Church History

PLEASANT GARDEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

PLEASANT GARDEN, NORTH CAROLINA

A HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH 

Pleasant Garden was an early settlement at the cross-roads of the Wagon Road and the Salem-Fayetteville Road.  Travelers came from the north almost daily bringing news about events and national movements.  Among these were traveling preachers who came as early as 1776 and were known as the “followers of Wesley”.  These itinerant preachers organized the converts and followers into class meetings under the lay class leader who was appointed by the preacher in charge.

            Some of the early family histories indicate that George Kirkman and some members of his family joined with their neighbors, the Sullivans, Sherwoods, and others in organizing a Methodist Episcopal Church in 1786.

            On April 20, 1792, William Shannon sold one acre of land to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Pleasant Garden for twenty shillings (less than $5.00).  The trustees were William Weatherly, John Coe, Daniel Sherwood, George Kirkman and Daniel Sullivan/

            According to old records, the first church was built in 1792 and was a log structure 24’ x 30’.  The graveyard began about the year 1800.  The church stood in the southeastern section of the present cemetery where the William Ross plot is now located.  This building served these first members for some fifty years.

            The second church, according to Duke University Library records, was built in1840.  “The house was 30’ x 40’ with a 10-foot pitch.  It was weather boarded, ceiled, seated, with pulpit and stove.”  This church stood on the north side of the cemetery close to where the Pleasant Garden School gymnasium now stands.  The description of the church is most interesting.  Few buildings at that time were weather-boarded and sealed for this was all hand work.  A stove for heating was a luxury and to have pews with backs made this one of the finest churches in this era of Methodism.

            This church was typical of that generation; two front doors with two aisles; the men were seated on the right and women on the left.

            The small Sunday School classes met in the corners of the church and out of these classes came many of the later church leaders.  This Church served the congregation during the trying days of the Civil War and the period of transition which followed.

            The third church building was begun in 1888, and completed in 1890.  It was dedicated on the second Sunday in November 1891.  It was located on what is now the parking area adjacent to the present two0story educational building.  This was a one-room brick building 40’ x 85’ and was among the first brick churches in the area.  The Building Committee was:  Madison Tucker, William Tucker and Horace Wolfe.  The Reverend Moses J. Hunt was the pastor during the construction. 

            In the early 1920’s, under the leadership of the Reverend A. G. Loftin, this church was rebuilt with a new front entrance and two towers.  The capacity of the sanctuary was doubled, and a new educational building was constructed in the rear.  This program of expansion was dedicated on June 21, 1931.

            The need for more classrooms again became acute, and the congregation, in 1950, began to make plans for a separate educational building.  The present two-story educational building was begun in 1952 under the leadership of the Reverend R. P. Waugh, and completed in 1955 under the pastorate of the Reverend C. O. Kennerly.

            The present brick parsonage on Sheraton Park Road was built in 1961 during the pastorate of the Reverend P. A. Bruton.  It was renovated and enlarged in 1987 during the pastorate of Reverend Don Shuman.

            Following a study which began in the early 1960’s, the present sanctuary and additional educational facilities were built in 1967-68, during the pastorate of the Reverend E. H. Lowman.  These facilities were first used in June, 1968.  They were debt-free at the end of 1977, and dedicated on April 30, 1978, during the pastorate of the Reverend M. M. Workman.

            On October 12, 1986, our church had the distinction of celebrating its bicentennial, which was a complete success.  Everyone enjoyed a day of celebration, complete with preaching and costumes of the era.  Dr. Richard M. Fields was Chairman of our Bicentennial Committee.

            From 1875 until 1945 Pleasant Garden was a part of the Pleasant Garden Circuit which included 10 churches in Southern Guilford and upper Randolph counties.  By 1919 the Circuit was reduced to 4 churches, Rehobeth, Bethany, Bethlehem and Pleasant Garden.

            In 1946, Pleasant Garden United Methodist Church became a one-church appointment. 

(Adapted from Methodism in Guilford County-Written by the Reverend C.O. Kennerly)

Updated:  7/1/88 by Phillip Way

BISHOP FRANCIS ASBURY VISITS PLEASANT GARDEN

            Of the many distinguished people who have visited in Pleasant Garden, no one is more honored than the Bishop Francis Asbury.  He is regarded as the Father of Methodism in America.  His influence is felt all the way from New York to Georgia.  For forty-five years he lived the life of an itinerant preacher without a home, and spending only a few days at any place with friends.

