1855-1858, 1871-1872  Circle 

Rev. Nelson Bowen was a most remarkable man. There is in the possession of Miss Jennie Bowen, a granddaughter, a diary which reveals a great deal of information about him. He was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee, on February 4, 1821.He married Miss Margaret Jerusha Carrett October 10, 1884, and came to Hendersonville, in 1854 to edit the Baptist Telescope. Here he was ordained on August 17, 1854. He first took up his residence on Main Street, South, later moving to the Bowen farm on the Haywood Road. He finally moved to that beautiful knoll known as The Cedars within the city. Some of the present-day trees were set out by members of the family. The Bowens had twelve children of their own, and in addition, reared several others. During the war of the Sixties, he carded wool to make soldiers' uniforms. Later he published a paper known as the Cottage Visitor in the basement of his residence. Here his children set type at night by candlelight. ln addition to his Hendersonville pastorate, he also was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Asheville for a short time and of the French Broad Church. He was the first president of Judson College and aided in the organizing of Carson-Newman College. He made trips into the North in the interest of Judson College. He was very much interested in the education of preachers and of the black people. For a short time, he set up a school for training preachers. They met quarterly and recited scripture which had been previously assigned. There is on record a copy of a letter in which he enclosed $50.00 to aid in the circulation of the New Testament in Japan. The letter closed with this question: "Could not some of those wealthy brethren in the North furnish the means to supply Japan with the New Testament, and let a nation be born in a day?" A copy of his quarterly report ending October 31, 1872, shows that he had supplied seven churches, preached 60 sermons, held ten prayer meetings, made 128 visits, baptized 17 people and collected $11.55. He passed away at his home at the present location of the Cedars on April 13, 1882. 

1858-1859, 1872-1873  Circle 

Rev. T. Butler Justice came to the pastorate in 1858 after two other ministers had declined to serve after being elected. He also served again as pastor in 1872. The following information about him was furnished by a great-grandson of his, Earle W. Justice of Rutherfordton: "He was born in Henderson County on July 17, 1813, the son of James D. and Anthorit Justice, both of whom were buried in the Mud Creek Cemetery. He was licensed to preach on August 1, 1840, and ordained to the full work of the ministry of June 3, 1842. He was a nephew of Thomas Justice, Jr., pioneer Baptist preacher of Buncombe and Henderson Counties, and founder of the French Broad Baptist Church. He married Harriet Bailey of Henderson County, and they reared a family of distinguished sons and daughters, among whom were Rev. C. B. Justice, Judge Michael H. Justice, Rev. T. B. Justice, Jr., and William Justice. He was identified with the Rutherfordton Baptist Church prior to 1855, becoming its pastor soon after its founding, and remaining as such for fifteen years, being succeeded by his son, Rev. C. B. Justice. He served also as pastor of Mountain Creek, White Oak, Silver Creek, and Rock Springs churches. He passed away on April 9, 1892, and together with that of his wife, his body lies buried in the Rutherfordton Cemetery." After a pastorate of nearly one year at our church,he was succeeded in 1859 by Rev. James Blythe,

who had served as first pastor of the church.

1860-1871  Circle 

Rev. C. S. Jones was remembered very pleasantly by some of the present and older members of our church. Although there will appear later in this sketch a tribute to him, it is thought well to insert here the following information furnished by Mrs. Margaret Scott, of Asheville, North Carolina, a relative of his. "Rev. G. S. Jones, pastor 1860-1871, was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina on December 23, 1837. He came to Hendersonville, in 1860 and aided greatly in the early struggles of the church. On April 5, 1866, in the First Church of Wilmington, North Carolina, he was married to Miss Margaret French. For 40 years he was in the employ of the American Sunday School Union of Philadelphia, and during that time he was instrumental in establishing Sunday Schools almost without number. His old home place was at the corner of Seventh Avenue East and Main Street, at the present location of the Porter Esso Station. Mrs. Scott later inherited this property by will, as well as some antiques, and his Creek New Testament, used and well-marked. ln the same manner Wake Forest College was the recipient of $5,000. He served his church long and well." He was elected as pastor on January 8, 1861, was ordained September 1,1861, and performed his first baptismal service in Mud Creek on September 15, of the same year, when he baptized seven people. As to the growth of the church in numbers, from the best information obtainable, it appears that 224 members had joined the church up to July 12, 1865, that eighty-nine had been dismissed by letter, sixteen excluded, and twelve had died, leaving a total membership on this date of 107 members, fifty-eight of whom were white, and forty-nine were black. The record book of the years 1870 to 1877 recorded the fact that after a complete revision of the books, the church was made of sixty-eight white members. lt is evident that no names of black members have been carried over into this book. Therefore, the inferences are clear that the white and black members separated at some point before the year 1870. Rev. Jones passed away on June 6, 1910, having remained a faithful member of First Baptist Church until his death.

