HISTORY OF THE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH
(In Gibsonville, NC, 1907 through 1924)

In 1906, the Western North Carolina Conference decided it would be expedient to extend their work farther East in Guilford County. This work was turned over to the Greensboro District which sent Rev. A. S. Raper in the same year to hold a revival meeting in the Methodist Protestant Church in Gibsonville and from then on, he held a service each month in the Masonic Hall in interest of those wishing to become members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It soon became advisable to move from the Hall to the Methodist Protestant Church, where according to agreement this little band of people paid $3.50 per month for the use of this church. The people then realized the necessity of an organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Church was organized in July, 1907, by A. S. Raper who had continued to preach for them during the preceding year. The first Stewards of this new organization were Z. H. Mangum, C. H. Phillips, and J. W. Burke. These were also elected by the quarterly conference of East Greensboro Charge as Trustees.

At the first quarterly conference held in Gibsonville, Reverend S. B. Turrentine, D. D. of Greensboro presided.

There were sixteen charter members when the Church was organized. Mr. C. H. Phillips was the first Sunday School Superintendent. Miss Lillie Phillips, now Mrs. L. A. Wharton, became organist and was found at her place at every service. She and Mrs. Lona  Wade were elected teachers and have continued this work up until the present time.

In August, the Sunday School and Church services were moved from the Methodist Protestant Church to the Bowman Hall, now Liberty Hall. For this a monthly rent of $5.00 was paid.

The latter part of the same year, Mr. J. P. Hornbuckle was appointed superintendent of the Sunday School and was succeeded the following year by Mr. L. T. Barber. Mr. Barber served in the capacity of Janitor, teacher, and superintendent from that time until the fall of 1923, when he resigned. Words cannot express the untiring devotion of Mr. Barber to the Church and Sunday School. He gave liberally of his money and time to every cause and will always be remembered and loved by members of this church.

In 1910, it seemed best to make another move, and this time the Graded School building was rented and served as a place of worship until the present Church was built. Rev. S. T. Barber was serving as pastor at this time. Thirty one members were added to the Church roll during his pastorship.

Handicapped by the lack of a proper place to worship, The members of this small but steadily growing congregation decided to build a Church. It seemed that the building committee could secure no desirable location for the building. But a building site was finally secured from Dr. G. E. Jordan, who came into the church about this time and was a faithful member until his death in 1916. It was through the untiring efforts of the pastor, Rev. S. T. Barber, that we now have the splendid church building. Not only did he secure pledges from others, but he worked without pay, with the force of carpenters. The new church is a square building, constructed of brick with the vestibule and tower in the southeast corner with the Sunday School rooms to the right of the vestibule. The windows are of the Gothic type and made of Cathedral glass.

The Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1911 with eight members. This small organization put forth a wonderful example of cooperation and has accomplished wonderful results. During the following years, this society has furnished the church pulpit furniture, memorial window, seats, carpet set, Bibles , and many other needful things -- besides buying furniture for the parsonage to the amount of $2,000.00.

In 1912, Rev. E. W. Fox was sent to take the place of Rev. Barber and thirteen members were added during the time that he was pastor.

In 1913, Rev. W. S. Hales was sent to this charge. When he came, there was a debt of about $3,000.00 on the church. Mr. Hales immediately went to work and secured some outside subscriptions and the general conference made a donation of $500.00. Mr. O. L. Huff, who came to the church in 1908, was a great deal of help to the church financially and many other ways. His widow gave a large donation after his death, which occurred in 1912.

In 1913, Mr. Hales succeeded in raising the amount of the entire debt. The District Conference was held in the church the same month and the Sunday following the District Conference, the late Bishop Kilgo then living in Durham, dedicated the church. This was a great day for the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Gibsonville, a day long looked forward to.

Mr. Hales served the Church three years and during that time many new members were added. He was followed by Rev. A. C. Gibbs in 1916. Rev. Gibbs stayed only one year, but did much good. When he left, he took with him as his wife, Miss Myrtle Crabtree, who at the time was the efficient organist and had been for five years.

Following him came J. C. Umberger, who stayed one year and was followed by Rev. W. C. Jones. Mr. Jones did a great work for the Church; he was here in the midst of the first Influenza epidemic and was always ready to serve wherever and whenever he was needed. He never spared himself or his means.

He was followed by Rev. A. P. Ratledge, who was a consecrated, conscientious servant of God. During his ministry much good work was done and many new and many new members were added to the church. After Mr. Ratledge, Rev. C. H. Rose was pastor for one year. Although handicapped by ill health, he did a good work. It was largely through the efforts of Mr. Rose that we now have the new and modern Parsonage. He organized the Epworth League which has steadily grown. In May of this year Rev. Jim Green held a successful revival meeting. At this time, Mr. Rose had to give up his work and Clifton Ervin, now Junior Pastor of West Market Street Methodist Church, Greensboro, had charge of the work for six weeks while Mr. Rose was recovering. More new members were added to the church during the ministry of Mr. Rose than any other time in the history of the church.

Rev. G. W. Clay succeeded Mr. Rose in the fall of 1921. While he was here, a new piano was purchased for the church. Also, the new hut, which has since been completed, was begun. This hut was built by the Junior and Senior Philathea and the Junior and Senior Barcca classes. The parsonage was not finished when Mr. Clay came, and he had to move to a house with another family. Although he was uncomfortably situated, he never complained. Later the Parsonage was finished and the Clays were the first to occupy it.

Rev. A. H. Whisner succeeded Mr. Clay in the fall of 1923, and is now the pastor.

The Epworth League, with Miss Mary Allen as President, is growing and is a vital part of the church.

The Sunday School, with Mr. J. M. Waynick as Superintendent, is adding new members each Sunday.

A woman's missionary society has been organized. The Ladies Aid Society is growing and the spiritual life of the church is good.

The Sunday School has six organized classes which are as follows:

Men's Wesley Bible Class with J. L. Robinson as teacher
Women's Wesley Bible Class with Mrs. Whisner as teacher
Senior Wesley Philathea Class, Mrs. J. W. Burke, teacher
Senior Wesley Barca Class, Mrs. L. A. Wharton, teacher
Junior Wesley Philathea Class, Miss Mary Allen, teacher
Junior Wesley Barca Class, Mrs. Wilhamina Wisner, teacher

In addition, there are two other classes, Primary Class with Mrs. Lona Ingle, teacher, and the Beginners Class with Ruth Burke as teacher.

Mr. L. Q. Yow is the efficient secretary and treasurer of the Sunday School. Miss Irene Robinson is pianist with Miss Myrtle as her assistant.