            He was on a journey from the east toward the west in 1798.  We learn from his Journal that he was at Shallotte on November 10.  He writes, “The weather was so cold and the house so open, that I was chilled through my whole system”.  He continued his journey and on November 15, 1798, arrived in Pleasant Garden.  He records, “We rode from the upper branches of Rocky River, twenty miles, to Pleasant Garden.  When I came to the meeting house, I had little strength of mind or body.  We lodged at Daniel Sherwood’s.  My aged brethren and sisters from Maryland and Delaware rejoiced to see me, even as a poor, feeble man.  They had seen me in better times”.  The next day he continued his journey toward South Carolina. 

            Again, some sixteen months later while he was on a trip from the south toward the north, he was snowbound in Anson County by snow closing the road across the Uwharrie Mountains.  He changed his course and came north around the mountains, crossing the Yadkin River higher up, and on Thursday, February 27, 1800, came to Pleasant Garden.  He writes, “We came to Daniel Sherwood’s in Guilford County.  It rained and snowed on Friday.  I gave an exhortation, and ordained two deacons.  We got our horses shod and then rode on toward the coast”. 

            Some people live in history because of some deed done or by an association with some great person.  Daniel Sherwood lives in history because of his association with Methodism and Bishop Asbury.  We do know that Daniel Sherwood was a charter member of the church and was one of the first trustees.  According to county records, he owned some 300 acres of land about Pleasant Garden Church which, according to line boundaries, was the late W. D. Hardin land and later known as the Miss Annie Hardin place.  It is now owned by Boren Clay Products Company of Pleasant Garden.  The original house stood about where the entrance to the brick yard turns off Hunt Road south of Pleasant Garden (Plant #3).

            Someday we hope to erect a historic marker there to Bishop Asbury in memory of his visits to Pleasant Garden. 

PLEASANT GARDEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MINISTERS

PLEASANT GARDEN, NC 27313

1879-PRESENT

REV. R. L. GROOM (1879)

REV. J. B. CARPENTER (1880-1881)

REV. R. M. HOYLE (1882)

REV. JOHN TILLETT (1882-1884)

REV. P. L. GROOM (1885)

REV. W. W. MCFARLAND (1886)

REV. M. C. FIELDS (1887-1888)

REV. M. J. HUNT (1889-1890)

REV. T. W. S. BARKER (1891)

REV. J. B. TABOR (1892-1893)

REV. S. F. BARKER (1894-1897)

REV. R. F. BRYANT (1898-1899)

REV. E. J. POE (1900-1901)

REV. T. B. JOHNSON (1902-1903)

REV. J. T. STOVER (1904-1905)

REV. E. J. KOLGORE (1906-1907)

REV. R. A. TAYLOR (1908-1909)

REV. J. A. SHARPE (1910-1912)

REV. P. L. FERRELL (1913-1914)

REV. C. F. SHERRILL (1915-1918)

REV. A. G. LOFTIN (1919-1923)

REV. JOHN W. HOYLE, JR. (1923-1925)

REV. A. R. BELL (1926-1928)

REV. J. E. WOMMACK (1928-1929)

REV. J. T. RATLEDGE (1929-1931)

REV. G. W. WILLIAMS (1931-1933)

REV. R. C. KIRK (1933-1937)

REV. E. E. SNOW (1937-1940)

REV. T. F. HIGGINS (1940-1944)

REV. R. A. HUNTER (1944-1949)

REV. R. P. WAUGH (1949-1953)

REV. C. O. KENNERLY (1953-1957)

REV. P. F. SNIDER (1957-1959)

REV. P. A. BRUTON (1959-1965)

REV. E. H. LOWMAN (1965-1969)

REV. W. B. A. CULP (1969-1971)

REV. M. M. WORKMAN (1971-1978)

REV. C. DWIGHT PYATT (1978-1982)

REV. A. C. KENNEDY (1982-1983)

REV. RICHARD B. JARRETT (1983-1986)

REV. ZANE G. NORTON (1986-1987)

REV. DONALD L. SHUMAN (1987-1998)

REV. ROLAND JONES (1998-2000)

                                                 DR. STEVE MARTIN (2000-2008)

DR. PHIL DEBERRY (2008-PRESENT)

CHURCH BELL

There is very little history known about our Church Bell at Pleasant Garden United Methodist Church.

