Associational Minutes. Includes minute records of the association from 1851 – 2001, when the association changed names to The Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association. Minutes reflect the accomplishments and struggles faced by the Association in each year of their work. Topical issues appearing in the minute records include temperance beliefs among local churches and the community, relationships with other local Baptist associations, local and foreign missions, and missions related to local soldiers during the Civil War. Records are complete with the exception of the 1855, 1865, and 1998 minute records. A partial book exists for the 1855 minutes. The 1865 and 1998 minutes are missing entirely. The 1865 minute book is available through Wake Forest University’s archival collection.
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1878 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1878 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Boiling Springs Church (present day: Boiling Springs Baptist Church) in Boiling Springs, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by A. C. Erwin. Questions were posed to the association on the subject of mourner's benches, anxious seats, and the process of calling to order a Union meeting. In the Committee on Education's report, mention is made of the Boiling Springs Academy, the Shelby Male and Female High School, and the Baptist Female College. The Abstract of Principles, Rules of Decorum, and Constitution are included in the minute book.
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1879 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1879 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at New Prospect Church (present day: New Prospect Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Rev. Harvey Hatcher. The Committee on Periodicals recommends the addition of the Religious Herald to the previously established list of recommended Baptist periodicals. The Committee on Obituaries reported the passing of Wade Hill, an active member of the association.
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1880 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1880 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Double Springs Church (present day: Double Springs Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by P.R. Elam. The Committee on Associational Missions recommends more preaching support for areas between the Cleveland County line and the far Eastern parts of the Association. The Committee on Periodicals recommends circulation expansion for the Biblical Recorder in an effort to reach every family in their bounds.
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1881 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1881 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Buffalo Church (present day: Buffalo Baptist Church) in Blacksburg, SC. The introductory sermon was delivered by W.A. Nelson. This meeting celebrated the Association's thirtieth anniversary. The Association recommends discontinuing the use, sale, or manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. The Committee on Education recommends providing more educational resources for both girls and boys.
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1882 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1882 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Bethel Church (present day: Bethel Baptist Church) in Ellenboro, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by A.L. Stough. The Committee on Education recommends that the Association send their daughters to the newly established Baptist College for females started by Shelby Church.The Committee on Religious Literature recommends the inclusion of the Foreign Mission Journal.
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1883 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1883 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Pleasant Grove Church (present day: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by G.P. Hamrick. The Southern Baptist Convention asked the Association to raise $160.00 towards a $75,000 overall goal from all fourteen southern states. Updates were provided as to the enrollment and needs of the Baptist Female College and Shelby High School.
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1884 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1884 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Big Springs Meeting House (present day: Big Springs Baptist Church) in Ellenboro, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by A.C. Irvin. The Committee on Education reports that the Shelby Female College continues to be a success. The Committee on Ministerial Support recommends that churches pay their pastors a timely salary.
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1885 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1885 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at State Line Church (present day: Grover Baptist Church) in Grover, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by B.W. Bussey. The State Missions report indicates that there are seventy missionaries across the state. In the past three years, there have been thirty-nine new organized, twenty-eight new meeting houses built, and three thousand professed conversions to Christianity. The Home Missions Board reaffirms their mission to reach out to destitute places in the South, to Indians, to aid feeble churches in building houses of worship, and to furnish instruction to the colored ministry. It was recommended that the Kings Mountain Baptist Association formally adopt the Shelby Female College under its charge, particular note was paid to liquidating the debt of the college.
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1886 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1886 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Beaver Dam Church (present day: Beaver Dam Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by G.M. Webb. The Committee on Temperance recommends that the Association's pastors preach a sermon on temperance in October. Minutes include an extensive report from the Committee on Women's Mission Work, detailing the history, purpose, and contemporary thoughts on women participation in mission work.
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1887 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1887 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at New Bethel Church (present day: New Bethel Baptist Church) in Lawndale, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by J.D. Huffman. The Association appointed a new committee to manage the distribution of the Bible and other Baptist religious publications to its constituents.The Association continues to hold a vested interest in supporting students financially in achieving their education. The Shelby Female College has appointed E. J. Willis as the new principal upon the retirement of R. D. Mallory. The issue of ministerial support continues to be of concern.
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1888 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1888 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at High Shoals Church (present day: High Shoals Baptist Church) in Mooresboro, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by J.M. McManaway. The Committee on Baptist Orphanage reports that there are 92 children in the Orphanage at Thomasville, NC, which was originally designed to house 72 children. The Committee asks for financial support to help with construction of new houses for the orphanage, as well as support for the Orphanage's publication Charity and Children.The Committee on Baptist Literature recommends the addition of Our Home Field to Sunday school teachings. The minutes include a lengthy report from the Associational historian E. B. Hamrick.
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1889 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1889 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Elizabeth Church (present day: Elizabeth Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by G.P. Hamrick. The Committee on Temperance recommended that the Association should make an effort to prohibit the sale, manufacture, and use of liquor. This resolution was voted down. The Committee on Education asks for continued support of the Shelby Female College, as well as Judson College of Hendersonville, NC, the only Baptist college in the state that provides equal educational opportunities for both men and women. The Committee on Obituaries reports the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson. Mrs. Wilson, owner of Cleveland Springs, gave the land upon which Elizabeth Baptist Church was built.
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1890 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1890 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Zion Church (present day: Zion Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by J.A. Speight. The Association appointed a committee to help raise $2000 for the endowment of Wake Forest College. The minutes contain the annual letter written by G. P. Bostick, Baptist missionary to China.
