CARSON CHAPEL

During the 1890’s several families, in what is now known as Carson Community, gathered for Sunday school at the one room Wallace School.  The school was the center for the clergy to hold worship services every other Sunday.  In 1904 under the leadership of the Reverend T.E. Winecoff, of Franklin Methodist Church, plans were made for what the people called “our Community Church.”

William H. and Mary Lyle Waldroop gave a green covered knoll, with  a near-by spring, for the building site.  Jay C. Gibson and James P. Conley hauled the first load of stones by horse team to begin the construction of the one-room church.  Much of the work was done by men and boys of the community. Some of those families remembered for their labor are:  Charlie Cunningham, Joab L. Moore,
Thad S. Waldroop, John F. Cunningham, Alex Waldroop, John L. Gibson,
James P. Conley, S.R. Slagle and Andrew M. Carson.  Lumber was contributed by James A. Porter, a Franklin merchant.  George O. Wallace and John F. Cunningham were partners in a sawmill and logging operation at the time and they contributed lumber.  Since Andrew Carson, known as “Uncle Andy”, was older than the other men and unable to work as much, he went from home to home receiving contributions.  The young girls carried mite boxes to collect pennies, nickels and dimes to be used for purchasing an organ.

In the summer of 1907, while the Reverend F. L. Townsend was pastor of Franklin Methodist Church, the new church was dedicated.  The people voted to honor 
Andrew M. Carson by giving their community church his name, Carson Chapel.
John L. Gibson, George O. Wallace and Andrew M. Carson were the first members of the Board of Trustees.  Charter members were as follows:  Martha P. Carson,
Andrew M. Carson, Mary Carson Moore, Sallie Campbell Cunningham,
Maude Slagle Sellers, Mary Lyle Waldroop, John L. Gibson, Sarah R. Gibson,
Nola Dehart Gibson, Pearl Gibson Setser and Pallie Gibson Waldroop.

During the following years Carson Chapel was non-denominational; however, Methodist ministers conducted services twice a month with pastors from other denominations filling the vacant times. The Reverend J. Q. Wallace held all services in 1916. When Dr. L.B. Hayes as pastor of Franklin Methodist Church, the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, accepted Carson Chapel as a part of the Franklin church.  Dr. Hayes served from 1919-1921.  Carson Chapel became a part of the Franklin station in 1920.

Some families owned a horse and buggy for transportation.  Most of the people walked to Sunday school and church services which were held in the afternoons.  Henry Waldroop’s wagon bed was covered with clean straw in preparation for the two mile trip to Carson Chapel.  White mules in shiny harness pulled the wagon over the red clay road to pick up the faithful along the way.  On special occasions Mr. Henry might use his surrey with the fringe on top.

Will Johnston of Franklin Methodist Church, was the first Sunday school superintendent.  Jake Slagle of Mount Zion Church, helped with Sunday school and later became superintendent.  Always he rode horseback, carrying apples in his saddlebags for the children.  Perhaps a whole season would pass without an organized church school.  In spite of poor attendance there would be a concerned few ready to begin anew under the leadership of some one willing to give his best, faithfully and loyally.  Henry Waldroop was such a leader for many years.

During World War II the members  of the Board of Stewards decided, along with the pastor, Dr. J.L. Stokes, II, that Sunday school rooms were needed as well as a general remodeling of the building. Seventy-one members, the Duke Foundation, and the Board of Mission and Church Extension of the Methodist Church made it possible to erect a new entrance, steeple, four classrooms and installation of a steam heating system.  In 1958 while the Reverend Samuel B. Moss was pastor, Carson Chapel was removed from the Franklin station and became a part of the North Macon Charge.  About ten years later conference officials advised the merging of the Mount Zion and Carson Chapel.  Although there was some dissension, the majority of  members in both churches approved the change.  A.B. Slagle gave eighteen acres for the new building site which was located equidistant between the old churches.  With approximately two hundred members Memorial United Methodist Church was dedicated June 26, 1977.

Two cherished items were brought from Carson Chapel to the new church.  A large bell, originally given by George T. Stalcup, now hangs in the bell tower near the church entrance.  The old altar rail, where many had knelt in repentance, was fashioned into a large cross by Fred Slagle.  This simple, yet beautifully grained oak cross, has been placed over the altar.

Members of Carson Community Development Organization have erected an attractive pavilion on the foundation of the old Carson Chapel.  A granite plaque states that this is in memory of the founders and members of Carson Chapel.  Comfortable seats are provided where one may pause to look over the well kept cemetery, to meditate and to remember.