Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Hickory Grove Church (19)

Hickory Grove Church (19)

Dr. Joe Sutton

FORMAL SEPARATION (Cont.)

Withdrawal from the Union Baptist Association (U.B.A.) in 1884 did not mean Hickory Grove had rejected Baptist church beliefs altogether. Reportedly without a conference home that year, Hickory Grove continued to publicly operate as an Independent Baptist Church, absent external U.B.A. governance and oversight:

1884, November 5: "The Independent Baptist Church at Hickory Grove met last Sunday to arrange for ministerial services, the Church being without a minister. A motion was adopted, requesting the Missionary Baptist Association, the M. E. [Methodist Episcopal Church, South] Conference and M.P.C. [Methodist Protestant] Conference, to supply the Church with preaching once a month, or as often as they can..." (The Daily Journal, New Bern)

In order to keep the church doors open, the pulpit had to be filled. Not limited to Baptist preachers, local ministers representing other denominations conducted worship services throughout the end of the year. Although there is no record that Baptist co-pastor Rev. James Cavanaugh ever preached at Hickory Grove again, Methodist co-pastor Rev. James Carpenter continued his preaching commitment:

1884, November 19: "Rev. Mr. [J. D.] Carpenter preached here last Sunday and Sunday night–his regular appointment. He filled his appointment at Hickory Grove at 3 1/2 o'clock p.m." (The Daily Journal, New Bern)

Those who joined Rev. Carpenter in leading worship services were Baptist preacher Rev. Allen J. Hires, former Baptist pastor Rev. B. W. Nash, and Free Will Baptist preacher Rev. Daniel Davis. Their ministry at Hickory Grove was well-documented in the local news:

1884, November 26: "Rev. Mr. [A. J.] Hires preached at the Baptist church here [La Grange] Sunday. No service Sunday night. He will preach at Hickory Grove the fourth Sunday in December, at 8 o'clock p.m." (The Daily Journal, New Bern). 

1884, December 5: "Rev. B. W. Nash expects to preach at Hickory Grove, in Lenoir County, on the 4th Sabbath in this month. The Church and citizens of that community are requested to attend." (The Daily Journal, New Bern)

1884, December 10: "Rev. Daniel Davis, of the Free Will Baptist Church, preached at Hickory Grove last Sunday. Text: 1st Kings, 10th chapter, 19th verse. "The throne had six steps." We remember hearing Mr. Davis some years ago at Hood Swamp [Free Will Baptist Church]. His effort at Hickory Grove last Sunday, we presume, will not be regarded as a masterly one." (The Daily Journal, New Bern)

The next article in this series will discuss Hickory Grove's decision to become a Methodist work. Interested readers may enjoy reading a previously published Bucklesberry article titled "Dog Days 1886" available at https://bit.ly/45u5iLr.