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First Baptist Church of CooleemeeFirst Baptist Church of Cooleemee Compiled Information from the Collection of the Martin-Wall History Room of the Davie County Public Library Mocksville, North Carolina Table of Contents History of First Baptist Church of Cooleemee 4-6 Picture of First Baptist Church of Cooleemee 8 Newspaper Articles 10-30 tu u> u> -J O O CJ > >- i/> V- Davie County Public Library Mocksville, North Carolina ut ' T t o ^ History of First Baptist Church of Cooleemee Pages 4-6 V- cd V*' C UJ \U _» o o > V- V" o <C- Davie County Public Library ^ Mocksville, North Carolina u <3C ^ 3 DaMiS ^ Jlfurat Paptist dlfmrtlj (E0okemee» REV. J. WENDELL KLEIN PASTOR TELEPHONE 2301 HISTORY 0? OOOXiBEMBE BAPTIST CHORCH Cooleemde, H« C« September, SI, 1954* Oooleemee la situated on the banks of the South Yadkin River^ seven miles south of Mooksville tmo miles south of highway # ## 601 on 801 from Winston-Salem to Charlotte, H* ]}• We have Jerusalem just east of us Ephesus north of us, Jerioo West and just South a few miles Capernaum* The S* J* Tatum family were among the first residents of the town and with the assistanoe of "Ohole Johnny "Creason and others were able to start a Baptist Sunday School early in 1901* The School held its sessions in the cottages on the hill until the completion of The J* H. Iiedford Company store building, whent the hall over the store was used* Decend^er 2R, 1901 Revs* C.H* Utley and S.B. Swaim acting as a Presbytery organized a Missionary Baptist Church with twelve charter members, as follows: Brothers- S* J* Tatum, J* C* Tatum, J* W* Creason, W* C* Creason and J* S. lyons. Sisters- Ida Tatom, Sadie Tatum, Pattie Tatum, i, and Rosa Tatum, and C* V. and !)• R* Parker* cd Rev* 0* H« Utley was called as pastor and Brother J* W* Creason was elected Beacon and held the position until his life's work was u) U) S finished in the BOs* co. public library o MOOKSVILLE, NC ^ A building committee was appointed at once and started plans for a place ## of worship* Most all the charter members were from Jerusalem » Baptist Church* Articles of Eaith and Church Covenant of that cS Y congregation were adopted* A aet of rules of Decorum were drawn up and \p ... * X approved, which made it mandatory upon every male member to be present ^ at least once every three months for regular buisness conference or be > . sxibjeot to the dlaolpllne of the asaesibly. She minutea show that xoaoy members were ejected from menKberahip for miseonduet^ ineltiding druakaesB eto. and failure to eon tribute to the support of the ohureh* In the pear of 1903 the ehnroh was admitted to the South Tadkin Baptist Aaaooiation and has been a member ainoe • At that time Howan^BaTie and Irdle Counties made up the Aasoeiation. !Ehe ohureh building was eompleted in 1905 and in April 1906 the debt was oaneelddd bp the Oooleemee Cotton Mills Companp, Material cmd monep for the building was donated members and friends # in Bowan and BaTie oounl^* She Bell was donated bp the first Baptist Ohureh in Salisburp SheOooleemee Mills Companp gSTo the lot • lJPrr§L,In the pear of 1904 the Woman'^was organized, now there are different eirelea, ?• W« Gr« A«, R* A* and the general organization* Baptist Young Peoples union was organized in 1980, but had a hard strugle until 1936 then Oooleemee went on the Map, with ten A-1 unions* In 19^ a nine room Pastorium was ereeted, and after it was dedicated plans were started to raise funds for a new house of Worship, but the deprasion in the 50's it was slow going then the war earns and offerings came in yerp good* After the war material was^il^oned and it was defided not to build for two or three pears ^ but on March 16th 1947 I the i Ohureh Houae «ent up in flanea, and that night eerTieea were in the Sehooihonse and on M'iMUWiiSMiitM to April 3, 1949 when we met VD £ for the first time i4 the new Ohureh House* fhis one is constructed with ^ blocks and brick* It was i§ Bedicated the 44M next pear, and plans were ^ begun immediatelp for an Bducational plant* We are hopeing for that in 1955* We do not know who all the superintendants are all the A deaeonds have been faithful workers* <£ cO J, ^0, PUBLIC LIBRARY ^ MOCKSVILLE, IMC o ^ 5 X xj Pastors and dates of'Pastorates are: G« H* Utley BB, 1901 ---Jaa, 1, 1903. 