Atlantic Baptist Church Atlantic VA

OUR BELIEFS

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation and in the teachings and practices of Baptist churches and in those distinctive principles for which they have stood; namely:

The pre-eminence of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
The Supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures as our rule of faith and practice.
The competency of the individual believer to interpret Scripture and, by purifying faith in Jesus Christ, to mak his own approach unto God.
The complete separation of Church and State.
A regenerate church membership.
The symbolic ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper.
The complete independence of the local church, and its interdependence in associated fellowship with other Baptist churches.
The solemn obligation of majority rule, guaranteeing equal rights to all and special privileges to none.
The Spiritual unity of all believers.
A World-wide program of evangelism.

 

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The Beginnings

The dream and inspiration leading to the establishment of a local church, later to be called Atlantic Baptist Church, lived in the hearts of a small band of Christian men and women long before July 1, 1877. Because of transportation difficulties and the inconveniences caused by the inclement weather, a group of local residents holding membership in the Bethel and Modest Town Churches conducted regular worship services in a small frame building located on the site of our present modern day structure. Known as Oak Grove Mission, this Christian fellowship was under the informal care of the two churches who conducted "preaching services" at somewhat irregular intervals.

Under the inspiration of Lenox Ailworth and Ann his wife, this Oak Grove Mission was moving gradually towards the formation of a fully constituted church. Tradition tells that this devout man rose early one spring morning in 1877, walked the full distance to Horntown and negotiated the purchase of the old building and the site on which the present building stands. Had he reached Horntown one hour later, the property would have been purchased by others also desirous of establishing a new church in the village.

It is interesting to note that the building which later became the Atlantic Baptist Church had its origins around 1838 as the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. The land had been conveyed by Skinner Wallop and Elizabeth his wife to Caleb Broadwater. William Holland and others (presumably trustees for the M.E. Church) by a deed bearing the date of November 14, 1838. Apparently, the period of the Civil War, during which the Methodist Churches had great difficulty in securing pastors, saw the demise of Oak Grove M.E. Church as an organization. The property was conveyed by Joseph Fedderman and others (trustees) to John S. Johnson and his wife Mary A.E. Johnson and Solomon Marshall in 1875. It was with these last named persons that Mr. Ailworth must have transacted business, for the deed recorded May 22, 1879, is between them and the trustees of Atlantic Baptist Church: Asa Shields, Teagle Bunting, and Lenox Ailworth. The purchase price was $175.00.

On May 27, 1877, fourteen men and women led of God and inspired of the Holy Spirit resolved unanimously to secure letters from their respective churches for the purpose of organizing the Oak Grove Mission into the Atlantic Baptist Church.

On July 1, 1877, an organizational meeting attended by all of the prospective members was held. Present at the meeting were two members and the pastors from both the Bethel and Modest Town Churches appointed to serve as advisors in the organization of the new church. Albert Gillespie and John F. Nelson represented Modest Town, while William T. Bundick and Edward Nock represented Bethel.

At this momentous meeting, called for 3 PM on July 1, 1877, Rev. Robert Williamson, who had come from Chincoteague Island to affiliate with the prospective Christian fellowship, was chosen moderator. Albert Gillespie was elected clerk. Rev. D.A. Woodson led the opening prayer seeking Divine leadership for the great cause. Rev. Robert Williamson delivered the sermon on the subject "What was an Apostolic Church?"

One of the great accomplishments of the first meeting was the selection of officers of the church as followers: Rev. John W. Hundley, pastor; Lenox Ailworth and Teagle Bunting, deacons; Asa Shields, Treasurer; Benjamin Shields, clerk; and Dr. Francis West, Sunday School Superintendent. These officers, in addition to the following persons, were charter members of the new church: Ann Ailworth, Eveline Bunting, Erastus Chesser, Sarah Anne Onley, Teagle Shay, Elizabeth Watson, Henrietta V.C. West, Matoaca Williamson and Rev. Robert Williamson.

Decisions and Development

At a meeting held in December 1877, consideration was given to the need for renovation of the church building. It cannot now be determined what type of structure then existed, or what, if any, furnishings were inside. Anyway, in 1877, the original building underwent minor renovation including installation of new pews constructed from lumber contributed by the membership. At a business meeting held on March 3, 1878, a resolution was passed specifying "there shall be two aisles in the church and the recess shall be 8 feet in length and 10 feet in width." A subscription committee composed of Lenox Ailworth, S.J. Revell, G.F. Bunting, and Dr. Francis West, was named to manage the finances for the renovation. Dr. Francis West, Asa Shields, and William Lang were asked to employ workmen and oversee the work.

At the last business meeting in 1878 a significant but stern qualification for membership was enacted: namely, "Any member who shall miss three regular business meetings without a reasonable excuse shall be dealt with and on failing to satisfy the church of true repentance shall be excluded." Records indicate that this was rigidly enforced.

During these early years, consistent with spiritual growth and increase in membership characterized the new church. In the first year following organization, 23 additions to the fellowship were recorded. In 1879, 30 additions were made to the growing church.

An early spirit of cooperation was known that did not exist in all Baptist Churches in the South, for the record of June 1, 1878, states: "On motion that our pastor shall invite all members of sister churches who are present at our communion season to unite with us in the reception of elements." There were churches elsewhere at that time who "addmitted to communion" only members of the local congregation.

Furthermore, an awareness of the needs of the unfortunate occupied the attention of the early church at Atlantic. On September 21, 1878, we find, "Resolved that a collection be taken at every communion service to constitute a fund for the benefit of the poor of this church, and that the same be placed in the hands of the deacons by whom it shall be distributed and by whom a report shall be annually made to the church."

