THE AVINGER CITIZEN
Special Historical Edition
June 18, 1954


BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY TOLD

The first record of the Baptist Church appears in old items about the Hickory Hill Community. It is first described as being one mile south at the old Pattillo homestead.

Some time during the eighties, as near as can be ascertained, it was torn down and a major part of it moved to its present location. This building, when completed, sat farther back on the lot and faced the present railroad right-or-way.

The organization was quite active here for a number of years, through out the nineties, and then gradually dwindled down to just a few members. It became disbanded around 1900 and the building served as the public school for several years. Toward the last it was abandoned altogether and all of the window sashes were taken out. It remained a deserted building for several years rapidly falling into a bad state of disrepair.

Mrs. George Pitchford and a Mrs. Shamburger, whose husband was cashier of the bank here at that time, began a concentrated drive to reorganize the church and restore the building. Much time and effort and such funds as could be produced, was spent in re-establishing the institution.

Mrs. Shamburger became the first Sunday School superintendent of the newly reorganized group and Mrs. Pitchford remained a dauntless leader and hard, faithful worker in the church for the rest of her life. She passed away in 1953. Many present and former Baptists value highly the priceless council and guidance afforded them through her inspiring efforts as a Sunday School teacher.

A short time after the building had been restored, it was decided that it was too close to the Johnson place barn lot. Such being the case, it was moved forward and turned around to the present position. It underwent another major remodeling in 1937; otherwise it is still the same building, except for the addition of Sunday School rooms.

When the Bud Johnson's moved into town to take over the operation of their spacious hotel next door, they became very active workers in the church. Mr. Johnson served it faithfully for years as Sunday School Superintendent.

When the hotel installed a Delco system in about 1919, the church was hooked up on it too. Many of us still recall how, often during a lengthy evening service, the little gasoline motor would begin to sputter and lights become dimmer until they finally flickered out leaving a sinner in the darkness with his conscience.

One of the outstanding early ministers of this and other Baptist churches in the area was brother G.K. Williams. An old Civil War Vet. with a long white beard, he was well loved and will be long remembered by many.

Some other good preachers of more recent times were Bros. Collum, Eugene W. Dickey, and A.L. Pierce.