May 13, 1906, for the 
 purpose of electing additional officers, and to consider increasing 
 The Reverend Dr. Siler's salary. This meeting was called to order 
 just after the eleven o'clock service with The Reverend E. L. Siler 
 moderating and D. C. Aldridge acting as Clerk. The meeting was 
 opened with prayer, after which the object of the meeting was clear- 
 ly stated — to elect one elder, three deacons and, to consider increas- 
 ing the pastor's salary. George L. Taylor was unanimously elected 
 elder and C. L. Glenn, F. M. Barbee, and W. B. Kimmons were 
 elected deacons. After hearing a report on the financial condition of 
 the Church from the Treasurer, Elder W. C. Herndon, a motion was 
 made by Elder Snow, seconded by Elder T. H. Patten to increase 
 Dr. Siler's salary $200.00 a year. This plus his former salary made 
 his salary $1200 a year beginning April 1, 1906. 
 
 Shortly after the election of these new officers it was learned that 
 W. B. Kimmons had decided not to accept the office to which he had 
 been elected; so another congregational meeting was called for June 
 10, 1906. At this meeting Samuel E. Tucker was unanimously 
 elected a deacon to fill the vacancy. On June 17, 1906, George L. 
 Taylor, already an ordained elder, was installed as elder of this 
 church, and the three newly elected deacons were ordained and 
 installed. 
 
 On June 19, 1906, a joint meeting of the Session and Diaconate 
 was held at the manse for the purpose of discussing the financial af- 
 fairs of the church, and establishing the work of the Board of Dea- 
 cons. At this meeting a vacation was also discussed for the pastor, 
 and Dr. Siler was given a conditional vacation for the month of Au- 
 gust. He was to preach the first and fourth Sundays, but was not ex- 
 pected to do any pastoral visiting during the month except in cases 
 of sickness or urgent need. 
 
 At a Session meeting held on October 7, 1906, Elder E. A. Snow 
 was chosen Clerk of the Session to take the place of Elder W. C. 
 Denny who had resigned this office. On this same date the Session 
 called a congregational meeting for the third Sunday in October, for 
 the purpose of electing additional church officers. This meeting was 
 held and J. A. Bell was elected elder and Dr. W. A. Hayes was 
 named deacon and on the first Sunday in December they were both 
 ordained and installed into their respective offices. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 91 
 
 On January 6, 1907, Deacon Fletcher Barbee was granted a let- 
 ter of dismissal to Augusta, Georgia. His departure left the Board of 
 Deacons numbering only four. On the same date and at the same 
 Session meeting which granted Elder Fletcher Barbee his church let- 
 ter, Elder E. A. Snow brought good news. The Snow Lumber Com- 
 pany had cancelled the debt of $1646 which was the balance the 
 church owed it for materials used in the building of the church. He 
 also reported that for some time he and Frank Wineskie had been 
 considering the appearance of the church's auditorium. They had 
 come to the conclusion that the appearance of it would be greatly 
 improved, if the group of small stationary windows on each side of 
 it were replaced by large art-glass ones. Mr. Snow then went on to 
 say that he had made up his mind to donate the wooden frames and 
 install them and that Mr. Frank Wineskie, who was not a member 
 of the Church, had agreed to give two beautiful art-glass windows. 
 
 Those who were present at this meeting were delighted but it 
 seemed too good to be true, that the debt they had been struggling to 
 pay for so long had been cancelled, and that a dream, of many of the 
 congregation, of art-glass windows in the sanctuary would soon be 
 a reality. Dr. Siler was asked to write each of these donors a letter 
 expressing the Session's appreciation of their gifts. 
 
 This act on the part of Snow Lumber Company relieved the 
 Church of all indebtedness, and made it possible for the new church 
 building to be dedicated. March 10, 1907, was selected as the date 
 for the dedicatory services. The weather on this day was inclement, 
 but in spite of this fact the sanctuary was comfortably filled with a 
 large and grateful congregation. 
 
 Before the sermon was preached on this eventful day, Dr. Siler 
 made a short address — giving, in brief, the history of the Church. 
 The Reverend Walter Moore, D.D., of Richmond, Virginia, then 
 preached a masterful sermon. His text was taken from Acts 17:7 
 One Jesus. Then at the close of his sermon Dr. Moore dedicated, 
 in prayer, the church building to the Glory and Service of The Al- 
 mighty God. 
 
 The long anticipated occasion of dedicating the church was his- 
 tory. The Church could now go forward unhampered by debt. At a 
 joint meeting of the Session and Diaconate the following elders 
 W. C. Herndon, George L. Taylor, John A. Bell, and E. A. Snow, 
 and Deacons William A. Hayes, Samuel E. Tucker, G. L. Glenn, 
 and A. S. Chandler were present. To be discussed there were a 
 
92 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 great many things on the hearts and minds of these men. One 
 thing which seemed to be favored by all was the placing of a tablet 
 in the Church Auditorium in memory of The Reverend William L. 
 Harrell, under whose leadership the present church building was 
 erected. The unanimous opinion was that this would be a most fit- 
 ting thing to do at this time since Mr. Harrell had so recently met 
 an untimely death. Another action taken at this time was to instruct 
 the Treasurer to take six dollars from the plate collections each 
 month and send it to the support of a ward of the church at Barium 
 Springs Orphanage. Also the report, covering the work done by the 
 church for the year ending March 31, 1907, was made out. 
 
 Again it was time for another session meeting. This one was 
 held on May 5, 1907, and the most important decision made at this 
 meeting was to again have a Protracted Meeting in the Church. This 
 one was to be in the Fall and Dr. Siler was asked to try and secure 
 the services of Evangelist William Black to conduct it. 
 
 Some years before Fletcher Barbee had moved from the town, 
 but recently he had returned to live here, so on July 14, 1907, a con- 
 gregational meeting was held and he was re-elected to the office of 
 deacon in the Church. 
 
 At the July 21, 1907, Session Meeting, Dr. Siler requested the 
 elders to grant him the month of August for vacation. The Church 
 sanctuary was undergoing a general overhauling with the installa- 
 tion of the new windows, so the Session granted Dr. Siler's request. 
 
 The Protracted Meeting planned for the Church earlier in the 
 year began on December 8, 1907, with the Reverend William Black 
 doing the preaching, and Elder Andrew Burr, of a Canadian Presby- 
 terian Church directing the singing. The results of this meeting were 
 gratifying. Twenty-eight names were added to the Church Roll, and 
 among this number was carried the name of Mr. Frank Wineskie. 
 
 Since Dr. Siler had been pastor of the Church, the manse had 
 been a favored place for the church officers to meet. There were un- 
 doubtedly other reasons for this being such a popular place, but one 
 of the reasons likely was that Mrs. Siler always served them such 
 tempting refreshments. 
 
 The ever shifting membership in the Church, for the past two 
 years had reduced the number of church officers. If the Church was 
 to grow and to do the efficient work of which it was capable, more 
 officers should be elected. On the second Sunday in May, 1908, a 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 93 
 
 congregational meeting was held for the purpose of electing addi- 
 tional officers and trustees. At this meeting S. A. Chandler and C. 
 T. Hamilton were elected elders, and W. F. Norman a deacon. The 
 entire Board of Elders, and their successors in office, were elected 
 as Trustees. 
 
 When the business of electing these men was completed Dr. 
 Siler was asked to retire from the room. A discussion of his salary 
 ensued, followed by a unanimous vote to raise it from $1200 to 
 $1500 a year "with free use of the manse." 
 
 In the report sent to Orange Presbytery for the church year clos- 
 ing March 31, 1909, it is noted that there were 196 members on 
 the Church Roll; 214 scholars in the Sunday School; 30 young 
 people enrolled in the Young People's Society; paid in to benevo- 
 lences $426; paid to Pastor for salary $1500; and total amount of 
 money paid in $2705.00. 
 
 At the May Session meeting, it was decided to hold another 
 series of protracted meetings in June — the arrangements to be left 
 in the hands of Dr. Siler. At the next Session Meeting Dr. Siler re- 
 ported that all arrangements had been made for the desired series of 
 meetings. They were to begin the first Sunday in July with The Rev- 
 erend George L. Robertson as Evangelist, and Mr. R. O. Bell direct- 
 ing the singing. 
 
 The results of this meeting are not fully recorded, but it seemed 
 that there had lacked a spirit of co-operation in the services and the 
 meeting was not apparently the success expected. 
 
 Soon after this meeting Dr. Siler went on his vacation and be- 
 fore his return to High Point, he mailed in his resignation, as pastor» 
 to the Session. There had been an unfortunate misunderstanding be- 
 tween Dr. Siler and the Session, which likely could have been ad- 
 justed easily had it been thoroughly gone into. 
 
 On the first Sunday in October Dr. E. L. Siler preached his last 
 sermon as pastor of the church, and he immediately moved to Toc- 
 coa, Georgia, to become pastor of the First Presbyterian Church there. 
 
 During Dr. Siler's pastorate in High Point some of the best work 
 of the Church was accomplished. He had placed it on a higher spir- 
 itual plane, which had made possible the accomplishment of many 
 worth while things in the name of His Master. 
 
 Among the names of some of the members joining the Church 
 
94 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 during Dr. Siler's six years of service in High Point were the names 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Barbee (having moved back to town), 
 Miss Kate Clark, Miss Hazel Fisher (Mrs. W. G. Shipman), Den- 
 nis H. Hall, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Hamilton, Miss Aura 
 Grimes (Mrs. Nathan Bales), Dr. W. A. Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. Alex 
 B. Headen, Miss Mary Headen, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Hyde, Mr. W. B. 
 Kimmons, Miss Abigale N. Linebeck (Mrs. C. A. White), Miss 
 Elizabeth R. Lineback ( Mrs. G. E. Hutchins ) , Miss Delia May Line- 
 back, Miss Annetta J. Myers (Mrs. Messick), Mr. William Fleming 
 Norman, Mr. DeCoursey M. Pollock, Sr., Mr. W. G. Shipman, Miss 
 Dorothy D. Snow (Mrs. J. I. Groom), Mrs. Harriet Garvin Tate, 
 Mr. Samuel E. Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wineskie, and Miss 
 Thelma Wineskie (Mrs. Ben Cooper). 
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND EUGENE LEON SILER, D.D. 
 
 1867- 1947 
 
 The Reverend Eugene Leon Siler, D.D., the son of Leon F. and 
 Mary Trotter Siler, was born at Franklin, North Carolina, on De- 
 cember 25, 1867. 
 
 Eugene's early education was received in the public schools of 
 Franklin, until he was nearly ready to enter college. In 1882 he en- 
 tered the preparatory department of Davidson College, Davidson, 
 North Carolina, and studied at this institution until he completed 
 his collegiate course in 1887. Upon his graduation from college, he 
 entered the Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, and graduated 
 from it in May, 1890. 
 
 Shortly after he was graduated from the Seminary, Mr. Siler was 
 licensed to preach by the Mecklenburg Presbytery, at Hopewell, 
 North Carolina. In June of the same year he was married to Miss 
 Mattie Neville and to this union was born one daughter, Florence. 
 It had long been the desire of Dr. Siler to be a Missionary, so he ac- 
 cepted a call to Caldwell, Texas, soon after he was married, and ac- 
 companied by his bride took up his residence there. In August of 
 this same year The Reverend Mr. Siler was ordained by the Central 
 Texas Presbytery, at Robinson, Texas. From the date of his ordina- 
 tion he began an active ministry which lasted for many years until 
 1932, when on account of serious eye trouble he was honorably re- 
 tired by the Fayetteville Presbytery of North Carolina. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 95 
 
 During his active ministry The Reverend Dr. Siler held pastor- 
 ates at the following places: Caldwell, Texas, from 1890 to 1893; 
 Sharon, Mecklenburg Presbytery, North Carolina, 1893 to 1894; 
 Wadesboro and Morven, North Carolina, 1894 to 1897; Lexington 
 and Durant, Mississippi, 1897 to 1900; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 
 1900 to 1903; High Point, North Carolina, 1903 to 1909; Toccoa, 
 Georgia, 1909 to 1910; Montreat and Black Mountain, North Caro- 
 lina, 1910 to 1917; Maxton, North Carolina, 1917 to 1932. After 
 1932, Dr. Siler did supply work in and around Davidson and Salis- 
 bury, North Carolina. 
 
 Besides the pastoral work done by Dr. Siler he had done a great 
 deal of clerical work for Presbytery, Synod, and the General Assem- 
 bly, as Temporary, Recording and Stated Clerk, and for five years as 
 First Assistant Clerk to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. 
 
 In June of the year 1895, The Reverend Dr. Eugene L. Siler was a 
 second time married, this time to Miss Laura Inglis Prince, and to 
 this union was born one daughter, Ruth Prince. 
 
 While living in Texas The Reverend Dr. Siler built his first 
 church building at Yellow Prairie, near Caldwell where he then 
 held a charge. He also built a church at Black Mountain, North Car- 
 olina, and while holding a charge there, also built a chapel outside 
 the gate at Montreat. Dr. Siler s pastorate at Black Mountain and 
 Montreat was not of the longest duration of time but perhaps the 
 one in which he accomplished some of his most worth while work. 
 With the assistance of thirteen church members of the Black Moun- 
 tain Church, and friends in the state, he built and furnished a church 
 there valued at $3000. When his pastorate terminated there the 
 membership had grown from thirteen to seventy-five. It is said of 
 him, while he resided in the Black Mountain locality, that he ren- 
 dered services to the community, varying in nature, from a preacher, 
 electrician, plumber, and even a fireman. 
 
 When the High Point Church celebrated its Seventy-Fifth Anni- 
 versary on September 23 and 24, 1934, Dr. Siler returned to it and 
 assisted in the celebration. 
 
 In December 1932, Dr. and Mrs. Siler and their daughter, Ruth 
 moved to Davidson, North Carolina, after he had been honorably 
 retired from the ministry on account of the condition of his eyes, but 
 he never did cease to supply pulpits when called upon — this he con- 
 tinued to do until death, on March 6, 1947, when he went to sleep 
 to awaken in his eternal home. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 SECOND PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND ALFRED SHORTER CALDWELL 
 
 1909-1913 
 
 With the resignation of the Reverend Eugene L. Siler the High 
 Point Church, for the eighth time, found itself seeking a Pastor. It 
 was decided that the entire Session should act as a Pulpit Commit- 
 tee, and that a supply pastor be invited to serve the Church until 
 the spring meeting of Presbytery. Several names were considered for 
 this supply pastor. Mr. Caldwell had previously served the Church as 
 its pastor, and it was understood that his services were available at 
 this time. The Committee thought well of trying to secure his serv- 
 ices for a limited time as supply pastor. A proposition as to whether 
 he would consider supplying the church until spring, with a stipu- 
 lated monthly salary of $100.00 a month, plus the use of the manse, 
 was placed before Mr. Caldwell. He though well of such a plan. 
 
 On October 24, 1909, a congregational meeting was held and 
 the plans of the Pulpit Committee to call Mr. Caldwell, for a lim- 
 ited time as stated supply pastor, was approved. Elder E. A. Snow 
 was named to attend Orange Presbytery, at Red Springs, North 
 Carolina, on October 26, 1909, and ask permission for the High 
 Point Church to carry out its plans to call The Reverend A. S. Cald- 
 well as Stated Supply Pastor until the spring meeting of Presbytery. 
 
 Presbytery granted this request and again Mr. Caldwell and his 
 family became residents of High Point. 
 
 With the beginning of the year 1910, the Session thought it 
 would be expedient to call Mr. Caldwell again as its pastor. A con- 
 gregational meeting was held on January 2, 1910, and Mr. Cald- 
 well was extended a call to become pastor of the Church. This time 
 his salary was to be $1200 a year, with Mr. Caldwell returning $200 
 of it each year as a gift to the Church. 
 
 Elder W. C. Herndon attended a call meeting of Orange Pres- 
 bytery held in Greensboro on January 9, 1910, to prosecute the call 
 of the Church for the services of Mr. Caldwell as pastor. The request 
 was granted. 
 
 At the time Mr. Caldwell began his second pastorate in High 
 Point there were five elders; four deacons; 147 members on the 
 
98 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Church Roll; 213 enrolled in the Sunday School; and total amount 
 collected for the past year $2270. 
 
 About a year after Mr. Caldwell became pastor, on February 27, 
 1910, Mrs. Fletcher Barbee went before the Session and asked for 
 its co-operation in again organizing a Young People's Society in the 
 Church. The Session assured Mrs. Barbee of their willingness for 
 such a society to be organized and wished her God-speed in her 
 undertaking. 
 
 At the September meeting of the Session it was voted not to hold 
 evening services in the Church during the month of September. 
 Then it was suggested that another revival should be held in the 
 Church. This one to be held as soon as Mr. Caldwell could make 
 arrangements for it. 
 
 This series of revival services was arranged and The Reverend 
 George W. Belk came to the Church to conduct them — beginning 
 the second week in October and continuing for a period of ten days. 
 
 From the very beginning there was not much interest shown in 
 these services. Something was surely wrong somewhere. The Rev- 
 erend Belk had, prior to this meeting, held a similar revival in Lex- 
 ington, North Carolina, and had not been received well there. Per- 
 haps the news of this unfortunate meeting had traveled to High 
 Point and was responsible for Mr. Belk's poor reception here. 
 
 From the time of Mr. Belk's meeting until the end of the church 
 year, March 31, 1911, few things of interest happened in the 
 Church. About the beginning of the year, however, there were sev- 
 eral additions to the Church roll and Miss Alma Headen's name 
 heads the list along with that of Cecil H. Merriner and his mother, 
 Mrs. M. L. Marriner, on January 14 — coming by letter from the 
 Second Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Virginia. 
 
 At the September, 1911, meeting Elder George L. Taylor was 
 elected to go to the Fall meeting of Presbytery and to invite it to 
 hold its Spring meeting in High Point. The invitation was extended 
 but Presbytery already had accepted Burlington's invitation to meet 
 there. 
 
 From the series of meetings held in the church the year before, 
 there had not been reaped the desired results but its failure had in 
 no way cast a damper upon the idea that a successful revival could 
 be held in the church. On December 10, 191 1, the Session request- 
 ed the pastor to plan for a Protracted Meeting and suggested that he 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 99 
 
 invite the Evangelist William Black to hold such a meeting at the 
 Church some time the following spring. In January Mr. Caldwell re- 
 ported that he was not able to secure the services of Evangelist Black 
 at the time the Session desired. 
 
 Early in the year 1912, the Church found itself in a deplorable 
 financial condition. At the Session meeting held on March 3, it was 
 decided to make two canvasses of the Congregation in April — one 
 for the Church's expenses and the other one for benevolences. It 
 was also decided at this same meeting to ask the Board of Deacons 
 to organize a Missionary Committee, to raise money for the missions. 
 A group of men present thought a quarterly meeting of the deacons 
 with the elders might spur the deacons on to do greater things. Then 
 the suggestion was advanced that an outside speaker who was all 
 afire with the advantage of benevolent giving, could do much to stir 
 up interest in the Church. Mr. A. M. Scales of Greensboro, North 
 Carolina was invited to come address the Congregation on the sub- 
 ject of Benevolent Objects. Mr. Scales came and if his address did 
 nothing else it at least made the Church Officers see that from a fi- 
 nancial stand point, the Church was dragging its feet. 
 
 At a joint meeting of the two boards held on May 5, 1912, the 
 finances of the Church were again discussed. Then the deacons were 
 urged to make a vigorous canvass for both congregational and be- 
 nevolent causes — they were both in arrears. Something was wrong 
 with the Church. Could it be because there was no overhanging in- 
 debtedness to spur the membership on — were they just sitting at 
 ease in Zion? These questions and many similar ones arose in the 
 minds of the Church leaders. 
 
 The summer months faded into fall with little visible change in 
 the attitude of the Church members. In September the Session once 
 again asked Mr. Caldwell to secure the services of an Evangelist for 
 a protracted meeting, if Evangelist Black's services were not avail- 
 able to try to get The Reverend Camp. Mr. Camp agreed to come 
 to the Church for this meeting, but again the Church faced a disap- 
 pointment for the meeting was far from a successful one. 
 
 Sometime after the close of this meeting letters were received 
 from the Montreat, North Carolina Church for Mr. and Mrs. Charles 
 T. Hamilton and their son, Hugh Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton had 
 been, before moving from town, an elder in the Church. On Decem- 
 ber 1, 1912, he was again installed as an elder. 
 
 As time continued to pass it seemed impossible to diagnose the 
 
100 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 trouble with the High Point Church. On December 22, 1912, the 
 Session met greatly disturbed, and there was a great deal of changing 
 around with the Church officials before it adjourned. Elder Snow 
 first tendered his resignation as Superintendent of the Sunday School 
 — an office he had held for the past twenty-two years. In his place 
 Mr. J. D. Lloyd with Mr. W. F. Norman as Assistant Superinten- 
 dent, was elected, and Dr. W. A. Hayes was elected as Superinten- 
 dent of the Primary Department. Immediately following Elder 
 Snow's resignation, and the appointment of his successors, The Rev- 
 erend Caldwell tendered his resignation to become effective April 1, 
 1913. 
 
 On the second Sunday in February a congregational meeting 
 was held. At this meeting, after due consideration, it was deemed 
 wise to accept Mr. Caldwell's resignation. A committee of three was 
 then named to nominate a successor to Mr. Caldwell. Those com- 
 posing this Pulpit Committee were Elder C. T. Hamilton, Deacon 
 W. A. Hayes, and A. S. Caldwell, Jr. 
 
 All these changes, which had taken place in the congregation, 
 had left their effect upon the Church. In spite of the confusion 
 though, the officials of the church were determined to carry on. At a 
 joint meeting of the officers on February 23, 1913, the matter of 
 church envelopes came up and the question was asked as to what 
 style the congregation preferred. After a considerable discussion it 
 was decided to return to the single envelope with extra ones for spe- 
 cial causes inserted in each package. 
 
 At the close of Mr. Caldwell's second pastorate, the report for 
 the year's-end, March 31, 1913, showed that there were: five elders; 
 four deacons; two members had been added during the year on ex- 
 amination; twelve by letter; total Church enrollment 136; total Sun- 
 day School enrollment 238; members in Young People's Society 
 eighteen; members in Ladies' Aid Society fifty -six; total to benevo- 
 lent causes $712; current expenses $545; pastor's salary $1200; 
 and total contributions $2457.00. 
 
 On April 5, 1913, the church suffered a great loss in the death of 
 Elder W. T. Rankin. The passing of Elder Rankin was a source of 
 grief to the entire congregation, although it was grateful to a kind 
 and merciful Father for having delivered him from the great suffer- 
 ing he had known for the past three years. He had been a leader in 
 the church and in his time had served it as Superintendent of the 
 Sunday School, Deacon, Elder, and Clerk of the Session. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 101 
 
 As the congregation of the High Point Church viewed with sad- 
 ness the departure of the Reverend Caldwell from the pastor- 
 congregation partnership, it rejoiced over the addition of such 
 names as: Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Hamilton, 
 and Hugh Hamilton; Miss Alma Headen (Mrs. J. L. Jackson); 
 Miss Bertha L. Herndon (Mrs. S. T. Buie); Mrs. Vernon Idol, Sr.; 
 Miss Violet Johnson; Mrs. M. L. Marriner; Jr. Cecil H. Marriner; 
 and Mrs. Rodney E. Snow. 
 
The Reverend Charles Paul Coble 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND CHARLES PAUL COBLE 
 
 1913-1930 
 
 At a congregational meeting held on Sunday morning, Decem- 
 ber 22, 1912, a committee to investigate and nominate a successor 
 to The Reverend A. S. Caldwell, Sr., was elected. This committee so 
 named was C. T. Hamilton, Chairman; Dr. W. A. Hayes, and A. S. 
 Caldwell, Jr. At this same meeting The Reverend Caldwell was 
 asked to continue as pastor of the Church until April 1, 1913. He 
 agreed to do so. 
 
 Almost immediately the Pulpit Committee began to cast about 
 looking for a minister to recommend to the congregation as its pas- 
 tor. Late in March the committee had agreed upon a name, and were 
 ready to make a nomination, so a congregational meeting was called 
 for April 6, 1913. At this meeting the name of The Reverend 
 Charles Paul Coble, Pastor of the Vineville Avenue Presbyterian 
 Church of Macon, Georgia, was presented. 
 
 A few months earlier Mr. Coble had preached a trial sermon for 
 the congregation, and at the time he had made a wonderful impres- 
 sion upon the membership of the Church. When the Pulpit Com- 
 mittee presented his name as one recommended for Pastor and a 
 vote was taken, it was ascertained that he had received a unanimous 
 vote. 
 
 The call was sent to The Reverend Coble and he looked with 
 favor upon it and soon wrote his acceptance of the call. 
 
 The Reverend Charles Paul Coble began his pastoral work in 
 High Point on June 1, 1913. By the last of May, 1913, the Coble 
 family, Mr. Coble, his wife Louise, and their two small sons, Charles 
 P., Jr., and William H. were comfortably settled in the manse next 
 door to the Church. At the time the Church membership was 
 one-hundred and thirty-eight — not a large membership, but a de- 
 vout and sincere group. In this small band was a number of out- 
 standing men and women with vision and love for the interest and 
 welfare of the Church — a vision that was bound to carry the work 
 forward under the leadership of this active young minister, who had 
 
104 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 accepted this Church as his field for carrying forward the Lord's 
 work. 
 
 According to a directory published in the year of 1913, the pop- 
 ulation of High Point was 12,255, and by this time it was beginning 
 to show signs of being a real industrial center. Manufacturing of 
 furniture was the outstanding activity, and the attention of the out- 
 side world was being attracted to this town. Already it was rated 
 as one of the up and coming towns of North Carolina. 
 
 At the beginning of The Reverend Mr. Coble's pastorate there 
 were four elders: C. T. Hamilton, E. A. Snow, W. C. Herndon, and 
 George L. Taylor, and four deacons: W. F. Norman, Dr. W. A. 
 Hayes, F. M. Barbee, and S. E. Tucker. E. A. Snow was Clerk of the 
 Session; J. D. Lloyd was Superintendent of the Sunday School; W. 
 F. Norman, was Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School; Dr. 
 W. A. Hayes was Superintendent of the Primary Department, and 
 W. C. Herndon was Church Treasurer. 
 
 A series of evangelistic services were held in the Church begin- 
 ning Sunday, October 19, 1913. The Reverend Milton Clark, Pastor 
 of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, North Carolina, 
 was guest minister, conducting these services. 
 
 On November 2, 1913, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Denny were re- 
 ceived into the Church by letters from the Presbyterian Church of 
 Graham, North Carolina. On November 16, 1913, G. W. Denny 
 was elected as an elder of this Church, and installed two weeks later. 
 This Mr. G. W. Denny, just made an elder in the Church, was a 
 nephew of Eli Denny, one of the charter elders of the Church. 
 
 A real spiritual awakening followed the evangelistic services 
 conducted by The Reverend Mr. Clark and the congregation soon 
 realized there was need for larger and better equipped quarters for 
 the Sunday School. On November 16, 1913, a congregational meet- 
 ing was held, at which time W. F. Norman submitted a sketch and 
 plans for building an extension on to the back of the church build- 
 ing, which would give fourteen class rooms, and a large assembly 
 room. At this same meeting it was also recommended that the con- 
 gregation look towards purchasing of a more modern pipe organ — 
 one to replace the old organ, which had to be pumped by hand. At 
 this meeting the following committees were named to see what 
 could be done about financing the cost of such improvements: Sun- 
 day School Room Committee; W. F. Norman, Dr. W. A. Hayes, 
 Frank Wineskie, C. V. Cummings, and P. H. Johnson; Pipe Organ 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 105 
 
 Committee: W. G. Shipman, H. B. Hyde, Mrs. Ruby Bencini, Mrs. 
 V. W. Idol, Sr., and Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr. 
 
 These committees went about their tasks with real enthusiasm 
 and evidently the whole membership of the Church was just as in- 
 terested in these improvements as were the members of the commit- 
 tees. On January 18, 1914, a congregational meeting was held 
 and Frank Wineskie, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, re- 
 ported that the amount required to build the Sunday School addi- 
 tion was substantially pledged; and W. G. Shipman reported that 
 contacts had been made with the Carnegie Fund, and that one-half 
 of the $1750 needed to purchase a new pipe organ would be do- 
 nated by that organization, and that the balance needed had been 
 pledged. The congregation after a full discussion of the matter de- 
 cided to go forward with these additions and improvements, and to 
 that end a special committee was elected to carry this work to con- 
 clusion: W. F. Norman, Chairman, Frank Wineskie, and Dr. W. A. 
 Hayes. In addition to the building of the Sunday School room and 
 the purchase of the pipe organ, the interior of the church was over- 
 hauled and repainted, and a modern heating system was installed. 
 These improvements would cost about $6500. This would put the 
 Church in debt, but these changes were needed, and most of this 
 amount had already been pledged. 
 
 On Sunday, November 9, 1913, Donald Headen, came before 
 the Session, and after a very satisfactory examination, was received 
 into the Church. On November 23, 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Carter Dal- 
 ton were received into the membership of the Church by letters. Mr. 
 Dalton, a grandson of The Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton, the 
 founder and first pastor of the Church, coming from the First Pres- 
 byterian Church of Greensboro, and Mrs. Dalton from the West 
 Market Methodist Episcopal Church of Greensboro. 
 
 At the Session meeting held at the manse on February 2, 1914, 
 the Clerk of the Session was instructed to make an effort to purge 
 the church roll of non-resident members by writing to all those 
 whose addresses could be obtained and admonishing them to put 
 their letters in a church where they then resided. After this work 
 had been completed the Session ordered that the Clerk prepare and 
 have printed a church Directory, showing the membership as of 
 April 1, 1914. 
 
 At a Session Meeting held before services, Sunday morning Feb- 
 ruary 15, 1914, it was decided to hold a series of meetings for one 
 
106 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 week, beginning Sunday morning, February 22, 1914. The Pastor 
 reported that he had been able to secure the services of The Rev- 
 erend L. S. Chafer to assist with these meetings. On March 15, 1914, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lamar McCallum were received into the Church by 
 letter from the Tatnell Square Presbyterian Church, Macon, Georgia. 
 
 In order that the church year 1914-1915, might be carried on 
 in a more orderly way, as to finances, a regular budget was prepared 
 and the Session called a congregational meeting for March 15, 1914 
 — this meeting was to take the place of the regular morning serv- 
 ice, so that the budget could be explained and fully discussed. The 
 membership was divided into groups and elders and deacons as- 
 signed to each group, so that the every-member-canvass could be 
 more quickly conducted that afternoon. At this same congregational 
 meeting a motion was made to raise Mr. Coble's salary $300.00 a 
 year — making him receive a yearly salary of $1500.00. This motion 
 carried. 
 
 At the end of Church year, March 31, 1914, the Statistical Re- 
 port showed: Elders nine; Deacons four; added to Church roll 
 thirty-one; total membership one hundred and ninety; Sunday 
 School enrollment two hundred and eighteen; total contributions 
 $2,743.00 (Benevolence $788.00 — Current Expense $955.00 — 
 Pastor's Salary— 10 months $1,000.00.) 
 
 In early July 1914, the construction of the Sunday School rooms, 
 remodeling of the interior of the church, and the installation of the 
 pipe organ, were well underway. Because this was so it was im- 
 possible to hold services in the Church — even Prayer Meeting, or 
 Sunday School — so Mr. Coble was given a vacation. By August 30, 
 1914, the work had progressed so services could be resumed in the 
 sanctuary, but the rest of the new improvements were not completed 
 until the first Sunday in October. 
 
 On September 22, 1914, a joint meeting of Elders and Deacons 
 was held at the manse, with the Pastor presiding; Elders present, 
 E. A. Snow, W. C. Herndon, C. T. Hamilton, and G. W. Denny; 
 Deacons present, F. M. Barbee, and Dr. W. A. Hayes. Elder Hamil- 
 ton made his report as delegate to Orange Presbytery which had re- 
 cently met at Milton, North Carolina. He reported that Presbytery 
 had accepted the invitation of the Church to hold the next Spring 
 Meeting of Presbytery in it. The Farrington plan to raise money to 
 pay the debt of the Foreign Mission Committee was fully discussed. 
 By a unanimous vote the Session and Diaconate decided not to use 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 107 
 
 this plan to contribute to the Foreign Mission Committee, but to 
 send a formal protest to Presbytery and Foreign Mission Committee, 
 from the Church, against its going into debt from year to year. 
 
 The Session records show that on December 21, 1914, a joint 
 meeting of the elders and deacons was held, and that the Church 
 Treasurer, W. C. Herndon, reported that many members of the 
 church were behind on their pledges to the expense, and benevo- 
 lences for the year. Mr. W. F. Norman then reported that there was 
 the same trouble with the pledges to the building fund. This money 
 was badly needed so it was decided to make an extra effort to collect 
 the pledges — if necessary to add additional deacons to help in doing 
 it. A congregational meeting was called for January 3, 1915, to elect 
 three additional deacons and the following deacons were elected: 
 Carter Dalton, June A. Johnson, and A. S. Caldwell, Jr. 
 
 Up until this time no minutes of the meetings of the Board of 
 Deacons had been kept, as a matter of fact the elders had been look- 
 ing after the deacon's work, only asking the three or four deacons 
 to meet with the Session occasionally. With the election of the three 
 new deacons the deacons held an organizational meeting on Febru- 
 ary 4, 1915. This meeting was held at the residence of W. F. Nor- 
 man, with Pastor Coble present and the following deacons: W. F. 
 Norman, A. S. Caldwell, Jr., F. M. Barbee, June A. Johnson, Dr. W. 
 A. Hayes, and Carter Dalton. W. F. Norman was elected Chairman, 
 F. M. Barbee, Vice-Chairman, Carter Dalton, Secretary, and Elder 
 W. C. Herndon, Treasurer. 
 
 On March 18, 1915, the Session met at the manse, and elected 
 Sunday School officers for the coming year: G. W. Denny, Superin- 
 tendent; Carter Dalton, Assistant Superintendent; Miss Minnie Pol- 
 lock, Superintendent of the Primary Department, and W. C. Hern- 
 don, Secretary and Treasurer. 
 
 That a good Sunday School is the best investment a church can 
 have is definitely proven, when one reads from the Session Minutes 
 held on Sunday mornings, April 4 and 11, 1915, and finds that 
 eighteen pupils from the Sunday School came before the Session on 
 these two dates and joined the Church on profession of faith. Among 
 this number were the names of Frank B. Smith and Miss Adele 
 Wineskie (now Mrs. A. M. Rankin Jr.) 
 
 Orange Presbytery met in this church April 13, 1915. 
 
 The Statistical Report to Presbytery at the close of the year, 
 
108 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 March 31, 1915, showed that the Church had made real progress 
 in the first full year of Mr. Coble's pastorate. The Report showed: 
 elders five; deacons seven; added to Church roll forty-one; total 
 membership two hundred sixty-two; Sunday School enrollment two 
 hundred and five; total contributions $6,043.00. (Benevolences 
 $839.00— Building Fund and Equipment $2,800.00— Current Ex- 
 pense $904.00— Pastor's Salary $1,500.00.) 
 
 The church year beginning April 1, 1915, found the work well 
 
 organized and everything moving forward with much regularity. 
 
 According to recorded minutes the Board of Deacons did not 
 meet again after the organization meeting February 4, 1915, until 
 January 21, 1916. This meeting was held at the home of Elder W. 
 C. Herndon, Church Treasurer. Those present were: Pastor Coble, 
 W. F. Norman, W. C. Herndon, F. M. Barbee, Dr. W. A. Hayes, J. 
 A. Johnson, and Carter Dalton. At this meeting W. C. Herndon, 
 whose health had been poor for some time, tendered his resignation 
 as Church Treasurer, effective April 1, 1916. At this time he stated 
 that the reason for his resignation was because he was sick and un- 
 able to do the Treasurer's work, but that his wife would continue 
 with it until March 31 — the end of the church year. His resignation 
 was accepted with regrets, but no action was taken at this meeting. 
 Action was taken though at the Board Meeting held on January 31, 
 1916, when a general discussion of the Church's financial affairs 
 was held and Diaconate Officers for the new year were elected. Those 
 elected were: F. M. Barbee, Chairman; A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Vice- 
 chairman; Carter Dalton, Secretary; and W. F. Norman, Treasurer. 
 
 Minutes of the Session show that Elder W. C. Herndon died on 
 March 20, 1916, and at the Session meeting held on April 3, 1916, 
 Resolutions of Respect were presented and adopted and a copy or- 
 dered filed as a part of the records of the meeting. With the passing 
 of Mr. Herndon the life work of one of the most faithful members 
 of the Church ended. He had served as a Deacon from 1897 to 
 1902; as an Elder to the time of his death, and as Church Treasurer 
 from 1890, until his death, a period of twenty-six years. 
 
 At the Session meeting on April 3, 1916, officers for the Sunday 
 School were elected for the new year as follows: A. S. Caldwell, Jr., 
 Superintendent; Carter Dalton, Assistant Superintendent; and James 
 Griffith, Secretary and Treasurer. At this same meeting it was decided 
 to call a congregational meeting for April 16, 1916, for the purpose 
 of electing three more elders. The report of the Church to the spring 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 109 
 
 Presbytery covering the year 1915-1916 showed that twenty had 
 been added to the church rolls, but the dismissals brought the total 
 membership to two hundred and fifty-seven, or five less than the re- 
 port for the year before. At the congregational meeting on April 16, 
 1916, the three new elders elected: H. B. Hyde, Dr. W. A. Hayes, 
 and F. M. Barbee were ordained and installed on April 30, 1916. 
 
 Again proving the value to any church of a good Sunday School, 
 one finds on June 18, 1916, eleven young folks from the Sunday 
 School coming before the Session and after a creditable examination 
 as to their faith in Jesus Christ, were duly received into the com- 
 munion of the Church. 
 
 On October 11, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Smith were received 
 into the Church by letter from the First Lutheran Church of Greens- 
 boro, North Carolina, and on this same date A. E. Taplin was re- 
 ceived into the Church by letter from South Ryegate, Vermont, 
 and Mrs. A. E. Taplin, by letter from the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church of Thomasville, North Carolina. 
 
 On October 15, 1916, W. F. Norman, representing the Board 
 of Deacons appeared before the Session and asked that the elders 
 consider the election of three more deacons, as two of the deacons 
 had been recently elected elders. The Session granted the request 
 and a congregational meeting was called for the first Sunday in No- 
 vember. Elder Snow reported that he had, as requested by the Ses- 
 sion, had a talk with P. H. Johnson, who had been elected a dea- 
 con January 11, 1891, but had not accepted the office then. Mr. 
 Johnson, he said, was now ready to take up the duties of deacon, so 
 the Session ordered his name put on record to be ordained and in- 
 stalled. At the congregational meeting held on Sunday, November 
 5, 1916, the following three deacons were elected: Frank Wineskie, 
 N. F. White, and Jas. J. Griffith, and these, with P. H. Johnson, 
 were ordained and installed following the morning service on De- 
 cember 3, 1916. On November 12, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. 
 Shipman were received by letter from the Presbyterian Church, Del 
 Norte, Colorado. 
 
 At the Session meeting Sunday morning January 7, 1917, the 
 record shows that elders present were H. B. Hyde, G. W. Denny, 
 Dr. W. A. Hayes, F. M. Barbee, C. T. Hamilton, and E. A. Snow, 
 and that each elder led in prayer for a blessing on the Church and 
 for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the coming year. What a fine 
 start for a new year. Little did these elders know at that time, that 
 
110 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 during that year the nation would be thrown into the World War 
 and that extra Divine Guidance would be needed, not only in the 
 church, but throughout the whole nation and even the whole world. 
 
 On February 16, 1917, the Board of Deacons held a meeting at 
 the Commercial Club and discussed the finances of the church, and 
 the every-member-canvass was planned. At this meeting Mr. Coble 
 suggested that the men of the church hold a get-together social on 
 March 15, 1917, with a view of stimulating the general welfare of 
 the Church. This plan was adopted. Then the Board elected officers 
 for the new church year as follows: A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Chairman; 
 N. F. White, Vice-Chairman; Carter Dalton, Secretary; and W. F. 
 Norman, Treasurer. 
 
 On April 1, 1917, after the morning service, at the request of 
 the Board of Deacons, a congregational meeting was held. The 
 Church Treasurer W. F. Norman, made a full report of the finan- 
 cial condition of the church covering the past year — it was a good 
 report. The church had made real progress during the year, having 
 met all obligations on time. Mr. Norman's report also showed that 
 the pledges made at the recent every-member-canvass were an in- 
 crease over the past year and that the work should go forward dur- 
 ing the new year. After the report The Reverend Mr. Coble was 
 asked to retire from the room and Elder Snow was elected Moder- 
 ator, then Carter Dalton moved that the Church increase the pas- 
 tor's salary $300, making it $1800 per annum. Frank Wineskie 
 seconded this motion and it met with the unanimous approval of 
 the congregation. 
 
 For further proof of real progress the Church had made for the 
 year ending March 31, 1917, part of the information contained in 
 a report to Orange Presbytery: Elders seven; Deacons eight; added 
 to Church roll fifty-one; total membership two hundred and fifty- 
 six; Sunday school enrollment two hundred ninety-three; total con- 
 tributions $5,059.00 (Benevolences, $1340.00 — Building and 
 Equipment, $1,000.00— Current Expense, $919.00— Pastor's Sal- 
 ary, $1,800.00.) 
 
 At April 2, 1917, Session meeting reports from the Ladies' Aid 
 and Missionary Societies were read, and much favorable comment 
 was made as to the fine work that had been accomplished by them. 
 At this same meeting officers for the Sunday School for the new year 
 were elected as follows: A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Superintendent; Carter 
 Dalton, Assistant Superintendent; J. J. Griffith, Secretary and Treas- 
 urer; and Mrs. E. M. Shipman, Superintendent Primary Department. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 111 
 
 The new church year of 1917-1918, started out with all branches 
 of the Church well organized and the prospects bright for another 
 year of great accomplishments. War had been going on in Europe 
 since 1914, and naturally this country was called upon to supply 
 food, clothing, ammunition, and all kinds of supplies, which made 
 business good, but up to that time our country had not entered the 
 conflict. Our President and the United States Congress were worried 
 over the turn of things and it was evident that the United States 
 would likely soon be drawn into the terrible war. On April 6, 1917, 
 our nation was thrown into the World War. Excitement reigned 
 everywhere, troops were being mobilized, young men enlisting, and 
 our city, like every other one in the nation, stood willing and ready 
 to do its part. During the months of May, June, July, and August 
 the records show few joined the Church, there being only two meet- 
 ings of the Session recorded, and two meetings of the Board of Dea- 
 cons. However, everything worked along in an orderly way, matters 
 of routine were handled, but nothing of special importance was 
 attempted. 
 
 The minutes of the meeting of the Board of Deacons March 23, 
 1918, shows that the Board unanimously agreed that the Church 
 was able and ought to raise the salary of Pastor Coble from $1800 
 to $2000 per year; so it was decided to ask the Session to call a con- 
 gregational meeting for this purpose for Sunday, April 7, 1918. At 
 this same Deacon Meeting officers for the new church year were 
 elected as follows: N. F. White, Chairman; James J. Griffith, Vice- 
 Chairman; Frank Wineskie, Secretary; and W. F. Norman, 
 Treasurer. 
 
 At a Session meeting held on March 10, 1918, there is recorded 
 that Mr. and Mrs. K. C. Denny were received into the Church, by 
 letters from the Red Springs, North Carolina, Presbyterian Church 
 on that date. 
 
 At the March 29, 1918, meeting the Session decided to join with 
 the other city churches and hold simultaneous evangelistic services 
 during the month of June, if Mr. Coble could secure the services of 
 The Reverend Eugene Caldwell to assist him, in these services. 
 
 At a congregational meeting held on Sunday, April 7, 1918, 
 W. W. Smith was unanimously elected an elder, and installed on 
 the third Sunday in April — ordination not being necessary since he 
 had previously served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of the 
 Covenant, at Greensboro, North Carolina. 
 
112 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 At this same congregational meeting W. F. Norman, Church 
 Treasurer, made a report in regard to past year's finances. It showed 
 that all obligations had been met and that the pledges for the new 
 church year showed an increase over the previous one. Mr. Coble 
 was then asked to retire and Elder E. A. Snow was elected Moder- 
 ator, then Frank Wineskie, in line with previous action of the Board 
 of Deacons, made a motion to increase the pastor's salary by $200, 
 making it $2000 per annum. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., seconded this mo- 
 tion and the motion unanimously carried. 
 
 On April 8, 1918, the Session met at the Commercial Club for 
 the purpose of electing Sunday School officers for the new year and 
 to make out a report to Orange Presbytery. Sunday School Officers 
 for the new year were elected as follows: Carter Dalton, Superin- 
 tendent; A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Assistant Superintendent; W. F. Nor- 
 man, Superintendent of Senior Department; Mrs. E. M. Shipman, 
 Superintendent Primary Department; James J. Griffith, Secretary 
 and Treasurer; Dr. W. A. Hayes, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer; 
 and W. E. Snow, Secretary of Primary Department. At this meeting 
 it was also decided to have a music committee of five members to 
 have charge of all the music of the Church in all its departments 
 and the following committee was elected: Mrs. W. G. Shipman, 
 Chairman, Mrs. W. A. Hayes, T. J. Gold, H. B. Hyde, and Mrs. A. 
 E. Taplin. The Session elected Elder F. M. Barbee as chairman of 
 the Reception Committee for Church Services and also Sunday 
 School. The report to Presbytery was made out and approved. 
 
 Then the Session highly commended the P. H. Dalton Mission- 
 ary Society and the Ladies' Aid Society, for the fine work they had 
 done throughout the year. 
 
 The yearly report to Presbytery showed there were eight elders 
 and eight deacons in the Church at this time. Perhaps you would be 
 interested to know just who they were, so a list of their names is 
 put here for your information, as of April 1, 1918: Elders: E. A. 
 Snow, Clerk; George L. Taylor, C. T. Hamilton, F. M. Barbee, G. 
 \V. Denny, H. B. Hyde, Dr. W. A. Hayes, W. W. Smith. Deacons: 
 W. F. Norman, Chairman; Carter Dalton, A. S. Caldwell, Jr., June 
 A. Johnson, P. H. Johnson, Frank Wineskie, N. F. White, and 
 James J. Griffith. 
 
 The World War was still under way. All young men under 
 the age limit had been registered and drafts were being made, and 
 many young men were already in training camps. The Church had 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 113 
 
 responded in a fine and patriotic way, not only furnishing men, but 
 subscribing to Liberty Bonds, and sacrificing in many ways to help 
 the government in this great struggle. 
 
 The Session minutes show that during this time their meetings 
 were not held with the same regularity as in the past, and the Board 
 of Deacons failed to record any of its activities until April 3, 1921. 
 
 On September 2, 1918, Carter Dal ton came before the Session 
 and resigned as Superintendent of Sunday School, and asked for 
 immediate action as his health was such that he would be unable 
 to look after the work longer. The resignation was accepted and W. 
 F. Norman was elected to succeed Mr. Dalton. 
 
 Services in the church were being held with the usual regular- 
 ity but the effects of the World War were noticeable in the Church. 
 Few joined it, either by letter or on examination during the spring, 
 summer and fall months of 1918. On November 11, 1918, came 
 the signing of the Armistice and great rejoicing. The terrible War 
 was over — mothers, wives, and sweethearts were jubilant. Before 
 many months loved ones would be returning home. Even sober 
 minded sour faced dads were elated and talked tenderly about the 
 return of the boys. To some the War had left a vacant chair, an 
 empty bed, a broken heart — to others it would return wounded, 
 crippled, and maimed boys — loved ones who had left home only a 
 short time ago the flower of manhood. What a price to pay, but 
 thank God it was over. The names of those who served in World 
 War No. 1 who were members of the Church, at that time, or 
 members of the Sunday School, were: Louis E. Bennett, William J. 
 Bennett, Ben F. Carrey, John R. Carroll, J. Clyde Cummings, O. E. 
 Cummings, Thomas Byrd Dupree, Guy D. Grimes, Dennis H. Hall, 
 Jr., Hugh Hamilton, Oscar B. Haney, J. Allie Herndon, Eugene D. 
 Idol, J. Carl Kaneer, Paul Jones Myatt, E. D. McPhaul, David H. 
 Parnell, Rodney Roach, Stephen B. Shelton, Rodney E. Snow, Wil- 
 liam W. Walker. John R. Carroll was killed in action over-seas and 
 on the service flag of the Church was placed a Gold Star for him. 
 
 No records are left behind to definitely record what special 
 Thanksgiving services were held on Thanksgiving Day 1918, but 
 it is remembered that a great service was held, for there was so 
 much to be thankful for as individuals, as a Church and as a Na- 
 tion. The War had made business good; all individuals and firms 
 had prospered, and this Church was in a splendid financial condition. 
 At a congregational meeting held after service Sunday morning, 
 April 6, 1919, W. F. Norman, Church Treasurer, reported that all 
 
114 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 obligations of the Church had been met, liberal amounts had been 
 sent to each church cause; and that a balance remained in the treas- 
 ury. He reported further that the pledges for the new church year 
 1919-1920 beginning on April 1, 1919, showed that after allowing 
 for all local church expense and a liberal amount to the benevo- 
 lences of the Church that the amount pledged would be about 
 $1000 in excess of the amount required — based upon past years 
 needs. 
 
 Upon motion of Carter Dalton, duly seconded by Frank Wine- 
 skie, and unanimously carried the congregation tendered a vote of 
 thanks to Mr. Norman, in appreciation of his untiring efforts in 
 keeping the church finances in such good condition. After Pastor 
 Coble had retired by request, Elder E. A. Snow was elected Moder- 
 ator and Frank Wineskie moved that the congregation raise the 
 salary of Mr. Coble from $2000 per year to $2400; A. S. Caldwell, 
 Jr., seconded this motion and with a full meeting of the congrega- 
 tion the motion carried by a unanimous vote. 
 
 On April 7, 1919, the Session met in the session room at the 
 church and made out and approved the report of the Church to be 
 sent to Orange Presbytery, which would meet at Reidsville, North 
 Carolina, on April 19, 1919. At this Session meeting the Ladies' 
 Aid and P. H. Dalton Missionary Society filed reports covering the 
 year's work. The reports were fine and the Session passed a resolu- 
 tion commending the ladies for their earnest and faithful services to 
 the Master's cause in the Church. Officers for the Sunday School for 
 the new year were elected as follows: Superintendent, W. F. Nor- 
 man; Assistant Superintendent, Eugene Idol; Superintendent of At- 
 tendance, A. S. Caldwell, Jr.; Superintendent of Primary Department, 
 Mrs. E. M. Shipman; Secretary, W. E. Herndon; and Treasurer, Dr. 
 W. A. Hayes. 
 
 The Statistical Report to Presbytery at the end of Church year, 
 March 31, 1919, gave these facts about the Church: Elders eight; 
 Deacons eight; added to Church roll sixty-four; total membership 
 two hundred and seventy; Sunday School enrollment two hundred 
 and fifty-seven; total contributions $6,188.00. (Benevolences, $1,- 
 788.00— Current Expense $2,400.00— Pastor's Salary $2,000.00.) 
 
 At a meeting of the Session Sunday morning July 27, 1919, a 
 vacation was granted The Reverend Coble for the month of August, 
 and it was decided to dispense with services for the first three Sun- 
 days during this month. On September 9, 1919, W. F. Norman came 
 before the Session and tendered his resignation as Superintendent of 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 115 
 
 the Sunday School, and Elder F. M. Barbee was elected to fill this of- 
 fice until the end of the church year, March 31, 1920. The Session 
 also decided to lay plans for a series of evangelistic meetings during 
 the fall, provided a suitable preacher could be found to help Mr. 
 Coble. 
 
 On Sunday morning September 14, 1919, the Session, in regular 
 meeting before the 11 o'clock worship, formulated and approved 
 the following communication: 
 
 "To the Presbytery of Orange, 
 
 "Dear Brethren: 
 
 "Having been informed of the decision of Hugh Hamilton to 
 study for the Gospel Ministry and of his intention to place himself 
 under the care of Presbytery of Orange at the coming meeting in 
 North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the Session of the First Presby- 
 terian Church desires to express its gratification and thanksgiving to 
 God, that another of her Sons has consecrated his life to the service 
 of Christ and to give our hearty approval and express our commen- 
 dation of Mr. Hamilton, and to assure Presbytery that he is in every 
 way a suitable and promising Candidate for the Ministry. He was 
 brought up in our Sunday School and Church and has always been 
 faithful and diligent in his Church relations. He has had splendid 
 home training and his character is above reproach. We are glad to 
 commend him to the Presbytery, and at the same time pray God's 
 richest blessings upon him that God may use him abundantly. 
 
 Charles P. Coble, Moderator 
 E. A. Snow, Clerk" 
 
 At the Session Meeting September 8, 1919, Elder C. T. Ham- 
 ilton was elected Representative to the fall meeting of Presbytery. 
 It was with real pride that Elder Hamilton attended the Presbytery 
 meeting at North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He was not only 
 carrying a good report from his Church, but he was going to see his 
 son Hugh placed under the care of Orange Presbytery as a Minister- 
 ial Student. 
 
 A Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, April 4, 1920. 
 The Church Treasurer, W. F. Norman, made a report of the yearly 
 receipts and disbursements. The report was very gratifying as it 
 showed a marked increase over the previous year, and the report 
 showed that almost the entire amount pledged for year 1919-1920 
 
116 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 had been collected. Even more had been paid in than had been 
 pledged. He also reported that pledges for the new year had been 
 secured and that the amount pledged was a substantial increase over 
 the year before. At this meeting Mr. Coble's salary was increased 
 $300 per year making the new salary $2700 per annum. Dan Smith 
 had been directing the choir for some six or eight months and he had 
 resigned; so the meeting tendered him a vote of thanks in apprecia- 
 tion of his services and expressed regrets that he had seen fit to resign 
 as Choir Director. 
 
 On April 14, 1920, the Session met and made out report to go 
 to Presbytery covering the years work which ended March 31, 1920. 
 
 At the same meeting the Session elected Sunday School officers 
 for the new church year as follows: Superintendent, Elder W. W. 
 Smith; Assistant Superintendent, A. S. Caldwell, Jr.; Superintendent 
 of Attendance, W. F. Norman; Superintendent Primary Depart- 
 ment, Mrs. E. M. Shipman; Secretary, W. E. Herndon; and Treasur- 
 er, Dr. W. A. Hayes. Mrs. W. G. Shipman was elected Musical Di- 
 rector for choir and Sunday School and Miss Thelma Wineskie was 
 elected organist for the Church Services. 
 
 On May 5, 1920, Mr. Coble was taken seriously ill and had to 
 be taken to the High Point Hospital, where he underwent a serious 
 surgical operation. On Sunday, May 9, 1920, The Reverend S. M. 
 Rankin filled the pulpit, and at a meeting of the Session on that date 
 over which he presided the minutes show that the operation upon 
 The Reverend Mr. Coble was successful, but in all likelihood it would 
 be quite a time before he would be able to be back in the pulpit 
 again. A committee of three officers was named to get a supply for 
 the pulpit until Mr. Coble could recover and again take up his work. 
 This Committee was as follows: Elder C. T. Hamilton, Elder W. A. 
 Hayes, and Deacon A. S. Caldwell, Jr. The Session minutes show on 
 July 11, 1920, that Mr. Coble after a long siege of illness, had re- 
 covered to the extent that he could again take up his active duties. 
 His leadership had been seriously missed, and the church member- 
 ship was indeed happy over his recovery and return. 
 
 The Sunday School again proved its true worth to the Church 
 when on Sunday morning November 14, 1920, fifteen candidates 
 came before the Session and asked to be admitted into the commun- 
 ion of the Church on profession of faith. Among this number one 
 finds the names of Ernestine Hayes, John William Herndon, and 
 Thomas J. Gold, Jr. A goodly number to come at one time, which 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 117 
 
 shows the Sunday School had been training along the right lines, and 
 properly appealing to the hearts of its pupils. 
 
 A joint meeting of Elders and Deacons of this Church was held 
 on January 22, 1921, at the Commercial Club at 7:30 P. M. Pastor 
 Coble called the meeting to order and Elder E. A. Snow opened it 
 with prayer. Those present were: Charles P. Coble, Pastor; Elders 
 W. W. Smith, G. W. Denny, E. A. Snow, Dr. W. A. Hayes; Dea- 
 cons, Frank Wineskie, A. S. Caldwell, Jr., W. F. Norman, Carter 
 Dalton, P. H. Johnson, S. E. Tucker. 
 
 Mr. Coble stated that the object of the meeting was to consider 
 the erection of a Hut, or to build more room to accommodate the 
 growing Sunday School, especially the Young Ladies' Class, and also 
 to provide suitable room for social gatherings. Upon motion of A. S. 
 Caldwell, Jr., seconded by S. E. Tucker and unanimously carried it 
 was decided to recommend to the congregation that the Church build 
 a Hut on the rear of the church lot; repair the manse, re-roof the 
 main Church auditorium, as it was in bad condition; and put down 
 cement sidewalks. Frank Wineskie was elected as chairman of a com- 
 mittee of three, the other two members to be named by him, to make 
 a study of the cost of these improvements and to get plans in shape 
 so that the matter could be properly presented to the congregation. 
 
 On February 2, 1921, W. F. Norman was claimed by death. This 
 was more than a passing loss to the church. He had served as Dea- 
 con, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Church Treasurer, Sunday 
 School Superintendent, and a member that was always put on all im- 
 portant committees, because he simply got things done in the most 
 pleasing sort of way. Pastor Coble said of this man that he, "W. F. 
 (Flem) Norman, was the best all around Deacon he had ever 
 known." Church finances had been running along smoothly for a 
 good many years, which all goes to show that Deacon Norman had 
 organized the work well and had put much time and thought into 
 this branch of the Church's work. At a joint meeting of the Elders 
 and Deacons on March 4, 1921, Elder W. A. Hayes was elected 
 Church Treasurer to succeed W. F. Norman. The Board of Deacons 
 selected Sunday March 20, 1921, as the day to conduct the every- 
 member-canvass, and requested the Session to consider electing three 
 additional deacons. At this same joint meeting the Session decided to 
 call a congregational meeting for Sunday March 20, 1921, for the 
 purpose of electing three additional deacons, and also for the purpose 
 of laying before the church membership the matter of building a 
 Hut on the corner of Green and Rankin (now Wrenn). The con- 
 
118 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 gregational meeting was held on March 20, 1921. The three new 
 deacons elected were: D. M. Pollock, A. E. Taplin, and E. M. Ship- 
 man. The matter about building the Hut was postponed until the 
 next Sunday, March 27, 1921. On that date Deacon Frank Wineskie 
 made a report, which showed that the Hut proposed would cost 
 around $7500 and that the other improvements which would have 
 to be done, probably not as much as $1000. After much talk and 
 discussion the congregation decided to go ahead with this undertak- 
 ing and the entire matter was put in the hands of the Board of Dea- 
 cons to carry to conclusion. The congregation also gave the Church 
 Trustees authority to borrow money from individuals, Banks or 
 Building and Loan Companies and to execute a mortgage securing 
 same on the church property. On April 3, 1921, the three men new- 
 ly elected as deacons were ordained and installed as deacons of the 
 Church. 
 
 The Session met with the Pastor at the manse Monday evening 
 April 4, 1921, to make out the yearly report of the Church so that 
 it could be sent to Presbytery which was to meet at Madison, North 
 Carolina on April 12, 1921. The report in part is as follows: 
 
 Elders seven; Deacons ten; added to Church roll thirty-four; 
 total membership three hundred; Sunday School enrollment three 
 hundred and seventeen; total contributions $10,967.00. (Benevol- 
 ences $5,252.00— Current Expense $3,015.00— Pastor's Salary 
 $2,700.00.) 
 