0* S. Oashvell supplyed Jan* 1» 1903 -—April 5, 1903, John A« Sunuq7 April 5, 1903 ——]?07dBd}er 15, 1903, B. Swaim ^Tovemher 15^ 1903 —April 15, 1906, J. J. Adams May 17, 1906 September 14, 1907, £• L. Weston Ootober 3, 1907 —HoYember 27, 1910, 0« H» Utley January 15, 1911 August 23, 1913, J. A. Orubb supplied January 11, 1914—Mar, 31, 1914, H. 0, Mar ley April 1, 1914 —iffiaroh 31, 1917, W« L. Barss May,3, 1917 —October 12, 1919, J. H* Preeman April 25, 1920 — Becember 1922, Be ceased C« S« Gashwell supplied January 1923— Becember 1923^ B* P* Putnam 9, 1924 ^MSy 30,1926, T* G* Johnson supplied June 6, 1926 —— September 5, 1926, M* L. Barnes November 1, 1926 -— June Ij 1930^ A* (E« Stoudenmire July 1930 0—October 1942, G* N* Spry supplied October 1942 — Becember 30, 1942, 0* L« Hoyster January 2^ 1942 — Pebruary 28, 1951, J. W« Klein April 3rd Sunday 1951, He has tselve active deacons, vihioh are on the rotating sistem and a Sunday School Average of ^ound two hundred sixty average under His leadership « William Owens DAVIE CO. PUBLiC LIBRARY MOCKSVlLLEj, NC Picture of First Baptist Church of Cooleemee Page 8 C. o o o u-> !-• O- ' Davie County Public Library a Mocksville, North Carolina £ o a ^ 1 First Baptist Church Cooleemee From Churches ofDavie County, North Carolina A Photographic Study by Thomas L. Martin FLeritage Printers, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1957 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH COOLEEMEE Prior to 1900, S. J. Tatum, a member of the Jerusalem Baptist Church, was the mov ing spirit in establishing a Sunday School in the new town of Cooleemee and became its first superintendent. As a result of the interest and enthusiasm created, the Jerusa lem Church established a mission point in Cooleemee October 3, 1900. The following year, on December 22, the mission church was constituted as the First Baptist Church of Cooleemee. The church building, completed in 1905, was destroyed by fire in 1947. The present building was completed with the dedica tion of its Educational Building March 17, 1957. I L n •••■^7--: mtm page eleven Davie County Public Library Mocksville, North Carolina Newspaper Articles Pages 10-30 t- CL tti u> <90 o U v> >- a- <£. > CO u> Davie County Public Library Mocksville, North Carolinao d. ci3 VOLUME FORTY-TWO ;V.^-S2 mm^AY-^RlL 7, 1949 pee In New -.•••? : iKrV -tiayPSttiBH&a i ^ <1.00 PER YEAirr^v oundavii EXTERIOR OF NEW COOLEEMEE BAPTIST CHURCH mir IKX, n K Ji f - MMMMP jU5noiikrj INTERIOR OF BAPTIST CHURCH I I % ^ THE COOLEEMEE BAPTIST CHURCH 1 v.... -v" . ' Shown above is a picture of the n6W Cooleeihee Baptist church, Rev. G.-X. »p.oys^er,7,v members, friends and visitors. Their first service in the new building was held Church f Organizati^ of ^ Cooleemefc 1^aptist Church and a brief his-1 ' tory , of Samuel Jesse Tatuan; ^ who was the» moving spirit In establishing the church at Coo- I leem^.':.| (lfote:-..'The-'nrst BaptistixChurch of Cooleemee has re- cently coanpleted a new Educa- tional Building and now has the mm Sunday School' all under one Hi roof for the first time in a num-'^H t>er of years. The. Juniors, Inter mediates, and- Yoing^ Peopfe^HI ^ve been meeting in the school |-v ^ building. It is^fittina to -ry^hUohL'^..V -TJ- • —-vwy scnooth ^ w ' o r /!> „ •building. Tt is.fitting to publish^'- -- .^•^rj'^tum - the following article written by lanSh of this planta-/ the dauhgter of the one persori much timber heeded j who toos most infiuentiat^ es- the construction of houses,|i tablishing a Baptist Church in store, buildings, drug store ; our town. She was a charter hank, postoffice, school-every- faithful 'Sundatf thing necessarj^ in any newly Church, constructed town. The specialClerk for a numh^^ o# , . , • iriorh- t '-'lu.ren constructea town, xne special was o/,2/eors, need was to find a man with a!