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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1851 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1851 meeting Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association and Convention of Delegates took place at Double Springs Baptist Church. The introductory sermon was preached by Elder D. Pannel. The convention was called to order by Elder J. Suttle, and on his motion Elder Thomas Dickson was appointed Moderator, and J. R. Logan clerk pro term. Minutes include a copy of the Constitution of The Kings Mountain Association along with Rules of Decorum.
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1852 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1852 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at New Bethel Baptist Church. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Joseph Suttle.
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1853 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1853 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 Elder George W. Rollins. The circular letter was authored by Dove Pannell on "Election."
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1854 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1854 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Mount Sinai Church (present day: Mount Sinai Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Dove Pannell. The circular letter was authored by Thomas Dixon on "Nature, Design and Application of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
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1855 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1855 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 Elder George W. Rollins. Currently, the title page, page 1, and page 15 are all that are available from the 1855 book of minutes. Transcription of handwritten text (pg. 15) - Logan has a reprint of Suttle's circular letter on "Missions" and this is the close of the letter here. Logan refers to John. R. Logan who was standing clerk of the association at the time.
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1856 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1856 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 Elder Thomas Dickson. The circular letter was authored by George W. Rollins on "Repentance."
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1857 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1857 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at the Big Springs Meeting-House (present day: Big Springs Baptist Church) in Ellenboro located in neighboring Rutherford County. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder George W. Rollins who also authored the circular letter. References in the minutes are made to the adoption of the Baptist Harmony hymn book as a uniform hymnal to be used by member churches. References are made to pedobaptists and how they shall be received into a congregation.
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1858 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1858 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at the Olive Meeting House in neighboring Catawba County, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Joseph Suttle. Minutes include the Constitution of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association, Rules of Decorum, and Abstract of Principles.
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1859 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1859 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at the Pleasant Hill Meeting House (present day: Pleasant Hill Baptist Church) in Grover, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder George W. Rollins. The circular letter was authored by Elder Joseph Suttle on "Prayer." The association unanimously adopted the motion in the form of a report from the Committee of Temperance that any church which holds a member who buys, sells, or consumes alcohol should be withdrawn from the association.
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1860 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1860 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at the High Shoals Meeting House (present day: High Shoals Baptist Church) in Mooresboro, located in neighboring Rutherford County, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Larkin M. Berry and the missionary sermon by Elder Joseph Suttle. Zion Hill Baptist Church left the Green River Baptist Association and was received as a member of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association. The Circular Letter of this meeting was authored by Elder Larkin M. Berry. The following churches were withdrawn from the association due to their rejection of the temperance resolutions adopted during the 1859 meeting: Beaverdam Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, and Sandy Plains Baptist Church.
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1861 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1861 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place in town of Lincolnton in neighboring Lincoln County and was held at local Presbyterian and Methodist churches. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder R. P. Logan. The Circular Letter of this meeting was authored by Elder George W. Rollins. On the second day of meeting, the association devoted 30 minutes of prayer in behalf of the soldiers of the Confederate Army. It was reported in the minutes that since the previous Associational meeting on October 26, 1860, the following churches have withdrawn from the Association due to their rejection of the temperance resolutions adopted in 1859: Boiling Springs Baptist, Mount Sinai Baptist, Mount Pleasant Baptist, High Shoals Baptist, and Mount Paran Baptist. These churches then formed a separate association, the Constitutional Kings Mountain Baptist Association. The Kings Mountain Baptist Association resolved to mark these churches as unorthodox in their practice and would henceforth ignore all correspondence and association with churches holding membership in the new association. In response to the Civil War, the association resolved that member churches observe December 25 - January 1 as a period of fasting, humiliation, and prayer for the Confederate army and nation.
