Bertie County NC Church - Aulander Methodist Church File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by From a pamphlet entitled, "The Aulander Circuit A Directory of The Aulander, Lewiston, Ebenezer Methodist Churches. Printed, circa 1925. Material copied as given in the pamphlet. "(Condensed from paper written by Judge F.D. Winston) 'Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shem and called the name of it "Ebenezer" saying, "Hitherto doth the Lord help us" '. I Samuel 7:12. Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is situated midway between Aulander and Windsor and is about ten miles from each of these places. The church is on Route 30 of the State Highway which is also designated nationally as the 'Bankhead Highway.' The earliest records concerning Ebenezer Church reveal that Humphrey Ward was pastor and the date of his service is given as 1811. It is fair to assume that such entry is correct. No doubt some subsequent pastor secured much of the information contained in these earlier lists from conference assignments and reports of presiding elders. According to these records a Methodist congregation has worshipped at 'Ebenezer' for about one hundred twenty-five years. William Elliott was assigned as 'Pastor Helper' for the year 1811. These helpers were ministerial students and young preachers on trial. A number who served as helpers were afterwards in full pastoral charge of the work. The land on which the present Ebenezer church stands was part of a tract of land belonging to Joshua Bunch. No deed from him has been found for this church, but the legatees and widow of Joshua Bunch, in deeds executed by them, recognize the ownership by the Church of 'the one acre of land,' On the 31st. of January, 1823, Austin Bunch of Georgia, David Bunch of South Carolina, Pleasant W. Morris of South Carolina, and Moses Brockman of Georgia, conveyed to William Hendrixon, of Bertie County, thirty acres of land 'of the Joshua Bunch land, one acre only to be excepted for the Meeting House.' Before the church was built the congregation, as was very often the case under such circumstances, met in different homes of the members. The home of Elijah Bunch was a favorite spot for such meetings and it naturally followed that he and his family should donate land for the church site and be generous in donations to it. Another of his name, Nehemiah Bunch, donated generously to the church and in fact after providing for his dependent sisters, he gave all he had to Ebenezer. Of course, Ebenezer, as was the case with the whole of the Albemarle section, was at one time in the Virginia Conference. From time to time determined efforts were made to detach that part of North Carolina from the Virginia Conference and add it to the North Carolina Conference. This was accomplished in the year 1890 during the pastorate of Rev. Z.T. Harrison, who was the first North Carolina pastor at Ebenezer. Ebenezer church has at times been on the Harrellsville Circuit, the Bertie Circuit (now known as the Windsor Circuit), the Hobgood Circuit, and finally it has rested in the Aulander Circuit, where it was placed in 1921 at the annual conference held in Edenton Street Church in Raleigh. Examination of the list of Pastors and Helpers disclose that many who served at Ebenezer became prominent at district and annual conferences, and many filled important stations. Rev. William Pell, who was pastor in 1835, was foremost in establishing the 'Christian Advocate', Raleigh. The official organ of the North Carolina Conference. Rev. William Grant, of Northampton County, served in 1851-52. He was an able man, a wise public servant, and a strong speaker. He took deep interest in political affairs and rendered the state great service. Probably the most eloquent minister to serve here was Rev. Joseph Henry Riddick, 1871-72. He, as many before him, rode the circuit on horseback. One of Ebenezer's most distinquished helpers is now living, Rev. Thomas M. Simpson, 1874. He has served as presiding elder in a number of Virginia districts. One of the most beloved pastors was Rev. Robert L. Crooks. All the children were taught to call him 'Uncle Crooks.' Presiding Elder B.F. Woodard served this charge four years. Probably no better known minister of the Methodist Church in North Carolina than Frank Woodard ever lived. Rev. Thos. L. Williams was one of the most learned ministers, not only among Methodists, but of all denominations to serve Bertie County. He served in 1888. There are others who served at Ebenezer with zeal, fidelity and ability. Below is a list of pastors and helpers who served at Ebenezer and are now living in the North Carolina Conference: R.L. Davis, Raleigh, Supt. Anti-Saloon League. W.C. Merritt, Yancyville, Pastor of Yancyville Circuit. J.G. Johnson, Laurinburg, Superannuated. W.D. Woodall, Rowland, Rowland Circuit. D.E. Earnhardt, Durham, Pastor of Calvary Church, Durham. L.D. Hayman, Washington, Pastor Frist Church, Washington. F.B. McCall, Laurel Hill, Superannuated. M.F. Hodges, Fayetteville, Pastor Person St., and Calvary Churches. W.L. Clegg, the present pastor." ======================== 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.