■wir ^-^"^ber mill to move on the^to a Baptist'marriage j -place and convert the timber.;took her membership to hi.^ "church.) ^ |. in the construction of such; tJust before the turn of thel buiWings. ! =century the. beautiful little ' A man, was, found m a near-town of Cooleemee, . V town who, in. addition ..to .County, came into existancp ;• mercantile inter7|; I SUDDOSP "fhprg, J ■ , ow;^d and ^ operated a.:that the lovely Indian TamrS '™''" adequate to meet|.the town came from thoT ^ Caoleemee. He wasplace, -Cooleemee Plantation rf |iPPtoached and. accepted the t": far^:hiS™^ ™ ' :n"rrthrairoffor the erection of C^ietu!^! ' Se'nL^lJf ^ti/^-C^el Jhssejichanged tn Thp. t?tP ■.«j Tatum, son of Ezra Washing- ; Mill Co and ■'■fiti Tatum and Sophia Click 'Tatum, tm ChMeemee in.;^atum, cam© w. u«oieeiue« m.,that .pn .an-,,ocSa®' |^ii« the-late 1890;s. He waa'a^ae-^rndian boy;wM-..ioua4Tam&i'?^ TeW'with a.piece orni'ne ta i-fe'SvIs a- utne -iIndian boywith a..piece of'pine ba^fe-'fayamair stream fed "by a ';nearby, spring. Whpn /asked what he, was doing he . said, .."Cooleei imee". Whatever the.-.orij^n, thelovely little "toT^ that ■was"^o inestle alon salem for manyi years as'Sun-j day School . Superintendent, Land as chi^rch. clerk. He had,; teacher in the Sunday school,!]also served as . clerk • :of -.the |jSouth Yadkin Association lor^jg the banks-of th^' Association for-South Yadkin Hiver in Davie twenty-six y^.^rs, ^nd^ pn County ^ given a name ^that J ^ pleasureable '"enjoyment of. the'j ^|-*r4^?/®.<:^^t;ion. .. ^ , i .4waters of the adjacent river|which would be conierted:"into 'turtines and other machinery' — I^age Jwhich was to .give employment ; -i to thousands, of-people. \ f' Jeeme^ihe had a TO sion hot|-^l^Wiilding houses"forS BAPTIST — From Page 1 •i.^w^*«6c i.. to typhoid •v'f'everj; H^is' rests in th& church cemetery. at Jerusalera*'^ wher^jfe .-spent most-of hfs lifeJ-The Assocja-f tion at its next meeting;'Sept- ember 1903, dedicated ;''a page B'rief'-:'s£e?^^^^^^^ in the Minutes" to his memory, .man" whoK^^C&y^- <Ti-wi«« u.-c 1_ji-iL •-'^i-r, virxiex.&>,^ .■apenu.c<tLga.^uj^eg^>"j^Tga givmg his picture; and^theVfpn ji^dediu • ^TO^g^^^yg^ hfs lifeJ-The Associa-f ts next meeting; 'Sept-?03, dedicated pige 6'rief'{iKef^^?^^^^^^pg*the [inutes"to his memory, man''ins picture; andytheVfpIl- ^6 ^9,^ itement: yRaT^j"S. J. TATtJM. - .-." .r'^ ^'^TrulVr''*'th^^^^^^^^a^3es,October 3, ,I84T. Died but the'worlc goes-i^on.''^'*'' - thejtbflnj people to live in, but to pro- owing statement: ^4.1. years." "V'ri ding a place: where the p^- j :■ 'g. j. TArijsi; ' " w"i' I°\ O-^^ber 3, ,184T.-Died , but TheStudy of God s Word and where October 23. 1902. \ worship services could be held He was a ljusiness layman, but "Clerk of the South- Yadkin his main busiess was serving Association, twenty-six'years oi .— the Lord and he knew that a twenty-nine years - of its PROG]happy church life would mean existence." ^ 'f • happier people. ' same issue of the Min- ■ otes the foriowing statement'Accordingly, when a number -^^33 recorded: I)f houses had been completed, . 'I he went to the officials of the Your committee. records mill and town and asked per- borrow what seems to us inission to use one of the untimely death of the be-ismall dwellings recently buudj^'^^®^ S. J. Tatum. who. wasfor the purpose of organizing ^^® efficient clerk of this Ass-^ a Sunday School. Permission was oci®-tion twenty-six of thegranted and he became the twenty-nine years of its exis-, moving spirit in the organiza-j f®rice. He departed this life..on^ tion of the first Sunday school October 23, 1902, at the age of , - in the new town, Cooleemee, fifty-five years. Brother Tat-and became its first superin-|^ni was a faithful and hearty\ tendent. From the beginning^pporter of all the work ofI this Suday school filled a; this body, and his life was off-growing need