            First records indicate that with the addition of the two front towers to the old church building in the early 1920’s, that the bell may have been acquired at that time during the pastorate of the Reverend A. G. Loftin.

            Since then, or as long as anyone can remember, the bell has been a treasured part of our church and its history.

            Indications are from the inscription on the bell that it was manufactured by the C. S.  Bell Company of Hillsboro, O (probably the “O” is for the State of Ohio)

            In July 1971, during the demolition of the old church building, the bell was set aside in the church yard until its fate could be determined.  Fortunately, due to the efforts of a dedicated committee of our church women, it was decided to erect a brick platform and planter in front of our main sanctuary and mount the bell, where it could be viewed and appreciated by all.

            Over the years, through the efforts of various church members, the bell has been refurbished with a good cleaning and fresh coat of paint to keep it in top-notch condition.

            A special thanks to Marilyn Smith for the beautiful flowers planted yearly in the planter around the bell platform.

            We do appreciate the time and efforts of these members in this very worthwhile cause.

            In 2003 we erected a new church sign and moved the bell and placed in on a brick column between the sanctuary and fellowship hall so that it could be displayed in a prominent place.

CHURCH MUSIC 

Historically through the years, Pleasant Garden United Methodist Church has worshipped through a program of fine music.  Many families are known for their years of loyal service to our church music program.  Until the early 1970’s, church members volunteered as choir members, accompanists and directors and led services with well loved hymns and later anthems and cantatas.  A “Music Committee” was responsible for the music program during that period.

            Within the decade the music program has expanded, with additional choirs and handbell  ringers, ranging from children to adults.  These choirs take turns participating in the regular worship services and from time to time present special programs.  These children, youth and adults involved in the music ministry of our church are experiencing growth and interest in the church.  They play an important role in the future of Pleasant Garden United Methodist Church. 

PLEASANT GARDEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PARSONAGES 

            The first parsonage was built on one acre of land and stood where the present Pleasant Garden Baptist Church now stands on Neelley Road.  The land was given by Colonel D. G. Neelley to the Trustees of the Pleasant Garden Methodist Circuit in 1877.

            According to records in Duke Library the house was a four-room cottage with stable and shelters, a good well and all-within fence.  It was partly furnished and valued at $750.00.  This house was built in 1877 and first occupied by Rev. J. R. Scroggs.  This parsonage served the Circuit for forty-eight years and was then sold in 1915 for division.

            The second parsonage was on Main Street in Pleasant Garden and was purchased in 1915.  That address is now 4810 Pleasant Garden Road, or just north of our Fire Station.  The house was a two-story frame, with eight rooms and fairly well furnished.  This parsonage and its contents were totally destroyed by fire on November 10, 1940.  After the fire, the Rev. Thomas F. Higgins, who was minister at that time, and his family stayed for the following few weeks with the W. B. Hunt, Sr. family on Hunt Road south of Pleasant Garden.  The church later made arrangements with Claiborne Gray to trade the old parsonage property (where the fire had been) for a lot and house adjoining the church property on the north, where our main church building now stands.  This parsonage was a large two-story white frame house with nine rooms and was used as the parsonage until it was demolished in 1965 to make way for the new church building. 

            The present eight-room brick parsonage was built in 1961, just south of our church at 1022 East Sheraton Park Road.  The land for this parsonage was donated to the Pleasant Garden United Methodist Church by the late Mr. Charles Troy Ross, father of Inez Plunkett, Minnie Brown and Sarah Redmond, three of our current church members.

            The parsonage was well adapted for the use of the minister and his family and was well furnished.

            The Building Committee for the 1961 parsonage project was:  James O. Vickrey, Chairman, members:  Carl T. Beroth, Lester Jones, Charles Riley and Mrs. Max Tucker.

            In late 1987, during the pastorate of Reverend Don Shuman, our current minister, the parsonage was renovated and enlarged to include a new master bedroom and bath, enlarged family room and a 10’ x 18’ deck.  The Building Committee was:  H. Wayne Davis, Chairman, members:  Lester Way and Charles Riley.

            Several other church members volunteered their time and effort to make this project a success.

            We are proud of our church parsonage committees and the work they have done throughout the years to maintain and keep our parsonages up-to-date.

