Our HIstory: Central Baptist Church
The year 1932 was a trying year in the life of our American nation. The number of unemployed reached 13 million and national wages were 60% less than in 1929 as America suffered through the peak of the Great Depression.
Though the world took little notice, the hand of God in that same year was creating and molding another piece of his kingdom in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. On June 23, 1932, 68 persons organized Central Baptist Church. For over 75 years, this beautiful stone church has been an active Southern Baptist congregation with a clear conviction to be on mission for Jesus Christ. And the future holds even greater victories because this people, this church is focused on the major, as opposed to minor, aspects of the faith, that being carrying the gospel to all nations and making disciples for Christ of all humankind.
The Beginning
In 1924, First Baptist Church members started talking about a new building to replace their existing two-story wooden building. The old building was becoming very inadequate, as it had no school or classrooms, no baptistry, no restrooms, and had only a stove for heat.
Property had been bought in 1924, and the foundation was begun in 1927. Further work would not be done until 1938. In the meantime, 68 members wanted the building to be done, but there was opposition. So, these members left First Baptist Church to organize and build a new church. An initial meeting of the group was held in the Christian Science Hall over the Spruce Pine Store Company at 3:00 p.m. on June 19, 1932. The meeting was called to order by Rev. J.T. Biddle, and on motion made by M.C. Brown, Rev. Biddle was appointed Moderator of the meeting and Geo. W. Greene was appointed Clerk.
Charter Members
The following persons were taken into the organization as
charter members:
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First Church Officers
Rev. J.T. Biddle was unanimously elected as temporary
pastor. Temporary Deacons were M.C. Brown, Geo. W.
Greene, Esley Buchanan, W.L. McNeill, S.J. Kirby, Sr., Clate
Gouge, and Ed McBee. Geo. W. Greene was elected temporary
treasurer. Rules and By-Laws Committee were appointed with
Geo. W. Green, S.J. Kirby, Sr., M.C. Brown, Miss Beulah
Berry, and J.T. Riddle serving. The Music Committee was
made up of Mrs. S.J. Kirby, Mrs. C.A. Peterson, Mr. W.L.
McNeill, and Mrs. J.T. Biddle. The Furniture and Sunday
School Committee was composed of Miss Belle McBee, Mrs.
Herbert Hickey, R.B. Sparks, J.T. Biddle, Mrs. D.P. Lineberry,
and Mrs. B.B. Burleson.
Naming the New Organization
The moderator asked that names be suggested for the
organization. The following names were suggested:
Temple Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church, Emanuel
Baptist Church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, and Fellowship
Baptist Church. It was decided that these names, along with
any others that might be suggested, be voted on at the next
meeting – set for Thursday, June 23, 1932, at 8:00 PM. Editor
E.B. Gilbert, Sr. offered free space in the current issue of The
Spruce Pine News for the purpose of announcing the temporary
organization of the new church, and to extend a welcome to the
public to attend its services.
Fraternal & Christian Greetings to First Baptist
At its initial meeting the charter members went on record by
unanimous vote “as expressing most fraternal and Christian
greetings and earnest wishes for the greatest progress and success in Kingdom work for the First Baptist Church. Its membership wished to assure your body again that our most ferverent prayer is that you may continue to enjoy the most abundant blessing of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in every good work.”
The Second Meeting
A meeting was held in Peterson Hall over the J.M. Wellborn
Store on Thursday, June 23, 1932, at 8:00 p.m. “to consider
the propriety of recognizing said company as a regular and
independent Church of Christ.” Mrs. C.A. Peterson had offered
that the oganziation might use Peterson Hall, free of charge,
until further arrangements for a building could be made.
Reverend J.T. Biddle and the pastors from Bakersville, Pine
Branch, and Grassy Creek with a number of delegates met in
Council lead by J.H. Henline as moderator, to discuss and plan
for organizing a new church. Delegates present were Rev. J.