in the town and ered as a living sacrifice up- it was not long until a church on the alter of his Lord. We deen- ! organization was a visible re- iy deplore the loss of this good• suit. "Vjery definiteiv the churc'h'ni®n-a star of the first ma<m,i-owes its beginning to the ef- ^^^e among his brethren^ Aft^rforts of this consecrated lay- f suffering man. In 1900 the church was formed as a mission of Jeru- biddine:salem church. In April 1901, member of h-s family an :the Executive Board of - the affectionate farewell.South Yadkin Association, ot Servent. of God, well done; which he was a member, sent from thy ^cved empicvRev. Charlee H. Utiey to take battle fought;, the vic- rbarir. of the newly organized tory won: - ■ ., jchurch on a half time basis., ^nter the Master> jov.- / i Aoplication for membership in - t ' '^•he Association was made and • -DOLMAN,^ i 't was admitted to membership 'September 1902."^ - Committee on ;Ohituanes. .• J Cooleemee Baptist'Church is, 1At the. Assdciaiipiial mbet- now fifty-fi-gfi years'- .old. 1AC cne. ABaouiAtAuuAi mtpci. now tiity-irve . years old. j I Sadie* Tatum' Durham Lumberton, N. C. PROGRAM — Frojn Page 1 • : ing in September 1902, Sam- TTirough the years it has grown —iiel Jesse Tatum. served as clerk )— ; "'Qfor the last time. "On.. October jMBBMEBBBBBB < tJ. .'■'■■W" 'M I "ENCOUNTER," • or r\ 3 o <b 15k 'O o Davie County Public Library Mocksviiie, NC IS "WORLD'S 9 ® b' FAIR EN. • COUNTER" is based on tha j story of two young people ) who actually visited the Fair i during the first season of its | operation. Pamela Baird, a j Walt Disney national talent j contest winner, whose career j Iras included feature roles in ' a numbr of major studio pro- ! ductions and numerous top- ! ranking television products, : plays the role of a graduate : nurse from Montana. Jean Luc Ray, making his acting de- : but, portrays a Swiss-French exchange student who is en rolled as an architect major' at a New York University. The encounter of these two young people and their grow ing friendship during a day at the Fair, is the vehicle '.hrough which film viewers are at cnce entertained, in formed and inspired. The culture and heritage of many of the world's commu nities are emphasized by vi- . sits to a number of the col orful internaticnal pavilions and exhibition areas. Particu- . larly noteworthy is a sequence cilmed in the -Belgian Village, ' one of the more recently com pleted Fair areas which pre serves the charm and "old world" atmosphere of the Eu- rc-pean Continent. Another un- i usual sequence was filmed in ' the Spanish Pavilion where the Ballet Lorca from Barce- n lona staged a special routine for the World Wide Pictures' , cameras. The United States Pavilion with its Hall of Challenges and the , Illinois Pavilion's treatment of the life and imes of Abraham Lincoln are • featured settings in the de-' velopmcnt of the contrasting^ backgrounds of Dorothy the! American girl from Custer,' Montana, and Eric, the Swiss ;tudent from Geneva. The stc-ry climax takes place in the Billy Graham Pavilion where the wide-screen motion licture. "MAN IN THE 5th DIMENSION", makes its im pact on the film's principals. Technicolor subject which has been playing to capacity audi ences that visit the Pavilion throughout the day. The young couple's impressions of the unusual cinema presenta tion becomes a symbol of tne victual response by thousands who have found spiritual meaning and purpose to life amid the glitter and excite ment of the. New York World's Fair. "WORLD'S FAIR EN COUNTER WILL BE SHOWN AT: First Baptist Church - Cooleemee on the Sunday night March 21st at 7:30 P. M. I loTrniamVriW^ii^SI(ips;^G66leemeei,JEirs,rJBaptisrT^^undefeated t6 capture first place in the Women!!SoftbalhTpurnament last""we^~at Cooleemee;, ParBGpady Spry, Jr., WandatFDSter,,.S.usan^parga; Rene^0^ooa, June CprrcsIL-Terri CorrelC^nita FoslerJan'dbase coach'Cl^^^p^'^fasent |rom picture,Evie^DaWe Comty Public LibraryMocksville, ivc Q.le <?/>* •© e.HV5 v!SE RECORD. THURSD.'W, FEBRUARY 8. 