A Brief Historical Sketch of the 
 Methodist Church in Fair Bluff 
 
 B. S. Stanfleld 
 
DUKE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
Brief Historical Sketch 
 
 of the 
 
 Methodist Church 
 
 flip 
 
 Fair Bluff 
 
 Fair Bluff, N. C. 
 
 "The world is my parish." — John Wesley 
 
 ®. <?. Stanfield 
 Jonesboro, C. 
 
 $ 73 S 
 
ci MM _ _ Bk. V. 
 
 Trinity College Library 
 
 Durham, N. C. 
 
A 
 
 Brief Historical Sketch 
 
 of the 
 
 Methodist Church 
 
 in 
 
 Fair Bluff 
 
 Fair Bluff, N. C. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/briefhistoricalsOOstan 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 In preparing this brief sketch of Methodism in Fair 
 Bluff, it has been indeed a labor of love. During the first 
 years of my ministry there we labored hard to complete 
 the work and get the church ready for dedication. 
 
 When I saw this would be accomplished, I set about to 
 search up the old records and find anything that I could 
 for data and information. 
 
 Bro. Frizzelle was kind and helped me greatly in search- 
 ing the old Quarterly Conference Records at Whiteville. 
 
 I am also indebted to Mr. R. Q. Powell, one of the oldest 
 citizens of Fair Bluff, for valuable information. He could 
 recall from memory many of the men and incidents 
 of the work here. He remembered very well Mr. 
 James McGowan, the first steward. He says that he was 
 a genuinely good man and beloved by all. 
 
 Brother O. Wiliams, one of the oldest living members and 
 trustee, also gave valuable information. 
 
 A part of this sketch was read at the dedication. 
 
 So I trust this work may be preserved and accomplish 
 some good. Sincerely, 
 
 January, 1922. B. E. STANFIELD. 
 
PRESENT BRICK CHURCH IN FAIR BLUFF, COMMENCED 1914 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 THE TOWN OF FAIR BLUFF 
 
 In the extreme lower corner of Columbus county is lo- 
 cated the town of Fair Bluff. Just two miles farther on is 
 the South Carolina line and Marion county. 
 
 The town is right on the banks of what was formerly 
 known as Drowning Creek, but is now called Lumber 
 River. This is the same river that has its source up in 
 the hills of Moore county and flows on down by Lumberton 
 and Boardman on to Georgetown, S. C, and there unites 
 with the Waccamaw and forms the Congaree River, which 
 empties into the Atlantic Ocean. 
 
 I have been told that the business section of Fair Bluff 
 is so close to the river bank that in times of big freshets 
 the water would be all up in town. I have seen rowboats 
 being used on the streets there to carry the people across 
 certain washouts or low places. 
 
 I suppose this is where the town got its name — from the 
 bluff or high banks. A beautiful street with overlapping 
 trees runs parallel with the river and many pretty resi- 
 dences are on this river front. 
 
 Just across the river is Robeson county, but for four or 
 five miles it is low, flat swamp lands and no one lives in 
 there. The noted Ashpole Swamp empties into the river 
 just on the opposite side from the town and often all that 
 great area of land is covered with water from this and 
 other swamps. 
 
 I have no record that tells just when Fair Bluff was settled. 
 It is an old town and was the trading place and only town 
 for all that section. There was a regular line of boats 
 plying between the town and Georgetown. I suppose they 
 were small boats and very irregular. 
 
 After the railroad from Wilmington to Florence was 
 built the boat line was discontinued. 
 
There are a number of old residences in the town that in 
 other days were considered palaces. They are large, ele- 
 gant and well loca ted with large front lawns which was 
 characteristic of the times. 
 
 The people have always been noted for their hospitality, 
 kindness and pleasant manners. They have never been a 
 people to go off on every wave of enthusiasm, but have 
 been quiet, reserved and prone to take life easy. 
 
