Milford chronicle., 1962-07-27
Mt. Enon Church Has
Shown Steady Growth
CONTINUED from page one)

"call" a minister. Rev. John White
was the first pastor In the mean
time, the late Rev. Marshall on
tinued his counciling as well S
serving the ordinances for Rev.
White, since he was not an ordain-
ed minister. However, Rev. White
held the Church together the short
time he was pastor.
The Church's attendance grew so
rapidly that a larger place in
which to worship was needed. The
Church was then moved to the Sew
en- Night Hall on North Street. Dur
ing that period, the Church called"
Rev. Curtis. He served as pastor
for about liz years. A Rev. Hunter
followed him.
The precious few persons here
who profeSSed the Baptist faith had
yearning desire to erect a house
of worship. This being true, they
teamed together and purchased a
plot of ground on Truitt Avenue.
The depression had set in and times
were extremely hard, thus h e r
zest ito build began to wane. 1t was
next to impossible. But the con-
gregation had to have Church, an
edifice, a house in which to wor-
ship. So in May 1922 the congrega-
tion purchased a building ian old
dance hall and movie house to be
eYact) from ST. Paul Methodist
Church. The congregation renovat-
ed the old building and dedicated
it as a place or worship. AT last the
congregation had Gods house n
which to worship located at 4th and
West Streets. There was much
shouting and praising God the first
Sunday worship was held in His
house.
Many pastors have served h
flock at Mt. Enon. Rev Alexander
w. White was the first one called
to the new Church; then followed
Rev. Henry ]. Alderbridge who pas
tored one year. Rev. Frederick B.
Cobb succeeded him. Rev. Co b b
later resigned. In 1929, the Rev. D.
A. Downing, the present pastor,
was called by the Church. During
his pastorate, there have been
many ups and downs. There have
been moments of discouragement
so much SO that only a dedicated
man as Rev. Downing is, could have
stuck to the post. Therefore, he is
very dearly loved by his congrega-
tion and highly praised for his tol-
erance, patience and long suffering
by all.
The original Mt Enon was demo-
1shed. In its place stands beauti-
full pink and gray building with its
doors wide open extending to all
hearty welcome. This welcome is
especially extended to the Baptists
who are away from home. Th e
new Church was erected in 1866
and incorporated in 1856.
The first deacon in the early his
tory of Mt. Enon Baptist Church
was the late Mr.. George Lingo who
held his membership at the First
Baptist Church (white) in Milford
until Mt. Enon was organized.
Among the other deacons and
trustees were the late John Wesley
Smith, Garfield Cannon, John War
rem, Hurley Henry, Ned Henry and
the late j. Graham Scott, Sr.
Mt Enon has had two mothers
of the Church. They were the late
Mrs. Ida Sockum and the late Miss
Lydia Lingo who were faithful to
the end.
There are five active trustees,
two active deacons and four walk
ing deacons now. There are eight
active auxillaries at present. Both
the Sunday School and the B.Y.P.U.
are we'll attended including adults
as we'll as children.
Under the pastorship of Rev. D.
A. Downing, the church has ordain-
ed one minister who is Mr.. Leslie
Freeman.
Thus you can see that Mt Enon
Baptist Church is not standing
still. She who had her humble be-
ginning in a vacant room in a home
on Church Avenue, has increased
in statue to the beautiful edifice at
4th and West Streets. Not only has
her physical strength grown but t
her strength and beliefs in A l.
mighty God have moved forward.
Done by the order of Mt. Enon
Baptist Church Historians. Dea-
cons: John Warren, Garfield Cam
non. Sisters: Lillian Parker, Alber-
ia Marshall, Lucy Downing.
-oOo-