1873-1875  Circle 

Rev. Elijah Allison was born on January 28,1840, near Davidson River, North Carolina. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, North Carolina 1872-1874, and was at one time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Asheville, North Carolina. The following is copied from the Asheville Citizen under date of June 10, 1912: "Rev. Elijah Allison, North Carolina Minister, dies after making world's record bringing men into the church. He preached in nearly every state in the union, but more especially in North Carolina and Tennessee. He recently died at this home near Brevard, after 66 years in the active ministry. In the course of that ministry, he baptized 5,523 persons. "This indomitable soldier of the cross heard the call early and worked unceasingly in his Master's vineyard. He joined the Little River Baptist Church near Brevard at the age of 12, and at 17 was ordained to the ministry. Then for long years until he died at 83, he went about his Master's business, his work finally ending at the same little church which he had joined as a boy. One of the last persons he baptized was a grandchild of his. 'lt always did him good to see one of his own decide to do right', is the way his son, S. F. Allison, of Brevard, expressed it. Where there were but two or three gathered was sufficient for this fine old man. He organized a church at Del Rio, Tennessee, with only three members. That was enough. The fire was there. He put his great farce into the work. "This man of God had much to do; he was always busy. He had one trait which so many men lack...he was lovable. He was not too busy to win hearts. He served no great city churches; where he went the population was scanty, but despite that fact he found a rich harvest. He preached. He converted. He baptized. He had a passion for the Lord’s work. He never tired.”

1875-1882  Circle 

Rev. Daniel B. Nelson was born on August 7, 1832, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Left at an early age as the sole support of a widowed mother and several brothers and sisters, he moved to Mossy Creek College from which he became a law graduate at the age of 20. He married Miss Sara Ann Vance, taught school while studying for the ministry, and became a merchant. When Tennessee was invaded by the "Yankees", he joined the fighting forces and became a member of the 31st Tennessee infantry. He was sent on a secret mission into the vicinity of Asheville, North Carolina, and for many months his family never heard from him. Finally, his wife determined to find him by coming to Western North Carolina. There was a happy reunion when they discovered each other by accident. After the close of the war, they moved into Haywood County, North Carolina. There D. B. Nelson's

life-dream was realized when he was ordained to the ministry in June 1866, at Locust Old Field Church. ln September 1869, he bought a farm in Henderson County near Horse Shoe which he named the Mt. Carmel Farm. ln plain view was Pisgah and the Rat. The site of the farm is now the Brooks and the Grey property. He worked for ten years as agent for the American Missionary Society and established churches and Sunday Schools. On November 13, 1875, he was elected unanimously as Pastor of the Hendersonville Baptist Church, coming from the French Broad Church. lt was during his pastorate that the church in 1880 agreed to elect the pastor for an indefinite term, to have preaching every Sunday, and to follow the Biblical injunction, "Upon the first day of the week, let everyone of you lay by him in store as Cod hath prospered him." Upon one occasion Mr. Nelson offered his resignation which the church refused to accept and persuaded him to remain. On August 19, 1877, the church passed a resolution to relieve the Pastor, Rev. D. B. Nelson, one Sabbath in each month so that he might act as agent for the college, the reference doubtless being to Judson College in process of construction during the war days and sponsored for many years by the Western North Carolina Convention. This college served its day and generation well. Some of the staunchest citizens and churchmen of the present day point with pride to the memorable days spent at Old Judson, the building situated at the corner of Third Avenue West and Fleming Street and later used as the Dixon Apartments. Following these progressive steps, the pastor's salary was set at $300. This was a small amount, but it was something definite and the beginning of a system. The next step was to raise $28.35 with which to pay off the indebtedness on the organ. Three members were named to constitute a committee of hospitality. He passed away on August 28, 1895, and was buried with masonic honors in the cemetery on the outskirts of Hendersonville.

1882-1885  Circle 

On January 1, 1882, Elder Joseph E. Carter was elected pastor. He served until March 1, 1885.