 Among the early inhabitants we find some of the names 
 that are familiar in many quarters. Among these are the 
 Smiths, Powells, Andersons, Williams, Waddells, Jenkins, 
 Rogers and many others, who have been the pillars and 
 prominent citizens and are today prominent there. 
 
 They were very proud of the town and the many large 
 shade trees of oak, gum, elm, etc., in which the citizens 
 took special pride and they gave the town a very restful 
 and picturesque appearance. 
 
 There was a large sweet gum right in the heart of the 
 business section in front of the Anderson old store, with 
 seats built all around it; and here on hot summer days 
 many a joke was told and the current issues and news dis- 
 cussed. Just across the street was a large water oak in 
 front of Bro. "Pat" Wad dell's store, known as the "skin 
 tree." For he was and is a great dealer in all kinds of fur, 
 skins and hides, and on this tree they were often hung to 
 dry or for advertisement. He had such a large trade of 
 this kind that he was known as the "skin man" far and 
 near. 
 
 The rivers and swamps nearby afforded an abundance of 
 such wild animals as otters, coons, foxes, minks and many 
 others. It would surprise us to know how many thousands 
 of dollars have been paid for these furs in Fair Bluff. 
 
 Notwithstanding the town was so near the river, it was 
 always considered a healthy place. The mosquito was al- 
 most unknown in town, and but very little fever was ever 
 known there. 
 
 The river always affords excellent fresh water fish, 
 both summer and winter. Several men give their entire 
 time to this sport and make their living fishing. Among 
 the chief of these is Ed Rogers, who rarely ever fails to 
 
get the beautiful fish that are found in the river when he 
 goes, and that is almost every day. 
 
 Before I close this chapter I must say that good roads 
 and highways have greatly changed the looks of things in 
 Fair Bluff. A few civil engineers have pulled down all the 
 old shade trees on the streets and widened them out. 
 Even the "rest" and "skin" trees are gone with them. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN FAIR BLUFF 
 
 In relating the dates and incidents of this chapter, they 
 refer to the establishing and building of a Methodist 
 church in Fair Bluff, rather than to preaching services. 
 For I am persuaded that the old-time circuit rider on his 
 faithful horse with saddle-bags, hymn book and Bible, went 
 everywhere preaching the word of God; and they may have 
 had occasional or regular appointments in this town long 
 before a church was ever plained or even they were con- 
 sidered a part of any regular charge or circuit. For it is 
 a known fact that just across the river, about five miles, 
 near what is now known as Marietta, there was a regular 
 preaching appointment and Olivet church was founded 
 about 1830, long before a church was built at Fair Bluff. 
 It is a matter of history that the first Sunday school ever 
 established in North Carolina was organized near Olivet 
 church in 1817, and it is probable this is the real fact as to 
 the first Sunday school. 
 
 That well known and beloved character, Rev. John 
 Oliver, a local preacher with a burning heart, went all 
 over that section with the message of the Christ. I have 
 heard the old citizens tell how he would roll up his panta- 
 loons and wade that great field of water before a road was 
 ever built across the swamp and come to Fair Bluff and 
 preach anywhere he could get a few together. He was a 
 preacher for 67 years and only eternity will reveal the 
 vast amount of good this flaming evangel of the cross did 
 all through that territory. 
 
 The Baptists began or built their church later in Fair 
 Bluff, but have always been in the majority as to numbers. 
 Our Methodist people have had many odds and hard bat- 
 tles to meet, but their faith and zeal have never failed. 
 They have been noted for the quality of their service and 
 not numbers. 
 
The Methodist church had its beginning in Fair Bluff 
 during the exciting and stormy days just before the Civil 
 War. It is a fact that Rev. Mr. Godwin held regular ser- 
 vices in the Masonic Hall in 1855, because there was no 
 church building of any sort in the village. 
 