 At this same meeting the Session elected the following Sunday 
 School officers for the new church year: Superintendent, R. E. Ran- 
 son; Assistant Superintendent, A. S. Caldwell, Jr.; Superintendent, 
 Primary Department, Mrs. E. M. Shipman; Secretary and Treasurer, 
 W. E. Herndon; and Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. W. A. 
 Hayes. 
 
 Recorded minutes indicate that the Board of Deacons met on 
 April 4, 1921, and after electing Carter Dalton as Chairman for the 
 new year and S. E. Tucker, Secretary, the Board with Pastor Coble 
 present, went into executive session to consider matters that the con- 
 gregation had assigned to the Board for handling. Frank Wineskie 
 stated that he thought the first thing the Board ought to decide was 
 just what it proposed to do. He offered the following motion: "That 
 the Chairman of the Board proceed to get up a petition for subscrip- 
 tions to build a Hut; repair the manse and church; and lay cement 
 walks in front of the church, and if possible, out of the funds sub- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 119 
 
 scribed, build a new manse." This motion was duly seconded and 
 carried. Results from the canvass for special subscriptions, as re- 
 ported by Deacon meetings on May 5, and 9, 1921, pledges amount- 
 ing to $11,700 had been secured. Frank Wineskie, W. E. Snow, and 
 D. M. Pollock were elected by the Board as the building committee, 
 and S. E. Tucker, Treasurer of the Building Fund. The contract for 
 the construction of the Hut for $7340.00 was awarded to Warner 
 & Deal, local contractors, with the promise that the Hut would be 
 completed and ready for use by the last of October. The other matters, 
 as to repairing the manse and the church roof, and the putting down 
 of cement sidewalks were to be taken care of at a later date. 
 
 About this time the thought of buying a lot in the residential 
 section of the city and building a manse there, was being seriously 
 considered — this was deemed especially necessary, since a brick 
 building had been erected very close to the north side of the manse, 
 cutting off most of the air, causing the heat to be very oppressive 
 during the summer months. 
 
 High Point had been growing by leaps and bounds in popula- 
 tion, city development, manufacturing, and merchandising — it was 
 showing signs of some day becoming a real city. The 1920 United 
 States Government Census showed the population to be 14,302 
 against 1910 census of 9,525. Numbers of factories of various kinds 
 had been built; many streets had been paved; extensive water sys- 
 tem built; many good school buildings constructed; and many ex- 
 pensive and lovely homes had been erected. During World War One 
 and for a year or so following, business throughout the Nation had 
 been unusually good and firms and individuals had prospered, with 
 High Point having the edge, on many other sections, in growth and 
 prosperity. 
 
 The First Presbyterian Church was growing. Reports for each 
 year showed that gains were being made and that the congregation 
 was now in position to assume heavier obligations and to carry on a 
 larger program of work and activity. 
 
 During the last of October, 1921, the Hut was completed and 
 the officers of the Church personally paid the expense of a big sup- 
 per which the ladies' prepared and served, at which time the formal 
 opening, with suitable exercises, was held. On October 16, 1921, C. 
 C. Garrett was received into the membership of the Church by letter 
 from the Fourth Street Church, First Methodist Episcopal, Wheel- 
 ing, West Virginia, and Mrs. Garrett was received by letter from the 
 Alamance Presbyterian Church, of Orange Presbytery. 
 
120 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Elder E. A. Snow had not been well for several months and on 
 March 20, 1922, he passed away. On April 9, 1922, the Session met 
 at the home of Mrs. E. A. Snow and passed the following resolution 
 of respect: 
 
 "Sacred to the Memory of Mr. E. A. Snow 
 
 "Whereas our Heavenly Father has removed from our midst 
 our beloved brother and co-laborer in the Gospel, Mr. Ernest Ansel 
 Snow, we the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, 
 North Carolina, desire to record our profound sorrow which this sep- 
 aration has caused, and the great loss which this Church has sus- 
 tained. Never-the-less we bow in humble submission to the will of 
 Him who doeth all things well. We would express our gratitude to 
 Almighty God for the life and the useful service of Brother Snow. 
 For thirty years he was an Elder in this Church; for many years the 
 efficient Clerk of this Session; for a quarter of a century he was Sup- 
 erintendent of Sunday School, and under his administration the 
 School prospered greatly. By his personal effort he conducted and 
 sustained a mission among the laboring people of our city. In the 
 Service of the Church he was ever constant; always present at the 
 Services of the Sanctuary, and loved assembly of God's people. Of 
 his time and thought and effort and money he gave generously to 
 the advancement of Christ's Church in the world. 
 
 "And now that God has taken him, we cannot but miss his pres- 
 ence and mourn his loss. And yet we are thankful that God spared 
 him to serve in this Church so long and so well. 
 
 "On March the 20, 1922, he fell to sleep. Our sympathy goes 
 out to his bereaved family, and to the Church he served so long and 
 well, and to the multitude of friends who loved him. We shall ever 
 cherish the memory of our association and labors together and look 
 forward to the day when we shall, we trust, by Divine Grace, all be 
 reunited in praise and service, in the Church Triumphant, in the 
 presence of his Lord and ours. 
 
 Done in Session. 
 
 April 9, 1922." 
 
 Charles P. Coble, Moderator 
 
 G. W. Denny 
 W. A. Hayes 
 W. W. Smith 
 
 H. B. Hyde 
 
 Geo. L. Taylor— Elders" 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 121 
 
 The Church year ending March 31, 1922, in the Statistical Re- 
 port to Presbytery, shows the following: Elders five; Deacons nine; 
 added to Church roll thirty-seven; total membership three hun- 
 dred and thirty-four; Sunday School enrollment two hundred and 
 ninety; total contributions $12,561.00 (Benevolences $4,341.00 
 — Building Improvements $3,523.00 — Current Expense $1,- 
 997.00— Pastor's Salary $2,700.00.) 
 
 On April 9, 1922, Elder W. A. Hayes was elected Clerk of the 
 Session, succeeding E. A. Snow. Sunday School Officers for the 
 church year 1922-1923, beginning April 1, 1922, were elected by 
 the Session as follows: Superintendent, R. E. Ranson; Assistant Sup- 
 erintendent, D. E. Headen; Superintendent of Primary Department, 
 Mrs. E. M. Shipman; Secretary, Dr. W. A. Hayes; Treasurer, W. E. 
 Herndon. 
 
 On May the first at a regular meeting the Session decided to call 
 a congregational meeting for Sunday morning May 14, 1922, for 
 the purpose of electing three new elders. A congregational meeting 
 was held on May 14, 1922, and three new elders were elected as 
 follows: William G. Wiley, A. S. Caldwell, Jr., and A. E. Taplin. 
 Two of these new elders were on the Board of Deacons, so on June 
 18, 1922, another congregational meeting was held and three new 
 deacons were elected as follows: K. C. Denny, W. B. Kimmons, and 
 W. E. Snow. These newly elected elders and deacons all accepted 
 their offices and were duly ordained and installed on Sunday, June 
 25, 1922. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Coble was given a vacation for the month of 
 August and by the first of September he was back with everything 
 in the Church beginning to take on new life. On September 12, 
 
 1922, a committee of three, A. E. Caldwell, Jr., Chairman; D. M. 
 Pollock, and Dr. W. A. Hayes, was appointed to conduct a Fund 
 Campaign for Davidson College. On October 2, 1922, R. E. Ranson 
 appeared before the Session and resigned as Superintendent of Sun- 
 day School. D. E. Headen, Assistant Superintendent was asked to 
 look after this work for the balance of the church year. The discus- 
 sion of holding a special evangelistic service during the fall months 
 followed, if a guest minister could be secured. 
 
 On October 15, 1922, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Bartlett were received 
 into the Church Communion by letter from the "Church by the 
 Side of the Road," Greensboro, North Carolina. On February 18, 
 
 1923, Mr. and Mrs. F. Logan Porter, Sr., were received as members 
 
122 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 by letter from the Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church, Char- 
 lotte, North Carolina. On March 11, 1923, Dr. and Mrs. H. L. 
 Brockmann were received into the membership of this Church by 
 letter from the "Church by the Side of the Road," Greensboro, North 
 Carolina. 
 
 On April 4, 1923, following the prayer meeting service the Ses- 
 sion met and elected Sunday School Officers for the new church year 
 1923-1924, beginning April 1, 1923, as follows: Superintendent, 
 
 D. E. Headen; Assistant Superintendent, F. Logan Porter; Secretary 
 and Treasurer, W. E. Herndon; Superintendent of Intermediate De- 
 partment, Miss Alma Headen; Superintendent Junior Department, 
 Mrs. W. G. Shipman; Superintendent of Primary Department, Mrs. 
 
 E. M. Shipman. Elder W. A. Hayes tendered his resignation as Clerk 
 of the Session on April 4, 1923, stating that his duties as Church 
 Treasurer, and the Sunday School work he did were all he had time 
 to look after. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., was elected to succeed him. A report 
 was made out to go to Orange Presbytery covering the work for the 
 church year ending March 31, 1923, which report was approved by 
 the Session and some of the totals are as follows: 
 
 Elders eight; Deacons ten; added to Church roll forty-eight; 
 total membership three hundred and sixty-seven; Sunday School 
 enrollment three hundred and fourteen; total contributions $21,- 
 281.00 (Benevolences $6,684.00 — Special Davidson College Fund 
 $3,000.00— Special Barium Springs Orphanage $2,000.00— Cur- 
 rent Expense $6,797.00— Pastor's Salary $2,700.00.) 
 
 A congregational meeting was held on April 8, 1923. After be- 
 ing duly organized with Elder G. W. Denny as Moderator and El- 
 der W. A. Hayes as Clerk, Carter Dalton made a motion that the 
 salary of Pastor Coble be raised from $2700 to $3000 per annum, 
 this was seconded by C. C. Garrett and with a full meeting the vote 
 was unanimous. Church Treasurer, W. A. Hayes made a report to 
 the congregation which showed much progress and that the finances 
 were in good condition. During the past year the Church had raised 
 $21,281, which was the best, by far the Church had ever done. 
 
 Deacon Frank Wineskie, Chairman of the Special Committee 
 that had built the Hut and made other improvements in the church 
 and manse, made a report showing that the Board of Deacons had 
 secured approximately enough pledges to warrant the building of a 
 new manse. At his request the congregation unanimously voted to 
 build one. Then at Mr. Wineskie's request they voted to add to the 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 123 
 
 Building Committee, the names of their wives. This made the Build- 
 ing Committee, to secure a lot and build the new manse, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Frank Wineskie; Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr.; and Mr. and 
 Mrs. A. E. Taplin. 
 
 The Building Committee considered several locations for the 
 new manse. Mr. S. C. Clark, a member of the Church while his 
 mother was living, and a Realtor, offered at a very low figure, a lot 
 on Hillcrest Drive, in Emerywood. Elder A. E. Taplin, a member of 
 the Committee offered to donate a lot on the corner of Colonial and 
 Woodland Drives. The Committee decided to accept the Taplin of- 
 fer, and Mr. S. C. Clark made a cash donation of $500.00 towards 
 the expense of building the manse. 
 
 A turn-key contract, for building the manse at the cost of 
 $10,000.00 was given Mr. J. F. Hedrick in the Spring of 1923. Con- 
 struction work on the manse was completed on March 25, 1924, 
 and the Coble family soon moved into their new home. 
 
 The Board of Deacons through its Special Manse Committee 
 had decided to subscribe to $10,000 of building and loan stock in 
 the spring of 1921. The arrangement was made with the High Point 
 Perpetual Building & Loan Company. The monthly payments of 
 $100 were paid until the loan on the manse was made, then with the 
 interest the monthly payments increased to $150. The $10,000 was 
 paid in full by February 1, 1928, yet the debt had not been a burden 
 because of the far sighted plans of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Perry were received into the fellow- 
 ship and communion of this Church by letter from the First Presby- 
 terian Church, Salisbury, North Carolina, on May 6, 1923. 
 
 During the early part of the month of May, 1923, there was 
 held a special ten-day evangelistic meeting with The Reverend R. G. 
 McClees, D.D., of Chatham, Virginia, a blind Presbyterian minister, 
 assisting Pastor Coble. The results of this series of meetings were 
 very gratifying. The records show that on May 20, 1923, thirty-four 
 joined the Church. 
 
 Among the names of those joining the Church at this time, one 
 finds the names of George E. Hutchins, and Vernon W. Idol, Jr., 
 (both now being Elders in this Church.) 
 
 The officers and the membership of the Church were mighty 
 happy and thankful for this great revival meeting — thankful that so 
 many had given their hearts to God and dedicated their lives to Him. 
 
124 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 The whole membership had been thoroughly aroused to a greater 
 consciousness of the work of the Church. On June 10, 1923, Pleas- 
 ant Hunter Dalton, III, a grandson of the Founder and first Pastor 
 of this Church, and a namesake of his, came before the Session and 
 after a satisfactory examination was received on profession of faith 
 into the communion and fellowship of this Church. 
 
 On October 8, 1923, at a regular meeting of the Session, the fol- 
 lowing testimonial to the Executive Committee of Foreign Missions 
 at Nashville, Tennessee, was adopted: 
 
 "We the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, 
 North Carolina, in the Presbytery of Orange, having personal 
 knowledge of Miss Alma Headen, who is a member of this Church, 
 hereby recommend her as a suitable person for appointment as a 
 foreign missionary. Miss Headen is in our opinion the very person 
 you want for the position. She is an earnest, efficient Christian, en- 
 tirely suitable for missionary work. Adopted in Session this 8th day 
 of October 1923." 
 
 Charles P. Coble, Pastor 
 A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Clerk 
 
 Miss Headen received an appointment and was sent by the For- 
 eign Mission Board in 1924, to Luebo, Africa, to be secretary and 
 helper to Dr. Allen Craig, who was Missionary in charge of the 
 whole Presbyterian Church Congo Mission. In December 1932, she 
 was married to Mr. J. L. Jackson, a teacher in one of the Congo 
 Mission Schools. 
 
 The women of the Church had been organized for several years 
 and were doing fine work, so on November 16, 1923, at a Session 
 meeting Mr. Coble presented a plan to organize the men-of-the- 
 Church. This plan was discussed and met with the approval of the 
 Elders; so the Session voted to put the plan into effect as early as 
 possible. 
 
 On December 31, 1923, Donald Headen resigned as Superin- 
 tendent of the Sunday School, and the Session elected F. Logan Por- 
 ter, Sr., as the Superintendent, and D. M. Pollock was elected as As- 
 sistant Superintendent. At this same meeting Mrs. E. M. Shipman 
 resigned as Superintendent of the Primary Department, and Mrs. 
 Carter Dalton was elected to succeed her in that position. 
 
 After considerable discussion by the elders at their meeting on 
 February 22, 1924, the Session decided that it would call a congre- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 125 
 
 gational meeting for Sunday morning March 9, 1924, for the pur- 
 pose of electing three additional deacons and two additional elders. 
 At this meeting Carter Dalton and F. Logan Porter, Sr. were elected 
 as elders. Due to the fact that Carter Dalton was an active Deacon 
 and that the notice and call was for the election of three additional 
 deacons, it was decided that four should be elected instead of three 
 on account of Deacon Dalton being elected an Elder. The congre- 
 gation then elected four new deacons as follows: Charles W. Perry, 
 C. C. Garrett, W. E. Herndon, and A. Sam White. All of these 
 newly elected elders and deacons accepted the office and on Sunday 
 March 23, 1924, were ordained and installed. 
 
 The Session met on April 10, 1824, to make out the report to 
 Presbytery covering the activities for the church year 1923-1924, 
 and to transact any other business that might come before it for 
 handling. 
 
 Sunday School Officers for the new year were elected as follows: 
 Superintendent, F. Logan Porter, Sr.; Assistant Superintendent, D. 
 M. Pollock; Superintendent Primary Department, Mrs. Carter Dal- 
 ton; Superintendent of Cradle Roll, Miss Idelia Hayes; Secretary 
 and Treasurer, Dr. W. A. Hayes. 
 
 A Narrative and Statistical Report to Presbytery at the end of 
 Church Year, March 31, 1924, showed: Fifty-five families held 
 Family Worship, and that fifty-one persons tithed. It also showed: 
 Elders ten; Deacons twelve; added to Church roll eighty-four; to- 
 tal membership three hundred and ninety-four; Sunday School en- 
 rollment three hundred and thirty-one; total contributions 
 $25,193.00. (Benevolences, $5,743.00— Building Fund, Improve- 
 ments, $9,653.00 — Current Expense, $6,797.00 — Pastor's Salary, 
 $3,000.00.) 
 
 The report shows that the Church was wide awake and its mem- 
 bership was working both spiritually and financially. A wonderful 
 report, and it must have been with a great deal of pride that Elder 
 G. W. Denny and Pastor Coble presented it to Spring Presbytery, 
 which met this time in the High Point Church. 
 
 The spring and summer months of the church year, 1924-1925, 
 passed by with all departments of the Church carrying on in an ef- 
 ficient and satisfactory way. The Session on September 3, 1924, be- 
 gan to consider a series of evangelistic services for the last of Sep- 
 tember and the first of October. After some discussion it was decided 
 to hold these special services; so Dr. Gregg of Rock Hill, South 
 Carolina, was secured to assist Mr. Coble with them. 
 
126 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 On October 23, 1924, the Diaconate met and elected D. M. 
 Pollock as Chairman of the Board to succeed Carter Dalton, who had 
 been elected an elder. The Music Committee reported to this meet- 
 ing of the Board that it was having trouble and wished to be re- 
 lieved of its duties. The Board accepted the resignations of the com- 
 mittee and then elected as a new committee, P. H. Johnson, Chair- 
 man, S. E. Tucker, and Frank Wineskie, to be responsible for the 
 music, with full power to act. This incorporated the employing of a 
 Music Director, an Organist, Singers, ordering sheet music, and do- 
 ing such other things as would make the choir a success. This Com- 
 mittee was authorized to spend up to $175 per month if necessary. 
 The Board further ordered that this committee should be account- 
 able only to the Board of Deacons. It was decided to drop the name 
 of June A. Johnson from the list as a deacon of this Church, as he 
 had not attended any of the meetings for several years. On Decem- 
 ber 18, 1924, the Board of Deacons met at the Commercial Club 
 and at this meeting S. E. Tucker resigned as Secretary, stating that 
 his time was needed as Treasurer of the Building Fund. The Board 
 accepted, with a vote of thanks for his efficient work, and Charles 
 W. Perry was elected to succeed him. 
 
 On March 26, 1925, the Board of Deacons met in the Director's 
 Room at the Commercial Club and the finances of the Church were 
 discussed in detail. The body went on record as favoring the calling 
 of a congregational meeting, subject to the approval of the Session 
 as soon as notice could be given, for the purpose of recommending 
 to the congregation that the Pastor's salary be raised from $3000 to 
 $3600 per year. 
 
 The Session ordered a congregational meeting as requested by 
 the Diaconate for Sunday morning, April 5, 1925. At this time 
 Church Treasurer Hayes made a report covering the church year 
 which closed March 31, 1925. The whole report was very encour- 
 aging, and especially the report on the every-member-canvass, for it 
 showed that a marked increase had been pledged for the ensuing 
 year. At this meeting the recommendation of the Board of Deacons 
 as to increasing Mr. Coble's salary from $3000 to $3600 per year 
 was presented in the form of a motion by C. C. Garrett, and duly 
 seconded by F. Logan Porter, Sr. The motion carried unanimously. 
 
 The Session met in the Pastor's Study on April 16, 1925, to 
 make out the yearly report to the Presbytery, and to transact all 
 other business coming up for attention at this time. Sunday School 
 officers for the new church year were elected as follows: Superinten- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 127 
 
 dent, F. Logan Porter, Sr.; Assistant Superintendent, Charles W. 
 Perry; Superintendent Primary Department, Mrs. Carter Dalton; 
 Secretary, Dr. W. A. Hayes; Treasurer, W. E. Herndon. 
 
 Important facts from the Church Report to Presbytery on March 
 31, 1925, are as follows: Elders ten; Deacons eleven; added to 
 Church roll forty-two; total membership three-hundred and ninety- 
 five; Sunday School enrollment three hundred and fifty-nine; total 
 contributions $19,807.00 (Benevolences, $5,106.00 — Building 
 Fund, $3,947.00— Current Expenses, $7,754.00— Pastor's Salary, 
 $3,000.00.) 
 
 The organizations of the Church at this time were: the Session, 
 the Board of Deacons, the Sunday School, the Woman's Auxiliary, 
 the Men-of-the-Church Club, three Young People's Societies, and 
 two Boy Scout Troops: 
 
 On April 21, 1925, the Deacons met for the purpose of electing 
 officers for the new year. This election had been delayed because of 
 the fact that D. M. Pollock, Chairman of the Board had moved to 
 Florida the last of March. The officers elected were as follows: 
 Chairman, P. H. Johnson; Vice-Chairman, C. C. Garrett; Secretary, 
 Charles W. Perry; Treasurer, Elder W. A. Hayes. It was decided at 
 this meeting to request the Session to call a congregational meeting 
 as early as convenient for the purpose of electing five additional 
 deacons. 
 
 During the late summer months of 1925, after several confer- 
 ences, and listening to numerous business men from Gastonia, North 
 Carolina, tell of the wonderful results accomplished in that city by 
 George T. Stephens and party, the Ministerial Association of High 
 Point decided to hold, in the fall, a city wide evangelistic meeting 
 for six weeks. 
 
 The Stephens Party came to the city in September and work was 
 immediately started on a large tabernacle. This building was con- 
 structed out of rough lumber, on the city lot on the corner of North 
 Main Street, and Church Street, by men of the various church 
 congregations. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church co-operated in these evangelistic meet- 
 ings, and as a result there came before the Session of it on November 
 1, 1925, thirty persons wishing to unite with the Church. Nine of 
 these coming by letter and twenty-one on profession of faith. Four- 
 teen of the twenty-one which joined on profession of faith were 
 
128 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 young folks enrolled in the regular Sunday School. One week later, 
 on November 8, 1925, twelve more joined the Church, eleven on 
 profession of faith, and one by letter. The next Sunday, November 
 15, 1925, twelve others became members of the Church, eight on 
 profession of faith, and four by letter. This made a total for the year 
 that joined the Church during the George Stephens and Party's, 
 evangelistic meetings — and immediately following — fifty-four. 
 
 Following the close of the city- wide evangelistic meetings; the 
 enrollment of many new members, and the renewed interest in the 
 church's work by the whole membership, considerable talk began 
 about building a new church, with more room for all of the church's 
 departments. The church auditorium would not accommodate the 
 attendance at Sunday morning services, and the Sunday School was 
 terribly over crowded. 
 
 On December 8, 1925, the Board of Deacons met in the Di- 
 rector's Room of the Commercial Club. Those present were: Charles 
 P. Coble, Pastor, P. H. Johnson, Frank Wineskie, W. E. Herndon, 
 E. M. Shipman, C. C. Garrett, S. E. Tucker, W. B. Kimmons, Charles 
 W. Perry, K. C. Denny, and W. E. Snow. 
 
 The request for a congregational meeting for the election of 
 five additional deacons was renewed, and Mr. Coble assured the 
 Board that this would be presented at the next Session meeting. The 
 crowded conditions existing in the church and Sunday School were 
 thoroughly discussed, and it was finally decided to remodel the old 
 manse which adjoined the church, for Sunday School purposes so it 
 could be used until more definite plans could be made. After further 
 discussion, S. E. Tucker offered the following motion: "That this 
 Board of Deacons go on record as favoring the selection and ulti- 
 mate purchase of a suitable site for the erection of a new church; 
 that the Chairman appoint two deacons from the Board as a Site 
 Committee to work with any other committees appointed by other 
 branches of the Church." The motion was unanimously carried. 
 Chairman Johnson appointed Frank Wineskie and Charles W. Perry 
 as a Site Committee to represent the Diaconate. 
 
 On December 14, 1925, the Session decided to call a congrega- 
 tional meeting Sunday morning, January 10, 1926, for the purpose 
 of electing five additional deacons. Upon motion the Moderator was 
 instructed to appoint two elders to act on a committee to consider 
 the selection and ultimate purchase of a new church site; as the 
 Board of Deacons had already named two members to such a Com- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 129 
 
 mittee. A. E. Taplin and Dr. W. A. Hayes were appointed by Mr. 
 Coble to represent the Session. 
 
 On December 20, 1925, I. Paul Ingle came before the Session 
 and upon re-statement of his faith was received into the communion 
 and fellowship of the Church. 
 
 A congregational meeting was held at the close of services Sun- 
 day morning, January 10, 1926. Five additional deacons were elect- 
 ed as follows: R. E. Snow, C. H. Marriner, T. J. Gold, Sr., W. A. 
 Sides, and Lamar McCallum. All of these accepted the office and 
 were duly ordained and installed at the morning service on Janu- 
 ary 24, 1926. 
 
 At a Deacons meeting on March 2, 1926, Deacon Frank Wine- 
 skie invited the Board of Deacons to meet jointly with the Session 
 as his guests at a supper meeting to be held at the Sheraton Hotel on 
 Tuesday evening, March 9, 1926. He stated that he felt that a joint 
 meeting of the Boards would be very beneficial from the standpoint 
 of discussing the future program of the Church, and laying some 
 definite plans. The Board unanimously accepted Mr. Wineskie's 
 thoughtful and kind invitation. 
 
 There had been no full time janitor for the Church up to this 
 time, so the Board instructed Mr. Coble to hire a full time one and 
 for the janitor to be under his direct charge and to take orders from 
 no one else. Jim Neely, colored, was employed on March 15, 1926, 
 and he served well in that position for several years. 
 
 On March 9, 1926, the Elders and Deacons gathered around the 
 table in the private dining room at the Sheraton Hotel, with Frank 
 Wineskie as genial host, and there definite plans began to take shape 
 for the purchase of a new site and the erection of a new church. Mr. 
 Wineskie enthusiastically told about the possibilities of securing a 
 desirable site on North Main Street. He recommended the purchas- 
 ing of it and the immediate erection of a new church building. After 
 many enthusiastic speeches, favoring the undertaking, a joint recom- 
 mendation from the Session and Board of Deacons to build the new 
 Church was drawn up and adopted. 
 
 On March 28, 1926, following the regular morning services, a 
 congregational meeting was held. The meeting was opened by pray- 
 er by Elder W. W. Smith and Deacon C. H. Marriner was elected 
 to act as clerk. The Moderator, The Reverend Charles P. Coble, then 
 stated the object of the meeting was "to consider the recommenda- 
 
130 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 tion from a joint meeting of the Officers of the Church to purchase 
 a new site, to erect a new Church building, and to sell the present 
 church property on South Main and Green Streets." The Moderator 
 then called upon Deacon Frank Wineskie to state the obvious needs 
 for a new Church and Sunday School building, and to give the facts 
 leading up to the proposal to be presented for consideration. Mr. 
 Wineskie's remarks were brief and to the point. He stated that the 
 committee, A. E. Taplin and Dr. W. A. Hayes from the Session, and 
 Charles W. Perry and himself from the Board of Deacons, as a New 
 Site Committee, had considered several lots, but had finally decided 
 upon a magnificent one on the corner of North Main Street and 
 Shirley Avenue and Hamilton Street. He stated that the lot was 
 owned by Mr. J. Elwood Cox, and that the committee had recom- 
 mended the purchase of same to a joint meeting of the Elders and 
 Deacons, held on March 9, 1926, and that the joint meeting now 
 recommended same to the congregation. Elder A. S. Caldwell, Jr., 
 then read the following Resolutions: "Resolved by the Congrega- 
 tion of the First Presbyterian Church, High Point, North Carolina, 
 at a congregational meeting duly called and held on March 28, 
 1926: 
 
 "First: That the congregation go on record as favoring the pur- 
 chase of a new site for a new Church, the sale of our present Church 
 property and the erection of a new Church. 
 
 "Second: That the proper officers of the Church be and are 
 hereby authorized and instructed to purchase as a site for the new 
 Church the lot now belonging to Mr. J. Elwood Cox, and located 
 between North Main Street and Hamilton Street, on Shirley Ave- 
 nue, in the City of High Point, North Carolina, at a price not to 
 exceed $75,000.00, on the best terms available. 
 
 "Third: That the proper officers of the Church be authorized 
 and directed to sell the present Church property lying between 
 South Main Street and South Wrenn Street, on Green Street, in the 
 City of High Point, at such time and at such price as they deem for 
 the best interest of the Church. The proceeds from said sale to be 
 used solely on the purchase of the new lot and the erection of a 
 new Church. 
 
 "Fourth: That the congregation at this meeting elect a Finance 
 Committee, to be composed of six members, to handle the purchase 
 of the new site, the sale of the present site, and the financing of the 
 new Church; also a Building Committee composed of seven mem- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 131 
 
 bers, to have charge of architecture, construction and erection of the 
 new Church; these committees to elect their own chairman and 
 secretaries." 
 
 The above resolutions were unanimously carried by a rising vote 
 of the congregation. In accordance with the above resolution, the 
 following members were elected as a Finance Committee: A. S. 
 Caldwell, Jr., Frank Wineskie, C. C. Garrett, C. H. Marriner, S. E. 
 Tucker, and Dr. W. A. Hayes. The following were elected the Build- 
 ing Committee in accordance with the resolution: A. E. Taplin, F. 
 Logan Porter, Sr., Charles W. Perry, W. E. Snow, Carter Dalton, 
 Mrs. K. C. Denny, and Mrs. T. Wingate Andrews. On motion of 
 Frank Wineskie, the congregation also voted that in addition to the 
 above named committees, an additional committee of five ladies be 
 named to have charge of the furnishing of the new Church and 
 Sunday School building. The following were elected to compose 
 this Committee: Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Mrs. G. W. Denny, Mrs. Lamar 
 McCallum, Mrs. F. Logan Porter, and Miss Violet Johnson. 
 
 On April 6, 1926, the Session met in the Pastor's Study and re- 
 ceived reports from the Sunday School, Men's Work, Woman's 
 Auxiliary, Young People's Work, and after reviewing same, elected 
 Sunday School Officers for the new year as follows: Superintendent, 
 F. Logan Porter, Sr., Assistant Superintendent, Charles W. Perry; 
 Superintendent of Primary and Beginners Department, Mrs. Carter 
 Dalton; Superintendent of Cradle Roll Department, Miss Idelia 
 Hayes; Secretary, Dr. W. A. Hayes; Treasurer, W. E. Herndon. A 
 complete re-election of the last year's officers. 
 
 Report for the Church year ending March 31, 1926, to Presby- 
 tery was approved and some of the pertinent facts and figures are 
 as follows: Elders ten; Deacons fifteen; added to the Church roll 
 ninety-two; total membership four hundred and sixty-eight; Sun- 
 day School enrollment three hundred and nineteen; total contribu- 
 tions $18,703.00. (Benevolences, $6,462.00 — Building Fund, 
 $1,800.00 — Current Expense, $6,841.00 — Pastor's Salary, 
 $3,600.00.) 
 
 The Session was greatly pleased with the work of the Church 
 as reports showed that all departments of the Church's work had ac- 
 complished much during the year and the membership had increased 
 from 395 to 468, or a gain of 73 members during the year. 
 
 It was an encouraged and enthusiastic membership that faced 
 the future with high hopes for great accomplishments during the 
 
132 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 church year, 1926-1927. A new site would be bought and a new 
 Church building would at least be started and under the able lead- 
 ership of the beloved Pastor, the congregation was pulling together 
 in a wonderful way. With God's help this Church was becoming a 
 power for good in the community. 
 
 The Board of Deacons met on April 6, 1926, and elected offi- 
 cers for the new church year, re-electing those who had served the 
 previous year. Pastor Coble brought to the attention of the Board 
 the fact that the budget for the new year had made provisions for 
 a Church Secretary to help carry on the work. He wanted to know 
 if the pledges for the new church year justified his going ahead and 
 employing a helper. After some discussion it was unanimously de- 
 cided that he should go ahead and secure the services of a helper 
 at once. 
 
 The details in connection with the church work had grown im- 
 mensely for the past several years and the Pastor had been loaded 
 down with all this work; so in accordance with the instructions of 
 the Session and the Board of Deacons Mr. Coble secured the services 
 of Mrs. Nan Booth of McColl, South Carolina, a trained young lady 
 in Sunday School work, and Young Peoples work, and also Secre- 
 tarial work, to assist him in carrying forward the activities of the 
 Church. She assumed her duties May 1, 1926, at a monthly salary 
 of $125. Mrs. Booth filled this place about one year and then re- 
 signed. Miss Aleen Tomlinson, a member of the Church was then 
 employed and she served as Secretary to Mr. Coble for about one 
 year. 
 
 Interest in the church work was keen, and almost every Sunday 
 additions to the membership were made by letter or on profession 
 of faith. The various committees elected by the congregation in con- 
 nection with building a new Church were functioning and the spring 
 and summer slipped by almost before the membership realized it. 
 
 On September 21, 1926, the Board of Deacons decided to divide 
 up the membership into lists, giving each Deacon a certain number 
 of members. These lists were to show the amount pledged by each 
 member for the year, the amount paid, and the address, so that the 
 deacons could confine their work in an organized but individual ef- 
 fort. It was thought that this system would constantly put some of- 
 ficer of the Church in contact with the members. The Deacons were 
 to not only collect amounts due on pledges, but were to look after 
 the sick and to form definite contacts from month to month with 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 133 
 
 the members on their lists. It was suggested at this meeting that this 
 plan might be developed to the point of having an Elder and Dea- 
 con on each list and that regular visitations be made to all members 
 by these officers every quarter. 
 
 The Session decided on November 18, 1926, that beginning 
 with January, 1927, monthly meetings would be held on the second 
 Monday evening of each month, and that during the year these 
 monthly meetings should be held in the homes of the Elders; each 
 taking turn as host to the Session, by entertaining and serving a 
 dinner. 
 
 At a meeting on February 14, 1927, the Session elected a special 
 Committee to make plans for the laying of the Corner Stone of the 
 new Church. The Committee selected was as follows: Pastor Coble, 
 Elder Denny, and Elder Taplin. 
 
 The Session met on April 11, 1927, and the work of the Sun- 
 day School for the past year was reviewed and officers for the new 
 year were elected. All officers for the past year were re-elected. 
 Reports from the various organizations in the Church, were received, 
 after which the statistical report to Orange Presbytery was made out. 
 
 Some important facts from the Statistical Report covering the 
 year closing March 31, 1927, are as follows: Elders ten; Deacons, 
 fifteen; added to Church roll twenty-five; total membership four 
 hundred and seventy; Sunday school enrollment three hundred and 
 ninety-five; total contributions $15,774.00. (Benevolences, $6,- 
 774.00— Building Fund, $1,903.00— Current Expense, $3,497.00 
 —Pastor's Salary, $3,600.00.) 
 
 By Sunday, April 10, 1927, the plans for the laying of the Cor- 
 ner Stone of the new Church were completed, and fitting exercises 
 were held on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Following the opening 
 music and scripture reading, the Apostles' Creed was recited, and an 
 address on the history of this Church was delivered by Elder Carter 
 Dalton, grandson of the founder of the Church. Elder F. Logan Por- 
 ter, Sr., then presented the Corner Stone on behalf of the Building 
 Committee, and it was accepted formally by G. W. Denny, the sen- 
 ior Elder of the congregation, on behalf of the membership. Elder 
 W. A. Hayes and Deacon Frank Wineskie representing the officers 
 of the Church, then placed in the Corner Stone various articles. Aft- 
 er this rite, the actual laying of the stone and the pointing up was 
 done by the builders. Following this the Reverend Charles P. Coble 
 led in a dedicatory prayer and the gathering then sang, "An Earthly 
 
Temple Here We Raise," and the assembly was then dismissed with 
 the pastoral benediction. 
 
 The Church and Sunday School building was already well under 
 way and prospects looked fair for the structure to be fully completed 
 and ready for use by mid-winter or early spring. Under the strain 
 of the heavy work of a growing church, and the extra work that de- 
 veloped in connection with the new Church, Mr. Coble had over 
 worked and his health was not so good. The Session on June 13, 
 1927, ordered that he take a rest for two months and that services 
 be held in the Church only two Sundays each month and that a 
 supply be obtained to preach at these services. 
 
 On June 13, 1927, Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Dickson were received 
 into the communion of this Church by letter from Ashwood Presby- 
 terian Church, Council, North Carolina. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 135 
 
 The Session decided to call a congregational meeting for Sunday 
 morning, September 25, 1927, for the purpose of the congregation 
 authorizing the Trustees to deed to the City of High Point certain 
 land to widen North Main Street. This congregational meeting was 
 held and the authority was given by the Church to deed the prop- 
 erty to the city as suggested and recommended by the Building 
 Committee. 
 
 Elder H. B. Hyde had been feeble and declining in health for 
 some months. He passed away on September 11, 1927, and on Sep- 
 tember 26, 1927, the Session appointed a committee composed of 
 Pastor Coble, Elder Denny, and Elder Hayes to draw up resolutions 
 of respect. 
 
 On December 5, 1927, the Session appointed a committee of 
 three Elders, consisting of Dr. W. A. Hayes, Carter Dalton, and A. E. 
 Taplin, to attend to moving of memorial plates from the old Church 
 and to investigate the matter of Memorial windows in the new 
 Church. At this same Session meeting the question of a vested choir 
 was brought up and it was decided that a vested junior choir might 
 be decided upon, but the whole matter in regard to vestments was 
 put in the hands of a Committee consisting of F. Logan Porter, Sr., 
 Carter Dalton, and Dr. W. A. Hayes. 
 
 On February 20, 1928, Mr. Coble informed the Session that he 
 had been able to secure the services of Dr. Neal Anderson for a ser- 
 ies of Evangelistic meetings, to begin on March 18. Work on the 
 new Church had progressed slower than had been expected, and as 
 the new pews had not been satisfactory and the Building Commit- 
 tee had rejected them, it was decided to defer definite plans about 
 this meeting until later. At this meting the Session went on record 
 as favoring a Pastor's assistant or Church manager to help Mr. Coble 
 with the Church work. At the Board of Deacons meeting on Febru- 
 ary 14, 1928, the Board went on record as approving the hiring of 
 a young man to assist Mr. Coble. 
 
 On March 18, 1928, Z. I. Walser and family were received into 
 the communion of this Church by letter from the First Presbyterian 
 Church, Lexington, North Carolina. 
 
 The work at the new Church had reached the point where defi- 
 nite plans could be made about formally opening it; so it was with 
 considerable enthusiasm that the Pastor, Officers, and various Com- 
 mittees pushed plans and struggled to get everything in readiness for 
 the opening there on Sunday, April 1, 1928. Everything was ready 
 on that date. 
 
136 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 On that morning The High Point Enterprise carried a whole 
 section in its paper, dedicated to the opening exercises of the Church, 
 giving in detail the program for all of its services, and also carrying 
 a short history of the Church, and several pictures of the new 
 building. 
 
 It was a great day for the High Point Presbyterian Church. For 
 many years the congregation had dreamed of just such a church 
 building in which to worship their Maker, and now by the help of 
 Almighty God this dream had come true. 
 
 On this particular morning Sunday School met in the individual 
 class rooms, and in the new departmental assembly rooms, and the 
 eleven o'clock morning service was held in the spacious sanctuary. 
 To this service more came than could be accommodated, and many 
 were turned away. For his sermon The Reverend Coble took as his 
 text: The Beauty of the Lord. 
 
 At the time of its completion, the new church home of the High 
 Point Presbyterians, was considered one of the most beautiful church 
 buildings in this section of the State. The nineteenth annual meeting 
 of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Archi- 
 tects, in the Division of Ecclesiastical work, made the honor award 
 to this Church. 
 
 The Session met in the Pastor's study at the new Church at 7:30 
 P. M., on April 16, 1928, to receive reports from all organizations 
 in the Church and to make out a yearly report to Orange Presbytery. 
 The work of the Sunday School was reviewed and the following of- 
 ficers were elected for the ensuing year: Superintendent, F. Logan 
 Porter, Sr.; Assistant Superintendent, Charles W. Perry; Secretary 
 and Treasurer, W. E. Herndon; Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. 
 W. A. Hayes; Superintendent of Beginners Department, Mrs. A. E. 
 Taplin; Superintendent of Primary Department, Mrs. Carter Dalton; 
 Superintendent of Junior Department, Mrs. W. A. Hayes; Superin- 
 tendent of Intermediate and Senior Department, Mrs. E. M. Ship- 
 man. Reports from the Woman's Auxiliary, Men's Work, and 
 Young Peoples Work, were received and thoroughly discussed, with 
 much praise to the Woman's Auxiliary for the splendid work done. 
 
 The Statistical Report was then made out to go to Orange Pres- 
 bytery, covering the year's work ending March 31, 1928. A few of 
 the interesting facts are as follows: Elders, nine; Deacons, fifteen; 
 added to Church roll, fifty-eight; total membership, four hundred 
 and seventy-five; Sunday School enrollment, four hundred and fifty; 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 137 
 
 total contributions, $26,458.00. (Benevolences, $7,225.00 — Build- 
 ing Fund, $10,390.00— Current Expense, $5,243.00— Pastor's 
 Salary, $3,600.00.) 
 
 The fact that the first services were held in the new Church 
 building on April 1, 1928, enabled the work of the church year of 
 1928-1929, to start with the change already made and the work for 
 the new year to go forward with a full year in the new church home. 
 At a meeting of the Session on April 23, 1928, a special committee 
 consisting of Elder W. W. Smith, Elder Carter Dalton, and Mr. 
 Fred J. Bartlett, was appointed to investigate the securing of a mis- 
 sion church in the northern part of the city. This Committee was in- 
 structed to report back to the Session its recommendations. At this 
 same meeting it was moved and carried that the church choir be 
 vested. 
 
 At the request of the Finance Committee, a congregational 
 meeting was held on Sunday, May 27, 1928, for the purpose of hear- 
 ing a report of the Finance Committee and to act on a permanent 
 financing plan. The plan was unanimously approved and the details 
 of it are covered in the activities of the Finance Committee. Another 
 congregational meeting was held on Sunday, August 5, 1928, for 
 the purpose of acting upon a recommendation of the Finance Com- 
 mittee in regard to the financing of the manse, and the lot on South 
 Main Street. The congregation acted favorably on the plan, and 
 granted the authority. Details of this are explained under the activi- 
 ties of the Finance Committee. 
 
 The first wedding ceremony performed in the beautiful new 
 church was that of Miss Lettie Smith and Mr. Charles R. Barrier, 
 on August 18, 1928. 
 
 At a Session meeting September 17, 1928, it was decided to in- 
 vite all the former living pastors back to preach one Sunday each 
 in the new Church. The Reverend A. S. Caldwell was the first one 
 invited and he came and filled the pulpit October 8, 1928. The Rev- 
 erend E. L. Siler accepted the invitation and filled the pulpit Sunday, 
 October 28, 1928. 
 
 A congregational meeting was held on Sunday morning, No- 
 vember 11, 1928, after the regular morning service and three ad- 
 ditional elders and four additional deacons were elected as follows: 
 Elders, E. C. Holden, Z. I. Walser, and Eli Light; Deacons, W. H. 
 Currie, I. Paul Ingle, Fred J. Bartlett, and John A. Holmes. All of 
 these newly elected officers accepted the office to which they were 
 
138 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 elected, and they were ordained and installed on Sunday, November 
 25, 1928. 
 
 At a Session meeting on December 31, 1928, Mr. Coble made 
 a statement that he did not feel able on account of the condition of 
 his health to continue the work of the pastorate, and that sometime 
 within the ensuing year he would resign. The new Church with the 
 expanded program naturally put more work on the Pastor. The of- 
 ficers had planned to employ an assistant to help carry a portion of 
 the work, but the church debt was heavy and in the struggle to meet 
 the burdensome building debt, the Session and Diaconate had not 
 provided the help for Mr. Coble, that was sorely needed, and which 
 with every good intention had been promised by both Boards. 
 
 For several years Committees from the Board of Deacons had 
 looked after the church music, but conditions had arisen which 
 caused the Diaconate to request the Session on January 16, 1929, to 
 assume the duty of looking after the choir and all the music, be- 
 ginning Sunday, January 20, 1929. The Session agreed to this and 
 asked that $2400 be put in the budget for music. Elder Hayes was 
 appointed to look after the music on behalf of the Session. 
 
 Following up the plan of inviting former pastors to honor the 
 Church by coming back and preaching at the new Church, the Ses- 
 sion on April 10, 1929, decided to invite The Reverend W. P. Mc- 
 Corkle to preach on Sunday, April 28, 1929. That date being the 
 fortieth anniversary of his becoming pastor of the Church. He ac- 
 cepted and preached at both services on that date. 
 
 The Session met on April 10, 1929, and reviewed the work of 
 the year and received reports from the Woman's Auxiliary, Young 
 People's Council, and Men's Club. Annual election of Sunday School 
 officers was deferred, but the yearly report to Presbytery was made 
 out and approved. 
 
 Some figures and facts from the report covering the year ending 
 March 31, 1929, are as follows: Elders, twelve; Deacons, eighteen; 
 added to Church roll, sixty-four; total membership, five hundred 
 and fifteen; Sunday school enrollment, five hundred and fifty; total 
 contributions, $26,089.00. ( Benevolences, $6,849.00— Building 
 Fund, $9,294.00— Current Expense, $6,346.00— Pastor's salary, 
 $3,600.00.) 
 
 As the report shows the Church was growing and the close of 
 the first year at the new Church found all departments of the Church 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 139 
 
 functioning in a fine way. The membership showed a gain of forty 
 during the year and all obligations had been met and liberal amounts 
 contributed to the Church causes. 
 
 At a Session meeting held prior to the morning service, on Sun- 
 day, September 22, 1929, Mr. Coble advised that he would announce 
 his resignation to the congregation as Pastor, at the morning service, 
 and asked the Session to call a congregational meeting on Sunday, 
 September 29, 1929, to act upon his resignation. Mr. Coble had lit- 
 erally worn himself out in the service of this church. The officers 
 knew he was terribly over-worked, but had been dilatory about fur- 
 nishing more help. The congregation as a whole did not realize this, 
 but Mr. Coble knew he could no longer carry the work as it should 
 be done, so he made the decision to resign, after much prayerful 
 thought. 
 
 Pastor Coble's resignation was tendered to the congregation and 
 on September 29, 1929, it was reluctantly accepted. Mr. Coble 
 agreed to continue to fill the pulpit through January, 1930, which 
 would, he felt, give ample time for the Church to find and call a new 
 pastor. On October 6, 1929, the Session appointed a Special Com- 
 mittee to serve as a Pulpit Committee, and this Committee was 
 charged with the responsibility of securing a new pastor for nomi- 
 nation to the congregation. The Committee was: Elder G. W. Den- 
 ny, Chairman, Deacon Lamar McCallum, and Mrs. W. A. Hayes. 
 
 Almost seventeen years had passed since Mr. Coble had preached 
 his first sermon as pastor of this church. Under his leadership the 
 church had grown from one hundred and thirty-eight members, to 
 six hundred and twenty-eight — from a small church to one of the 
 leading churches in the city. High Point had grown from a town of 
 12,225 to a city of 36,745. The last three years of his ministry here 
 had been trying ones, because the congregation had undertaken a 
 mammoth program of expansion. A new Church and Sunday School 
 building had been built, and a heavy building debt had fallen on 
 the congregation at a time when the Nation was being thrown into 
 a serious financial depression. Mr. Coble had worked and worried 
 until he was thin and worn, tired out, and must have lighter work, 
 at least for a time. These were the conditions, so one does not won- 
 der that Mr. Coble saw fit to resign, so that he could rest for a few 
 months, then he accepted the call of the First Presbyterian Church, 
 Douglas, Georgia, and became its Pastor. In studying the history of 
 the First Presbyterian Church, High Point, N. C, one can not help 
 but see that the seventeen years of The Reverend Charles P. Coble's 
 
140 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 pastorate stands out as the period of growth and expansion of this 
 Church. 
 
 During the pastorate of Mr. Coble, seven hundred and thirteen 
 members joined the church. Four hundred and sixty-four by letter, 
 two hundred and thirty-seven upon profession of faith and baptism, 
 and twelve upon re-statement of faith. 
 
 On February 2, 1930, the Session elected Elder G. W. Denny, 
 as its Moderator, to serve until a new pastor was secured. Also a 
 Committee of three Elders was appointed to look after, and to ar- 
 range or conduct prayer meeting services. 
 
 The Session met and prepared the Statistical Report to Presby- 
 tery showing the condition of the Church at the close of the Church 
 year ending March 31, 1930. Some of the facts and figures from the 
 Report are listed here. They are as follows: Elders, twelve; Deacons, 
 nineteen; added to the Church roll, thirty; total membership, six 
 hundred and twenty-eight; Sunday School enrollment, four hundred 
 and seventy-one; total contributions, $46,880.00. (Benevolences, 
 $6,367.00; Building Fund Contributions, $26,886.00; Pastor's Sal- 
 ary, $3,600.00; Current Expenses, $10,027.00). 
 
 During the pastorate of The Reverend Charles P. Coble the new 
 Church on the corner of North Main Street and Shirley Avenue was 
 built. The congregation elected three Special Committees and charged 
 them with full responsibility to handle all details of building, furnish- 
 ing, and financing. These Specail Committees were: building, furnish- 
 ing, and financing, and a record of their activities follows. 
 
 THE ACTITIVIES OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE 
 
 On Thursday, April 8, 1926, the newly elected Building Com- 
 mittee met at the Hut for the purpose of organization. The mem 
 hers of the Committee were: A. E. Taplin, F. Logan Porter, Charles 
 W. Perry, Carter Dalton, W. E. Snow, Mrs. K. C. Denny, Mrs. T. 
 Wingate Andrews. All the members were present and also Pastor 
 Coble. A. E. Taplin was elected Chairman and Charles W. Perry 
 Secretary. A. E. Taplin, Charles W. Perry and W. E. Snow were se- 
 lected as a committee to interview all of the architects available and 
 to make a recommendation to the entire committee. It was decided 
 that subject to the approval of the Finance Committee, plans would 
 be started with $150,000 as the amount which might be expended 
 in the construction of the new building. The Building Committee 
 met again on May 12, 1926, at the Hut with all members of the 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 141 
 
 committee present, and also Pastor Coble. After considerable dis- 
 cussion Logan Porter offered the following resolution: 
 
 "Whereas, the First Presbyterian Church, High Point, North 
 Carolina is about to enter into a building program for the erection 
 of a new Church and Sunday School building, it is deemed wise and 
 necessary to secure the services of some local architect and also the 
 services of some nationally known architect for consulting purposes, 
 And: 
 
 "Whereas, Mr. Harry Barton an architect of Greensboro, North 
 Carolina, and Mr. Hobart Upjohn of New York City, are connected 
 as joint architects in the planning and supervision of the erection of 
 the new First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, and 
 that Mr. Harry Barton is the architect for the new city high school 
 building, with an office here in High Point for possibly the next two 
 years with a regular inspector here who could also handle the in- 
 spection of the erection of our new Church and Sunday School build- 
 ing, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Building Com- 
 mittee of the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Caro- 
 lina, employ Mr. Harry Barton of Greensboro, North Carolina, as 
 the local architect to draw plans and supervise the building of the 
 new Church and Sunday School; and that Mr. Hobart Upjohn of 
 New York City, be employed as consulting architect." This resolu- 
 tion was adopted unanimously and A. E. Taplin and Carter Dalton 
 were authorized to make the best possible arrangement with these 
 gentlemen. On Friday afternoon, May 14, 1926, a contract was 
 made with Mr. Barton and Mr. Upjohn, the Church agreeing to pay 
 6% on the cost of the new building for the plans and supervision. 
 
 The Building Committee met Saturday night, May 15, 1926, at 
 the Hut with all members of the committee present except Carter 
 Dalton. Mr. Coble the Pastor, and Mr. Harry Barton and Mr. Ho- 
 bart Upjohn, the architects were present. This meeting was for the 
 purpose of deciding about the type of building, seating capacity re- 
 quirements, and the size of the Sunday School building. The archi- 
 tects were both of the opinion that it would be impossible to build a 
 Gothic Church and Sunday School building to seat six hundred in 
 the auditorium, and to care for a Sunday School of six hundred at a 
 cost of $150,000 as suggested, but the committee was unanimous 
 in wanting a church and Sunday School building of Gothic type; 
 so the architects were instructed to get busy and work up something 
 and notify the committee when they were ready to be heard again. 
 
 On June 18, 1926, Mr. Barton and Mr. Upjohn met with sev- 
 
142 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 eral members of the committee in the afternoon at the new Church 
 site and discussed the location of the proposed building. On June 
 19, 1926, the committee met with all members present, also the 
 two architects and Mr. Coble. Drawings of the proposed new Church 
 and Sunday School building were presented and explained by both 
 Mr. Barton and Mr. Upjohn. After several suggestions were made 
 by the committee members, it was explained by the architects that 
 the proposed plans would seat four hundred and fifty in the main 
 church auditorium, with one hundred and fifty in the balcony, mak- 
 ing a total of six hundred capacity, with a Sunday School plant that 
 would care for a departmental Sunday School of slightly over six 
 hundred, but that according to their estimate the proposed building 
 — Gothic architecture, stone and steel construction, lime stone trim, 
 and slate roof, would cost in the neighborhood of $190,000. This 
 was considerably more than the committee had in mind, so it was 
 decided to call in the members of the Finance Committee, so that 
 the members of that committee might see the drawings and plans 
 and also hear the report of the architects as to the estimated costs. 
 After considerable discussion the joint meeting of the Finance Com- 
 mittee and the Building Committee instructed the architects to 
 make certain changes in the drawings and then to carefully re- 
 figure the cost, and when this was done to advise and another joint 
 meeting would be held to consider further. 
 
 On June 26, 1926, a joint meeting of the Building and Fi- 
 nance Committees was held with members present as follows: 
 
 Building Committee: A. E. Taplin, Chairman, Charles W. 
 Perry, Secretary, F. Logan Porter, Carter Dalton, W. E. Snow, Mrs. 
 K. C. Denny, and Mrs. T. Wingate Andrews. Finance Committee: 
 A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Chairman, C. H. Marriner, Treasurer, Frank 
 Wineskie, S. E. Tucker, C. C. Garrett, Dr. W. A. Hayes. Pastor Coble 
 and Architect Harry Barton were also present. The sketches and 
 drawings of the proposed new Church and Sunday School were 
 presented and after a few minor changes were agreed upon, the 
 plans were approved by the joint Committee Meeting. Mr. Barton 
 was instructed to proceed to have blue-prints and all necessary 
 drawings and details done so that bids could be secured, and that 
 with actual bids in, if it was finally found that the costs were too 
 great for the Church to undertake, that the plans would be paid for 
 by the Church and some other type of architecture would be de- 
 cided upon then. 
 
 The plans were ready by September 20, 1926, and after the 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 143 
 
 Committee looked them over, it instructed Mr. Barton to go ahead 
 and advertise for bids to be opened on November 10, 1926. 
 
 The Building Committee met at the Church Hut on Tuesday, 
 November 10, 1926, at 3:00 o'clock P. M. The meeting was called 
 for the purpose of receiving and opening of the bids on the new 
 Church and Sunday School building. Eleven firms bid on the gen- 
 eral contract and seven firms bid on the heating contract. The bids 
 on the general contract ran from $156,250 to $184,257 and on 
 the heating system from $8,485 to $10,177. After a joint meeting 
 of the Building Committee and Finance Committee in the Directors 
 Room at the Commercial Club at 7:30 o'clock P. M., on this same 
 date, it was decided that the bids were better than some had expected, 
 even better than Mr. Barton had hoped for, and that perhaps the 
 Church should go ahead and let the contracts to the lowest bidders. 
 The Finance Committee finally decided, however, that it wanted to 
 take this matter under advisement for a few days before definitely de- 
 ciding to take the responsibility of financing such a big undertaking. 
 
 On November 15, 1926, another meeting was held and it was 
 decided that both Committees would approve the letting of the con- 
 tracts to the lowest bidders. A. E. Taplin and Carter Dalton were in- 
 structed to act for the Committees, and to complete the letting by 
 awarding the general contract to R. K. Stewart & Son of High Point, 
 North Carolina, for $156,250 and the heating contract to W. W. 
 Dick, of Greensboro, North Carolina, for $8,485. The architect, Mr. 
 Harry Barton drew up the contracts, and they were officially signed 
 on November 16, 1926. On this same date the Building Committee 
 members went with Mr. Barton to the new Church site and the lo- 
 cation of the building was definitely fixed. 
 
 On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1926, the steam shovel 
 dug the first dirt in the construction of the proposed new Church 
 and Sunday School building. At the time plans were being consid- 
 ered as to the needs of the various organizations in the Church, it 
 was intended to construct on the back of the lot a hut or separate 
 building for the two Boy Scout Troops, but it was brought to the 
 attention of the Committee that with some additional excavation a 
 splendid Boy Scout room and quarters could be put under the 
 southeast corner of the Sunday School part of the building. After 
 giving this matter considerable thought the Committee on January 
 21, 1927, with all members present, decided to have the extra space 
 excavated and the Scout room added, at a cost of $2,009.13 general 
 contract, and $276.00 heating contract. At this same meeting the 
 
144 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Committee discussed at some length a matter about setting back the 
 fence and rounding the corner at North Main Street and Shirley 
 Avenue, so that the walls and sidewalk would be back on the line 
 that had been definitely established by the City Planning and Zon- 
 ing Commission, for widening of North Main Street in future de- 
 velopment. It was decided that if the City would stand the cost of 
 widening the paved street, that the Church would give the land ap- 
 proximately twenty feet along the property line on North Main 
 Street, and also sufficient land to round the corner at Shirley Avenue. 
 The Chairman of the Committee, A. E. Taplin, advised that he 
 would personally give the side walk if the committee could get the 
 City to agree to the plans as outlined. Charles W. Perry and W. E. 
 Snow were made a Special Committee to confer with the City 
 Council and try to carry to conclusion the plan. The City Council 
 willingly agreed to the plans as outlined and this was carried to 
 conclusion, which would give splendid parking space for the Church, 
 and at some future time when the City widens North Main Street 
 this work will have been done and the property along the front 
 will not have to be upset or changed. 
 
 The Building Committee had been quietly informed that under 
 certain conditions Mrs. E. A. Snow, might consider giving a new pipe 
 organ, as a Memorial to her husband, the late E. A. Snow. The 
 Special Committee that had been appointed as a New Pipe Organ 
 Committee, through its Chairman, Fred J. Bartlett, made a report to a 
 congregational meeting Sunday morning, April 3, 1927. He advised 
 that Mrs. E. A. Snow had graciously offered to give a three manual 
 Skinner pipe organ to the Church as a Memorial, to her husband, the 
 the late Ernest Ansel Snow. The only conditions being that she, 
 through her personal representatives be allowed to select the pipe 
 organ, and that she be allowed to trade in the old pipe organ. After 
 receiving the report from the Committee, the following resolutions 
 were offered and unanimously passed by a rising vote: 
 
 'The members of the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, 
 North Carolina, in a congregational meeting, this 3rd day of April. 
 1927, having heard the offer of Mrs. E. A. Snow to give to this 
 Church a new three manual Skinner pipe organ, as a Memorial to 
 her late husband, Ernest Ansel Snow, to be installed in the new 
 Church now being erected, desires: 
 
 FIRST: To extend to Mrs. Snow our acceptance of her most 
 generous gift, and to express our grateful thanks for the magnifi- 
 cent organ. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 145 
 
 SECOND: We recognize in this gift another proof of Mrs. 
 Snow's unfailing loyalty and devotion to this Church, and to our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, which she has constantly manifested through her 
 many years of service here. 
 
 THIRD: We would also express our great satisfaction that 
 this new organ is to be given as a Memorial to one of the most 
 faithful and devoted, and generous members this Church has ever 
 had, and we recognize in this, a fitting and worthy tribute to a wor- 
 thy man. For about thirty years he served as an Elder, almost as 
 long as Superintendent of the Sunday School, as Teacher, as Clerk 
 of the Session for many years, and through his service and means 
 contributed more perhaps than any other one ever has to the up- 
 building of this Church. Fitting also is this Memorial, because of his 
 love for music and his service in the choir. 
 