PLEASANT GARDEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY

            The Pleasant Garden United Methodist Church has owned and operated a cemetery since the early 1800’s.  Our cemetery is located at the intersection of Pleasant Garden Road and Sheraton Park Road in Pleasant Garden across the road in a southeastern direction from our church.  It is a rolling track of land, covering approximately four acres.  Two of our former churches have stood in this cemetery.  Although a church property, the cemetery is financed entirely by money received in the form of donations, interest from certificates of deposit, sale of gravesites and miscellaneous income.  No expense incurred in the operation of the cemetery is paid for by the general budget of the church.

            It is believed that the first person to be buried in our cemetery was an orphan girl who was staying with Henry Hendrix and his wife, Mary, who were members of our first congregation in the early 1800’s.  Since then, there have been Civil War soldiers, veterans of all wars since, members of our congregation, and others buried in the cemetery.

            There are many weathered tombstones in the cemetery, many of them with inscriptions all but illegible due to the elements of time.  Many of them give a good idea of the age of our cemetery.  Listed are some of the inscriptions and how they read:

            “Jane Ward, Wife of M. Ward, died August 3, 1835.”

“Robert Gilbreath, died January 22, 1832, aged 84. His wife, Elizabeth Gilbreath, died February 27, 1831, aged 73.” 

“Samuel Wiley, born 1741, died September 23, 1823.”

“Edward Millis, born February 1, 1741, died June 5, 1817.”

“Frederick Fentress, born July 8, 1791, died September 9, 1874. His wife, Mariah Fentress, born April 13, 1815, died May 12, 1862.”

“Timothy Jude, died February 16, 1856, aged 74 years. His wife, Elizabeth Jude, died May 31, 1837.”

“John A. Weatherly, died March 14, 1844, aged 39 years. His wife, Jane Weatherly, died December 27, 1897, aged 92 years.  (They were husband and wife, as the inscription shows she outlived her husband 53 years)”

“Colonel James Neelly, December 8, 1783, died January 26, 1845.”

“James N. Hendrix, died August 4, 1864.”

“D. W. Swaim, March 18, 1855, April 15, 1896.”

“John Hardin, born December 17, 1805, died June 16, 1850. His wife, Elizabeth A. Hardin, born February 16, 1811, died December 20, 1891.”

“Levin Ross, born October 3, 1776, died March 18, 1844. His wife, Elizabeth Ross, born 1786, died 1819.”

“Commodore C. Taylor, Killed by the Train near Wilson, N. C. December 30, 1895.”

“T. S. Kirkman, born November 30, 1802, died June 28, 1862.”

“Mrs. Lydia Jarrell, born November 13, 1805, died August 22, 1866.”

“Winfield Taylor, born July 26, 1853, Died December 9, 1881.”

“J. W. Kirkman, died June 6, 1889.”

“Rev. C. W. King, born March 5, 1829, died October 4, 1894.”

“Rev. Moses J. Hunt, born December 21, 1824, Died July 6, 1901.”

“Dr. Clayborne Gray, born September 17, 1830, died January 14, 1916. His wife, Sarah Jane Thurston Gray, January 24, 1845, died November 3, 1923.”

“R. F. Fentress, born October 25, 1849, died August 28, 1920.

“Henry L. Coble, born July 11, 1862, died October 25, 1932.”

“Victor Luther Rockfield, born May 6, 1866, died October 4, 1944.”

“Dr. Grady Cornell Siske, MD, born February 5, 1901, died August 25, 1981.”

In 1986, our Church Cemetery Committee began a program to clean the grounds and bring our cemetery and its records up-to-date.  The boundaries of the cemetery were overgrown with brambles, weeds and scrub growth of young trees.

            The only map available was one made in 1937 that detailed only a small percentage or about 10% of the actual property.

            The first step was to have a survey made of the property; define the boundaries and map each gravesite.  An agreement was entered with Trulove Engineering Company of Greensboro, North Carolina to do this job.  After the cemetery was surveyed, the undergrowth was bulldozed, the grounds leveled and the trash hauled off.  The newly cleared area was seeded.  In 1988, a project was begun to reset and repair broken and fallen stones.

            Our Church Cemetery Committee has put a lot of work into the improvement of the cemetery, and it has paid off.  Thanks to people such as Culver J. DeLoach and James Owen Vickrey in the past, and today, thanks to the untiring efforts of cemetery committee members such as Phil Pearce, Nelson Ingram, Jimmy Vickrey and Bob Kistler, we have a beautiful, well-maintained cemetery.  It is not only an asset to our church, but to the entire Pleasant Garden Community as well.

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