1979 - 9BHis denominational services includes: SouthRoanoke Batpist Assoc..Robeson Baptist Assoc.,Greenville Ministerial Assoc.and the N.C. Baptist Convention work.Prior to accepting theCooleemee pastorate, Rev.WhiUock was active in theGreenville Breakfast UpM.Rowland Lions Club, 1GreenviUe, N.C. 4-H, Robeson 1County Task Force on ,Literacy and the Amencan •Red Cross. 1He is married to the former ]Joanne Scott (Joie) Lamer jand they are the parents ofone chUd, a daughter, Jenny 1Rebecca,?■. 1 ^ "7 9Davie Co.Pubiic Library' teks-y/Hle, N. C.The Reverend L. Ue Whitlock. his wUe. Joie. anddaughter, Jenny.Rev. L. Lee Whitlock To PastorCooleemee Baptist Church>The Reverend L. LeeWhitlock of Rowland.' N.C.has accepted the pastorate atthe First Baptist Church ofCooleemee, effectiveFebruary 15. He will deliverhis first sermon, as churchpastor, on Sunday, Februa^AnativeofDiUon,S.C.,heis 1a graduate of the SouthernBaptist Theological Seminaryin Louisville. Kentucky where !he earned his Master of 1Divinity in 1974.He previously served aspastor of the First Baptist |Church in Rowland. He hasalso served as AssociatePastor of Immanuel BaptistChurch in Greenville, N.C.,Interim Pastor of MilltownChristian Church of Milltown,Indiana and AssociateDirector of Youth of BerryBlvd. Presby.. LousivUle, DAVIF, COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD, Sept. 25, 1997 Cooleemee Baptist - 1920s This photograph of a Cooleemee Baptist Church men's Sunday School class, donated to the Cooleemee Historical Association by Ann Cranford, will be Included among the display at the Textile Heritage Festival Saturday. The festival will feature Cooleemee's religious heritage. Among those known in this photograph are: row 1, at left, a Spry, second from leftj Grady Spry, and at the right, Paul Howell and Graham Gobble; row 2, fourth from left, 8. Young, and at right, Jake McDaniel and Raymond Barnes; and top row, third from left, Virgil Howell. Davie County Public Mocksville, NC to DAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD, Oct. 14,1999 Gospel Singing To Benefit Camp Manna A ijospel singing featuring Ivan Parker. Erin Cancr and Won By One will be held Oct. 17 ai First Baptist Church, Coolccmcc. Free tickets areavailablcatOaklcy'sBooks and Gilts. Lexington. Carolina Christian Books and Gifts. Mocks- ville. and Diane's Cut and Stitch. Mocksville. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the pre- concen beginning at 5:30. A love of fering will be taken for Camp Manna. Formorcinformation.coniactLynn Voglerat 284-4397. Won By One. formed in 1994, in cludes Greg Shockley. Clayton Inman. DavidJenkinsandBobCaldwell.whohave been associated with The Sing ing Americans. The Kingdom Heirs. The Florida Boys and Brian Free & Assurance. Won By One was named the Singing News fan award as Horizon Group ofthe Yearin 1995. Radio .songs include "NothingCan Erase God's Grace." "Gone With The Wind." and "King Jesus." which climbed to No. I on the Singing News chart. Their current single is "Dead Man Walking." written by Jenkins. Theirlaicstrecording is "Still Small Voice." on Parable Records. "It places them right in the main stream of today's best Soulhem Cos- pel music, while retaining those spc- Ivan Parker will perform. cial elements of style and musician ship that their fans have come to love and respect, said Producer Roger Tallcy. "Their great talent, their sin cere desire to minister, and their unwa vering commitment ot quality are a formidable coinbination. We expect great things from ihcm." Parker sings old-time favoriie.s. as well a.s his own hits and progressive soulhem and inspirational music. He was voted favorite male vocalist seven consecutive years and favorite lead vocalist for six consecutive years by iheSinging News Fan Awards. He has appeared on national television and as a guest on the Bill & Gloria Caiihcr Homecoming video scries. County Public Library Moci<sWlle, NC DAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD, March 9, 2000 