 The first notice of the society as an organization ap- 
 pears in the Quarterly Conference records for the White- 
 ville circuit, February 9, 1856. The conference was held 
 at Swindell's church and Fair Bluff is reported as having 
 paid $5. CO on the preacher's salary. Rev. C. M. Pepper 
 was the preacher in charge, and Rev. D. Nicholson, presid- 
 ing elder. 
 
 The first Quarterly Conference for the year 1858 was at 
 Carver's Creek, March 2Cth, and the minutes show that 
 Jas. M. McGowan was elected a steward for Fair Bluff. He 
 was a good man, beloved by all, and even some who are 
 livL.g here today remember him and speak well of his 
 Christian character. When the question was asked at the 
 Quarterly Conference "Where shall the next one be held?" 
 the answer was made "Fair Bluff." This was the first one, 
 perhaps, that was ever held here, and as the later facts 
 will show, was an epoch making one for the struggling 
 little band of Methodists. 
 
 I will quote fully from the records of this conference: 
 
 it was held May 22, 1858, and the following members 
 were present: Rev. O. L. Brent, P. E. pro tern (he was 
 also the pastor this year; Rev. D. B. Nicholson was the 
 presiding elder but was absent); Miles Foy, L. E.; W. A. 
 Savage, S. & C. L. ; Jas. 1VI. McGowan, S. & C. L. ; K. K. 
 Council, C. L. J. M. McGowan was appointed secretary. 
 
 The minutes show that on motion the following gentle- 
 men were appointed a building committee to build a church 
 for the use of M. E. Church, South, at the village of Fair 
 Bluff, to-wit: Augusta Smith, Sr., Burrell Smith, A. L. 
 Drake and W. H. Smith. 
 
 We have no record to show just how much this building 
 cost or how many members were on the roll, but the com- 
 mittee set about their task, and we know from good au- 
 thority that the house was very soon built, as the deed 
 bears the date of August 8th, 1859. The original copy of 
 
this deed is here with this paper. It was given by Augusta 
 Smith to Rev. John Oliver, Kenneth Haynes, Daniel D. 
 Campbell, Owen Hcbbs, Edwin J. Pate, Trustees. This 
 clause appears in the deed which deserves notice: "And 
 in further trust and confidence that they shall always and 
 forever hereafter permit such ministers of the gospel as 
 may at any time hereafter be appointed by said confer- 
 ence, or be in good standing in said conference, to expound 
 God's holy word, in any house or houses as have been or 
 may hereafter be erected upon the lot heretofore de- 
 scribed." So this faithful band built a comfortable house 
 which was considered a fine church in its day. The build- 
 ing was of the very best heart lumber and stood until torn 
 down to make room for a new building in 1914. Thus it 
 would seem that the same spirit of love, sacrifice and de- 
 votion that was found in the first society continues to flow 
 on through the years until this day. And as silently and 
 peacefully as the waters of Drowning Creek, now called 
 Lumber River, find their way to the ocean, almost on whose 
 banks this church stands, so may their labors and sacri- 
 fice be kept in the archives of heaven. 
 
 At the first Quarterly Conference for the next year, Feb- 
 ruary 12, 1859, it is reported that the stewards fixed the 
 pastor's salary for the circuit at $150, and Fair Bluff was 
 apportioned $50 of this amount, But in the apportionment 
 of this amount to the different churches it amounted to 
 $285, which was not all paid that year. It is worthy of 
 note that the assessment of Fair Bluff church for preacher 
 in charge remained at $50 for each year until 1875. when 
 it was raised to $75. 
 
 At a later Quarterly Conference the records show that 
 Fair Bluff lacked 25 cents of paying the preacher in full 
 for the year. 
 
 The present church building was begun during the pas- 
 torate of Rev. W. C. Martin in 1914. We regret his ab- 
 sence today. He writes that in the launching of this 
 church building it cost him much sweat and energy and he 
 burnt up a whole reservoir of energy. 
 
 The following composed the building committee: A. W. 
 Jenkins, S. C. Scott, C. B. Martin, R. B. Williams and F. 
 
