The Way Things Were

The year was 1886. Wilmington, NC was a small, lazy, southern town with a population of about 20,000, while New Hanover County had an additional 4,000. The two biggest things going for it were the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad–whose center of operations was here–and the local business and foreign trade generated by the Cape Fear River. The city still commemorated the Civil War with an annual gathering of veterans, and the newly constructed and renovated Orton Hotel between Princess and Chestnut on Front Street was considered one of the finest hotels in the South. The biggest problems facing the city fathers were fire and destruction of property. Nationally, the Congress of the United States had just allocated one million dollars for a Lincoln Memorial. Ham cost 12 cents per pound, shoulder 8 cents per pound, coffee 18 cents per pound, and the Star News Daily cost 75 cents per month. Pure branch water was being sold and was guaranteed to give beautiful, clear skin to the ladies.

The Early Years

A Church Is Born

On Sunday afternoon, April 4th, 1886, a meeting was held in Brooklyn Hall to discuss the advisability of organizing a Baptist Church in the Northern part of the city. Dr. T. H. Pritchard, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, presided at the meeting, and after a full discussion, in which Brother J. C. Stevenson and other leading members of First Baptist Church participated, it was decided that a church should be organized. The new church would remain a branch of the First Baptist Church, therefore; the Trustees of the First Church would also serve as Trustees of the Brooklyn Church. Brother N. Jenkins was elected church clerk at this meeting, and it was decided that business meetings of the Brooklyn Church would be held on Friday evenings after the weekly prayer meeting.

At the first worship service conducted as an organized church, held on the evening of Sunday, April 4, 1886, Brother Samuel L. Smith and his wife, Mary, were received upon their profession of faith, making them the first members received after the organization was perfected. Rev G. N. Tolsen delivered the sermon on this momentous occasion. Later that same week, on Friday, April 6, 1886, Rev G. N. Tolsen was elected pastor of the church, to serve for twelve months. Election of deacons was deferred, and deacons of the First Church were asked to serve until an election could be held. Brother Z. E. Murrell was elected Church Treasurer, and it was decided that business meetings would be held the first Friday of each month. The second Sunday of each month was set aside for the celebration of the Lord's Supper. This Sunday was chosen in order to use the Communion service implements from First Church, since the Brooklyn Church had no implements at that time.

On May 7, 1886, a committee, which had been appointed to negotiate the use of Brooklyn Hall for the church, reported that the building could not be rented but could be used until October 1, 1886. At a meeting held June 1, 1886, J. W. Taylor, Z. E. Murrell, S. L. Smith, and W. H. Strickland were appointed as a Building Committee, and Brothers S. L. Smith and Spooner were appointed as the first ushers of Brooklyn Baptist Church. At the July 1886 meeting, a committee, composed of N. Jenkins, J. W. Taylor, and S. L. Smith, was appointed to consult with the Deacons of First Church relative to procuring a lot on which to build a church. Rev. G. N. Tolsen was re-elected as pastor on March 21, 1887, and the problem of renting Brooklyn Hall had been resolved. It was recommended that Brooklyn Hall be rented for holding church services, since First Church had decided not to help with purchasing a building site. In other actions, Brother N. Jenkins was re-elected Church Clerk, and Brothers W. McEvans, William Smith, and W. F. T. Keen were elected to the Finance Committee. Ultimately, a sum of $2,500 was obtained on August 15, 1887, with $500 paid in cash. A mortgage for $2,000 was obtained at an 8% interest rate. The two-story building on the site at that time housed a barber shop and restaurant downstairs and a dance hall known as Minnie's Hall upstairs. With the help of the First Church, suitable papers were obtained for the property.

During this period, the church was having considerable financial difficulty (along with other debts, they were $60 behind on the pastor's salary), but was steadily gaining in membership. Brothers J. W. Taylor and C. W. Stewart were recommended to the First Church to serve as Deacons for the Brooklyn Church on June 1, 1886, and that number was increased in September to include the election of J. H. McDougall and Z. E. Murrell as Deacons. The Ladies of the church were also organizing and rendering very helpful assistance.

