Bertie County NC Colerain Baptist Church File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by David C. Miller dcm@inteliport.com http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/bertie/church/colerain.txt The following furnished by Linda G. Northcott and submitted by David C. Miller "A sketch of Colerain Baptist Church" by W.R. Rayner Back in the 18th century when men were being persecuted by the Established Church, for worshipping God according to their religious convictions the Baptist being democratic and acknowledging no Priest, Bishop or other religious potentate, but taking Jesus Christ as the only King and High Priest believing that all men are born equal: and that the religion of Jesus Christ is a personal matter, and that each person should have the right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. Holding these views they received a large part of the persecution of those days, but God as in former times had his Servants ready, and it is largely due to them, by God's help that we enjoy Religious Freedom today. The early church was referred to as the Colerain Meeting House, whose location was not known, but was used for a period of twenty years. A piece of land was bought of Josiah Holley by the Wiccacon Baptist Church about 1/2 mile west of Colerain and a House erected and Dedicated to the service of the Lord Dec, 15th, 1849. Rev. Aaron Jones of Edenton preaching the Dedication Sermon. The Church changed it name after moving into its new house of worship from Wiccacon Baptist Church to Colerain Baptist Church. As in every organization and enterprise some one has to lead and manage so Colerain Church had its members who wrought mightily in the upbuilding and pushing forward the Master's work. Rev. John Nowell was "one of the strong personalities in those days". Nowell was baptized in March, 1832, licensed to preach in June, 1834 and elected pastor in 1835. "He entered upon his pastoral care of the church January 1836 and continued as pastor untill the close of the year 1857 making 22 years in succession. Under Nowell's leadership, "the church prospered, grew spiritually, numerically and financially. The brethen followed him gladly, and the church was free from strife, bickerings and the like, and seemed to dwell together in brotherly love and Christian fellowhip, striving to promote their Master's kingdom. The following are the Pastors as appears on the record as they came along, Robert Henry and William Newbern. Occasional Pastors or transcient ministers Elder Dargan, Cashie; David Welch, Ballards Bridge; James Bass, Bass Meeting House; Rheuben Lawrence, Cashie. Unordained Ministers were James Nowell, Jeremiah Cale, Samuel Harrell, David Welch." The following is a list of the pastors and their tenure: Elder James Delk January 1832 - January 1836 John Nowell January 1836 - January 1858 W.W. Stone January 1858 - January 1861 Edward Jordan January 1861 - June 1861 A. Modowell August 1861 - January 1862 John Mitchell January 1862 - January 1867 B.B. Williams January 1867 - January 1877 T.W. Babb January 1877 - March 1890 C.P. Bogard July 1890 - November 1890 C.N. Donaldson December 1890 - January 1892 S.F. Bristoe January 1892 - January 1901 W.P. Jordan January 1901 - 1903 J.W. Rose January 1903 - January 1905 S.B. Barnes January 1905 - January 1906 M.P. Davis January 1906 - April 1910 H.A. Clark April 1910 - November 1910 A.O. Alderman January 1911 A.O. Alderman our present pastor began his work with us in January, 1911 and we trust the Lord will so lead and direct Pastor and people that he may serve us many years and lead us in higher, nobler and better lives, and that our church may shine forth as a great Beacon Light, to lead the unsaved in and around Colerain to Him who gave Himself a ransom for all who will accept Him. Below is a list of the Deacons prior to the dedication in 1849: Joshua Freeman, John Britton, Hardy Hunter, Abraham Rhodes, David Valentine, 1st Francis Evans, James Ward, Elijah Rayner, Solomon White, David Valentine 2nd, Lemuel Evans, John Wilson, James L. Morris, John L. Britton, Joseph Smith, Etherton Wilson, J.W. Beasley, Henry Pearce. Clerks prior to 1849: Timothy Walton, Stephen Thatch, B.H. Ward, John Williams, J.L. Morris, Etherton Wilson, J.W. Beasley. As is always true some men have to be leaders, Bro. Etherton Wilson was a man of sterling worth, Honesty, Truthful, Sober, of fine Judgement and executive ability, of unquestioned piety, a man whom all men spake well. His brethen for many years looked to him for counsel and guidance and not only his brethen, but the people of his county placed him as county commissioner to look after the welfare of his county, which place he filled with credit to himself and honor to his county. There was not a man in the county whom the people esteemed higher than they did Bro. Etherton Wilson." As strange as it may seem there has not gone out but two preachers from her membership in all of her life which amounts to 131 years. One of those was Rev. John Nowell and the other Rev. B.B. Williams. Bro. Williams was licensed to preach Oct. 1852 and in September 1854 was granted a letter of dismission with 30 other Brethen and Sisters and organized Mars Hill Baptist Church, at which time Bro. Williams was ordained and assumed the charge of the new church as Pastor. Bro. Williams was a good, great and useful man serving many churches and doing valiant work for the Lord. He came back and served his old Mother Church as pastor for several years. At the April Meeting 1853 Colerain Baptist Church sent word to the Association by her Delegates that she was ready to pay her part of the salary of a Missionary to China as soon as one could be found that would go. Thus you see that this church had the true missionary spirit 58 years ago. May the Lord give us an awakening to our duty along this line and give us the will to perform it. After several years worshipping at their place of worship known as the old Colerain Church some of the brethen thought it would be best to procure a site in the Town of Colerain, and erect a building and sell the old property. Sentiment was somewhat divided, but after a while it was decided to move in the Town. On July, 1883 Mr. E.E. Etheridge gave to the church a Deed for one acre of land where the church now stands. Accordingly arrangements were made to build upon said lot and on the completion of the house the 3rd Sunday on June 1892 was set apart for the Dedication of said House. Bro. C.W. Scarboro preached the Dedicatory Sermon after which a recess was taken of two hours and the large congregation was bountifully fed and watered. The tolling of the bell recalled the people and Bro. T.G. Wood gave a lecture on the qualification of a Deacon, after which Brethen W.B. Watford, Jos. W. Outlaw, Jos. D. Evans and William L. Norwell were ordained ad Deacons Rev. C.W. Scarboro, T.G. Wood and B.B. Williams assisting in the ordination services. Thus ended a day of joy and Thanksgiving and the church started with renewed determination to do more and better work for the Master in the future. During the pastorship of M.P. Davis a new structure was conceptualized. It has never been the privilege of this writer to see a man who worked more diligently in each and every thing that they did to the completion of the building. The Brethen and sisters came to his aid, all working together in union love and harmony and with a full determination to succeed with God's help. The people not members with us helped us generously for which we return our sincere thanks. Today finds us here 19 years from the dedication of the last House of worship with this magnificent Temple without a penny due thereon, to be dedicated to the service of the Lord. Bethlehem, Mars Hill, Harrellsville, Bethany, and Christian Harbor are all descended from this church and Holly Grove, Ross, Capeharts and posibly others have partly descended from her. Brethen and sisters let us take courage and see to it that the Mother and Grandmother of these churches go forward in the work of the Lord and by and by when we shall meet each other on the other shore we will clasp hands and thank our blessed Savior for the Great and glorious work and the blessed influences of old Colerain Baptist Church. ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.