A new faith called "Methodism" was first founded at a Christmas Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1784. This new faith spread rather rapidly, even though it was restricted by means of communication, mode of travel, and a territory sparsely settled.
History of the Methodist movement tells us that at about the turn of the nineteenth century, an eminent and enthusiastic Methodist preacher by the name of Henry Evans came to the Cape Fear Valley from Virginia, preaching the beliefs of John Wesley. People thronged to hear Preacher Evans tell about the doctrine of John Wesley and, because of the lack of public buildings and homes not large enough to accommodate large gatherings, they met at suitable camp sites.
In those bygone days a camp site was usually located near a stream of water in a v~oded area so as to provide comfort for the people. At some sites, large br&'sh arbors were built, under which services were held. The travelin9 preacher 7)jThs ca1~ed a 'circuit rider" and soon after the establishment of a camp site, the circuit rider came to the camp meeting place by appointment.
It is uncertain as to how early such a camp meeting site was established at Beaver Creek, but in a History of Hay Street Methodist Church is found this record: tton i'Aarch 22, 1834, the Presiding Elder, Reverend Nicholas Tally, asked among other questions 'Shall there be a Camp Meeting at Beaver Creek near Fayettev~J~~ during the course of the summer?' The Conference replied, tYe5, but the time to be appointed later.
The Beaver Dam Factory was situated on a knoll overlooking Beaver Creek. Running beside the factory was a natural spring of pure, fresh, clear water. Nearby, in a beautiful wooded area, was the Beaver Creek cemetery. Although Beaver Creek Factory has long since been replaced, today on its site stands the Dixie Yarn Plant. The natural spring of water is still evident, although no longer used as a source of water supply for the workers in the plant or passersby.
A handwritten Record Book of Quarterly Conference of the Cumberland Circuit gives evidence that a camp meeting site was first started at Beaver Creek Factory in a community called Beaver Creek as early as 1841. This handwritten record not only gives evidence of the existence of a camp meeting site at Beaver Creek, but it gives us some interesting facts relating to the beginning of the Cumberland Methodist Church. The following references have been extracted to give an insight into the organization of our church:
1. At the quarterly conference of the Cumberland Circuit in 1843, it lists the amount of $2b.OO paid on the pastor's salary.
2. Minutes of the Third Quarterly Conference held at Beaver Creek on June 29,
1867, include these remarks in its report: 4There is not as much interest manifested on the circuit generally as one would like to see. We have two very good Sabbath Schools on the circuit which are in a very prosperous condition, Camp Ground and Beaver Creek. The school at Beaver Creek is in a very prosperous condition and we trust is the means of great resourcefulness to the church. The number in attendance is 165 average attendance who attend regularly, with 20 teachers. We trust our school will increase in interest and render the
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guidance of the Holy Spirit by the means of accomplishing great good to the salvation of many souls. There were 30 accessions at Beaver Creek, 29 on examination, some of whom were: John Biggs, Ann J. Biggs, Sophia Bigga, Eliza Gum, Betty Hockaday, Henry C. Hall, James Pridgen, Lucy Patishall, M. E. Strickland, Julia A. Richardson, tAary J. Richardson, Duncan Strickland, Frances Smith, Elizabeth V~ade, Maria ~ Rebecca Wade.~'
3. Winutes from the Fourth Quarterly Conference of the Cumberland Circuit held at Camp Ground on August 24, 1867, gives this record of Beaver Creek: tme school at Beaver Creek consists of one superintendent, 20 teachers, 125 scholars and a library of 336 volurms. Rebecca Wade was baptized."
4 f'inutes of the Second Quarterly Conference held for the Cumberland ircuit at Beaver Creek Factory on June 25, 1870, included these remarks:
tyuvidc~nco has smiled upon and beyond the society greatly at Beaver Creek. They J£GSt cause for rejoicing at a term of extra services recently held at that nhtjnt. Thu~re was a large number of professions made and the following
5 ns connected themselves with the church: Josiah Brewer, Elias Brewer, James
Purley, Daniel J. Richardson, Ruffin Vaughn, '". D. McArthur, William Patishall,
Charles Biggs, Chas. W. Richardson, Gideon Vaughn, John Evelin, John Biggs,
61.Vau9hn, Mary A. Arnett, Elizabeth Brewer, Fanny Brewer, Emily Brewer, Joda A.
Pridgen, Melisa A. Arnett, Sarah Strickland, Nancy Strickland, James A. Bujek
There was one death - William Biggs.t1
5. Minutes of the Third Quarterly Conference of the Cumberland Circuit on June 20, 1878, included one baptism at Beaver Creek Factury: "Neill A. Buie, infant son of Gilbert and Jenni Buic."
