This one is so exciting! I hope someone finds a relative mentioned here. >Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 21:57:37 -0400 >From: "Lynn B. Cunningham" <lcunnin1@bellsouth.net> > >Subject: History of Flat Rock Primitive Baptist Church > >This history was copied from a document found in the Pike County >Library. Author unknown and run on an old mimeograph machine, I >estimate it was written in the late 1950's or early 1960's. From the >list of original members I found my great grandparents, Jim and Ann >Bevil, and her brother Ben Hawkins and his wife Margaret. >The Early History of Flat Rock Primitive Baptist Church > >Flat Rock church had its origin in a school building located about six >miles north of Zebulon on Highway 19, where Patton's Road joins the >highway. The site, on the east side of the highway, was part of the >Cicero Gresham estate, and adjoined the Gresham Cemetery. Soon after >Pike County was established, Cicero Gresham donated land for a school. >It was given the name "Flat Rock" by one of the early teachers, Mr. >Hartford Green, because nearby there is a large flat rock approximately >twelve by twenty feet. > >The church was established in 1869, and was organized by Elder W.T. >"Bill" Goddard. On Friday, November 12, 1869, brethren, sisters, and >friends met at Flat Rock Post Office, for the purpose of organizing a >Primitive Baptist Church. Elders present by invitation, Edmond Dumas, >John Mullins, John E. Duke, and W.T. "Bill" Goddard. > >After a divine service by Elder Edmond Dumas, the Elders present formed >a presbytery, went into the house, and called for the members desiring >to form a church by Constitution. The following persons responded: >Wm.H. Harden and wife, Richard Green and wife, John R. Sikes, Mrs. >Elizabeth Pitts, Mrs. Nancy Billingsley, and Mrs. Mary J. Seagraves. >After an examination of these persons according to Baptist order, they >were found orthodox and orderly. Therefore at their request, they were >pronounced a Baptist Church of Christ by the name Flat Rock Primitive >Baptist Church of Christ. The aforesaid action being taken and recorded, >the Presbyters signed their names as F. Dumas, John Mullins, John E. >Duke, and Wm.T. Goddard, and the assembly was dismissed. > >The next day, Saturday, November 13th, 1869, the church held the first >meeting. In conference, Elder W.T. Goddard was called as pastor for the >coming year and he agreed to serve the church. Services were held in the >school building from 1869 until 1898. > >The following pastors served "Old Flat Rock" church: Elder W.T. "Bill" >Goddard, Elder John Mullins, Elder Isaac Nichols, Elder James Freeman, >Elder Gunter (Dr. I.L.), Elder Lions, and Elder J.A. Wright. Elder Wright >was ordained at "Old Flat Rock" Church. Pastors serving Flat Rock Church >in later years included: Elder A.C. Elliott, Elder Dan Henderson, Elder >Geo.D. Goddard, and at present time Elder Charlie F. York. Among the >charter members were Mr. Gilben Greene, Mrs. Melvinie Gresham, Mr. Jim >Bevil, Mrs. Ann Bevil, Mr. Berl Aikins, Mrs. Emma Aikins, Mr. W.P. "Wash" >Harden, Mrs. Ginnie Harden, Mrs. Lizzie Kendrick Reeves, Mr. Ben Hawkins, >Mrs. Margaret Kendrick Hawkins, Mr. & Mrs. William Kendrick, Mr. Newton >Wilson, Mrs. Bethena Kendrick Wilson, Mrs. Martha Kendrick Milligan, and >Mrs. Pitts, Mother of Martin Pitts lovingly called "Grandma Pitts." Although >Mr. Cicero Gresham and Mr. John Gresham attended the early church, they >left their membership with old Harmony Church. > >I feel that the following story belongs in the account of the early >church. One night Mr. John Gresham was checking his slave quarters, he >heard a young slave girls voice, he asked her what she was doing, and >she answered, "Praying." He talked with her, and learned that she wanted >to be baptized. The next preaching day, he took her behind him on his horse >to old Harmony Church, where she joined the church and was baptized. After >the war ended, she had no way to go to her church, so she asked for membership >at Flat Rock. She told the congregation: "My ole Marster give the land >for this church, and I'se too old to walk to my church." She was received >into the church and was lovingly called "Aunt Millie." On the first communion >after she became a member, Mrs. Ann Bevil washed Aunt Millie's feet. > >In 1898, the church was moved to its present site. Land for the present >church and a school house was donated by a Mrs. Morgan and he husband's niece, >Miss Betty Madden. The first service in the new church building was held >in September 1898. The first hymn was "Lenox" by Charles Wesley, The Year of >the Jubilee Is Come, Return Ye Ransomed Sinners Home." Elder W.T. "Bill" >Goddard preached the first sermon. Virginia Crilley