| Summary |
Chapter I describes the physical characteristics of pastern north Carolina which are found to be extremely favorable In climate and natural resources, the early settlers and the numerous and various reasons for their coming into the state, the founding of the city of Martin borough (later Greenville) by Richard Evans, and the religious activities in Eastern North Caroline and the conditions which fostered these activities. churches singled out for special attention are those which were the most influential in the state in the late 1700's end early 1900's; namely, the church of England, Quakers, Presbyterians, and Methodist. (The Baptist Influence is more pertinent to this study and thus will receive separate treatment in the next chapter.) The knowledge of these factors will make it possible to place this study of the history of Memorial Baptist Church in its proper geographical and environmental setting. The founding of Greenville (Memorial) Baptist Church (1827) and the organization of the North Caroline Baptist State Convention (1830) are the most important events in the History of Memorial Baptist church. However, before approaching the accounts of these occasions, sufficient background is provided through a discussion of Baptist beginnings and growth in North Carolina. This background includes a description of the many varieties of Baptists and their theological differences, Following this is an account of the first Baptist work in Pitt county from which came, on May 2# 1927, the organization of the Baptist church in Greenville with a charter membership of twenty-seven including the minister, the Reverend Thomas Mason. Little is known of the proceedings; however, two documents--the church Covenant and the Rules of Decorum--prepared on that occasion have been preserved and are reproduced here. Only three years later, on March 26, 1830, the Baptist church in Greenville played host to the Baptist Benevolent society and from this meeting came the organization of the Baptist state convention of North Carolina. The steps leading to this event and the personalities involved relate much of the history of the Memorial Baptist Church. The years from 1830 to 1865 were formative years for Greenville Baptist church. (Regrettably, no church records for these years are in existence). During these years the Church's laity was outstanding, particularly such men as Dr. J. C. Gorham, Peter P. Lawrence, and Reading S. Blount, whose participation in events beyond the local church sets a precedent which succeeding lay leaders continued. A striking feature was the Church's ministry, or lack of it, as many years it had no minister. During some years it shared an Agent (missionary) of the Baptist state Convention with another church or churches as in the case of Thomas Mason, Prior to the Civil war the Church made rapid progress especially under the leadership of the Reverend Henry Petty (1859-1861). He led Greenville Baptist Church in observing worship services every Sunday for the first time in its history. The Civil '.ar brought this practice to an end. During most of the war years, the church did not have a minister although an army missionary, G. W. Camp, probably was a frequent occupant of the pulpit. |
| Summary |
The following chapters will continue to discuss the Church's ministry and laity. The years from the period of Reconstruction until the turn of the century saw the request by the church's Negro members for a church of their own, considerable evangelistic activities, and growth in the Sunday School. These events, along with a description of a business conference, are examples of Church activities and life in Greenville (soon to be Memorial) Baptist church. information is given pertaining to each minister and his contribution to the growth of the Church, special attention is directed to the Reverend Thomas Carrick who led in the construction of the present sanctuary and ably ministered to the needs of this Church for ten years. A highlight of this period occurred October 12, 1890, when the new sanctuary was dedicated in special services, the Church was renamed Memorial Baptist Church in honor of the organization of the Baptist State Convention in the city of Greenville in 1830. The ceremonies surrounding this are an integral part of the presentation of this celebration. Greenville Baptist church from 1900 to 1914 enjoyed able leadership from a well-educated clergy and. loyal and devoted laity. this leadership and loyalty resulted in active and growing organizations, especially the Sunday School, Woman's Missionary Union, and the Ladies Aid Society. This growth was temporarily halted by the great schism--the disagreement In 1915 which saw more than thirty-seven members withdraw from Memorial and form Immanuel Baptist Church. This action is described as to causes, leaders, results, and the condition of Manorial Church after the schism. Actually, this study revealed that the schism did little to hinder the growth of Memorial Baptist church, possibly because of good ministerial leadership from the Reverends Henry N, Blanchard, William H. Moore, and Leland W. Smith. The ministry of each man is considered separately often with the reaction of Memorial's members to their services. The years from 1924 to 1954 were a time of looking back and moving forward. Memorial Church looked back to the two most significant occasions in its history; the founding of the church, and the role of the Church as host to the organization of the North Caroline Baptist State Convention. These two events were remembered by centennial celebrations. The latter occasion brought to Memorial Church outstanding Baptist ministers, educators, and laymen from throughout North Carolina. The discussion of Memorial's role in World War II reveals that at least thirty-two members went into military service. Those who remained behind joined in the war effort by participation in the Red Cross, holding special days of prayer, and ministering to the servicemen stationed in the area. The attempt to reunite with Immanuel proved to be a disheartening venture, the details of this, along with its leaders and causes of its failure, receive considerable attention. Convinced that reunion was impossible* Memorial Church moved ahead by constructing a new Educational Building. The summary attempts to give a glimpse of yesterday, today, and tomorrow with most of the emphasis on the latter two categories since the past years have been adequately covered. Today Memorial Church, under the leadership of the Reverend Percy B. Upchurch, has a membership of 71S, an annual budqet of $65,000, and has recently constructed a new parsonage. Tomorrow, following the vision of the Long Range Planning Committee, is devoted to continued growth and the construction of a new sanctuary to care for the expected growth. |
| Local note | Joyner-"Presented to the faculty of the Department of History ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History." |
| Local note | Joyner-"Presented to the faculty of the Department of History ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History." |
| Local note | Joyner-"Presented to the faculty of the Department of History ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History." |
| General note | Submitted to the faculty of the Department of History. |
| General note | Advisor: Lawrence F. Brewster |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina College |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-120). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
