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The Pastor's Report to Quarterly Conference Aug. 7. 1947, reflected
great activity in the building program. An additional $5,800.00 was raised bringing the fund to $16,740.00. Materials
were procured and work was to begin a week from that date.
In this same Conference, a report was made of the encampment held conjointly with Nixon in which 16 members from
our Church School attended. Richardson also reported an outstanding Vacation School and successful Revival Meeting
with Rev. George Harrison of Bandersville, Pa. doing the preaching. It was attended by a full house every night.
The new Church building was started but not completed before Rev. Richardson moved from Smiley, having served eighteen
months.
A noteworthy service Richardson rendered the community was teaching English and drama in the high school.
Richardson was followed by Rev. Dennis Macune. Reporting to the Fourth Quarterly Conference held April 11, 1948,
Rev. Macune said:
Since coming to the Charge 8 months ago our time and thought has been taken up with the new Church. We have worshiped
under difficulty in four different places before coming into the educational building January 1st. We have
been greatly hindered by bad weather and inadequate heating in every place we have worshiped. Only the splendid
loyalty of our people has held our congregation together.
Our Wesley Foundation was raised in full and our apportionments paid in full through the 3rd Quarter. With the
opening of the new Church and the liquidation of the remaining debt, we shall hope to take on new life and make
worthwhile advances in our work.
It seems only fitting as a sequence to the splendid work of Rev. Richardson and Rev. Macune that we would use the
words found in John 4:35, "I tell you, lift up your eyes and see the fields are already white for harvest,"
as an introduction to the pastorate of Rev. S.M. Waters in 1948 to 1952.
The next four years were very fruitful ones. The new Church was completed and the Congregation was anxious to return
to an ordered routine of worship and service. There was much work still to be done on the physical improvements
of the Sanctuary and the Annex.
We can well remember how, when confronted with a new problem, Bro.
Waters would shake his head, say, "Oh-h, my! " and start right to work on the solution.
In reading reports to the Quarterly Conference we learned the following:
In cooperation with the Smiley Baptist Church, we hosted a six-day Vacation Bible School with enrollment of 121,
and an average daily attendance of 99.
Our Church sponsored and furnished the teacher for a regular accredited course in Bible in the high school. The
Choir was functioning and doing excellent work; they had recently become a vested choir.
A sign was made and placed in front of the Church. In cooperation with the Baptist Church, three Church "Welcome"
signs were placed at entrances to the town.
Following a Fall Revival Meeting, Oct. 10 - l7, we held the dedication of our beautiful Sanctuary. The celebration
really began in June 1948 when the Church was free of debt. The formal ceremonies were held on Oct. l7, 1948, at
which time the Rev. R. F. Curl brought the sermon. Representing the Congregation in presenting the building for
dedication was D.C. Rhodes, Chairman of the Board. The Act of Dedication was read responsively with Bro. Waters
leading and the Congregation responding.
The building was completed at a cost of approximately $28,000. The art glass windows were placed in the Sanctuary
by individuals in loving memory oft Mr. F.D. Asher, Rev. L.L. Barnes, Mr. i.S. Passmore, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Patteson,
Mr. Clarence U. Patteson, Miss Mary C. Teas, Mr. Erle Weekley, Mrs. Winifred Weekley, Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Wheat.
Under the spiritual leadership of Bro. Waters the Church grew in interest and service. There was a substantial
increase in Church and Church School attendance. A Methodist Youth Fellowship was organized and growing. A full
program of Church activities was carried on. In conjunction with regular services there were Holy Week and Fall
Revivals. All "special days" of the Church and Church School were observed. Study courses were presented.
Bro. Waters was instrumental in organizing the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts which were sponsored by our Church, also
in getting Christmas lights strung across State Highway 87 in the downtown area.
This was a time in which many physical improvements were made: In
the Sanctuary new pews, an electric organ, and chancel rail cushions were installed. A lighted cross and brass
vases for the Altar Center were given by Mr. and Mrs. Barney Otton. In honor of Mrs. Bertie Lou Weekley, choir
chairs were given by Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Rhodes. Furniture was placed in the parlor. Members of the Church gave new
hymnals, many in memory of, or in honor of, loved ones or friends. Nursery and kindergarten equipment was purchased,
also some recreation equipment. The Young Adult Class sponsored the drive to purchase 100 Samson folding chairs
for the Annex.
Rev. Waters was responsible for having Mr. A.W. Wright recognized through "The Conference News" for his
thirty years of service as Sunday School Superintendent.
We close this chapter of our history with the notes from a newly acquired amplified chime system.
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