w\mi IMM r 'jftj w -:, i: First Baptist Church Of Cooleemee Marginal Street; Pastor, Jeff Pennington <1> Davia County Public Library Mockswlle, NO DAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD, March 23,2000 Preacher Speaks To Cooleemee Club TheCooleemeeSentorCitizens met on Monday, March 13, in the fellow ship hall of the First Baptist Church. The meeting was opened by Presi dent RebaHolt She asl^ James "Doll" Foster to begin the meeting with prayer. Alice Barron, substituting for Jane Sneed, played the piano as Hannah Jones led the club in singing "Wonder ful Words of Life." Chaplain Pauline Hall read Matthews 25:31-46. She spoke on the importance of giving. She said that we need to learn to love and give, and in doing so we will have a closer relation ship with God. In Acts 20:35, Jesus said; "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The roll was called by Virginia Plott, substituting for Francis Miller. There were 20 members and three visitors present. Later, she read a story about growing old gracefully, titled "A Prayer for Later Life." Nancy Foster, secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting. The sun- slttr.;; and treasury reports were given by Jones and Bettie Smith. After the by-laws were discussed, Barbara Thornton told of the activities to be held at the Senior Center. Bobbie Daniel invited Preacher Michael McDaniel to speak. He told a story about being accepted into Heaven. Using chalk, he drew a picture of how he imagined the Gates ofHeaven might look. He asked if we truly felt that we were saved. He said that living good lives wasn't enough to get us into Heaven ifwe had notaccepted Jesus as our Savior. The meeting was adjourned fol lowing prayer by Noah Plott and the singing of the club song, "The More We Get Together." The next meeting will be heldMon- day, March 27. i- VA ' , iL <11 County Public Ubrary VA <L s 3 V 0 DAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD^ Aug. 16,2001 Cooleemee Baptist's 100th On Oct. 7, First Baptist Chuich of Cooleemee plans to celebrate its 100th year of min istry. All former members are urged to attend and participate in a service of celebration and thanksgiving. Pictures and artifacts of by gone days are being collected and prepared for display. Any one who has such hems is urged ot call the church at284-2626 or; John Chandler at 284-4207. */• I" ci J O It <0 p o rsry 7.x By KC SmithCooleeinee Correspondent•The wooded area beside■rihe First Baptist Church, wascleaned of logs, debris andweeds on Saturday by a smallgroup of diligent workers. Westarted at 9 aan. and finallyquit at 2.This preparation work wasto prepare a foundation tobegin a Prayer Garden that isbeing creat^ in memory ofPatricia Chandler. She was amember of the Cotton Cluband had strong interest inbeautifying the town. She losther battle to cancer on Aug.15.A man drove by while wewere working and stopped tosee if we needed'any help. Hisenergy and positive mindsethelped us a lot and was. great-ly appreciated.A man by the name of'S"Rudy" came walking by on "his way to the Post Office and -he came back and helped us' ^until we all stopped.The hot coffee, doughnuts,sausage, ham and- steak bis- .cults, and drinks kept us 'go- ''-ting.John Chandler and mysclfv^want to thank you for year -;hard work and stamina. Wcare excited to start designinga beautiful place for many toenjoy.You may contact me atwww.cooleeniee}iews@gmail.com or call 336.250.1133.Freddy Carter helps clean the site for the. new prayer garden.DAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD,Thursday, Oct. 30,2014ie County Public LioraryMocksville, NC »STFiRST\ t. ny--,^Id^ ^rAv . ^> n! I•CJ3 G>o~ ^^ 5)C= JSC=5 ^rs O,:.... ..is-Afev-CFkIk.'-.,k>':n • r\■,.k;kISi:• -•*•'» *-* •- «■. »'. , .•.■■■•i:-.vwlA.-,5•::-k::k7kAv:.^:i■■'I® IIAi'.JV.A.r'-'tll.- .• > \('i' •'''■'" -•f'-t. '.V('V:-Va'Vi:;' ..>'^ii i ^ •.