The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-11-03
The Mother of Baptist Churches.

The edito. of The COMMONWEALTH
spent a day in Mufreesboro last week.
and attended the last days session Of
the West Chowan Baptist Association
at Meherrin church near the town.
1t is one OF the Oldest churches in
the country. On the front OF the
church just above the doors is the fol-
lowing painting: MEHERRIN BAP-
list CHURCH, built 1885, rebuilt
1775, 1902, 1870, 1872"
The Mufreesboro Index gave the fol-
lowing bit of It's history last week,
which will be of interest to many of
the Baptist denomination in Eastern
Carolina:
"About one halt mile southwest
from the outskirts of Mufreesboro
stands Meherrin or "Parkers," the
mother of Baptist churches and the
second Oldest church of that denom-
nation in North Carolina. The first
church organized in the State was
Shiloh, in Camden County, in 1727
which was followed two years later by
Meherrin, established by Joseph and
William Parker. From these two
sources, Shiloh and Meherrin, have
sprung most of the Baptist churches
north of the Roanoke river. Not less
than five successive houses have been
erected on this spot and dedicated to
Almighty God. For a century and
half this people and their fathers have
assembled and worshiped here and to
them it is hallowed ground. The
house now occupied by the Meherrln
congregation was erected In 1872. It
has at this time over three hundred
members and it is one of the leading
churches of the West Chowan Asso-
citation. Elder John N. Hoggard, now
IN his seventy-fifth year, who resigned
as pastor few weeks ago on account
of failing health, had for forty four
successive years proclaimed the Cos
pei of Christ from its pulpit.
"The West Chowan Association was
originally part of the Chowan Asso-
citation, which was organized at New
begun Creek, Pasquotank county, in
May 1906. At Its organization 35
delegates were present, representing Is
churches, with 1850 members. George
Outlaw was the first Moderator and
lemuel Burkltt, Clerk. In 1910 the
membership was 1868; Ill 1880 it
was 11,14J. The organization Of the
Baptist State Convention at Green
vile in 1928 was largely through the
influence of the CEo,sn Association.
Ever since its form atiol its objects,
missions and education, have been
warmly favored and generously sus-
tanned.
"The Chowan Association continued
to increase until 1883 it numbered -
churches and II ,535 members. The
subject of division of the body into
two Associations had been frequently
discussed but no active steps we're Ia
ken until 1883 when Il division was
made by the Withdrawal of the
churches in Hartford, Berthe and
northampton counties, 50 in number,
with an aggregate membership OF
5,233. Delegates from these churches
met with the church at Cashle in Ber-
tie county on the 10th dag of October,
1883, and formed the West ChoWan
Association. The first Moderator was
DR.. r. P. Thomas, who was its courte-
Gus and dignlfed presiding officer for a
number of years. The first clerk was
w. C. Parker. The West Chowan is
in many respects the leading Associ-
alton in the State and the progress it
is making is attributed to its large
number of intelligent and consecrated
laymen together with the earnest and
faithful ministers who labor within its
l. -