 FOURTH: For Mrs. Snow's generosity and devotion to the in- 
 terests of this Church, for the worthiness of the memory it will per- 
 petuate, and for the service the organ will render to this Church, we 
 hereby extend to Mrs. E. A. Snow our sincere thanks and pray God's 
 richest blessing to rest upon her." 
 
 At a meeting of the Building Committee on June 23, 1927, Mr. 
 A. W. Klemme of the High Point Glass Decorative Company, High 
 Point, North Carolina, displayed two windows of the type that he 
 would recommend for use in the main Church auditorium. After 
 considerable discussion, and with the approval of the architect, Mr. 
 Harry Barton, the committee let the contract for all the art glass 
 windows as specified by the architect and as covered by the drawings 
 to the High Point Glass Decorative Company for $3,500. At this 
 same meeting the Building Committee voted to have an entrance 
 on each side of the front steps of the Church to the basement room 
 instead of one as had been specified in the original plans. The cost 
 of this change to be $340. 
 
 The Building Committee met on September 15, 1927, for the 
 purpose of deciding on the interior finish of the Church and Sunday 
 School. After considerable discussion and with the approval of the 
 architects the interior finish of light natural oak with a greenish 
 brown cast was adopted as the finish for the interior woodwork. The 
 finish of the walls and ceiling were left to the architects. At this 
 meeting previous offers that had been made were definitely accepted 
 with many thanks. K. C. Denny had agreed to donate the walnut 
 panels, and Lamar McCallum, the walnut lumber for the interior 
 
146 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 trim for paneling the Pastor's Study. S. E. Tucker had agreed to fur- 
 nish mahogany panels for paneling the Gleaners' Class Room. 
 Charles W. Perry had agreed to furnish quartered figured red gum 
 panels, for the Ladies' Parlor. The committee ordered the changes 
 made in the three rooms as made possible by the generous gifts of 
 these gentlemen. 
 
 On October 7, 1927, the Building Committee met at the Hut 
 at 10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of opening bids for the Church 
 pews and choir seats, and to consider various designs, and types, and 
 to open bids on lighting fixtures, and to see samples and if possible 
 to let contracts for all these items. Representatives of four seating 
 firms were present with samples and bids, and five lighting fixture 
 firms. After all the representatives present were heard and the bids 
 received from them, considerable discussion took place over an offer 
 of Mr. S. L. Davis, Manager of the Southern Chair Company of High 
 Point, North Carolina. Mr. Davis advised that the Southern Chair 
 Company would willingly give all its commission as a donation to 
 the Church if the order was placed with them as representative of 
 the E. H. Stafford Manufacturing Company of 367 Adams Street, 
 Chicago, Illinois. This offer was seriously considered, as it looked 
 like it might save the Church at least $1,200 on the pews and choir 
 seats. Mr. Davis was instructed to get samples made up of a type 
 desired by the Committee. It was decided to defer the letting of 
 ihe contract for pews and choir chairs until he could get together 
 full information as to costs and submit samples. 
 
 After hearing ail the representatives present on lighting fixtures, 
 the Committee finally gave Mr. F. C. Hendershot, representative of 
 the Baerdslee Chandelier Company, 216 South Jefferson Street, Chi- 
 cago, Illinois, an order for the lighting fixtures. These would be 
 supplied the Church through Mr. F. J. Bartlett, and the Industrial 
 Electric & Machine Company, High Point, North Carolina, at deal- 
 ers price, as Fred Bartlett had offered to give this service to the 
 Church, thereby bringing about a saving of at least $1,400. The 
 Committee went on record as unanimously thanking Mr. Bartlett 
 for his generosity and help in enabling the committee and Church 
 in buying the lighting fixtures at such a low figure. The type de- 
 cided upon was Swedish wrought iron, and all the fixtures were to 
 be designed special and planned to harmonize with Gothic archi- 
 tecture. The contract price to the Church being $4,675. 
 
 The Building Committee met at the Hut Monday evening on 
 October 17, 1927, with all members of the committee present, also 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 147 
 
 Mr. Coble and Mr. S. L. Davis, to consider further the letting of the 
 contract for pews and choir seats. After considerable discussion the 
 contract was finally let, to the E. H. Stafford Manufacturing Com- 
 pany, through their local representative, The Southern Chair Com- 
 pany, at a price not to exceed $4,000, and Mr. Davis was accorded 
 the thanks of the committee for his generosity in supplying the 
 equipment to the Church at factory prices. At this same meeting the 
 Chairman brought before the Committee a plan to sell the old wall 
 and iron fence that was around the front of the lot when it was 
 bought from Mr. J. Elwood Cox. His plan was to replace same with 
 a stone wall, using the same kind of stone that was being used in 
 the Church building, with a limestone V-shaped cap on the top of 
 the wall and posts. The wall, he stated would be approximately 
 thirty inches high, with proper entrances and posts. Because of the 
 fact that the old brick wall and iron fence would have to be moved 
 back to allow for the widening of the street and rounding of the 
 corner, and the further fact that the old iron fence could be sold 
 at $1,000 and the old brick could be removed and sold for $150, 
 Chairman Taplin felt that with a bid of $2,000 for the construction 
 of the new wall, that the committee ought to consider making this 
 change. After some discussion it was unanimously decided to let 
 the contract for the new wall which would go all along the front 
 on North Main Street and around the corner to a point in line with 
 Johnson Street on Shirley Avenue. R. D. Tillson, a member of the 
 Church, and a Landscape Architect, drew the plans and furnished 
 blue-prints, without costs to the Church, showing the location of the 
 new wall and the entrances with the entrance walks and location of 
 shrubbery. 
 
 The Building Committee met at the new Church auditorium on 
 March 8, 1928, for the purpose of inspecting the pews and choir 
 seats that the E. H. Stafford Manufacturing Company, had furnished 
 on contract order that the Committee had given Mr. Davis of the 
 Southern Chair Company. The equipment was not nearly up to the 
 standard that had been promised; so Mr. Davis agreed to order some 
 replacement parts and to have a man come here from the factory to 
 install the new parts and to put the pews in the best condition pos- 
 sible. The Committee members were sorely disappointed in this 
 equipment and as April 1, had been set as the day for the opening 
 exercises of the new building, little time was left to get the matter 
 adjusted. Mr. Davis promised to wire and to do all he could to get 
 the pews ready by the opening date. The pews were not in shape on 
 the opening date, but were temporarily put up so that they could 
 
148 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 be used. On May 31, 1928, at the request of Mr. S. L. Davis the 
 committee met at the new Church, where he explained that every- 
 thing possible had been done to put the pews in proper shape. The 
 Committee members made an inspection and after considerable dis- 
 cussion informed Mr. Davis that it would be compelled to reject 
 the pews, as they were not up to the quality that had been promised 
 when the order was placed. 
 
 After the new stone wall had been completed along the front 
 and north side of the grounds, entrance walks were laid of a con- 
 crete base and with slate flagging surface. Then the lawn was prop- 
 erly graded and grass planted. Shrubbery was also bought for plant- 
 ing around the Church and Sunday School building, and at other lo- 
 cations as specified by the drawing of the Landscape Architect, Mr. 
 Tillson. The lawn improvements cost approximately $3,500. 
 
 The final meeting of the Building Committee as shown by re- 
 corded minutes was held October 22, 1930, in the directors room 
 at the Commercial National Bank, with five members of the Com- 
 mittee, C. H. Marriner, Treasurer of the Finance Committee, and 
 Mr. S. L. Davis present. Numerous meetings and conferences had 
 been held according to records in connection with the contract en- 
 tered into with Mr. Davis as representative of the E. H. Stafford 
 Manufacturing Company, for church pews. The pews having been 
 rejected by the committee as not being up to the quality promised 
 when the order was placed, and the company had failed to replace 
 or correct reported defects, so at the suggestion of Mr. Davis, the 
 committee agreed to accept the pews as they were, and to pay 
 $2,000 as full and complete settlement. 
 
 The Building Committee had finally finished the work assigned 
 to it by the congregation at the March 28, 1926, congregational 
 meeting. The committee had worked for several years, very intense- 
 ly for over two years, there had been much to do, and many trials 
 had to be overcome, and many important decisions had been made. 
 The committee had worked in absolute harmony, and at the close 
 of the work, its members looked with glowing pride at the beauti- 
 ful edifice that had been constructed for the glory of Almighty God, 
 and for the use of the congregation. The structure was so substan- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 149 
 
 tially built, that it would serve many generations yet to come. 
 Special mention should be made here of the recorded evidence of 
 the great amount of personal time given to the Building Commit- 
 tee work, by Chairman A. E. Taplin and Secretary Charles W. 
 Perry. All of the Committee members gave willingly of their time 
 in this great service of their Church, but A. E. Taplin deserves the 
 greatest praise for his untiring and devoted service. 
 
 THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FURNISHING COMMITTEE 
 The Committee 
 Mrs. W. A. Hayes Mrs. F. Logan Porter, Sr. 
 
 Mrs. G. W. Denny Miss Violet Johnson 
 
 Mrs. Lamar McCallum 
 
 After their election at the congregational meeting on March 
 28, 1926, the committee met and elected Mrs. W. A. Hayes as 
 Chairman. At this meeting some plans were made, but definite work 
 could not be started until the Building Committee had decided upon 
 all the details about the size and type of the Church and Sunday 
 School building, that would be constructed. After the plans had been 
 furnished to the Building Committee by the architect, and construc- 
 tion was well under way, the Committee secured a copy of the plans 
 and immediately began to study the needs as to furnishings and 
 equipment for the departmental Sunday School, and also to plan 
 about a carpet for the main Church auditorium. This Committee se- 
 lected and purchased all of the chairs, pianos, tables and desks in 
 the Sunday School department, that had to be secured. It supervised 
 the adaptation of all the equipment that could be used from the old 
 Church, Sunday School, and Hut, and had it properly finished to 
 correspond to the finish of the new equipment and the woodwork 
 in the new Sunday School building. Most of the additional chairs, 
 tables and equipment that had to be bought, were purchased from 
 the Southern Chair Company, High Point, North Carolina. This 
 company also refinished according to the instructions of the Commit- 
 tee, the old equipment that was utilized from the old Church and 
 Sunday School. All the furnishings for the Ladies' Parlor were selected 
 and secured by this committee. 
 
150 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 SUMMARY OF COSTS— SITE— BUILDING— FURNISHINGS 
 New Church — Corner North Main Street and Shirley Avenue 
 
 New Site— Purchase Price $ 75,000.00 
 
 Building Costs 
 
 Original General Contract $156,250.00 
 
 Additions and Changes 6,482.37 
 
 Heating System Contract $8,485.00 
 
 Additions 276.00 8,761.00 
 
 Art Glass Windows— Contract 3,500.00 
 
 Lighting Fixtures — Contract 4,675.00 
 
 Extra wiring for pipe organ, etc. 330.27 
 
 Pews and Choir Seats — Contract 2,232.15 
 
 Architect's Fees 10,787.89 
 
 $193,018.68 
 
 Furnishings 
 
 Carpet- — Church Auditorium 1,860.41 
 
 Pianos — Sunday School Depts 1,185.00 
 
 Chairs, Tables and Misc. items ... 3,438.07 
 
 6,483.48 
 
 Grounds Development Costs 
 
 Stone Wall front and North side . 2,000.00 
 
 Entrance Walks, Etc 2,014.74 
 
 Grading Lawn 415.60 
 
 Shrubbery and Planting 1,385.00 
 
 5,815.34 
 
 Total Initial Cost New Church $280,317.50 
 
 In addition to the above expenditures, gifts were made to the 
 Church, which must be remembered in arriving at the investment 
 value of the Church Plant. 
 
 Pipe Organ — Three Manual Skinner with Chimes and Echo. 
 (Donated by Mrs. E. A. Snow) 
 
 Electric Wiring — Throughout Church and Sunday School (Do- 
 nated by Fred J. Bartlett) 
 
 Desks and Chairs — Pastor's Study (Donated by Myrtle Desk 
 Company ) 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 151 
 
 Large Silver Flower Basket (Donated by Mrs. J. Ed Kirkman) 
 Mahogany Paneling — Gleaners Room (Donated by S. E. 
 Tucker) 
 
 Figured Quartered Red Gum Paneling — Ladies' Parlor (Do- 
 nated by Charles W. Perry) 
 
 Walnut Paneling — Pastor's Study (Donated by K. C. Denny) 
 Walnut Lumber for Trim work — Pastor's Study (Donated by 
 Lamar McCallum) 
 
 Pulpit Bible (Donated by Miss Kate Clark). 
 Equipment such as pianos, chairs, benches, tables and 
 many other items were brought to the new Church 
 from the old, and the estimated value of this equip- 
 ment, completes the investment value $ 3,500.00 
 
 Total value of new Church plant including all costs 
 
 and gifts— slightly over $310,000.00 
 
 THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES 
 
 The Finance Committee elected at the congregational meeting 
 on March 28, 1926, composed of A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Frank Wine- 
 skie, C. C. Garrett, S. E. Tucker, Dr. W. A. Hayes, and C. H. Marriner, 
 met on March 30, 1926, in the Directors Room at the Commercial 
 National Bank and elected A. S. Caldwell, Jr., as Chairman and 
 C. H. Marriner as Treasurer. At this meeting the Committee com- 
 pleted the arrangements with Mr. J. Elwood Cox, and purchased the 
 new church site on the corner of North Main Street and Shirley 
 Avenue. It was decided by this Committee to secure subscriptions 
 from members of the congregation for amounts that each member 
 would give during the next ten years toward defraying the expense 
 of purchasing the new church site, and the cost of erecting a church 
 building thereon. Payments to be made on these pledges by the sub- 
 scribers on a quarterly basis. These plans were fully developed at a 
 meeting of the Men's Club, at the Church Hut on April 20, 1926. 
 The campaign for subscriptions with quartery payments beginning 
 July 1, 1926, was started. The response was indeed gratifying as Mr. 
 and Mrs. Frank Wineskie agreed to give $25,000, and many agreed 
 to give $5,000 and many others $2500 and so on down. Fred J. 
 Bartlett agreed to give $2500, and instead of taking the ten year 
 plan, he volunteered to furnish the materials and labor, necessary to 
 do the electric wiring in the new church up to the amount pledged. 
 
 The results of this first meeting and the follow-up brought to- 
 gether one hundred and fourteen subscriptions on the ten-year plan, 
 
152 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 amounting to $142,345. The Finance Committee was gratified over 
 the response of the membership, as these pledges with the amount 
 reasonably expected to be realized from the sale of the old Church 
 property, would enable them to make definite plans in regard to the 
 amount that could sanely be spent in the construction of the new 
 Church and Sunday School building. After this drive for subscrip- 
 tions had been completed, the Finance Committee could do very 
 little additional until the new Church building was finished and the 
 old Church site made available for sale. The Committee made fi- 
 nancial arrangements at the Commercial National Bank, and also 
 with some out of town banks, to furnish what money was needed 
 to take care of expenditures as they developed. 
 
 By April 1, 1928, the new Church and Sunday School building 
 was completed to the extent that opening services were held on that 
 date. Some additional expenditures would still have to be made in 
 regard to putting down entrance walks, grading and beautifying 
 the lawn. 
 
 All payments to the building contractors had been made 
 promptly and all other items of expense had been paid as they fell 
 due, so one can readily see that with the new Church site and im- 
 provements thereon costing more than $280,000, that a substan- 
 tial amount of money had been raised from time to time as the re- 
 quirements demanded. 
 
 The Finance Committee had arranged loans at various banks by 
 giving the note of the Church with fifteen of the members endors- 
 ing these notes. On April 1, 1928, the Finance Committee had bor- 
 rowed for the Church under the endorsement plan, amounts as 
 listed below: 
 
 Baltimore Trust Company, Baltimore, Maryland ... $ 75,000.00 
 Atlantic National Bank, Charleston, South Carolina . 50,000.00 
 First National Bank, Thomasville, North Carolina . . 20,000.00 
 
 Virginia Trust Company, Richmond, Virginia 75,000.00 
 
 Commercial National Bank, High Point, N. C 52,000.00 
 
 $272,500.00 
 
 The Finance Committee had been very active in attempting to 
 sell the old Church site on South Main Street. It had received sev- 
 eral offers but had decided not to accept these offers, because they 
 were not for as much as the Committee felt the property should 
 bring, based upon the sale price of other Main Street property which 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 153 
 
 had been sold within the past year. The Committee felt that the 
 one hundred and thirteen feet on South Main Street running through 
 two hundred and ten feet to South Wrenn Street and also fronting 
 on East Green Street ought to bring at least $1500 per front foot, or 
 the entire site produce approximately $169,500. 
 
 On May 2, 1928, the Committee sold twenty-two feet fronting 
 on South Main Street and running through to South Wrenn Street, 
 being a strip of land on the North side of the old Church site, to 
 Mr. J. E. Marsh for the sum of $33,000. Mr. Marsh paid 10% or 
 $3300 cash and the balance was to be paid in eight yearly install- 
 ments of equal amounts bearing interest at the rate of 6%. 
 
 On May 10, 1928, the Committee filed an application with Lo- 
 renzo E. Anderson & Company, 711 St. Charles Street, St. Louis, 
 Missouri for a first mortgage denominational loan of $175,000 to 
 run for fifteen years at 5 1 / 2 % interest with a curtailment of 
 5% annually. After considerable correspondence this loan was ap- 
 proved. Lorenzo E. Anderson & Company agreed to accept the 
 Church's bonds at $95 for each $100 in value and to accept a first 
 mortgage on the new Church property as security without any per- 
 sonal endorsement. On July 18, 1928, the transaction was completed 
 and the Church received funds as listed below: 
 
 Proceeds $175,000.00 P. V. Bonds at $95 $166,250.00 
 
 Accrued interest at 5 1/2% from 6/1 to 7/18 . 1,256.61 
 
 $167,506.61 
 
 Less Federal Stamp Tax at 50c per thousand 
 
 dollars par value bonds 87.50 
 
 $167,419.11 
 
 It was largely through the help of C. H. Marriner, Cashier of 
 the Commercial National Bank, and his standing as a banker that 
 the Church was able to borrow the money needed and to handle 
 these large financial transactions. With the permanent financing of 
 the new Church property on North Main Street most of the out- 
 standing notes of the Church which had been personally endorsed 
 by fifteen Church members had been paid, but unless the sale of the 
 old Church site on South Main Street could be made, additional fi- 
 nancing would have to be done. The Committee had been unable to 
 sell the balance of the South Main Street property at a figure it was 
 willing to accept or recommend to the congregation. The prospects 
 
154 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 of sale would likely be better later, as the new post office would, ac- 
 cording to plans, be located near there soon. It was, therefore, de- 
 cided to delay the sale of the balance of the South Main Street prop- 
 erty until a more favorable time. 
 
 With this decision on the part of the Finance Committee, steps 
 were immediately taken to secure a loan to take care of the balance 
 of the personal endorsed notes of the Church outstanding, so that 
 the balance owing would be stabilized over a period of time. On 
 July 25, 1928, C. H. Marriner, Treasurer of the Finance Committee, 
 in line with instructions from the Committee, made the following 
 application: First by personal visit then by a letter confirming same. 
 The letter in part is quoted as follows: 
 
 "July 25, 1928. 
 
 "Mr. H. W. Jackson, President 
 Virginia Trust Company 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
 Dear Mr. Jackson: 
 
 "I am pleased to confirm herewith verbal information given you 
 with regard to the First Presbyterian Church loan which was dis- 
 cussed in your office on July 24. 
 
 "The Church desires to secure from you a two-year loan in the 
 amount of $125,000.00, interest to be on an accrual basis semi- 
 annual, the said loan to be secure by a deed of trust on 91 ft. of 
 grounds, being a part of the original 113 ft. of the Old Church prop- 
 erty. This land is located fronting 91 ft. on South Main Street, 210 
 ft. on East Green Street, and 91 ft. on South Wrenn Street, that is 
 along the line of J. E. Marsh to Main Street 210 ft. 
 
 "In addition, the Church proposes to hypothecate with you eight 
 (8) notes of J. E. Marsh, maturing in eight yearly installments to- 
 taling $29,700.00, these notes secured by a deed of trust on 22 ft. 
 of ground fronting 22 ft. on Main Street, and running through 210 
 ft. and fronting 22 ft. on Wrenn, this with the 91 ft. already men- 
 tioned making up a total of 113 ft. of the original old church 
 property. 
 
 "In addition to the deed of trust and notes mentioned the fol- 
 lowing officers of the Church will individually guarantee the loan. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 155 
 
 K. C. Denny 
 G. W. Denny 
 W. E. Snow 
 R. E. Snow 
 
 Dr. W. A. Hayes 
 Frank Wineskie 
 S. E. Tucker 
 Carter Dalton 
 
 C. C. Garrett 
 
 T. J. Gold 
 
 A. E. Taplin 
 
 F. Logan Porter, Sr. 
 
 P. H. Johnson A. S. Caldwell, Jr. C. H. Marriner 
 
 "As explained to you, the Church bought on North Main Street 
 in the very best residential section five ( 5 ) acres of ground, being a 
 corner lot and fronting on three (3) streets, for which it paid 
 $75,000.00. On this lot was erected a new Church building costing 
 approximately $225,000.00, making an investment of approximate- 
 ly $300,000.00 in land, building and equipment on the new Church 
 property. 
 
 "Against this property a long term loan was secured with Lo- 
 renzo E. Anderson Company of St. Louis, of $175,000.00, running 
 for fifteen years at 5 1/2% interest, with a curtailment of 5% 
 annually. 
 
 "The Church has pledges from members at the present time of 
 approximately $140,000.00 to meet payments on mortgage of the 
 new property. Since this pledge canvass was made there have been 
 approximately 100 new members added to the church, some of 
 whom are very comfortably fixed and can be counted on to materi- 
 ally add to the subscriptions. 
 
 "There is an equity in our 91 ft. of land over our borrowings 
 from you of at least $24,000.00, to which are added the Marsh 
 notes totaling $29,700.00, making a total of $53,700.00 to apply 
 on paying off indebtedness on the new Church. 
 
 "Frankly, the reason that the officers of the Church desire to 
 secure this two year loan on the old Church property instead of sell- 
 ing it now is due to information from authoritative sources and in 
 strict confidence that the Federal Government has an option on 1 00 
 ft. of ground on the South side of East Green Street fronting 100 ft. 
 on Main, running 210 ft. to Wrenn, and fronting 100 ft. on Wrenn 
 Street. The reason for this option is that the present Post Office fa- 
 cilities in High Point are entirely too crowded and the present site 
 too small to erect the necessary building, and the Government wishes 
 to move and have secured this option with the view of locating 
 there, it being only one block from the present Post Office. We na- 
 turally assume that the location of the Post Office on the opposite 
 corner from the old Church property would materially enhance 
 the value, and are anxious to give the Church the benefit of this in- 
 
156 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 crease in property. We of course expect you to keep confidential this 
 information, as it comes to us from confidential sources, and we have 
 taken the trouble to verify it from both ends, and know that the 
 school board has given the option, and know from the other end 
 that the Government holds it. The property certainly will not get 
 any cheaper in the meantime, and if this goes through would very 
 materially increase. 
 
 "I am enclosing you a bulletin showing cut of the new Church 
 which I think you will find interesting, and will furnish you just as 
 quick as I can get it an enlarged photograph of the new Church. 
 While of course you would not have a mortgage on this property or 
 anything, we felt that you would be interested in what the First 
 Presbyterian Church here is, and what it is trying to do, and a view 
 of the plant would help you a great deal. 
 
 "It was understood in our conversation and agreed to today by 
 the Finance Committee of the Church that if the loan as outlined is 
 made it will be satisfactory and agreed to, that we pay you a brok- 
 erage fee of 2 1/2%, or $3125.00. 
 
 "The proceeds of this loan you will recall are to be used in re- 
 tiring $125,000.00 in open notes of the Church now outstanding, 
 said notes being secured only by the personal endorsements of the 
 same men who are offering to guarantee the loan to you, in addition 
 to giving you a deed of trust and notes as collateral." 
 
 On July 26, 1928, Mr. Marriner received the following com- 
 munication advising that the loan requested had been approved. 
 The letter on account of the interesting details is quoted in part 
 below: 
 
 "July 26, 1928. 
 
 "Mr. C. H. Marriner, 
 The Commercial National Bank, 
 High Point, N. C. 
 
 Dear Mr. Marriner: 
 
 "It gives me pleasure to advise you that this morning our Execu- 
 tive Committee approved two loans, aggregating One Hundred and 
 Twenty-five Thousand ($125,000.00) Dollars, to the First Pres- 
 byterian Church upon its property fronting 91 feet on South Main 
 Street, 210 feet on East Green Street and 91 feet on South Wrenn 
 Street in High Point, North Carolina, upon the following terms 
 and conditions: 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 157 
 
 "The deed of trust securing these loans will be dated August 1st 
 and will provide for, primarily: 
 
 "A loan of $65,000.00 which will be evidenced by 6% coupon 
 bonds, payable August 1st, 1930 and, secondarily; 
 
 "A loan of $60,000.00, also payable August 1st, 1930, and as 
 additional security for which secondarily secured loan, the First 
 Presbyterian Church is to deposit with us eight notes of J. E. Marsh 
 aggregating $29,700.00, maturing in eight yearly installments. 
 
 "The bonds evidencing the first mortgage loan are to be redeem- 
 able at 101 at any interest period, the bonds evidencing the second 
 mortgage loan are to be redeemable at par. All legal papers, includ- 
 ing the assignment of policy in the Lawyers Title Insurance Com- 
 pany of this city, and the printing of bonds, are to be prepared by 
 Mr. Dred Peacock at the expense of the Church and these primarily 
 and secondarily secured bonds are to be purchased by us at 97 1/2 
 and accrued interest net to this Company. 
 
 "It is further understood that Messrs. K. C. Denny, G. W. Den- 
 ny, W. E. Snow, R. E. Snow, P. H. Johnson, Dr. W. A. Hayes, Frank 
 Wineskie, S. E. Tucker, Carter Dalton, A. S. Caldwell, Jr., C. C. Gar- 
 rett, T. J. Gold, A. E. Taplin, F. Logan Porter, Sr., and C. H. Marriner 
 are to execute an agreement prepared by our Legal Department, 
 guaranteeing the payment of the bonds and coupons as they fall due. 
 
 "It is my understanding that there are no buildings now upon 
 the property in question. 
 
 "As I understood from our conversation with you and as I un- 
 derstand from your letter that the terms of the above loans are ac- 
 ceptable to the First Presbyterian Church. I am requesting our at- 
 torney to forward Mr. Dred Peacock his instructions for the prep- 
 aration of the legal papers, so you will see that we are handling this 
 matter for you as promptly as possible." 
 
 With the Virginia Trust Company loan approved, the indebted- 
 ness of the Church was stabilized for at least two years. The aggre- 
 gate of the two loans made to the Church was $300,000. This was a 
 large amount for the Church to owe, but the Committee felt that 
 the old site on South Main Street, when sold would reduce the 
 amount at least by one half. It was thought that with pledges from 
 members totalling over $140,000 the debt could be carried without 
 any great difficulty. 
 
158 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 The Committee members on numerous occasions personally did 
 many hours of work collecting pledges to get enough money to- 
 gether to meet payments due on principal and interest. While over 
 $140,000 had been originally pledged, in less than two years time 
 the Committee found that the pledges that were good would not 
 total more than $100,000. In order to meet payments due, many 
 of the members willingly paid several years in advance on their ten 
 year pledge, and with this assistance the Finance Committee was able 
 to keep all payments paid on schedule for over two years. 
 
 When the Virginia Trust Company two-year-loan fell due, the 
 old Church site was still unsold and the Church was unable to pay 
 the debt. It was finally agreed that if the Church would pay $25,000 
 of the $125,000 due, that the debt could be extended for another 
 two years. The Finance Committee on June 1, 1931, arranged with 
 the Commercial National Bank of High Point, North Carolina, a 
 loan of $36,069.70. Out of this money the Committee paid the Vir- 
 ginia Trust Company $25,000. The balance borrowed was needed 
 to take care of a few miscellaneous bills that had not been paid in 
 connection with building the new Church and to help take care of 
 the interest due the Virginia Trust Company, and a left-over from 
 a payment due the St. Louis bond holders. 
 
 After $20,000 had been paid on the principal debt of $175,000 
 to the St. Louis bond holders and all interest payments had been 
 met on schedule the condition of the Nation fell into such a terrible 
 financial depression, that thousands of banks failed. The local sit- 
 uation became so serious that the Church was forced to default on 
 interest and principal on the St. Louis bonds. 
 
 The debt of the Church at this time was about as follows: 
 
 The Finance Committee had struggled along under the main 
 brunt of the heavy debt, but following the crash of the Commer- 
 cial National Bank of High Point, North Carolina, in January, 1932, 
 the financial responsibilities of the Church shifted to the shoulders 
 of the Board of Deacons. 
 
 St. Louis Bond Holders 
 
 Virginia Trust Company 
 
 Commercial National Bank 
 
 High Point Perpetual Building and 
 
 $155,000.00 
 100,00.00 
 36,069.70 
 
 Loan Association 
 
 1,500.00 
 
 $292,569.70 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND CHARLES PAUL COBLE 
 
 1880- 
 
 The Reverend Charles Paul Coble, son of Daniel H. and Donna 
 Kirkman Coble, was born on September 1, 1880, near Alamance 
 Church in Guilford County, North Carolina. 
 
 Charles was one of a family of six children and was reared un- 
 der the old time' family training and also under the discipline of the 
 Alamance Church, where his Christian virtues were early established. 
 
 As early as years permitted Charles entered the Tabernacle 
 School, reputed at that time to be the best in Guilford County. This 
 he attended until he was prepared to enter Oak Ridge Academy. 
 From there he entered the University of North Carolina and grad- 
 uated in 1901. Mr. Coble by this time had fully made up his mind 
 that his life's work was in the Gospel Ministry; so he entered the 
 Columbia Theological Seminary, at Columbia, South Carolina, in 
 1902. Here he displayed exceptional ability, completing the five 
 year course in three years, besides doing special work in Hebrew. 
 While still a student in the Seminary he filled the pulpit of a church 
 in Charleston, South Carolina, one summer and churches at Hope- 
 well and Effingham, South Carolina, another summer. He founded 
 a church at both Charleston and Effingham. 
 
 In 1905 Mr. Coble was licensed to preach by the Pee Dee Pres- 
 bytery, of South Carolina, and ordained and installed as pastor of 
 the Hopewell and Effingham churches the same year. From this first 
 charge he resigned after a very successful pastorate and accepted a 
 call to the Vineville Avenue Presbyterian Church in Macon, Geor- 
 gia. He remained at the Macon Church until the year 1913 when he 
 resigned to accept a call to the First Presbyterian Church at High 
 Point, North Carolina. He served in this church with an enviable 
 record for seventeen years, and in January, 1930, resigned to accept a 
 call back to Georgia; this time to the First Presbyterian Church of 
 Douglas. 
 
 On August 27, 1908, The Reverend Charles P. Coble and Miss 
 Louise Claussen of Claussen, South Carolina, were united in mar- 
 riage; and to this union were born four children: Charles P. Jr., Wil- 
 liam Hughes, Harry White, and Catherine Virginia. Harry W. and 
 Catherine V. were born in High Point. 
 
 In each Presbytery where Mr. Coble has been a member he has 
 been active. While serving the Macon, Georgia, Church he was for 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 161 
 
 three and one-half years Stated Clerk of the Presbytery to which 
 he belonged and while a member of Orange Presbytery, North 
 Carolina, held the office of Stated Clerk from the time of the death 
 of The Reverend D. I. Craig until he moved to Douglas, Georgia, 
 in 1930. 
 
 After leaving the High Point Church Mr. Coble served for sev- 
 eral years the Douglas, Georgia Church, three-fourths of his time 
 and the Tifton, Georgia Church the other fourth. He then moved 
 to their plantation at Claussen, South Carolina, and for a number of 
 years served as pastor of Hopewell, and Latta churches. In 1951 
 upon official retirement he moved to 708 West Cedar Street, Flor- 
 ence, S. C, and he and Mrs. Coble reside there. He is still filling 
 church pulpits almost every Sunday, sort of assistant pastor to all 
 the Presbyterian Churches in Florence, and the surrounding 
 territory. 
 
 m 
 
The Reverend Charles Haddon Nabers, D.D. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND CHARLES HADDON NABERS, D.D. 
 
 1930-1932 
 
 After Mr. Coble resigned as minister of the High Point Church, 
 on September 29, 1929, he agreed to continue to serve through the 
 month of January 1930. On October 6, 1929, the Session named as 
 a Pulpit Committee Elder G. W. Denny, Deacon Lamar McCallum, 
 and Mrs. W. A. Hayes. 
 
 Mr. Coble fulfilled his agreement to continue to serve as pastor 
 of the Church through the month of January, and still the Pulpit 
 Committee had no name to recommend as a likely pastor. Since they 
 didn't there followed an intervening period of several months when 
 different ministers supplied the Church Pulpit — some by request of 
 the Pulpit Committee, and others only for the purpose of preaching 
 on that Sunday. 
 
 On March 23, 1930, a congregational meeting was held for 
 the purpose of receiving a report from the Pulpit Committee, and 
 transacting any other business which might arise. This meeting was 
 a Pulpit Committee Elder G. W. Denny, Deacon Lamar McCallum, 
 moderated by The Reverend R. Murphy Williams, Pastor of the 
 Church of the Covenant of Greensboro, N. C, and at this meeting the 
 Congregation unanimously voted to call The Reverend Charles Had- 
 don Nabers, D.D., of the First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, 
 Florida, as pastor. His salary was to be $5,000.00 per year. 
 
 Soon after Dr. Nabers was sent the call, the House and Grounds 
 Committee, which was composed of F. J. Bartlett, W. E. Snow, and 
 E. M. Shipman, presented to the Board of Deacons the necessity of 
 making repairs on the manse. The Board instructed the committee 
 to proceed with the needed work. After the repairs were completed 
 the committee reported that the manse had been redecorated, both 
 inside and out; the floors sanded and refinished; awnings hung; and 
 sun shades put to the windows on the west side of the building. 
 
 On March 30, 1930, Elder A. S. Caldwell, Jr., offered his resig- 
 nation as Clerk of the Session, and after due consideration it was 
 accepted. Then Elder W. A. Hayes was elected to succeed him. In 
 accepting this office Elder Hayes requested that the Diaconate be 
 
164 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 asked to secure a treasurer from their number as soon as possible, 
 as he would be unable to continue in the office of both Clerk of the 
 Session, and Church Treasurer. 
 
 Dr. Nabers did not accept the call sent him by the High Point 
 Church promptly, but asked for a meeting with the Pulpit Com- 
 mittee to talk over the terms of the call. Elder George W. Denny, 
 and Deacon Lamar McCallum met with Dr. Nabers. At this 
 meeting Dr. Nabers made it clear that he would not shoulder the 
 burden of the Church debt, and that he and his family had pre- 
 viously made arrangements for a trip abroad, that coming summer, 
 and they wanted to make this trip. These things were agreed to by 
 the committee so Dr. Nabers accepted the call. 
 
 On April 27, 1930, Dr. Nabers preached his first sermon as 
 Minister of the Church. The congregation was elated with the ar- 
 rival of the Nabers family in the city, for they could see great things 
 happening in the life of the Church under his leadership. 
 
 At the time Dr. Nabers began his pastoral duties, Elder W. A. 
 Hayes was Clerk of the Session, and Church Treasurer; S. E. Tucker 
 was Chairman of the Board of Deacons; Deacon Lamar McCallum 
 was Superintendent of the Sunday School, and Mr. H. L. Curlee was 
 Assistant Superintendent; Mr. Z. I. Walser was President of the 
 Men's Club; and Mrs. Carter Dalton was President of the Woman's 
 Auxiliary. 
 
 At the regular monthly meeting of the Diaconate, held on May 
 6, 1930, Deacon F. J. Bartlett, Secretary of the Board, handed to the 
 Church Treasurer a check from Mrs. Guy P. Henry, to pay the first 
 month's salary of Dr. Nabers. Mrs. Henry was not a member of the 
 Church but was greatly interested in the Presbyterian Church and 
 the success of Dr. Nabers. 
 
 The Reverend Charles Haddon Nabers, D.D., was installed 
 as pastor of the Church on June 8, 1930. The Reverend James Wyly 
 Jackson, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, 
 S. C, preached the sermon. The Reverend S. M. Rankin of Greens- 
 boro, N. C, presided and asked the constitutional questions and de- 
 livered the charge to Dr. Nabers, and E. A. Ranson, an elder of the 
 Greensboro First Church, delivered the charge to the congregation. 
 
 Clearing the Church of its indebtedness was of paramount im- 
 portance to most of the congregation, but they did not know how 
 to go about doing it. There was a group of the members, however, 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 165 
 
 who shared the belief that one way to do it would be by increasing 
 the Church's membership. Mr. S. E. Tucker, Chairman of the Board 
 of Deacons, was one of the leaders in this belief. So sincere was 
 Deacon Tucker in his belief that he spent endless hours with Dr. 
 Nabers seeking out new church members — so diligently did they 
 work doing this, that before Dr. Nabers had been pastor of the 
 Church a year, two hundred names had been added to the Church 
 Roll. 
 
 Soon after the arrival of Dr. Nabers, as Minister of the Church 
 several changes were made in the order of worship, and he inaug- 
 urated the plan of preaching a short sermon to the children prior to 
 the regular morning sermon. 
 
 At a Session meeting held on June 12, 1930, it was voted that 
 two elders and two deacons be appointed to meet with the Pastor 
 and work out some plans for a joint meeting of the officers of the 
 Church. This joint meeting resulted in the organizing of a Men's 
 Council. Elder George W. Denny was chosen as Chairman, Deacon 
 I. Paul Ingle as Vice-Chairman, and Deacon E. M. Shipman as 
 Secretary. 
 
 During Mr. Coble's pastorate the Session had voted its approval 
 of vesting the choir, but no steps had been taken to do it. Early in the 
 summer of 1930. Elder W. A. Hayes was asked, by the Session, to 
 confer with Professor Dan W. Smith, Choir Director, and get in- 
 formation concerning the cost of vesting the choir, and report back 
 to the Session. Elder Hayes secured the desired information and on 
 July 7, 1930, the Session appoined the following committee to se- 
 cure the vestments: Elder W. A. Hayes, Professor Dan W. Smith, 
 Mrs. W. A. Hayes, and Mrs. Cecil H. Marriner. 
 
 At the July 7, 1930, Session meeting a petition was presented 
 from the Men's Council asking that a congregational meeting be 
 called on July 20, 1930, for the purpose of electing four additional 
 deacons. This petition was granted and the congregational meeting 
 was held on the designated date and the following deacons were 
 elected: Frank B. Smith, R. K. Young, George E. Hutchens, and 
 Frank F. Dickson. They were ordained and installed at the morning 
 service on October 12, 1930. 
 
 Dr. Nabers and family went abroad during the Summer as 
 planned, and on September 21, 1930, he was back in his pulpit. On 
 this same Sunday the new vestments, for the choir were worn for 
 the first time, and the Congregation was delighted with the dignity 
 and worshipful air they lent to the service. 
 
166 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 On October 5, 1930, the committee, which had to do with vest- 
 ing the choir, reported to the Session that through Professor Dan 
 Smith's personal effort, and the hard work of Mrs. Smith and Mrs. 
 Hayes, the vestments had been secured without any cost to the 
 Church. 
 
 On Sunday, November 2, 1930, the Minister's Annuity Fund 
 Plan was presented to the congregation. A committee was named 
 by the Pastor to receive pledges, and to see that every member was 
 given an opportunity to assist in this worthy undertaking. In the 
 final report, Deacon Charles W. Perry reported that forty-seven 
 pledges had been made amounting to $2,210.00. 
 
 On December 7, 1930, Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Perry presented 
 to the Church a gift of a beautiful marble Baptismal Font, in mem- 
 ory of their daughter, Frances Dorcas Perry. On the same day the 
 ordinance of baptism was administered to John Caldwell Calhoun 
 Perry, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Perry. 
 
 On December 28, 1930, at a Session meeting, Dr. E. C. Holden 
 resigned as an elder of the Church, and at this same meeting Dr. 
 Nabers brought before it a plan he wished to carry out for the fol- 
 lowing summer. He wanted the Session to grant him permission to 
 exchange pulpits with Dr. William Leach, of Cleveland, Ohio, 
 for one month during the summer. The elders were agreeable to 
 this plan and voted Dr. Nabers permission to carry it out. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board of Deacons held on March 10, 
 1931, the following slate of officers were elected: Chairman S. E. 
 Tucker; Vice-chairman, C. H. Marriner; Secretary, Frank B. Smith; 
 and Church Treasurer, Elder W. A. Hayes. 
 
 At the close of the church year ending March 31, 1931, when 
 the yearly report was made out to send Orange Presbytery it is found 
 that there were eleven elders; twenty-two deacons; two hundred 
 and three new members added during the year; total church mem- 
 bership, seven hundred; enrolled in Sunday School, fiive hundred 
 and seventy-one; $6,830 paid to Benevolent causes; $5,000 for Pas- 
 tor's salary; $7,092 Current Expenses; $22,165 Building Expense; 
 total contributions, $41,811. 
 
 In April, 1931, a Young People's Council was organized. These 
 counselors were the Pastor, Elder F. Logan Porter, Sr., Mrs. Lamar 
 McCallum from the Auxiliary, Carl S. Smith from the Sunday 
 School, and Chester Smith and Caroline Dalton from the Young 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 167 
 
 People's Society. The young people of the Church were to meet ev- 
 ery Sunday evening around the supper table with these counselors 
 and discuss any problems on their minds. 
 
 At one of the meetings of the Session held in May, 1931, Dr. 
 Nabers stated that he had been elected a delegate by the High Point 
 Rotary Club to attend the next International Convention of the Ro- 
 tary Club at Vienna, Austria, and that he would like premission to 
 attend. Dr. Nabers' request was granted for a five weeks' vacation, 
 beginning June 8, 1931. 
 
 Elder A. E. Taplin brought to the June 28, 1931, Session meet- 
 ing a request for a congregational meeting to be called for the pur- 
 pose of handling a matter in connection with the church lot which 
 had been sold to Mr. J. E. Marsh, but later taken back because he 
 could not pay for it. This meeting was duly held as called on July 
 5, 1931, and at it a motion was made and seconded that the Trus- 
 tees of the Church give a mortgage to the Commercial National 
 Bank of High Point, North Carolina. This mortgage was to be se- 
 curity for a loan made by that institution to the Church, and also 
 for the protection of the endorsers, who had personally endorsed to 
 help secure the loan. It was to cover the twenty-two feet of land, 
 which had been previously sold to Mr. J. E. Marsh, the mortgage 
 and notes of Mr. Marsh being hypothecated at that time with the 
 Virginia Trust Company of Richmond, Virginia. Upon motion made 
 and seconded the Trustees were authorized to sign a mortgage for 
 the new loan as arranged by Elder W. A. Hayes, Treasurer of the 
 Church, and C. H. Marriner, Treasurer of the Special Finance 
 Committee. At this same congregational meeting the Church Treas- 
 urer reported that arrangements had been made with the High Point 
 Perpetual Building and Loan Association whereby the Association 
 agreed to refinance the manse, loaning the additional amount neces- 
 sary to take care of some unpaid Church obligations. 
 
 For a good many years the deacons of the Church had acted as 
 ushers, but in the summer of 1931, it was suggested that the young 
 men of the Church be invited to take over this work. After consid- 
 ering the plan the Board of Deacons authorized Chairman S. E. 
 Tucker, to write letters to all the young men of the church inviting 
 them to take up this work. On Sunday, September 27, 1931, the 
 following young men began this work, and became known as the 
 Junior Ushers: H. M. Baddley, H. L. Balcomb, George A. Bryant, 
 I. P. Caldwell, J. F. Carriker, M. Cerney, George Connor, Sr., P. H. 
 Dalton, III, Sam Denny, Graham Dickson, Carter Friend, L. O. 
 
168 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Hutchins, Tyree Nabors, Robert Overman, Ernest Ritchie, M. A. 
 Temple, Jack Tucker, and Harold White. 
 
 At the monthly meeting of the Diaconate on October 13, 1931, 
 it was called to the attention of the members that some of the church 
 members had fallen behind in the payment of their pledges to the 
 extent that the situation was becoming serious, so something would 
 have to be done. By motion of Paul Ingle, seconded by Lamar Mc- 
 Callum, the Board voted to employ a financial secretary to try to col- 
 lect these pledges. Miss Elizabeth Gillis was secured as such at a 
 salary of $60.00 a month, to be paid by personal donations from 
 the Board members. 
 
 After Miss Gillis took over this work collections improved, but 
 in a short time she accepted another position, at a much larger 
 salary. With her resignation it did not seem wise to try to employ 
 another secretary. 
 
 On March 8, 1932, at the monthly meeting of the Diaconate 
 the following officers were elected to serve for the new church year: 
 Chairman, S. E. Tucker; Vice-chairman, Charles W. Perry; Secre- 
 tary, F. J. Bartlett; and Church Treasurer, Elder W. A. Hayes. With 
 the beginning of this church year it seemed that bad luck was stalk- 
 ing the Church. For the past year the installments due on the build- 
 ing debt had become quite a burden to raise, for the financial condi- 
 tion of the nation, and even of the whole world, was in a precarious 
 condition. Because of the failure of the Commercial National Bank, 
 earlier in the year it had become more acute in the High Point 
 Church. Some of the most liberal contributors had been left prac- 
 tically bankrupt, and many others were hard hit. A payment was due 
 on the $175,000 issue of Church Bonds, which the Lorenzo E. An- 
 derson Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, had handled; in a short 
 time a payment would be due to the Virginia Trust Company, of 
 Richmond, Virginia; and the Every-Member-Canvass made in Feb- 
 ruary had failed to raise the amount necessary for the Church's oper- 
 ations. The prospect for the new church year seemed hopeless. To 
 some it seemed that the Church's cup was so full of trouble that no 
 more could be added, but this was not true, for on Easter Sunday, 
 March 27, 1932, after the morning service was drawing to a close, 
 Dr. Nabers shocked the congregation by announcing that he had 
 accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, S. C. 
 This call to take effect immediately, or just as soon as the Congrega- 
 tional Meeting he then called could be held. 
 
 Dr. Nabers' pastorate in High Point was of only two years du- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 169 
 
 ration, yet during this short period of time he was Minister of it, 
 around three hundred persons had united with the Church. He had 
 truly set a record in member-getting. 
 
 The congregational meeting which was called for by Dr. Nabers 
 to be held on April 10, 1932, was unanimously approved by the 
 Session, and Elder G. W. Denny was elected as Moderator of the 
 Session until another Minister could be called. 
 
 At the congregational meeting held on April 10, 1932, Dr. Na- 
 bers' resignation was considered and accepted, and then a Pulpit 
 Committee was named with instructions to search out a Minister 
 who they could recommend as a Pastor for the Church. Those named 
 on this committee were: Elder F. Logan Porter, Sr., Chairman, Elder 
 W. A. Hayes, Deacon Charles W. Perry, Mrs. K. C. Denny, and 
 Elder Harry L. Brockmann. 
 
 There were 720 names on the Church Roll, but never before in 
 its more than seventy years of life, had the Church found itself in 
 such a forlorn and hopeless state. To some the future of the Church 
 was painted in drabbest hues, and yet there were others who still 
 had faith and were confident that with the Lord's help, better days 
 would again return. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND CHARLES HADDON NABERS, D.D., Litt.D. 
 
 1889- 
 
 The Reverend Charles Haddon Nabers, D.D., Litt.D., the son 
 of Alexander and Martha Haddon Nabers was born at Laurens, 
 South Carolina, on November 13, 1889. 
 
 His primary, secondary, and high school education was received 
 in the school system of Anderson, South Carolina, and his collegiate 
 course from Erskine College. He graduated from Erskine College 
 with the degree of A.B. in 1909. From 1909 to 1911 Mr. Nabers 
 taught in a Mission School in Cairo, Egypt. In the fall of 1911 he 
 entered the Erskine Theological Seminary and graduated from there 
 in 1913, and was ordained to the Ministry of the Presbyterian 
 Church in the United States that same year. He served successively 
 as pastor in Prosperity, South Carolina; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Car- 
 rollton, Alabama; and the First Church of Camden, Arkansas until 
 1923; then the First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, Florida from 
 1923-1930; next the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, 
 North Carolina from 1930-1932; and then as pastor of the First 
 Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina, until he was 
 made Pastor Emeritus of it. 
 
 In 1920 The Reverend Charles Haddon Nabers graduated from 
 the Biblical Seminary of New York. 
 
 On October 20, 1914, he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Minnie Whitesides of Hickory Grove, South Carolina, and to this 
 union there was born one daughter, Dorothy. 
 
 In 1928, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon 
 him by his Alma Mater, Erskine College. 
 
 In May, 1937, the Presbyterian College of Clinton, South Caro- 
 lina, conferred the degree of Doctor of Literature on Dr. Nabers. 
 
 In 1949 Dr. Nabers was named Moderator of the Synod of 
 South Carolina. 
 
 Doctor Nabers has traveled abroad extensively. During World 
 War I he did Y.M.C.A. war service in the home camp. In connection 
 with his pastoral duties he has made quite a name for himself as 
 author, having contributed to literature the following books: The 
 Monuments of the Nile, 1914; Viewpoints, 1926; Crucial Chapters 
 in My Father's Book — , 1927; The New Testament Correspondence, 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 1928; When Rotary Treks Eastward, 1928; The Southern Presby- 
 terian Pulpit, 1928; Youth's Choosing, 1930; Gladness in Chris- 
 tian Living, 1931; Mediterranean Memories, 1934; Hear My Voice 
 O God in Prayer; and My Morning Meditations. Dr. Nabers has 
 contributed to several current magazines and papers for many years; 
 contributing a Sunday sermon weekly to the High Point Enterprise 
 while in that city; and to the Greenville News of his home city. 
 
 Dr. Charles Haddon Nabers holds membership in the Masonic 
 order of Knight Templars, and is a member of the Rotary Club — 
 being an ex-president of the High Point, N. C. Rotary Club. 
 
 Since becoming Pastor Emeritus of the First Presbyterian Church 
 of Greenville, S. G, Dr. Nabers has spent much time traveling as 
 Protestant Chaplain on European Tours. 
 
The Reverend Ioseph Rennie. D.D. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND JOSEPH RENNIE, D.D. 
 
 1932-1935 
 
 From the time of the resignation of Dr. Charles Haddon Nabers, 
 March 27, 1932, to May 1, 1932, the Pulpit Committee of the First 
 Presbyterian Church of High Point, N. C, busied itself individually 
 and collectively, looking for a successor to Dr. Nabers. They went 
 here and yon, listening to eligible clergy, and bringing some of 
 them to the Church Pulpit to preach trial sermons. Many of these 
 ministers that came were acceptable to the membership, but out of 
 the Church's financial class. The Church was struggling under a 
 heavy building debt, and the recent financial crash in the nation had 
 crippled the finances of many of the Church members — it would 
 have to resort to calling a pastor at a much smaller salary than it 
 had paid Dr. Nabers. In general, it was conceded that the Church 
 would have to resort to calling a young man just out of the Semi- 
 nary, or one who had been preaching only a few years. 
 
 Sometime during the latter part of April it came to the attention 
 of the Pulpit Committe that Dr. Joseph Rennie, a retired minister, 
 who had been supplying the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church 
 of Wilmington, North Carolina, was available. It was decided to 
 ask Dr. Rennie to preach one Sunday to the congregation, and if 
 he measured up to the recommendations which had preceded him, 
 to call him to supply the Church Pulpit for the summer months. 
 Dr. Rennie came and preached for the First Presbyterian Church 
 congregation on May 1, 1932. He made a favorable impression — 
 such a favorable impression that he was immediately invited to supply 
 the Church pulpit until September 1, 1932. 
 
 When Dr. Rennie came to High Point, he and Mrs. Rennie were 
 given rooms at the Elwood Hotel. They were comfortably situated 
 there, but because of the oppressive summer heat, and no porch to 
 enjoy, it was decided, by the church women, to temporarily furnish 
 part of the manse and let the Rennies live there. Dr. and Mrs. Ren- 
 nie were interested in such a change so the manse was partially fur- 
 nished by furniture loaned by some of the Church members. 
 
 At the time Dr. Rennie came to the Church to supply the pulpit 
 
174 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 the membership was seven hundred and twenty. Dr. W. A. Hayes 
 was Clerk of the Session; S. E. Tucker was Chairman of the Dia- 
 conate; M. A. Temple of the Board of Junior Ushers; Lamar Mc- 
 Callum was Superintendent of the Sunday School; G. W. Denny 
 was President of the Men's Council; Mrs. John C. Abels was Presi- 
 dent of the Woman's Auxiliary; Dan Smith was Church Organist 
 and Director of the Choir; and Mrs. Lamar McCallum was Pastor's 
 Aid. 
 
 The first Congregational Meeting called after Dr. Rennie's ar- 
 rival was held on June 30, 1932. It was called for the purpose of 
 renewing a note with the Virginia Trust Company of Richmond, 
 Virginia. Dr. Rennie showed a keen interest in the financial condi- 
 tion of the Church and immediately set out to help with the Church's 
 problems in every way he possibly could. Besides his keen interest 
 in the financial condition of the Church, both he and Mrs. Rennie 
 were devoted to the membership — this devotion was reflected in the 
 congregation. 
 
 On August 14, 1932, the Pulpit Committee reported to the 
 Session that, after prayerful and careful consideration, it wished to 
 recommend to the congregation the calling of Dr. Rennie as Stated 
 Supply Pastor of the Church. This Committee recommended that 
 such services begin with September and last until April 1, 1934. At 
 the Congregational meeting held on August 21, 1932, it was unani- 
 mously voted to call Dr. Joseph Rennie as Stated Supply Pastor of 
 the Church, for the stipulated period of time recommended by the 
 Committee. 
 
 In the early Spring of 1932, the Diaconate had decided to cut 
 the Church expenses, because of the financial conditions of the 
 country, by discontinuing the printing of the Church Bulletins. 
 The congregation had missed the weekly publication of the bulle- 
 tins, so the Board of Junior Ushers voted to again make the Church 
 Bulletin available to the congregation by contributions from their 
 pockets. 
 
 On October 2, 1932, the Board of Junior Ushers reported to the 
 Session that they had perfected their organization; M. A. Temple 
 was Chairman; Sam H. Denny, Vice-chairman; and Harold M. 
 White, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 It was the custom of the Gleaner's Class to take charge of the 
 Thanksgiving Offering of the Church, for Barium Springs Orphan- 
 age; so in spite of the financial condition of the Church, under the 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 175 
 
 leadership of Mrs. C. H. Marriner, a sum of $887.37 was collected 
 and taken to Barium Springs. 
 
 With the beginning of the fall months a great many business 
 transactions were being presented for signatures to the Trustees, 
 which was composed of the entire membership of the Church Ses- 
 sion. It took a great deal of somebody's time to run down the entire 
 Session and get their individual signature to the different documents; 
 so it was suggested that a smaller number of Trustees be elected. At 
 a Congregational Meeting held on November 13, 1932, it was voted 
 to reduce the number of Trustees to three. F. F. Dickson, R. A. Mc- 
 Pheeters, and Z. I. Walser were named as Trustees. 
 
 In January, 1933, our Church was faced with a mammoth 
 crisis. $8,500 must be raised immediately. No one knew from where 
 this money was to come. Just a year earlier the largest bank in the 
 city had crashed, and materially reduced the financial status of 
 many of the Church members. Gloom permeated the congregation, 
 and there were members of it who said the amount could not be 
 raised, while others, with a stronger faith, said it could. A plan was 
 mapped out for a concentrated drive. Deacon C. C. Garrett was 
 named Commanding General; Deacon Charles W. Perry, Chief of 
 Staff, and the entire membership of the Church was divided into six 
 divisions, headed by the following Colonels: Elder G. W. Denny, 
 Deacon Frank Wineskie, Mr. R. B. Gantt, Mr. R. B. Terry, Mrs. 
 John C. Abels, and Mrs. Charles W. Perry. 
 
 At the pep talk given the workers for this concentrated drive, 
 before the kick-off, Dr. Rennie said: M $5,000 of the $8,500 to be 
 raised will go to reducing the Church debt, and the rest for interest 
 and an unpaid balance left over from six months ago ... To accom- 
 plish this great task demands a deep prayerful interest on the part of 
 every individual member of this Church. We need a strong faith in 
 God's willingness to help us. If we trust and ask in importunate 
 prayer; and seek to reach the goal by personal sacrifice, it will be ac- 
 complished. This is our crucial moment. God's call is for believeing, 
 earnest prayer, and work." 
 
 The result of this great drive was gratifying — more than two 
 hundred and fifty members of the Church had contributed to the 
 fund on first count. The full amount had not been collected. An- 
 other meeting of the men's division was called, and the campaign 
 continued until the full amount required was raised. 
 
 From the Statistical Report for the Church Year, 1932-1933, 
 
176 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 it is found that twelve members had joined the Church by letters; 
 two on examination and profession of their faith, and nine infants 
 had been baptised. There was an enrollment of 525 in Sunday 
 School and total gifts to all causes was $30,036.00. 
 
 At the Diaconate meeting in March, Charles W. Perry, who 
 had been serving as Chairman of the Board since the resignation of 
 the Chairman S. E. Tucker, was named Chairman of this board with 
 R. K. Young as Vice-chairman, and F. J. Bartlett as Secretary. 
 
 For a period of more than twelve years Elder W. A. Hayes had 
 served as the Church Treasurer. Several years prior to the April 
 meeting of the Diaconate he had been elected as Clerk of the Ses- 
 sion and had askd to be relieved of his duties as Treasurer. Up to 
 this time nothing had been done about his request, however, at this 
 meeting the Board of Deacons named R. A. McPheeters to relieve 
 Elder Hayes of the Treasureship of the Church. Then as a token of 
 appreciation to Dr. Hayes, for all of the sacrificial work he had done 
 in the past twelve years as Church Treasurer, the officers and the 
 congregation presented him with a gold watch and chain. 
 
 At the Congregational meeting held May 14, 1933, R. A. Mc- 
 Pheeters was elected a Deacon along with Donald E. Headen, and 
 P. Hunter Dalton, III. At this same meeting two additional Elders 
 were also elected — Dr. H. L. Brockman and Frank B. Smith. 
 
 Since the organization of the Junior Ushers, these young men 
 had been very active, doing with a willing spirit all they were called 
 upon to do. Around the first of November the Chairman of the 
 Board of Deacons suggested to the Session that the name of the 
 Junior Ushers henceforth be known as the Board of Associate Dea- 
 cons, and that each associate deacon be assigned to a deacon as an 
 understudy. The Session thought well of this suggestion and in ap- 
 preciation of the services of the Junior Ushers changed the name of 
 their organization to Associate Deacons and authorized the publish- 
 ing of this change of name in the Church Bulletin. 
 
 Early in the month of December, 1933, a representative of the 
 defunct Lorenzo E. Anderson and Company of St. Louis, Missouri, 
 wired the Church that a committee representing the bond-holders 
 would be in High Point at an early date to confer with the officers 
 of the Church in regard to the payment of the Church's bonds they 
 held. These bonds had been in default, as to both interest and prin- 
 cipal for a number of months. A special Finance Committee, com- 
 posed of Charles W. Perry, Chairman, Carter Dalton, and C. C. Gar- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 177 
 
 rett was named at a joint meeting of the Session and Diaconate, to 
 meet the representatives of the bond-holders — point out to them the 
 distressing financial condition the Church was in, and get the best 
 proposition they possibly could for a settlement. 
 
