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Section B
Wednesday, September 18, 1985
Section B
Wednesday, September 18, 1985
Warren Plains Baptist Church celebrated its 200th
year of ministry Sunday with homecoming services
and dinner on the grounds. More than 250 church
members, former members, their families, and
friends of the congregation were in attendance. The
sermon at the 11 a.m. service was brought by the
Rev. H. V. Conner, pastor of the church from 1972
to 1975. (Staff Photo by Dianne T. Rod well)
"A History of Warren Plains Baptist Church,
1785-1985" was available for the first time Sunday to
those attending a bicentennial celebration and
homecoming at the church. The first copy off the
press was presented to Church Clerk Leonard Wilker
(above, second from right) for the church archives.
Other copies were presented to the Rev. John
Woodard with the N.C. Baptist Historical Collection
(left) and Dr. Joe Babb (second from left), director
of missions with tfae Cuilom Baptiat Association. Tbe
Rev. Clayton J. Shook, pastor at Warren Plains, is
shown at right. (Staff Photo by Kay Horner)
Copies of "A History of Warren Plains Baptist
Church, 1785 1985" are available for $5 each by call
ing the Rev. Clay Shook at 257-1767 or Mrs Peggy
Allen, chairman of the church's Bicentennial Com
mittee, at 257-3823.
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Many Attend Sunday Service
Warren Plains Baptists
Mark 200th Anniversary
By KAY HORNER
News Editor
In 1875, the members of Tanner's Church, located
about two miles from Warrenton on the road to
Norlina, were pitifully few.
A decade shy of its 100th anniversary, the church
had seen better days.
In 1845, it had boasted a membership of 146, but
the number had now dwindled to a mere 12.
The remnant oi the once-dynamic Tanner's Church
had a decision to make?quietly to close the doors
of the church and align themselves with another con
gregation or to revitalize their dying body.
They opted for the latter and on Sept. 28,1875, a
majority met and appointed three trustees, William
D. Weldon, John A. Hundley, and S.,P. Fleming, to
oversee the relocation of the church to a site
somewhere in the bustling community of Warren
Plains.
The congregation put the past behind them and
agreed to be known as Warren Plains Church of
Regular Missionary Baptists.
But even the most cursory reading of the recently
released "A History of Warren Plains Baptist
Church, 1785-1985" gives credence to the notion that
early members of that congregation were far from
"regular."
It was with uncommon devotion and singularity of
purpose that the 12?W. D. Weldon, Henry White,
Alice V. Weldon, Sylvia White, Ann Laughter, Betsy
Weldon, Harriet Lampkin, Ailsey T. Walker, Frances
0. Riggan, M. L. Lampkin, Mary F. Weldon, and J.
B. Weldon?determined that there would be a War
ren Plains Baptist Church and that it would prosper.
This past Sunday, more than 250 members and
former members, their families and friends of the
congregation met for a bicentennial homecoming
celebration.
After the morning worship service, they gathered
for a covered dish meal on the church grounds
beneath the shade of stately oaks and maples on the
plot of land that 110 years ago was deeded to the
church by Andrew and Elizabeth Wilker.
The narrative of the church's 200 years is punc
tuated by benchmarks of progress?remodeling of
the church building in 1935 and again in 1951; con
struction of a church parsonage in 1949, dedication
of the new educational annex in 1956; and approval
in 1972 of plans for a 1,500-square-foot fellowship hall.
Leonard Wilker, grandson of the couple who
donated the church land and church clerk for more
than 30 years, noted during a recent interview that
there have been times in the church's history when
the worst of times brought out the best in people.
"In the earlier days, they had a hard time meeting
the pastor's salary," Wilker commented. "One or
more of the men would get together to pay the salary
and then the rest of the church would come forward,
giving what they could."
While in some churches the names of a select few
appear on lists of memorial contributions and gifts,
at Warren Plains such contributions have through the
years been made by a broad base of church
members.
A partial listing of gifts given during the past 30
years indicates that needs ranging from communion
table and chairs to shingles for the Sunday School
building have been given by church members.
The church history takes note of 88 memorial gifts,
22 of which were monetary, in addition to gifts of
church pews and stained glass windows.
Church minutes show that the congregation has a
history not only of cooperation in financial matters,
but spiritual matters as well and its attention to
discipline of church members in the 19th century is
often recounted by amused members.
As was the custom in those days, transgressions
against the church were not taken lightly.
In December 1883, the church appointed a commit
tee of two to invite a certain member to appear.
before the congregation and give reason for his "pro
tracted absence."
By the following February, he had not appeared
and in March the church voted to withdraw
fellowship for "disorderly walk and conduct."
Transgressors who appeared before the church
and asked forgiveness fared much better.
In 1890, the church granted its forgiveness to a
member who admitted selling whiskey and to
another member who admitted dancing.
In its two centuries of existence, the church has
had only 20 pastors and five have enjoyed pastorates
of more than 25 years.
The church's second pastor, The Rev. Thomas
Gardner, served 35 years, from 1790 to 1825. He was
succeeded by The Rev. Willoughby Hudgins, who
served 26 years. Hudgins' successor, The Rev. N. Ad
dison Purfoy, served 27 years and pastored the
church during its move to its current location^
Two later pastors, Dr. T. J. Taylor and the Rev.
R. E. Brickhouse, who also served a field including
Warrenton Baptist and Macon Baptist churches, both
served 30 years, from 1896 to 1926 and from 1926 to
1956, respectively.
The current pastor, the Rev. Clayton J. Shook, at
tributes the long tenure of past ministers to what he
terms the "graciousness' of the congregation.
"I've been to seminary, and served for three years
as a pastor before coming here three years ago,"
Shook said recently. "And although I treasure my
seminary education, I've learned more about pastor
ing here at this church than anywhere I've
been...These people were with me during my
seminary years, at the time of graduation, at the
birth of our son...their support of me and my family
has just been immeasurable."
The congregation now numbers about 300, with 170
active members. ?
Wilker remembers when attendance at Sunday
School was as high as 200. Today, the number hovers
at half that.
The decline is due in part to the economics that
have played on the little farming community.
"There was a time when textiles and tobacco were
the life of this community, and now they're having
problems," Wilker commented. "Now the farms are
disappearing and people are going wherever they
have to in order to find jobs.
"Once there was a train depot at Warren Plains,
a post office, stores and three churches. Now wily
the churches (Warren Plains Baptist, Warren Plains
Methodist and Cook's Chapel) are left."
While Wilker and others whose lives have revolv
ed around their church recall past days with
nostalgia, they also express their faith in the future
of their church. ? ??
"I think we're doing right well," Wilker said with
a smile. "Our members are faithful and things look
good for us.
Shook echoed that optimism.
"We have a good cross section of young and old,"
Shook noted. "This summer we had an average dai
ly attendance of 100 in Daily Vacation Bible School.
There is a tremendous sense of cooperation among
church members of all ages."
That cooperation was evident Sunday in the
number of young couples who joined with older
members in hosting the homecoming.
"In the book on our church history, our purpose in
compiling the history is stated," Shook said. "We
wanted to celebrate the church's 200th anniversary,
honor the people who have been instrumental in the
life of the church, preserve historical facts for those
who love this place, and bring honor and glory to
Jesus Christ."
"That last purpose is also our reason for being as
a church," Shook concluded. "That's what we're all
about."
Yoaag Aihby Fraxier (above) (beat a good deal
of time Sunday afteraooa pondering the cakeo aad