 The history of Summer Hill Baptist Church is traced back to a simple, one-room schoolhouse. Following the Civil War and days of "Reconstruction", this small wooden tabernacle was built with shutter windows with "T-type" hinges on one side for cross ventilation. Local teachers and students would meet from 8:45am to 3:30pm on weekdays. Some Sundays, the community would gather there for prayer and Bible study. On two separate occasions, the building caught fire and burned to the ground. In each case, the community gave their time and resources to build again the structure they deemed so vital for education and the teaching of God's Word.
In 1880, Jacob Fry organized a Sunday school and became the first Sunday School Superintendent. Services were then held every Sunday morning. At times, the attendance was small and disappointing. But Mr. Fry remained faithful to keep the "doors open" and would "fire-up" the wood stove in the winter. After years of service, other capable and faithful Sunday School Superintendents followed Mr. Fry: James Freeman, Thomas Short, Ellis Morrison, and Rev. W.C. Hough. Revival
services were held each fall. Later, Rev. Williams, pastor of the Carthage
and Bethlehem Baptist Churches, agreed to preach at 2pm on the second Sunday
of each month.
 A new white frame structure was built in 1916, which was more modern and
roomier for both students and worshippers. In 1924, Summer Hill School was
consolidated into the Sandhills Farm Life School. The Summer Hill building still
remained in use for community worship until an organized church was established
on January 13, 1929.
A presbytery consisted of the following ministers: Rev. C.H. Hartsell of
Jackson Springs; Rev. F.D. Solomon of Pinehurst; Rev. J.C. Styers of Jackson
Springs; and Rev. Joney Thompson of Aberdeen. The following deacons were
ordained: J.A. Williamson and N.H. Arnette.
Records reveal the names of the following charter members: N.H. Arnette,
Fanny Arnette, Fannie Rosser, Alma Williamson, Herbert Williamson, Ida
Williamson, J.A. Williamson, Kitty Williamson, and Mattie F. Williamson. A total
of ten ministers served as pastors in the years that followed: Rev. J.C.
Styers (1 year), Rev. R.H. Weaver (6 years), Rev. Ernest Hancock (1 year, 9
months), Rev. William Hancock (20 years), Rev. Max Gilmore (Associate &
Interim Pastor), Dr. L.M. Williamson (28 years), Rev. Dan Underwood (1 year, 6
months), Rev. Joseph Peters, Jr. (15 years), Rev David Legrand (interim pastor for 2
years), and Rev Andy Garner (6 months).
In more recent years, the church has doubled its missionary outreach: The
first drama-musical was presented in1989; the first children's program
started in 1990; the sanctuary was completely renovated, adding beautiful stained-glass
windows in 1996; the AWANA Program was organized in 1999; a new constitution was
adopted in 2000, and the church added a foyer to the church in 2004. |
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