 The term of Dr. Rennie's Stated Supply Pastorate was drawing 
 to a close; so the Session in a meeting held on January 23, 1934, 
 asked the same Pulpit Committee, which had previously served, to 
 continue in that capacity. On the last Sunday in January, this com- 
 mittee reported to the Session that it was ready to make a report to 
 the congregation. A Congregational meeting was held on February 
 4, 1934, and at this meeting the Pulpit Committee recommended 
 the calling of Dr. Joseph Rennie, as regular Pastor of the Church. 
 The recommendation unanimously carried, and was a great compli- 
 ment to Dr. Rennie, as he was over seventy-five years of age at the 
 time. 
 
 The special Finance Committee held several conferences with 
 the bond-holder's representatives. The representatives finally agreed 
 to compromise the entire debt of the Church's outstanding bonds 
 and interest in the amount of $181,000 for $50,000 cash, if settle- 
 ment be made prior to January 1, 1934, or $55,000 cash if paid 
 prior to February 1, 1934, or $60,000, if paid during the month of 
 February. Failure of the Church to comply with these terms would 
 force immediate foreclosure and sale of the Church property. 
 
 The officers and membership of the Church realized that the 
 compromise offer from the representatives of the bond-holders was 
 a good one, but no one knew where to turn to raise $50,000.00. 
 Since the proposition was received, even though it seemed a good 
 one, a curtain of despair had dropped upon the membership of the 
 Church, and it had the officers terribly worried. Several meetings 
 had been held, but no solution had turned up. It was now mid- 
 January and the time for the best offer had past — even if some one 
 could be found who would loan the money the amount of money 
 had increased and was then $55,000.00, and the amount would soon 
 increase to $60,000.00. 
 
 Times were bad in the whole country, thousands of banks had 
 failed, and many of them would never re-open. The bond handling 
 company had been caught in this terrible depression, and was in the 
 hands of a receiver — waiting to be liquidated. Another meeting of 
 the Church officers was called. No one had been found who would, 
 or could help in raising the thousands of dollars needed. Prayers 
 
Elders of The First Presbyterian Church 
 
 (1934) 
 
 First row left to right: Dr. W. A. Hayes, Carter Dalton, Dr. Joseph 
 Rennie, ( Minister) Dr. H. L. Brockmann, Frank B. Smith, Z. I. Wal- 
 ser; Second row: Sam Wiley, Sr., George Taylor, George W. Denny. 
 A. E. Taplin, F. Logan Porter, Sr., and A. S. Caldwell, Jr. 
 
 were said, and the matter was discussed from all angles. Most of the 
 men then left the meeting, feeling that every thing was lost. A few 
 of the officers remained to pray with Dr. Rennie that they might be 
 directed to some one who could loan the Church the money, until 
 the congregation could get on its financial feet again. 
 
 Not yet knowing which way to turn to secure the needed thous- 
 ands, Charles W. Perry, Chairman of the Special Finance Commit- 
 tee, shook hands with Dr. Rennie, and they parted for the rest of the 
 night. The parting was clouded with gloom — almost despair, but 
 there still lingered a feeling of determination, and faith that made 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 179 
 
 them confident that something would work out the next day, but 
 the night was a restless one for both of them. Next morning after 
 a night of continuous prayer by Dr. Rennie, and much praying by 
 the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the two decided to go to 
 Greensboro — to the President of the Jefferson Standard Life Insur- 
 ance Company again, and make another appeal to him for financial 
 help. President Julian Price turned a deaf ear on the two. Then it 
 was that Dr. Rennie asked Mr. Price if he might say a prayer. The 
 request was granted, and Chairman Perry said a more powerful 
 prayer was never made than the one Dr. Rennie prayed right there 
 in the office of the President of the Jefferson Standard Life Insur- 
 ance Company. After the prayer Mr. Price seemed more considerate 
 — needless to say the prayer was answered, for soon Mr. Price agreed 
 to grant the needed loan, but within certain requirements on the 
 part of the Church congregation. His life insurance company would 
 loan the money needed, and he would personally guarantee the loan 
 to the Company, provided the Church membership would raise 
 $10,000.00 to show good faith and a determination to save the 
 Church from foreclosure. This was a lot of money, but Mr. Price 
 had given us a fighting chance to keep the Church. 
 
 On Sunday, January 28, 1934, it was reported in the Church 
 Bulletin that definite plans were underway to stabilize the bonded 
 indebtedness, but $10,000.00 in cash must be raised at once. The 
 Church officers and membership moved with speed and in the 
 Church Bulletin of February 11, 1934, a report from the Special 
 Finance Chairman was carried which said, "We are short about 
 $900.00 of the $10,000.00 that we had to raise to meet the condi- 
 tions to save the Church property from foreclosure. We have tem- 
 porarily arranged the amount and details are almost complete 
 whereby we are borrowing the needed money from Jefferson Stan- 
 dard Life Insurance Company, Greensboro, N. C. The loan is being 
 arranged on very desirable terms, making it possible to avail our- 
 selves of a great saving, brought about by accepting the compromise 
 offer of the receiver of the defunct St. Louis bond-holders company 
 — paying outstanding bonds of $155,000.00, plus accrued interest, 
 making the total indebtedness $181,000.00, for $65,000.00— sav- 
 ing $116,000.00, or settling the full debit at about thirty-five cents 
 on the dollar." 
 
 For a number of years some of the Church's officers had not 
 been attending church services or their respective board meetings. 
 Some of the faithful officials of the Church openly voiced their dis- 
 approval of these dilatory officials, and thought that offices in the 
 
180 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Church would be valued more highly if they were not officers for life. 
 Several years before General Assembly had approved the Rotary 
 System for Presbyterian Church, Officers, Elders and Deacons. The 
 Board of Deacons in the High Point Church favored such a plan, but 
 the Board of Elders did not. The deacons present at the February, 
 1934, diaconate meeting, unanimously voted favoring this Rotary 
 System, and respectfully sent a request to the Session to allow their 
 board to go on this limited term plan — allowing the congregation 
 to elect fifteen active deacons and retire any of the old deacons, not 
 elected, to an inactive status. 
 
 The request from the Board of Deacons was granted by the Ses- 
 sion and on February 18, 1934, a list of the men of the Church were 
 put in the hands of the congregation, and they were asked to be 
 ready to vote for fifteen of the men for deacons and fifteen for asso- 
 ciate deacons on the following Sunday. 
 
 On Sunday, March 11, 1934, the Election Committee, composed 
 of Elder A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Elder W. A. Hayes, and Elder Frank B. 
 Smith reported the results of the previous Sunday's balloting, and 
 declared the following deacons elected: Frank F. Dickson, D. E. 
 Headen, Lamar McCallum, W. E. Snow, S. E. Tucker, P. H. Dalton 
 III, G. E. Hutchens, R. A. McPheeters, Frank Wineskie, R. K. 
 Young, F. J. Bartlett, K. C. Denny, C. C. Garrett, I. Paul Ingle, and 
 Charles W. Perry. 
 
 The Associate Deacons were: M. A. Campbell, J. F. Carricker, 
 George Connor, J. Sanders Dallas, Sam H. Denny, Williard M. 
 Dyer, John Herndon, Charlie Hodgins, L. O. Hutchens, J. B. Kelly, 
 William D. Lemons, Robert Overman, George Rankin, M. A. Tem- 
 ple, and Harold M. White. 
 
 At this same congregational meeting a resolution was presented 
 and adopted instructing and empowering the Church Trustees to 
 have prepared signed, and delivered to the Virginia Trust Company 
 of Richmond, Virginia, a second mortgage, or deed of trust, on the 
 new Church property. This mortgage to be second to the Jefferson 
 Standard Life Insurance Company's loan, but to be on the same 
 property that the first mortgage covered. 
 
 Since an entirely new board of deacons had been elected it was 
 necessary for the Diaconate to elect officers. The meeting was held. 
 K. C. Denny was named Chairman; G. E. Hutchens, Vice-chairman; 
 F. J. Bartlett, Secretary; and R. A. McPheeters, Treasurer. On the 
 same evening the Associate Board of Deacons met and named the 
 
Diaconate (1934) 
 
 First row left to right: Fred J. Bartlett, W. E. Snow, Robert McPhee- 
 ters, Frank Wineskie, R. K. Young, Frank Dickson, S. E. Tucker; Sec- 
 ond row: Lamar McCallum, D. E. Headen, P. Hunter Dalton, III, K. 
 C. Denny, Charles W. Perry; Top row: I. Paul Ingle, George E. Hutch- 
 ens, and C. C. Garrett. 
 
 following officers: M. A. Temple, Chairman; Sam H. Denny, Vice- 
 chairman; and Harold M. White, Secretary. 
 
 The call to Dr. Rennie from the Church, on February 4, 1934, 
 was accepted by him and on March 16, 1934, at a meeting of 
 Orange Presbytery, held in Graham, N. C, Elder G. W. Denny of 
 High Point First Church presented the call the Church had extended 
 Dr. Rennie for his pastoral services. Orange Presbytery approved the 
 call and appointed the following commission to install Dr. Rennie 
 as pastor of the High Point Church; The Reverend M. S. Husk to 
 preside and propound the constitutional questions, The Reverend 
 
Associate Deacons (1934) 
 
 First row left to right: Harold M. White, George C. Connor, Sr., M. A. 
 Temple, and F. R. Barringer ;Second row: William L. Smith, Willard 
 Dyer, George L. Rankin, and J. B. Kelly; Third row: Sam H. Denny, 
 Charlie Hodgins, Sanders Dallas, and Robert Overman. 
 
 C. E. Hodgin, D.D., to charge the Pastor and congregation, and The 
 Reverend Ronald C. Wilson as an alternate to each. The Presbytery 
 also granted the request of the Session of the High Point Church, to 
 write The Reverend H. V. Carson, D.D., son-in-law of Dr. Rennie, 
 of Montgomery, Alabama, to preach the sermon on the occasion of 
 the installation. 
 
 The installation services were held, as planned, on April 8, 
 1934, at the eleven o'clock service. The Reverend Ronald C. Wil- 
 son, however, charged the congregation and the Pastor, in lieu of 
 the fact Dr. C. E. Hodgin could not be present. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 183 
 
 From the Statistical Report, 1933-1934, sent to Orange Presby- 
 tery at the same time the call for Dr. Rennie's services was prose- 
 cuted, there is found there had been added during the church year 
 five by profession of faith, and eleven added by letter. The total 
 membership of the Church was 619, the Sunday School enrollment 
 was 555, and the total amount of monies contributed to all causes 
 was $27,492.00. It was also reported that during the same year two 
 devout Elders of the Church had been lost — W. W. Smith by death 
 and Eli Light by moving from the city to South Carolina. 
 
 With all of the financial difficulties the Church had been 
 through it was indeed strange that no one had before thought of a 
 plan to lease the whole Church lot on South Main Street, instead of 
 only a small part of it, which was only bringing in $35.00 per 
 month. At the June Diaconate meeting a special committee, com- 
 posed of Charles W. Perry, G. E. Hutchens, and Frank Wineskie 
 was appointed, with instructions to lease the whole Church lot, op- 
 posite the new Post Office, to some responsible oil company, for a 
 period not to exceed ten years. An agreement from the Marine Oil 
 Company, to lease the Church lot for $125.00 per month was ob- 
 tained, and by recommendation of the Diaconate and the Session, a 
 contract was formally approved by a Congregational meeting held 
 on September 9, 1934. 
 
 During the year 1934, the Church was passing through an un- 
 usual period of its existence. Besides the adjustment of the Church 
 debt, and the change in the Board of Deacons to the Rotary Sys- 
 tem, it was rounding out seventy-five years of its existence. During 
 the late spring and summer months of that year plans were being 
 laid for a celebration of this great occasion, but due to the fact that 
 Dr. Rennie would be away on his vacation on the actual date of the 
 founding of the Church — September 3, 1934, the date for the 
 celebration was set for September 23 and 24 instead. 
 
 Having no money to spend on the celebration of this diamond 
 jubilee was depressing to the Church membership. As usual the 
 women took the Church's sorry plight in hand — money or no money 
 a celebration was a must. Mrs. W. A. Hayes and her Circle decided 
 there was a way to do it. They began to think how it could be done. 
 The History for the first seventy-five years of the Church was com- 
 pleted. Pictures of all of the former pastors of the Church had been 
 obtained — some tintypes and some just newspaper clippings. Mr. 
 Thomas Dodamead was contacted, and because of the existing finan- 
 
184 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 cial condition of the country there was no great demand on an ar- 
 tist at this time, so Mr. Dodamead agreed to do a portrait of each of 
 the Pastors, in color, at a very low figure. There was still no money 
 in sight but with faith it could be found. Mr. Dodamead was com- 
 missioned to do these portraits. How was this money raised? It was 
 raised in many ways — serving meals, and accepting the generous 
 offer of Mr. Roy Spearman, a Baptist and Commercial photographer 
 who volunteered to take pictures gratis, of all of the organizations 
 of the Church, and then give us enough prints of these pictures to 
 sell to each of the persons in the different groups. Then there was 
 the idea of asking for volunteer contributions, if any one wanted to 
 pay for one of the portraits. One or two such contributions were re- 
 ceived, and in the end Mr. Dodamead received every cent he had 
 asked for doing the portraits. 
 
 The portraits paid for, there was something else that Mrs. Hayes' 
 Circle felt must be done. There must be a real celebration — a ban- 
 quet. The specter of money again raised its ugly head. It would take 
 money to buy food. Somewhere Mrs. Hayes learned that the Kraft 
 Company would serve a dinner without cost as an advertising means. 
 The proper authorities were contacted and arrangements for such a 
 dinner was completed, but there were going to be other expenses at 
 such a dinner. It was decided to sell tickets at .25 cents apiece. 
 
 At this banquet Mr. Carter Dalton, a grandson of the founder 
 of the Church, The Reverend Pleasant Hunter Dalton, acted as toast- 
 master. A former pastor, The Reverend E. L. Siler was speaker for 
 the occasion. The Reverend Mr. Siler also accepted the portraits of 
 the former pastors, for the Church, and the historian gave a brief 
 history of the Church's seventy-five years of existence. 
 
 At the close of the year, 1934, the financial condition of the 
 Church had eased up a bit but the membership was still worried, al- 
 though full of gratitude to Dr. Rennie for his prayers and great love. 
 
 By the spring of 1935, the Church Roll showed an increase of 
 eleven in its membership, since Dr. Rennie had come. The strain of 
 the trying years since Dr. Rennie had been providentially sent to the 
 High Point Church were beginning to tell on him. His family 
 thought it best for him to retire, so in October of 1935, he read a 
 formal request to the Session to be relieved as early as possible of 
 the pastoral duties of the First Presbyterian Church, High Point, 
 North Carolina. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 185 
 
 A Congregational Meeting was called and held on November 
 17, 1935, to consider Dr. Rennie's resignation. At this meeting the 
 congregation reluctantly voted to accept his request. 
 
 On December 8, 1935, Elder G. W. Denny was elected Moder- 
 ator Pro Tern of the congregation and Elder W. A. Hayes permanent 
 Clerk. At this same meeting Elder Carter Dalton offered a motion 
 which carried, that a Pulpit Committee of seven, composed of two 
 women and five men be elected to secure a pastor. The following 
 women and men were named to this committee: Mrs. T. Wingate 
 Andrews, Mrs. C C. Garrett, Sam H. Denny from Associate Deacon 
 Board, Charles W. Perry and R. A. McPheeters from the Diaconate, 
 and Elder F. Logan Porter, Sr., and Elder W. A. Hayes. Elder Hayes 
 was named Chairman of the Pulpit Nominating Committee. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 • THE REVEREND JOSEPH RENNIE, D.D. 
 1860-1943 
 
 The Reverend Joseph Rennie, D.D., the son of Joseph Richard 
 Rennie and Ella Rosalin Powell Rennie, was born in Richmond, 
 Virginia on July 15, I860. 
 
 Dr. Rennie's early education was received from the public 
 schools in the country near Richmond, Virginia. From 1880 to 
 1882 he was a student at Richmond College, and in 1885 he re- 
 ceived an A.B. degree from Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia, and 
 in 1888, received the degree of B.D. from the Union Theological 
 Seminary of Richmond, Virginia. In 1902 he received the degree of 
 Doctor of Divinity from Central University (now Center College) 
 Kentucky. 
 
 On October 25, 1888, he was married to Miss Ellen Eugenia 
 Goodall, of Richmond, Virginia, and to this union there were born 
 four children, three daughters, Mary Christian (Mrs. Robert Job 
 Wyatt) ; Edith Cecil (wife of The Reverend H. V. Carson) ; Eugenia 
 Christian (Mrs. L. L. Rose); and a son, Joseph. 
 
 In the year 1887, The Reverend Mr. Rennie was licensed by East 
 Hanover Presbytery to preach, and in 1888, he was ordained by the 
 Roanoke Presbytery into the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church in 
 the United States. From the time of his ordination on to 1923, he 
 successively served: The First Presbyterian Church of Chase City, 
 Virginia; the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, North Carolina; 
 the Stuart Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Church of Louisville, 
 Kentucky; Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, Covington, Ken- 
 tucky; the First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk, Virginia; and the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood Mississippi. From that time 
 on, as long as he continued to preach, he served the First Presby- 
 terian Church, St. Joseph Missouri from 1923 to 1931; then he 
 supplied the Pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, 
 North Carolina, from January 1, 1932, to April of that same year; 
 from May 1, 1932, to September 1, 1932, he supplied the pulpit of 
 the First Presbyterian Church, High Point, N. C; from September 
 1, 1932, to April, 1934, he served the High Point church as its 
 Stated Supply Pastor; and then from April 1, 1934, to October 1, 
 1935 he served the High Point Church as its Pastor. This last pas- 
 torate of his was an unusual one, since the High Point Church gave 
 him a call as Pastor to it, after he was seventy-five years old. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 Dr. Rennie was a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha Fraternity; 
 a member of the National Economic League; an Odd Fellow; a 
 Kiwanian; Trustee of Hampton-Sidney College from 1903 to 1912; 
 Trustee of Southwestern College, Memphis, Tennessee from 1917 
 to 1923. During the latter years of his life, he took an active part 
 in the Red Cross work, also was speaker for the Enforcement of 
 Peace, and the League of Nations. 
 
 Dr. Joseph Rennie was a devoted father; a wonderful friend; 
 a loving Pastor whose candid frankness often called the attention of 
 the congregation to their short comings in Christian living; and a 
 powerhouse of faith and prayer, as he served the Master he knew 
 and loved so well. On September 30, 1943, Dr. Rennie received his 
 last call — this one to his eternal home. At the time this call came, 
 he and Mrs. Rennie were making their home with a daughter in 
 Raleigh, N. C, Mrs. Robert J. Wyatt. Dr. Rennie had been especially 
 devoted to the High Point congregation, so when it came to making 
 a decision, as to who the pall bearers would be, officers from the First 
 Presbyterian Church, High Point, North Carolina, were chosen to lay 
 his remains to rest in a Raleigh Cemetery. 
 
Presidents of Woman's Auxiliary Through 1934 
 First row left to right: Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Mrs. E. M. Shipman, Mrs. 
 F. Logan Porter, Sr., Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Mrs. Carter Dalton; Sec- 
 ond row: Mrs. John C. Abels, Mrs. Theressa Foy Ingle (Mrs. I. P.), 
 Mrs. Lanna McCallum, Mrs. K. C. Denny, Mrs. A. E. Taplin; Back 
 row: Mrs. Frank B. Smith, and Mrs. Charles W. Perry. 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WOMEN OF THE CHURCH 
 
 1859-1934 
 
 No history of a church is complete unless somewhere within its 
 pages are found references to the work accomplished by the women. 
 When the First Presbyterian Church was organized there were 
 eleven charter members, and of this number there were five women; 
 namely, Mrs. Margaret H. Denny, Mrs. Letitia Foster, Mrs. Eliza C. 
 Dalton, Miss Maggie Lynn, and Mrs. Rebecca Sechrest. The found- 
 ing of the Church was only a few years prior to the Civil War, so 
 the conditions under which these women served were ever changing 
 from days of peace and plenty, to those of anxiety, war, sorrow and 
 poverty. The very earliest works of these women were not recorded 
 for they were far too busy with their household duties to bother with 
 recording activities which seemed uneventful and considered of no 
 interest to others. 
 
 It is likely that the first leader of the Women in the Church 
 was Mrs. Eliza C. Dalton, the minister's wife, for in those days it was 
 the custom for the pastor's wife to lead the women in all of their 
 endeavors. The places in the church where woman might serve 
 then, were not as numerous as they are today. The main places were 
 in entertaining the visiting "preachers" and helping prepare the 
 elements for the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Besides those 
 places there was yet another place women sometimes served in 
 those early days. 
 
 Mrs. Ellen Hedgecock English was not born a Presbyterian. By 
 birth she was a Quaker — the granddaughter of the first settler in 
 this locality — John Hitchcock. Early in life she married Lurton Eng- 
 lish "Out-of -Meeting." In those days a member of the Quaker Meet- 
 in ghad to be married in "Meeting," or get permission from it to 
 be married elsewhere. Ellen did neither, so for this wilfullness was 
 expelled from the Meeting until she would comply with her 
 Church's rules. 
 
 On October 21, 1860, Mrs. Lurton English joined the newly or- 
 ganized Presbyterian Church, and soon after she did her husband 
 died leaving her with several small children and little material 
 wealth. She worried because she was unable to contribute to her 
 
190 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 church, until it came to her that she could serve her Master in other 
 ways than by gifts of money. The Church was not able financially 
 to employ a sexton. Mrs. English lived near the Church. She could 
 make her contribution by keeping the building clean; so on each 
 Saturday, before the Sabbath services were to be held, she and her 
 two daughters, Alice and Josephine, washed and filled the lamps, 
 swept the floor, and dusted the benches. 
 
 The first woman assisting in the preparations of the elements 
 for The Lord's Supper is not known, but beginning with the year 
 1878, Mrs. Mary B. Rankin, the wife of Elder W. T. Rankin, quar- 
 terly rendered this service. A short time before Mrs. Rankin's death 
 this service was assumed by Mrs. Alice E. Snow, the wife of Elder 
 E. A. Snow, and from that time until the death of her husband, Mrs. 
 Snow faithfully helped prepare this Holy Sacrament. After the 
 death of her husband this service was taken up by her daughter 
 Helen. S. Hayes, the wife of Elder W. A. Hayes, and Mrs. Margaret 
 J. Denny, the wife of Elder G. W. Denny. 
 
 In a great many of the Church's affairs woman holds the honor 
 of being first. Such an honor goes to Mrs. Margaret H. Denny, who 
 organized the first Sunday School in the community — organized 
 it two years before the actual founding of the First Presbyterian 
 Church in High Point. 
 
 Besides the previously mentioned ways woman has helped there 
 is yet another way which is of mammoth importance. She has will- 
 ingly and joyously helped with the music in both the Sunday School 
 and Church. The first organist of the Church was Mrs. Eliza C. Dal- 
 ton; the next, Miss Eliza Fisher (Mrs. Philip B. Rogers); and in 
 succession Miss Daisy Rankin; Miss Nannie Dinwiddie; Mrs. E. L. 
 Siler; Miss Ruby Snow (Mrs. Bencini); Miss Dorothy Snow (Mrs. 
 J. I. Groome); and Miss Thelma E. Wineskie (Mrs. Ben Cooper). 
 
 A short time after the Church was founded there was a society 
 supposedly organized for the women, but no record of it is left. It is 
 definitely known though that there was a Missionary Society exist- 
 ing as far back as 1885. Sometime in the nineties this society faded 
 from the records. 
 
 In the year 1890, a meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Ben 
 Jordan, for the purpose of organizing a Ladies' Aid Society. This or- 
 ganization was, as the name implies, an aid society — doing any and 
 everything for the Church, from cleaning floors, to buying a carpet 
 for it. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 191 
 
 After the new Church building was completed on South Main 
 Street, because of no funds, there was a tie-up in getting a much de- 
 sired carpet for the sanctuary floor. Mrs. Philip Rodgers (Miss Eliza) 
 decided this was no excuse; so she offered to the Ladies' Aid Society 
 two propositions — one, making a Signature Quilt, with a charge for 
 each name that was written upon it; the other proposition was to 
 secure pledges that would finish paying for the carpet. These could 
 be paid in monthly installments and she would collect them her- 
 self. The women voted to accept "Miss Eliza's" propositions and she 
 lived up to her agreement — walking the rounds each month collect- 
 ing pledges until enough money to pay for the carpet was collected. 
 After the money was in hand, and the Carpet Committee went to 
 buy it they found the figures they had on the purchasing of the car- 
 pet did not include the sewing of it together. This did not disturb 
 the Committee too much. The Ladies' Aid could do that. 
 
 V 
 
 Miss Eliza's Signature Quilt, now in the possession of Mrs. W. G. Shipman, 
 photographed in 1959 with some of our members dressed in costumes of the 
 past day. 
 
192 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 After the death of the Missionary Society, which was organized 
 in 1885, there was no known active Missionary Society until Sunday 
 morning, March 20, 1904, when The Reverend E. L. Siler requested 
 all ladies who were interested in Missions to remain after service. A 
 large number of the ladies remained and there was organized a 
 Presbyterian Home and Foreign Missionary Society, with twenty- 
 two charter members. This society was to meet on the fourth Mon- 
 day afternoon in each month, and the officers were: President, Mrs. 
 Thomas H. Patten; Vice-president, Mrs. E. L. Siler; Secretary, and 
 Treasurer, Mrs. Philip B. Rodgers. 
 
 From the beginning this society was strictly missionary — a des- 
 ignated Mission Field was chosen for study each month and the 
 pledges paid in were contributed to the cause of missions. In time 
 these meetings became so interesting that the men of the church 
 asked permission to attend them, and soon there were more names 
 of men on the society roll than there were women. 
 
 In time the interest in this society began to wane, and by Octo- 
 ber, 1907, its membership voted to merge it with prayer meeting 
 for one Wednesday night in each month. 
 
 This merger with prayer meeting did not work out in a satis- 
 factory way, so there was organized another Missionary Society, 
 known as the P. H. Dalton Missionary Society. 
 
 The Aid Society, mentioned in connection with the P. H. Dalton 
 Missionary Society in the Session Minutes, is undoubtedly the same 
 Aid Society organized in 1890. However, there is no definite record 
 of it found until January 5, 1914. From minutes found of the meet- 
 ing of this society held then one reads: 
 
 "There being no business, election of officers for the year was 
 declared in order. Mrs. Rogers occupying the chair during the elec- 
 tion the following officers were elected: Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., 
 President; Mrs. John S. Campbell, Vice-President; Mrs. C. T. More- 
 land, Secretary; and Mrs. Frank Wineskie, Treasurer." 
 
 On Sunday evening, May 2, 1920, a meeting of the ladies of the 
 Church was held to decide whether it was advisable to adopt "The 
 Circle Plan," as recommended by Presbyterial. The Reverend C. P. Co- 
 ble, Pastor, and Mrs. E. M. Shipman made short explanatory talks 
 on the proposed plan. A motion was then made by Mrs. W. G. 
 Shipman, and seconded by Mrs. K. C. Denny that the two societies 
 — the P. H. Dalton Missionary, and the Ladies' Aid Society unite 
 and go under "The Circle Plan." There was much discussion which 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 193 
 
 ended in the adoption of this new plan. Then the following officers 
 were elected to lead this new society: Mrs. E. M. Shipman, Presi- 
 dent; Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Vice-president; Mrs. A. E. Taplin, 
 Secretary; and Mrs. Frank Wineskie, Treasurer. 
 
 The name for this new organization was to be known as The 
 Woman's Auxiliary, and the first Executive Board Meeting was held 
 on May 3, 1920, at the home of Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr. At this meet- 
 ing seven circle chairmen were named — five for the regular circles; 
 one for the Business Girls; and one for the Young Ladies' Circle. 
 Mrs. W. W. Smith was at this same meeting named Secretary of 
 Prayer Bands and Bible Study. At the second Executive Board meet- 
 ing held on Friday of that same week, a budget of $700 was adopted 
 for the year, and Mrs. W. H. Plummer was appointed Secretary 
 Pastor's Aid. 
 
 With all of the preliminaries behind them the Auxiliary held its 
 first general meeting on May 17, at the home of Mrs. K. C. Denny. 
 
 When the first year's work under the name of "Woman's Auxil- 
 iary" was completed on March 31, 1921, the report showed three 
 prayer bands, and a total of $837 had been paid into the Treasurer. 
 
 The same Executive Committee and Officers continued in office 
 for the second year, with things in the auxiliary going on much the 
 same as they had the year before, except for the dropping of a circle; 
 naming Mrs. C. P. Coble, Secretary of Prayer Bands and Bible Study; 
 Mrs. G. W. Denny, Secretary Pastor's Aid; and the adopting of a 
 budget of $1500 plus the promise of an additional $1000 as a gift 
 towards the erection of the Hut. 
 
 During the year there were many ways in which the promised 
 monies were raised — besides the pledges there were ice cream sup- 
 pers, and oyster stews served — besides the sponsoring of special 
 sales booths, when the occasion presented itself. 
 
 By September 26, 1921, the Hut was completed and with fifty- 
 nine members present the General Meeting of the Auxiliary was 
 held in it. The Hut was an ideal workshop for these ambitious wom- 
 en, so a Bazaar and Turkey Dinner was held in it on December 8, 
 1921 — so successful was this project that it was repeated annually 
 for a number of years. 
 
 For the year 1922-1923, the following women were elected as 
 leaders of the Auxiliary: Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., President; Mrs. 
 
194 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 A. E. Taplin, Vice-president; Miss Minnie Pollock, Secretary; and 
 Mrs. Oscar McCampbell, Treasurer. 
 
 At the first general meeting of the year, Mrs. Frank Wineskie 
 was named Secretary Pastor's Aid; Mrs. E. M. Hendrix, Secretary of 
 Spiritual Life; Mrs. D. M. Pollock, Chairman of The Business Girls' 
 Circle (Name of circle changed during the year to Coble Circle); 
 and a budget of $4000 was adopted. 
 
 Earlier in the year a request had come to the Auxiliary for it to 
 join with all other auxiliaries, in celebrating the tenth birthday of the 
 Greater Auxiliary. This request was voted favorably upon and on 
 May 15, 1922, a birthday party was held and $37.10 was received 
 and sent to Atlanta, Ga., as a birthday gift. 
 
 At the close of the year 1922-1923, the report showed four 
 prayer bands, six tithers, seven family altars in the Auxiliary, and a 
 total of $4,151 having passed through the Treasurer's hands. 
 
 For the year 1923-1924, the following women were elected to 
 the Executive Board: Mmes. W. A. Hayes, President; K. C. Denny, 
 Vice-president; Carter Dalton, Secretary; W. G. Shipman, Treasurer; 
 E. M. Shipman, Talent Treasurer; Frank Wineskie, Secretary Pas- 
 tor's Aid; and C. P. Coble, Secretary Spiritual life. 
 
 In Mr. Coble's talk to the General meeting, at the first of the 
 year, he requested that the women endeavor, throughout the year, 
 to make the General meeting radiate more spirituality and less busi- 
 ness. At this same meeting a budget of $4500 was adopted for the 
 year. 
 
 During the year $600 was paid in on the installment of a heat- 
 ing plant in the Hut, and on March 25, 1924, the new manse on Co- 
 lonial Drive was completed and ready for occupancy. The Auxiliary 
 had donated shades for the manse; a combination gas and wood 
 range; the personal gift of a hand painted breakfast room suite to 
 the Coble family; and when the Cobles had moved into the new 
 manse, gave them a pounding and house warming. At the close of 
 the year it was found that the budget had been over subscribed by 
 $540, and the Auxiliary had attained a seventy percent average on 
 the Standard of Excellency. 
 
 For the year 1924-1925, the following were chosen officers of 
 the Auxiliary: Mmes. A. E. Taplin, President; K. C. Denny, Vice- 
 president; Carter Dalton, Secretary; Charles W. Perry, Treasurer; 
 E. M. Shipman, Talent Treasurer; E. W. Holton, Secretary of Spir- 
 itual Life; and A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Secretary Pastor's Aid. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 195 
 
 At the beginning of the year's work there was a merger of the 
 Junior Girl's and Young Ladies' Circles, and the decision to send 
 Barium Spring's Orphanage, monthly a dollar from each circle. 
 
 At the close of this year a total of $2,304 was reported having 
 been received into the treasury, four prayer bands, and a percent of 
 seventy attained on the Standard of Excellency. 
 
 Officers for the year 1925-1926, were: Mmes. K. C. Denny, Presi- 
 dent; Carter Dalton, Vice-president; B. C. Page, Secretary; W. E. 
 Herndon, Treasure; E. M. Shipman, Talent Treasurer; E. W. Hoi 
 ton, Secretary of Spiritual Life; and R. L. Way nick, Secretary 
 Pastor's Aid. 
 
 The Reverend Coble at the first General meeting of the year con- 
 tinued to point out his desire for more spirituality in the General 
 meetings, he said, "One may become so busy in making dollars that 
 there may be a dearth of time for Spiritual Growth." 
 
 After hearing Mr. Coble's talk the Auxiliary voted to omit the 
 yearly bazaar and to strive to give more instead. As a result of this 
 decision the Auxiliary, at the close of the Church year, found itself 
 on a much higher spiritual plane and its financial status not im- 
 paired. Five prayer bands were recorded, twenty-eight tithers, forty- 
 seven family altars, and a percent of ninety attained on the Standard 
 of Excellency. 
 
 The year 1926-1927, chose as its leaders: Mmes. Lamar McCal- 
 lum, President; Carter Dalton, Vice-president; Theresa Ingle (I 
 Paul) , Secretary; W. E. Hendron, Treasurer; F. Logan Porter, Sr., Tal- 
 ent Treasurer; E. W. Holton, Secretary of Spiritual Life; and Ken- 
 neth C. Denny, Secretary Pastor's Aid. At the close of the year the 
 Treasurer reported an increase over the amounts paid in during the 
 preceeding year, and the name of the Young Ladies' Circle had been 
 changed to the Alma Headen Circle — honoring Miss Headen who 
 had taken up her Master's work in foreign fields. 
 
 The harmonious spirit which prevailed in the Auxiliary through- 
 out the year 1926-1927, gave the President, Mrs. Lamar McCallum, 
 courage to continue in that office for the year 1927-1928, so with 
 the following Board members the year's work began: Mmes. F. Lo- 
 gan Porter, Sr., Vice-president; Theressa Foy Ingle, Secretary; B. S. 
 Cummings, Treasurer; George Stephens, Secretary of Spiritual Life; 
 and Charles W. Perry, Secretary Pastor's Aid. 
 
 A new church home was being erected on North Main Street 
 
196 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 and Shirley Avenue, and in the years report $350 was reported as 
 given to the New Church Building Fund, thirty-two family altars 
 and thirty-four tithers were also reported, and a total amount of 
 money received as $3,259.00. 
 
 The year, 1928-1929, began in the beautiful new Church Home, 
 with an entirely new group of officers: Mmes. F. Logan Porter, Sr., 
 President; C. C. Garrett, Vice-president; Williamson Mills, Secre- 
 tary; A. E. Taplin, Treasurer; Secretary of Spiritual Life, George 
 Stephens; and Secretary Pastor's Aid, Theressa Foy Ingle. 
 
 Moving to the new Church called for changes in the old order 
 of things. Many changes were made. Mrs. Bertha Snow Barbee had 
 been privileged, in the past to place flowers in the sanctuary each 
 Sunday, because of her desire to do so, and because she lived right 
 across the street from the church. Mrs. Porter recognized the fact 
 that Mrs. Barbee lived quite a distance from the new church, so she 
 appointed as Flower Chairman, Mrs. Charles W. Perry. Mrs. Perry 
 was to make a list of the different circles and assign a Sunday to 
 them to help Mrs. Barbee get her flowers to the church, or find 
 flowers for her if she did not have them. 
 
 At the close of the year the annual report showed an increase 
 in the Church's Spiritual Life, there were forty family altars, fifty 
 tithers, three prayer bands, and a treasurers report of $3,632 paid in 
 for the year. 
 
 Things had gone along so smoothly under the leadership of Mrs. 
 Porter, that at the close of the year she was urged to continue as 
 President of the Auxiliary. Orange Presbyterial was going to meet 
 with the Church the following spring and it was necessary to have 
 such a leader. Mrs. Porter agreed to continue in this office with the 
 following officers: Mmes. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Vice-president; W. A. 
 Hayes, Secretary; C. H. Marriner, Treasurer; Theressa Foy Ingle, 
 Secretary of Spiritual Life; and A. E. Taplin, Secretary Pastor's Aid. 
 
 Many worthwhile things were accomplished during this year 
 and at the close of it the report showed that the whole Auxiliary 
 considered itself a prayer band — praying each morning at nine 
 o'clock — fifty copies of The Church Calendar of Prayer had been 
 bought by the women, twenty-nine family altars, twenty-five tithers, 
 and the financial report showed a total of $3,980 had been received 
 by the Treasurer. 
 
 Each new year brought its changes, but not always as drastic as 
 the year 1930-1931. By the last of January The Reverend C. P. Coble 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 197 
 
 had preached his last sermon as Pastor of the Church, and in April 
 The Reverend Charles Haddon Nabers, D.D., had become pastor of 
 the Church. When Dr. Nabers became Pastor the following were 
 officials of the Auxiliary: Mmes. Carter Dalton, President; A. E. 
 Taplin, Vice-president; W. A. Hayes, Secretary; C. H. Marriner, 
 Treasurer; R. K. Young, Secretary of Spiritual Life; and K. C. Denny 
 — assisted by E. W. Holton — Secretary Pastor's Aid. 
 
 Perhaps one of the most outstanding things done during this 
 year was the reception given honoring Dr. and Mrs. Nabers. At the 
 close of the year's work the report showed forty-four tithers, thirty 
 family altars, thirty-five new members added to the Auxiliary roll, 
 thirty new members added to the Coble Circle, and the financial 
 statement showed that there had been paid into the Treasurer 
 $3598.00, during the year. 
 
 The year 1931-1932, began with the following officers: Mmes. 
 Charles W. Perry, President; Vernon Idol, Sr., Vice-president; Frank 
 
 B. Smith, Secretary; Cecil H. Marriner, Treasurer; T. Wingate An- 
 drews, Historian; F. Logan Porter, Sr., Secretary of Spiritual Life; 
 and Kenneth C. Denny, Secretary Pastor's Aid. 
 
 With several additions and changes the women's work pro- 
 gressed. A new circle was added; a Historian was appointed; and for 
 the first time envelopes were distributed by the Treasurer, to each 
 Circle member in which to place their monthly pledges. It was also 
 deemed wise to choose seven of the Cause Secretaries to better ac- 
 quaint the women with the workings of their church, by having the 
 Secretaries go to different Circle meetings each month. 
 
 In January a financial crash, of National magnitude, closed the 
 doors of The Commercial National Bank, of High Point, with a 
 large deposit of the Auxiliary's money in it. 
 
 At the close of the year the report recorded forty-one tithers, 
 thirty-eight family altars, a prayer band composed of the Executive 
 Board, and a financial statement showing that the receipts for the 
 year had been $3,240.00. 
 
 With the beginning of the year 1932-1933, there were many 
 changes made in the Church. Dr. Nabers accepted a call to Green- 
 ville, South Carolina, and Dr. Joseph Rennie came to the Church 
 as Supply Pastor. Amidst all of this change the following women 
 took up the leadership of the Auxiliary: Mmes. John C. Abels, Pres- 
 ident; R. A. McPheeters, Vice-president; Frank B. Smith, Secretary; 
 
 C. H. Marriner, Treasurer; W. G. Shipman, Historian; K. C. Denny, 
 
198 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Secretary of Spiritual Life; and Lamar McCallum, Secretary Pastor's 
 Aid. 
 
 Of the many things accomplished by the women during the year 
 the one which stands out as of prime importance is the cheerful as- 
 sistance the women gave the men of the Church in that critical 
 month of January, 1933. At this time the women gladly joined the 
 ranks of the men in a great drive to raise $8500 necessary to meet 
 the obligations due on the Church debt. Two of the six divisions 
 came from the women. 
 
 At the close of the year it was found there were forty-seven fam- 
 ily altars, thirty-eight tithers, five prayer bands, and a total amount 
 of $3,133 had been paid into the treasury. 
 
 The arrival of the year 1933-1934, found the City, State, and 
 Nation all feeling the results of the "Depression"; therefore it was 
 important that efficient leaders be elected. Those elected were: 
 Mmes. Theressa Foy Ingle ( I. Paul ) , President; R. S. Laff erty, Vice- 
 president; J. D. Ross, Secretary; F. C. Gomo, Treasurer; Charles W. 
 Perry, Historian; K. C. Denny, Secretary of Spiritual Life; and G. W. 
 Denny, Secretary Pastor's Aid. 
 
 This new year with its depressing financial conditions called for 
 unusual efforts; so the bazaar idea was again introduced. From the 
 time of this decision until December when it was held, the Presi- 
 dent and Chairman of Ways and Means, Mrs. R. K. Young, worked 
 untiringly — making plans for it. It was then no surprise when the 
 Bazaar was over, to find it had been a financial success. 
 
 In September before the Bazaar was held, the Auxiliary was 
 shocked and deeply grieved over the untimely death of Mrs. F. C. 
 Gomo, Treasurer. At this time her office needed to be filled, so Mrs. 
 A. E. Taplin graciously volunteered to fill her unexpired term. 
 
 There were many outstanding things done during this year but 
 perhaps the most outstanding was a gift to the Special Finance Com- 
 mittee of a check for $1,125. In all, there passed through the Treas- 
 urer's hands during the year, $2,850; there were twenty-five family 
 altars, twenty tithers, and the whole Auxiliary was a Prayer Band. 
 
 The seventy-fifth year of the Church's life began with a promise 
 of better financial conditions in the Nation, yet the High Point 
 Church still felt the pinch of poverty. They chose as their leaders 
 for this time Mmes. Frank B. Smith, President; R. S. Lafferty, Vice- 
 president; P. H. Dalton, III, Secretary; A. E. Taplin, Treasurer; 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 199 
 
 Charles W. Perry, Historian; F. Logan Porter, Sr., Secretary of Spir- 
 itual Life; and George W. Denny, Secretary Pastor's Aid. 
 
 Early in the year a gift of a chest of one thousand pieces of silver 
 was presented to the Church from a friend of Mr. Frank Wineskie's. 
 
 The term of office for Mrs. Frank B. Smith is incomplete, for it 
 is now only September 24, 1934. The year is young and there are 
 perhaps the most noteworthy accomplishments to follow, but to date 
 the most outstanding things accomplished during the year are: the 
 presentation of the Pastors' Portraits to the Church by Mrs. Hayes' 
 Circle, the sponsoring of the Seventy-fifth Birthday Celebration of 
 the Church, and the writing of the Church History, for the first 
 seventy-five years. 
 
 During the past seventy-five years the women of the Church 
 have served faithfully and well — to you who are to follow they say: 
 "We charge you — guard well the traditions of the past, keeping 
 ever before you the standards we have maintained — ever holding 
 high the torch we now throw you from failing hands, and always fol- 
 low the gleam — the gleam that through you may light the world." 
 
PART TWO 
 
 HISTORY OF PAST TWENTY-FIVE YEARS 
 
 1934 - 1959 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 High Point, North Carolina 
 
 Written and compiled by 
 OCTAVIA JORDAN PERRY 
 Assisted by her husband, Charles W. Perry 
 
 and the following members: 
 Noble T. Praigg 
 J. W. Southerland 
 R. Frank Dalton 
 Dr. A. B. Croom 
 David Pancoast 
 Ernestine Hayes Dallas 
 Florence and John Womack 
 
The Reverend Orin Conway Williamson, D.D. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND ORIN CONWAY WILLIAMSON, D.D. 
 
 The Church's indebtedness to the Lorenzo E. Anderson Bonding 
 Company had been settled previously in full, but it had been neces- 
 sary to secure a sizeable loan from the Jefferson Standard Life In- 
 surance Company. There would be other indebtedness items coming 
 up soon for readjustment. Things still did not look too good, and 
 fear prevailed among the Church members that the heavy indebted- 
 ness it was under would be a real drawback in securing a pastor. 
 
 On February 9, 1936, the Pulpit Committee brought Dr. Orin 
 Conway Williamson, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 Alexandria, Louisiana, to the Church pulpit to preach a trial sermon. 
 The text of his sermon was Tried As By Fire. During the afternoon, 
 of that same day, Deacon and Mrs. C C. Garrett held Open House 
 so that all of the officers of the Church might meet him. 
 
 Dr. Williamson was warmly received by the membership of the 
 Church, and at a congregational meeting held soon after he had re- 
 turned to Louisiana, he was given a unanimous call to become Pas- 
 tor of The First Presbyterian Church of High Point, N. C. 
 
 From the time the call was extended to Dr. Williamson the 
 congregation eagerly awaited an answer from him. He accepted the 
 call with the full knowledge of the Church's indebtedness — to him 
 this debt was a challenge. After he had accepted the call the con- 
 gregation just as eagerly awaited the arrival of the Williamson 
 family. 
 
 By Easter Sunday, April 12, 1936, Dr. Williamson, his wife and 
 two sons were living in the manse, and as pastor of the Church he 
 preached his first sermon on that same day. Joy was expressed on 
 the faces of the congregation and the Church Bulletin carried the 
 following: 
 
 "It seems entirely appropriate that Dr. Williamson assumes our 
 pastorate this Easter morning. And, just as Christ's Resurrection, 
 which we celebrate today, brought joy, and hope, and faith, and 
 courage to the world, so may Dr. Williamson's coming be an inspir- 
 ation and blessing to our Church. May this pastorate prove the be- 
 
204 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 ginning of a new era of love, of loyalty, and of wide Spiritual awak- 
 ening for us all." 
 
 At the meeting of Orange Presbytery held in April, 1936, at 
 Sanford, N. C, Dr. Williamson was received into the Presbytery and 
 his installation services were set for Sunday May 3, 1936. The Rev- 
 erend M. S. Huske of Riedsville was named Chairman of the instal- 
 lation Commission, to preside and preach the sermon. The Reverend 
 N. N. Flemming, of Hawflelds Presbyterian Church to charge the 
 Pastor; Elder Sam White, of Mebane to charge the congregation; 
 and The Reverend S. M. Rankin, of Greensboro, alternate to com- 
 plete the Commission. 
 
 At the time Dr. Williamson took up his pastorate at the High 
 Point Church, Elder W. A. Hayes was Clerk of the Session; Frank 
 Wineskie was Chairman of the Diaconate; Harold M. White was 
 Chairman of the Associate Board of Deacons; Harry A. Alexander 
 was Church Treasurer; Lamar McCallum was Superintendent of the 
 Sunday School; Mrs. Hunter Dalton, III., was President of the 
 Woman's Auxiliary; and Mrs. Dennis H. Hall, Jr., was Chairman of 
 the Young Peoples Council. The Church membership was 725, but 
 was forever fluctuating, due to the conditions of the times. Failures 
 in business, and transfers to posts of duty in other towns had moved 
 several of the Church officers from the city. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Diaconate held in April, 1936, 
 Mr. G. E. Hutchens was elected Vice-Chairman to replace Deacon 
 R. A. McPheeters, who had moved to Richmond, Virginia. At this 
 same meeting the Diaconate decided that the Limited Term System, 
 they had previously adopted, was not working satisfactorily. The 
 plan did not carry the compulsory one year lay off of deacons after 
 they had served their term. The Board then voted to request the Ses- 
 sion to discontinue the Limited Term Plan for the deacons. 
 
 A congregation meeting was duly called and held on Sunday, 
 May 17, 1936. At this meeting Elder Carter Dalton was elected 
 Trustee of the Church to succeed Deacon R. A. McPheeters, and the 
 following deacons were elected: M. A. Temple, S. H. Denny, J. San- 
 ders Dallas, George L. Rankin, Harry A. Alexander, J. Paul Wil- 
 liamson, Hazel P. Hardin, D. Waring Smith, C. E. Lehmann, and 
 Hobert Bryant. 
 
 In the June 21, 1936, bulletin the new list of the appointed As- 
 sociate Deacons read as follows: Vance McCormick, D. H. Hall, Jr., 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 205 
 
 F. L. Babcock, Boyd Stout, E. A. McCall, P. S. Mason, J. C. Kaneer, 
 Julian Franklin, Arthur Dickens, and David H. Andrews. 
 
 Sometime during the early part of the month of June, Elder Car- 
 ter Dalton had the idea that the church needed a monthly publica- 
 tion that would bring to the congregation the Church news. He sug- 
 gested to the Men's Club that they publish such an organ and call it 
 The Blue Stocking. The Men's Club voted to sponsor this publica- 
 tion and by July a copy of it was put into the hands of each member 
 of the congregation. 
 
 On Sunday, July 15, 1936, the congregation welcomed Miss 
 Pauline Ribelin, formerly of Albemarle, N. C, a graduate of Mon- 
 treat College and a local Business College, as full time Church Sec- 
 retary. The services of Miss Ribelin had been made possible through 
 the generosity of a group of the officers of the Church, with no cost 
 to the congregation. 
 
 With the beginning of Summer the Session voted to discontinue 
 Prayer Meeting until September and to join the other Main Street 
 Churches in Union Services on Sunday evenings. On July 12, 1936, 
 the first such meeting was held. 
 
 Early in September Dr. Williamson discussed with the Session 
 his desire for a Revival Service to be conducted in the Church be- 
 ginning October 21 and continuing on through November 1, with 
 Dr. D. T. Caldwell of Petersburg, Virginia, conducting the services. 
 This request was approved and a successful meeting was held. 
 
 A short time after Dr. Williamson came to the Church, Elder 
 E. C. Holden began talking with him about a Mission Sunday 
 School. Dr. Williamson was interested so he and his wife, Elder 
 Holden, Mrs. Holden, and Harry L. Brown, began looking around 
 for the most likely section of the city in which to start an Out-Post 
 Sunday School. Following a thorough survey it was decided that the 
 Brentwood section was the place. After this locality was decided 
 upon, it was necessary to have a building in which Sunday School 
 could be conducted. Nothing was available, that the Committee 
 could afford to rent, but a dilapidated little one room store building 
 on the South side of East Green Street. This place appeared impos- 
 sible to any one but those who had caught the vision. It was rented 
 and Dr. and Mrs. Williamson, the Holdens, Mr. Harry L. Brown, 
 Mr. E. M. Foster, and Mr. E. R. Clodfelter bought paint and 
 painted it. 
 
 With its new coat of paint the little store building was all ready 
 for the first meeting of the Out-Post Sunday School of the First 
 
206 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Presbyterian Church on the afternoon of Sunday, November 8, 
 
 1936, with Mr. Harry L. Brown, Superintendent; Dr. E. C. Holden, 
 Teacher of Adults; and Mr. Fred Bartlett, Teacher of Young Peo- 
 ple. For this opening meeting there was an excellent attendance. 
 The sponsoring committee was highly pleased, so their determina- 
 tion to make it into a church some day was strengthened. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Board of Deacons held in April, 
 
 1937, Messrs. George E. Hutchens was named Chairman; S. H. Den- 
 ny, Vice-chairman; and H. M. White, Church Treasurer. 
 
 About this same time the Associate Board of Deacons held its 
 annual election of officers and reported to the Diaconate that they 
 had elected, Messrs. J. Carl Kaneer, Chairman; E. R. Clodfelter, 
 Vice-chairman; and C. M. Thomas, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 On April 15, 1937, the Fortieth Annual Meeting of the 
 Woman's Auxiliary of Orange Presbytery, was held in the High 
 Point Church. This meeting of the women had hardly adjourned, 
 when it became inevitable that another canvas of the Church mem- 
 bership was going to have to be made. Funds must be raised to make 
 a financial settlement with the Virginia Trust Company, which 
 would fall due on June 8, 1937. 
 
 Neither an individual or a church, under the burden of heavy 
 debt, can be at its best. Dr. Williamson was vitally interested in all 
 of the Church's affairs — so interested in them, that he considered 
 the church's debt almost a personal one. "This money must be 
 raised," he said, so he dedicated himself both prayerfully and phy- 
 sically to raising the needed amount. 
 
 The debt due the Virginia Trust Company, had originally been 
 a loan of $100,000, for a period of two years, personally endorsed 
 by fifteen of the Church officers. It had not been paid in its entirety 
 and was still a sizeable debt. The endorsers of the note had grown 
 disgrunted, and justly so, for each individual endorser was person- 
 ally responsible for the full amount the Church owed the Virginia 
 Trust Company. 
 
 The Church was not able to meet the financial requirement 
 specified by the Virginia Trust Company, so a special committee, 
 composed of Messrs. George E. Hutchens, H. M. White, and Charles 
 W. Perry were named to contact the Trust Company and find out 
 what arrangements could be made for a settlement. Dr. O. C. Wil- 
 liamson, George E. Hutchens and Charles W. Perry went to Rich- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 207 
 
 mond for an interview with Mr. Jackson, the President of the Vir- 
 ginia Trust Company. They found President Jackson adamant — a 
 former Church Committee had infuriated Mr. Jackson and he was 
 not willing to listen to any kind of arrangement with the Church 
 other than full payment of the Church's indebtedness. When told 
 the Church could not pay it all at this time he stated that he could 
 get it — he could sue any one of the individual endorsers and get the 
 whole amount due that way. Dr. Williamson then called to Mr. 
 Jackson's attention that this debt was not that of any one church 
 member. Then he appealed to Mr. Jackson to just give the Church 
 another chance — all it was asking was additional time to raise the 
 required money. Mr. Jackson would not listen to reason, so the 
 committee returned to High Point. 
 
 In a few days Mr. Hutchens went back to Richmond, Virginia 
 by himself, and after several attempts got the ear of Mr. Charlie 
 Watkins, one of the Vice-presidents of the Trust Company. Mr. 
 Watkins agreed to try and change President Jackson's attitude to- 
 wards the High Point Church loan. 
 
 After seven visits by Dr. Williamson, and Mr. Hutchens, accom- 
 panied at different times by Messrs. Carter Dalton, Frank Wineskie, 
 Paul Engle, Paul Williamson, and Charles W. Perry, a settlement 
 with the Virginia Trust Company was worked out. The Church was 
 to pay $36,000.00 in cash and the Trust Company was to take a 
 mortgage on that part of the South Main Street lot that had not 
 been sold — a mortgage until it could be sold. This mortgage was to 
 be secured by limited personal endorsements of fifty of the church 
 members. This was done and the original fifteen endorsers were re- 
 leased from their personal responsibility. 
 
 The June 20, 1937, Bulletin carried: "It gives us a great deal of 
 pleasure to announce that on last Thursday a check was mailed the 
 Virginia Trust Company, Richmond, Virginia, for $32,656.75. An- 
 other $3,000 due them is to be secured from the sale of property 
 and stock, and the money from the sale sent to them shortly. When 
 this is done, all of the fifteen endorsers who have so patiently borne 
 the burden for the church during the past several years will have 
 been entirely released from all further personal responsibility. This 
 readjustment of our church debt is an occasion of great joy to our 
 whole congregation. We wish to call attention to the fact that no 
 compromise was made. We feel that a great load has been lifted and 
 that the Church will now go forward in a more splendid way. 
 Among those who had a leading part in the working out of this sit- 
 
208 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 uation are George E. Hutchens, Chairman of the Board of Deacons; 
 H. M. White, Treasurer; and Charles W. Perry. These three have 
 labored incessantly at a great sacrifice of time and neglect to their 
 own businesses, and to them is largely due the success of the under- 
 taking. In addition to these should be mentioned Carter Dalton, 
 Frank Wineskie, Paul Ingle, and Paul Williamson." 
 
 While the original fifteen personal endorsers had been released 
 by the partial payment of the note, it was necessary to give the Trust 
 Company another note for $10,000, secured by notes from fifty 
 members of the Church limiting their personal responsibilities. 
 
 During the remainder of the Church year, 1937, a great many 
 things of interest and importance happened in the Church. Mrs. S. 
 H. Askew came and taught the Epistles to the Ephesians to the 
 women; a Revival Service was conducted at the Brentwood Mission, 
 with The Reverend Davenport as Evangelist; and on December 5, 
 one of the greatly beloved former pastors, The Reverend Charles P. 
 Coble, came as guest minister and preached at the morning service. 
 
 With the coming of the year, 1938, the spectre of debt again 
 haunted the Church. In the January 10 bulletin of that year we 
 read that those delinquent in their pledges are urged to pay up so 
 the payment due on the Church's debt to the Jefferson Standard Life 
 Insurance Company can be met. 
 
 Again early in the summer the bulletin again carried a plea: 
 "Due to the necessity of raising approximately $1,800.00, with 
 which to meet an interest payment on the Church's debt, to the Jef- 
 ferson Standard Life Insurance Company, all members are urged to 
 make an effort to pay their pledges up to date — prior to August 
 10, 1938." 
 
 Near the first of July, Miss Pauline Ribelin tendered her resig- 
 nation as Church Secretary, to the Session, asking to be released so 
 she could enter the Assembly's Training School at Richmond, Vir- 
 ginia, on September 15, 1938. 
 
 Miss Jeanette Bounous of Valdese, N. G, a graduate of Mitchell 
 College, Statesville, and the Assembly's Training School, Richmond, 
 Virginia, decided to accept the Church's offer to come to it as Direc- 
 tor of Religious Education. 
 
 A picnic supper, honoring both Miss Ribelin and Miss Bounous 
 was held on the Church lawn on the evening of September 14. After 
 the supper Mr. Frank Wineskie showed the slides he had taken on 
 his recent European travels. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 209 
 
 For ten days of the month of September, 1938, Dr. Williamson 
 was absent from the Church Pulpit, conducting a Revival Service at 
 the Rocky River Presbyterian Church. When he returned a Revival 
 Service was started in this church beginning November 6, and lasting 
 through November 13. The Evangelist for this service was The Rev- 
 erend John R. Williams of Atlanta, Georgia. 
 
 On December 3-4, 1938, the Young People's Council of Orange 
 Presbytery, held its Mid- Winter meeting in the High Point Church. 
 
 By announcement from the Session, on January 19, 1939, the 
 hour for the Evening Service was changed from 7 : 30 to 5 : 00 o'clock 
 in order to enable Dr. Williamson to fill the pulpit at Brentwood 
 Mission at 7:00 o'clock. 
 
 Early in the year 1939, the Woman's Auxiliary published a new 
 Church Directory. About this same time Professor Dan W. Smith 
 organized a Junior Choir of boys and girls of the fourth and fifth 
 grade age. With thirty-one members in this choir it made its first 
 public appearance on April 9, 1939. 
 
 When it came time for the Church's Every-Member-Canvass, in 
 1939, the deacons had a new idea as to how it should be conducted. 
 They invited the church membership to go to the Ladies' Parlor, or 
 Gleaner's Room, immediately after the morning worship on March 
 12, and make their pledge for the church year. This plan worked, 
 making the canvassing job much easier on the canvassers. 
 
 In April, 1939, the Church debt was again before the congre- 
 gation. This time it was our indebtedness to the defunct Commer- 
 cial National Bank. A special finance committee was named, com- 
 posed of George E. Hutchens, Frank Wineskie, and Samuel E. 
 Tucker. 
 
 This debt was unknown to the membership at large — known 
 only to Church officers and the seven endorsers who had endorsed a 
 note Mr. J. E. Marsh had given the Commercial National Bank as 
 collateral, when he had bought part of the original South Main Street 
 property. These endorsers were: G. W. Denny, Kenneth C. Denny, 
 W. E. Snow, Rodney Snow, C. C. Garrett, Frank Wineskie, and 
 Dr. W. A. Hayes. 
 
 Without the Church's knowledge, when Mr. Marsh failed to 
 meet the note the lot had been put up by the bank Receiver and 
 sold for less money than had been borrowed. Mr. Biggs, receiver for 
 the Bank was demanding that the endorsers pay the remainder of 
 the indebtedness in full 
 
210 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 The Church in its recent transaction with the Virginia Trust 
 Company, had literally scraped bottom. There was no known money 
 to be had; however, there was nothing to do but put on a consen- 
 trated drive. 
 