B. Van Sant. Later J. B. Williams was substituted for 
 A. W. Jenkins, who had moved to Marion, S. C. After sev- 
 eral years of struggle and peculiar trials the faithful ones 
 who have stood so nobly and generously by the enterprise, 
 ever ready and willing to dare and to do, are today filled 
 with joy in humble thanks to God for this glad hour. It is 
 an auspicious hour in their lives, and for Methodism in 
 this community. This beautiful and commodious building, 
 the only brick church in Columbus ccunty for white people, 
 stands as a monument to their love, devotion and zeal, and 
 is a silent witness to the years of faithful sacrifice. And 
 friends, we are glad to have you with us today to share in 
 our joy and rejoicing in this glad hour. 
 
 This church, as you see it, represents an actual cost of 
 about $10,000, with a small membership of only about 65; 
 the average cost per member has been more than $150 for 
 every boy and girl. But this enterprise, like nearly all 
 other church work, did not receive a hearty approval and 
 endorsement and support of all the membership. We be- 
 lieve that we could almost say that only about half of the 
 members did their full duty in this work. But it is the 
 finished task, and we do not regret the cost. 
 
 This paper would not in any sense be complete without 
 special mention and notice of the faithful, devoted and 
 generous service of the elect ladies of the church who have 
 done so much to complete this task and to make possible 
 this hour of dedication. Through the medium of the local 
 Ladies' Aid Society, with a membership of not more than 
 eleven at any time, their great work has been done. They 
 report that they have raised and paid into this church the 
 sum of $1,269.77. Whenever the men needed money for any 
 special work they did not hesitate to call on these good 
 women, and the Ladies' Aid Society was always ready, or 
 soon found the money. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 LIST OF PASTORS AND PRESIDING ELDERS OF THE 
 WILMINGTON DISTRICT 
 
 It would require much space and time even to attempt 
 t3 tell of the faithful service of the pastors who have 
 served Fair Bluff church. Some of them were very promi- 
 nent in the church and conference in their day; and all 
 of them wrought righteousness, subdued kingdoms of sin, 
 and I trmt their labors will abide. 
 
 Of all this long list only a few are living. Revs. T. J. 
 Browning and P. Greening are the oldest living ones. So 
 I shall only try to give the names and date of service of 
 each without any comment. The list is as follows: 
 
 Rev. Norman A. H. Godwin, 1855. 
 Rev. C. M. Pepper, 1856. 
 Rev. Norman A. H. Godwin, 1857. 
 Rev. Oscar J. Brent, 1858. 
 Rev. G. W. Heptinstall, 1859. 
 Rev. Caswell W. King, 1860. 
 Rev. Thomas J. Gattis, 1861. 
 
 Rev. James C. Brent, 1862 and a part of 1863. He died 
 at the home of Mrs. Smith, near Whiteville, with fever the 
 8th of August of that year. He was greatly beloved by all 
 and preached only five years. 
 
 Rev. G. K. Andrews finished up the year's work. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan H. Dally, 1864, 1865. 
 
 Rev. John W. Jenkins, 1866. Later on in life he founded 
 our orphanage at Raleigh. 
 Rev. R. P. Bibb, 1867. 
 Rev. J. B. Alford, 1868. 
 Rev. W. M. D. Moore, 1869, 1870. 
 Rev. W. H. Kirton, 1871. 
 Rev. W. B. Maness, 1872. 
 Rev. Max H. Hoyle, 1873, 1874. 
 
Rev. J. B. Bailey, 1875. 
 
 Rev. Philip Greening, 1876. 
 
 Rev. J. T. Lyon, 1877, 1878, 1879. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Randall, 1880. 
 
 Rev. J. J. Carden, 1881. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Puett, 1882. 
 
 Rev. C. W. Smith, 1883, 1884, 1885. 
 
 Rev. J. M. Downum, 1886. 
 
 Rev. J. C. Crisp, 1887. 
 
 Rev. T. J. Browning, 1888. 
 