(Taken from Winborne's History of Hertford County)

"Rev. Joseph E. Carter, the late eloquent Baptist Divine, so well-known through the state, and other southern states, was a Murfreesboro boy. Hertford County has had no son who reflected more renown and finer character than this man. He was born in Murfreesboro, February 6, 1836. He first read law under Chief Justice W. N. Fl. Smith and later under Chief Justice Pearson. He practiced law for only a few years and decided to become a minister of the gospel. He was a brilliant lawyer, and his sudden change was a great surprise. but it was one of those irresistible changes brought about by divine power. He entered the Theological Department of Union University of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and graduated on June 16,1861, and on June 30, was ordained to the ministry in his native town. He then returned to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and became pastor of a church in that city. There he was married to Miss Priscilla Burton. ln 1863 he was called to the pastorate of the church in Rome, Georgia, and later to Wilson, North Carolina. He next served as pastor of the Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina. ln 1885 he became editor of the Western North Carolina Baptist, and three years later the western editor of the Biblical Recorder, which position he held until his death on February 24, 1889. (According to Miss Sallie McCracken, the funeral service was held in Judson College chapel and the walls were draped in black, in a very impressive service.) His body was interred in his native town in the presence of a large concourse of friends, schoolmates, and kindred who knew his life, his renown, his virtues. Several of his old friends spoke eloquently at the grave of the fine qualities of this good and gifted and saintly man. He was not only an effective pulpit orator, but also a fluent and forcible writer, two of his books being 'Baptists and Higher Liberty' and 'Distinctive Baptist Principles.' He put his whole soul and strength into his work."

1885-1889  Circle 

Rev. J. B. Boone came to the pastorate in October 1885, and remained until January 1888. He, at the same time, served as President of Judson College, and later for ten years was manager of our orphans' home at Thomasville. During the latter days of his pastorate the church secured a deed to the lot on which stood our former church building and the old pastorium on Fourth Avenue West and Washington Street. Deed Book Number 23, page 424 in the office of Register of Deeds, under date of September 29, 1887, records the fact that the lot was conveyed by J. W. Merrimon and Lillie C. Merrimon to J. S. Barnett, N. Buckner, and W. A. Smith, Trustees of the Hendersonville Baptist Church, and that the consideration of $300 was paid by David Carren. This donation was commemorated by a marble plaque in the main vestibule of the old church building on Fourth Avenue and Washington Street with appropriate words.

(The following was written by Miss Sallie McCracken)

Rev. J. B. Boone, son of Benjamin and Martha Boone, was born in Northampton County, North Carolina on October 1, 1836. He attended Buckhorn Academy where he was prepared for college under Captain, J. H. Picot, a "Wizard of Education." He entered Wake Forest College in 1860 but was called away by the war before he finished. He was captured in 1863 and remained a prisoner of war for two years. After the close of the war he spent three years re-building his shattered health and regaining his property. He then entered the ministry and was ordained on February 9, 1868. The following year he entered the Louisville Seminary and spent two years there. He next went to Charlotte as a missionary of the State Mission Board. There he was elected as a member of the city school board and was instrumental in organizing the graded school system in Charlotte, of which he was superintendent tor two years. In 1875 he became State Mission Secretary in Salisbury and Statesville. During this administration three outstanding men were converted and became great leaders in their profession: M.L. Kesler, J.L. Kesler, and A.T. Robertson. On January 31, 1877, he was married to Miss Sadie Maddrey of Northampton County. In 1883 he was made President of Judson College, and after six years he resigned and became pastor in Moberly, Missouri, where he remained for two years and then accepted pastorates of Windsor and Union Churches in Bertie County, North Carolina. On September 3, 1895, he came to the position of General Manager of the Thomasville Baptist Orphanage where he remained for ten years. He did a monumental work in construction buildings and in many other improvements.

1889-1891  Circle 

While the building was still in the process of being constructed, Dr. John Mitchell was elected as pastor on September 22, 1889. As he soon took up the work and served until January 1, 1981, he had the honor and responsibility of leading in the first services in the new building. The size of the church family at the time of the removal from the old site on Main and Caswell Streets to Fourth Avenue and Washington Street was only 116, which grew in ten years to 241. Later during Dr. Bomar’s pastorate, the membership grew from 464 to 825. Dr. Mitchell was born in Hertford County, North Carolina. He became pastor of the First Baptist Church in Asheville in 1877, and at two separate times was pastor of the Baptist Church at Ahoskie. He seems to have had two great loves, our Baptist Orphanage at Thomasville and Wake Forest College. He was a trustee of the orphanage for many years. He and a brother of his gave the first building at the orphanage for girls, and it was he who brought Iittle Mary Presson, first child admitted, on November 11, 1885, to live in that cottage which bears his name, Mitchell Cottage. Dr. Mitchell was the hero of all the little girls who came to live in that cottage. He was never married. For several years he acted as agent of Wake Forest College, trying to guild up an endowment fund for the college. After almost 47 years as a trustee of the college, he passed away on March 3, 1906.During the decade of 1890 to 1900, the church was served successively by the following pastors: Rev. D. A. Glenn, Rev. S. S. Gibson and Rev. W. L. Richards. The minutes of July 5, 1891, contain a statement peculiar for a Baptist Church: “A committee was appointed to assess the members for the support of the church." This plan probably did not work very well for on March 15, 1903, the church found it necessary to resort to the Ladies’ Aid Society for help in raising funds for the pastor’s salary and for other expenses. The ladies did so well that instead of the $600 requested, they were instrumental at that time in raising the pastor’s

salary to $800, and three years later to $1,000.