 This Special Finance Committee called for the workers for this 
 special drive to meet at the Church for a supper meeting on April 
 16, 1939. At this meeting the officials who were to conduct this 
 drive on April 18, were named. Dr. O. C. Williamson, Command- 
 ing General; George E. Hutchens, Chief of Staff; H. M. White, Fi- 
 nance Officer; and seven Colonels; F. Logan Porter, Sr., H. P. Har- 
 din, S. H. Denny, R. B. Terry, R. B. Gantt, Mrs. P. H. Dalton, III, 
 and Mrs. W. W. Lentz. 
 
 When the drive was over, Dr. Williamson and Mr. Hutchens 
 went to see Mr. Biggs, and laid the Church's situation before him — 
 $22,500.00 was all that the Church had been able to raise. They 
 asked him to accept the amount raised in full payment and release 
 the seven endorsers. 
 
 Mr. Biggs was tough and said, "The Church will pay the entire 
 amount due — I have a way of getting it you know." 
 
 Dr. Williamson and Mr. Hutchens were stunned at the attitude 
 Mr. Biggs had taken. They could not afford to let the individual en- 
 dorsers be sued for the Church's indebtedness. 
 
 After many thoughtful hours Mr. Hutchens finally came up with 
 an idea. The Commercial Bank had been a National Bank. It had 
 long been Mr. Hutchens policy to start at the top of a project. It 
 was easier to get kicked down the steps than up them — sometimes 
 one got stopped before he was all the way up. He would go direct 
 to the Comptroller of Currency and see what could be done. He 
 knew that the Comptroller was Mr. Delano, a cousin of President 
 Franklin Delano Roosevelt. There must be some way he could get 
 an audience with him. It would have to come through the U. S. 
 State Senator, Mr. Simmons, but he didn't know Senator Simmons. 
 He remembered that Mr. R. B. Terry did. He appealed to Mr. Terry. 
 Mr. Terry called Senator Simmons and made an appointment with 
 him for Dr. Williamson and Mr. Hutchens. Senator Simmons got 
 the coveted audience with Comptroller Delano for them. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Hutchens and Dr. Williamson were in the Comp- 
 troller's office, Mr. Hutchens started out with his story. When he was 
 about half through, Comptroller Delano raised his hand and said, 
 "That's enough, I don't need to hear the rest." 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 211 
 
 Mr. Hutchens looked at him for a moment and then said, "But 
 it's on my mind and I need to get it off." 
 
 Comptroller Delano courteously listened to the rest of the story 
 and when it was finished he had a deputy call Mr. Biggs and tell 
 him to accept the $22,500.00 the Church had raised, as payment in 
 full for the debt which was approximately $37,000.00. 
 
 In the June 18, 1939, bulletin, Dr. Williamson says, "In hum- 
 ble gratitude to the Giver of All Good Gifts, we announce the suc- 
 cessful completion of our campaign to pay off the debt to The Com- 
 mercial National Bank. To do this however, it has been necessary 
 for one of the church officers (George E. Hutchens) to personally 
 borrow $1,000.00 against post-dated and unpaid pledges, but we 
 are sure this will be taken care of as soon as possible." 
 
 On June 29, 1939, the legal financial transaction with the Re- 
 ceiver of The Commercial National Bank was completed. With this 
 payment the total amount of cash raised within the past two years, 
 to be applied on the principal of the Church's debt, was $59,000.00. 
 But, due to the concessions made by the Comptroller of Currency, in 
 regard to the money owed the defunct Commercial National Bank, 
 this has enabled the Church's indebtedness to be reduced over 
 $71,000.00. 
 
 To celebrate the success of this recent campaign, a picnic for the 
 entire Church membership, was held June 30, 1939, on the lawn 
 of the George E. Hutchen's Estate. 
 
 On May 7, 1939, prior to the great financial drive, an announce- 
 ment was made that Miss Lucille Johnson had been elected to the 
 Board of Regents of Barium Springs, and that Mr. I. Paul Ingle had 
 been named to the Board of Trustees of the Glade Valley High 
 School. 
 
 At a congregational meeting held on April 30, 1939, the follow- 
 ing new elders were added to the Session: Dennis H. Hall, Jr., Har- 
 ry L. Brown, Frank Wineskie, C. G. Garrett, and Charles W. Perry. 
 
 Besides reducing the Church's indebtedness during the first three 
 years of Dr. Williamson's Pastorate, there had been a great increase 
 in the number of members on the Church Roll — two hundred new 
 names had been added, bringing the total church membership to 
 well over eight hundred. The Sunday School had flourished under 
 the leadership of the Director of Religious Education, Miss Jeanette 
 Bounous, and Superintendent J. D. Ross, and had early in the year 
 been departmentalized. 
 
212 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Because Dr. Williamson spoke Spanish fluently, he was asked to 
 serve as Protestant Chaplain on a Caribbean cruise, of the German 
 Liner, Columbus. During his vacation on August 17, 1939, he 
 sailed from the New York Harbor. All went well on this cruise un- 
 til the return trip. Then, due to the threat of war in Europe, his boat 
 was detained in Havana, Cuba. There the passengers were trans- 
 ferred to the P. and O. Liner Florida and Dr. Williamson arrived 
 safely back in High Point, N. C, just a week later than he was sched- 
 uled — this German boat Columbus was scuttled by its own crew in 
 December of that same year. 
 
 In October Miss Bounous, the Director of Religious Education, 
 was married to Mr. Wilson Bigham, and on November 15, 1939, 
 she terminated her services with the Church. 
 
 At a congregational meeting held on November 19, 1939, the 
 following deacons were elected: Harold M. Whites, Dan W. Smith, 
 Henry V. Koonts, J. Carl Kaneer, George C. Connor, Sr., and R. M. 
 Gladstone, Jr. 
 
 For a period of time after the resignation of Mrs. Bingham, to 
 the arrival of Miss Amelie Hough, December 31, 1939, Miss Ava 
 Neil Taylor assisted in the work of the Church office. The accep- 
 tance of the work as Church Secretary, and Young People's Worker 
 in the Church, by Miss Hough, a graduate of the Assembly's Train- 
 ing School, in Richmond, Virginia, was indeed fortunate for the 
 High Point Church, for under her capable leadership all of the 
 Church's work grew. 
 
 Early in the year 1940, Charles W. Perry was named as Church 
 Representative to the Mid- Winter meeting of Orange Presbytery. 
 His prime assignment was to present a petition, signed by thirty 
 members of the Brentwood Mission, requesting Presbytery to or- 
 ganize them into a church. 
 
 This request was granted, making this new church the first one 
 to be organized in Orange Presbytery in more than eleven years. 
 Elder Dennis H. Hall, Jr., of the First Presbyterian Church of High 
 Point, was appointed by Presbytery to be on the Commission to or- 
 ganize this church, on Sunday afternoon, March 3, 1940, at 2:30 
 o'clock. 
 
 After the organization of Brentwood, Dr. Williamson preached 
 at the Church weekly until The Reverend J. P. H. McNatt was called 
 as its pastor. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 213 
 
 On February 5, 1940, at a meeting of the Diaconate, Sam H. 
 Denny was elected Chairman; D. E. Headen, Vice-chairman; G. L. 
 Rankin, Secretary; Harry A. Alexander, Assistant Secretary; H. M. 
 White, Church Treasurer; and Henry V. Koonts, Chairman of the 
 Finance Committee and Every-Member-Canvass. 
 
 At the Annual Meeting of The Associate Board of Deacons the 
 following officers were named: J. Frank Carricker, Chairman; Julian 
 Franklin, Vice-chairman; and J. E. Beeson, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 The Church year, 1939-1940, was an eventful one. Besides the 
 organization of the Brentwood Church a great many other things 
 of interest happened during the year. The Executive Board of Orange 
 Presbyterial with forty women representing the fifty-six Auxiliaries 
 of the Presbyterial, met in the High Point Church on February 13, 
 1940. 
 
 This same year Dr. Williamson held the first Pre-Easter Service 
 ever recorded in the Church. This observance was in the form of a 
 series of services held at 7:30 o'clock, in the sanctuary, every eve- 
 ning through Friday preceeding Easter Sunday. At these services 
 Frank Tucker was in charge of the congregational singing, and Pro- 
 fessor Dan W. Smith was at the organ. 
 
 The week end of March 3, 1940, was indeed a happy occasion 
 for the High Point Church, for it had as its guests Mrs. Alma Head- 
 en Jackson — one of our very own number — Missionary to Africa, 
 with her Missionary husband The Reverend James L. Jackson, and 
 their three children. The Reverend Jackson was guest minister and 
 he preached at the Sunday morning service. 
 
 On Monday afternoon, March 4, a Tea was given by the 
 Woman's Auxiliary, honoring the Jacksons, at the home of Elder 
 and Mrs. W. A. Hayes. 
 
 Beginning with the new church year, in April, 1940, a Flower 
 Committee, composed of Mrs. Charles W. Perry, Chairman; Mrs. 
 W. A. Hayes, and Mrs. O. C. Williamson was named. The prime 
 duty of this committee was to make a flower chart and weekly re- 
 mind the person responsible for furnishing flowers in the sanctuary. 
 
 After this annual meeting in April, 1940, the Associate Board 
 of Deacons reported their officers for the new year were: Davis H. 
 Smith, Chairman; Julian Franklin, Vice Chairman; and Vance Mc- 
 Cormick, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 The large white oak tree, on the front lawn of the church, had 
 
214 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 for a long time been making a desperate fight for its life. It was not 
 looking so well. Mrs. Williamson talked with a tree surgeon. He 
 thought a treatment, if administered right away, might save it. She 
 appealed to the Diaconate and the tree was treated. The tree was 
 treated all right but Dr. W. A. Hayes was not sure it wouldn't die — 
 not to have any shade trees on the church lawn bothered him. He 
 planted several willow oak trees on the lawn, which he brought in 
 from his farm out beyond Cedrow Avenue. 
 
 On August 11, 1940, Dr. Williamson exchanged pulpits with 
 The Reverend W. H. Currie of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 Belmont, N. C, and the following spring The Reverend Currie held 
 a series of Evangelistic Services in the High Point Church. 
 
 On May 3, 1940, Miss Pauline Ribelin graduated from the As- 
 sembly Training School, Richmond, Virginia, and was accepted by 
 the Board of Foreign Missions, to go as a missionary on May 23, 
 1940. Soon after this she and Dr. Hervey Ross, a Missionary to 
 Mexico, were married and she became a Mexican Missionary. 
 
 The one hundred and twenty-seventh session of the North Car- 
 olina Synod met with the High Point Church September 3-5, 1940. 
 Financial difficulties again arose between the Church and the Vir- 
 ginia Trust Company. As promised the South Main Street property 
 was subdivided and sold in six parts, grossing $42,000.00. Mr. 
 Charlie Watkins, Vice-president of the Virginia Trust Company at- 
 tended the sale and was greatly disappointed over the price it 
 brought- — the amount netted at the sale would not nearly cover the 
 indebtedness to his Trust Company. 
 
 After the morning service on September 22, 1940, a congrega- 
 tional meeting was held to ratify the sale of the South Main Street 
 property. 
 
 On October 25, 1940, Deacons G. E. Hutchens, and Henry V. 
 Koonts went to Richmond and had a conference with the Virginia 
 Trust Company. On their return to High Point they requested a sup- 
 per meeting of all of the limited endorsers on the notes to the Vir- 
 ginia Trust Company, in connection with the South Main Street 
 property. This meeting was to consider a plan for the complete re- 
 tirement of the indebtedness to the Trust Company. It was held and 
 at the meeting it was decided that the men individually pay 25 % of 
 the note they had pledged as security and that a second mortgage be 
 placed on the North Main Street Church for the balance of the loan, 
 which was $25,000.00. This loan to be obtained from the Jefferson 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 215 
 
 Standard Life Insurance Company, by increasing the loan it had pre- 
 viously made to the Church. 
 
 On Saturday, October 19, 1940, a trip which had been planned 
 by Mr. I. Paul Ingle, Trustee of the Glade Valley High School, was 
 made to the school. Dr. and Mrs. Williamson, along with a group of 
 interested church members made this trip. 
 
 At the Annual Meeting of the Deacons, held in 1941, the fol- 
 lowing officers were named: Donald E. Headen, Chairman; Henry 
 V. Koonts, Vice-chairman; W. M. Currie, Secretary; and Harold M. 
 White, Church Treasurer. 
 
 The Associate Board of Deacons, about this time named: Davis 
 H. Smith, Chairman; Vance McCormick, Vice-chairman; and E. H. 
 McCall, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 The High Point Church seemed to be a likely place for meetings 
 of the different organizations of Orange Presbytery. On April 5, 
 1941, the spring rally of Orange Presbytery's Young People was 
 held in the Church, and on October 4 of this same year the Business 
 Woman's Conference of Orange Presbyterial was held in High Point. 
 
 In June, 1941, Mr. Warren Gaw, a ministerial student at the 
 Louisville, Kentucky Seminary, came to High Point to assist Dr. 
 Williamson with the work at Brentwood, and to fill the First Church 
 Pulpit while Dr. Williamson was on his vacation. 
 
 On January 13, 1942, Orange Presbytery met in High Point. 
 Elder W. A. Hayes was the Church's Representative, and Elder Car- 
 ter Dalton read a brief history of the Church, which he had written. 
 
 In June, 1942, Mr. Sidney Crane, a rising senior at the Union 
 Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, came to High Point to 
 assist Dr. Williamson with the work at Brentwood, and to fill the 
 First Church Pulpit, while Dr. Williamson was away on his vacation. 
 
 On April 9, 1943, Miss Hough resigned her work at the Church 
 to go stay with her sick mother in Hastings, Florida. Mrs. Ray Hon 
 then became acting Church Secretary, until Miss Ruth Webb, a 
 graduate of the Assembly's Training School, came in June to be the 
 Director of Religious Education. 
 
 In the month of May, 1943, Dr. and Mrs. Hervey Ross (Pauline 
 Ribelin) were the Church's guests. Dr. Ross spoke to the Church 
 membership at the Wednesday evening Prayer Meeting on May 19, 
 and immediately afterwards the Auxiliary held Open-House honor- 
 ing the Rosses. 
 
216 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Near the middle of the month of May, 1943, Mr. Orin Moore, 
 Jr., of Charlotte, N. C, a rising junior at the Union Theological 
 Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, came to the High Point Church to as- 
 sist Dr. Williamson with the Brentwood Church work. 
 
 In August, 1943, W. F. Robinette became Treasurer of the 
 Church as a successor to Harold M. White, and in October news of 
 the death of a beloved pastor, Dr. Joseph Rennie, was received with 
 deep sorrow. 
 
 For a period of several years, beginning with the first of the 
 year, 1943, the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company had been 
 writing letters concerning past due payments and accrued interest 
 on the loan they had made the Church. Financially the Church was 
 at a low ebb. Many times George E. Hutchens and Henry V. Koonts 
 went to see President Price and wrote him letters, trying to make it 
 clear that the Church would gladly make these payments as soon 
 as it was possible to raise the money. Instead of these visits by Mr. 
 Koonts and Mr. Hutchens helping, it seemed to irritate President 
 Price and hard-boiled, almost insulting letters began coming to the 
 Church about the indebtedness. 
 
 There was a way — Mr. Hutchens was sure there was — a bank 
 somewhere that would loan the Church what money it needed. He 
 went to the Wachovia Bank and asked Mr. A. M. Utley if the 
 Church could get a loan of $50,000.00, to be paid off in three or 
 four years. Mr. Utley was sympathetic and on October 15, 1943, such 
 a loan had been arranged bearing at 4% interest instead of 6% the 
 Jefferson Standard was charging on their loan. But, when Mr. Hutch- 
 ens and Mr. Koonts went to pay off the loan to the Jefferson Stan- 
 dard Life Insurance Company it was found that there was an extra 
 charge, a penalty of $1,600.00 for paying it off ahead of time. There 
 was a struggle to raise this extra $1,600.00 but it was raised, and by 
 the beginning of the year, 1944, the Church was indebted only to 
 the Wachovia Bank and Trust Co. 
 
 In November, 1943, the burden of the responsibility of the pas- 
 torate of the Brentwood Church was transferred from the shoulders 
 of Dr. Williamson to those of The Reverend J. P. H. McNutt, who 
 had accepted a call to be Pastor of it. 
 
 On December 12, 1943, the Congregation voted for both the 
 elders and deacons to go on the Limited Term Plan, with a com- 
 pulsory lay off period of one year, before they could be re-elected. 
 From a list of thirty names the following elders were elected: Class 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 217 
 
 of 1945: Carter Dalton, D. E. Headen, C. C. Garrett, G. L. Rankin, 
 and G. W. Denny. Class of 1946: Harry L. Brown, Frank B. Smith, 
 Sr., Dr. H. L. Brockmann, C. E. Stuart, and Charles W. Perry. Class 
 of 1947: Frank Wineskie, Z. I. Walser, I. Paul Ingle, Sr., F. Logan 
 Porter, Sr., and Dr. W. A. Hayes. 
 
 At a congregational meeting held on January 23, 1944, thirty 
 deacons were elected from a list of fifty names: Class of 1945: A. M. 
 Rankin, Jr., J. Carl Kaneer, M. E. Brown, D. W. Hunter, J. D. Ross, 
 V. W. Idol, Jr., George Connor, Sr., J. S. Dallas, C. M. Garrison, and 
 Henry V. Koonts. Class of 1946: Dan W. Smith, J. P. Williamson, 
 
 C. A. McMurray, F. F. Wilhite, C. D. Deans, H. A. Alexander, Sr., R. 
 
 D. Tilson, E. M. Shipman, H. P. Hardin, and W. F. Robinette. Class 
 of 1947: S. L. Rodenbough, Kenneth Redman, P. H. Dalton, III, H. 
 P. Morrison, P. H. Mason, C. M. Allred, J. E. Beeson, F. F. Dickson, 
 George E. Hutchens, and D. Waring Smith. 
 
 On February 5, 1944, Mr. George Washington Denny, an elder 
 in the Church was called to his eternal home. He was one of the 
 fifteen signers of the note, which helped stabilize the debt on our 
 beautiful church home. 
 
 Near the beginning of the new Church year — 1944-1945, Miss 
 Ruth Webb, Director of Religious Education, resigned to take ef- 
 fect July 1. Miss Sue McLeod, of Monroe, N. C, was secured to take 
 her place as Church Secretary, and began her work on the first of 
 July, 1944. 
 
 A part of a letter the Board of Deacons mailed out to the Congre- 
 gation just prior to the end of the Church Year, March 31, 1944, 
 reads as follows: 
 
 "We are grateful for the faithful and generous support of mem- 
 bers and friends which has enabled us to reduce the principal indebt- 
 edness by $25,000 and to pay all interest to date on the remaining 
 $50,000. When the pledges for this year are paid, as they are being 
 paid, all current obligations and the Benevolent Apportionment can 
 be paid in full, and we shall be ready to start the new Church year 
 with a clean slate. Not since we have been worshipping in the pres- 
 ent building, have we closed a Church Year in as good financial 
 position." 
 
 On June 25, 1944, Dr. Williamson was stricken with a slight 
 stroke. For a short time he was absent from the pulpit, but with the 
 prevailing prayers of his congregation, and his good wife, he strug- 
 
218 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 gled back to partial good health, and on September 10, 1944, 
 again was in the church pulpit. For several weeks after this he con- 
 tinued to fill his pulpit, but soon he realized that he was physically 
 unable to carry on the heavy duties as minister of the High Point 
 Church. 
 
 With Dr. Williamson sick it had been necessary to name a 
 Moderator Protem to preside over the Session meetings, and see that 
 a minister was in the pulpit each Sunday. Charles W. Perry was 
 named by the Session to this office. 
 
 Early in October, 1944, Dr. Williamson heeded the advice of 
 doctors and his wife, and asked for a release from his pastoral duties 
 at the High Point Church, so that he might take up a lighter work 
 to which he had been called, at Cook's Memorial Presbyterian 
 Church, in Mecklenburg Presbytery near Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 On October 15, 1944, at a congregational meeting the Congre- 
 gation reluctantly voted to grant Dr. Williamson's request. At this 
 same meeting it also named the following Pulpit Committee to find 
 a successor to Dr. Williamson: Charles W. Perry, Chairman; D. E. 
 Headen, Vice-chairman; Henry V. Koonts, C. E. Stuart, H. P. Mor- 
 rison, and Mrs. H. P. Hardin, and Mrs. R. D. Tilson. 
 
 Also a Pulpit Supply Committee was elected as follows: Dr. W. 
 A. Hayes, Chairman; Z. I. Walser, and Frank B. Smith to have a 
 minister in the pulpit each Sunday until a regular Pastor is obtained. 
 
 The following is a letter Dr. Williamson wrote, October 26, 
 1944, to the congregation before he preached his final sermon in 
 the Church: 
 
 "Dear Friends: 
 
 Next Sunday, October 29th, will close my ministry with you. I 
 hope you will be present to hear my closing message. The last eight 
 and one-half years have been very pleasant ones. We are grateful 
 to you for your many kindnesses and splendid co-operation. I trust 
 you will build on the foundation that has been laid, and go on to 
 greater achievements in the Master's work in the future. My prayers 
 and best wishes will always be with you. 
 
 "We are very happy in the place the Lord has called us, and look 
 forward to a pleasant pastorate at Cook's Memorial. After the mid- 
 dle of November our address will be Route 9, Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 Yours in the Master's Service, 
 
 O. C. Williamson" 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 219 
 
 On October 29, 1944, Dr. Williamson preached his last sermon, 
 as pastor of this Church — A Prayer For The Future. 
 
 Dr. Orin Conway Williamson was a big man both spiritually 
 and physically — able to walk with the great and near-great, yet he 
 knew how to do menial tasks for His Master, when no one else 
 could be found to do them. He did not know how to say no when 
 His Lord's work was involved — he literally wore himself out carry- 
 ing the burden of the Church's debt, along with the Pastoral duties 
 of the Church, and added pastoral duties of the Brentwood Church. 
 
 Resolution of Appreciation by Board of Deacons, November 6, 
 1944: 
 
 "For eight and one-half years, Dr. O. C. Williamson has served 
 the First Presbyterian Church of High Point. 
 
 "As a faithful servant of God, he has been a constant comfort to 
 those who sorrow; he has been a source of encouragement to those 
 who needed Christian help; he has been a force for God in the com- 
 munity; he has discharged his duties both to God and to the congre- 
 gation of the Church. 
 
 "WHEREAS: During his pastorate and under and largely be- 
 cause of Dr. Williamson's leadership and personal efforts, 202 in- 
 dividuals have become members of the First Presbyterian Church on 
 Confession of Faith and 448 members have been received by presen- 
 tation of letters. 
 
 "WHEREAS: During his pastorate and under and largely be- 
 cause of Dr. Williamson's leadership, the indebtedness of the First 
 Presbyterian Church has been reduced by over $200,000.00. 
 
 "WHEREAS: During his pastorate and under and largely be- 
 cause of Dr. Williamson's leadership and personal efforts, for the 
 first time in the history of the First Presbyterian Church of High 
 Point, a Mission Church — Brentwood — was established and is now 
 self-sustaining. 
 
 "Now, therefore, let us resolve together in earnest prayer that 
 God's richest blessings abide upon Dr. and Mrs. O. C. Williamson, 
 His faithful servants, as they enter upon a new work in the Master's 
 name." 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 THE REVEREND ORIN CONWAY WILLIAMSON, D.D. 
 
 1893-1951 
 
 Orin Conway Williamson, D.D., the son of Mary Clark and Lo- 
 gan Wallace Williamson, was born into a devoutly religious and 
 loving home, in the Steel Creek Community of Mecklenburg County, 
 North Carolina, on May 29, 1893. There were four other children 
 in this home: The Reverend D. Lee Williamson, Missionary to 
 Brazil; three sisters, Mrs. George Leeper, of Parkton, N. C; Mrs. D. 
 A. Humnes, of Cameron, N. G; and Miss Myrtle Williamson, an in- 
 structor in Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 
 
 Conway was a loyal Christian and early in life began taking part 
 in all of the activities of the famous Old Steel Creek Presbyterian 
 Church. After receiving his common and high school education in 
 the community of his birth, he went to Davidson College. He en- 
 tered this college as a candidate for the ministry in 1912. In 1914 
 his studies there were interrupted, but in the fall of 1916 he returned 
 and in 1918 graduated with a B.A. degree. Then he had a short per- 
 iod of military service in World War I, before he entered the Union 
 Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia. In 1921 he received a 
 degree of B.D. from this institution. 
 
 On May 23, 1921, he was licensed and ordained to preach by 
 the Mecklenburg Presbytery, and on July 15, 1921, was ordained by 
 Albemarle Presbytery as a Foreign Missionary. Soon after his ordi- 
 nation, on July 18, 1921, he married his childhood sweetheart, Lois 
 Faires, also of the Steel Creek Church Community, who accompanied 
 him to Mexico. There she assisted him in his missionary work for the 
 six years he served. To this union there were born two sons — Donald 
 Clark, and Norval Faires. 
 
 In 1928, the Austin Seminary, at Austin, Texas, elected The Rev- 
 erend O. C. Williamson instructor in the Spanish speaking depart- 
 ment there, and he moved his family back to the States. 
 
 For five years he served as instructor in the Austin Seminary, as 
 well as supply minister for the Presbyterian churches of Victoria and 
 Cameron, Texas. 
 
 While at Austin Seminary, Davidson College, his alma mater, 
 conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon him. In 1933, Dr. 
 Williamson accepted a call to the Presbvterian Church at Alexan- 
 dria, Louisiana, and was still serving there when he was called, in 
 1936, to the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, N. C. Some 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 221 
 
 of Dr. Williamson's most outstanding work was done during the 
 eight years he served the High Point Church. 
 
 At the time he accepted the call to the High Point Church, it 
 was struggling under the burden of heavy debt. Upon arriving in 
 High Point, Dr. Williamson immediately put his shoulder to the 
 wheel and under his leadership the debt was reduced more than 
 $200,000. 
 
 Besides helping reduce the debt Dr. Williamson started a mis- 
 sion which soon became the first church to be founded in Orange 
 Presbytery in more than eleven years — Brentwood Presbyterian 
 Church. He also served as the Chairman of the Religious Education 
 Committee in the Synod of North Carolina. 
 
 In the prime of life — in 1944, Dr. Williamson was suddenly 
 stricken with a slight brain hemorrhage. At the advice of his phy- 
 sician, Dr. Williamson resigned from the High Point Church, Nov. 
 1, 1944, and under the guidance of God, became pastor of a smaller 
 Church — Cook's Memorial, near Charlotte, N. C. Soon after he took 
 up his work at this Church the Sunday School out-grew its facili- 
 ties — an annex was built and the hut enlarged. The congregation 
 then grew and the activities of it became so numerous that additional 
 space was added. 
 
 In 1946, Dr. Williamson was named Moderator of the Synod of 
 North Carolina, and about the same time Mecklenburg Presbytery 
 invited him to take over Education and Relief Work in it. Dr. Wil- 
 liamson could not say no when his Master called. He accepted these 
 responsibilities and later on shouldered other forms of service. 
 
 Dr. Williamson was still meeting the responsibilities he had 
 undertaken, when, in the spring of 1951, his heart began to give 
 way. He bravely accepted his fate and resigned himself to God's 
 leadings. 
 
 On Friday, October 19, 1951, Dr. Williamson passed to his 
 eternal reward, after an exhibition of patience, fortitude, and fidelity, 
 and his remains were placed in the Steel Creek Cemetery — the ceme- 
 try of the church he had loved so well. 
 
 To those who did not understand Orin Conway Williamson, he 
 was austere, but to those who did he was big spiritually, mentally, 
 and physically, and a loyal and devoted friend, a loving pastor, a 
 strong preacher of the Gospel, faithful to the Word, and a tower 
 of strength in his church, Presbytery and Synod. 
 
The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones, D.D. 
 
CHAPTER XVIil 
 
 PASTORATE OF 
 THE REVEREND PAUL TUDOR JONES, D.D. 
 
 1945-1951 
 
 The Pulpit Committee, which was elected by the congregation 
 on October 15, 1944, to locate a pastor and recommend him to the 
 congregation, met the following Wednesday evening. At this first 
 meeting of the Committee all members were present: Mrs. H. P. 
 Hardin, Mrs. R. D. Tillson, Henry V. Koonts, Donald E. Headen, 
 Charles W. Perry, C. E. Stuart, and Harold P. Morrison. Charles 
 W. Perry was named Chairman of the Committee; Donald E. 
 Headen, Vice-chairman; and Mrs. H. P. Hardin, Secretary. It was 
 then agreed that since the primary function of this committee was 
 to locate the proper man and recommend him to the Congregation, 
 that each member of the committee should express his or her opin- 
 ion, as to the type of minister that they thought was needed. 
 
 The first essential they agreed upon was that this minister should 
 have proper training, experience, and be of such an age that would 
 qualify him to head up a well rounded church program for all mem- 
 bers — especial emphasis was laid upon the need of a minister who 
 would be willing to cooperate in a full program for young people, 
 and one who would have a sympathetic interest in the problems of 
 returning servicemen and women. 
 
 Secondly, it was felt that this minister should be, not only a 
 leader in the First Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Caro- 
 lina, but a leader in the various Presbyterian Church courts. He 
 should also be a man anxious to cooperate in the religious and civic 
 life of the community. 
 
 Before the Pulpit Committee adjourned it was brought to their 
 attention that the services of Miss Amelia Hough would be avail- 
 able again the first of January, 1945. The Committee discussed the 
 vital need of such help in the Church at this time, and a motion was 
 made to send a suggestion to the Church Officers that Miss Hough 
 was available and to urge them to consider securing her services — 
 this of course, with the understanding that any arrangements made 
 with her would not be binding, if her services were not agreeable 
 to the new pastor. 
 
224 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Since the limited term plan, or rotary system for the Officers of 
 the Church had been adopted, it seemed that the election of them 
 was coming up mighty often. On February 25, 1945, Dr. Walter L. 
 Lingle ordained and installed G. E. Hutchens and Cameron D. 
 Deans as elders, and W. Stanley Davis, Noble T. Praigg, and Charles 
 S. McGahey as deacons. 
 
 On March 4, 1945, the following associate deacons having been 
 appointed by the Session were formally installed: Messrs. F. L. 
 Brooks, J. W. Herndon, T. G. Callahan, Carl Connor, C. H. Jarvis, 
 J. H. Mourane, H. C. Simmons, J. W. Thomas, Sr., C. M. Thomas, 
 C. A. White, H. O. Williams, C. R. Wilcox, J. H. Smith, A. W. 
 Burns, Jr., R. J. Johnson, F. F. Miller, E. B. Gamble, and J. H. Hol- 
 brook. At the five o'clock vesper service on this same day, Professor 
 Dan W. Smith presented a beautiful Lenten Cantata, Message From 
 The Cross. 
 
 The Committee which had been elected at the same time the 
 Pulpit Committee was — a committee to see that a minister was in 
 the pulpit each Sunday was diligent in its task and as a result the 
 pulpit was filled each Sunday with such able and consecrated min- 
 isters as: Dr. Walter L. Lingle, Dr. Kenneth J. Foreman, Dr. H. V. 
 Carson, The Reverend DeWitt F. Helm, The Reverend J. W. Foster, 
 The Reverend Henry G. Bedinger, Dr. G. I. Humphrey, Dr. Percy 
 Lindley, Dr. Frederick W. Lewis, Dr. J. W. Whitmore, The Reverend 
 J. P. H. McNatt, Dr. E. A. Beaty, and others, the work ran with more 
 ease than had been anticipated. 
 
 With the beginning of the new year, 1945, the Pulpit Commit- 
 tee started out with boundless enthusiasm to find the right man for 
 minister of the Church. As they worked they kept an ever listening 
 ear to the ground for names of eligible ministers. The Chairman 
 interviewed Presbyterian ministers in nearby cities for likely names. 
 Among those given him was the name of a young minister in Rock 
 Hill, South Carolina, The Reverend Julian Lake. The Committee 
 visited Mr. Lakes church and heard him preach. They liked him and 
 talked with him after the services. 
 
 The Reverend Lake and his wife agreed to come to High Point and 
 look the field over. They came and seemed pleased with the Church. 
 Mr. Lake then said that before a call was sent him he would like to 
 have time to prayerfully consider the matter. He further stated that 
 as soon as he had made up his mind that he would advise the Com- 
 mittee of his decision. After several weeks Mr. Lake wrote and advised 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 225 
 
 he could not allow the Church to send him a call, because he had so 
 many young people, from his church, in the armed services that he 
 could not get the consent of his mind to move while they were away. 
 
 The Committee was distressed over Mr. Lake's decision, because 
 they had been so hopeful he would accept a call to the Church. At 
 the same meeting the report from Mr. Lake was read, the Commit- 
 tee prayed earnestly for Divine Guidance. This guidance was granted 
 for soon members of the Committee were led to go and talk with 
 Dr. George Mauze, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, 
 Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Mauze highly recommended 
 an outstanding young minister he knew by the name of The Reverend 
 Paul Tudor Jones, Greenville, Mississippi. He even went so far as 
 to call the Presbyterian Church of Greenville to see if Mr. Jones 
 would be in his pulpit the following Sunday. He found that he 
 would be. 
 
 The Committee was elated over the help Dr. Mauze had given 
 them. They must go hear Mr. Jones next Sunday. Greenville, Mis- 
 sissippi, was a long way off. The entire committee could not go. 
 Since they couldn't it was decided that four of the men: Charles W. 
 Perry, Henry V. Koonts, Donald E. Headen, and Harold P. Morri- 
 son should charter a plane, at their own expense, and make the trip. 
 
 On Saturday morning of that same week these four men left 
 by chartered plane — enthusiastic over their mission. When they were 
 over Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the plane developed engine trouble. 
 The pilot could find no place to land there. He remembered he had 
 passed over a landing field at Decatur, Alabama. There was but one 
 thing to do, turn around and hope that he could make it there. He 
 turned the plane around and after a tense fifteen minutes made an 
 emergency landing at a military airport. There was serious trouble 
 with the plane. It could not be repaired immediately. There was no 
 plane, or train that could get the Committee to Greenville, Mississip- 
 pi, in time to attend the 11 o'clock services at the Presbyterian 
 Church the next day. They had come all of this way to get there by 
 that time. There surely was some way they could do it. With the help 
 of the Western Union Manager a private car was hired. Going this 
 way meant an all night automobile ride, but they set out. The trip 
 was a slow hazardous one because of dense fog. They were forced 
 to drive slow and finally arrived in Greenville only a few hours be- 
 fore time for Church Service — arrived there weary from the loss of 
 sleep and literally staggering as they entered the hotel to freshen up 
 a bit, before going to Church. 
 
226 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Even though the Committee members were weary from the loss 
 of sleep, the long trip, and the harrowing experience of an emer- 
 gency landing, they realized individually, after hearing the sermon, 
 that The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones was the type of minister for 
 whom they were looking. After eating lunch and catching a little 
 sleep the Committee held prayers, conferred, and then agreed they 
 should talk to Mr. Jones. They had a meeting with him and he 
 agreed that he and his wife would fly to High Point at the expense 
 of the Church, and look the field over. 
 
 The Reverend and Mrs. Jones came and were agreeably impressed 
 with the High Point field. Mr. Jones then gave the Committee per- 
 mission to send him a call if the congregation so voted. A congre- 
 gational meeting was held on March 18, 1945, and the following 
 call was extended to The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones, signed by the 
 entire Pulpit Committer 
 
 "The First Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Carolina, 
 being on sufficient grounds completely satisfied of the ministerial 
 qualifications of you, Paul Tudor Jones, and having good hopes from 
 our knowledge of your labors that your ministrations in the Gospel 
 will be profitable and beneficial to our spiritual interests, and having 
 faith in our Lord, the Supreme Head of the Church, that He has led 
 and directed us to seek you, do earnestly call you to undertake the 
 pastoral office in this Congregation, promising you, in the discharge 
 of your duty, all proper support, encouragement and obedience in 
 the Lord. And that you may be free from worldly cares and avoca- 
 tions, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay you the sum of 
 FIVE THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($5100.00) 
 per year in regular monthly payments, and we will provide you with 
 a comfortable manse, furnishing fuel for heating same, and we will 
 pay a sum equivalent to 7 1 / 2 % of the salary into the Minister's 
 Annuity Fund, in conformity with the rules and regulations of said 
 Fund during the time of your being and continuing in the relation- 
 ship set forth in this call to this Church. And we do further promise 
 and agree to pay all expense of moving your household furnishings, 
 yourself and family from your present location to establish you in 
 our Church manse." 
 
 Mr. Jones accepted the call, early in the month of April, and 
 his acceptance of it was announced to the congregation. In announc- 
 ing Mr. Jones' acceptance the Chairman of the Pulpit Committee 
 said, "Our Church can feel itself highly fortunate that The Reverend 
 Mr. Jones has accepted our call. He is a well educated and loveable 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 227 
 
 man, who brings with him a charming wife and two children — an 
 eight-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter." 
 
 The spontaneous joy of the congregation over The Reverend Mr. 
 Jones accepting the call to the High Point Church, was short lived 
 though, because a phone call came from Mr. Jones the first part of 
 the week stating that Central Mississippi Presbytery had refused to 
 release him. He further stated that while he acquiesced to the wishes 
 of his Presbytery, that he still had the conviction that his call to the 
 High Point Church was from God. 
 
 All of this was distraughting, but in due time the Central Mis- 
 sissippi Presbytery reconsidered and Mr. Jones was granted a letter 
 to Orange Presbytery and moved his family to High Point. 
 
 On May 20, 1945, The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones preached his 
 first sermon as Pastor of the Church — In The Beginning God, wear- 
 ing a Geneva gown, which he was accustomed to wearing in the 
 pulpit. 
 
 Prior to Mr. Jones' arrival on April 3, Dr. Fredrick Lewis had 
 worn his Geneva gown at the morning service, and the bulletin that 
 day had carried an excerpt from a letter of Dr. Walter L. Lingle: 
 "I am in favor of what is known as a Geneva gown for ministers of 
 our faith. It gets its name from Geneva, where John Calvin preached, 
 and it is the kind of gown that he wore. It is a plain simple black 
 gown without any ornamentations. The ministers of our Scottish 
 forefathers have worn this kind of gown for centuries. It is also wide- 
 ly used by ministers in America." 
 
 On Friday evening, May 25, 1945, just a week from the time 
 the Joneses arrived in the city, there was a terrific electric storm. The 
 lightning struck the beautiful white oak tree, on the lawn in front 
 of the church — ran down the trunk of it and peeled away consider- 
 able bark. The same lightning jumped to the church building, and 
 knocked off the ornament that capped the north side of the entrance 
 to the Narthex. When Mrs. Jones heard about this havoc the light- 
 ning had played, she said, in her accustomed humorous way, "I hope 
 this is not God expressing His displeasure in the Jones' coming to 
 High Point." 
 
 At the time Mr. Jones came to the Church, as its Pastor, Charles 
 W. Perry was Vice-Moderator of the Session and W. A. Hayes was 
 Clerk; J. P. Williamson was Chairman of the Diaconate; Mrs. R. D. 
 Tillson, President of the Woman's Auxiliary, which was composed 
 of eight regular and four evening circles; Chairman of the Associate 
 
228 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Diaconate, Charles S. McGahey; President of Men's Club, H. P. 
 Morrison; President of Youth's Fellowship, Miss Nancy White; Di- 
 rector of Religious Education, Miss Amelia Hough; Dan W. Smith, 
 Director of the Choir and Church Organist; Church Treasurer, W. L. 
 Robbinette; Mrs. Bertha Buie, Church Hostess; and Robert Avery, 
 Janitor. 
 
 To the Spring meeting of Orange Presbytery, D. E. Headen and 
 Charles W. Perry went as representatives of the Church to present 
 The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones to Presbytery. At this meeting the in- 
 stallation service for Mr. Jones was set by Presbytery for Sunday 
 morning, June 10, 1945, at 11 o'clock. The Commission to install 
 The Reverend Mr. Jones as Minister of this church was: Dr. J. R. 
 Cunningham, President of Davidson College, to preach the sermon; 
 The Reverend M. S. Huske, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church 
 of Reidsville, to charge the pastor; Elder M. E. Yount, Sr., from the 
 Graham Presbyterian Church to charge the congregation. 
 
 On June 14, 1945, the congregation honored The Reverend 
 and Mrs. Jones with an evening reception. To this reception there 
 were invited all the ministers of Orange Presbytery with their wives. 
 
 During the month of July Mr. Jones attended the Minister's 
 Conference at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and 
 supplied the pulpit of the West End Collegiate Church. 
 
 From July 2-7, Miss Hough attended the Intermediate Confer- 
 ence of Young People in Raleigh, as a teacher and counselor. 
 
 While Mr. Jones was away on his vacation, it came to the ears 
 of some of the Officers of the Church, that a lot fronting 60 feet on 
 North Main Street — the Montsinger lot — just south of the Church 
 site, was for sale and was being considered seriously by a party for 
 an apartment house site. The Officers decided it ought to be bought 
 by the Church and incorporated into the church grounds. A congre- 
 gational meeting was called, and on July 22, 1945, a recommenda- 
 tion was made and approved to purchase this lot. 
 
 Previously the Church trustees, Carter Dalton, Z. I. Walser, and 
 Frank F. Dickson, had resigned. Because of this fact it was necessary 
 to elect trustees at this same meeting, so that the action of the con- 
 gregation could be completed. I. Paul Ingle, J. Sanders Dallas, and 
 Donald E. Headen were elected as Trustees, and authorized to ac- 
 cept the deed and sign any papers for the congregation necessary in 
 the purchasing of the lot. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 229 
 
 At one of the vesper services, during the month of August, Pro- 
 fessor Dan W. Smith presented a Cantata, the Voice of the Prophet, 
 by Albert Hay Maletto. During this same month of August the 
 Gleaners Class started a nursery to be held during the Sunday morn- 
 ing service. 
 
 On V-J Day, August 14, 1945, an impromptu Thanksgiving 
 Service was held at the Church, immediately following the sound of 
 the whistles and sirens that had been pre-arranged to announce the 
 cessation of war. At this time the emotions of the Church members 
 were great. There were 74 members of the church listed as Veterans 
 of World War II, and six of its members had lost their lives. The 
 names of these six were: George Edwin Knight, William Lentz, W. 
 Gatewood Shipman, Edwin G. Watkins, Vernon Wicker, and P. C. 
 Thompson. 
 
 The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones and Elder Charles W. Perry 
 represented the High Point Church at the meeting of Synod which 
 was held at Davidson College, October 8-9, 1945. The theme of the 
 Home Mission Conference, which preceeded the meeting of Synod, 
 was Evangelism and great emphasis was laid on this subject. 
 
 At the meeting of Synod, which followed this Conference, Evan- 
 gelism was also emphasized. There it was stated that: "The Southern 
 Presbyterian Church was seeking to build 500 chapels in its 17 
 synods, and that the North Carolina Synod had been assigned a goal 
 of 65 chapels. The General Assembly had also fixed a goal of 50,000 
 additions on profession of faith — the North Carolina Synod s goal 
 was about 9,000 additions." 
 
 The idea of establishing so many new chapels caught the imagi- 
 nation of Mr. Jones. He resolved in his heart to do something about 
 it in High Point. He talked with Elder Perry and they went to see 
 Dr. J. O. Mann, Director of Religious Education in the Synod, to 
 talk with him about securing the services of Miss Sara Little, to help 
 in making a survey for chapel locations in High Point. Dr. Mann 
 was enthusiastic over helping, but advised that Miss Little's services 
 would not be available until January, 1946. 
 
 Upon their return to High Point, Mr. Jones reported to the Ses- 
 sion about the conference he and Mr. Perry had had with Dr. Mann. 
 The Session welcomed the idea of establishing Out-post Sunday 
 Schools. A special committee, composed of Elders Charles W. Perry, 
 Cameron D. Deans and G. E. Hutchens, was appointed and instruct- 
 ed to make preliminary studies of possible locations for out-post 
 
230 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Sunday Schools, and have the studies in readiness when Miss Little 
 arrived in January. 
 
 On Wednesday night, October 3, 1945, Professor Dan W. 
 Smith, assisted by the Children's and Young People's Choirs, put on 
 a Hymn Festival, and during that same month Christmas packages 
 were sent by some of the women of the Church to men in service 
 overseas. 
 
 After the Committee on Out-post Sunday Schools had gotten 
 their work well under way, Mr. Jones began talking personal evan- 
 gelism with his Session. The result of his talking was that a Loyalty 
 Campaign was put on at which time 450 church members pledged 
 themselves to give their unlimited support to the Church and its ac- 
 tivities for the next six weeks. Following this campaign, on Novem- 
 ber 4-9, 1945, there was observed a Week of Spiritual Enlatchment 
 at which time Dr. Fredrick W. Lewis was guest minister. This per- 
 iod of enrichment was then followed by a Visitation Evangelism 
 Campaign, of which Elder Frank B. Smith was Chairman. To carry 
 out this campaign Elder Smith and his committee recruited 65 men 
 and women who went out in teams of twos — inviting all those they 
 contacted, who were not already a member of a church, to make a 
 decision for Christ. 
 
 On Sunday, November 18, following this Visitation Evangelism 
 Week, 52 were received into the membership of the Church, 14 were 
 baptized and received on profession of faith (11 of these were 
 adults— most of them parents); and 38 were received by letter or 
 restatement. The results from this Evangelism Campaign showed 
 that 56 of the 133 contacted had been won to a decision for Christ 
 and joined the Church. Others had indicated they would do so later. 
 
 The results of the Visitation Evangelism Campaign Program 
 were so far-reaching, and had been the means of bringing in so many 
 new members that it seemed to Mr. Jones something should be done 
 about its continuation. The Session appointed a committee: Charles 
 W. Perry, from the Session; Henry V. Koonts, from the Board of 
 Deacons; and A. W. Burns, Jr., from the Associate Board of Dea- 
 cons. This committee was to study the matter and report to the Ses- 
 sion the advisability of continuing Visitation Evangelism in some 
 permanent form. 
 
 This special committee met with Pastor Jones and formulated 
 a plan to go to the Session. This plan was that a permanent com- 
 mittee of five be recommended to formulate a program of systematic 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 231 
 
 contact for prospective church members. This committee was to 
 elect a committee of five from the officers of the Church to serve for 
 a period of one month at a time — each successive month a new ro- 
 tating committee to be selected. Theoretically it was figured that ap- 
 proximately sixty officers would participate in this work during the 
 course of a calendar year, thus giving all of those officers willing to 
 serve an opportunity to do so. Fundamentally, it was felt that every 
 officer should have not only the training, but the opportunity to do 
 this very important work. 
 
 This plan was adopted by the Session and A. W. Burns, Jr., was 
 named Chairman. H. P. Morrison, Henry V. Koonts, Charles W. 
 Perry, and I. Paul Ingle, the other members of the committee. This 
 was definitely the beginning of the work of the Evangelism Com- 
 mittee which has continued to function throughout the years that 
 have followed. 
 
 The rotary system for the church officers had been in effect since 
 December 12, 1943, but there was a feeling by many that the plan 
 was inadequate. At the January 28, 1946, Session meeting this was 
 discussed and a committee of seven was appointed: Cameron D. 
 Deans, Chairman; C. C. Garrett, D. E. Headen, Henry V. Koonts, 
 H. P. Morrison, P. H. Dalton III, and H. O. Williams to make a 
 thorough study of the entire Rotary System, as it was operating, and 
 to recommend changes that they thought might be helpful. A 
 thorough investigation of the system was made and several changes 
 were suggested. When the study was completed a plan of procedure 
 was mapped out by the committee. The Session and Diaconate ap- 
 proved the plan and the congregation adopted it — the plan then 
 adopted, with a few minor changes, is the same as used in the 
 Church today. 
 
 On January 30, 1946, the whole Church membership was sad- 
 denned by the untimely death of Elder Cecil Clark Garrett, one of the 
 fifteen endorsers of the note which helped stabilize the debt of the 
 Church. The Presbygram following his death carried under Elder 
 Garrett's name: "The memorial of virtue is immortal because it is 
 known with God and man." Then on February 10, 1946, at a meet- 
 ing of the Session the following letter was ordered written and sent: 
 
 "To the Family of Cecil Clark Garrett: 
 
 "The Ruling Elders of the First Presbyterian Church of High 
 Point desire to express to you our deep and heartfelt sympathy in the 
 earthly loss of your husband and father. His passing is also our loss. 
 We shall miss him and his clear thinking and fine judgment, and 
 
232 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 shall strive to profit by the example set by him as a faithful and ef- 
 fective member and Officer of this Church. 
 
 "All of the elders are signing this letter and a signed duplicate 
 has been filed with the permanent record of the Session." 
 
 Early in the month of January, 1946, the Out-post Sunday 
 School Committee met, organized and divided up the responsibili- 
 ties among its members. Charlie Perry was to look after the direction 
 of the survey; George Hutchens was to look after suitable lots, and 
 housing facilities after the survey was made; and Cameron Deans 
 was to be responsible for the personnel that would serve as officers 
 and teachers in the Out-Post Sunday Schools when established. 
 
 In a short time after the duties of the Committee were divided 
 up the whole Committee met with the Pastor and The Reverend 
 J.P.H. McNatt, Pastor of the Brentwood Presbyterian Church, and 
 discussed different outlying sections of the City for potential Out- 
 post Sunday School locations. There were three localities agreed 
 upon — one on the High Point-Thomasville Road; One on the 
 Greensboro Highway, in the vicinity of Five Points; and the third 
 one on Centennial Avenue Extension. 
 
 Upon arrival in the city, on January 25, 1946, Miss Sara Little 
 immediately began a survey on the High Point-Thomasville Road. 
 This locality was abandoned however, because it was soon found 
 that most of the families out that way attended other churches. 
 
 On Sunday afternoon, early in the month of February, 40 mem- 
 bers of the First Presbyterian Church voluntarily helped Miss Little 
 with the survey on the Greensboro Highway, and on Centennial 
 Avenue Extension. The Centennial Avenue Extension locality was 
 abandoned because it was learned that the First Baptist Church 
 was fixing to establish a mission church out there. 
 
 The survey on the Greensboro Road showed that the section 
 around Five Points was being taken care of by a new Methodist 
 church, but that there was a section between Five Points and Old 
 Jamestown that was not adequately served by any church. This lo- 
 cality was chosen as the first area in which to establish an Out-post 
 Sunday School. 
 
 When Elder George E. Hutchens began looking around for a 
 building in which Sunday School could be held, in this locality, there 
 was nothing to be found but an abandoned fire-cracker stand. This 
 little stand was on the south side of the Greensboro Highway, and on 
 the east side of the entrance to Crestwood Park Circle. Since there 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 233 
 
 seemed to be no other place available, this little stand was rented, 
 and with much needed carpenter work and paint, it was converted 
 into a usable building with all tables, chairs and other furnishings 
 for the opening, being brought from the First Presbyterian Church 
 in one of Mr. G. E. Hutchen's grocery trucks. 
 
 On Sunday morning February 24, 1946, at 9:45 o'clock, Sun- 
 day School was held for the first time in the little fire-cracker stand. 
 There were twenty-three at this meeting, with the following offi- 
 cers and teachers: Superintendent, H. C. Simmons; Secretary-Treas- 
 urer Harry A. Alexander, Sr.; and teachers, for adults, Earnest Mc- 
 Call; for juniors, Mrs. C. H. Tabbutt; for children, Mrs. Jack Tay- 
 lor, assisted by Miss Eva Lee Simmons; and for intermediates, Mrs. 
 Alex Murray. It was decided to call this out-post Sunday School 
 Crestwood Chapel. 
 
 With this start made at the little fire-cracker stand on the 
 Greensboro Highway, Miss Little turned her attention to a survey 
 for another Out-post Sunday School. This survey was on the Ashe- 
 boro Highway, approximately a mile south of Archdale. When the 
 survey was completed it could be seen that an out-post Sunday 
 School was needed in that section. The machinery to establish one 
 was set in motion. 
 
 In early March the Chairman of Out-post Sunday Schools had 
 requested the Session to add two additional names to the committee: 
 Henry V. Koonts, to work with George E. Hutchens; and Harold 
 P. Morrison to work with Cameron D. Deans. 
 
 After looking around on the Asheboro Highway, it was decided 
 that there was no available building that could be rented for a Sun- 
 day school — a building would have to be constructed. 
 
 Several lots were considered. Then one was located on the west 
 side of the Asheboro Highway — on the H. C. Miller farm. This lot 
 was bought and a building twenty feet wide and forty-eight feet 
 long, with a large assembly room in the center and two classrooms 
 on each end, was planned. All building materials were under allo- 
 cation by the Government, but the Committee found a way to get 
 plywood and lumber — perhaps black market. 
 
 By March 24, 1946, this building was near enough completed 
 to hold Sunday School in it, so at 2:30 p.m., Sunday School was held 
 in it with fifty-eight people in attendance — this number included 
 the following officers and teachers: 
 
 Superintendent, F. Logan Porter, Sr.; Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. 
 John B. Williams; Pianist Miss Ann Scott Garrett; Adult Teacher, 
 
234 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Mr. J. H. Mourane; Young Peoples Teacher, Mr. Davis Smith; 
 Junior Teacher, Mrs. J. Williard Thomas; and Primary Teacher, 
 Mrs. George Connor, Sr. 
 
 At a meeting held on Friday night, April 26, 1946, the name 
 Randolph Chapel was officially voted for the Out-post Sunday 
 School on the Asheboro Road. 
 
 Holy Week was observed in the High Point Church April 14- 
 21, 1946, with The Reverend Edgar F. Roming, D.D., Senior Min- 
 ister of New York City's Collegiate Churches, and Pastor of the 
 West End Collegiate Church, as guest minister. 
 
 Immediately following the founding of the two Out-post Sun- 
 day Schools Mr. Jones and a different elder for each Sunday began 
 holding Church services in them. One Sunday evening Mr. Jones 
 was at Crestwood and the elder at Randolph for 11:00 o'clock 
 morning service and the next Sunday the places of Mr. Jones and 
 the elder were reversed. About this same time the Session began 
 making out schedules, sending different elders and deacons of the 
 Church to visit the chapels at designated times to show interest and 
 to swell the crowd. 
 
 In June 1946, Elder Charles W. Perry, of the High Point Church, 
 was sent as a Commissioner by Orange Presbytery to General Assem- 
 bly at Montreat. 
 
 On June 18, 1946, there was much excitement in the Congrega- 
 tion. News was being narrated around that there was a new baby 
 in the manse — a lad by the name of George Shelton Jones had 
 come to make the Jones Family happy. George was the first baby 
 born to the manse on Colonial Drive, and the first one to come to 
 the Presbyterian Manse since Catherine Coble was born at the South 
 Main Street Manse many years before. 
 
 When The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones came as Pastor to the 
 High Point Church, in May, 1945, he was acquainted with the fact 
 that there was a $35,000.00 debt on it. He also was acquainted with 
 the fact that arrangements had been made to pay it off. Early in the 
 summer of 1946, this promise to Mr. Jones about the debt, came 
 to fruition through Divine support, and plans were begun for the 
 Dedicatory Service which was set for Thanksgiving Day, November 
 28, 1946. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 235 
 
 To attend this Dedication Service there came by invitation, The 
 Reverend and Mrs. Charles P. Coble; Dr. and Mrs. Orin Conway 
 Williamson; and Mrs. Joseph Rennie. 
 
 The day of Dedication dawned crispy cold and bright with sun- 
 shine, and there was a capacity congregation at the Church to take 
 part in the following services: 
 
 SERVICE OF DEDICATION 
 <^rber of Wov&fyp 
 
 Processional Hymn 345 — "The Church's One Foundation" 
 (The Congregation will stand and join in the singing when 
 the procession enters the Sanctuary) 
 
 Call To Worship 
 
 The Gloria Patri 
 
 (The Congregation standing) 
 
 The Scripture Reading 
 
 From the Old Testament: I Kings 8:22, 23, 27-30 
 The Epistle: I Corinthians 3:10-23 
 The Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20 
 
 The Apostles' Creed 
 
 (The Congregation standing) 
 
 Prayer 
 
 Presentation of Church Keys ... By Mr. Harold P. Morrison, 
 Chairman, Board of Deacons; Representative of the Congregation 
 
 Acceptance of Keys — 
 
 By The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones, Minister 
 
 Anthem — "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" .... Brahms 
 
236 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Solemn &ct of ©ebtcatton 
 
 (The Congregation standing) 
 
 The Minister: Dearly Beloved Brethren: Forasmuch as it pleased 
 Almighty God to put it into the hearts of His 
 servants to build this house for His worship, let us 
 now fulfill the Godly purpose for which we are 
 assembled of dedicating it to the honor of God's 
 most holy name. 
 
 God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our 
 Father who art in heaven: 
 
 The People: To Thee we dedicate this house. 
 
 The Minister: Lord Jesus, Son of God, Savior of the world, Head 
 of the Body which is the Church: 
 
 The People: To Thee we dedicate this house. 
 
 The Minister: Spirit of God, given to be our abiding Teacher, 
 Sanctifier, and comforter; Lord and giver of life: 
 
 The People: To Thee we dedicate this house. 
 
 Prayer of Dedication .... The Reverend J.P.H. McNatt, 
 Minister, Brentwood Presbyterian Church, High Point, N. C. 
 
 Hymn 385 — "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation." 
 (The Congregation standing) 
 
 Address "The Silent Witness of a Church" 
 
 The Reverend Charles Paul Coble, 
 
 Minister, Latta Presbyterian Church, Latta, S. C, 
 
 Address "The Glory of God's House" 
 
 The Reverend Orin Conway Williamson, D.D. 
 Minister, Cook's Memorial Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 Anthem — "Come, Ye Faithful People, Come" . . . Goldsworthy 
 
 Recessional Hymn 349 — "O Where are Kings & Empires Now" 
 (The Congregation standing) 
 
 Benediction 
 
 Choral Response 
 
High Point, North Carolina 237 
 
 Ministers and wives of former ministers back for Dedication of 
 Church, November 28, 1946. 
 
 Left to right: The Reverend J.P.H. McNatt, Dr. Walter L. Lingle, 
 The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones, Mrs. Joseph Rennie, Mrs. O. C. 
 Williamson, Dr. O. C. Williamson, Mrs. C. P. Coble and Mr. Coble. 
 
 "December 17, 1946 
 
 Hardly had the thrill of having been able at last, to dedicate 
 the beautiful church home of the High Point First Presbyterian 
 Church, to God, when the Congregation was saddened by the death 
 of Dr. W. A. Hayes. He had been an Elder, Clerk of the Session, 
 and one of the fifteen endorsers of the note which helped stabalize 
 the Church Debt. His passing was keenly felt by all. A letter was 
 sent from the Session to the Hayes Family which read: 
 
 "Mrs. W. A. Hayes, and Family 
 418 Edgedale Drive, 
 High Point, N. C. 
 
 Dear Mrs. Hayes: 
 
 "At a recent meeting of the Sessions, First Presbyterian Church, 
 High Point, North Carolina, it was their will that we express to 
 
238 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 you and members of your family our deep and heartfelt sympathy 
 in the recent death of our good friend and Senior Elder of the Ses- 
 sion. 
 
 "We will and have already missed him in the Session, where 
 his clear thinking and good judgment was always welcomed. While 
 his passing is our earthly loss, we realize it is a heavenly gain for 
 our Master, and we shall long remember him and profit by his 
 example." 
 
 At Christmas in 1946, a group of the Church men purchased an 
 Oldsmobile and presented it to Mr. Jones as a token of their great 
 love and appreciation of his fine work as minister of the church. 
 
 The March 2, 1947, bulletin stated that after being Organist 
 and Choir Director, of the Church for more than 19 years, Professor 
 Dan W. Smith had resigned. He was a talented musician and had 
 for many years served the Church well. He was efficient in service 
 and faithful in his attendance to all of the Church Services. It was 
 going to be a hard job to secure a man to take his place. Until this 
 was done Miss Amelia Hough had agreed to act as Choir Director 
 and Organist, in addition to her other duties. 
 