>:'A--;, i' •. •• • •>»•'•>■^'^7177.7:'■'•■'Sf^W|#7w73i 7\V y 477. '••■:;;■■, ■"::-V?':; ■' ' VV •:'her nieces and-sister, Lauren Smith, KC Smrth^Ad'jayjorSm^^^ Chandler are her siblings, KG Smith and John Chandler (left), and OAVlIi: COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD. 1 hu: :,da>, July J, 2021 - 5K.;«LPThe day starts with the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag. These young people participated in the camp.'Good News' for kids In CooleemeeOCDllCOci IO rBy KG SmithCooleemee CorrespondentJune 21-25, at First Baptist Church in Cooleemee,Judy Phillips, who is thevolunteer leader of theGood News Club at Cooleemee School, hosted a GoodNews Bible School.Marcella Brown, Christian ministry organizer forDavie County was accompanied by her two daughters. in which they just finished a weeklong trainingcalled Christians in Action.Their creative sidllshelped the children memorize Bible versus by gettingthem involved in games andsongs.The children had a greattime and the adult volunteers were helpful by beingavailable when needed. C.HuacHt5-feftpTiST - dooLEEfnetDAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECOKU, I hursdav, Jul} 1,2021 - 5• W ■.cyia ■-liA'.i. '"Marcella Brown and daughters Noelle and Danielle facilitated the Bible camp. I>\y.acv\e5 -iDAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE RECORD, Thursday, March 9,2023By KC SmithCooleemee CorrespondentAround 72 years ago, a |tiny baby was taken by hisgrandmother to be raised inher Christian home in the poortown of Dante,Va.The decision she madethat day was the beginning ofa journey for that baby whofinished his 47 years in theministi'y on Feb. 26.Pastor Allen Mullins retiredfrom First Baptist Church inCooleemee. He pastored fivechurches and says he learnedsomething at each whichhelped him grow and becomea well rounded minister.His grandmother, July Ann,couldn't read or write. Shecleaned houses for $1 a day."People there were mean upin those mountains," Mullinssaid.He learned to read earlyby looking at Sunday comicsections in the newspaper.Having a grandson whocould read by the age of 6became the link between hisgrandmother and a Bible.There was no electricity intheir home, but the radio washooked to a car battery so theycould listen to preaching. OnSaturdays, they would go toa house where a PentecostalMountain congregation met.Guitars, fiddles, banjos andsuch lead the gospel singingand it went on until 2 to 3o'clock in the morning, hesaid.By the time he became ateen, Mullins quit going to church with hisgrandmother and becamerebellious. Even thoughhe had gone astray, he stillfelt in his heart there wassomething God wanted himto do, but he didn't knowwhat it was.He graduated fromhigh school and went tocommunity college wherehe met his wife Judy. Herparents tried to talk her outof marrying him. She was aChristian as was her family.But he was not.In July, they gotmarried. That was a bigdecision for him, but hewas about to make anotherdecision that would changehis heart forever.One night while Mullins was getting readyto close up the servicestation where he worked, astranger stopped by. -That .stranger was a pastor thatwas leading a revival wherehis grandmother had beenattending. That night therewas an altar prayer for him.The pastor witnessed tohim and Mullins acceptedChrist to come into his life.He lost his job at the service station and he and hiswife had no where to go.His aunt suggested theymove to North Carolina.And they did.Moving to Hickorylanded him a job at GEmaldng $6 an hour. Youcan imaging what he feltlike to go ft^om working 50hours a week for $1.25 perhour to making almost $6an hour. What a quick leapto cloud nine.They were young, hadmoney and began steeringfrom the Lord. They wentplaces and did things.His wife Judy was aboutto leave him at one pointbefore they had a come-to-God meeting and got backin the church.Grace Baptist Churchin Bethlehem in Hickoryis where he came involvedin the church. He taughtSunday school, he wasmade deacon and was onthe building board.One day in the car withJudy, he was thinking abouthow miserable he felt andwas about to cry.Judy said, "Why don'tyou