Jun 30

Jun 30 Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Hickory Grove Church (16)

Dr. Joe Sutton

Columns

[Column Article #32 | 7.1.26]

Neuse News

Hickory Grove Church (16)

Dr. Joe Sutton

STRADDLING THE FENCE

Within six months of electing Baptist preacher Rev. James D. Cavanaugh as pastor of Hickory Grove in November 1883, the Church trustees inexplicably called a second pastor, Rev. James D. Carpenter. The two men essentially shared the pulpit as co-pastors, although they conducted services on different regular Sundays each month:

1884, April 30: "Rev. J. D. Carpenter will, by the unanimous consent of the trustees, preach at Hickory Grove on the 3rd Sunday in each month at 3:30 p.m." (The Daily Journal, New Bern)

Not a Baptist preacher, Rev. Carpenter was pastor of the La Grange Circuit of churches of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (M.E.C.S.) Conference at the time. Needless to say, it was highly unusual for a Baptist church to bring on a second pastor who was Methodist. Whether the trustees acted independently or with the blessing of the entire church membership is unknown. No doubt, their decision did not resonate well with the congregation who voted for a Baptist preacher just a few months earlier.

Perhaps having two co-pastors of different denominations was the best of both worlds for Hickory Grove. Some members could hear from a Baptist preacher, while others could be spiritually fed by a Methodist preacher. More than likely, though, having two co-pastors reflected a divided Church, uncertain about which doctrine and governance should guide their ministry. After more than a decade of operating as a Baptist work, Hickory Grove was straddling the fence, as it were. A trajectory towards Methodist affiliation was imminent.

Not everyone was happy with the Baptist-Methodist co-pastor arrangement, in particular, former Baptist pastor Rev. B. W. Nash. Church member and journalist S. I. Sutton reported on the growing tension within the Church and the pressure it was facing from without:

1884, May 11: "The Baptist Review [Rev. Nash, editor] has its back up over the action of the trustees of the Hickory Grove Church in consenting for the Rev. J. D. Carpenter to preach there once a month, and question their right do so without instructions. Instructions from whom? The trustees and citizens of that community [Bucklesberry] built the Church, and is it right to deprive them of the privilege to say who shall, or who shall not, have monthly appointments? The trustees are unable to see or recognize any authority over them in this matter." (The Daily Journal, New Bern)

S. I.'s public statement, on behalf of Hickory Grove Church, was direct and to the point. It further messaged the Church's growing inclination to be free from ecclesiastical control of the Union Baptist Association.

Next month's article will share more information about Hickory Grove's progression toward Methodist affiliation. Interested readers may enjoy a previously published Bucklesberry article titled "Death Diseases," available at https://bit.ly/4tXq1kC.