Henline, W.C. Berry, Rev. C.L. Hunt, Rev. Chas. G. Ellis, M.L.
Wilson, B.M. Brown, J.W. McKinney, George W. McKinney,
Bill McKinney, J.C. McBee, Jr., and John C. McBee, Sr.
“A Full Fledged Baptist Church”
The members unanimously chose Central Baptist Church
as the name of the new organization and adopted the official
Rules and By-Laws. The resolution committee had been made
up of Geo. W. Greene, J.T. Biddle, S.J. Kirby, Beaulah Berry,
and M.C. Brown. On a motion made by W.C. Berry, Central
Baptist Church was officially recognized as a “full-fledged Baptist
Church. The organizational meeting adjourned after singing
Blest Be The Tie That Binds.
Officials
At this meeting the following nominations were voted on
and accepted:
- Deacons: M.C. Brown, Geo. W. Greene, Esley Buchanan, Will McNeill, S.J. Kirby, Clate Gouge, & Ed McBee
- Pastor: Rev. J.T. Biddle
- Church Clerk: R.B. Sparks
- Treasurer: Geo. W. Greene
- Financial Sec’y: M.C. Brown
- Chorister: E.B. Gilbert, Sr.
- BYPU Director: Belle McBee
- Sunday School Officers:
- Superintendent: S.J. Kirby
- Associate Supt.: M.C. Brown
- Sec’y- Treas.: Richard Reid
- Assist. Sec’y-Treas.: Paul Gouge
- Superintendent, Home & Cradle Roll Department: Mrs. M.C. Brown
- Associate Superintendent Home & Cradle
Roll Department: Mrs. Herbert Hickey - Mens Class Teacher: S.J. Kirby
- Assoc. Teacher: A.N. Fuller
- Womens Teacher: Will McNeill
- Assoc. Teacher: Miss Beulah Berry
- Inter. Boys Teacher: Geo. W. Greene
- Inter. Girls Teacher: Miss Louella Brown
- Junior Class Teacher: Miss Maye McBee
- Primary Class Teacher: Miss Belle McBee
- Beginners Class Teacher: Mrs. B.B. Burleson
Rev. Biddle’s first sermon as pastor of Central Baptist Church was from Matthew 8: 23-27, entitled “According to Your Faith.”
The first deacon’s meeting was held in Peterson Hall on July 4, 1932.
The use of the downtown building from 1932-1935 was donated by R.S. McCall and Dr. Charles Peterson.
“Plant Is Well Equipped”
The original downtown building known as “Peterson Hall” was used until the Oak Avenue building was completed. According to the June 30, 1932 edition of The Spruce Pine News:
"The auditorium and five Sunday School rooms, the use of which have been generously donated by Dr. and Mrs. Charles A. Peterson, have been fitted with lights, electric fans, comfortable seats, and a nice pulpit. Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Brown have loaned their piano to the church. Five Sunday School rooms are adequately fitted with tables and seats for the junior and primary classes. This is probably one of the best equipped Sunday School departments for elementary work in the Mitchell Association. The making of the furniture was done by Wm. and Edgar McNeill who contributed their labor for this work. A full supply of Sunday School and B.Y.P.U. literature and song books have been provided. The Sunday School orchestra will be in place next Sunday. The leaders in this group have not been named. The services on Sunday were well attended. Mr. Biddle, the Pastor, delivered two strong sermons, as he has the reputation for doing. The B.Y.P.U. got off on a good start in the afternoon meeting under the able leadership of Miss Belle McBee and her able corps of associates."
The Oak Avenue Building
With the building of a new church underway, Rev. Biddle presented a plan for financing the outstanding debts against the church, and also for the completion of the new church building. The church trustees borrowed $2000 from the Mitchell County Building & Loan Association. Twenty members were asked to secure notes of $100 each.
The first church building was constructed from 1933-1937. The “black mountain stone” came from the building of the Altapass Tunnel on the Clinchfield Railroad property. The stone masons were David Greene and a Mr. Mitchell.