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1862 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1862 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 Elder Larkin M. Berry and the circular letter authored by Elder John R. Logan. The assembly introduced and adopted a resolution by Elder Larkin M. Berry pertaining to speculators in the county driving up the price of household goods. The assembly proposed to petition the General Assembly of North Carolina to have the operations of the speculators ceased. The assembly introduced and adopted a resolution to encourage member churches to hold the first Sunday in December and second Sunday in January as days of fasting and prayer "for the cause of our country and its army, now engaged in the defense of our liberties...[and] to specially plead with the Great Ruler of all things, for the prosperity of the cause of the Confederate States." The Report on Temperance dictates that "many of our members, and some of our churches in union, are still delinquent" in implementing the temperance bylaws voted on in the 1859 meeting. The association has focused their home mission efforts on the Catawba valley, sending two paid missionaries to the region. The 1862 minutes see a focus shifting towards army missions with several local Baptist associations seeking to supply preaching services to the Confederate army. Reports include individual and church donations to army, coloportage, and home missions. Mention is made regarding the Biblical Recorder, edited by J. D. Hufham, and its enduring publication during the war.e individual and church donations to army, coloportage, and home missions. Mention is made regarding the Biblical Recorder, edited by J. D. Hufham, and its enduring publication during the war.supply preaching services to the Confederate army. Reports include individual and church donations to army, coloportage, and home missions. Mention is made regarding the Biblical Recorder, edited by J. D. Hufham, and its enduring publication during the war.
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1863 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1863 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at the Sandy Run Meeting House (present day: Sandy Run Baptist Church) in Mooresboro, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder George W. Rollins and the circular letter was authored by Elder Larkin M. Berry. On October 25, the association collected $654.25 to aid the Marion Board's operations to send the gospel to North Carolina troops in the Confederate Army. Additional contributions during the associational session brought the total to $671.50. A resolution was made for associational churches to cease correspondence and association with itinerant preacher Drury Scruggs. The association elected to keep Elder L. M. Berry as missionary to the Catawba Valley. Reports from the Committee on Domestic and Army Missions reports a general lack of funds for both home missions in the Catawba Valley and for North Carolina troops in the Confederate Army since the previous year. Of concern is the lack of Sabbath Schools operating at associational churches. The Committee on Obituaries reported a list of local church deacons killed during the Civil War.
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1864 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1864 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at the Bethel Meeting House in Iredell County, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Larkin M. Berry and the circular letter was authored by Elder Gabriel Phillips of the Broad River Baptist Association. At the conclusion of the missionary sermon, delivered by Elder George W. Rollins on September 18, a collection was received in the amount of $372.66 to send the gospel to the North Carolina troops of the Confederate Army. The Committee on Sabbath Schools resolved to appoint Elder G. M. Webb as a missionary to organize Sabbath Schools in all associational churches. Only three churches established Sabbath Schools at the time of the 1864 meeting, Lincolnton, Zoar, and Sandy Run. The Missionary Board requested additional funding from the association to assist Elder Larkin M. Berry his mission work to the destitute communities of the Catawba Valley.
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1866 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1866 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at High Shoal Church (present day: High Shoals Baptist Church) in Mooresboro, located in neighboring Rutherford County, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder L. H. McSwain and the circular letter was authored by Elder Dove Pannell. A motion was made to create a delegation to approach the Constitutional Kings Mountain Baptist Association, established as a result of the rift caused by the 1859 temperance bylaws, to bring about a re-union of the two associations. The concern over the lack of Sabbath Schools at associational churches was readdressed. Reports from individual committees are not included in the minute book.
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1867 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1867 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Thessalonica Church in neighboring Catawba County, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder J. H. Yarboro and the circular letter authored by Elder Robert Poston. A resolution was voted upon to accept the use of the Baptist Psalmody as the official hymnal of associational churches. A Committee of Redistricting was established for the association and proposed that associational churches be divided into 4 districts bound by geographical land markers. The Report on Sabbath Schools stated that associational churches are still largely non-compliant with the directive to establish Sabbath Schools for children. The committee encourages an increase in efforts towards the establishment of said schools.
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1868 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1868 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Mount Paran Church (present day: Mount Paran Baptist Church) in Blacksburg, located in neighboring Cherokee County, SC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder G. M. Webb and the circular letter authored by Elder J. H. Yarboro. Committees on Sabbath Schools and Missions report a decline in funding and practice.
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1869 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1869 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 Elder George W. Rollins and the circular letter authored by G. M. Webb. The association elected to suspend the practice of writing circular letters. The Committee on Periodicals recommends that associational member subscribe to the Working Christian, published by Elder T. R. Gaines of Yorkville, SC, in addition to the Biblical Recorder. The Committee on Missions reports that the association has "done nothing for domestic or foreign missions" and credits the situation to the financial situation of associational churches as a result of the Civil War.