 The following elders and deacons who had recently been elected 
 as officers of the Church, were ordained and installed. The elders 
 were: H. P. Hardin, Noble T. Praigg, George W. Connor, Sr., 
 Howard R. Pancoast, P. H. Dalton, III, Harry A. Alexander, Sr., 
 V. W. Idol, Sr., H. P. Morrison, and Henry V. Koonts. I. Paul Ingle, 
 Sr., F. Logan Porter, Sr., and C. A. McMurray had previously been 
 ordained, so were installed. 
 
 The deacons: J. Williard Thomas, Sr., J. H. McCall, C. A. White, 
 J. H. Hogg, W. W. Lentz, W r llliam D. Lemons and C. R. Wilcox, 
 W. F. Robinette, C. S. McGahey, C. M. Allred, Kenneth Redman, 
 and W. Stanley Davis. R. M. Gladstone, Jr., J. E. Beeson, and J. P. 
 Williamson were only installed for they previously had been ordained. 
 
 At the monthly meeting of the Session held in March 1947, 
 the yearly report to Orange Presbytery was made out. This report 
 carried the statement that 97 new members had been added to the 
 Church Roll during the past year. 
 
 The Annual observance of Holy Wedc was held in the Church 
 during the week beginning March 30. The guest speaker for this 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 239 
 
 week was Dr. George Mauze, Pastor of the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Winston-Salem, N. C. 
 
 On Sunday, March 30, 1947, after the morning worship service, 
 the Chairman of the Worship Committee, Charles W. Perry an- 
 nounced that the services of Mr. Henry Whipple, as Minister of 
 Music in the Church, had been secured. He would report to the 
 Church during April coming from the First Baptist Church in 
 Montgomery, Alabama, where he was employed as Minister of 
 Music. 
 
 At the Session meeting held on April 9, 1947, Donald E. Head- 
 en and Harry L. Brown were given a vote of thanks for the efficient 
 way they had served as Clerk of the Session since Dr. W. A. Hayes* 
 death. At this same meeting, Henry V. Koonts was named per- 
 manent Clerk of the Session. 
 
 On May 2, 1947, word was received at the Church that Dr. 
 Eugene Leon Siler, a beloved pastor of the Church, who had served 
 it from 1903-1909, had died. 
 
 At the May 10, 1947, Session meeting, the Clerk was instructed 
 to write Mrs. W. A, Hayes a note of thanks for her services as the 
 Custodian of the Communion, and to request her to continue as 
 Custodian of the Communion Service and supervision of the prepa- 
 ration of the Lord's Table. She and Dr. Hayes had so faithfully per- 
 formed this service until his death. 
 
 In May, 1947, Mr. Thomas T. Traynham, a student at the Union 
 Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, came to High Point to 
 assist Mr. Jones- — especially to assist him in his work at the Crestwood 
 and Randolph Chapels. 
 
 At the Spring Meeting of Orange Presbytery, The Reverend 
 Paul Tudor Jones was named as a Commissioner to go to the meet- 
 ing of the General Assembly, and in June he attended this meeting. 
 
 On May 21, 1947, Mr. Whipple took up his work as Minister 
 of Music, and soon two additional choirs were organized — the In- 
 termediate, and the Boy's and Girl's. 
 
 Since Mr. Jones had been Pastor of the Church he had been 
 thinking of a week-day kindergarten in the Church. With the per- 
 mission of the Session this kindergarten was planned to open in 
 September, 1947, with Mrs. C. N. Cox the first teacher. Her job 
 being to introduce the little ones who would be charter students, 
 to group training, primary to formal schooling. 
 
240 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 In June Mr. Jones was authorized by the Session to appoint a 
 special committee to investigate the possibility of helping in the 
 work of Displaced Persons and assist in finding places for them to 
 live and work. Frank B. Smith was named Chairman of this com- 
 mittee with G. E. Hutchens from the Session; from the Diaconate 
 J. Paul Williamson, R. M. Gladstone, Jr., and Sanders Dallas; from 
 the Associate Board of Deacons W. H. Kimery, F. F. Miller, S. P. 
 Montgomery, and J. T. Reynolds. 
 
 At the July 9, 1947, meeting of the Session, Frank B. Smith, 
 Chairman of the New Member's Committee reported that the 
 Pamphlet, Become A Member of the Presbyterian Church, had been 
 printed and was being given to all of the new Church members. 
 
 On August 28, 1947, Z. I. Walser, a Ruling Elder in the Church 
 since November 25, 1928, died. A Committee from the Session, 
 composed of F. Logan Porter, Sr., Dr. Harry L. Brockmann, and Henry 
 V. Koonts were appointed to draft a tribute to his memory — send a 
 copy to his family and spread it on the Session Minutes. 
 
 Late in September Miss Bettye Brueck handed in her resigna- 
 tion as Church Secretary. Her reason for so doing was that she and 
 George E. White were going to be married in October. 
 
 November 5-6, Mrs. Frank C. Stanton, of Charlotte, N. C, came 
 to the Church to conduct for the women a season of intensive Bible 
 study on the Book of Matthew. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held on December 14, 1947, the 
 following elders were elected: Carter Dalton, D. E. Headen, R. D. 
 Tilson, and G. E. Hutchens. On January 11, 1948, the following 
 deacons were elected: A. M. Rankin, Jr., J. S. Dallas, Ernest Mc- 
 Call, M. E. Brown, D. W. Hunter, J. D. Ross, V. W. Idol, Jr., C 
 M. Garrison, and J. C. Kaneer. 
 
 With the beginning of the calendar year 1948, the tempo of the 
 Church's activities seemed to step up. Mr. Whipple began helping 
 with the music at the Out-post Sunday Schools, and on January 18, 
 1948, these two Sunday Schools, Crestwood and Randolph, were 
 organized by Orange Presbytery into churches. On February 13, 
 World Day of Prayer was observed by the Church members. On 
 March 1, Miss Lillie Mae La Garde, of Corinth, Mississippi, joined 
 the Church Staff as Church Secretary, and Assistant Director of 
 Religious Education. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 241 
 
 On Sunday morning March 4, 1948, the new Elders and Deacons 
 were ordained and installed, and the following associate deacons, 
 having been appointed by the Session, were installed: S. O. Bailey, 
 Dr. E. A. Bencini, W. F. Blair, Frank Dalton, Hunter Dalton, III, 
 Hal A. Davis, Dr. W. H. Flythe, Sam Groce, J. Frank Hicks, T. R. 
 Kennerly, W. H. Kimery, Charles Plummer, J. T. Reynolds, H. D. 
 Sears, Jr., B. Eugene Shannon, Guy Shivers, and John A. Womack. 
 Also, the officers and teachers of the Sunday School were installed 
 at this time. 
 
 The Spring Rally of Young People's Fellowship met in the 
 Church on Sunday, March 21, 1948, and the following day, March 
 22-25, Holy Week Services were held with The Reverend Samuel 
 D. Howe, D.D., of the Highland Presbyterian Church of Fayette - 
 ville, North Carolina, as guest minister. 
 
 Prior to the conducting of the Every -Member-Canvass in March, 
 much preliminary work had been done — a new system was being 
 mapped out. When the plan reached fruition the entire Congrega- 
 tion had been divided, geographically, into thirteen groups with 
 designated elders, deacons, and associate deacons responsible for 
 the Church Membership in their group. 
 
 On April 11, Dr. O. C. Williamson, a former pastor of the 
 Church who was in the City for the Dedication of the Brentwood 
 Church, was guest minister at the morning services in the First 
 Church. 
 
 Mr. Jones was absent from the Church Pulpit the first Sunday 
 in June, 1948. He was attending Commencement Exercises at South 
 Western College, Memphis, Tennessee, where he was awarded the 
 honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by his alma mat-er. 
 
 Beginning with the month of June, Mr. Sam Smith, a rising 
 senior at the Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, 
 came to the Church to assist Dr. Jones during the summer months, 
 both at the First Church and at the Mission Churches. About the 
 same time Mr. Smith came, Mr. Whipple began publishing the 
 Hymn of the Month in the bulletin and having the Congregation 
 sing it. 
 
 Early in the month of June, 1948, it was suggested that some- 
 thing should be done about better acquainting the new members 
 with the Church Staff, and the workings of their new church home. 
 It was suggested that the Elders and their wives give a dinner hon- 
 
242 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 oring those who had joined the Church during the last year. This 
 idea seemed good. Pleasant Hunter Dalton III and Charles W. Perry 
 were asked to plan for this first New-Member-Dinner. This dinner 
 was held on June 30, 1948, and was such a success that this plan of a 
 New-Member-Dinner has been followed every six months since 
 that date. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held on December 5, 1948, it was 
 voted to increase the Bench of Elders to twenty-five, with five 
 classes of five elders each, in addition to the Life Class. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held on January 16, 1949, the 
 eight elders to increase the Session to twenty-five, which were not 
 elected at the December meeting were elected, also nine deacons 
 to fill vacancies and for class of 1954. 
 
 The Elders were: A. M. Rankin, Jr., Dr. H. L. Brockmann, 
 Charles W. Perry, Frank B. Smith, C E. Stuart, H. L. Brown, Ernest 
 H. McCall, and E. M. Shipman. The Deacons elected were: Hal A. 
 Davis, J. A. Womack, J. Ed Pleasants, S. H. Denny, Carl W. Justice, 
 J. C. Kaneer, J. W. Herndon, Dr. N. R. Callaghan, and E. B. Gamble. 
 
 Early in the year 1949, the Church decided to partially support 
 Miss Gene Lindler, as a Missionary to Korea. On August 31, 1949, 
 she sailed for Korea from San Francisco. 
 
 Guest Minister for the Holy Week Services, beginning on April 
 10, 1949, was The Reverend Chester A. Alexander, Pastor of the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Burlington, N. C. In May from 8-13, 
 Dr. Julian Prive Love, Professor of Biblical Theology at Louisville 
 Presbyterian Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, lectured on the Gospel 
 of John daily in the Church. 
 
 On May 15, 1949, Mrs. J. T. Reynolds joined the Church Staff 
 as Business Secretary, and Miss Lillie Mae La Garde began serving as 
 temporary Director of Religious Education, until a successor to Miss 
 Hough, who had accepted work at the First Presbyterian Church in 
 Greensboro, could be found. 
 
 On April 6, 1949, the Session approved that a call be extended 
 The Reverend Murphy Wilds as Mission Pastor for the Crestwood 
 and Randolph Churches. On April 17, 1949 , Mr. Wiles accepted 
 the call. 
 
 At the April 17, 1949, Session meeting a letter of resignation, 
 from Miss Amelia Hough, Director of Religious Education, to take 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 243 
 
 effect May 6, 1949, was read. The Clerk was then instructed to 
 write Miss Hough a letter which reads in part as follows: 
 
 "The Session received with surprise, and accepts with regret, 
 your resignation effective May 6, 1949. Your capable and efficient 
 service in every department of our Church has been a great power 
 for good and an inspiration to all." 
 
 At the July 6, 1949, Session meeting Mr. and Mrs. P. Hunter 
 Dalton III were commended, by a unanimous vote of thanks, for 
 organizing, and sponsoring the Westminister Fellowship Group. 
 
 On August 28, 1949, The Reverend Murphy Wilds was installed 
 as Pastor of the Crestwood and Randolph Churches. 
 
 At different times during Dr. Paul T. Jones' pastorate in High 
 Point, Dr. Charles E. S. Kraemer, and Dr. Warner L. Hall filled 
 the Church Pulpit, so that delegations from other churches might 
 hear them preach. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held on December 11, 1949, 
 George Connor, Hal A. Davis, H. P. Hardin, W. W. Lentz and D. 
 Waring Smith were elected elders to the Class of 1955. On January 
 15, 1950, Dr. W. H. Flythe, J. H. Hogg, C. P. Montgomery, J. H. 
 McCall, E. J. Oglesby, and Richard Short were elected to the Class 
 of 1955, on the Diaconate. W. F. Blair, J. T. Reynolds, Richard 
 Short were named to the Class of 1954; Griffith Miles to Class of 
 1951, and C. A. White to the Life Class. 
 
 Activities in the Church continued to move swiftly throughout 
 the calendar year of 1950, but few new activities were added. For 
 the Holy Week Services Dr. Charles E.S. Kraemer, Pastor of the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, was guest minister. 
 
 A Congregational meeting was called for Sunday, December 
 3, 1949, for the purpose of nominating candidates for the office of 
 elder. At this meeting the following Elders were elected for the 
 Class of 1956: H. A. Alexander, Sr., P. Hunter Dalton, III, C. M. 
 Garrison, C. S. McGahey, and A. M. Rankin. Vernon Idol, Sr., was 
 placed in the Life Class. Elected to 1956 Class of Deacons were J. 
 E. Beeson, R. M. Gladstone, Jr., W. D. Lemmons, Charles E. Plum- 
 mer, John W. Southerlands, Sam Wiley, J. P. Williamson, and Grif- 
 fith Miles to the Life Class. 
 
 For the observance of the Holy Week Services March 18-25, 
 1951, there were two guest ministers: Dr. John R. Redhead of the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro on Tuesday night, and Dr. 
 
244 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Warner L. Hall, Pastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church of 
 Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday night. 
 
 The momentum of the Church activities was still moving at a 
 rapid rate when the Session held a meeting on March 22, 1951, 
 and Dr. Paul T. Jones made a profound announcement — an an- 
 nouncement to them with great restraint — an announcement that 
 he had received a call to the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 
 Richmond, Virginia, and that after prayerful consideration of the 
 field of service, had concluded that it was God's will that he accept 
 the call. He then requested that a Congregational meeting be held 
 on April 8, to consider dissolving his pastoral relations with the 
 Church, in order that his resignation could be presented to the 
 Spring Meeting of Orange Presbytery, that was to be held on April 
 11, 1951. 
 
 Because of this request from the beloved pastor of the Church, 
 Dr. Paul Tudor Jones, the Congregational meeting was called and 
 held on April 8, 1951, with Dr. T. Henry Patterson moderating the 
 meeting. At this meeting a letter from Dr. Jones was read. It is as 
 follows: 
 
 "Following as best I know the will of God, I have reached the 
 decision to accept a call to the pastorate of the Grace Covenant 
 Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia. I therefore, respectfully 
 request you, the Congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 High Point, N. C, to concur with me in requesting the Presbytery 
 of Orange to dissolve the pastoral relations now existing, that I may 
 accept the call to the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, and be 
 dismissed to East Hanover Presbytery, eflective May 15, 1951. 
 
 "In deep gratitude to Almighty God for the rich experience He 
 has granted me in serving as your minister these six years, and in 
 heaviness of heart at the leave-taking this decision invokes, I make 
 this request. 
 
 Respectfully Yours, 
 Paul Tudor Jones." 
 
 Dr. Jones' request was tearfully and prayerfully considered. 
 Then with heavy hearts the Congregation voted to concur with Dr. 
 Jones in his request. 
 
 Prior to the holding of this Congregational meeting, according 
 to a long standing custom, a committee from the Session had been 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 245 
 
 named to bring in a slate of seven names to the Congregation, that 
 would be suitable to serve as a Pulpit Committee to hunt out a 
 successor to Dr. Jones. This slate was presented to the meeting and 
 the following list of names was unanimously accepted: Noble T. 
 Praigg, Henry V. Koonts, Harry A. Alexander, Sr., Mrs. James H. 
 Hogg, Mrs. Ruby S. Bencini, John A. Womack, and J. Ed Pleasants 
 as the new Pulpit Committee. 
 
 This meeting then adjourned, and a Session meeting immedi- 
 ately was held. At this meeting Ernest McCall was elected by the 
 Session to carry Dr. Jones' request to Presbytery, and to state that 
 the Congregation concurred with Dr. Jones in his request. Elder 
 Ernest McCall also was instructed to carry along with this request 
 a yearly report of the past year's work for the Church year ending 
 March 31, 1951: "Number enrolled in Sunday School 559; com- 
 municants on roll at end of year 1087; Baptisms — adults 20 and in- 
 fants 17; received on profession of faith 29; by certificate and reaffir- 
 mation 83; restored to active membership 13; deaths 10; retired on 
 non-communicants roll 15; dismissed to other churches 56; contribu- 
 tions to benevolences $32,436.00; and to local Church work 
 $41,191.00— total monies $73,627.00. 
 
 With these preliminaries attended to, a committee was then ap- 
 pointed to draw up the following resolutions: 
 
 "BE IT RESOLVED by the Congregation of the FIRST PRESBY- 
 TERIAN CHURCH, High Point, N. C, in a regularly called and 
 constituted Congregational Meeting held on the 8th day of April, 
 1951, at 12 o'clock, Noon; 
 
 "THAT The Congregation concur in the request of PAUL TU- 
 DOR JONES, our beloved Minister for the past six 
 years, that his pastoral relations with this Church be dis- 
 solved by the Presbytery of Orange, effective the 15 th 
 day of May 1951, in order that he may accept the call of 
 the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, 
 Virginia, and be received by the Presbytery of East Han- 
 over, and 
 
 "THAT We, the members of the Congregation, confess with peni- 
 tent hearts that this action is taken contrary to our selfish 
 but sincere wish that he might remain as our Minister. 
 We do each testify that this deep feeling of regret is 
 shared by all who have been given the privilege of know- 
 ing and working with PAUL JONES, in this Church, in 
 
246 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 the Church Courts, in other denominations, and among 
 all races and classes. However, as firm and reverent be- 
 lievers in the teaching that God has a plan for His 
 Church, and for each of His Servants, we humbly pray 
 to Him— "THY WILL BE DONE." 
 
 "AND That we, the members of this Congregation extend to 
 the members of the Congregation of the Grace Covenant 
 Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, our Chris- 
 tian Love. We commend PAUL JONES to you as a 
 Spiritual Leader, and assure you of our prayers that his 
 ministry will be as rich and rewarding for you as his 
 labors have been for us. To the extent that you follow 
 his guidance, pray for and support him as your Minister, 
 you will love and serve Christ better, and grow in the 
 Grace of God. 
 
 APPROVED BY THE SESSION 
 
 Noble T. Praigg, 
 Vice Moderator. 
 
 "ATTEST: Henry V. Koonts, 
 Clerk of the Session 
 and Congregation. 
 
 Unanimously Adopted by the 
 Congregation of the First 
 Presbyterian Church, 
 High Point, N. C. 
 
 T. Henry Patterson, D.D. 
 Executive Secretary of 
 Orange Presbytery and 
 Moderator of the 
 Congregational Meeting." 
 
 The moving of Dr. Jones from the City was not only a great 
 loss for the Congregation, but for many citizens who were not mem- 
 bers of the Presbyterian Church — he was greatly beloved by the 
 entire City. He had seemed to be an embodiment of the composite 
 characteristics the Pulpit Committee had noted when they went 
 about trying to decide the kind of man they were looking for as 
 Pastor for the First Presbyterian Church. It is remembered that in 
 the manual or requisites they wrote down, one reads: "This min- 
 ister should be, not only a leader of the First Presbyterian Church 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 247 
 
 of High Point, but a leader in the various Presbyterian Church 
 Courts. He should also be a man anxious to cooperate in the reli- 
 gious and civic life of the Community." 
 
 That Dr. Paul T. Jones measured up to all of the requirements 
 is attested to by part of an Editorial carried in the High Point En- 
 terprise when it was learned he was moving to Richmond: 
 
 "Paul Tudor Jones is more than the minister of one of the City's 
 outstanding churches, as important a role as that is. He is one of 
 the finest citizens this town has ever had — and if he leaves it will 
 be a real community loss . . . Paul Tudor Jones, a man of God, has 
 done a great work in High Point. His efforts have taken firm root 
 and the results are beginning to spread." 
 
BIOGRAPHY 
 
 of 
 
 The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones, Jr., D.D. 
 1909— 
 
 The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones, Jr., D.D., the son of Paul 
 Tudor Jones Sr., and Sally Shelron Jones, was born at Corinth, 
 Mississippi on September 23, 1909. His great great grandfather, 
 Dr. Calvin Jones, was a Trustee of the University of North Caro- 
 lina for many years, and at one time owned the tract of land upon 
 which Old Wake Forest College was built. 
 
 When a lad Mr. Jones attended public school in Corinth, and 
 in 1928, at the age of nineteen, entered Southwestern College, Mem- 
 phis, Tennessee, and was graduated from there in 1932, with an 
 A.B. degree. In 1935, he received his B.D. from Louisville Presby- 
 terian Theological Seminary. At Louisville he was awarded the 
 Helm-Bruce Fellowship for being the most outstanding student in 
 English Bible for the three years of study. This coveted fellowship 
 entitled him to a year's study at Union Theological Seminary in 
 New York, from which he received his degree of Master of Syste- 
 matic Theology. On June 1, 1948, he was awarded the honorary 
 degree of Doctor of Divinity by Southwestern College — his alma 
 mater. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Jones was licensed and ordained as a minister 
 in the Presbyterian Church of the U. S., in Central Mississippi Pres- 
 bytery in 1935, and served as pastor of churches in Lexington, Mis- 
 sissippi, and Tchula, Mississippi, in 1935 and 1936. From 1936 to 
 1939, he was pastor of the Liberty, Missouri, Presbyterian Church, 
 and pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, Mississip- 
 pi, from 1939 to 1945, when he accepted a call to the First Pres- 
 byterian Church of High Point, North Carolina. From 1945 to 
 1951, he was pastor there. From 1951 to 1954, he was pastor of the 
 Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia, and 
 from there he accepted a call to the Idle wild Presbyterian Church, 
 Memphis, Tennessee. 
 
 On August 7, 1934, The Reverend Jones was married to Miss 
 Elizabeth Hudson, and to this union there has been born three 
 children, Paul Tudor Jones III, Ann Hudson Jones, and George 
 Shelton Jones. 
 
 Dr. Paul Tudor Jones, Jr., is recognized as an outstanding min- 
 ister in the Presbyterian Church, U. S., and is active in its courts, 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 249 
 
 presbyteries, synods, and General Assembly. He served as a Com- 
 missioner from Orange Presbytery of the Synod of North Carolina, 
 at Montreat in May, 1947. 
 
 Dr. Jones is frequently called upon for baccalaureate sermons, 
 and is also much in demand as guest speaker at colleges and youth 
 conferences. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, and director 
 of the Executive's Club, while living in High Point. During this 
 period of time he also served as a Trustee of a mountain school 
 owned by Orange and Winston-Salem Presbyteries — Glade Valley 
 School. 
 
 In writing about Dr. Paul Tudor Jones, an officer of the First 
 Presbyterian Church of High Point says: "As a statistical history 
 of the period of Dr. Jones' pastorate, the records are impressive, 
 but through them one senses and feels the love that existed between 
 pastor and people — a manifestation of God according to His plan." 
 
The Reverend Roy Edward Watts, D.D. 
 The Present Minister 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 PASTORATE 
 of 
 
 The Reverend Roy Edward Watts, D.D. 
 1951— 
 
 The Church was moving along on a higher Spiritual plane than 
 at any other known time, when Dr. Jones resigned as its Pastor. 
 The Pulpit Committee recognized the fact that it would not con- 
 tinue on this high plane if too much time were allowed to elapse 
 before another Pastor was secured. With this in mind the Pulpit 
 Committee met, elected Henry V. Koonts, Chairman, and started 
 out on an earnest campaign seeking a new minister for the Church 
 that they thought would meet the qualifications the Church must 
 have in a minister. 
 
 This Committee composed of Henry V. Koonts, Mrs. Ruby 
 Snow Bencini, Mrs. James H. Hogg, Harry A. Alexander, Sr., Noble 
 T. Praigg, J. Ed Pleasants, and John A. Womack went here and 
 there listening for names of ministers, and talking to others — seek- 
 ing information about ministers who would qualify as a Pastor for 
 the High Point Church. Several names were suggested but the qual- 
 ifications of one stood out above all others. Dr. John A. Redhead, 
 Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, North Caro- 
 lina, had suggested his name, so the Committee talked to Dr. Red- 
 head — asking for advice as to how they might hear him preach 
 without making a trip to Mississippi. Dr. Redhead graciously agreed 
 to invite him to preach in his pulpit. 
 
 This minister, Dr. Roy Edward Watts, accepted Dr. Redhead's 
 invitation to come as a guest minister to his church. The Commit- 
 tee heard him and were favorably impressed with his sermon, as 
 well as with Dr. Watts himself — so favorably did he impress the 
 Committee that they decided to talk with him, and to invite him to 
 come over to High Point and look the field over. Dr. Watts came 
 to High Point and was favorably impressed with the First Presby- 
 terian Church, so he agreed to entertain a call to it, if the Congre- 
 gation so voted. 
 
 Being sufficiently satisfied that they had located the right man, 
 the Committee reported to the Session, and asked for a Congrega- 
 tional Meeting to be called. This meeting was ordered and held 
 
252 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 after the Morning Service, June 3, 1951, with The Reverend Dan 
 W. Caldwell, D.D., guest Minister, serving as Moderator of the 
 meeting. 
 
 Soon after the meeting was convened, Henry V. Koonts, Chair- 
 man of the Pulpit Committee, read the following recommendations: 
 
 "First that The Reverend Roy Edward Watts, D.D., Clarksdale, 
 Mississippi, in whom we have every confidence that he meets the 
 qualifications outlined by you, and is sound in faith, diligent in pas- 
 toral duties, a preacher of power and conviction, a Presbyter of 
 sound judgment, and untiring faithfulness, is the minister whom 
 God in His Wisdom would have us recommend as your Spiritual 
 Leader." 
 
 The nomination of Dr. Roy Edward Watts was then made and 
 seconded, and when put to a vote he was unanimously elected as 
 Pastor of the Church. The following call was then ordered sent to 
 him: 
 
 "The First Presbyterian Church of High Point, North Carolina, 
 being on sufficient grounds completely satisfied of the ministerial 
 qualifications of you, Roy Edward Watts, and having good hopes 
 from our knowledge of your labors that your ministrations in the 
 Gospel, will be profitable and beneficial to our Spiritual interests, 
 and having faith in our Lord, the Supreme Head of the Church, 
 that He has led and directed us to seek you, do earnestly call you to 
 undertake the pastoral office in this Congregation, promising you, 
 in the discharge of your duties all proper support, encouragement 
 and obedience in the Lord. 
 
 "And that you may be free from worldly cares and avocations, 
 we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to provide you with the 
 following material considerations: 
 
 A— A salary of $8,000.00 per year. 
 
 B — $50.00 per month in addition for automobile expense. 
 C — A comfortable Manse to be kept in reasonable repair 
 
 during your occupancy and fuel for heating the same. 
 D — The Church's proportionate share of Minister's Fund. 
 E — The expense of moving your furnishings and yourself 
 
 and family. 
 
 "And we do further promise and agree to provide you with 
 the necessary personnel to assist you in continuing a complete pro- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 253 
 
 gram of service in our Church to the Lord and Master. We pledge 
 our Loyalty to work with you in promoting all the causes of the 
 Presbyterian Church in the United States." 
 
 A Special Session Meeting was called on June 15, 1951, at 
 which time the Chairman of the Pulpit Committee reported that a 
 letter had been received from Dr. Watts accepting the call sent 
 him by The Congregation and that he was planning to be in High 
 Point in time to preach his first sermon on July 22, 1951. 
 
 At this same Session Meeting a letter of resignation was read 
 from The Reverend Murphy Wilds, Mission Pastor of the Crest- 
 wood and Randolph Churches. He had accepted a call as Minister 
 to the First Presbyterian Church of Senatobia, Mississippi. 
 
 At the Session meeting held on the following Sunday a report 
 from Deacon J. Paul Williamson advised that the Manse was being 
 reconditioned and redecorated, looking toward the arrival of the 
 Wattses. 
 
 With a grateful heart, to the Giver of All Good and Perfect 
 Gifts, the Congregation eagerly awaited the arrival of Dr. and Mrs. 
 Roy E. Watts. Most of the Congregation had not met them when 
 they had visited in High Point, but when the Wattses reached High 
 Point to live, the Congregation was highly pleased with both Dr. 
 Watts and his charming wife. They recognized in Dr. Watts a per- 
 sonable man, with scholarly ability; a preacher of power and con- 
 viction, and a man diligent in his pastoral duties. 
 
 When Dr. Watts came as pastor of the Church the following 
 members were Leaders and Staff Members: Noble T. Praigg was 
 Vice-Moderator of the Session and Superintendent of the Sunday 
 School — Henry V. Koonts was Clerk of the Session — John A. Wo- 
 mack was Chairman of the Diaconate — C. R. Wilcox was Church 
 Treasurer — Archie Newton was Chairman of the Board of Asso- 
 ciate Deacons — Kenneth Redman was President of the Men of the 
 Church and Mrs. Henry V. Koonts was President of The Women 
 of the Church. And, the Church Staff was composed of Henry 
 Whipple, Minister of Music; Miss Lillie Mae La Garde, Church 
 Secretary; Mrs. Caroline B. Reynolds, Business Secretary; Miss Eliza- 
 beth Cooper, Weekday Kindergarten Director; Mrs. S. T. Buie, 
 Hostess and Dietitian; Mrs. Thresser Peguse, Maid, and Robert 
 Avery, Sexton. 
 
 On July 26, 1951, an adjourned meeting of Orange Presbytery 
 was held in this Church for the purpose of receiving Dr. Roy Ed- 
 
254 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 ward Watts as a new minister into the Presbytery and to appoint 
 a Commission to install him in his new charge. The date set for this 
 installation service was September 9, 1951, at 7:30 P. M. 
 
 The day for the installation of Dr. Watts as our pastor arrived 
 and before the services, a 6:30 P. M., dinner was given by the Elders 
 and their wives in the Church Dining Hall, honoring Dr. and Mrs. 
 Watts, and the Commission from Orange Presbytery. To this dinner 
 also was invited the entire Church Staff. 
 
 Promptly at 7:30 P. M., September 9, 1951, the Installation 
 Service for Dr. Roy Edward Watts began. The Reverend Marion S. 
 Huske, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Reidsville, was 
 Chairman of the Commission, and asked the Constitutional Ques- 
 tions — The Reverend John A. Redhead, D.D., Pastor of the First 
 Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, preached the sermon — The Rev- 
 erend J.P.H. McNatt, of The Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 
 charged the Pastor — Mr. W. H. Sullivan, Elder in The Church of 
 the Covenant, Greensboro, Charged the Congregation — The Rev- 
 erend Julian Lake, D.D., from the Winston-Salem Presbytery, and 
 Pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of Winston-Salem, read the 
 Scripture — and Elder Fred Carlson, from The First Presbyterian 
 Church, Greensboro, acted as Clerk of the Commission. 
 
 The whole installation service was impressive, but made es- 
 pecially so when the whole body of Church officers — both Elders 
 and Deacons, arose and went forward, at the conclusion of The 
 Charge to the Congregation, and individually pledged their support 
 to the new pastor, in helping him carry out the work of the King- 
 dom in the High Point Church. 
 
 When the Installation Service was completed, Dr. Watts, using 
 an impressive ritual, installed Miss Anne Matthews Jones, of Green- 
 wood, South Carolina, as Director of Religious Education. 
 
 In August, word had come to the Church concerning the critical 
 illness of Dr. Orin Conway Williamson. Because the Church Ses- 
 sion recognized that the Williamsons were having terrific medical 
 and hospital expenses, they voted to send them a love gift from the 
 Congregation. The gift thus taken amounted to $2,019.50. 
 
 On September 23, 1951, a letter of resignation from Miss 
 Lillie Mae La Garde was received. She had accepted a position as 
 Children's Work Counselor, and Church Secretary, at the Grace 
 Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia. The Session 
 accepted Miss La Garde's resignation with regrets, and voted to 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 255 
 
 give her an extra check in appreciation for her services, when she 
 left. 
 
 On October 19, 1951, news of the death of Dr. Williamson 
 came to sadden the Church Membership. 
 
 The entire month of October was observed as Loyalty Month. 
 
 At a congregational meeting held on December 9, 1951, elders 
 for the Class of 1957 (changed to Class of 1956 later, due to change 
 in Church calendar-year) were elected: Dr. W. H. Flythe, James 
 H. Hogg, Griffith Miles, Howard R. Pancoast, and W. F. Robbinette. 
 
 In November, as was the annual custom, The Gleaners Class 
 conducted the campaign for the Thanksgiving Offering which went 
 to Barium Springs Orphanage. 
 
 On December 16, 1951, twelve members of the Communicants 
 Class were received into the membership of the church. 
 
 On January 13, 1952, deacons to fill vacancies, and for the Class 
 of 1957 (changed to Class of 1956 later, due to change in Church 
 calendar-year) were elected: Archie Newton, Dr. Sam T. Hart, H. 
 D. Sears, Jr., P. Hunter Dalton, IV, Davis Smith, and W. H. Kimery. 
 
 At a regular monthly meeting of the Session held on January 
 2, 1952, a signed copy of the Living Trust Fund Agreement, exe- 
 cuted by Mr. R. B. Terry, naming the First Presbyterian Church of 
 High Point as beneficiary, to receive a net income from the Per- 
 petual Trust Fund to be used for general operating expenses of the 
 Church, was received. 
 
 From October 1, 1951, Mrs. Hazel G. Long had served as tem- 
 porary Church Secretary. On February 1, 1952, a Church Secretary 
 — Mrs. Eleanor Glenn — had been employed and Mrs. Long was 
 released from her work as temporary Church Secretary. 
 
 At the monthly meeting of The Session held on February 6, 
 1952, Dr. Watts advised the elders that Henry C. Brockmann, son 
 of Elder and Mrs. Harry L. Brackmann, and a student at Davidson 
 College, was applying to be taken under the care of Orange Presby- 
 tery as a candidate for the ministry. The application of Henry was 
 unanimously approved and ordered filed with Orange Presbytery. 
 
 On February 3, 1952, Dr. Sandy Marks and Family, Missionaries 
 to Africa, were Church guests, and he was a speaker at a Family 
 Night Supper. 
 
 At the monthly meeting of the Session held in March, Elder 
 
256 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 C. M. Garrison presented a list of seventy-three names to be voted 
 on as Associate Deacons for the Church year beginning in April. 
 
 At a Session meeting held on Sunday, March 9, 1952, a motion 
 was made and carried that a coordinating committee be formed to 
 define the duties of various members of the Church Staff and their 
 relation to the Pastor. This committee was also to act as an advisory 
 committee to the Pastor. It was then approved that this committee 
 should be composed of the Vice-Moderator of the Session — Chair- 
 man of the Board of Deacons — and President of the Women of the 
 Church. 
 
 At the close of the church year, March 31, 1952, Henry V. 
 Koonts' term as elder, under the rotary system expired. He had 
 served efficiently as Clerk of the Session, since the death of Elder 
 W. A. Hayes, so it was with reluctance that the Session elected 
 another Clerk, Elder C. S. McGahey, to succeed him. 
 
 Pre-Easter Services were held in the Church April 8-11, 1952, 
 with Dr. Julian Lake, Pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of 
 Winston-Salem, as guest minister on Tuesday and Wednesday eve- 
 nings. On Thursday evening Communion Services were conducted 
 by Dr. Watts, and on Friday, Union Services of the Main Street 
 Churches were held in our Church. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held on June 29, 1952, it was 
 decided to add additional Sunday School facilities to the Church. A 
 committee was appointed to make a study of how this should be 
 done. In due time this committee recommended that an Educa- 
 tional Building be erected, and that the following Building Com- 
 mittee be appointed: Jack W. Southerland, Chairman; Mrs. Tom 
 Marlowe, Mrs. Sanders Dallas, Pickett Montgomery, H. D. Sears, 
 Jr., P. H. Dalton, III, and Howard Pancoast; and also a Special 
 Financial Committee: G. E. Hutchens, Chairman; Co-Chairmen E. 
 
 B. Gamble and C. M. Allred; V. W. Idol, Jr., Treasurer; W. Stan- 
 ley Davis, D. W. Hunter, A. M. Rankin, Jr., and J. Williard Thomas, 
 Sr. 
 
 On November 15, 1952, the Corner Stone Laying of the New 
 Educational Building was held. 
 
 On Sunday September 6, 1953, a General Campaign to raise 
 funds for financing the Educational Building was conducted with 
 
 C. M. Allred, Chairman, and the officers of the Church as Workers. 
 As a result of this Campaign the pledges amounted to $29,181.00. 
 
 On June 6, 1954, an Educational Building, housing the Bartlett 
 Memorial Room, was completed and Consecration Services were 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 257 
 
 held in it at 4:00 P. M. This service was followed by an Open 
 House. 
 
 The original contract for the Educational Building was 
 $98,102.39, but with the furnishings and architect fees, it reached 
 a total of $104,707.99. Then there was added to this the cost of 
 improvements in the main church building which ran the total 
 monies spent up to approximately $126,000.00. 
 
 In late spring, 1952, Mrs. Eleanor W. Glenn resigned as Church 
 Secretary, and Miss Marian Maness (now Mrs. Hal A. Davis, Jr.) 
 was elected as her successor. On June 8, Miss Anne Jones, Director 
 of Religious Education, resigned and returned to her home in Green- 
 wood, South Carolina. 
 
 In the fall of 1952, the Church cooperated in the Mid-Century- 
 Development-Program of the Union Theological Seminary and in- 
 dividual members pledged a sizeable amount of money to the 
 Campaign. 
 
 On December 7, 1952, the following elders were elected to the 
 Class of 1957: J. E. Beeson, I. Paul Ingle, Henry V. Koonts, H. P. 
 Morrison, and W. F. Robinette. 
 
 On January 18, 1953, the following deacons were elected to 
 the Class of 1957: C M. Allred, Carl A. Bailey, E. B. Gamble, 
 Kenneth Redman, Cecil Wilcox, and H. O. Williams. 
 
 At the Pre-Easter Services held during 1953, the guest minister 
 for Tuesday evening was Dr. John K. Roberts, Pastor of the First 
 Presbyterian Church of Danville, Virginia. On Wednesday evening 
 Dr. John A. Redhead, Jr., Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, 
 Greensboro, was guest minister. Dr. Watts conducted the Com- 
 munion Services on Thursday evening, and on Good Friday City- 
 wide Union Services were held in the Emanuel Lutheran Church. 
 
 The Special Mother's Day Offering in May, 1953, went to the 
 Presbyterian Home. 
 
 Earlier General Assembly had changed the Presbyterian Church- 
 Year to run with the calendar-year beginning with January 1, 1954. 
 
 On October 25, 1953, a Congregational meeting was held for 
 the purpose of electing elders for the Class of 1958. The following 
 Elders were elected: George E. Hutchens, Vernon W. Idol, Jr., Ed- 
 ward S. Maclin, Earnest H. McCall, and R. D. Tillson. 
 
 Deacons for the Class of 1958: Sanders Dallas, Sam H. Groce, 
 John W. Herndon, D. W. Hunter, Tyree Nabors, and George E. 
 White. 
 
258 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Special Offering for World Missions in 1954 was $578.42. 
 
 The Pre-Easter Services for the year 1954, had as its guest min- 
 isters The Reverend John E. Richards, Pastor of the First Presby- 
 terian Church of Roanoke, Virginia, on Tuesday evening, April 13, 
 and Dr. Harry M. Moffett, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church 
 of Gastonia, North Carolina, on Wednesday evening, April 14. Dr. 
 Watts conducted the Communion Services on Thursday evening 
 and the Congregation joined in the City- wide Union Services on 
 Good Friday. 
 
 Early in the month of May, 1954, Miss Jean Moling came to us 
 as Director of Christian Education, and on September 12 of the 
 same year, Mrs. Charles A. Johnson, a graduate of Winthrop Col- 
 lege, Rock Hill, South Carolina, became Church Secretary. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held on May 23, 1954, after the 
 Morning Worship Service, the Trustees were authorized to deed to 
 the City of High Point, a tract of land on Main Street (the frontage 
 on the 60' Montsinger lot), to be used by the City for sidewalks 
 and parking space, and to also sign a deed transferring the Ran- 
 dolph Church Property to the Trustees of Orange Presbytery. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held on September 12, 1954, 
 Elders for the Class of 1959 were elected as follows: Dr. Harry L. 
 Brockmann, H. L. Brown, Charles W. Perry, Frank B. Smith, and 
 Charles E. Stuart. 
 
 Deacons elected for the Class of 1959, at the October 3, 1954, 
 Congregational meeting were: R. G. Culp, Jr., J. C. Kaneer, Z. 
 P. Long, and Alva B. Newton. 
 
 During the week of March 20-25, 1955, a series of Evange- 
 listic Services were held in the church with The Reverend Joel B. 
 Whitten Jr., Pastor of the Knox Presbyterian Church of Norfolk, 
 Virginia, preaching. 
 
 Assisting in the Pre-Easter Services, April 5-9, 1955, Dr. A. 
 Hayden Hollingsworth, Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church 
 of Roanoke, Virginia, was guest speaker at the Tuesday evening 
 service, and Dr. Malcom Murchison, Pastor of the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Concord, North Carolina, at the Wednesday evening 
 services. Dr. Watts conducted Thursday Communion Service, and 
 the Church joined in the City-wide Union Services on Good Friday. 
 
 On April 17, 1955, Dr. C. Excelle Rozzelle filled the Church 
 Pulpit, in the absence of the Pastor who was conducting a series 
 of Evangelistic Services in Virginia. 
 
ELDERS (1959) 
 
 Left to right, Front Row Seated: Harold P. Morrison, Charles E. Stuart, Charles W. Perry, 
 Frank B. Smith, Roy E. Watts, D.D. (Minister), Dr. Harry Brockmann, C. A. McMurray, 
 Harry L. Brown; Second Roiv Seated: D. Waring Smith, Hal A. Davis, W. W. Lentz, 
 Howard R. Pancoast, Harry A. Alexander, Ernest H. McCall, A. M. Rankin, Jr., Henry V. 
 Koonts, George C. Connor; Back Row Standing: Samuel N. Thomas (Assistant Minister), 
 Clyde M. Garrison, John W. Southerland, Willard H. Kimrey, Richard A. Short, Charles S. 
 McGahey, Dr. W. H. Flythe, J. Ed Pleasants, John W. Herndon, John A. Womack, Charles 
 E. Plummer, James H. Hogg, J. E. Beeson, Vernon W. Idol, Jr., J. Sanders Dallas. 
 
 On September 13, 1955, Mrs. George Washington Denny 
 passed to her eternal reward leaving her home at 504 Hillcrest 
 Drive to the Brentwood Presbyterian Church and The First Presby- 
 terian Church to share and share alike — an undivided interest be- 
 tween the two churches. 
 
 At a Congregational meeting held October 9, 1955, Elders for 
 Class of I960 were elected: George C. Connor, Sr., Hal A. Davis, 
 W. W. Lentz, and D. Waring Smith. Deacons for Class of I960: 
 Carlyle B. Lewis, Richard D. Meisky, J. H. McCall, E. J. Oglesby, 
 B. Guy Shivers, and Richard A. Short. The Session then appointed 
 28 associate deacons for the Class of 1955 and the same number 
 for the Class of 1956. 
 
 To assist Dr. Watts with the Pre-Easter Services March 27-28, 
 1956, The Reverend Lawrence I. Stell, D.D., Pastor of the Trinity 
 Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N. C, came to be guest minister at 
 the Tuesday evening service. The Reverend C. Grier Davis, D.D., 
 
Diaconate (1959) 
 Seated first row left to right: C. A. Varner, Jr., Robert H. Koonts, Dr. A. B. 
 Croom, Pleasant Hunter Dalton, IV, Chairman; Charlie Spencer, Carl A. Bailey, 
 Clarence Allred; Seated second row left to right: J. Paul Williamson, V. M. Huff- 
 man, Kenneth Redman, Cecil R. Wilcox, Carlyle B. Lewis, C. P. Kirkman, Jr., 
 Harry E. Rothrock, Jr.; Standing left to right: W. S. Creech, E. J. Oglesby, Rich- 
 ard D. Meisky, Z. P. Long, Dr. Sam T. Hart, Joseph G. Hunt, J. C. Kaneer, W. 
 D. Smith, Max H. Cooke. 
 
 Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, N. G, was guest 
 minister at the Wednesday evening service. Dr. Watts conducted 
 the Communion Service on Thursday evening, and the Good Friday 
 Service was observed with Union Service of the City-wide churches. 
 
 Miss Elizabeth Cooper resigned as Kindergarten Director with 
 the close of the school year, May, 1956, and Mrs. Grady H. Whick- 
 er was elected as her successor. 
 
 In May, 1956, the special Mothers Day offering went to the 
 Presbyterian Home, and the special offering taken on June 3, to 
 Montreat. 
 
 During the Month of June, 1956, a Campaign was conducted 
 in the Church for the purpose of raising funds for the Consolidated 
 Presbyterian College that was to be built at Laurinburg, North 
 Carolina. The quota for the Church was $34,800. After much 
 
ASSOCIATE DEACONS (1959) 
 Left to right, Front Row: William E. Wyche, D. Tom Blue, Jr., Howard E. Lowe, George 
 A. Cooke; Second Row: Robert H. Safrit, Andrew H. Smith, E. C. Rankin, Jr., Frank B. 
 Caldwell, Robert I. Helm, J. G. Walser, Jr.; Third Row: Charles W. Crotts, T. Bruce 
 Alexander, Vann A. Nealeans, Gillis G. Clark, Jr., George Covington, C. Howard Stutts, 
 Winford L. Hinkle; Fourth Row: James S. Hunt, Marion C. Rowland, Jr., George F. Ingold, 
 William T. Davis, A. Doyle Early, Arthur P. Dickens, J. B. Cottingham; Fifth Row: B. E. 
 Connor, Henry A. Whitfield, Jr., C. G. Thayer, Kenneth G. Mann, James W. McAfee, Ray 
 A. Correll, V. Douglas Massey, H. William Hager, Jr., P. A. Thomas, E. B. Collins, Joseph 
 D.Wood. 
 
 campaigning this quota was pledged. Our reaching the quota was 
 indeed gratifying, for on previous campaigns for funds for Peace 
 College, Raleigh; Flora Macdonald College, Red Springs, and 
 Queens College, Charlotte, our goal was not reached. 
 
 In August 1956, Mrs. Charles A. Johnson resigned as Church 
 Secretary to move with her husband to Hampton, Virginia, where 
 he would be associated with the city schools. Mrs. Lawrence H. 
 Mallard was then secured for the position of Church Secretary. 
 
 Elders elected in October for the Class of 1961: Harry A. 
 Alexander, Sr., Clyde M. Garrison, W. H. Kimsey, A. M. Rankin, 
 Jr., and C. S. McGahey. 
 
262 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Deacons elected for the 1961 Class: John W. Southerland, W. 
 
 D. Lemons, J. Paul Williamson, V. M. Huffman, Robert Koonts, 
 and Charles E. Plummer. 
 
 On March 24, 1957, Mrs. Caroline B. Reynolds, the Business 
 Secretary of the Church, tendered her resignation effective April 
 16th. Her resignation was accepted with regret and the Session 
 wrote and expressed its appreciation of the efficient way with which 
 she had discharged her duties as a member of the Church Staff. 
 
 On Sunday March 31, 1957, a Musical Vesper Service was held 
 at the Church with Richard Cox, tenor; Lew Lewis, violinist; and 
 Henry Whipple, Church Minister of Music, at the organ. 
 
 The Pre-Easter Services, April 16-17, 1957, were held with Dr. 
 
 E. Lee Stoffel, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Char- 
 lotte, North Carolina, as guest minister on Tuesday evening, and 
 Dr. Sidney A. Gates, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 Salisbury, North Carolina, guest minister on Wednesday evening. 
 On Thursday evening Dr. Watts conducted the Communion Serv- 
 ice, and as customary, the Congregation joined in the Good Friday 
 City-wide Union Services. 
 
 On Tuesday April 16, 1957, Mrs. O. Arnold Craven, Jr., joined 
 the Church Staff as Business Secretary. She came with a good record 
 of past work, having served the First Baptist Church of the City for 
 several years prior to resigning to be at home. 
 
 Mrs. Grady H. Wicker resigned as Kindergarten Director and 
 Mrs. W. B. Hall, Jr., substituted as Director of the Kindergarten 
 until Mrs. Jeanne Kline Mallory was employed. 
 
 Miss Patsy Hogg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Hogg, 
 served on the Church Staff for the summer of 1957. She was a 
 student at Queens College working towards being a Director of 
 Christian Education. 
 
 In August from 1-7, Mr. Henry Whipple served on the Ad- 
 visory Committee of the Music Conference at Montreat. 
 
 On September 15, 1957, the Congregation welcomed The Rev- 
 erend Samuel N. Thomas, his wife, and two children to the Church. 
 He would be listed on the Church Staff as Minister af Education 
 and Assistant Pastor. He came to us from his pastorate at Acme, 
 North Carolina. 
 
 In the month of October, 1957, the Church sent Dr. and Mrs. 
 Watts to the Presbyterian Men's Conference held in Miami, Florida. 
 Fourteen other members of the Church attended this same meeting. 
 
The Present Home of The First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Elders for the Class of 1962 elected in the fall of 1957 were: 
 Dr. W. H. Flythe, James H, Hogg, Howard R. Pancoast, J. Ed 
 Pleasants, Richard A. Short, and John A. Womack. 
 
 Deacons elected to this same Class were: Dr. A. B. Croom, P. 
 Hunter Dalton, IV, Dr. S. T. Hart, C. P. Kirkman, Jr., H. D. Sears, 
 Jr., and C. A. Varner, Jr. 
 
 Associate Deacons for year 1958-59, appointed by the Session 
 numbered 39. 
 
 Dr. Julian Lake, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Dr. Kelsey Regen, Pastor of 
 the First Presbyterian Church of Durham, North Carolina, and 
 Moderator-elect of Synod, came as guest minister for the Pre-Easter 
 Services held during 1958. Dr. Lake preached on Tuesday evening, 
 and Dr. Regen on Wednesday. Dr. Watts conducted the Com- 
 munion Service on Thursday evening, and the Church joined in at- 
 tending City-wide Union Services on Good Friday. 
 
 Early in January of the year 1958, Dr. Watts brought to the 
 attention of the Session that on September 3, 1959, the Church 
 would be one hundred years old, and that a suitable celebration 
 should be planned to commemorate the Church's Birthday. The fol- 
 lowing Centennial Committees were later appointed by the Session, 
 to begin making arrangements for a whole year of celebrating: 
 
264 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 CENTENNIAL COMMITTEES 
 Pleasant Hunter Dalton, Jr., General Chairman 
 
 ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE 
 
 P. Hunter Dalton, Jr., Chm. Mrs. Willard H. Kimrey 
 J. Sanders Dallas James W. McAfee 
 
 Mrs. Clyde M. Garrison Frank B. Smith 
 Kay Idol H. Charles Spencer 
 
 Roy E. Watts, Ex-Officio 
 Samuel N. Thomas, Ex-Officio 
 
 HISTORICAL RECORDS 
 
 Mrs. Charles W. Perry, Chairman 
 Charles W. Perry Mrs. W. A. Hayes 
 
 George C. Connor Henry V. Koonts 
 
 R. Frank Dalton Mrs. G. W. Pleasants 
 
 D. Waring Smith 
 
 CENTENNIAL OBJECTIVES 
 
 J. Sanders Dallas, Chairman 
 Hal A. Davis L. H. Mallard 
 
 Mrs. W. H. Flythe J. Ed Pleasants 
 
 John W. Herndon J. W. Southerland 
 
 David K. Tillson 
 
 WOMEN'S EVENTS 
 
 Mrs. James H. Hogg, Chairman 
 Mrs. I. Paul Ingle Mrs. W. W. Lentz 
 
 Mrs. T. A. Marlowe Mrs. H. D. Sears, Jr. 
 
 PUBLICITY 
 
 Charles E. Stuart, Chairman 
 Mrs. P. D. Kerr Mrs. Alex M. Rankin, Jr. 
 
 Noble T. Praigg Mrs. R. B. Terry 
 
 WORSHIP (special services) 
 
 Clyde M. Garrison, Chairman 
 Dr. Harry L. Brockmann Mrs. H. P. Morrison 
 
 PICTORIAL RECORDS 
 
 Vernon W. Idol, Jr., Chairman 
 Mrs. J. Richard Teague 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 265 
 
 A Congregational meeting was held on May 11, 1958, at which 
 time a new Manse was discussed. Some of the members favored 
 building a new one while others thought it might be wise to buy 
 one already built and remodel it. A vote was taken and all that was 
 determined by the vote was the congregation thought another 
 Manse should be obtained. A committee was then named by the 
 Session, and elected by the Congregation: J. Sanders Dallas, J. W. 
 Southerland, Chairman; Harry A. Alexander, Sr., T. H. Nabors, 
 John W. Herndon, and Mrs. W. H. Kimrey, to secure a Manse. 
 
 Mrs. Lawrence Mallard filed her resignation as Church Secretary 
 with the Session. She gave as her reason for resigning that she had 
 accepted work to teach in the Business Department of the City schools. 
 
 On Monday, July 7, 1958, Miss Amelia Stockton of Winston- 
 Salem, a June graduate from the Women's College, Greensboro, 
 North Carolina, came to us as Church Secretary. On August 2, 
 1958, she became Mrs. Henry Thomas Kimball, Jr. 
 
 In September Elder Howard R. Pancoast were elected a Trustee 
 for the Class of 1962, and Elder Harry A. Alexander, Sr., for the 
 Class of 1963. 
 
 Early in the fall of 1958, Pleasant Hunter Dalton, IV, General 
 Chairman of the Centennial Committee called a meeting of all the 
 committees to get an idea about what the members were thinking 
 should be done during the Centennial year. Several meetings of 
 different committees followed, and tentative plans were made. All 
 of the former living pastors and wives of pastors were to be invited 
 back, and special bulletins for the year were to be prepared, as well 
 as a special Brochure. The first one of the bulletins was to carry 
 a pen and ink sketch of an old oak tree — the first place of worship 
 for the High Point Presbyterians — the next bulletin, a pen and ink 
 sketch of the first church building — the third bulletin a pen and ink 
 sketch of the second church building — and the fourth bulletin a 
 sketch of the third church building, the present church home. These 
 sketches were to be done by four architects, who were members of 
 the Church: W. Clayton Mays, William A. Sloan, Lawrence H. Mal- 
 lard, and George C. Connor, Jr. Each series to run three months. 
 
 On December 21, 1958, a Joy Gift and Candlelight Coral 
 Service was presented in the Sanctuary at 5:00 P. M. The same 
 kind of a beautiful Candlelight Vesper that Mr. Whipple and his 
 combined choirs had given at Christmas time for the past eight years. 
 A Joy Gift for the aged ministers was taken during the interlude, 
 
THE MANSE 
 213 Hillcrest Drive 
 
 and after the Service an Open House was held in the Church 
 Dining Hall. 
 
 The year of our Centennial Celebration opened with much 
 planning and hard work ahead for Dr. Watts and the Centennial 
 Committee. It was going to be a big year with the Church, and 
 everything done during the year must be done in the very best 
 way possible. 
 
 On January 11, 1959, from 2:00 to 5:00 o'clock P. M., Open 
 House was held in the New Manse, 213 Hillcrest Drive. Mrs. W. 
 W. Lentz, President of the Women of the Church; Mrs. Ruby S. 
 Bencini, Chairman of the House Committee; and Mrs. Tom A. Mar- 
 lowe, Chairman of Social Activities, were in charge. 
 
 Prior to the beginning hour for Open House, the new Manse 
 was dedicated to the Glory of God and the use of the Church's 
 Pastor and his family. 
 
 There were many great events to come during the year. The 
 first of these came on January 18, 1959, when Dr. Donald G. Mil- 
 ler, a forceful speaker, a recognized scholar, an author of distinction 
 and Professor of New Testament at the Union Theological Semi- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 267 
 
 nary, Richmond, Virginia, came to the Church and taught the Book 
 of Revelations. 
 
 The next outstanding event was on January 25, 1959, when 
 The Reverend James E. Fogartie, Minister of the Myers Park 
 Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, came and spoke to the Church 
 Officers on Duties, Responsibilities and Qualifications of Church 
 officers. 
 
 On February 4, 1959, at 6:30 P. M., there was held in the 
 Church dining hall a Family Night Supper, one of the special pro- 
 grams observing our period of Prayer and Self Denial. At this time 
 Dr. "Sandy" Marks, one of our Missionaries to Africa, was guest 
 speaker. Dr. Marks is a dentist, and had spoken in our Church 
 several years before. All who were privileged to hear him were 
 delighted with his message. 
 
 In February 1959, a campaign was conducted in the Church 
 to help raise $750,000.00, requested by Synod to build an addition 
 to the Presbyterian Home. Elder J. Sanders Dallas was named 
 Chairman of the Solicitation Committee, and the Church raised 
 over $30,000, which was far in excess of its quota. 
 
 The fourth in the bigger than usual, and better events for the 
 year 1959, was the observance of Holy Week. These Pre-Easter 
 Services began on Palm Sunday, March 22nd, with Dr. Hugh An- 
 derson, native of Scotland, and now Professor of Biblical Theology 
 at Duke University, preaching at the Morning Service. 
 
 On Monday Evening, March 23, 1959, at the meeting of the 
 Men of the Church, Dr. Chester A. Alexander, Moderator-elect of 
 Synod and Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington, 
 North Carolina, was speaker. 
 
 Tuesday evening, March 24th, Dr. John A. Redhead, Jr., Pastor 
 of the First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, was 
 guest minister. 
 
 On Wednesday evening, March 25 th, Mr. Phillip F. Howerton, 
 Moderator of General Assembly, was speaker. 
 
 On Thursday evening, March 26th, our own Pastor, Dr. Roy 
 Edward Watts conducted the Communion Service, which was at- 
 attended by an unusually large crowd. 
 
 On Good Friday, March 27th, the Church joined with other 
 churches of the City in a City-wide Union Service. 
 
268 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Unusual efforts were put out by the Congregation during our 
 Loyalty Season held during the month of April, and the results 
 were seen in attendance of the services during the month. 
 
 During the month of May a special drive for Overseas Relief 
 was held. As a result of this special drive there was sent 596 pounds 
 of good, used clothing to New Windsor, Maryland, to be forwarded 
 to needy European countries. 
 
 On May 17, 1959, Dr. Kenneth J. Foreman, professor of The- 
 ology at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, was guest minister at the 
 1 1 : 00 o'clock Worship Service. 
 
 On Monday evening, May 25 at 6:30 o'clock, the Men of the 
 Church held Ladies Night at which time Dr. James Appleby, Pro- 
 fessor of Evangelism and Director of Field Work at Union Theo- 
 logical Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, was guest speaker. 
 
 June 7, 1959, was observed as Montreat Day and the Special 
 Offering taken at the Morning Worship went to Montreat. 
 
 In the month of July- — the week-end of July 12th, The Rev- 
 erend and Mrs. Howard D. Cameron, with their three fine children 
 were special guests of the Church. The Reverend and Mrs. Cam- 
 eron are Presbyterian Missionaries to Bulape, Belgian Congo, Af- 
 rica, and our Congregation has the privilege of sharing in the sup- 
 port of them. The Reverend Cameron was guest minister at the Morn- 
 ing Worship Hour; with Mrs. Cameron and him speaking to other 
 organizations of the Church during the day. 
 
 From 5:00 to 6:00 P. M., on that same Sunday, a reception was 
 given by The Women of the Church in the Church dining hall, 
 honoring the Camerons. 
 
 From the time of the departure of the Camerons on, Dr. and 
 Mrs. Watts, Mrs. Amelia S. Kimball, Church Secretary, and Gen- 
 eral Chairman of the Centennial Committee, Pleasant Hunter Dal- 
 ton, IV, were more than busy working out the many details for the 
 final Centennial Celebrations which were to be held on Thursday 
 evening, September 3, 1959, and Sunday, September 6, 1959. Be- 
 sides writing letters on the beautiful Centennial stationery, which 
 had been given by Elder and Mrs. Frank B. Smith, keeping the 
 Church membership informed on how things were progressing, 
 there were the thousand-and-one details that had to be worked out for 
 the Special Bulletin for the Thursday evening, September 3rd Serv- 
 ice, and the beautiful Brochure for Sunday Morning Service, Sep- 
 tember 6, 1959. 
 