Church discipline came to the forefront in early 1889 when a motion was passed directing that all church members absenting themselves from three consecutive business meetings would be brought before the church.

Miss M. Ida Strouse tendered her resignation as organist on April 15, 1889, and a committee composed of Z. E. Murrell, Asa W. Allen, W. G. T. Keen and Sisters Fannie Ruark and Cleavelend Mulford was appointed to secure a new organist.

In the minutes of April 15, 1889, it is noted that the Church membership had reached a total of 168 and that Brother J. L. Yopp was elected Church Clerk succeeding Brother W. F. T. Keen who was elected Treasurer. In September 1889, Rev. Tolson severed his connection with the Church and a resolution of regret was recorded in the Church minutes.

For a short time, the Church was without a Pastor. However, on September 23, 1889, it was decided to call Rev. A. A. Scruggs of Virginia. At that time, the State Board was asked to assist with the finances.

There is no report in the Minutes of Rev. Scruggs having accepted the call, but on November 8, 1899, there is found a resignation which is unique; it reads:

"Dear Brethren: When I came here I thought there was such a thing as the Brooklyn Baptist Church but I now find there is not. I now hereby resign all claims that I may have as Pastor of the said church. Yours in Christ, A. A. Scruggs."

What Brother Scruggs meant is hard to determine, but the resignation is certified by the Clerk and recorded in the Minutes of the Church.

Since the Church was again without a Pastor, a conference was held with the Deacons of the First Church. Following the conference, the church decided to call Brother R. E. Peele of Enfield, NC. He accepted the call and came to the Church early in December, 1889, and presided at the December 10th business meeting.

It is noted in the Minutes that the Church was having financial troubles at this time; Rev. Peele and Brother Asa W. Allen were trying to devise ways of raising money. At a business meeting on February 10th, 1890, the Officers and Pastor pledged a total of $208.00. In April, the Ladies of the Church contributed $37.50; of this amount the Ladies Aid Society gave $15.30.

Business meetings were omitted during September and October because of a revival being held by the Reverend Sam Jones of Georgia and Reverend Mr. Hudson. These city-wide meetings were held in a tabernacle built especially for that purpose near 6th and Campbell Streets. Just prior to the city-wide revival, church enrollment stood at 187. This fact and the continued growth of the church were two of the factors which probably prompted Brother J. H. McDougall to suggest on January 5, 1891, that the church become independent. It was agreed to take the request under advisement. The report shows that all money and papers were put in the hands of the Finance Committee by Brother Z. E. Murrell.

At a special meeting held January 19, 1891, it was decided to make an extra effort to raise enough money to pay all church indebtedness. Later reports show a large increase in funds. On February 1, 1891, the following were elected to serve as a Board of Trustees: Brother C. D. Morrill, J. H. McDougall, W. F. Casteen, W. G. T. Keen, and S. L. Smith. These trustees were instructed to take over all papers and property of the Church.

Several instances of church discipline are recorded in the Minutes of the early church. At a business meeting on May 5, 1891, a resolution to assess each member was adopted and the names of delinquents were to be read at the church meeting. At a later meeting action on this was rescinded. All through the Minutes are found incidents of members brought before the Church for discipline and in some cases the rule found in Matthew 18:21-22 of forgiving someone "Seventy times seven" had to be applied. In another instance, the Clerk was instructed to notify all members who had not been attending church that their names would be dropped from the roll unless they could provide a reasonable excuse.

At the February, 1892 meeting, Rev. R. E. Peele resigned as Pastor and a call was extended to Rev. J. T. Jenkins of Winston, NC. Brother Jenkins came on April 1, 1892. An appeal for funds was made and eleven officers of the Church pledged $25.00 on Church debt. All during this time the Ladies of the church were doing splendid work and were often commended for their activities.