 Rev. H. M. Eure, 18S9. 
 
 Rev. C. W. Smith, 1890, 1891. 
 
 Rev. W. A. Forbes, 1892, 1893. 
 
 Rev. C. W. Smith, 1894. He served the church three 
 different times. 
 
 Rev. W. H. Townsend, 1895, 1896. 
 Rev. A. R. Raven, 1S97, 1898, 1899. 
 Rev. A. S. Barnes, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903. 
 Rev. J. T. Draper, 1904, 1905. 1906. 
 Rev. R. F. Taylor, 1907, 1908. 
 Rev. F. F. Eure, supply, 1909, 1910. 
 Rev. T. H. Bain, supply, 1911, 1912. 
 Rev. W. C. Martin, 1913, 1914. 
 Rev. D. L. Earnhardt, 1915. 
 
 Rev. G. M. Daniel, 1916 and part of 1917, until removed 
 to Aberdeen in June. 
 
 Rev. G. R. Jordan finished the year 1917. 
 Rev. B. E. Stanfield, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921. 
 
 The following is the list of presiding elders who have 
 served the Wilmington district of which Fair Bluff church 
 has been a part. There is only one skip of nine years in 
 this list: 
 
 Rev. D. B. Nicholson, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858. 
 Rev. C. F. Deems, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862. 
 Rev. D. B. Nicholson, 1863, 1864, 1865. 
 Rev. L. P. Burkhead, 1866, 1870. 
 Rev. Wm. Closs, 1870, 1873. 
 Rev. W. S. Black, 1874, 1877. 
 Rev. L. S. Burkhead, 1878, 1880. 
 
Rev. R. O. Burton, 1881, 1882. 
 Rev. W. H. Babbitt, 1883, 1884. 
 Rev. P. J. Carraway, 1885. 
 Rev. T. W. Guthrie, 1886, 1888. 
 Rev. F. D. Swindell, 1889, 1890. . 
 Rev. R. F. Bumpass, 1898. 
 Rev. W. L. Cunninggim, 1907, 1910. 
 Rev. N. H. D. Wilson, 1911, 1912, 
 Rev. L. E. Thompson, 1913, 1916. 
 Rev. J. H. Shore, 1917, 1920. 
 
 It might do to explain that Fair Bluff church was first 
 on the Whiteville circuit. Later changed to Evergreen 
 circuit. Eut now a part of the Charbourn circuit since 
 1912 or 1913. 
 
 In all there have been thirty-eight regular pastors of the 
 circuit. But now a part of the Chadbourn circuit since 
 its organization. 
 
 I could mention the names of several worthy local 
 preachers that had regular appointments. The most prom- 
 inent of these was Rev. John Oliver, already mentioned; 
 Rev. J. H. Tart and Rev. John Gaddy. No doubt these 
 faithful men did much good. Brother Tart was from 
 South Carolina. 
 
BISHOP U. V. W. DARLINGTON 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE DEDICATION 
 
 As stated above, these faithful ones were several years 
 building this new brick church. They met with many ob- 
 stacles, and especially just as the great work was begun, 
 about this time, conditions changed. Their motto was 
 "pay as you go." So when money gave out the work would 
 stop. Several times they had to buy new material, for in 
 waiting the old would rot or become useless. 
 
 Finally, after long patience and endurance with hard 
 work the church was finished and ready for dedication. 
 
 Bishop U. V. W. Darlington of Huntington, W. Va.,- the 
 bishop in charge of the N. C. Conference, was invited to 
 come; the date was fixed and all plans were ready. It 
 may be w r ell to state here that so far as any remembers 
 it was the first time a Methodist bishop ever visited Fair 
 Bluff, and many of the people had never seen one of our 
 general superintendents. This within itself added much 
 interest to the occasion, and some had never seen a church 
 dedicated, which was another drawing card. 
 