Ministers, Chairman of Centennial Committee, and Choir at evening 
 service on September 3, 1959. 
 
 The Reverend and Mrs. Charles P. Coble, and The Reverend and 
 Mrs. Paul Tudor Jones, D.D., former Pastors of the Church came as 
 special guests, and were graciously entertained along with the wives 
 of two of our deceased Pastors, Mrs. Alfred S. Caldwell, Sr., and 
 Mrs. Orin Conway Williamson. 
 
 The first service of this great Centennial Celebration was held 
 in the Church Sanctuary on September 3 and it was as follows; 
 
1859 
 
 Our Centennial Year 
 
 1959 
 
 EVENING WORSHIP 
 Seven-Thirty o'Clock Thursday, September 3, 1959 
 
 OUR 100th BIRTHDAY 
 
 "Let the people upon entering the church take their seats in a decent, grave, and rev- 
 erent manner, and engage in silent prayer for a blessing upon themselves, the min- 
 ister and all present, as well as upon those who are detained from the house of God/' 
 
 Prelude — Prelude on "St. Columha" Kitson 
 
 Choral Call to Worship Vesper Hymn 
 
 "Now on land and sea descending brings the night its peace profound" 
 DOXOLOGY 
 
 Invocation and The Lord's Prayer Reverend Samuel N. Thomas 
 
 Assistant Minister 
 
 # * # # # 
 
 Hymn 435 — "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord" St. Thomas 
 
 Apostles' Creed and Gloria Patri 
 
 I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus 
 Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of 
 the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and 
 buried; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, 
 and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He 
 shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; 
 the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; 
 the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 
 
 # # # # # 
 
 Offertory Anthem Bantock 
 
 Let us now praise famous men and our fathers that begat us : Such as did 
 bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, leaders of the 
 people by their counsels and by their knowledge, such as found out musical 
 tunes and recited verses in writing. All these were honored in their genera- 
 tions, and were the glory of their times. There be of them that have left 
 a name behind them that their praises might be reported. And some there 
 be which have no memorial who are perished as though they had never been. 
 Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth forever. 
 
 The Scripture Reading Reverend George V. Hunter 
 
 Minister, Randolph Presbyterian Church 
 
 Prayer Reverend J. P. H. McNatt 
 
 Minister, Brentwood Presbyterian Church 
 
 Remarks Pleasant Hunter Dalton, Jr. 
 
 Chairman, Centennial Committee 
 
 Announcements Dr. Roy E. Watts 
 
 Hymn 1 1 1 — "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" St. Anne 
 
 The Sermon Reverend Charles P. Coble 
 
 Hymn 238— "Seal Us, O Holy Spirit" Meredith 
 
 Benediction Reverend W. M. Baker 
 
 Minister, Crestwood Presbyterian Church 
 
 Choral Amen Hall 
 
Centennial Congregation at Evening Service on September 3, 1959. 
 
 Whoever thou art that entereth this Church, leave it not without a prayer 
 to God for thyself, for those who minister, and for those who worship here. 
 
 The Flowers tonight have been placed in the church by the Session to 
 the Glory of God and in loving memory of deceased ministers and officers 
 who served loyally and faithfully as leaders of this church. 
 
 This opening Service of the Centennial Celebration was followed 
 by a beautiful reception in the Church Dining Room honoring Rev- 
 erend and Mrs. Charles P. Coble, Mrs. O. C. Williamson, and Mrs. 
 A. S. Caldwell. 
 
 On Sunday Morning, September 6, the winds blew and the rain 
 descended but it could not dampen the enthusiasm of the Church 
 membership. To this Service there came more than a capacity crowd, 
 and while the picnic had to be held inside, there was more than an 
 abundance of food for all. 
 
 The Morning Worship Service Program was as follows: 
 
1859 
 
 Our Centennial Year 
 
 1959 
 
 MORNING WORSHIP 
 Eleven o'clock Sunday, September 6, 1959 
 
 "Let the people upon entering the church take their seats in a decent, grave, and rev- 
 erent manner, and engage in silent prayer for a blessing upon themselves, the min- 
 ister and all present, as well as upon those who are detained from the house of God." 
 
 Prelude — "Prelude in D Minor 1 Johann Pachelbel 
 
 Choral Call to Worship Nicolaus Decius 
 
 To God on high be thanks and praise 
 Who deigns our bonds to sever. 
 
 DOXOLOGY 
 
 Invocation and The Lord's Prayer Reverend Samuel N. Thomas 
 
 ***** 
 
 ***** 
 
 Hymn 437 — "The Church's One Foundation" Amelia 
 
 Apostles' Creed and Gloria Patri 
 
 I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus 
 Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of 
 the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and 
 buried; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, 
 and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He 
 shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; 
 the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; 
 the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 
 ***** 
 
 The Scripture Reading Reverend Charles P. Coble 
 
 Private Prayer — as chimes are played 
 
 Pastoral Prayer Dr. Roy E. Watts 
 
 Presentation of Tithes and Offerings 
 
 Offertory Anthem Gustav Hoist 
 
 We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. All the earth 
 doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting. To Thee all angels cry aloud; the heavens 
 and all the powers therein. To Thee cherubim and seraphim continually do cry, 
 "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of the majesty 
 of Thy glory." The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee; the goodly 
 fellowship of the prophets praise Thee; the noble army of martyrs praise Thee; 
 the holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee; the Father, of an 
 infinite majesty; thine adorable, true, and only Son; also the Holy Ghost, the 
 Comforter. Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ; Thou art the everlasting Son 
 of the Father. When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst not abhor 
 the Virgin's womb. When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou 
 didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of 
 God in the glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our judge. 
 
 Hymn 369 — "How Firm a Foundation" Adeste Fideles 
 
 The Sermon Dr. Paul Tudor Jones 
 
 Hymn 332 — "Lead On, O King Eternal" Lancashire 
 
 Benediction and Choral Response Peter C. Lutkin 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 273 
 
 Many of the Centennial Committees made reports to the Gen- 
 eral Chairman, P. Hunter Dalton, IV, of the activities of their com- 
 mittee for the one-hundredth birthday celebration of the Church, 
 but there will be recorded here only two of the many things done. 
 These two were accomplished by the Objectives Committee for the 
 Centennial Year. Quoting: 
 
 NEW CHURCH. Dr. Harold Hyde of Atlanta, Georgia, has 
 made a complete survey of our area and has indicated that our need 
 is great in locating a church on the Lexington Avenue area or in the 
 North-West Section. 
 
 Permission has been granted by the Elders of our church, and 
 a committee has been appointed by them to locate approximately 
 five to six and one-half acres of land that would make a desirable 
 location for such a church. 
 
 This committee has been quite active but as yet are not in a 
 position to make a recommendation. 
 
 CHURCH HISTORY. This history is to be printed by Hall 
 Printing Company. It covers the period of the past 100 years and 
 pertains to most phases of the church life during that period. Per- 
 mission has been granted by the Elders for the printing of this book, 
 and it is hoped that delivery can be made about December 15, 1959. 
 
 As the sweet memory of having celebrated the One-Hundredth- 
 Birthday fades and a thoughtful review is made of the accomplish- 
 ments of the Church during the past eight years, we find the following 
 serving at the time of the Centennial: 
 
 The First Presbyterian Church 
 September 3, 1959 
 THE SESSION 
 
 Roy Edward Watts, Moderator Reverend Samuel N. Thomas, Vice-Moderator R. A. Short, Clerk 
 
 LIFE CLASS — Carter Dalton, George E. Hutchens, C A. Willard H. Kimrey, C S. McGahey, A. M. Rankin, Jr. 
 
 McMurray, Sr., F. Logan Porter, Sr., Noble T. Praigg. Class of 1962 — Dr. W. H. Flythe, James H. Hogg, 
 
 CLASS OF 1959 — Dr. H. L. Brockmann, Harry L. Brown, Howard R. Pancoast, J. Ed Pleasants, Richard 
 
 Charles W. Perry, Frank B. Smith, Charles E. Stuart. A. Short, John A. Womack. 
 
 CLASS OF I960 — George C Connor, Hal A. Davis, Class of 1963 — J. E. Beeson, J. Sanders Dallas, 
 
 John W. Herndon, W. W. Lentz, D. Waring Smith. I. Paul Ingle, H. P. Morrison, Charles E. Plummer, 
 
 CLASS OF 1961 — Harry A. Alexander, Clyde M. Garrison, John W. Southerland. 
 
 THE DIACONATE (1959) 
 
 P. Hunter Dalton, Jr., Chairman; Clarence M. Allred, Vice-Chairman; Robert H. Koonts, Secretary; 
 Dr. A. B. Croom, Treasurer 
 LIFE CLASS — Kenneth Redman, C A. White. Rothrock, Jr., J. Paul Williamson. 
 
 CLASS OF 1959 — R. G. Culp, Jr., E. B. Gamble, Joseph CLASS OF 1962 — Dr. A. B. Croom, P. Hunter Dalton, Jr., 
 G. Hunt, J. C. Kaneer, Z. P. Long, Alva B. Newton. Dr. S. T. Hart, C. P. Kirkman, Jr., H. D. Sears, Jr., 
 
 CLASS OF I960 — Carlyle B. Lewis, Richard D. Meisky, C. A. Varner, Jr. 
 
 J. H. McCall, E. J. Oglesby, B. Guy Shivers, Class of 1963 — Carl A. Bailey, Max H. Cooke, 
 
 Cecil R. Wilcox. Dr. Kenneth M. Cheek, W. S. Creech, W. D. Smith. 
 
 CLASS OF 1961 — Clarence M. Allred, V. M. Huffman, H. Charles Spencer. 
 
 Robert H. Koonts, W. D. Lemons, Harry E. 
 
274 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 ASSOCIATE DEACONS 
 
 (Appointed by the Session January 1, 1959) 
 William E. Wyche, Chairman; D. Tom Blue, Jr., Howard E. Lowe, and George A. Cooke, Co-Chairmen; 
 Ralph Gurley, Secretary-Treasurer 
 
 CLASS OF 1959 
 
 D. T. Blue, Jr. 
 Frank B. Caldwell 
 Gillis G. Clark, Jr. 
 
 E. B. Collins 
 Carl W. Connor 
 James S. Conrad 
 Ray A. Correll 
 R. B. Courts, Jr. 
 Wilbur M. Currie 
 Arthur P. Dickens 
 Ralph Gurley 
 
 H. William Hager, Jr. 
 Robert I. Helm 
 Dr. Elliott McK. Hester 
 E. J. Holbrook, Sr. 
 James S. Hunt 
 C. A. Hustrulid 
 Bill T. Hylton 
 George F. Ingold 
 Vann A. Nealeans 
 Dr. Earl W. Schafer 
 William A. Sloan 
 Andrew H. Smith 
 Frank W. Wall 
 J. G. Walser, Jr. 
 N. C. Weisbecker 
 T. Gilbert White 
 William E. Wyche 
 
 CLASS OF I960 
 Dr. E. A. Bencini 
 Hobert M. Bryant 
 George O. Collins 
 J. B. Cottingham 
 George Covington 
 Charles W. Crotts 
 Richard B. Culler 
 R. Frank Dalton 
 William T. Davis 
 A. Doyle Early 
 J. H. Everington 
 Robert A. Gross 
 Victor F. Harllee 
 Winford L. Hinkle 
 John G. Hutchens 
 Robert L. Hutchens 
 James C. Lipscomb 
 Howard E. Lowe 
 William Clayton Mays 
 
 D. P. Mervine 
 Felix F. Miller, Jr. 
 
 E. T. Mclnnis 
 W. S. McKinney 
 E. C. Rankin, Jr. 
 E. J. Robinson 
 Robert H. Safrit 
 John W. Thomas, Jr. 
 William M. Webster 
 Joseph D. Wood 
 
 CLASS OF 1961 
 T. Bruce Alexander 
 S. O. Bailey 
 R. E. Bencini, Jr. 
 William S. Bencini 
 Albin R. Bernot 
 B. L. Boyles 
 
 B. E. Connor 
 George C. Connor, Jr. 
 George A. Cooke 
 
 Dr. R. V. Cross 
 W. S. Hayes 
 John B. Hayward 
 W. Clarence Herndon 
 Dr. Gilman W. Hertz 
 Herman J. Hunter 
 Dr. John F. Lynch, Jr. 
 James W. McAfee 
 Kenneth G. Mann 
 V. Douglas Massey 
 
 C. Joseph Mishler 
 Marion C. Rowland, Jr. 
 Loyd E. Small 
 
 Davis H. Smith 
 
 Joe E. Spearman 
 
 C. Howard Stutts 
 
 C. G. Thayer 
 
 P. A. Thomas 
 
 C. H. Williard, Jr. 
 
 Henry A. Whitfield, Jr. 
 
 TRUSTEES 
 
 J. Sanders Dallas Chairman Harry A. Alexander Secretary 
 
 D. E. Headen I. Paul Ingle 
 
 Howard R. Pancoast 
 
 THE CHURCH STAFF 
 
 Roy Edward Watts, D.D Minister 
 
 Samuel N. Thomas, B.D., Assistant Pastor 
 and Minister of Education 
 
 Henry Whipple Minister of Music 
 
 Mrs. Amelia S. Kimball 
 
 Church Secretary 
 
 Mrs. O. Arnold Craven, Jr. 
 
 Business Secretary 
 
 Mrs. Jeanne K. Mallory 
 
 Weekday Kindergarten 
 
 Mrs. S. T. Buie Church Hostess 
 
 Robert Avery Sexton 
 
 Mrs. Thresser Peguse Maid 
 
 MISSIONARIES 
 Mexico Belgian Congo 
 
 Dr. and Mrs. J. Hervey Ross Reverend and Mrs. Howard D. Cameron 
 
 And, it may also be seen that during this period of time we have 
 advanced both materially and spiritually. The Church has made great 
 strides, and things have happened during this time that have brought 
 both peace and sadness. Thinking of the things that have brought 
 sadness to our church life, we must admit that they are primarily the 
 passing of devout loved ones from our Church membership. The 
 names of most of these can only be recorded in our memories, but 
 it is fitting to record here the names of a beloved former pastor, and 
 six of our devout elders. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 275 
 
 On October 19, 1951, Dr. Orin Conway Williamson, a former 
 Pastor of the Church passed to his eternal reward, and on the follow- 
 ing recorded dates, six of the Church elders passed to theirs: On 
 August 20, 1952, Elder H. P. Hardin; On January 30, 1955, Elder 
 Edward S. Maclin; On April 24, 1957, Elder Griffith Miles; On Jan- 
 uary 15, 1958, Elder Frank Wineskie; On August 26, 1958, Elder 
 E. M. Shipman; and on November 5, 1958, Elder Vernon W. Idol, Sr. 
 
 Many of the material blessings we have enjoyed in the Church 
 from 195 1-1959 are bequests from Fred J. and Ruby N. Bartlett who 
 directed that money from their estate be used for the erection of a 
 chapel, and subsequently a room in the new Educational Building 
 Addition was named the Bartlett Chapel; Randall B. Terry established 
 the R. B. Terry Fund, the income from which is applied on our annual 
 budget; William Stanley Davis, Griffith Miles, Mrs. G. W. Denny, 
 and Ella Gantt White also remembered their church in their wills; 
 and their contributions have been used for the ongoing of the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 For all of these material things we give thanks, but the most 
 blessed and far reaching things for which we should give thanks are 
 the intangible things the Church has accomplished. These intangibles 
 we believe are those pertaining to our Spiritual Growth and the 
 Advancement of His Kingdom here on earth — things which may not 
 readily be seen now, but which will be revealed in the future — these 
 are the results of what the Evangelism Committee under the guidance 
 of Dr. Watts, which has met bi-weekly and gone out inviting others 
 to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, has done — the results 
 of the work that is yet to be done by those five fine young people in 
 our membership who have dedicated their lives to full time Christian 
 Service. These girls and boys are: Miss Anita Withers, who graduated 
 from the Assembly's Training School, Richmond, Virginia, in May, 
 1955; Henry C. Brockmann, Joe G. Walser, III, and Tony Wen, Jr., 
 who are now Ministerial Students; and Miss Patsy Hogg, who this 
 year will complete her college work at Queens College, Charlotte, 
 North Carolina, and in the fall of I960 enter the Assembly's Train- 
 ing School, Richmond, Virginia, to study for a degree of Director of 
 Christian Education. 
 
 Today at the close of the First Century, the First Presbyterian 
 Church of High Point, North Carolina, moves forward on a high 
 Spiritual plane — a plane that carries with it an eager willingness, it 
 seems, on the part of each Church Member to cooperate with Dr. 
 Watts in any program he deems wise to present. 
 
First Presbyterian Church 
 
 The Church, when it was founded, boasted a membership of 
 eleven, two of which were elders, and one a deacon. Today this same 
 Church boasts a membership of more than 1,211 (eleven being the 
 membership when the Church was founded ) , thirty-two elders, thirty- 
 two deacons, and eighty-four associate deacons. And, from the single 
 basket collections taken on the days the Church held Services, the 
 monies taken in today exceed $133,300.00 annually. 
 
 Today we gaze confidently into the future, with assurance of re- 
 ceiving the same Providential care which has marked the passing 
 century for us. We now fervently pray: May the Hand of Almighty 
 God, which has so understanding^ led us in the past, lead on — lead 
 on bestowing His continued blessing on us, and upon all of those who 
 follow in our footsteps. 
 
 "O where are kings and empires now 
 Of old that went and came? 
 But, Lord, Thy Church is Praying yet — 
 A thousand years the same." 
 
 m 
 
BIOGRAPHY AND APPRECIATION 
 
 of 
 
 THE REVEREND ROY EDWARD WATTS, D.D. 
 
 by 
 
 Noble T. Praigg 
 
 As our Book of Church Order points out, a church ministry 
 involves many more functions than appear to the congregational eye. 
 Ecclesiastically, the minister bears nine distinct responsibilities ranging 
 from duties which affect the congregation as a whole to countless 
 and intensely personal instances of guidance and spiritual uplift for 
 individual church members. 
 
 Since Dr. Watts became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church 
 in July, 1951, he has carried forward all phases of his mission with 
 distinction, leading the church to advancement, bringing added 
 impetus to the religious lives of the membership, participating in 
 community activities and fulfilling many responsibilities in the broader 
 areas of presbytery, synod and General Assembly. In interpreting the 
 living spirit of the Bible, both theologically and as it applies to to- 
 day's affairs, it is as if he were modernizing and emphasizing Calvin's 
 original philosophy, that "All wisdom, if it is to be called true, full 
 wisdom, consists in the knowledge of God and in the knowledge of 
 ourselves. Both are interwoven. . . And as Dr. Watts blends a con- 
 secrated pastoral purpose with his innate love of people, the church 
 goes forward steadily in its constructive service. 
 
 But mention of his accomplishments would be incomplete without 
 importantly including Mrs. Watts, the former Margaret Frances Vin- 
 cent of Emporia, Virginia, where Dr. Watts held his first pastorate 
 and where they were married. With her warm, friendly understanding 
 and tireless co-operation in her husband's activities, Mrs. Watts is a 
 gracious and upbuilding influence in the spheres of Church School, 
 young people's work and congregational concerns. Truly alter idem 
 to Dr. Watts. 
 
 By no means are statistical facts a full measure of a minister's 
 service. For who except the individuals affected can properly appraise 
 those intangibles of comfort, inspiration, guidance and happiness 
 which a minister bestows on those who seek his understanding and 
 counsel? Yet, all who know Dr. Watts realize that such instances 
 must be legion, in the light of his kindliness and dedication to both 
 the spiritual and temporal well-being of his fellow man. 
 
278 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Many measurable steps in church progress have marked these 
 past eight years. From the outset he emphasized active evangelism, 
 and 794 new members have been welcomed by the congregation 
 during his pastorate. In his sermons he has repeatedly stressed the 
 responsibilities of stewardship. Christians, he affirms, are simply stew- 
 ards of all they possess and are under divine obligation to return to 
 God a sacrificial portion of all that He has entrusted to them. In re- 
 sponse to this convincing reasoning, congregational giving has risen 
 from $73,600 in Dr. Watts' first year to $133,300 in 1958. Church 
 properties, too, reflect the progress of these eventful years, in a beau- 
 tiful new educational building erected in 1954 with an expenditure 
 of more than $100,000; in expansion of office facilities for the church 
 staff; redecorated, recarpeted, air-conditioned sanctuary, and two com- 
 modious hard-surfaced parking lots to accommodate increased attend- 
 ance at all services. 
 
 Today twenty large and thirty-two smaller rooms are in constant 
 use for church activities and organizations, and the sanctuary which 
 seats 600 is regularly filled to capacity, with the further need for aisle 
 chairs on special occasions in spring, fall and winter. 
 
 Dr. Watts is convinced that the Sunday School and work with 
 young people represent the central foundation stone for a church's 
 future. For from these activities grows the knowledge of how and 
 why to worship, and the personal experience of it. Year after year 
 new attendance records have been established in the Church School, 
 reaching the most recent top figure of 581 on March 22, 1959. 
 
 In expanding the scope of the Sunday School Dr. and Mrs. Watts 
 saw a growing need for a class for young couples and newlyweds in 
 the church. Mrs. Watts taught the class on the first Sunday of its 
 organization and it now has an enrollment of forty-five. 
 
 Dr. Watts firmly believes that a dynamic church is one of friend- 
 liness and fellowship. In hearty concurrence, Sunday School leaders 
 arrange picnics, adult classes and the choirs have social gatherings. 
 The Women of the Church, with 525 members and 454 participating 
 actively, in 1958 reported almost 5,500 visits to new Presbyterians, 
 to the sick and to others whose needs called for helpful attention. 
 
 Apart from work of the Sunday School, Dr. and Mrs. Watts join 
 the young people Sunday evenings in their meetings and diversions 
 for which special space and a variety of facilities have been provided, 
 affording an inviting center for the recreational life of the church's 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 279 
 
 youth. Recently two hard-surfaced tennis courts were added to the 
 facilities. 
 
 Under Dr. Watts' leadership the first Westminster Fellowship 
 was organized on the campus of High Point College for college-age 
 Presbyterian students attending the Methodist institution. Currently 
 it has a membership of approximately forty. 
 
 When our denomination sponsored publication of a new hymnal 
 recently, one of our church members, Jack Burris, presented enough 
 copies to meet congregational needs, with a dedicatory book plate in 
 each hymnal in honor of our pastor and his wife. 
 
 It is clear that growth in the church and the challenge to main- 
 tain its vitality have created an ever-increasing burden on Dr. Watts. 
 To meet this need the Reverend Samuel N. Thomas became our able 
 and first full-time assistant minister in 1957, coming from the ministry 
 of the Presbyterian Church of Acme, North Carolina. There is now 
 an efficient staff of nine to lead in the work of the church. 
 
 We see in Dr. Watts' educational background, former ministries 
 and service in higher Presbyterian councils, how fully he is prepared 
 to meet church needs with confidence and competence. 
 
 Born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, and following public schooling in 
 his home state, he attended Southwestern College, Memphis, Ten- 
 nessee, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, 
 graduating with an A.B. degree. Further studies at Union Theological 
 Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, resulted in his receiving the degree 
 of Bachelor of Divinity, and in 1950 his alma mater, Southwestern, 
 awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. 
 
 He was ordained to the ministry by East Hanover Presbytery of 
 Virginia of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S., thereafter beginning 
 his first pastorate in the Emporia (Virginia) Presbyterian Church; 
 and serving also as pastor of Lawrenceville, Union and Aberdour. 
 Other pastorates preceding his coming to High Point included the 
 Presbyterian Church, Leland, Mississippi; First Presbyterian Church, 
 Albemarle, North Carolina, where he was also president of the Albe- 
 marle Rotary Club; and First Presbyterian Church, Clarksdale, Mis- 
 sissippi. 
 
 Repeatedly Dr. Watts has been called into leadership and par- 
 ticipation in the affairs of our general denomination. He has served 
 as moderator of the Presbyteries of East Hanover, Central Mississippi, 
 Mecklenburg, North Mississippi, and Orange. On three occasions he 
 
280 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 has been elected as commissioner to the General Assembly of the 
 Presbyterian Church in the United States. At present he is a member 
 of the Committee on Church Extension in Orange Presbytery, mem- 
 ber of the Synod's Council, and chairman of Synod's Committee on 
 Nominations and of the Committee on Records. He is a member of 
 the Board of Trustees of Peace College, of the Board of Trustees of 
 the Consolidated Presbyterian College, and vice chairman of the Board 
 of Trustees of the Montreat Association. 
 
The Reverend Samuel N. Thomas 
 
 Assistant Pastor of High Point First Presbyterian Church 
 
BIOGRAPHY 
 of 
 
 THE REVEREND SAMUEL NORMAN THOMAS 
 1928- 
 
 The Reverend Samuel Norman Thomas, son of Roland Thomas 
 and Jimmie Kornegay Thomas, was born in Pink Hill, N. C, on 
 June 10, 1928. He attended Presbyterian Junior College at Maxton, 
 N. C, 1945-1947; Davidson College, Davidson, N. C, 1947-1949— 
 graduating from there with a B.A. in psychology. In 1949 he entered 
 Union Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia, and graduated 
 there in 1952 with a B.D. degree. 
 
 On July 15, 1952, he was licsensed by Wilmington Presbytery 
 to preach, and on August 3, 1952, accepted work in Wilmington 
 Presbytery. On October 3, 1952, he was married to Frances Boland 
 Lindler of Columbia, S. C. To this union there have been born three 
 children — two sons and one daughter: Samuel Norman, Jr., 1954; 
 Frances Gene, 1956; and James Roland, 1958. 
 
 His first pastorate was at the Acme Presbyterian Church 1952- 
 1957; White Plains Presbyterian Church 1952-1953; and Ashwood 
 Presbyterian Church 1953-1957. In August 1957 he accepted work 
 as Assistant Pastor and Minister of Education in the First Presbyterian 
 Church of High Point, N. C, and moved his family to High Point 
 from Acme. 
 
 He has been a member of a Lions Club and an officer in this 
 organization. At present he is a member of Kiwanis Club; Presby- 
 terian Junior College Alumni Association President, 1956; Trustee, 
 Presbyterian Junior College, 1957; Moderator of Wilmington Pres- 
 bytery; Chairman of Commission on Minister and His Work, Wilm- 
 ington Presbytery. 
 
BIOGRAPHY 
 of 
 
 HENRY WHIPPLE, B.Mus, M.S.M. 
 Minister of Music 
 
 Henry Whipple son of Burdette C. and Ada Scofield Whipple, 
 was born in Jackson County, Michigan, near where his great-grand 
 parents came to live early in the 19th century, when they left the 
 New England States. His early education was received from the 
 schools near his home. When his high school work was completed 
 he entered the University of Michigan. From there he graduated in 
 1928 with an A.B. degree. In 1930, he received a B.Mus. degree 
 from this same University. Then he attended the School of Sacred 
 Music of the Union Theological Seminary, New York, from where 
 he received his M.S.M., in 1935. 
 
 In 1954 he took summer courses at a doctorate level at the 
 Union Theological Seminary. 
 
 Included in his study of organ are such teachers as Dr. Palmer 
 Christian, organist of U. of M. and recitalist of national reputation; 
 Dr. Clarence Dickinson, founder and first director of School of Sacred 
 Music, U.T.S., famed composer of church music, and organist of 
 Brick Presbyterian Church, New York City; Dr. Robert Baker, re- 
 citalist and organist of First Presbyterian Church, New York City; 
 Mr. Arthur Howes of Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore. 
 
 The positions Mr. Whippie has held as Minister of Music are: 
 Market Square Presbyterian, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ( 1935-1937 ) ; 
 First Methodist, Alliance, Ohio, and Choral Director of Alliance 
 Symphony Society (1937-1942); First Baptist and Temple Beth-Or, 
 Montgomery, Alabama (1945-1947); coming to First Presbyterian 
 Church, High Point, North Carolina, in 1947. 
 
 In 1942 Henry Whipple and Miss Mildred Diser of Alliance, 
 Ohio, were married, and from 1942 to 1945 he was in the armed 
 forces overseas, serving as a Chaplain's Assistant with the 13th 
 Armored Regiment of the First Armored Division. This 13th Arm- 
 ored Division made its initial landing at Oran, Algeria, and saw action 
 at Anzio, Rome, and northern Italy. 
 
 Mr. Whipple is a member of the American Guild of Organists, 
 a charter member of the Piedmont Chapter and a former Dean of 
 the chapter. He is also a composer of some note, having had anthems 
 and organ arrangements published by H. W. Gray of New York, 
 and E. C. Schirmer of Boston. 
 
Presidents: The Women of The Church 
 1935-1959 
 
 First row left to right: Mrs. N. S. Stirewalt, Mrs. G. W. Pleasants, 
 Mrs. P. Hunter Dalton, III, Mrs. W. H. Kimrey, Mrs. Frank W. Wall, 
 Mrs. James H. Hogg; Second row left to right: Mrs. H. P. Morrison, 
 Mrs. C. R. Barrier, Mrs. Alex M. Rankin, Mrs. R. D. Tillson, Mrs. 
 Henry V. Koonts, Mrs. Charles W. Perry, and Mrs. W. W. Lentz. 
 
 1 
 
ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN OF THE CHURCH 
 
 1935-1959 
 by 
 
 Ernestine Hayes Dallas 
 
 Dear Mrs. Coble, 
 
 Knowing your never waning interest in the First Church since 
 leaving High Point, I must bring you up to date on the events taking 
 place in the Women's Auxiliary. So come with me back to the 
 year 1935. 
 
 First, for the record, the officers of the Woman's Auxiliary for 
 the year 1935 were as follows: President, Mrs. R. S. Lafferty; Vice- 
 President, Mrs. C. C. Garrett; Secretary, Mrs. P. H. Dalton, III; 
 Treasurer, Mrs. A. E. Taplin; and Historian, Mrs. G. A. Shipman. 
 
 The most important thing at the moment is that we have a new 
 pastor! We will miss the Rennies, bless their hearts, and shall be 
 grateful to him for serving as our leader when we were greatly in 
 need of one, but realize it was a difficult task at his age. 
 
 Dr. and Mrs. O. C. Williamson and two little boys have just 
 moved into the Manse. The Women stocked the pantry shelves with 
 "goodies" for their arrival, and later in the week a reception was 
 given in their honor. 
 
 Dr. Williamson taught our Bible Study, the book of Genesis, 
 over a period of five weeks. He presented it beautifully! 
 
 The eight circles, we now have, total three hundred and sixteen 
 members. This includes the Home Circle, headed by "Aunt Bert" 
 Barbee (Bertha Snow Barbee). Mrs. Hunter Dalton is the President 
 along with a fine slate of officers. Mrs. Charles Perry is Vice-President; 
 Mrs. Vernon Idol, Secretary and Lucie (Mrs. Frank Wall) is the 
 Treasurer. Mrs. Fred Hicks is the very able Historian. 
 
 The Women have made 5,593 visits during the year. We are 
 really proud of this record and feel our minister will be pleased too. 
 
 Miss Lucy Steele came to us in January and spoke on "First 
 Things First." I'm actually envious of the students at Peace College 
 who are in her Bible classes. She is a real inspiration to all who are 
 privileged to hear her. 
 
 The Auxiliary Birthday Party was in the form of a garden party 
 at the home of Mrs. Henry Perry. It was a lovely affair, but the offer- 
 ing was a little disappointing. 
 
288 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Now it is 1937. It has been a year since I have written you. 
 We have grown to ten circles. An Auxiliary Officers Training Class 
 was initiated this year, which had almost a hundred per cent attend- 
 ance. We had three changes in officers. The office of Vice-President 
 was occupied by Mrs. David Andrews and Mrs. E. A. Wright. Mrs. 
 W. W. Lentz served as Secretary, and Mrs. V. W. Idol, Sr., is doing 
 a grand job as Historian. Five of the members attended the Woman's 
 Conference at Montreat — a treat for anyone. 
 
 A highlight of the year was being hostess to Presbyterial. 
 
 At Christmas time, Mrs. Charles W. Perry directed a lovely page- 
 ant, and the Joy Gift amounted to $60.34. 
 
 In the year of 1938, Mrs. N. S. Stirewalt became our President. 
 Mrs. E. A. Wright, Vice-President; Mrs. C. R. Barrier, Recording 
 Secretary; Mrs. W. W. Lentz, Corresponding Secretary; and Mrs. V. 
 W. Idol, Sr., continued as Historian. Two more circles were added, 
 making nine day circles and three evening circles. 
 
 The book of Philippians was taught at Prayer Meeting, for five 
 weeks, by Dr. Williamson. Approximately one hundred women read 
 our book on missions, "City Shadows" which was later reviewed in 
 the form of a pageant, directed by Dorothy Snow Groome (Mrs. 
 J. I.). The Joy Gift Offering was a big increase over last year — 
 amounting to one hundred dollars. This was a most eventful year 
 because it became a year of "firsts." 
 
 A General Chairman of Circles was added. A class for Circle 
 Bible Leaders was begun, taught by Mrs. C. A. McMurray. This 
 class meets once a month, prior to the circle meeting, and is a great 
 help to those eager to teach but who need help in their preparation. 
 
 A Church Hostess was added to the staff, whose salary is paid by 
 the Women. Forgive me if I boast a little, but we have three Presby- 
 terial Officers from our group. Mrs. O. C. Williamson, Secretary of 
 Spiritual Life; Mrs. Hunter Dalton, Secretary of S. & P. Home Mis- 
 sions, and Mrs. Lamar McCallum, Chairman of District two. 
 
 In the second year (1939) of Mrs. Stirewalt's presidency, Mary 
 Drew Dalton Ingram served as Vice-President; Mrs. G. W. Pleas- 
 ants, Corresponding Secretary; and Mrs. E. E. White was the Treas- 
 urer. The membership grew to three hundred and sixty-seven. Two 
 hundred and fifty dollars was made from the sale of a church directory 
 and applied on the church debt. 
 
 Miss Janie McCutcheon taught the Bible Study which was well 
 attended. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 289 
 
 The May Birthday Offering amounted to $51.95 and the Joy 
 Gift Offering was $77.35. For several years we have sent a group 
 of young people to the conferences at Davidson College and Peace 
 College. They always return full of enthusiasm and gratitude for 
 this opportunity. 
 
 Nineteen hundred forty has been a very succesful year with that 
 dear Mrs. G. W. Pleasants at the wheel. I wonder how may realize 
 just how fortunate the First Church is to have so many capable leaders. 
 
 Mary Drew Ingram served as Vice-President another year; Mrs. 
 E. E. White, Treasurer; and Mrs. V. W. Idol, Sr., Historian. Mrs. 
 R. D. Tillson became Recording Secretary and Mrs. O. C. Williamson 
 served as Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 In September, we were the host church to Synod, and this meant 
 work for all of us. A group of twenty-five visited Glade Valley 
 recently and took with them fifteen bags of used clothing for the 
 store there. 
 
 The Auxiliary has taken full responsibility of the Nursery main- 
 tained during the morning Worship Service. 
 
 Chauffeuring mothers to the pre-natal clinic has become a part 
 of our work calendar also. 
 
 An Honorary Life Membership was given Mrs. Alma Headen 
 Jackson, who I'm sure you remember well. As you probably know, 
 she is serving the Master as a missionary in Africa. 
 
 Our Women helped organize the Brentwood Presbyterian Auxil- 
 iary on March 10. 
 
 During Mrs. Pleasants' second year in office ( 1941 ), Mrs. A. E. 
 Taplin served with her as Vice-President. Mrs. J. P. Bolt was the 
 new Treasurer. We had ten day circles and four evening, plus the 
 Home circle. 
 
 The Joy Gift Offering brought real joy to our hearts in December. 
 It was the largest yet — two hundred dollars! 
 
 I must tell you, Mrs. Coble, about one of the most gratifying 
 and unusual experiences it has been our pleasure to be a part of. Quite 
 a number of Service Men were in town for the week-end, because of 
 Army maneuvers close by. Under the direction of Aunt Ruby (Mrs. 
 R. E. Bencini) a delicious breakfast was prepared and served these 
 hungry, homesick boys — in the church dining room. Cots with bed- 
 ding were also available for those who wished to spend the night in 
 
290 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 the recreation rooms. After the morning worship service, many were 
 invited to the homes of our members for dinner. The boys' sincere 
 appreciation really touched us. 
 
 The growth of the Auxiliary this year has not been in numbers 
 or gifts, but a decided growth in leadership and willingness to work. 
 We are indeed grateful to our President for her faithfulness and 
 to Mrs. Charles Perry, who has seen that flowers were placed in the 
 Sanctuary each Sunday for two years. Flowers most definitely add 
 beauty to the service. 
 
 In the year 1942, Lucie Hayes Wall (Mrs. Frank) became the 
 President. Mrs. Charles Barrier, Vice-President; Mrs. W. A. Hays, 
 Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. A. S. Caldwell, Jr., Historian. Be- 
 cause of the war, our membership has decreased instead of grown. 
 Many have moved to get into defense work. Our women have con- 
 tributed greatly to the cause of Peace, both in service and prayer. 
 There are around eighty members in uniform. A voluntary offering 
 was taken to help with the construction of an addition to the church 
 for the soldiers at Jacksonville, N. C. 
 
 Incidentally, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Denny celebrated their Golden 
 Anniversary on February 22. Exceptionally fine programs have been 
 planned by Mrs. C. R. Barrier and inspiring devotionals given by 
 Mrs. H. P. Hardin. The high quality of leadership shown by the 
 officers and various chairmen during a year of many changes, has not 
 gone unnoticed. Mrs. C. E. Kerchner, President of Orange Presby- 
 terial, conducted the installation of new officers. For our week of 
 Spiritual Enrichment, we were fortunate in having Mrs. R. G. Kizer 
 of Concord, Dorothy Smith's (Mrs. Frank Smith) mother, lead us 
 in a study of Luke. Our December meeting was combined with the 
 regular Sunday Vespers in the form of a beautiful candlelight service, 
 impressively led by Mrs. Frank Smith. 
 
 This year (1943) has been a most interesting one. There were 
 three changes in officers. Mrs. S. L. Rodenbough, Jr., Recording Sec- 
 retary; Mrs. F. F. Dickson, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. R. K. 
 Young, Treasurer. 
 
 In April, a series of Bible studies was presented by Dr. Frank 
 Grosley Morgan, son of the well known preacher and author, Dr. J. 
 Campbell Morgan of London. His messages were filled with power 
 and spiritual uplift — messages I shall never forget. These studies 
 were sponsored by all the churches in town; the morning sessions at 
 Wesley Memorial Methodist Church and the evening sessions at our 
 church. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 291 
 
 Another step forward, was the securing of a Bible teacher for 
 our local high school. This has been a long time dream of many of 
 our men and women, and one which has required hours of work 
 and prayer. Mrs. H. P. Hardin, Secretary of Spiritual Life and Mrs. 
 C. A. McMurray, teacher of the Bible Leaders class for several years, 
 presented this matter to the Ministerial Association. With the cooper- 
 ation of this body and the school board, the program was begun. 
 
 We had the pleasure of entertaining Synodical in October. Due 
 to the untiring efforts of Mrs. Charles Barrier, acting president for 
 Lucie Wall who was visiting her husband at an army camp, plans 
 were made and executed smoothly. Most of the guests were enter- 
 tained in the homes of our members, and a lovely tea given at the 
 home of Mrs. Carter Dalton. 
 
 Mrs. R. D. Tillson became our leader in 1944. Mrs. H. P. Hardin, 
 Vice-President; Mrs. H. L. Rodenbough, Recording Secretary; Mrs. 
 O. C. Williamson, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. R. K. Young, 
 Treasurer; Mrs. Charles W. Perry succeeded Mrs. Idol as Historian. 
 
 Always feeling the need for additional Bible study, the Auxiliary 
 joined with the women of several other churches and again brought 
 Dr. Frank Crossley Morgan to High Point for a series of studies on 
 Habakkuk. 
 
 The Intensive Bible study was taught by our Pastor for five con- 
 secutive Wednesday nights. The subject was Second Corinthians, and 
 the average attendance was forty-seven. 
 
 Mrs. H. P. Morrison, Mrs. C. R. Wilcox, Mrs. C. R. Barrier, and 
 Mrs. T. S. McKensie attended the Auxiliary Training School at Mon- 
 treal I can think of nothing that makes a Summer more complete 
 than a visit to Montreat, and it is an experience few are privileged 
 to enjoy. Sitting at the feet of such learned teachers and dedicated 
 Christians, were hours never to be forgotten. 
 
 Our hearts were lightened when our beloved pastor, Dr. Wil- 
 liamson, returned to the pulpit in September after a three month's 
 illness, but not for long. In October, he accepted a call to the Cook's 
 Memorial Church near Charlotte and left for his new pastorate on 
 November 17. He felt the work in our church was too heavy for 
 his weakened body. Before leaving, the Women gave him a canned 
 fruit shower, because of the diet he had to follow, and a beautiful 
 silver pitcher. 
 
 Mrs. C. C. Garrett was asked to fill the office of Corresponding 
 Secretary which Mrs. Williamson left vacant. 
 
292 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Mrs. Bessie Thompson Smith was recognized at one of the gen- 
 eneral meetings for her splendid attendance record. She had not been 
 absent in fifteen years. 
 
 An Honorary Life Membership was given to Mama (Helen 
 Snow Hayes), which is only the second one awarded in the history 
 of our Auxiliary. A short Biography was read and in presenting the 
 pin, Mrs. G. W. Pleasants said: "This pin which I present to you, is 
 an expression of the appreciation of the Woman's Auxiliary of the 
 First Presbyterian Church of High Point, for your service, your self- 
 sacrifice, your devotion and your loyalty through all these years." 
 
 In seeking out a new pastor, the President and Vice-President 
 served faithfully as members of a Pulpit Committee of seven. This 
 committee recommended to the congregation, on March 18, that a 
 call be given Rev. Paul Tudor Jones of Greenville, Mississippi. 
 
 The year's work of 1945 was begun with the following organ- 
 ization: President, Mrs. R. D. Tillson; Vice-President, Mrs. H. P. 
 Morrison; Recording Secretary, Mrs. R. E. Bencini; Corresponding 
 Secretary, Mrs. C. C. Garrett; Treasurer, Mrs. E. A. Kline; Historian, 
 Mrs. Charles W. Perry. 
 
 On May 19, 1945, The Reverend Paul Tudor Jones and family 
 arrived in High Point, and on June 14 were given a lovely reception 
 to which the members of the Ministerial Association and ministers 
 of Orange Presbytery, with their wives, were invited. 
 
 One of the most forceful preachers we have had visit us, led us 
 in the study of the Book of Acts in November. This study, led by Dr. 
 Frederick W. Lewis of Greensboro, lasted a full week and was a de- 
 lightful and inspiring experience for both the men and women. 
 
 In November, three of our older members were honored and 
 recognized for their loyalty to the church. These were Mrs. Bessie 
 Smith, Mrs. G. W. Denny and Miss Mary Thompson, and each re- 
 ceived a little book entitled, "The Words of Jesus". 
 
 In 1946, Mrs. Charles W. Perry became the new President. 
 Mrs. H. P. Morrison took over as Vice-President; Mrs. R. E. Bencini, 
 Recording Secretary; Mrs. G. W. Pleasants, Corresponding Secretary; 
 Mrs. E. A. Kline, Treasurer; Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Historian. The 
 Intensive Bible Study, the book of Isaiah, was taught by Mrs. C. A. 
 McMurray in a morning session. 
 
 I think the increase in gifts from our Women should not go un- 
 noticed. Twenty-five dollars was sent to Mission Court in Richmond; 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 293 
 
 Twenty dollars to Flora Macdonald College; Two hundred dollars to 
 Peace College for the Building Fund; Forty dollars for scholarship 
 to Glade Valley School; Seventy-five dollars and seventy cents was the 
 offering for Home Missions; One hundred seventy dollars was the 
 Auxiliary Birthday Offering. We had an emergency request for food 
 for Europe — two hundred and ten cans were collected and shipped. 
 Later in the year, eight boxes of clothing were sent. We are con- 
 tinuing to contribute toward the support of Bible teachers in the 
 schools. 
 
 Mrs. H. P. Morrison was the President of the Auxiliary in 1947. 
 Mrs. A. M. Rankin, Jr., became Vice-President; Mrs. Hunter Dalton, 
 Second Vice-President; Mrs. C. T. Ingram, Jr., Recording Secretary; 
 Mrs. G. W. Pleasants, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. C. E. Lehmann, 
 Treasurer. The Historian did not change. The Cherry Street Negro 
 Presbyterian Church reported that $609.00 was made from the sale 
 of gifts given them by our women. 
 
 Mrs. Frank C. Stanton of Charlotte led the Intensive Bible Study. 
 Another outstanding personality preached for us in January. This 
 was Mr. Allen Craig, a missionary in Africa for twenty-six years. 
 
 We entertained Orange Presbytery in. January, serving lunch and 
 supper to the delegates, and speakers in the church dining room. 
 Mary Drew Dalton Ingram, great-granddaughter of our first Pastor, 
 Pleasant Hunter Dalton, read a brief history of the early church as 
 part of the program. 
 
 In 1948, we had only one change in officers. Mrs. C. C. Garrett 
 replaced Mrs. G. W. Pleasants as Corresponding Secretary. Mrs. 
 Charles Barrier and Mrs. R. E. Bencini organized an Auxiliary at 
 Crestwood Chapel with thirteen members present. 
 
 In 1948, Orange Presbyterial met in High Point again. This was 
 quite an undertaking for all, but under Mrs. Morrison's leadership, 
 the various committees worked most efficiently and every detail 
 seemed to come out as planned. 
 
 The House Committee, of which Mrs. Thornton Glover was 
 chairman, redecorated the Ladies Parlor with new drapes and recon- 
 ditioned furniture. Quite a few improvements were made in the 
 church also. 
 
 Our Pastor was honored again. Southwestern College in Memphis, 
 Tennessee, awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity 
 at the college commencement in June. At the mid-week prayer serv- 
 
294 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 ices, Dr. Jones taught our Intensive Bible Study — lasting six weeks. 
 To show our appreciation, he was given a Westminster Bible. I am 
 always sorry when the Bible Study comes to an end. For me, it is the 
 highlight of the whole year. 
 
 The Home Mission offering amounted to $353.75. The Joy Gift 
 was $367.34 and the offering for Foreign Missions amounted to 
 $1,000.00. To Flora Macdonald College we sent $45.00 and furn- 
 ished two rooms at a cost of $360.00. 
 
 The Westminster Fellowship Conference, with one hundred and 
 thirty-six delegates from the colleges and universities, met in our 
 church. The Cherry Street (Colored) Presbyterian congregation 
 served as hosts with us. 
 
 An Honorary Life Membership was presented Mrs. G. W. Denny 
 in December, 1948. She is eighty-six years old now, and still quite 
 active. I want to quote a part of the tribute read at the presentation. 
 
 "In presenting this Life Membership to you, we the members of 
 the Auxiliary are really the ones who have received. Accept it, cherish 
 it and we shall always cherish you." 
 
 Since our church is free of debt, our interests have turned to 
 others. We contributed $1,200.00 for Bible teaching in the city 
 schools. 
 
 I know it will please you to know that we have one hundred and 
 twenty women who belong to prayer groups; one hundred and sixty- 
 five are in a Bible study class, and nine women have read the entire 
 Bible this year. 
 
 We assist our very efficient Dietitian, Mrs. Bertha Buie, at all 
 times. We average twelve dinners a month and have served six thou- 
 sand meals this year. We have sent to Duke University $1,500.00 
 for the education of Miss Gene Lindler, who goes to Korea in the 
 Fall as a medical technician. She was also given $90.00 for clothes 
 plus six uniforms and incidentals. 
 
 We started the year 1949 with a total membership of four hun- 
 dred and thirty-five. Mrs. A. M. Rankin, Jr., was in the chair as Pres- 
 ident; Mrs. Henry Koonts, Vice-President; Mrs. H. R. Pancoast, Sec- 
 old Vice-President; Mrs. James Hogg, Recording Secretary; Mrs. C. 
 C. Garrett, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Carl Connor, Treasurer. 
 
 During this year we were fortunate in having Dr. Julian Price 
 Love, Professor of Biblical Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Sem- 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 295 
 
 inary in Kentucky, teach us the Gospel of John. He was brought to 
 High Point by the Council of Church Women, lecturing for five 
 mornings and preaching each evening. His personality is magnetic, 
 and every hour spent in his audience is one that shall long be cherished. 
 
 We are really excited over the prospects of a Home for the Aged 
 in our town. This will be located on the Greensboro Road and oper- 
 ated by the Synod of North Carolina. Fifty thousand dollars must be 
 raised to enable the Home to qualify for a $43,000 trust set up by 
 the late Mrs. Caroline E. Ford of Lexington, N. C. The purchase of 
 a dormitory and twenty-seven acres of land from High Point College, 
 enables the Home to meet conditions of another bequest from the 
 late Mrs. John T. Burrus, amounting to $60,000. Our Church has 
 two trustees on the board: Mrs. Henry Koonts and Mr. F. Logan 
 Porter, Sr. 
 
 The year's work of 1950, began with the following organization: 
 Mrs. A. M. Rankin, Jr., President; Mrs. Henry Koonts, Vice Presi- 
 dent; Mrs. James Hogg, Secretary; Mrs. Nan Garland, Treasurer; 
 Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Historian. 
 
 Ninety-three daily Bible readers were reported, which seems to 
 increase each year. Our minister, Dr. Jones, taught our Intensive Bible 
 Study, the Letter to the Hebrews. In his usual interesting manner and 
 beautiful delivery, he made it a fascinating study. 
 
 The budget of $5,000.00 was exceeded. A total of $6,058.87 
 was paid in. Two very pretty silver Urns were bought by the Women 
 and placed in the Sanctuary for flowers. 
 
 The Displaced Persons Committee has placed six homeless fam- 
 ilies in this area, and three of the church school classes donated 
 clothing and paid for transportation from New York City. I am 
 sure you will agree that our people should be proud of the many 
 ways in which they have served during the war years, and this period 
 of readjustment since 1945. 
 
 Nineteen hundred fifty-one, and we have passed another mile- 
 stone. I do hope I still have your attention and haven't bored you 
 with details. 
 
 Mrs. Henry Koonts served as President in 195 1. Mrs. James Hogg, 
 Vice-President; Mrs. W. F. Michael, Jr., Secretary; Mrs. Nan Gar- 
 land, Treasurer; Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Historian. 
 
 It was quite a shock to all in the Spring when our beloved pastor 
 asked to be released to accept a call to the Grace Covenant Presby- 
 
296 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 terian Church in Richmond, Virginia. We shall miss him and his 
 sweet family very much. 
 
 At a farewell party in their honor, they were given a handsome 
 silver service by the Women of the Church. (The name Women's 
 Auxiliary was changed to Women of the Church in 1948.) The 
 annual Birthday Party, May, 1951, was held in Mrs. Charles Perry's 
 beautiful garden. About one hundred attended and the offering 
 amounted to $267.71. 
 
 In June, our Pulpit Committee recommended that a call be issued 
 to Dr. Roy Edward Watts who was at that time the minister of the 
 First Church in Clarksdale, Miss. He accepted the call, and arrived 
 in July with his attractive wife, Margaret. On August 3, the Women 
 entertained for them with an "Open House" in the church dining 
 room. 
 
 In 1952, Mrs. C. R. Barrier became the leader of Women of the 
 Church. Mrs. James Hogg, First Vice-President; Mrs. C. M. Garrison, 
 Second Vice-President; Mrs. W. F. Michael, Jr., continued as Secre- 
 tary; and Mrs. Nan Garland as Treasurer. 
 
 During this year the number of Bible readers grew to one hun- 
 dred and thirteen, with fifty-six belonging to prayer groups — an evi- 
 dence that we are growing spiritually. 
 
 In April Mrs. Hunter Dalton, III, became President of Orange 
 Presbyterial and three other women from our church were on the 
 board. Mrs. E. E. White, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. James Hogg, 
 Secretary of Christian Education; and Mrs. Walkup McCain, Secretary 
 of Church Extension. 
 
 In November Miss Lucy Steele, one of the outstanding Bible 
 teachers in the General Assembly, taught our Intensive Bible study 
 — "The Holy Spirit and Today." 
 
 Soon after news of the death of Mrs. Joseph Rennie was received, 
 a large silver tray was presented to the Presbyterian Home in memory 
 of her. She will long live in the memory of all of us. 
 
 In Mrs. Barrier's second year in office as President, 1953, Mrs. 
 H. O. Williams was the Vice-President. Mrs. C. M. Garrison, Second 
 Vice-President; Mrs. Henry Whipple, Secretary; Mrs. Nan Garland, 
 Treasurer; and Mrs. W. A. Hayes continued as Historian. Total mem- 
 bership was then five hundred and twenty-five. 
 
 The United Church Women invited Dr. Bernard Boyd, a bril- 
 liant Bible teacher and head of the department of religion at the 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 297 
 
 University of North Carolina, to High Point for a series of Bible 
 studies. 
 
 An Honorary Life Membership was given to Mrs. Hunter Dalton 
 (Frances Ennis) in November. She is the only Presbyterial President 
 we can boast of from our church, and she has done an excellent job. 
 
 This has been a year of "Cornerstone Layings" which will give 
 you an idea of our growth. First, we attended a service at the sight 
 of the new Educational Building. Next, a service at the Presby- 
 terian Home for an addition to the present unit, and on Thanksgiving 
 Day, we attended the Cornerstone Laying of the new Brentwood 
 Presbyterian Church building. Our Women contributed $1,000 for 
 furnishings at Brentwood while the church donated $5,000 to help 
 with the building. 
 
 One of our women has recently rendered a unique service which 
 should be mentioned. Mrs. R. M. Gladstone responded to a call from 
 Miss Ann Corey, Dean of Girls at the Glade Valley mountain school. 
 Miss Corey asked for someone to classify the books in the school 
 library, and bring the library up to standard requirements. Mrs. Glad- 
 stone spent two weeks during the Summer mending and putting the 
 books in their proper order. She also made out a suggested book order 
 which required additional time, but of untold value to the school. 
 
 I would say the outstanding event of 1954 was the completion 
 of the Educational Building. You must see it on your next visit to 
 High Point. We think it corresponds well with the architecture of 
 the original building, and is ideal for our needs. 
 
 In July, the general meting of the Women of the Church was 
 held at the Presbyterian Home. The guests there seemed pleased 
 to have us and delighted to show off their lovely new home. 
 
 In August, a Mother-Daughter "brunch" was held in the church 
 dining room — the general meeting and circle meeting- being com- 
 bined. At this time many of the women proudly introduced their 
 daughters and granddaughters. There were four generations present 
 from our family. 
 
 In the Spring of 1954, our former Pastor, Dr. Paul Tudor Jones, 
 graciously consented to teach us the Intensive Bible Study. The at- 
 tendance was unusually large, and the study one we shall remember 
 for a long time. 
 
 The officers this year have worked hard and should be highly 
 commended. Mrs. James Hogg served as President; Mrs. H. O. Wil- 
 
298 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 liams, First-President; Mrs. H. P. Morrison, Second Vice-President; 
 Mrs. H. D. Sears, Jr., Secretary; Mrs. Carl Connor, Treasurer; Mrs. 
 W. A. Hayes, Historian. These same offcers served in 1955 with 
 only two changes. Mrs. Clyde Jones replaced Mrs. Williams as First 
 Vice-President, and Mrs. Tyree Nabors replaced Mrs. Connor as 
 Treasurer. It has been a busy twelve months and an interesting one. 
 
 Dr. and Mrs. Hervey Ross, our missionaries from Mexico, visited 
 us in February. Both are so attractive, and an inspiration to all. The 
 executive board gave Pauline (Mrs. Ross), a former member of our 
 church staff, gifts to be used on her trip to Brazil with Dr. Ross. 
 
 In May, an Honorary Life Membership was given to our min- 
 ister's wife, Mrs. Margaret Vincent Watts (Mrs. Roy E.). Mrs. H. 
 P. Morrison made the persentation saying, "We wish to honor a 
 member of our organization whose ready smile and twinkling eyes 
 make us most thankful to God that she is one of us." 
 
 Mrs. C. A. McMurray reviewed "Love In The New Testament," 
 our Bible study for 1955 and did a beautiful job as always with her 
 brilliant teaching and interpretation. In November we were host- 
 esses to Orange Presbyterial. Lois Hogg, in her systematic manner, 
 worked out every detail with her various committees which functioned 
 without a flaw — as far as I could observe. 
 
 We even had a through church cleaning prior to this meeting, 
 at which time the Sanctuary was repainted. 
 
 Two Memorial Memberships were given in honor of Mrs. H. P. 
 Hardin and Mrs. Patte Jordan Alexander by our retiring president, 
 Mrs. James Hogg. From her comments I quote, "Both of these 
 women were loyal and devoted, inspiring deep friendship. God took 
 them at a time we think of as the prime of their lives." 
 
 In 1956, Mrs. W. H. Kimrey took the chair as President. The 
 other officers remained the same with the addition of Mrs. Hal Davis 
 as Assistant Secretary. Our membership has increased to five hundred 
 and twenty-nine with twenty-two circles. 
 
 We are so pleased with one hundred and seventy -eight consistant 
 Bible readers, and eighty-nine read the New Testament, an assign- 
 ment for the year. 
 
 Mrs. C. A. White has been most faithful as Chairman of the 
 Shut-Ins. 
 
 Mrs. J. H. McCall, circle chairman last year, completed the plate 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 299 
 
 sale sponsored by her circle, which amounted to one hundred forty- 
 two dollars and fifty-two cents. Each plate had a picture of the 
 church in the center. This money was sent to Glade Valley mountain 
 school. To all causes, the women gave eighty-five hundred dollars 
 in 1956. 
 
 Some years are more eventful than others. Some offer more 
 opportunities for service. The year 1957 was one that offered such 
 opportunities and we are grateful that we had women who were 
 alert to these channels of service. 
 
 The year 1957 was Mrs. Kimrey 's second year as president, and 
 with her vision and versatility she and her board made an outstand- 
 ing record in the pages of our history. 
 
 Mrs. Elliott Hester was the first Vice-President; Mrs. James Hogg, 
 Second Vice-President; Mrs. William Okey, Secretary; Mrs. Noble 
 Praigg, Treasurer. 
 
 It was indeed a privilege to have Mr. S. F. Kosey, Professor of 
 Bible at Presbyterian Junior College in Maxton, lead our study of the 
 minor prophets. His personality and delivery was delightful. 
 
 Two Honorary Life Memberships were given at the November 
 general meeting. The recipients were Mrs. Ava Hall Taylor and 
 Mrs. Ruby Snow Bencini. You will remember both of these women 
 as true and faithful members of the church. 
 
 The Birthday Offering was partially raised from donations col- 
 lected for signatures embroidered on a lovely grey tablecloth which 
 was later presented to our minister's wife. Mrs. R. K. Young and 
 Mrs. Tom Marlowe spent many hours on plans for this party which 
 was beautiful in every detail. 
 
 In November, Mrs. C. A. McMurray and I were installed as 
 members of the board of Orange Presbyterial; she as Chairman of 
 Spiritual Growth and I as Historian. 
 
 In September, 1957, we welcomed Samuel N. Thomas and his 
 family as new members in the church family. He will be assistant 
 pastor and minister of education. The Women of the Church stocked 
 the pantry and refrigerator for them on the day of their arrival. 
 
 Mrs. W. W. Lentz succeeded Mrs. Kimrey as President in 1958. 
 Mrs. Kimrey became the second Vice-President, which is customary 
 now. The other officers remained unchanged. 
 
 High Point was the scene of the United Church Women meeting 
 
300 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 in January, 1958, and luncheon was served in the dining room of 
 our church. 
 
 Mrs. George Knight has rendered a service to our "Shut-Ins" 
 which deserves the thanks of each church member. We have no record 
 of the hours she spends visiting and cooking for these Home Circle 
 members, but I do know that each one is visited by her every month 
 and for their birthdays, each receives a cake with gifts. She is cer- 
 tainly "Miss Sunshine" to our elder members and they love her dearly! 
 