In February, 1894, Brother J. T. Jenkins resigned as Pastor to undertake a full-time evangelistic effort. Rev. R. E. Peele was again called to serve as Pastor. At this time the officers of the Church were: Treasurer: B. F. Murphy; Clerk: W. G. T. Keen. The Deacons were: J. H. Rourk, Z. E. Murrell, C. W. Stewart, J. H. McDougall, B. F. Murphy, and C. D. Morrill. The members of the Finance Committee were C. D. Morrill and W. McEvans. In this year, some of the members were released for the purpose of assisting in the organization of a church in the southern part of the city. From this nucleus grew what is now Southside Baptist Church. In September, 1893, Rev. R. E. Peele resigned as Pastor and at the November meeting Rev. J. W. Kramer was elected Pastor.

From 1895 to 1898 the Church had a rather stormy period. On September 12, 1898, Brother Kramer resigned to be effective December 12th. Ironically, in the next business conference, he was terminated by the Church to be effective October 1, 1898, and the Church was without a Pastor until the spring of 1899. Then on May 1, 1899, a call was extended to Rev. J. J. Payseur, which was accepted.

During Rev. Payseyr's ministry, the church experienced high and low points, but nevertheless continued to grow in spirit and numbers. On October 9th, 1899, Brother Asa W. Allen was elected Church Clerk and ordained as a Deacon. In November, the Pastor appointed a committee to solicit funds for the church building. The meetings at that time were still being held in the upstairs of Minnie's Hall. On December 11, 1899, the building committee reported that they had pledges for $1,200. For a period of about two years, numerous members were dismissed from the church for failing to cooperate in attendance and contributions. On February 6, 1902, Rev. J. J. Payseur resigned as Pastor and a call was extended to Rev. J. L. Vipperman, which was accepted. He was with the church only a short time, resigning in May 1904.

Following Rev. Vipperman's resignation, Brother J. H. McKaughan was called as Pastor. Financial difficulties were numerous between 1904 and 1906. Through hard work and diligence, the officers and members were able to overcome this adversity; enlargement of the Sunday School rooms is evidence of this. At the time, the parsonage located on Brunswick Street was sold.

On July 23, 1906, the B.Y.P.U. of the church was organized, succeeding the Christian Endeavor Society. On April 30, 1906, a committee was appointed to arrange for the dedication of the Church and it invited the former Pastor, Rev. J. L. Vipperman, to preach the sermon on that occasion. The building was dedicated Sunday, August 12, 1906. A short time later in October, 1906, the record shows that a revival was held by Rev. Wakefield of Atlanta.

The hearts of the whole community were saddened by the death in October of Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent, the much beloved J. H. McDougall. Very fittingly, the minutes incorporated a resolution of love and respect to one who gave so much of his life to the Glory of God and to the Church.

Rev. J. A. McKaughan resigned effective March 14, 1907, and Rev. C. F. Whitlock became Pastor in March, 1907. Several important things happened at this time: a picture of the church was sent to the Jamestown Exposition, the church was renovated and painted, and a parsonage lot was purchased. The Treasurer's report showed that all bills to date were paid leaving a cash balance on hand, and subscriptions for building a parsonage were being paid promptly. On January 15th, 1908, a contract was let for building a parsonage on the lot located at 717 North 5th Street. Trustees were authorized to borrow $700.00 and proceed with building. The parsonage being completed, Pastor Whitlock and family moved in on March 11, 1908. The second year of Rev. Whitlock's ministry was as active as the first. During 1908 the Ladies of the Church raised considerable money for the numerous needs of the Church and community. In June 1908, a series of revival services were held by Rev. Fred Day of Winston-Salem resulting in 28 additions. The minutes reported the work of the Pastor for the month of July 1908, in which Mr. Whitlock made 65 pastoral calls, held 28 services, and received 19 into the church, 12 by baptism. Rev. Whitlock resigned in the Fall of 1911.