Newspapers / Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.) / June 20, 1957, edition 1 / Page 11
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Blowing Rock Methodist Churtl$ Long Closed, Operates Uniquely By DIT H. E. SPENCE Near the highway leading to Lenoir, a little chureh dwUh haU hidden by tree* and rhododendron bushes It » built of native tim ber and atone and covered with chestnut lark. It is more than a half-century old now and was at one time attached to the Boone Circuit of the MethodUt Church, whoae pastors (erred It regularly The congregation dwindled to auch an extent that it waa no longer feasible to bold regular services in the building. For many years the church was closed. Slightly more than ten years ago, Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Smith of Blowing Rock, conceived of the idea of reopening the church, for summer services only, in order that cottagers and tourists who wished to worship in a Methodist church might have the privilege of so doing. They propeaed to the District Superintendent, Ukt Rev erend J. W. Hoyle, Jr., that if he would secure an outstanding min ister, capable of attracting and holding a congregation, they would furniah living quarters for the minister and hia wife and under write a reasonable honoraium for him. On the occasion of the re opening of the church, Mr. Hoyle told the congregation that be wrote to his old friend and former teach er at Ouke University, Dr. H. E. Spence, and asked that he recom mend a man Who could do the de tired work. According t* Mr! Hoyle, Dr. Spenee recommended himself and waa secured. At any rate, he cam* and is now serving hit tenth term in the capacity oi summer paator. ■* Other* saw-the teasibUity of the proposed project and came to the aid of the Smiths The huorarinm waa rained and the work made such progress that the group was enabled to furhiah living quarters for the minister with little diffi culty. The' congregation grew gradually until today the service! are well attended. There is per haps no more intelligent or cap able congregation of ita size in the South, being made up a* it is of educators, professional men, outstanding business men and oth ers from the leading communities of the Southeast. Under the leaderahlp of the Chairman of the Board of Gov ernors, Mr. L. M Hash of Lenoir, some very' definite improvements have been made within the sanctu ary. All of the furniture has been refinished. A new altar rail has been installed. Die floor has been carpeted with a beautiful red car pet. A magnificent dossal of di vinity red velvet drapes the wall behind the pulpit There are few more attractive sanctuaries in the There are many uniqnr features about this church which may be of internal • O To begin with, there U no local memberahip. Nearly every person In regular attendance is a piember of some other congregation during the winter and is merely an af filiated member here during the rammer. The church la.controlled by a board of governors selected from outstanding persons from outstanding churches in the south east. The services are also unique. Hiere is no cMir and rarely any special music. Familiar hymns are' sung, collects and calls to worship engaged in, responsive readings and prayers nsed, all of which are heartily entered into by the congregation. The services -never last more than an hour. There are no long announcements, exhortations to giving, or appeals made for any purpose. The church is supported entirely by voluntary contribu tions. There has been no mention of money from the pulpit in these ten years. There art no financial campaigns, d^pes or assessments. There are no church fairs, raffles, card parties or other activities for the purpose of raising funds. The collection plates are passed with out comment. An unusual feature of this chureh is the installation of two gas heaters which insure a dry and comfortable church in the most inclement weather. The church is open for worship each Sunday morning at eleven o'clock throughout the summer. -The season doses with the Sun day immediately preceding Labor Day. People of all denominations are welcome to these services. Millers Creek | Holds Lead In Baseball Standings By winning two game* over the week end Millers Creek increased Ms le»d i<i the Tri County Base ball Leafltfe Mabel. Mt Pleasant, Boone and Lenoir are running close behind, however, and could move up to the first spot at any time. The leagae Is being closely fought with many good games each week. Benlts " Sat., June 15—Lenoir 10, West Jefferson J, Mt. Pleasant 7," Foe eoe 0; Lansing 2, Bamboo 1; Mil lers Creek 2, Boone 1; Mabel, open date. Sun., June 10—Mabel 9, Foseoe 4, Millers Creek 4, Lansing 2; Mt. Pleasant 7, West Jefferson 8; Bamboo 7, Lenoir S; Boone, open date. Standings Teams W L Millers Creek «....! 