The 1880s

On June 5, 1880, we have the first record of plans for a fundraising event, "a picknic and festival.... for the purpose of painting the church." A total of $24.45 was realized after expenses were paid. However, the records show that on September 4, 1880, "The treasurer of the church reported that he had collected and paid over to the pastor $24.45 for the quarter ending June 1st." Was the sum in each case a coincidence, or was the need to pay Mr. Hundley's salary greater than the need for the paint?

A small clue concerning the probable appearance of the church interior is found in a resolution on September 4, 1880. "Resolved that the entire pews be painted "oak," except the ends and rails which shall be "walnut" provided it can be done for the amount of money in hand, otherwise to be "white" with "walnut" rails. There is no evidence as to which course of action was taken.

The regular business meeting on December 5, 1880, notes the presence of the first denominational visition known to have visited Atlantic; that was D. Griffith, agent for the Southern Theological Seminary. He offered a prayer at this meeting.

The first pastor of the church, the Rev. John W. Hundley, had resigned by February 21, 1881, but was still on the field on May 28, presumably departing shortly thereafter.

From the beginning in 1877, Atlantic had been on a field with Chincoteague (the church we know as "old" Chincoteague, near New Church), and Modest Town Churches, with the parsonage located at Modest Town. It seems, though, consideration was given in 1881 to forming a new field consisting of Chincoteague, Atlantic, and Beulah (on Chincoteague Island). However, Beulah did nto feel it was in a position to enter into such an arrangement, so the original field was retained. (Modest Town had given some indication that it wished to withdraw from the field,. but did not do so at this time.)

Following several months' interim pastorate under the leadership of the Rev. George Bradford, it was noted on January 15, 1882, that "a call had been extended to Rev. MIles S. Read to preach for this church every alternate Sabbath afternoon at a salary of $125, commencing January 1, 1882 and which had been accepted.

On March 3, 1883, "It was unanimously resolved that the organ purchases for the Sunday School be used in the public exercises of the church." Also on that date Mr. Read resigned, but promised to continue to preach as long as he was "on the field or until the church procured a pastor. The church resolved to accept his services as a supply."

After Mr. Read's departure, the Rev. George C. Bundick provided pastoral services during the summer of 1883, for which he received $15.07 as compensation.

The Rev. A Woodyard served as pastor from the spring of 1884 until the spring of 1886. On May 2, 1886, the church voted to call the Rev. J.W. Ward as pastor, and on July 16 he "occupied the chair" as moderator of the regular church business meeting.

The usual methods of raising money for many years were solicitation committees, fairs, and special offerings. On December 18, 1886, it was decided that "a public collection be made on every communion day for the various boards of the association" ( probably the Baptist General Association of Virginia). For several years the church received $50.00 annually from the state board to supplement the pastor's salary, but his ceased with the year 1886.

September Events- In the Life of Atlantic Baptist Church

1894- Lena Nock (Age 8), who had her leg badly broken recently by falling from a tree in the Baptist Churchyard, is doing well.

1903- Miss Lena F. Nock, (Age 17) left Monday for Farmville to attend State Normal School.

1919- Mr. C.V. Chesser has purchased an Estey player piano. (It still exists!)

Rev. J.A. Willoughby will preach on Sunday on "The Kind of Education that Will Save a Nation."

Mr. Bar of Georgetown, Del., and his workmen are laying the foundation for our new church. We are all delighted with their work and the progress they are making.

Rally Day will be observed at the Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon, September 21. Special music is being prepared, also recitations are selections by the children. Everyone is urged to come.

1920- There will be a triumphal entry service into the new Baptist Church on Sunday, September 26. Every member.... is urged to be present at the first service in the new church.

1922- The ladies of the Baptist Church will have a fair on Wednesday, September 13, in the old church. Ice cream, cake, confectionairies, and supper will be served. In the evening there will be a free entertainment int eh new church, consisting of music, recitations, and a play entitled "Miss Deborah's Pocketbook." A free will offering will be taken and this, as well as the proceeds from the fair, will go on the Church debt. We will appreciate your presence.

(Two weeks later)- The festival and entertainment... proved to be a success. Quite a crowd was present and spent their money liberally, and we thank each one for their help... We have in hand clear of all expenses about $157.

1923- Rev. J.A. Willoughby and family left us this week to take up their new work at Deep Creek. Much good has been done through their efforts here....

1930- Mrs. Dot Waterfield, Mr. Claude Chesser, and Misses Lois and Camilla Cale visited Mrs. J.F. Cale (pastor's wife) at Sarah Leigh Hospital. The latest report is that Mrs. Cale is improving. (However, Mrs. Cale died on October 4, her 50th birthday, and services were held in Potecasi, N.C., with a number of members from Atlantic attending.)

1938- There will be an all day WCTU meeting at the Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 20.

Our pastor, Rev. J.F. Cale, is in North Carolina with relatlives and friends on an extended vacation which was granted him by the church.

1944- The WMS will observe the special day for State Missions on Wednesday, September 13, under the leadership of the President, Mrs. Gladys McCready. Mrs. C.V. Chesser will lead the devotional, and Miss Kathryn Powers will give a talk on Community Missions. Mrs. T.E.B. Davis and Mrs. J.J. Waterfield will have charge of the Mission Study hour. Everyone is invited.

1947- Mr. Herbert Dix is busy installing the new furnace in the Baptist Church.

The BWC (Edith Davis Circle) recently presented Mrs. Davis with a lovely box of candy.

1959- 31 people received awards for the home study of The Baptist March in History.

2023- September 3, Flowers have been placed in the sanctuary in member of Glenn Fishher, honoring his birthday on September 4. He would have been 94 years of age.