just give up, you Icnowwhat God's telling you todo."The next week atchurch, he announced hiscalling. That was in 1996.The church licensed himunder Watch Care and hewas later ordained.He was called to Concord Baptist Church whilehe attended Fruitland BibleCollege in Hendersonville.He then went to New HopeBaptist in Brevard. Heearned a bachelor's degreein religion from Mars HillCollege.His journey continued toStatesville to pastor Pleasant Grove Baptist. Whilethere he received his Masterof Divinity with languagesin religion. During thistime he worked with IredellStatesville schools andBarium Springs Home forchildren in middle schoolclassrooms.Mullins was actuallyworking there when he arrived at Cooleemee Baptist.During his pastoraljourney the Lord never lefthis side.When the cupboardswere bare he heard a voicesaying call IFH. Notknowing what that was,he called, a Baptist deaconanswered the phone. Hegave him a weekend job,and opened boxes thatcouldn't be sold landed onhis kitchen table.He lead a Mormon to theLord and was hired by himbecause of his personality.At the Barium SpringsHome, students wouldcome back wanting to continue because of the bondMullins had created."I have never seenpeople as respectful to apastor as these are. Theywere very responsive toanything I asked them todo. It all started with mygrandmother."His wife Judy prettymuch had the same name ashis grandmother; Judy Annand his grandmother was' Julidy Ann. They didn't lilceeach other but his grand- iwu.acMes" fcpvt'tiSTmother would say, "She's ,the one who took my babyaway" II guess you could saythe two of them infiuencing•her baby helped make him 'who he is today."Judy stood behindme, she was strength andalways there for me."One of his many specialmemories is when duringvacation bible school ateacher brought a 9 yeargirl to my office becauseshe wanted to talk to me.She came in holding astuffed bunny that wasvery soft and cuddly. Sheheld it tight while she toldhim she wanted to receiveoC Jesus as her savior. He ledher to the Lord. Then shestretched her arms out andhanded him tlie bunny.She said since she now hasJesus, she doesn't need itanymore."I always wanted to besomebody. Coming froma poor coal mining town. 1wanted to make somethingof myself. I knew I was ugood pastor. I always triedto do the right thing. I'vealways tried to stay in thebook. That's where all mydecisions came from."This is hard. It's likeleaving your child. Godhas prospered me. I wanteda big church and that'swhen I was called to Cool-eemee."Pastor Mullins plans totake it easy, doctor's orders.Gardening is in his futureand he is looking forwardto having people stop by totake a look at his antique,sand-chat."My life verse led me tothe ministry."Joshua 1:6-7. "Theseventh verse said it all:Only be strong and verycourageous, that you mayobserve to do according toall the law which MosesMy .servant commandedyou: do not turn from it tothe right hand or to the left,that you may prosper whereever you go."Pastor Allen and Judyhave one daughter. Nita,and three grandcliildrenMarquel. AJ and Nia.11rDAVIE COUNTy ENTERPRISE RECORD,Thursday, Marc,.2023 - 7mJ:'f:.I V-: .Pastor Allen Mullins and his wife, Judy. He said:"I always tried to do the right thing. I've alwaystried to stay in the book. That's where all my decisions came from." tnuacH e$' ^7-^-QOO~Qa Jca oo oOS0>njQMuliins says thank you to the congregation, and gets in a little preaching, too, on his final day in the pulpit.o>'Oock;t?325K5c«C=3OoSTBs?asi®NJOKJThe youth at Cooleemee Baptist Church sing a special song in honor of Pastor Allen Muliins on his retirement.- Photo bv KG Smith - ?>^P'n5*v'Cootetm^e F>r$tDAVIE COUNTY ENTERPRISE REC0R13, J hursda.w Marc. 2023 - 75 >Family members join Pastor and Judy Mullins' last day In the pulpit at Cooleemee First Baptist.IPastor Mullins loved singing In the choir, as he did on his final day. At right, Barbara Carter sings a solo.■0■l A-t ■■-1^MlJPlaques are presented to Mullins and wife Judy by Les Steele and KipMnnr<a ' ' - Photos bv KG Smith