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1891 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1891 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Waco Church (present day: Waco Baptist Church) in Cherryville, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by F.C. Hickson. A memoriam for the passing of Rev. L.H. McSwain, a long time pastor and member of the Association, was recorded as a supplement, and was originally supposed to appear in the 1890 Minutes. The minutes contain the annual letter from G. P. Bostick, Baptist missionary to China.
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1892 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1892 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Gastonia Church (present day: First Baptist Baptist Church of Gastonia) in Gastonia, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by G.P. Hamrick. Minutes include extensive advertisements for the American Baptist Publication Society's periodicals. The report on Ministerial Education recommends Boiling Springs High School due to its services for rural and working class students. The Report on Ministerial Support laments that ministerial pay (averaging at $100) is not adequate compensation. "In looking around for the cause for this state of affairs, [the association] is constrained to lay blame largely at the door of the preachers." The committee encourages ministers to better prepare for sermons, thus improving sermon quality. The committee recommends that Gastonia Church and Shelby Church increase the pay of their ministers to $800.
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1893 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1893 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Boiling Springs Baptist Church in Boiling Springs, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by J.L. Sproles. The Committee on Temperance reports that members are sending grains and fruits to be stilled, and recommends continued efforts to eliminate the sale, consumption or manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. The Committee on Baptist Orphanage reports that there are 125 children in the Orphanage that need support through food and clothing.
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1894 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1894 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Shelby Church (First Baptist Church of Shelby) in Shelby, NC. The opening scripture and prayer was delivered by Dr. Mitchel and introductory sermon delivered by A. C. Irvin. The Committee on Baptist Orphanage requests that each church in the Association take up one collection per year, and each Sunday School take up a collection on the first Sunday of every month, for the orphanage. The Committee on Ministerial support recommends that churches pay their pastors 80 cents per capita.
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1895 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1895 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Bethlehem Church (present day: Bethlehem Baptist Church) in Kings Mountain, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Dr. Hufham. The Committee on Baptist Orphanage reported that Elder J.B. Boone will take over the role of the orphanage General Manager. A new Baptist church in Casar, NC applied for admission to the Association. The Committee on Temperance recommends that the Association no longer support any legislator who does not enforce Prohibition in Shelby. A resolution was made regarding itinerant preacher C. F. Felmet, whose meetings were deemed disorderly and disorganized by the Association. The Association voted to further investigate his activities.
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1896 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1896 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Lattimore Church (present day: Lattimore Baptist Church) in Lattimore, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by G.P. Hamrick. Patterson's Station and Webb's Chapel churches joined the Association. The Association will work with the Broad River Association to investigate the charges against C.F. Felmet in reference to an 1895 resolution regarding his questionable character and lack of church affiliation.
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1897 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1897 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at New Hope Baptist Church in Earl, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by A.C. Irvin. The Committee on Education reported that progress towards creating a Female University continues to be successful, and commends the efforts put forth by The Baptist High School of Cleveland Mills. The Committee on Foreign Missions reports that the Southern Baptist Convention has deployed missionaries in China, Mexico, Africa, Brazil, Japan, and Italy.
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1898 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1898 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Sandy Plains Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by T. Dixon. The Committee on Home and Indian Missions report that with the opening of Cuba and Puerto Rico, the Association will send a missionary to Santiago and eventually back to Havana. The Committee on Orphanage reported that a new printing press and outfit were purchased for Charity and Children. The Committee on Education reports progress in the establishment of a female university and commends the efforts of the Baptist High School at Cleveland Mills. The Association reported raising $112,249.69 for missions with $21,633.51 of that being raised through the contributions of women's societies within the church. The Committee on Temperance is concerned over the three "flourishing bar-rooms" located in Shelby, and encourage Association members to work towards driving said bar-rooms out of the county. The Committee on Ministerial Support states that Baptists do not compare favorably to other local demonimations in how they compensate ministers financially.
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1899 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1899 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at New Prospect Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by G.M. Webb. The Baptist churches of Lawndale and Double Shoals joined the Association. The Committee on Temperance reported that all saloons have been removed from Cleveland County. The Committee on Religious Literature reported that the circulation of Charity and Children has greatly increased, and recommends the distribution of The North Carolina Baptist. State missions have begun an effort to place missionaries in factories. The Baptist Female University will open its doors later this year in Raleigh, NC.
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1900 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1900 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Double Springs Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by R.L. Limrick. The Committee on Time and Place recommends that the 1901 meeting begin on Wednesday with Cherryville Baptist Church. The additional day will allow for participation in the Association's semicentennial exercises.The Committee on State Missions notes the increased growth in factory missions, with an increase of 100,000 people moving from farm to factory work in the state of NC. Reverend C. J. Woodson recommendation was adopted for all associational churches to take up a collection to aid in the building of a new church building for Double Shoals Baptist Church.
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1901 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1901 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Cherryville Baptist Church in Cherryville, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by T. Dixon. the semi centennial program address titled: "50 Years of the King's Mountain Baptist Association" was delivered by E.Y. Webb. The Association reported the death of President William McKinley. The Committee on State Missions reported that progress has been made to establish more schools, churches, and factory missions throughout North Carolina.
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1902 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1902 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by R.N. Hawkins. The Association made a motion to raise $1000 for Education. The Committee on Baptist Orphanage reported that a new dormitory is in the process of being built at the Orphanage, and the machine shop, shoe shop, and farm are all in operation and are returning profits. The Committee on Obituaries mentioned the absence of Sister T. Dixon.