6. Minutes of the Fourth Quarterly Conference of the Cumberland Circuit held on October 30, 1875, included this report: "Added to the church at Beaver Creek were F. H. Hall, W. J. Robinson, Wiley A. Fort, E. Shealy, Dopha Shealy. By certificate from the Lutheran Church were Eliza Gay, N. W. Gay, Alexander Biggs."
The camp meetings, according to stories handed down from generation to generation, were non-denominational. However, in the early records of the Methodist Church, the group at Beaver Creek was led by Methodist circuit riders of the Cumberiand Circuit and later it became a part of the Fayetteville Circuit, which was organized in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on December 24, 1845.
Upon the organization of the Fayetteville Circuit, it was placed under the
Cheraw District of the South Carolina Conference from 1846 thraugh 1849. In
1850 it was transferred to the Wilmington District of the North Carolina Conference. In 1858, the Fayetteville District was established and the Fayetteville
Circuit was transferred to its jurisdiction. The religious group at Beaver
Creek later became known as the Cumberland Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1887, the Beaver Creek Manufacturing Company conveyed a tract of land consisting of four acres, more or less, to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, for the sum of $1.00. This deed was recorded at the Cumberland County Court office on July 29, 1887.
In 1888, a new church of frame construction was built on the site on a knoll. The back of the building was high enough from the ground to allow a person towalk underneath it. From word-of-mouth, this church group was very spiritual and it was for all people, regardless of color, creed, or denomination.
It was known at that time as a "shouting Church." This church was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin in 1916. On this site today is the home of Mr. & Mrs. Woodley Cain.
After fire destroyed the church in 1916, the congregation met in the "Old School House" and later in the Community Library until the erection of a new church at a new site.
On the new site a church of brown shingles was built in 1923. This church was used far all services until a new educational building was completed in May 1966, after which the brown shingled church was razed from the site.
Plans for a sanctuary to be added to the educational building began to evojve. The new existing, beautiful sanctuary was completed and the first serviec hold in it on March 16, 1969, at 11:00 a.m. The pastor, The Reverend Lowood C. Lancaster, preached on dedication and, rightly so, for under his capab~e leadership, diligence, and hard work, this addition to the church became a reality. The first wedding held in the new sanctuary was that of Rebecca Smith, daughter of Shelby and Bessie Smith, to Raymond Myrick, on March 23, 1969. The contractor for the sanctuary project was Mr. James Riley.
Although the sanctuary had been completed in 1969, there was no steeple on the church. In 1973, under the leadership of Reverend John M. Yount, the steeple was erected and the beauty of the exterior of the church was completed.
The Sabbath School, ~ter called the Sunday School, is the oldest organization within the local church. It has through the years been an asset to the church in many ways. Even though the congregation met together once or twice each month for preaching by the circuit rider, the Sabbath School, under the leadership of a local preacher or an exhorter met each Sunday, except during the cold winter months. The Sabbath School served as a means of bringing the people together to worship and study. It also provided an opportunity for the local preacher or exhorter to develop into a Christian leader.
The growth of Methodism in this area owes much to the work and dedication of the local preachers (now lay preachers) and exhorters (now lay speakers) who have contributed so much under great hardships. During the era of the circuit riders, these men were popular. Upon recommendation of a person deemed to be worthy as a local preacher or an exhorter, after due inquiry concerning his beliefs and Christian witness, the Quarterly Conference would license these men, renew licenses or revoke them. Local preachers filled such important offices as class leaders, Sabbath School superintendents and church stewards and were available to conduct services in the absence of the circuit rider.
Sources available tell us there were two outstanding Sunday School superintendents who are remembered: Mr. Lauder Cuibreth and Mr. Benjamin Autry. How well the writer remembers "Mr. Ben," as he was called. Almost every Sunday morning, Mr. Ben led the congregation and attempted to lead lost souls to Jesus Christ and to encourage all Christians to reach out in our community to those who had needs, regardless of color or denomination. Of course, there were other kindred spirits who likewise made great contributions to the church. During the
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early twentieth century, Mr- Albert Wade was choir leader and a Steward. Also, Mr. John Franklin Platt, with a beautiful tenor voice, was a choir leader at one time4 Some of the early Sunday School teachers were: Mrs. Sarah Worrell, Mrs. Nealy Strickland, Mrs. Maggie Powell and Mr. A. P. Butler. In later years, Mrs. Gertrude Davis, Miss Mary Phillips, Miss Tula Culbreth, Mrs. Lizzie Buje, Mrs. Mary Mc&. MeNeill, Mr. Walt Lovick, Miss Myrs Robinson, r~s. Jofinnie Robinson, and others are remembered as outstanding Sunday School teachers. Today, there are those who have taught Sunday school for many, many years, some of whom are still teaching: Mrs. Hula West, Mrs. Berline Riley, Mrs. Eva Garner, Mr. A. C. scroggins, Mrs. Agnes fluje, tAr. Ted West, ~nd 1Ar. Martin Rasmussen.