1 Mabel 5 2 Mt. Pleasant ., 5 2 Boone 3 2 Lenoir S 3 Bamboo I!...*. 3 4 Lansing 2 4 W Jefferson ... „.... 1 8 Foseoe ;... 0 7 Schedule Sat., June 22—Mabel at Lenoir (2:90 p. m ), West Jefferson at Milters Creek, Lansing at Sit. Pleasant, Boone at Foseoe, Bam boo, open date. Sun., June 23—Millers Creek at Foseoe, Lenoir at Mt. Pleasant, West Jeffenon at Boone, Bamboo •t Mabel, Lansing, open date. CARD OF THANKS The family of B. B. Dougherty is deeply grateful for the expres sions of sympathy, deeds of kind ness and other acta of friendship during his illhess and passing. NfcWS ABOUT OUH Servicemen ENTEU HOSPITAL OOVMAN SCHOOL AT GREAT LAKE8 7! Robert M. Hetd, U. S. N„ ton of Mr. and Mrs. 0. M. Reid at Jacksonville. Florida, and grand xon at Mr. a&d Mn. Life Reid of Blowing Bock ha* returned to Great I«kes, IU. for IS weeks school as hospital corps man after spending hit hoot leave with his parents and friends in Jackson ville. He would lika to bear from his relatives and friends in Wata uga county. Following is his **■ dress: Robert M Reid SIMMS SA U. S. N. H. S. S. Class 10-57 GREAT LAKES, ILL. • . SERVING IN JAPAN Army First Class Sgt. James H. Bradshaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bradshaw of Boone, is now serving with the USAA MC in Japan. His wife, Ihe former Miss Eva Hollfelder, is on visit to Japan. GRAGG RETURNS FROM PACIFIC TRAINING EXERCISE SAN FRANCISCO — Fred S. Cragg, sonarman seaman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Gragg of Boone, N. C., aboard the destroy er USS Prichett, visited San Fran cisco, Calif., June 13-17, following a major Pacific Fleat training ex ercise with the U. S. First Fleet off the California coast. Some 18,Q00 men and 40 ships were involved in the exercise. On arrival in San Francisco Bay, Vice Admiral Robert L. Dennison, Commander of the First Fleet, conducted a review front his flag ship, the cruiser USS Rochester, at the ships paraded in column under the famed Golden Gate Bridge. The ships were scheduled to re turn to their home ports in Long Beach and San Diego following the visit. U. S. FORCfcS, JAPAN—Sft. Joseph D. Younce, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Winebarger, live in Sugar Grove, N. C., is • member of the 32nd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in Japan. Sergeant Younee, » motor spec ialist in the battalion's Battery C, entered the Army in February 18S5 and reoeived basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. He arrived in Japan ia October 1B9S. The sergeant attended Cove Creek High School. Marines Seek N. C. Recruits p|?T| ' Raleigh, N. ft, June it—"Last Call" for young men who want to Join the Marina* with friend* and neighbor* and leave with the Caro lina Leatherneck Company on June 28th *11 issued today by Major M. V. Harlan, Jr., Martaw recruiting direttor for Km Caro lina*. „ Although company rank! are nearly full. Major Harlan said there were still vacancies for good men who want to serve their coun try at Marine*. New volunteer* shoul<f tee their Jocal Marine re cruiter before June 24th. The all Carolina Marine comp any will parade down the main street in Raleigh to the state capitol on June 96th, and take the Marine'* enlistment oath from Major General John C. Munn, Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Air Wing, Cherry Point, N. C. A four motorcycle eseort, moun ted by ex-Marine* who are now members of the Raleigh Police Department, will lead the parade starting at 12 noon. "Mr. North Carolina", Secretary of State Thad Sure will act as official host to the Leatherneck Company, top. civilian and military officials, and many beautiful young ladiea who have been Invited to attend the ceremony. Immediately following the cere mony, drill Instructors who are natitel of North and Sooth Caro lina, will take the new recruits to Parris Island for their training. Ice cream it both a treat and a wholesome foe4. *u majority at the ttnm in
Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.)
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June 20, 1957, edition 1
11
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