The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1962-01-05
BELHAvEN'S TRINITY CHURCH
OBSERVES 6lST ANNIVERSARY

sunday marked q real milestone
in the history Of the Trinity Metho-
dist Church of Belhaven.
It was organized just sixty years
ago in 1901, and has concluded six
ty years of service since its Begin
ming.
It is now occupying its original
building although it has been re-
novated and added to from time to
time. Twenty-seven ministers, al
together, have served the church.
The first regular minister was Rev.
]. E. Bristowe, and he served one
year. The membership has increas-
ed from the start to 176 for in the
beginning the population of Bel
haven was only about 200.
Two special services were held
in commemoration of its anniver-
sary.
The Trinity Methodist Church Of
Belhaven was originally known as
the Methodist Episcopal Church of
Belhaven. Prior to the building Of
a Methodist Church, the Methodists
along with other denominations
held their services in the school
house. It was here that the Rev,
Samuel Lefruss in 1899 held serv-
ices each third Sunday night. He
was succeeded in 1900 by the Rev
D. B. Parker.
The Sunday School was organized
in 1901. Colonel Hawkins was sup
erintendent and L. T. Houston was
treasurer. The enrolment was quite
good since they met in the after
noon and other denominations join
ed to increase the number.
During the ministry Of the Rev
L. E. Sawyer the name was chang
ed to Trinity Methodist Church.
Numerous improvements have
been made in both the church and
the Sunday School. Sunday school
rooms have been added providing
the Sunday school with six regular
classrooms, a central small auditor
ium, and the women of the church
equipped one of these rooms with
kitchen facilities and utensils.
In more recent years, a central
heating system has been installed
the lighting system modernized, and
the main church sanctuary painted
The outstanding addition, was the
installation of Hammond Electric
Organ. Mr.. and Mrs. L. B. Rookie OF
Norfolk, Virginia, presented the
church with an altar set.
The most recent improvement OF
buildings and grounds included the
renovation and painting Of the par
sonage which is located adjacent to
the church.
Organizations within the church
include the Woman's Society OF
Christian Service, three Circles, the
Methodist Youth Fellowship, and
the Methodist Mems Club.
Pastors who have served the
church include Rev. w. E. Brown.
1903-1904; Rev. H. M. Jackson,
1904-19O5; Rev. w. E. Hocutt; 1906
1907; Rev. w. F. Jones, 190S-1909;
Rev. Rufus Bradley, 19O9-191O;
Rev. C. A. Jones, 1911-1914; Rev.
L. B. Jones, 1915-1916; Rev. S. A.
Nettles, 1916-1917; Rev. ]. C. Whed-
bee, 191S-1919; Rev. w. L. 10y,
1919-1920; Rev. T. C. Davis, 1921
1924; Rev. ]. P. Bross, 1925-1927;
Rev. E. E. Weathers, 1927-192S;
Rev. R. III. Broome, 1928-1929; Rev.
T. w. Downum, 1930-1934; Rev. ].
w. Sneeden, 1935-1936; Rev. L. E.
Sawyer, 1937-193s; Rev. w. B. Pen
nv, 1939-1940; Rev. D. E. Garner,
194O-1941; Rev. o. C. Haas, 194l-
1915; Rev. E. B. Edwards, 1916
1947; Rev. L. T. Singleton, 1948-
1852; Rev. L. P. jackson, 1852
1854; Rev. Allen Wentz, 1954-1957;
Rev. o. S. Williams, 1957-1959; Rev.
L. C. Bissette, 1959-1961; and
James M. Waggoner, present pastor
from 1861.