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1871 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1871 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Bethel Church in Iredell County, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder G. M. Webb. Churches at Capernaum, Shelby, and New Prospect were received in the Kings Mountain Baptist Association upon their dismission from the Broad River Baptist Association. The 8th article in the Abstract of Principles regarding baptism were changed. The 12th article from the Abstract of Principles was stricken out. This year marked the first year that a circular letter was not sent out to associational and missionary churches. The association elected to reinstate the circular letter for the next year. The Committee on Sabbath Schools reported an increased interest in establishing Sabbath Schools among associational churches. The Committee on Periodicals, pending the adoption of their report, have secured thirty-five subscriptions for the Biblical Recorder. Minute reports include a lengthy report regarding state and foreign missions that address local and Baptist State Convention concerns.
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1872 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1872 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 Elder Wade Hill. The circular letter was authored by A. A. McSwain on the topic of systematic beneficence. Delegates were appointed to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. The minutes reflect that during the report from the Committee on Missions the meeting was interrupted by Newton Long. Long, who was intoxicated and followed by a body of United States Cavalry, "created such an excitement that the Association dispersed without formal adjournment." The Committee on Periodicals included a recommendation in their report that the Sunday School paper Kind Words be adopted for Sabbath School use.
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1873 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1873 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 Elder George W. Rollins. The report from the Committee on Missions addresses local and international mission concerns and activities. The Committee on Sabbath Schools reports that half of the churches in the association do not have Sabbath Schools. The Committee on Education recommends that the association support not only Wake Forest College, but also the local Bridges Academy - six and a half miles west of Shelby. A committee has been appointed to revise the associational constitution, rules of decorum, and abstract of principles.
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1874 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1874 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Sandy Run Church (present day: Sandy Run Baptist Church) in Mooresboro, NC located in neighboring Rutherford County. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Wade Hill. The Report on Education focuses on local concerns regarding education within the county. The report mentions that schools are being built locally by various communities, several schools are mentioned by name: Shelby school, Burnt Chimneys, Bridges Academy. Each of these schools receive financial support from the association.The report encourages the body to consider a Baptist movement in expanding their support and leadership of education within the county. The report further expands on this idea asking members to consider the role and potential influence of denominational schools in an effort to "dethrone ignorance and establish the reign of knowledge and truth within our borders."
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1875 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1875 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at New Hope Church (present day: New Hope Baptist Church) in Earl, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder Thomas Dixon. "A request of the Shiloh Association, (Colored Baptists, who were in session near us,) was handed in asking for Ministerial aid on the Sabbath." The Committee on Education reports that the state association encourages all financial support of education be channeled towards funding Wake Forest College. Double Springs Church (present day: Double Springs Baptist Church) asked of the association if it was permissible to receive members into their church body who had been excluded from other churches.
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1876 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1876 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Sandy Plains Church (present day: Sandy Plains Baptist Church) in Shelby, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder George W. Rollins. The 1876 mintues address Indian Missions. While the text of the minutes refer to the native population as "red-men of the forest" the minutes reflect a concern for providing the Gospel to "the original owners of this country." The periodicals committee recommend Orphan's Friend in addition to Kind Words and Biblical Recorder as valuable Baptist periodical reading. The Committee on Education proposes that the Baptist community make localized education a high priority. While they encourage continued support for Wake Forest College, the committee also proposes that the association support Boiling Springs Academy, principal B. H. Bridges. The committee officially recommends that an effort be made to establish a female college as there is a "need [for] educated women as well as men." On the motion of establishing a female college within the local region, a committee was established with an appointed representative from each church. The Associational Board recommended to the State Board on Missions that Baptist services be provided in Dallas, NC and Gastonia, NC, located in neighboring Gaston County. The Committee on Sabbath Schools reported that only six associational churches are conducting Sabbath Schools.
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1877 Minutes of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association
Kings Mountain Baptist Association
The 1877 meeting of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association took place at Pleasant Hill Church (present day: Pleasant Hill Baptist Church) in Grover, NC. The introductory sermon was delivered by J. H. Yarboro. The Committee on Education addresses associational support for the development of a female college and the continued support for the Shelby Academy, principal J. A. White, the Boiling Springs Academy, and Wake Forest College. A motion was made and resolved to endorse the "efforts of the Board of Trustees of the Kings Mountain Female College, to establish such a college" in Cleveland County.The association considered a motion to build the college in Shelby, NC and to raise $10,000 for building purposes. The Committee on Periodicals recommends the reading of the Foreign Mission Journal. The Report on Missions provides a brief history of Baptists in North Carolina. A copy of the Abstract of Principles, Rules of Decorum, and Constitution of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association are included in the minute book.