HISTORY OF ENON BAPTIST CHURCH

The first record of Enon Baptist Church is dated Saturday January 9, 1864. It reads “Pursuant to a call from several brothers and sisters previously dismissed from Little River Baptist Church, a Presbytery convened at the Clayton School House to consider the propriety of recognizing themselves as a church.” Being considered by the Presbytery sound in doctrine and consistent in practice, they were recognized as a Baptist church. Names of those composing the Presbytery were not listed but A. W. Beck was elected Church Clerk. Since Jacob Beck had been a deacon at Little River it was voted that he would continue in said office. A. W. Beck was also elected a deacon. J. B. Marsh was unanimously elected pastor.                        

On July 16, 1864, the minutes state that a building committee was appointed “to select a place and procure a title for a situation for the church.” The committee was Samuel Allison, Jacob Beck, and James Orr.

The minutes of April 15, 1865 mention a report of the building committee and say they “run out a lot for a meeting house”. Later minutes do not mention lot, title or building, but by tradition it is assumed that a log structure was built where the
stone Church-fellowship hall not stands.

Sometime soon after the organized church began to flourish, the leaders felt the need to join with other churches in the area and minutes of August 20, 1864 state that  otion was acted on “that we represent ourselves to the Transylvania Association”.  so, early in the life of the church we became involved in the life of the church community.                            

A much talked about fact that land used for the first church site came from land granted  by the Lyday family was verified by Mr. J. Galloway, Register of Deeds of Transylvania County on September 1, 1886 in a statement that stated “The property was deeded by A. J. Lyday on June 14, 1884 to Jacob Beck, Charlie Osborne and E. B. Clayton as trustees at that time. Property would belong to the church as long as it is used for church and educational purposes.”

Because of loss of written records much of the. history of the next twenty-five years is “by word of mouth”. We do know that because education was important to the community that a combination of church and school was common.

In the early 1880’s a second church was built. Much local church history and that of Broad Valley Institute is interwoven. There was a very large two—story building that most likely housed both church and school. It had a large sanctuary on the second floor that could seat about 400. On the first floor was one large classroom and two smaller ones. This building was used for worship on Sunday and during the week, was used as a school. Many young men from other communities came to board nearby and attend the school. Many of them in later years were active in our county as ministers and teachers. It seems that the principal of the school was often the minister of the church.

The church bell in the belfry of the stone church was first used in this building. The inscription on the bell reads “donated to Enon High School and Enon Church in 1886 by E. B. Clayton”.

About 1901, the minutes mention needed repairs of this building. A.J. Beck, aided by many ladies of the church community, did much needed repairs. During this period, traveling ministers conducted meetings and 22 members were added to the church for a total of 164. In about 1912, the minutes mention a series of meetings that resulted in 24 persons being baptized on February 4th in the snow-cooled waters of Lyday creek. 

In 1916, the Pastor began to make plans to repair or replace this building. By consent of members and trustees, grounds were leased to the Transylvania county board of education for a new building that the church was granted permission to use as a place of worship for five years.

In 1921, Enon and Pisgah Forest churches formed a field and called Reverend E.G. Ledford pastor. Reverend Ledford encouraged the old building committee and recommended it be strengthened by the addition of N.L. Ponder, 0. E. Blythe and W.L. Talley. During this time, the church ‘was being constructed as funds were available. On Christmas Day, 1921  he church was dedicated. A frame structure stained brown with beautiful stained glass
windows, it would seat 300 when folding doors to the Sunday School rooms were opened.

Many men of the community were active in the business of the church during the next fewyears. One that must be mentioned is Mr. N.L. Ponder who was teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and was ordained a minister at Enon. Missions have long been an important part of Enon church. The cooperative program plan of mission giving was adopted in 1925. A W.M.U. was organized in 1925, probably by Mrs. Flora Holliday.

In 1946, the church began again to remodel. Sunday school rooms were increased by s full-sized basement. Restrooms were added, new pews were installed and a new piano purchased. It was during this time that the entire church was rock-veneered. Much of this work was directed by Mr. Ponder, Mr. Jim Cox and Mr. Tom Cox. In 1955, ground was cleared and new cemetery plots added.

In 1956, the church called its first full—time pastor. He was the Reverend R.L. Phillips and he served until his resignation in 1964. During his tenure the church built their parsonage and Rev. Phillips and his family moved into this home in July of 1960.

In 1964 Enon celebrated 100 years of service to the community. August 15, 1964 was Centennial Homecoming Day and at this time by pledge and donation, the parsonage debt was liquidated.

The Sunday following Centennial day, the Rev. G.H. Shope came to be our pastor. A very dynamic individual, he means a great deal to our present program because of his foresight and evangelistic endeavors. During the first years of his leadership the membership increased. The sanctuary was becoming overcrowded and the people began to think of expansion. In 1966 a Plans and Survey Committee was appointed. This committee, after a diligent search, decided that a new building must be erected. On June 28, 1967 the trustees were authorized by vote of the congregation to accept a bid for construction of this building. Ground was broken on July 9, 1967. The first service held in the completed building was February 19, 1968. The organ was given by ma Talley Rustin in memory of her parents who were active for many, many of the first years at Enon. Mr. Talley being Sunday School Superintendent during the formative years of the church. The table in the vestibule was given in memory of Mr. and Mr. N.L. Ponder by their children. One of them, Mrs. Floy Talley, is still an active member of the church. Other furnishings were given by W.M.U. and other mission organizations of the church. Rev. Shope was called to a new field and moved on in August of 1968.

Ground purchased from the Owenby family is used as part of our parking lots. All parking is paved, the parsonage has been enlarged, the roof replaced, and all grounds including the cemetery are well kept. We have continued to grow under the leadership of Rev. Tommy Owen and Rev. Tommy Madden, both dynamic mission minded pastors. Our youth programs are growing and our young people are a very important part of our program.
In 1985 several of our members were actively involved in remodeling the stone church and its conversion to a beautiful and useful fellowship hall. The library has been moved from the stone church to the main building. The sanctuary is air—conditioned and very comfortable. Ever mission—minded, many of our membership have been helping Glade Creek, Oak Grove and others with remodeling projects.

Rev. Jerald Willingham came to us on January 9, 1989 and we are looking forward to many more years of growth under his able leadership.

Pisgah Forest, N.C. 1989

  

Pastors Since 1979
Pastors	Dates
Rev. Tommy Madden	Dec. 1979 to 1988
Rev. Gerald Willingham	Jan. 1989 to April 1994
Rev. Frank Baker (interim)	June to Nov. 1994
Rev. Perry Ripple	Nov. 1994 to Sept 1996
Rev. Wayne Sorrells (interim)	June 1997
Rev. Jim Kinard	July 1997 to May 1999
Rev. Tommy Madden (interim)	May 1999
Rev. Tommy Madden	Feb. 2000 to Present