1996 Centennial History, revised by Lorice Britt
CHURCH HISTORY
SEVERN BAPTIST CHURCH
(As published in the 1991 Church Directory)
Severn Baptist Church began
long ago in the days of tallow candles and kerosene lamps,
when oxcarts and horse and buggies were the only means of
transportation. Severn wast a quiet little town and the
little schoolhouse was run by Miss Lilly Gaskin, a
Methodist. On a Friday in February of 1892, Miss Gaskin
called the children together after school to clean the
house and schoolyard in preparation for the first assembly
of Sunday School. The meeting was held on Sunday afternoon,
and approximately thirty men, women and children attended.
This meeting marked the launching of a movement that would
lead to the establishment of a central place to worship in
Severn.
That Sunday afternoon a Sunday School was organized, and
Lawrence Stephenson was elected superintendent. They had no
hymnals, quarterlies, or cards. Roberts Chapel Church,
three miles away in Pendleton, shared their literature
until materials could be secured from the Sunday School
Board.
The little group met faithfully each Sunday in the
Schoolhouse. As interest increased and the Sunday School
grew in size, the need for a church was felt to be as
imperative as the urge to start the Sunday School itself.
On July 19, 1896, a meeting was called for the purpose of
organizing a Baptist Church. J.N. Hoggard was elected
chairman, and R.H. Harris was made secretary. Rev. C.W.
Scarborough, pastor of Roberts Chapel, was present and took
part in the meeting. Seventeen people were enrolled as
charter members. Rev. Scarborough read the Church Covenant
and the Declaration of Faith, each of which was adopted.
The body adopted Severn Baptist Missionary Church as its
name.
The site on which the church building stands was given to
the church by Richard Smith. The church met in the first
building on July 24, 1897. At this time the building was
unfinished, and the people sat on rough board backless
seats. This building served the church until the early
1920's. At that time a movement to erect a new building was
launched. In May of 1923 a canvassing committee was
appointed. The original building was bought by the
Macedonia Baptist Church and moved to a new location. The
new church building was dedicated on June 22, 1930.
In November of 1915 construction began on a parsonage. The
building was completed in March of 1916. It served as home
for pastors and their families until 1954 when it was sold
and construction for a new parsonage was authorized. The
lot on which the new parsonage was built was donated by Mr.
and Mrs. J.Q. Taylor and their son, Quen. The new parsonage
was dedicated on October 12, 1958.
During the pastorate of Rev. Fletcher Ford, a Loyalty Day
plan was adopted. A date was set aside to be known as
"Loyalty Day" when special gifts would be contributed to
meet the growing financial needs of an expanding church.
This has become a tradition in Severn Baptist Church and
each year the people look forward to this event.
On November 24, 1946 the fiftieth anniversary of the church
was celebrated. During the celebration Mrs. Mary Woodard
read the history of the church, which she had written. In
1996 the church will celebrate its one hundredth
anniversary.
In January of 1961 plans were instituted for a new
educational building. These plans became the subject for
much discussion and included suggestions for remodeling and
redecorating the sanctuary. On March 7, 1965 the
educational building was dedicated. It included a modern
kitchen and fellowship hall as well as adequate classroom
facilities. On April 25, 1965 the congregation enjoyed the
use of new, modern pews.
Severn Baptist Church has always been a Missions-minded
church. In 1905 a Woman's Missionary Society was organized.
Mrs. Jesse McCarter, the pastor's wife, was the first
president. An effort was made to maintain all the
auxiliaries of the WMU over the years.
The story of Severn Baptist Church should live in the
hearts and minds of all the members of the church. It
represents the rich heritage of Severn Christians who
assembled together long ago to make strong their faith in
the Lord. These Christians, our forefathers, overcame many
difficulties and faced many problems in forming the church
we have today. Guided by faithful pastors they heeded the
need for organized worship in our community. We can do no
less. We must preserve this tradition which we have
inherited, striving diligently to serve our Lord, day by
day.