At the beginning of the Cumberland Circuit in 1841, missions were a part of the messages presented by the Circuit Riders. At the Quarterly Conference held on April 5, 1845, at the home of Malcolm Monroe, the following resolution was recorded in the minutes of the meeting: "Resolved, that we do, in behalf of the churches on this circuit, adopt the Cent-A-Week plan for raising missionary rs.on~es. Resolved, that we appoint a committee of seven to be called the ihissionary Cormittee of Cumberland Circuit." Although. the plan was adopted, the financial results were not very successful and, locally, the missionary program £'rew slowly. flecords show that during the Civil War the Methodist Church maintained a "Mission in the Army" and the local churches contributed to the cause. It 'nas not until the organization of the Woman's Missionary Society and the establishment Cf the Centenary Fund that the churches of the Fayetteville Circult took much interest in the cause of missions.
Through the years at the Cumberland Methodist Church, the women have proven themselves to be faithful and dedicated workers for the cause of missions. Information obtained indicates that the women at one time were known as the "Ladies Aid Society," and met regularly to set and achieve goals to make money for missions. In order to do this, the women sold milk, butter, eggs, vanilla and other items. During the eight years that Mr. Seavy A. Carroll, Attorney-at-Law, from Bayetteville, was on the mission fields, the women supplied him with 01d clothing, old church literature and other items requested by Mr. Carroll. Today, the women continue to have great concern for global missions.
The first parsonage for the Fayetteville Circuit was located on the corner of Arsenal and Broadfoot Avenues in Fayetteville. After the need for a parsonage for the Fayettevilie Circuit was decided upon, at a special session of the Board of Trustees on December 28, 1907, authorization was granted to negotiate a loan, not to exceed eleven hundred dollars, to pay bills incurred in building the parsonage and to secure the loan by a mortgage on the property. The first pastor to reside in the new parsonage was the Reverend V. A. Royall.
For several years the Fayetteville Circuit was presented with a problem of par;ing off the indebtedness on the parsonage. Finally, in 1910, the church at Camp Ground assumed the entire debt on the Circuit parsonage and the deed to the property was transferred to the Trustees of the Camp Ground Church.
Although twice deeded to the Camp Ground Church during the years, the par-sonage of the Fayetteville Circuit was sold in 1947 and a new parsonage on Pu9h Street in Fayetteville was built. The first pastor to reside in this parsonacj&. was the Reverend Russell S. Harrison. In 1960, our church went station and the parsonage on Pugh Street was sold and a new parsonage for the Cumberland Church
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was built beside the old brown shingled church on what is now known as George Owen Road. The Reverend H. M. Gitlin was the first pastor to live in the new home. The contractor for the parsonage project was Mr. Zan Cooke; the chairperson of the building committee was Mr. Dewey Porter.
For some years some members of the church felt we needed some additional property behind the church. This would be used for recreational purposes. The property was owned by Dixie Yarn, Inc.
The latter part of 1979 a new effort was put forth to obtain this property. We received word from Mr. John Thompson, Secretary of Dixie Yarn, that they would be willing to sell the property. The price for 2.9 acres was $3,000.00. This money was raised by contributions by the members of the church. None of the money was taken from the treasury of the church.
on February 1, 1980, $3,000.00 was delivered to Mr. Eddie Brower, who maflayts Dixie Yarn property. He, in turn, delivered to A. C. Scroggins the deed.
e '~~5 recordad and then turned over to Jimmie Scroggins, Chairman of Trustees.
He then passed it on to Junior Riley, Custodian, to be put with other papers of th church.
The church now owned 2.9 acres of trees, ditches, stumps, and anything else that could take up space on a piece of land. Lloyd Foe was instrumental in selling the timber from the property. Then the fire wood gang took over and started cutting fire wood. After they finished, not much was left, but it was a far cry from being a playground or ball field.
In the Spring of 1981, 3. W. Autry brought his men and equipment in and started leveling the land. He and his men and equipment worked for weeks on the field. He leveled it off so that it was ready to be sowed in grass. How fortunate Cumberland United Methodist Church is to have a man like J. W. Autry as a member. He did all the work at no cost at all to the church.
The grass was sowed in July of 1981 by the Pastor, Paul Stallsworth. It came up and at this writing we have a good field of grass.
Our aims and hopes are that this field can be used for recreation for the members of the church, and also be used to reach others in our community.
Into each of the three church buildings at Cumberland have gone not only sweat, tears and toil, but sacrifices, that the present day members might inherit not just a building or an organization, but a faith in God by which to live and on which tp build for the future. We indeed are grateful for a generation of believers, whose names were never recorded, who more than a century ago started our first "Methodist' movement. We give God the praise for those who have made so great a contribution to our heritage.
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