 Dr. Bernard Boyd, a speaker with more invitations than he can 
 possible accept, came to us in April. His presentation of Luke was 
 fascinating, and one hundred and eighty came to hear him. 
 
 Every family in the church now receives the Presbyterian Survey; 
 a church expense but money well spent. 
 
 1959. Mrs. Lentz has done a marvelous job during her two 
 years as President. Mrs. C. M. Garrison has supported her as Vice- 
 President for two years. Mrs. W. H. Kimrey served as Second Vice- 
 President for two years. Mrs. William VanLiere, Secretary; Mrs. C. 
 E. Lehmann, Treasurer; Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Historian. 
 
 In January, arrangements were made for an OPEN HOUSE in 
 the new manse. (The old one was renovated for the Thomas family.) 
 Neighbors and friends, in addition to the church members, were in- 
 vited and all in all it was a lovely occasion. 
 
 Dr. Donald Miller, Professor of New Testament at the Seminary 
 in Richmond, introduced me to the book of Revelation — in the 
 Spring. All these years I have avoided it, feeling it was beyond my 
 scope of learning, but I shall be forever grateful for his interpretation. 
 This study was held on Sunday night, and had the largest attendance 
 ever for Intensive Bible Study — thanks to Lois Hogg and her efficient 
 planning. 
 
 The Centennial Committee has planned a full year of events. 
 The church bulletins change every four months, each carrying a dif- 
 ferent picture of the many places of worship. 
 
 On April 12, the Annual Birthday Party of the Women of the 
 Church was held at night so the men might attend. Mrs. Hunter 
 Dalton, Jr., Chairman of Stewardship, conceived the idea of a three 
 act skit, based on the History written by Mrs. Charles W. Perry, 
 which was a hugh success. The production was directed and narrated 
 by our talented Mrs. E. B. Collins which brought loud applause and 
 laughter from a very large audience. Helen Herndon, wife of John 
 Herndon played the part of you, and I think you would agree with 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 301 
 
 all of us that she was a duplicate of you in your younger days, 
 pretty too. 
 
 As is a yearly custom, a Life Membership award was made; this 
 year going to Mrs. Katherine Weaver Shipman (Mrs. E. M.). 
 
 "There is a destiny that makes us brothers. . . . None 
 
 goes his way alone What we bring into the lives 
 
 of others . . . Comes back into our own." 
 
 September 3, 1959 
 WOMEN OF THE CHURCH 
 
 Mrs. W. W. Lentz President 
 
 Mrs. Clyde M. Garrison . . 1st Vice-Pres. 
 Mrs. W. H. Kimrey 2nd Vice-Pres. 
 
 Mrs. William VanLiere Secretary 
 
 Mrs. C. E. Lehmann Treasurer 
 
 Mrs. W. A. Hayes Historian 
 
 CIRCLE CHAIRMEN 
 
 Mrs. MacLean B. Leath . . . 
 
 No. 1 Mrs. S. T. Hart 
 
 No. 2 Mrs. William F. Jackman 
 
 No. 3 Mrs. G. Allen Mebane 
 
 No. 4 Mrs. Frank B. Smith 
 
 No. 5 Mrs. J. W. Thomas, Jr. 
 
 No. 6 Mrs. Clyde M. Jones 
 
 No. 7 Mrs. L. A. Marsden 
 
 No. 8 Mrs. Walkup K. McCain 
 
 No. 9 Mrs. R. G. Ridge 
 
 No. 10 Mrs. William M. Webster 
 
 . General Circle Chairman 
 
 No. 11 Mrs. George C. Connor 
 
 No. 12 Mrs. P. C. McLain 
 
 No. 13 (Supper) .... Mrs. E. J. Oglesby 
 
 No. 14 Mrs. Carl A. Bailey 
 
 No. 15 Mrs. J. Gilbert White 
 
 No. 16 Mrs. Carrie S. Beal 
 
 No. 17 Mrs. C. L. Corn 
 
 No. 18 Mrs. J. C. Kaneer 
 
 No. 19 Mrs. W. A. Sloan 
 
 Home Members, Mrs. George E. Knight, 
 Mrs. Howard E. Lowe 
 
 Women who have been awarded Life Membership in the Women of 
 the Church. Left to right: Mrs. E. M. Shipman, Mrs. Ruby Snow Ben- 
 cini, Mrs. Roy E. Watts, Mrs. Jack Taylor, and Mrs. W. A. Hayes. Mrs. 
 P. Hunter Dalton, III (not present). (1959) 
 
THE MEN OF THE CHURCH 
 
 by 
 
 A. B. Croom, M.D. 
 
 As this church was founded, prospered, and grew the men's 
 work was carried on by the Men's Bible Class. Unfortunately there 
 is no history of its early work and the first mention of the organization, 
 as such, is found in the minutes of the Session for November 16, 
 1923, when The Reverend Mr. Coble, the pastor, presented a plan 
 for the formation and organization of the Men of the Church. The 
 presbytery report for 1924 shows that it was then operational, but 
 we do not know the exact date of its first meeting. 
 
 The next mention we find is in the form of an announcement 
 in the church bulletin for March 18, 1928, when the men were called 
 to meet for the purpose of reorganization of the club. This was two 
 weeks prior to moving into the present church and Mr. C. C. Garrett 
 was then serving as president. This is the first record we can locate 
 concerning the president of the men's work. 
 
 Through the intervening years the men's work has been devoted 
 to the enlightenment of the men as to the work of the church, its aims 
 both locally, and world wide in the furtherance of the Kingdom 
 of God. 
 
 Although specific projects, as such, have not been encouraged, the 
 men have seen that church literature was distributed to members 
 of the armed forces since World War II. Negro youth have been 
 sponsored at the Young People's Conference for many years. It has 
 been the chief aim to guide the men to work for their whole church 
 rather than to concentrate the effort through a single men's organi- 
 zation. 
 
 Through continued fellowship on Christian planes and by leader- 
 ship and prayer the men's work has prospered. Beginning with 1928 
 we would like to recognize the men who have headed this organiza- 
 tion and have been influential in its growth. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 303 
 
 PRESIDENTS— MEN OF THE CHURCH 
 
 C C Garrett 1928 
 
 F. J. Bartlett 1929 
 
 Z. I. Walser 1930-1931 
 
 G. W. Denny 1932 
 
 Kenneth Redman 1933 
 
 John C Abels 1934 
 
 I. Paul Ingle 1935 
 
 Carter Dalton 1936 
 
 Paul Williamson 1937 
 
 Frank Wineskie 1938 
 
 Henry V. Koonts 1939 
 
 C M. Allred 1940-1941 
 
 F. T. Wilhite 1942 
 
 Joe I. Miller 1943 
 
 H. P. Morrison 1944 
 
 Noble T. Praigg 1945-1946 
 
 Frank B. Smith 1947 
 
 Vernon W. Idol, Jr 1948 
 
 A. M. Rankin, Jr 1949 
 
 C S. McGahey 1950 
 
 Kenneth Redman 1951 
 
 Henry V. Koonts 1952-1953 
 
 R. A. Short 1954 
 
 Carlyle B. Lewis 1955 
 
 Ernest H. McCall 1956 
 
 Bill T. Hylton 1957 
 
 James W. McAfee 1958 
 
 September 3, 1959 
 MEN OF THE CHURCH 
 
 Dr. A. B. Croom President 
 
 Vann A. Nealeans Vice-President 
 
 D. P. Mervine Secretary 
 
 Tyree H. Nabors Treasurer 
 
HISTORY OF MUSIC AND CHOIR 
 
 by 
 
 Robert Frank Dalton 
 
 In writing the History of the Music and Choir of the First Pres- 
 byterian Church, High Point, North Carolina, most of the names 
 and facts that follow came from pictures, valuable memories of 
 former choir members, and perusal of early bulletins. 
 
 Organists and leaders, a most vital part of a choir, were as fol- 
 lows: Mrs. P. H. Dalton, Elizabeth Fisher, Daisy Rankin, Nannie 
 Dinwiddie, Mrs. E. L. Siler, Ruby Snow, Dorothy Snow, and Thelma 
 Wineskie. 
 
 The first choir director, also the organist and an outstanding 
 soloist, was Professor Dan W. Smith. Under his direction, both 
 at the second church building and our present one, the musical pro- 
 gram of our church made tremendous strides. Mae Kirkman served 
 as organist during this period in Professor Smith's absence. 
 
 Mr. Henry Whipple, our present choir director, succeeded Mr. 
 Smith. He has firmly established groups of young choirs as a part 
 of his training program. Under his leadership, our choir has flourished 
 and will continue to grow and improve. 
 
 The first choir on record, in our first church building, had the 
 following regular members: Mandy Renfry Brown, Mrs. J. R. Brown, 
 Elizabeth Fisher Rogers, Lucy Eshleman, Daisy Rankin, Mamie Jor- 
 dan Burns, Mrs. Addison Burns, John Riley Brown, and E. A. Snow. 
 
 The first choir in our second building had the following regular 
 choir members: Mrs. Hiram Armentrout, Mrs. W. A. Hayes, Mrs. 
 Lamar McCallum, Mrs. W. G. Shipman, Mrs. R. L. Waynick, Alfred 
 Headen, H. B. Hyde, P. H. Johnson, Frank Osborne, and Phil Warner. 
 
 Most of the above named group moved into our present choir 
 loft and were joined by the following regular choir members: Mrs. 
 Herman Abels, Mrs. J. H. Allred, Marian Burgess, Dorothy Franklin, 
 Adele Hicks, Mrs. Lancy, Elizabeth Monroe, Dennyce McAdams, 
 Mrs. W. S. Wilder, Margaret York, Herman Abels, John Abels, 
 Carey Davis, Arthur Fidler, Norman Fidler, James Hinkle, J. D. 
 Koonce, Willard Mendenhall, Clarence Schultheiss, and Frank 
 Tucker. 
 
 During the first years in our present location, the congregation 
 heard two anthems and a solo almost every Sunday morning and one 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 305 
 
 anthem and a solo almost every Sunday night. Visiting soloists were 
 used frequently, as well as duets, trios, and quartets. Most popular 
 of the group singers was the "Fireside Quartet", composed of Norman 
 Fidler, Clarence Schultheiss, Dan Smith, and Frank Tucker. 
 
 There may have been others in the above three groups, but lack 
 of adequate records make an exact list impossible. 
 
 Our music program did not become effectively organized until 
 1924. At a meeting of the Diaconate on October 23, 1924, the board 
 appointed the following music committee: P. H. Johnson, Chair- 
 man; S. E. Tucker, and Frank Wineskie. They were to be wholely 
 responsible for the church music with full power to act. This incor- 
 porated the employing of a music director, an organist, singers, order- 
 ing sheet music and doing such other things as would make the choir 
 a success. This committee was authorized to spend up to $175.00 
 per month if necessary. The board further ordered that this committee 
 should be accountable only to the Board of Deacons. 
 
 On December 5, 1927, the question of a vested choir was brought 
 up before the Session. The whole matter, in regard to vestments, was 
 put in the hands of a committee consisting of F. Logan Porter, Sr., 
 Carter Dalton, and Dr. W. A. Hayes. On July 7, 1930, the session ap- 
 pointed the following to secure vestments for the choir: Dr. W. A. 
 Hayes, Dan W. Smith, Mrs. W. A. Hayes, and Mrs. Cecil H. Marriner. 
 On September 21, 1930, vestments were worn by the choir for the first 
 time. What a big step that was! On October 5, 1930, the vestment 
 committee reported that, through the personal effort of Professor 
 Dan Smith, the vestments had been secured without any cost to 
 the church. Not reported, but worthy of note, is that Mrs. Dan Smith 
 and Mrs. W. A. Hayes, occasionally joined by other volunteers, 
 sewed every vestment! 
 
 April 3, 1927, at a congregational meeting, Mrs. E. A. Snow 
 volunteered to give the church a new three manual Skinner pipe 
 organ as a memorial to her late husband, Ernest Ansel Snow. The 
 congregation gladly accepted the offer and drew up appropriate res- 
 olutions of thanks. 
 
 Our Junior Choir has been a struggle. On September 30, 1928, 
 Mr. Dan Smith announced the forming of a Junior Choir. By May of 
 1931, regular rehearsals were scheduled and Mrs. E. W. Roney 
 assisted in directing this group. The bulletin of June 14, 1931, had 
 this following annoucement: 
 
306 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 "Choir Building Voice Class for adult men and women. Eight 
 weekly lessons for a very small fee. Profits go to support of Junior 
 Choir." 
 
 Regular Junior Choir performances were finally begun in 1939. 
 This program has recently grown, under the direction of Mr. Henry 
 Whipple, to 110 members of three choirs ranging in age from six 
 to sixteen. 
 
 September 3, 1959 
 
 CHOIR PERSONNEL 
 
 Primary Choir: Byron Scott Bailey, Cynthia Bailey, William Bencini, 
 Lynn Bernot, Patricia Ann Blue, David Connor, Frostie Culp, David Dalton, 
 Robert Gross, Kathy Gurley, William Hayes, Pattie Huffman, Sid Hunt, Jane 
 Ann Hustrulid, Johnny Hutchens, Jan Lipscomb, Johnny Lynch, Robert Mc- 
 Innis, Steve Mann, Steve Mays, Steve Michael, Pat Miller, Dawn Newton, 
 William Schafer, William Smith, Sharon Elizabeth Stanley, Susie Webster, 
 David White, Doug White, Gee White, Kathy Whitfield, Tommy Whitfield, 
 Sharon Williard, Chris Varner, and Lynne Yelle. Primary Choir Mothers: 
 Mrs. Robert G. Culp, Jr., Mrs. P. Hunter Dalton, III, and Mrs. Alva B. Newton. 
 
 Junior Choir: Suzanne Alexander, Kathy Amos, Linda Armstrong, Beth 
 Bencini, Shelley Bencini, Linda Benfield, Vicki Benfield, Robert Blue, William 
 Blue, Louise Briggs, Maria Briggs, Connie Calvert, Dianne Correll, Jane Cot- 
 tingham, Carol Cramer, Jeffrey Cross, Cheryl Culler, Kay Cummings, Frank 
 Dalton, Jr., P. Hunter Dalton, IV, Craig Darby, Gay Davis, Connie Deyo, 
 Linda Freeman, Jane Goodman, Ann Lee Gray, Joyce Gray, Sharon Groce, 
 Cathy Gross, Jeanne Hager, Beth Hart, Nancy Hayes, Sharon Hege, Bobbie 
 Helm, Lynda Huffman, Beth Hunt, Patty Sue Hunt, Steve Ingold, Mary Key, 
 Mary Alice Lipscomb, Lura McCain, Peggy Miller, Don David Mishler, Eddie 
 Rankin, Libby Sears, Susan Shivers, Beverley Stoddard, Beverly Stutts, Ellen 
 Weisbecker, Lee Weisbecker, Patricia Wheeler, Ed White, Barbara White- 
 side, Ruffin Whitfield, Kathy Williard, Patricia Ann Williard, Shelley Wo- 
 mack, and Lucy Wade Wyche. Junior Choir Mother: Mrs. V. M. Huffman. 
 
 Youth Choir: Ricky Collins, Betsy Creech, Mary Ann Creech, Mary 
 Elizabeth Davis, Diane Deyo, Nancy Everington, Anne Garland, Jane Huney. 
 cutt, Ann Idol, Nancy Lewis, Andy Marsden, Libby Mclnnis, Donella New- 
 ton, Jane Rankin, Sheryl Sears, Evie Smith, Anne Southerland, and Sandra York. 
 
 Senior Choir: Mrs. Harry Alexander, Janet Alexander, Nancy Beal, 
 Mrs. Betty Briggs, Jean Conrad, Mrs. Ted L. Cramer, Ted L. Cramer, Dr. A. 
 B. Croom, Mrs. Wilbur Currie, R. Frank Dalton, Mrs. Gordon E. Forss, R. 
 M. Gladstone, Roy C. Hege, Mrs. John W. Herndon, Martha Hudson, Mrs. 
 Wilson E. Hudspeth, Dianne Johnson, Mrs. Claude P. Kirkman, Jr., Mrs. E. 
 Thad Mclnnis, Bonnie Marley, C. Joseph Mishler, J. H. Mourane, Ruth Pan- 
 coast, Martha Ridge, Mrs. Jerry W. Robbins, Mrs. Bennie A. Rook, Jr., H. 
 Dupuy Sears, Sally Smith, Mary Stuart, Sarah Stuart, Pat A. Thomas, Barbara 
 Tillson, Mrs. Henry Whipple, Mary Womack, Mrs. Henry V. Koonts, and 
 M. D. McKinnon. 
 
THE CHURCH SCHOOL 
 
 by 
 
 Jack W. Southerland 
 
 From a bulletin entitled "A Service of Consecration for The 
 First Presbyterian Sunday School", dated Sunday, April 1, 1928, the 
 day our present building was dedicated, we take this paragraph: "The 
 purpose of this Sunday School shall be to lead each member to per- 
 sonal loyalty to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to promote growth 
 in Christian character and service through physical, social, mental 
 and spiritual training, and to become a social force for the extension 
 of the Kingdom of God." 
 
 This statement of purpose was apparently true when Mrs. Mar- 
 garet Denny, wife of Eli Denny, gathered the little children of the 
 community together for the first Presbyterian Sunday School, prob- 
 ably in 1858, before our church was organized and still holds true 
 today. The first record of the Sunday School was in the session 
 minutes of June 13, 1861, in which they reported to Presbytery that 
 there were 35 children enrolled in Sunday School. Another inter- 
 esting fact that was recorded in the same report was that there were 
 28 white communicants and two colored. 
 
 In the report to Presbytery of March 25, 1866 (during the years 
 of the Civil War), it was recorded that the "Church was full of sick 
 and wounded soldiers". 
 
 Presbytery sent out a questionnaire in 1869, in which the follow- 
 ing questions were asked and the session's answers were given. 
 
 Question: "Have you a Sabbath School in your Church for both 
 White and Colored children? Are they conducted with punctuality 
 and efficiency and of how many teachers and pupils does each consist?" 
 
 Answer: "We have a Sabbath School for White children with 
 thirty-eight pupils and seven efficient teachers." 
 
 Question: "Have you a Bible Class in your Church? If so, by 
 whom is it conducted and of how many pupils does it consist?" 
 
 Answer: "A Bible Class is conducted by Mr. J. H. Brooks and 
 consists of 18 members." 
 
 In the early years of our Church, the pastor must have served 
 as head of the Sunday School. In the formitive years of our Church 
 our pastors were certainly not overpaid for their many duties, as in 
 nearly every report to Presbytery it was stated that the Church had 
 
308 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 pledged $75 to $100 for his yearly salary, that they had not been able 
 to pay it in full, but hoped to do so before long. 
 
 In 1891, with the Church membership at 67, it was recorded that 
 the Sunday School was "flourishing" more than at any former period 
 of its history, with 1 06 pupils and teachers and an average attendance 
 of 60. At this time the Sunday School was put under the control of 
 the session. The International Lesson was being taught in connection 
 with the use of the Bible and the Shorter Catechism. 
 
 Mr. E. A. Snow built a chapel in the south part of town in August 
 of 1892. It was to be known as the Second Presbyterian Church and 
 was to be used for a Mission Sunday School and a place of religious 
 worship. This Chapel Sunday School was organized September 4, 
 1892, with eight teachers and 80 pupils, with much interest mani- 
 fested. Mr. E. A. Snow was elected superintendent and Mr. W. T. 
 Rankin, treasurer. The Chapel Sunday School continued to grow and 
 on January 10, 1897, the session of the First Church voted to take 
 it under its care and supervision. On April 30, 1906, the Chapel 
 Sunday School petitioned the session of the First Church to be dis- 
 solved and most of its members joined this church. 
 
 The first form of training of Sunday School teachers was in July, 
 1909. Mrs. Charles D. Mclver, of Greensboro, N. C, who was rep- 
 resenting the Sunday School Association of Orange Presbytery, came 
 to High Point and addressed the Sunday School teachers and the 
 members of the session. She told of her work among the Sunday 
 Schools and gave suggesions for work in the local Sunday School. 
 
 A congregational meeting was held on the second Sunday in 
 January, 1914, for the purpose of hearing a report of the Canvassing 
 Committee for funds to purchase a new organ and to build additional 
 Sunday School rooms. The plans were approved by the congrega- 
 tion, and the trustees were authorized to borrow the necessary money. 
 The following Building Committee was elected: W. F. Norman, 
 Chairman; Frank Wineskie, and W. A. Hayes to serve as secretary 
 and treasurer. An interesting notation in the session minutes on July 
 19, 1914, was "Pastor given vacation while building is being done. 
 It was decided not to have mid-week services during his absence, as 
 the building is not fit for use at present." 
 
 Again in 1921, the Sunday School was in need of more space. 
 On January 22, 1921, a joint meeting of the Elders and Deacons 
 was held at the Commercial Club for the purpose of considering 
 the erection of a hut or more Sunday School rooms to accommodate 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 309 
 
 the growing Sunday School, especially the Young Ladies Class and 
 the Bible Class, also social gatherings. Mr. Frank Wineskie was ap- 
 pointed chairman of a committee to formulate plans. On March 20, 
 1921, the congregation was presented the plans by this committee. 
 These plans were approved and the committee was authorized to 
 spend $7,500 for a hut. 
 
 In 1926, the Sunday School, as well as the congregation, had 
 out-grown its facilities, and at a congregational meeting on March 
 28, 1926, plans were presented for the building of our present build- 
 ing at the corner of North Main Street and Shirley Avenue. A full 
 report on the building of the Church and Sunday School is printed 
 in another part of this book. A service of Consecration for the Sunday 
 School was held on Sunday, April 1, 1928. 
 
 Taken from a church bulletin of September 30, 1928, is the fol- 
 lowing: "Next Sunday will be observed as Rally Day in the Sunday 
 School. Everybody is asked to come to Sunday School next Sunday. 
 Come with your children. Come if you have no children. We want 
 500 in Sunday School next Sunday. We ought to have this. We want 
 you to be one of them. We want you to bring others." Thirty years 
 ago the problem seemed to be the same as it is today — trying to get 
 our members interested in their Sunday School. 
 
 The first Religious Education Committee was appointed on May 
 24, 1936, to supervise the operation of the Sunday School depart- 
 ment. Mr. M. A. Temple, who was also Superintendent of the Sun- 
 day School, served as chairman of this committee. This was the policy 
 until 1953, when the Superintendent and Chairman of the Religious 
 Education Committee requested the session to make it into two sep- 
 arate offices. This was done and the following men have served: 
 Noble T. Praigg, 1954; R. D. Tillson, 1955; Howard Pancoast, 1956; 
 Hal Davis, 1957; Willard Kimrey, 1958; and James Hogg, 1959. 
 
 In October, 1936, the session gave their consent to the two 
 Men's classes of our Church to establish a Mission Sunday School in 
 the Brentwood section, at the corner of East Green Street and Carter 
 Street. The Mission Sunday School was opened on November 8, 1936, 
 with Harry Brown as Superintendent and E. R. Clodfelter as Secretary 
 and Treasurer. This Mission Sunday School grew and was organized 
 into a church in 1940. 
 
 Miss Amelia Hough was employed as church secretary and Direc- 
 tor of Religious Education in November, 1939, and was our church's 
 first such employee. Due to the illness of her mother, Miss Hough 
 
310 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 resigned in April, 1943, and returned in September of 1945. Miss 
 Betty Brueck (Mrs. George E. White) was hired as Miss Hough's 
 assistant. Upon resigning, Miss Brueck was replaced by Miss Lillie 
 Mae LeGarde on March 1, 1948, and remained in this position until 
 September, 195 1. Miss Hough resigned in June, 195 1, and Miss Anne 
 Jones was hired as Director of Religious Education in September, 
 1951, remaining until June, 1952. In November, 1953, Miss Jean 
 Moling came to us as Director of Christian Education and remained 
 in this position until September, 1956. We now have serving us The 
 Reverend Samuel N Thomas, who was issued a call as Assistant 
 Pastor and Minister of Education on July 21, 1957, and reported 
 on September 15, 1957. 
 
 Two Mission Sunday Schools were started in 1946. The first, 
 Crestwood, was organized on February 24, 1946, with Mr. H. C. 
 Simmons serving as Superintendent and Mr. Harry Alexander as 
 Secretary-Treasurer. Twenty-three attended the first Sunday. The Ran- 
 dolph Mission was started March 24, 1946, with fifty-eight attend- 
 ing the first Sunday. Mr. Logan Porter, Sr., served as Superintendent 
 and Mr. John B. Williams as Secretary-Treasurer. These two Mis- 
 sions are now Churches in their own right. 
 
 In March, 1950, the Fellowship class of our Sunday School spon- 
 sored a fund to provide college scholarships for young people desir- 
 ing to enter the ministry or religious work. This was done as a me- 
 morial to the late Charles Stewart, Jr., a member of that class. 
 
 Jack Southerland, Superintendent of the Sunday School and 
 Chairman of the Religious Education Committee, reported to the 
 Session in May, 1952, the need for additional space for our Sunday 
 School, especially in the Kindergarten and Nursery Departments. 
 At a congregational meeting August 2, 1952, the congregation 
 authorized the erection of an addition to our educational building. 
 After much time, thought, and prayer, the plans for the present build- 
 ing were approved and work begun September 16, 1953. The Corner- 
 tone Laying Ceremony was held Sunday afternoon, November 15, 
 
 1953, and the Consecration Service on Sunday afternoon, June 6, 
 
 1954. The building committee was composed of Jack Southerland, 
 chairman; Howard Pancoast, P. Hunter Dalton, Sr., H. D. Sears, Jr., 
 S. P. Montgomery, Mrs. Sanders Dallas, and Mrs. Tom Marlowe. The 
 finance committee included G. E. Hutchens, E. B. Gamble, and C. 
 M. Allred, co-chairmen; V. W. Idol, Jr., treasurer; W. Stanley Davis, 
 D. W. Hunter, A. M. Rankin, Jr., and J. Williard Thomas. 
 
 A bequest left to this church by Mrs. Ruby N. Bartlett helped 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 311 
 
 make this building possible, and a room of this edifice is a memorial 
 to Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Bartlett. Bronze plaques on the chapel doors 
 are fittingly inscribed and oil portraits of the Bartletts, painted by 
 Mrs. Curtis Smithdeal, hang in this room. 
 
 In May, 1959, Mr. James Hogg, Chairman of the Christian Edu- 
 cation Committee, appeared before the session to report that more 
 classroom space is needed for our growing Sunday School. A com- 
 mittee was appointed to study the needs and the space available and 
 to report back to the session their findings. Apparently our Sunday 
 School continues to enjoy a steady, healthy growth. 
 
 In order that we might observe the growth of our Sunday School 
 over the years, the following chart was prepared from reports to 
 Presbytery: 
 
 In 1861, number enrolled in Sunday School 35, enrolled in church 
 28, total contributions for year $211.00; in 1885, enrolled in Sun- 
 day School 77, enrolled in church 43, total contributions for year 
 $239.20; in 1910, enrolled in Sunday School 213, enrolled in church 
 147, total contributions for year $2,270.00; in 1934, enrolled in 
 Sunday School 555, enrolled in church 608, total contributions for 
 year $27,492.00; and in 1958, enrolled in Sunday School 770; en- 
 rolled in church 1,176, and total contributions for year $120,492.00. 
 
 On December 22, 1912, it was recorded in the session minutes 
 that Mr. E. A. Snow resigned as Superintendent of the Sunday School 
 after twenty-two years of continuous service. It was also recorded that 
 Mr. L. C. Sinclair resigned as assistant Superintendent on May 16, 
 1909, and that Mr. W. D. Alexander was elected by the session to 
 fill the vacancy. Mr. Snow must have begun his duties as Superin- 
 tendent in 1890, and was the first man to hold this office according 
 to the recorded information we have today. 
 
 The men who have served as officers of our Sunday School in the 
 years since 1912 are as follows: 
 
 Superintendents of Sunday School: J. A. Lloyd, 1913; G. W. 
 Denny, 1915; A. S. Caldwell, Jr., 1916; Carter Dalton, 1918; W. 
 W. Smith, 1920; R. E. Ranson, 1921; D. E. Headen, 1922-1923; 
 F. Logan Porter, Sr., 1924-1929; Lamar McCallum, 1930-1935; M. 
 A. Temple, 1936; J. D. Ross, 1937-1938; Harry L. Brown, 1940- 
 1944; Howard R. Pancoast, 1945-1946; P. H. Dalton, Sr., 1947- 
 1948; Noble T. Praigg, 1949-1951; Jack W. Southerland, 1952- 
 1953; W. H. Kimrey, 1954-1955; Joe G. Hunt, 1956-1957; and 
 Charles Plummer, 1958-1959. 
 
312 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 Assistant Superintendents of Sunday School: W. F. Norman, 
 1913; Carter Dalton, 1915-1916; A. S. Caldwell, Sr., 1918-1921; 
 F. Logan Porter, Sr., 1923; D. M. Pollock, 1924; Charles W. Perry, 
 1925-1929; H. M. Curlee, 1930; Harry Brown, 1936; J. C. Kaneer, 
 1937-1938; Howard R. Pancoast, 1940; W. F. Robinette, 1943- 
 1944; A. W. Burns, 1945; Henry V. Koonts, 1947; John A. 
 Womack, Sr., 1949; Jack W. Southerland, 1951; W. H. Kimery, 
 1952-1953; Joe G. Hunt, 1954-1955; Charles Plummer, 1956-1957; 
 and Carl Bailey, 1958-1959. 
 
 Secretaries and Treasurers of Sunday School: W. C. Herndon, 
 1915; J. J. Griffith, 1916-1918; W. E. Herndon, 1920-1930; W. 
 A. Hayes, 1931-1940; P. S. Mason, 1943; Mason Brown, 1944; 
 Harry L. Brown, 1945-1949; Mason Brown, 1951; Harry L. Brown, 
 1952; E. J. Oglesby, 1953-1954; V. W. Idol, Jr., 1955-1956; and 
 George E. White, 1958-1959. 
 
 Assistant Secretaries and Treasurers: Louis Bennett, 1915; W. 
 A. Hayes, 1918-1930; F. Logan Porter, Jr., 1935; J. B. Kelly, 1936- 
 1937; P. S. Mason, 1938-1940; W. A. Hayes, 1943-1945; Mason 
 Brown, 1949; E. J. Oglesby, 1951-1952; V. W. Idol, Jr., 1953- 
 1954; George E. White, 1955-1956; Sam Groce, 1957-1958; and 
 James S. Hunt, 1959. 
 
 Another officer of our Sunday School who has played a great part 
 is our official greeter. First mention of this office was in April, 1918, 
 when Mr. F. M. Barbee was elected Reception Chairman. No further 
 mention of this office is recorded until recent years when Mr. George 
 Connor has served so well in this capacity. 
 
 There are many, many others, both men and women, who have 
 served their Sunday School faithfully as officers, department heads, 
 and teachers, but space does not permit us to name all of them. The 
 Church will always be grateful to these men and women for their 
 devotion and service in the growth of our Sunday School. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 313 
 
 September 3, 1959 
 
 THE CHURCH SCHOOL 
 
 Charles E. Plummer ... Superintendent Sam H. Groce Secretary-Treasurer 
 
 Carl A. Bailey . . . Adult Superintendent James S. Hunt 
 
 Mrs. R. G. Culp, Jr. Assistant Secretary-Treasurer 
 Children's Superintendent 
 
 Departmental Superintendents 
 
 Cradle Roll Mrs. Tyree H. Nabors Kindergarten II 
 
 Nursery I Mrs. J. B. Cottingham Mrs - Harr V A - Alexander 
 
 Nursery II Mrs. John A. Womack Primary Mrs. Kenneth G. Mann 
 
 Kindergarten I . . Mrs. David K. Tillson J unior Mr. H. E. Rothrock, Jr. 
 
 Pioneer-Senior 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. George A. Cooke 
 
 WESTMINSTER FELLOWSHIP 
 
 Otis Boroughs President Joe Spangler Treasurer 
 
 Liz Peterson Vice-President M r. and Mrs. Howard R. Pancoast 
 
 Sylvia Alexander Secretary Advisers 
 
 David Pancoast Assistant Secretary 
 
 THE SENIOR HIGH FELLOWSHIP 
 
 Ruth Pancoast President Larry Varner Treasurer 
 
 Mary Womack Program Chairman Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Ray Martin 
 
 Kay Idol Secretary Advisers 
 
 THE PIONEER FELLOWSHIP 
 
 Betsy Creech President Jane Rankin Secretary-Treasurer 
 
 Anne Harvey Vice-President Diana Deyo Worship Chairman 
 
 Corky Hustrulid . Co-Program Chairman Mr. and Mrs. Ben H. Martin . Advisers 
 
 ADULT CLASSES 
 
 Gleaners Mrs. R. K. Young 
 
 Denny Bible Class, Mrs. Ruby S. Bencini 
 Snow Memorial, Co-Teachers 
 
 C. E. Stuart, Ralph Smith 
 Couples Mrs. C. A. McMurray 
 
 Covenanters, Co-Teachers 
 
 P. Hunter Dalton, IV, G. A. Covington 
 
 Fellowship Mrs. E. B. Collins 
 
 Young Adults, Co-Teachers 
 
 Howard Pancoast, W. S. Creech 
 
HISTORY OF 
 THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK 
 
 by 
 
 David Pancoast 
 
 The history of the young people's work in The First Presbyterian 
 Church begins before our church occupied the present building. 
 When we were in our second building, the young people's work 
 was carried out through the Christian Endeavour. This group was 
 part of a fine city union, which permitted our young people to work 
 closely with those of most of the churches in the city. 
 
 The Christian Endeavour made a substantial contribution to the 
 lives of the young people. Most of the leadership came from the 
 young people themselves. They planned well and always had a good 
 program. Some of the outstanding leaders in our church received 
 their training in the Christian Endeavour. 
 
 During that time the church was at the center of the lives of the 
 people, a fact which heightened the interest of the young people in 
 their program. The time came when our church developed its own 
 organizations for young people's work. The Presbyterian Youth Fel- 
 lowship (later called the Senior High Fellowship) was for high 
 school students, and the Pioneer Youth Fellowship was for young 
 people in junior high school. 
 
 These groups have had fine leadership, but the growth of sec- 
 ular attractions and activities has made it necessary for the church 
 to exert more initiative in presenting a stimulating and attractive 
 program for young people. The church has responded well to this 
 challenge, providing fellowship and recreation in addition to a wor- 
 ship program. 
 
 A snack supper precedes each Sunday night meeting at the church. 
 The recreational facilities of the church are available at this time 
 and at other times. A summer camping program has attracted good 
 participation. Each year the young people go Christmas carolling and 
 take one or two educational excursions to Chapel Hill. 
 
 Opportunities for spiritual advancement and service are not 
 neglected, however. They hold a worship service each Sunday night. 
 An offering is taken, to be used for benevolent objectives. The young 
 people initiate and carry through projects which contribute to the total 
 church program. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 315 
 
 Each group elects its own officers, usually at the beginning of the 
 church year. Although adult advisers are available to assist when 
 needed, the leaders and members of each group have a major share 
 of the responsibility for planning and carrying out their worship 
 services, programs, and activities. 
 
 Like the Christian Endeavour before them, these organizations 
 provide for the spiritual needs of junior and senior high school stu- 
 dents and contribute to the program of the church. In addition, they 
 provide valuable training for the positions of responsibility in the 
 church which many of these young people will fill as adults. 
 
 In the fall of 1956, the young people's work was extended by 
 the organization of a Westminster Fellowship at High Point Col- 
 lege. This has proved to be a valuable extension of the work. The 
 Westminster Fellowship serves to fill the religious needs in the lives 
 of Presbyterian students at High Point College, many of whom are 
 away from their homes and out of contact with their own churches. 
 
 Although the Westminster Fellowship was organized primarily 
 to minister to these students, all young people of college age, includ- 
 ing non-Presbyterian students and young people not attending col- 
 lege, are welcome at the meetings. In this way, the organization has 
 served as a means of bringing uncommitted young people into our 
 church. 
 
 The Westminster Fellowship meets twice a month for a program 
 of worship and instruction, followed by refreshments and a period 
 of fellowship. The meetings are held on a night during the week, 
 usually at the home of the adult sponsors, although occasional meet- 
 ings are held at the church and at other places. 
 
 In addition to the regular meetings, the group carries out frequent 
 service projects. Favorite ones are going Christmas carolling at the 
 homes of shut-in members of our church, presenting programs at the 
 Presbyterian Home, and cleaning and arranging the toys in the 
 nursery of our church. The Fellowship participates in the religious 
 programs of the college, thereby contributing to the religious life of 
 the college and carrying the Presbyterian doctrine before the student 
 body. 
 
 Although a young organization, the Westminster Fellowship fills 
 a definite need in an area of young people's work which was prev- 
 iously ignored. It seems destined to continue to be an important 
 influence in the lives of Presbyterian young people of college age. 
 
316 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 September 3, 1959 
 
 WESTMINSTER FELLOWSHIP 
 
 Otis Boroughs . President David Pancoast Assistant Secretary 
 
 \A? Peterson Vice-President Joe Spangler Treasurer 
 
 Sylvia Alexander Secretary Mr. and Mrs. Howard R. Pancoast 
 
 Advisers 
 
 THE SENIOR HIGH FELLOWSHIP 
 
 K uth Pancoast President Larry Varner Treasurer 
 
 Mary Womack Program Chairman Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Ray Martin 
 
 Kay Idol Secretary Advisers 
 
 THE PIONEER FELLOWSHIP 
 
 Betsy Creech President Jane Rankin Secretary-Treasurer 
 
 Anne Harvey Vice-President Diana Deyo Worship Chairman 
 
 Corky Hustrulid . Co-Program Chairman Mr. and Mrs. Ben H. Martin . . Advisers 
 
 SB 
 
THE SCOUTING PROGRAM 
 
 by 
 
 Florence and John Womack 
 
 From 1919 until the present, The First Presbyterian Church has 
 maintained a continuous scouting program covering such fields as 
 Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, Cub Scouts and Explorers, our 
 church has achieved an outstanding record in the field of character 
 building and Christian leadership. This program has been recognized 
 in the community as one of excellence and durability. 
 
 Ever since Girl Scouting was established in High Point in 1937, 
 the Presbyterian Church and its women have been very closely associ- 
 ated with this movement. 
 
 Mrs. P. Hunter Dalton, III, served as Publicity Chairman for 
 the first Girl Scout Council to be elected in the city and in subse- 
 quent years served Girl Scouting in many other capacities. 
 
 Almost consecutively during the past twenty-two years, there has 
 been a member of the Presbyterian Church serving on the Council 
 either in an executive capacity or as a committee chairman. 
 
 From 1939-1948, Mrs. Mabel Burnett, a member of this church, 
 served as Executive Secretary for the Girl Scouts and under her capa- 
 ble leadership, many new troops were added to the Council and the 
 scouting movement went forward rapidly. It was under her term of 
 office in 1945, that Camp Keyauwee at Sophia was established for 
 girls of this area and it was she who served as first Camp Director 
 in 1947. No mention of the camp can be made without recognition 
 of one of the officers of our church, Mr. Paul Williamson. He, with 
 his wife, Mrs. Sally Williamson, a devoted worker in our Women 
 of the Church, owned the land on which the camp now stands. To- 
 gether they made its aquisition by the Girl Scouts possible. Mr. Wil- 
 liamson has continued his support of the Girl Scout Movement in 
 many ways and has served faithfully on the Council for six years. 
 When the new dining hall at the camp was erected in 1958, it was a 
 fitting tribute to him and to his wife that it be named the Sally 
 Williamson Hall in Mrs. Williamson's memory. 
 
 Four Presbyterian women have each served for two years as Com- 
 missioner of the Girl Scout Council or Council President as the office 
 is now known. Mrs. Lawrence Marsden was elected Commissioner 
 in 1950, followed by Mrs. Robert Courts in 1952. Mrs. Courts also 
 served for two months in 1954, as Volunteer Scout Executive. In 
 1956, Mrs. Robert Helm was elected Council President and from 
 
318 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 October until May of the next year also served as Paid Executive 
 Secretary. Mrs. E. C. Rankin, Jr., who is serving as Council President 
 at the present time, was elected in 1958. 
 
 Throughout the history of Girl Scouting in High Point, the doors 
 of the Presbyterian Church has been open for various scout meetings. 
 Courts of Awards, Vesper Services, Neighborhood Leaders' Meetings 
 and Scout Camp Rallies have been and are continuing to be held at 
 our church. 
 
 During the past twenty-two years, Brownie, Intermediate and 
 Senior Girl Scout troops have been sponsored almost continuously 
 by the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The first troop was organized in 1937, shortly after Girl Scout- 
 ing was established in High Point. Mrs. Charles Hodgin and Miss 
 Pauline Ribelin, the Church Secretary, were the organizers of this 
 first troop and had thirteen girls in attendance at the membership 
 meeting held on November 9, 1937. For the next two years, the 
 records show that this troop, under these same leaders, had a very 
 interesting and active program. After Mrs. Hodgin was elected treas- 
 urer of the Girl Scout Council in 1938, the leadership of the troop 
 was taken over in 1939, by Mrs. J. T. Still and Mrs. George Machen. 
 
 In 1954, we find that our church sponsored the first and only 
 Wing Scout Troop in the city. This troop was established for girls 
 interested in aviation and was led by Mrs. H. M. Bryant, who had 
 for several years led a troop of Girl Scouts at the Church and by 
 Mrs. Herman Smith. 
 
 Presbyterian women too numerous to mention have led troops 
 sponsored by our church or by other agencies. Throughout the records 
 we find that they have all had the same dedication to their goal of 
 building character and leadership qualities in the members of their 
 troops not only by instruction, but by their own example. An illus- 
 tration of this point is Mrs. Hal Davis, who, when a counselor at Day 
 Camp, took her small baby, Mary Elizabeth, with her, thus showing 
 the girls that many obstacles have to be overcome to fulfill an 
 obligation. 
 
 This same spirit seems to prevail today, for during the year 
 1958-59, in order to direct the activities of Brownie Troop 48, both 
 of the leaders, Mrs. E. B. Collins and Mrs. D. V. Hoskins brought 
 their younger children to each of the troop meetings. 
 
 During this past year, in addition to Brownie Troop 48, the 
 church has sponsored an Intermediate Troop led by Mrs. H. L. Hauser, 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 319 
 
 and Mrs. J. R. Lytle and assisted by Mrs. Paul Teague. Also, Mrs. John 
 Deyo has led a Senior Scout Troop which has had a most enviable 
 record as six of its members received their Curved Bar, the highest 
 award in Girl Scouting, at the camporee held in the spring of 1959. 
 
 For twenty-two years, an untold number of Presbyterian women, 
 believing in the character building qualities of this program, have 
 given sacrificially of their time and talents to the Girl Scout Move- 
 ment. As a sponsoring agency, we can be proud of the record they 
 have maintained. 
 
 Boy Scouts 
 
 It was sometime in the early fall of 1919, that Jack Burrus, shortly 
 returned from service in World War I, approached The Reverend 
 Mr. Coble, Mr. E. M. Shipman, Mr. G. W. Denny, and other men 
 from the First Presbyterian Church about forming a Boy Scout troop. 
 This group eagerly responded and gave its consent to sponsor such 
 a group. Lacking formal charters and national procedures, the group 
 was ruggedly organized with a somewhat military color into what was 
 believed to be not only the first scout troop in the Presbyterian 
 Church, but the first troop in High Point. Jack Burrus, as its first 
 Scoutmaster ably led and worked with this unofficial troop for approx- 
 imately two years oftentimes meeting with the boys in the Church 
 Sanctuary as no other space was then available. 
 
 After a lapse of about a year, during which time official scout- 
 ing was taking its place in the South and in High Point, we find 
 that the first official troop in our church was born. In November, 
 1923, during the ministry of The Reverend C. P. Coble, a charter 
 was issued to the First Presbyterian Church then located on South 
 Main Street, for Boy Scout Troop #1. This troop had quite a large 
 membership and F. Logan Porter was appointed the first Scoutmaster. 
 
 This original charter listed the names of the Scout Committee 
 as: The Reverend C. P. Coble, chairman, with committeemen, Wil- 
 liam A. Hayes and A. S. Caldwell, Jr. Under the able leadership 
 of scoutmaster, Logan Porter and his committee, this troop not only 
 prospered but grew to an enrollment of forty boys by 1925. Though 
 we lack the facts, it must be assumed that sometime during this year 
 an appeal was made to the Scout Office for help as the load of forty 
 boys was obviously pressing the Scoutmaster and his workers. As a 
 result, or either through a reshuffling of troops in the community, 
 Troop I was supplemented by issuing a charter to the church for 
 Scout Troop #2. This new troop was organized with one-half the 
 
320 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 boys from Troop 1, and I. Paul Ingle was appointed its first Scout- 
 master. Both troops continued to grow and prosper with the relieved 
 pressure, under the leadership of these two fine men and their single 
 committee. Both of these troops remained active for about three years. 
 During this interim the only change noted in the original committee 
 was the replacement of The Reverend Mr. Coble by A. E. Taplin. 
 
 Subsequently both Mr. Ingle and Mr. Porter were drawn 
 into community work and Scouting on a different level and during 
 1930-31, we find another shuffle of troops in High Point. The result 
 was a substitution of Troop 20 for Troops 1 and 2. 
 
 From 1931 through 1932, during the ministry of The Reverend 
 C. H. Nabors with C. W. Perry acting as general chairman, S. C. 
 Clark, Jr., served as Scoutmaster operating under a committee 
 headed by P. H. Dalton, III. In 1933, during the ministry of The 
 Reverend Joseph Rennie, Charles T. Parker became Scoutmaster and, 
 under the committee chairmanship of Paul Ingle continued to func- 
 tion with an enrollment of from 10 to 20 boys. The Troop con- 
 tinued under this leadership until the ministry of The Reverend 
 O. C. Williamson, and in 1937, Harry Newland became Scoutmaster. 
 
 1938 brought forth another change in scouting in our church 
 when a Sea Scout unit was added. Being an outgrowth of Troop 20, 
 it was organized with about one-third of the troops' membership and 
 operated parallel with the land troop. Jesse Wall became the first 
 Skipper of the newly organized unit, while C. S. McGahey remained 
 as Scoutmaster of the land troop. The organization of this Sea Scout 
 unit took place in January, 1938, with approximately fifteen boys 
 registered. This unit was chartered as Ship 20 of the S.S.S. Chesapeake. 
 
 The year 1939, saw growth in Ship 20 under the leadership of 
 Skipper Jesse Wall and Mate Charles Mendenhall. Wall continued 
 to lead this branch of scouting through 1945, under faithful support 
 of committeemen such as General Chairman, D. E. Headen, J. D. 
 Ross, P. H. Dalton, Mason Brown, G. R. Ward and many others. 
 In 1946, Wall relinquished mastery of this ship to one of his former 
 boys of 1939, registery, Ralph Cox. Cox acting as Skipper under the 
 committee of Mason Brown, Chairman; J. E. Beeson, Secretary and 
 Treasurer; and D. W. Hunter; committeeman guided Ship 20 on its 
 last voyage through 1946 to 1947. In June of this year, the boys 
 attended a regional Sea Scout Rendezvous at Charleston, S. G, where 
 they acquitted themselves very admirably. 1947 was the last year of 
 activity of this unit and some of its members later organized and 
 joined Explorer Post 20. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 321 
 
 While Ship 20 was smoothly sailing along, there was continued 
 activity noted in the land organization. C. S. MaGahey as Scoutmaster 
 served for two years followed by Ernest McCall. Mr. McCall served 
 until 1942, when he went into service in World War II. There is 
 a little story told that just before leaving for service, McCall was 
 honored with a gift from his troop as a token of esteem for his faith- 
 ful service to them. In presenting the award to him, one of the scouts 
 seriously began his remarks by saying, "and in memorial to Mr. Mc- 
 Call, we present him with this little gift". In spite of that tribute, we 
 are glad that Mr. McCall returned to continue scouting work after 
 the war. In this period of activity, the Presbyterian Scouts were mak- 
 ing a name for themselves by winning many honors at camporees 
 and other contests. They were also noted for community volunteer 
 work and many rank advancements. 
 
 Through the war years scouting was continued in as normal a 
 manner as possible with Scoutmasters D. K. Cloniger and R. D. 
 Tilson carrying the work forward. All of this scouting from 1938 
 to 1945, was during the ministery of Dr. O. C. Williamson and under 
 the committee leadership of J. D. Ross, D. H. Hall, Jr., Frank B. 
 Smith, and C. S. McGahey with D. E. Headen as General Chairman. 
 
 Beginning in 1946, and throughout the ministry of The Reverend 
 Paul Tudor Jones, scouting was carried on in like manner. Noting 
 some major changes in the community organization, instead of spon- 
 soring agents having General Chairmen they were called Institu- 
 tional Representatives. Hal Davis served in this capacity succeeded 
 in 1951, by Frank Smith who was succeeded by Ernest McCall in 
 1954, and is continuing to serve in this position at the present time. 
 
 Scoutmasters serving during this time were: William Curry, 
 1946; John Williams, 1947; N. R. Calhan, 1948; and J. C. Kaneer 
 who not only served throughout the ministry of Dr. Paul Jones but 
 continued to serve until 1954, at which time he transferred his leader- 
 ship to Explorer Post 20 where he is presently acting as advisor and 
 leader. Serving as committee chairmen during the period 1946 until 
 1951, were C. S. McGahey, Hal Davis, and George Covington. 
 
 During the ministry of Dr. Roy Watts until the present time, 
 we find a little more scouting activity with many more boys achieving 
 God and Country Awards and quite a few attaining the rank of Eagle 
 Scout. Scoutmasters giving their services during this period are: J. C 
 Kaneer, 1952-1954; Carl Bailey, 1955; and W. D. Smith, 1956 
 until the present. Troop Chairmen are listed as: George Covington, 
 C. S. McGahey, J. E. Beeson, J. A. Womack, and N. L. Garner. 
 
322 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 In addition to the above listed names, many others have served 
 faithfully as committeemen, councilmen, commissioners, and other 
 executives to aid in the success of this program for boys from the ages 
 of eleven to fourteen years. 
 
 Cub Scouts 
 
 With a demand for a scouting program for younger boys in the 
 church, Cub Pack 20 was formed in January, 1949, with George 
 White acting as Cubmaster and Dr. John F. Lynch as Committee 
 Chairman. There were four Dens for the year 1949-50, led by Den 
 Mothers, Mrs. J. H. Hogg, Mrs. Ed Grimsley, Mrs. Sanders Dallas, 
 and Mrs. Howard Pancoast. These women followed a course of in- 
 struction prescribed by National Boy Scout Headquarters, designed to 
 introduce boys nine to eleven and their parents to the skills and 
 crafts of Boy Scouting. During this year thirty-four boys were reached 
 through this program. 
 
 The following year, 1950-51, Mr. White continued as Cubmaster 
 with Dr. Lynch again Committee Chairman and the same women 
 acting as Den Mothers. However, the program had expanded until 
 it was necessary to add a fifth Den under the leadership of Mrs. 
 Crafts. During this year thirty-six boys participated in the program. 
 
 In 1951-52, R. E. Bencini became Cubmaster of Pack 20 with 
 Dr. Lynch again serving as Committee Chairman. During this year 
 the organization grew to a membership of forty-seven boys with nine 
 Dens led by Mrs. Howard Pancoast, Mrs. H. O. Williams, Mrs. 
 Ridge, Mrs. Allen McDonald, Mrs. W. K. Whitesell (deceased), 
 Mrs. Henry Foscue, Mrs. Earl Phillips, Mrs. Betty Warner Stell, and 
 Mrs. Anthony Scarpitta. 
 
 Mr. H. O. Williams succeeded Mr. Bencini as Cubmaster in 
 1952-53, and Dr. Lynch was succeeded as Committee Chairman by 
 Dr. Sam Hart. During this period, the pack continued to grow with 
 fifty-six boys registered in eight dens. The Den Mothers for this year 
 were: Mrs. Ed Gurley, Mrs. Henry Foscue, Mrs. Earl Phillips, Mrs. 
 Bissette, Mrs. Betty Warner Stell, Mrs. Ben Franklin, Mrs. Walter 
 Comfort, and Mrs. C. L. Amos, Jr. 
 
 By 1954-55, Pack 20 had grown to such proportions that it was 
 necessary to split and form a second pack. In January, 1955, Mr. C. 
 P. Kirkman took over the leadership of Pack 20 as Cubmaster and 
 Mr. V. P. Harlee became Committee Chairman. There were four 
 dens with Mrs. Don Dahl, Mrs. Cecil Wilcox, Mrs. Spoon and Mrs. 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 323 
 
 John Womack serving as Den Mothers. Forty boys were registered 
 as members of this pack. 
 
 Pack 99, as the new pack was known, had a membership of 
 thirty-seven boys and was headed by Marion Rowland, Jr., as Cub- 
 master and J. A. Shapard as Committee Chairman. The four dens 
 were led by: Den Mothers, Mrs. Frank Wood, Mrs. Ed Gurley, 
 Mrs. Petty and Mrs. Joe Blair. It is interesting to note that with 
 these two packs, the Presbyterian Church became the only agency 
 in this district to sponsor more than one Cub Pack. 
 
 In 1955-56, membership in the Cub Scout program had decreased 
 to thirty-seven boys through the aging out of many boys into Boy 
 Scouting. As a consequence it was no longer necessary to sponsor 
 two packs. Mr. C. P. Kirkman continued as Cubmaster of Pack 20 
 with Mr. Harllee serving as Committee Chairman and the four dens 
 were led by Mrs. Ruth Adams, Mrs. T. R. Kennerly, Mrs John 
 Albertson, and Mrs. John Womack. During this year, Mr. Kirkman 
 initiated a Webelos Den for boys in the Cub Scout program who 
 were ten and a half. The program of this den was to prepare these 
 boys to pass the Tenderfoot requirements necessary for them to be- 
 come members of a Boy Scout Troop. This den was continued by 
 Mr. Kirkman during his entire service as Cubmaster. 
 
 During the year 1956 to 1957, the Cub Scout membership again 
 increased and fifty-three boys were registered. Mr. Kirkman con- 
 tinued as Cubmaster and Mr. Arthur Dickens served as Committee 
 Chairman. There were six dens and the Den Mothers were: Mrs. 
 John Womack, Mrs. John Albertson, Mrs. A. B. Croom, Mrs. Gil- 
 bert Koontz, Mrs. C. L. Amos, Jr., and Mrs. E. Bullard. 
 
 Mr. George Armfield succeeded Mr. Kirkman as Cubmaster in 
 1957-58, with Mr. Wingate Collins serving as Committee Chairman. 
 Thirty-nine Cub Scouts were divided into five dens led by Mrs. Fred 
 Flagler, Jr., Mrs. C. L. Amos, Jr., Mrs. E. Bullard, Mrs. Dick Short, 
 and Mrs. Arthur Dickens. Mr. Armfield and Mr. Collins continued 
 to serve the pack for part of the year 1958-59, when they were suc- 
 ceeded by Mr. Robert Courts as Cubmaster and Mr. Z. P. Long as 
 Committee Chairman. There were only two dens with a combined 
 membership of thirty-five boys at this time. They were led by Mrs. 
 C. L. Amos, Jr., and Mrs. Tom Harvey. 
 
 During the year 1959 to I960, Mr. Robert Courts again led 
 Pack 20. Thirty-eight boys were served by the program during this 
 period and the five dens had as Den Mothers: Mrs. Jake Boden- 
 
324 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 
 
 heimer, Mrs. Dot Byerly, Mrs. Charles Xepolis, Mrs. John Thomas, 
 and Mrs. Malcolm Phelps. 
 
 Since its organization in 1949, Cub Scouting has proven to be 
 a valuable training program for younger boys in our church, for out 
 of it have come many of our finest Boy Scouts. 
 
 Explorer Scouts 
 
 Feeling a need for a scouting program for older boys and at- 
 tempting to salvage a waning interest in Sea Scouting, an Explorer 
 Post was originally organized in 1949 by Ralph Cox, formerly 
 Skipper of Ship 20, and eight Explorer Scouts. Unfortunately this 
 unit did not last but a year and was dropped for lack of interest. 
 However, in 1955, following a successful year as Scoutmaster, J. C. 
 Kaneer reorganized Explorer Post 20 with an enrollment of seven- 
 teen boys. This step was prompted by an acute need for a program 
 for scouts over fourteen years of age who, by remaining in the troop 
 would deprive the younger boys of positions of leadership. 
 
 The Explorer Post was designed to introduce the boys to a four- 
 point program of out-of-door, vocational, social and citizenship train- 
 ing. While persuing some phases of this program, the year was high- 
 lighted by a Council sponsored cruise for the boys aboard a naval 
 ship out of Norfolk, Va. While on this cruise, the ship was caught 
 by Hurricane Connie, but successfully rode it out before returning 
 to port. There were many other interesting tours for the boys which 
 took them to Army bases and training camps. All in all it was a 
 good first year. 
 
 The year 1956-57, found J. C. Kaneer again as Advisor for the 
 unit with Committee Chairman, Dick Meisky. The enrollment re- 
 mained at seventeen and another good year was reported with many 
 tours to manufacturing plants, cold weather camps and social activities. 
 
 The year 1957, under the same leadership and enrollment boasted 
 several fine tours to schools and colleges. Among these tours were 
 included trips to V.M.I., and V.P.I. These the boys thoroughly enjoyed. 
 
 1958-59, was a year of smaller membership, but one of concen- 
 trated study. It is recalled that one Eagle Scout emerged from this 
 group that year. 
 
 1959, under the same leadership began and continues a year of 
 renewed spirit and interest in spite of the loss in membership. Besides 
 a year of rank advancement in which two boys achieved the rank 
 
High Point, North Carolina 
 
 325 
 
 of Eagle Scout, many trips and excursions were made including a 
 special week of camping at Ocracoke on the Outer Banks of North 
 Carolina. 
 
 The most noticeable event of 1959, was the change in the basic 
 program from four points to six. The six new points are: Out-of- 
 doors, personal fitness, vocational, social activities, and citizenship. 
 Under the new program, the boys are allowed to choose a subject of 
 interest which the entire Post wishes to study. They persue this until 
 they learn it, then take up another subject. These activities are inter- 
 spersed with other points of the program. 
 
 Mr. Kaneer and other volunteer members of his staff and com- 
 mittee are certainly to be commended for the fine and unselfish 
 work which they have done and are doing in this field of scouting. 
 
 The Boy Scout program in our church has not only developed 
 new leaders among the boys participating, but has served further to 
 strengthen those qualities already present in the adults who so faith- 
 fully gave of their time to this work. One can look around at the 
 past and present officers in the church and find that a large majority 
 of their names appear somewhere in records as a participant in the 
 Scouting Program. Many of these fine scouters did not remain as 
 leaders on a local unit level, but were called into a wider scope of 
 volunteer service on the District, Council and Regional level. The 
 records recall four of our leaders who were recognized by the 
 Uwharrie Council for their efficient and faithful services, by award- 
 ing them the Silver Beaver Award. These men were: I. Paul Ingle, 
 Charles W, Perry, Carl Kaneer, and Ernest McCall. Later the record 
 shows that I. Paul Ingle won the most coveted award, the Silver 
 Antelope, presented by the region for outstanding achievement in 
 this field of scouting. In addition to those mentioned as award recip- 
 ients, many other men from our church both in the past, and at 
 present have had executive responsibilities in scouting in the dis- 
 trict and council. 
 
 Of course there are many unsung heroes of scouting on all levels 
 whose only reward will be self satisfaction in a job well done and 
 in seeing character develop. It is regretted that there is insufficient 
 space to list all of those who have had a part in this program which 
 has been and will continue to be so vital in the development of 
 Christian character and leadership among our youth. May we always 
 have men of such strength and unselfish devotion to youth, to con- 
 tinue this good work in our church, that our future may be insured 
 with Christian leadership. 
 
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