HISTORY OF THE GLENCOE BAPTIST CHURCH 

Organized October 19, 1893

Alamance County – Burlington, N. C.

A community about four miles north of the town of Burlington, N. C., in Alamance County, there had been a village built and grew on the banks of Haw River. A cotton mill was established, a store built and other industry and trade to make the village quite prosperous for the age. Life had made itself into a little group of people who called themselves of Glencoe. Life had continued there for years, but one vital- element of their lives had been neglected, and that was the Spiritual life. There had never existed in this community any religious denomination or organization. Thanks to the Almighty that in this little village there lived some devout and God-fearing Christians-Baptist, and by the faith of God and their trust in their Savior Jesus Christ, on October 19, 1893, John C. Hocutt, Alvis Andrews, J. W. Cates, R. E. Andrews, Jesse Holt, G. F. Blakman, A. H. Rimmer, E. H. Steele, Samuel Elexander, and David Mathews, all then members of Burlington Baptist Church and  Geo. W. Cates, Charles H. Wynn and Thomas Evans from Haw River Baptist Church, were residing at this village of Glencoe. For some time there had been much interest manifested by the Baptist residents of the village with a desire to organize a Baptist Church in this village. As a result, upon this day the above brethren secured the assistance of John C. Hocutt, pastor of Burlington Baptist Church, and met in a meeting which resulted in the organization of a Baptist Church, which was named for the village “GLENCOE BAPTIST CHURCH”. At this meeting they elected deacons and other officers necessary to form such an organization. The officers were: John C. Hocutt, moderator; I. H. Dunlap, clerk; I . F. Meachum, I . H. Dunlap and John F. Allen, deacons. The worship meetings were held in what was then known as the “0ld Mill House,” formerly a tobacco factory and grist mill, located on the north band of Haw River on the road leading from Yanceyville, Union Ridge to Burlington. John C. Hocutt served as supply pastor until a conference on December 2, 1893, at which time Rev. Alvis Andrews was unanimously called to serve for the year 1894 as pastor of the church, and decided upon the day for preaching service to be every first Sunday at 11:00 A.M. and 7:30 P.M. The Church’s organization was composed of the following thirty-eight charter members: Robert Lee Payne, William J. Hall, John F. Allen Jr., Frank Morris, Alice Morris, John H. Watson, James Watson, Dora M. Roberson, Lucy F. Roberson, Martha S. Roberson, Susan L. Hall, Belle Allen, Felitha Bachelor, Ida J. Meachum, Mary Alice Mechum, Albert W. Payne, Delila Isabelle Cook, Mandy P. Cook, Gordia R. Cook, Caston Conklin, Elizabeth I. Hall, Sally Payne, John Allen Sr., Rebecca A. Allen, Ellwood Allen, Nacy A. Watson, Nannie Pennington, W. B. Roberson, Haston Pennington, Mary F. Watson, I. H. Dunlap, Cora E. Dunlap and I. F. Mechum. During the ministry of Rev. Andrews, in spite of severe difficulties and hardships, the church held with great faith to their lord and made a well foundation. A Sunday School was organized and reached an enrollment of one hundred ninety-two with a church membership of fifty-six. At the close of 1896 Rev. Andrews resigned. In a conference held April 10, 1897, the Church called Rev. P. A. Fergerson as pastor at an annual salary of $36.00. Rev. Ferguson served until February 13, 1898, at which time the Glencoe Mills Inc., built and organized a Union Chapel for worship by all denominations. At this time the Baptist united their efforts with the christians of the union chapel, but it was not long until the Baptist wandered off and became disorganized, and we are regretful to find that no records were kept from February 13, 1898 until March 8, 1908. About this time we find the Baptist of the village encouraged once again to “press onward toward the High Calling which is in Christ Jesus.” In the early part of 1908 the State Baptist Mission Board employed Rev. J. A. Hackney to pastorate the field of churches surrounding the Northern section of Alamance County. Rev. Hackney was called as pastor of The Glencoe Baptist Church on March 8, 1908. His ministry was very brief and on April 10, 1909, Rev. W. E. Dunnegan was called as pastor of the church. Rev. Dunnegan resigned at the close of March 1910 and on April 10, 1910 Rev. S. W. 0ldham was called to serve as supply pastor for the remainder of the year. The Church during January 1911 called as their pastor Rev. S. L. Morgan, who was then pastor of the Burlington Baptist Church to serve the Church on the second Sunday afternoons. Rev. Morgan successfully served the people until he resigned as pastor in the close of 1912, at which time he also resigned his work at the Burlington Baptist Church. At this time the retiring pastor learned that Rev. Martin W.Buck, pastor of Lorimer Memorial Church, Chicago, IL., was considering removal to the South, and suggested his name to the pulpit committee, as he likewise did to the Burlington congregation. Rev. Buck was called to the work the first of January 1913. From the first he was greeted by remarkable congregations. The attendance and interest in all the meetings were unprecedented. New life and enthusiasm became apparent along all Iines, and the feeling was justified that a new era of prosperity had begun for the church. At this time the church since its reorganization in 1908 had been holding its worship services in the Union Chapel of the Glencoe Mills Inc. Immediately upon the beginning of Rev. Buck’s pastorate a new interest among the Baptist arose. The greatest revival ever held before in Glencoe was conducted and there were added to the church twenty six by Baptism. The old members and the new were spiritually and materially revived to ambitious desire for the Lord. The Sunday School was reorganized and made great progress. The days of service were increased to every second and fourth Sunday afternoon after the Sunday School hour which was 2:00 P.M. Ministers of other denominations began to intrude upon the Sunday School services and press the congregations in the Union Chapel, until the Baptist were forced and enthused to take actions for erecting their own edifice. This program was launched the first year of Rev. Buck’s service, and was well under way by the end of the year; and the latter part of 1914 saw the present church home completed and dedicated to the services of God’s work. A vacant lot in the northern section of the village and a great proportion of the building funds were donated by Robert L. Holt, President of the Glencoe Mills Inc., and Brother and Sister G. L. Fonville, members of the church. The Mount Zion Association and the State Baptist Mission Board donated $200.00 respectively. By the prayerful enthusiasm, and interest and cooperation of the brethren and sisters and through the divine guidance and blessings of God the church began the year of 1916 with their worship house costing $3,5OO.OO freed from debt. Under the pastorate of Rev. Buck, the Baptist Church house was finished inside and completely furnished with modern and beautiful furniture. The Church adopted the Duplex envelope system of finances. Rev. Buck had seen the membership grow to more than double that which it was when he began his work. 0n May 11, 1919 Rev. Buck brought to a close the most successful and greatest ministries of any pastor of the Glencoe Baptist Church, His resignation was rendered because of the pressing need of his services at the First Baptist Church of Burlington which had greatly increased during his years of service there.