 As Bishop Darlington could not be with us on a Sunday, 
 we set Wednesday, January 14 1920, for the dedication. 
 The day was clear and beautiful. Mrs. B. F. Rogers, as 
 organist, had selected special music and the regular hymns 
 as suggested in the Hymnal were used. Her brother, Mr. 
 Joe Wells of Manning, S. C, sang two beautiful solos. 
 
 Rev. J. H. Shore, presiding elder of the Wilmington dis- 
 trict, had charge of the service. Rev. B. F. Watson, P. C. 
 Hallsboro churge, led the opening prayer. The scripture 
 lessons were read by Revs. J. H. Shore and J. H. Frizzelle 
 as laid down in the Discipline. 
 
 Bishop Darlington announced his text as follows: "The 
 Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings 
 of Jacob." Ps. 87-2. 
 
For about one hour he preached a great sermon, show- 
 ing the foundation, place and mission of the church in the 
 world. Every one went away with a higher and more glo- 
 rious conception of the church than ever before. To try 
 to outline this great message would be impossible, but one 
 thing he made very clear was that the church is composed 
 of good men and women. The name of the particular de- 
 nomination is only a matter of choice. And in the next 
 place, God loves the church. He reached the climax here 
 and carried the audience to great heights of thought. 
 
 After the sermon Rev. G. M. Daniel, a former pastor, 
 came forward and read a brief historical sketch of this 
 church. This paper shewed the beginning of the present 
 building and the struggles of the members. 
 
 Then the pastor, B. E. Stanfield, stated that the amount 
 of indebtedness was $225; that at the beginning of the 
 year it was $400, but all had been secured of that amount 
 except $225. Then Bishop Darlington asked the audience 
 to secure this. In about five minutes this was pledged. 
 The Ladies' Aid Society promised $50. At the suggestion 
 cf the Bishop and a few remarks by Brother Daniels, who 
 was acting as secretary, it was decided not to stop. In a 
 few more minutes over $400 was subscribed and nearly all 
 of it was paid that day or later. 
 
 No one can tell how the hearts of those people leaped 
 with joy as they felt the great burden of this debt roll off 
 their shoulders and the finished task with a church now 
 ready for dedication. 
 
 Then the trustees, viz., J. B. Williams, S. C. Scott, C. B. 
 Martin and J. H. Turner, steward, came forward and pre- 
 sented the church to Bishop Darlington for dedication, 
 which was done according to the Discipline, and after a 
 few well chosen remarks, the closing and crowning climax 
 came when all felt like singing heartily, "Praise God from 
 whom all blessings flow," etc. The benediction was pro- 
 nounced by Rev. J. H. Shore. 
 
 A bountiful and sumptuous dinner was spread on the 
 church grounds in picnic style and all seemed to enjoy it 
 and the social hour. 
 
After an intermission or recess for one hour or more, the 
 congregation reassembled and Rev. J. H. Frizzelle preached 
 a most helpful and interesting sermon. It was a great 
 message for all. 
 
 Thus closed one of the red letter days for Methodism in 
 Fair Bluff, and it will be remembered for many years by 
 all those who were present. It was an epoch making day. 
 All were glad of the great triumph and success and were 
 so delighted to have the genial, kind and fraternal Bishop 
 in their midst. 
 
 It seemed as if the people from the nearby towns and 
 those in the town of Fair Bluff understood just how many 
 it would take to fill the church, for it was just comfortably 
 filled with scarcely a vacant seat and all well taken. 
 
 The following ministers were present from the adjacent 
 charges: Rev. B. F. Watson, Hallsboro; Rev. J. H. Friz- 
 zelle, Whiteville; Rev. C. N. Phillips, Tabor; Rev. W. F. 
 Warwick, Fairmont, Robeson circuit; Rev. G. 1VI. Daniel, 
 Aberdeen; and Rev. J. H. Shore, Wilmington. 
 
 To the Great Head of the church be honor, and glory, 
 and power, and dominion, forever and forever. Amen. 
 Amen.