Myers Park Baptist Church: A Journey of Faith, Growth, and Community Impact

The timeline of Myers Park Baptist Church is a testament to the enduring spirit of faith, leadership, and service. Each milestone reflects a chapter in our shared story—one of transformation, outreach, and deep-rooted commitment to spiritual growth.

Celebrating a year of growth

The year 1944 marked a significant milestone in the life of Myers Park Baptist Church: its first anniversary. This momentous occasion was commemorated with heartfelt reflections, new beginnings, and bittersweet farewells.

Reflections in the Church Bulletin

A worship bulletin from January 9, 1944, captures the spiritual vitality and organizational commitment that characterized the church’s formative years. The cover highlighted the upcoming anniversary with the message:

"ONE YEAR OLD
"Next Sunday our church will observe its first anniversary. We shall have a special calendar in which will be recorded some of the significant things which have occurred during this period. Even superlatives are dwarfed and become inexpressive when one thinks of the wondrous things which have happened. One year ago, a few hundred folks acted upon the call of God, and in the twelve months He has made good His every promise to be with those who dare to attempt great things for Him. As we look back, we must stand in awe before the Divine intervention in our lives which brought to pass this church and its work during this first year." 

The bulletin's announcements reflected a thriving and engaged congregation. Highlights included educational opportunities such as the weekly Tuesday Morning Community Bible Class and its plan to study the Book of Acts, plans for "appropriate" services to commemorate the church's first anniversary, the formation of fellowship groups for young people (see more below), and a list of "Opportunities of the Week" featuring choir rehearsals for youth, children, and adults along with notices of postponements of some groups including the Circles of W.M.S., Junior Girls Auxiliary, and Sunbeams.

A Youth Fellowship was Formed

Three groups were organized to form the Youth Fellowship: "grade school juniors" became the Pioneers; the "Junior High intermediates" became the Investigators; and the "Senior High young people" were known as the Fireside Chatters. These groups met each Sunday from 5:00 to 6:15 pm "in order that children will be home before dark." A fourth group for college students and "business young people" would be organized on January 16.

The Gift of a Library

Thanks to a very generous gift from Mr. Herbert Bridges, Superintendent of the Church School, a Church Library was established. The library was to be situated in an upstairs room in the Fellowship House and filled with books that would "appeal to children and adults alike; books that make good reading and that make for character." Miss Nancy Carroll, a new member, was chosen to be the Librarian, and "under her excellent leadership" the gift was expected to become "a most influential factor of our program of Christian Education." Donations quickly poured in "for the purchase of new books in order to keep the library current."

Celebrating Members in Service of their Country

As of March 26, 1944, there were 47 church members who were serving their country. Above the list of names was this statement, "The charter membership of this church is open to all service personnel who may unite with this church within six months after their return to their homes." The list included: H.B. Benoit, Jr., William C. Benoit, A.V. Blankenship, Donald Bryant, James R. Bryant, Jr., John Edward Burnside, Jr., S. Casper Chandler, Jr. (Honorably discharged), James M. Collins, Nancy Moses Conway, Melton H. Dixon, Sidney M. Dowd, Thomas Elliott, L.E. Fleming, M.D., Jack Gardner, Lacy A. Gaston, J.E. Gravatt, Jr., Ira Lee Griffin, Jr., Wm. Aiken Griffin, E. Rowell Holt, Jr., Sam J. Justice, V.B. Kendrick, W. Stranton Klements, Willfred P. Lawless, John E. Lineberger, F. Richard Little, Jr., Charles B. Long, Robt. T. McManeus, Jr., Wm. W. Moses, Rufus M. Person, Jr., Q.M. Rhodes, Charles Safley, Kenneth M. Scott, Wm. Marvin Scruggs, Jr., Wm. Hall Scarborough, Harold Milton Short, Jr., Ralph H. Short, Roy Smart, Jr., M. Hinson Smith, F. Dwight Stephens, Jr., Chas. W. Upchurch, Jr., McNeil Upchurch, Robert Lee Weathers, E.J. Webb, Jr., George H. Webb, George R. Wise, Lloyd Withers, and John Wilbert Wood, Jr.

A Farewell to Rev. Paul E. Crandall

The anniversary also coincided with a poignant transition. A newspaper clipping from the time announced that Rev. Paul E. Crandall had accepted a call to become Associate Minister at First Baptist Church in Winston Salem, stepping down from his role as Co-Minister. His resignation and departure were felt deeply by the congregation he had faithfully served. Dr. Heaton's touching tribute to Rev. Crandall was quoted, "It is a matter of great personal loss to me in my ministry.... Our Church has profited greatly by his work in our educational program, and he has endeared himself to all of us."

MPBC on North Carolina Baptist Radio Hour

On a Sunday morning, at 8:30, Myers Park Baptist Church conducted the "North Carolina Radio Hour for Baptists" a program broadcast "through a chain that makes this program available to the entire State." The subject assigned to Dr. Heaton was in line with the general theme of the series "Christian and Industrial Crisis." Music for the broadcast was provided by the church choir under the direction of Mrs. Berman.

A Building Campaign

At the end of the year, a note went out to the congregation encouraging generous financial support. The message was concise and simply stated, "It is the earnest prayer of every member of this church that we shall raise sufficient money to dedicate our church building, debt free, when we enter it. In order to accomplish this, all of us must give as generously as possible this December and in the months to come. Let 1945 be the year when we strive to consummate this task of raising sufficient money for our building."