1895-1899  Circle 

Rev. S. S. Gibson, who was pastor in 1895-99, was born in lreland in the year 1851. At the age of three months, he was brought to Cincinnati, Ohio, with the family location in the Walnut Hills section. He attended Denison University at Granville, Ohio. The date of his entry into the ministry is uncertain. He became pastor of churches in Walnut Hills and St. Mary's, Ohio, in addition to Hendersonville, North Carolina and West Palm Beach and Delray, Florida. On January 1, 1889, Pastor Gibson presented his resignation as pastor to take effect on the following March 26. On the latter date he preached his farewell sermon. A beautiful tribute was paid to him in the resolutions adopted unanimously, with the service closing by the singing of “God be with you till we meet again.”

1899-1901  Circle 

Rev. W. L. Richards, formerly of Augusta, Georgia, came to the pastorate on ApriI 2, 1899. He served only until the last Sunday of October the following year when the church was again called upon to render beautiful tribute to a retiring and immensely popular pastor. The following appraisal is copied from the French Broad Hustler under the date of January 4, 1900.

"Hendersonville has proudly boasted of many distinguished and scholarly ministers, who have graced her sanctuaries during ancient and modern times, but few, if any, have shown themselves to be equal, in any particular, of W. L. Richards, pastor of the First Baptist Church. He is indeed one of the foremost preachers of the South and wields an influence for good which is being felt throughout the state and the Southern Baptist Convention. "The subject of our sketch is a Virginian by birth, having been born in Fredericksburg. He did not remain very long in the land of his nativity, however, as his parents moved to Augusta, Georgia during his infancy. He Attended college at Mercer University, and afterwards studies law under Hon. J. C. C. Black. He was admitted to the bar and practiced for three years with remarkable success. Feeling himself called to a higher work, Mr. Richards gave up the law and after a short preparation in the study of Dr. Lansing Burrough, he entered the ministry. He preached his first sermon in the Curtis Baptist Church of Augusta, which he afterwards served as pastor until called to work in Norfolk, Virginia. He served next at Windsor until called to the Pendleton Street Church, Greenville, South Carolina, from which church he came to Hendersonville, where we hope he may be induced to remain for many years." The Georgia August Herald had this comment regarding Mr. Richards: "Mr. Richards is the kind of preacher who appeals to all classes. His wide charity and his liberal broadmindedness give him an irresistible influence over persons of intellect and culture. While his pure spirituality and lofty conception of his magnificent mission as a preacher of the all-saving gospel recommend him to those who have reached the heights of Christian Experience." During this period the church was making marked progress, both spiritually and financially.

1901-1907  Circle 

The pastorate of Rev. Love began on February 4, 1901. In 1902, a church parsonage was built and after being furnished completely by the ladies of the church, Pastor Love and his family moved into it where they Iived untiI the end of his pastorate on April 28, 1907. (The building was later used for many years as Sunday School and Training Union Classrooms). It was noted that on October 31, 1905, and the day following, the church baptized forty-eight new members. In February 1906, the church appropriated money with which to purchase what was known as the Ray lot on the east side of town, for a mission chapel. A building was constructed from the material of the old church building formerly belonging to the Presbyterians, and a mission Sunday School was organized in July of the same year. In the year 1920, this organization developed into what was known as the East Hendersonville Baptist Church, later the Grove Street Church, and now the Calvary Baptist Church.

1908-1910  Circle 

On May 10, 1908, Rev. John G. Hughes assumed the pastorate of the church at an annual salary of $1200. He served for two years. The following facts concerning his later life are gleaned from an old letter dated January 27, 1915, and written to his good friend, Mr. Foster Bennett. In 1912 Mr. Hughes had taken up evangelistic work with quite a great degree of success. However, in a short time he underwent a nervous breakdown and was advised by his doctor to spend time in his native New Zealand. There he remained two years. Thousands of people crowded into His Majesty's Theater to hear him preach. He became pastor of the Baptist Church in Wellington, the capital city. He was brought into close touch with the Prime Minister and other prominent people. He went on to Australia and had the privilege of preaching in Sydney and Melbourne. Upon his return to this country, he resumed for a second time the pastorate at Rome, Georgia.

1910-1918  Circle 

In September 1910, Rev. K. W. Cawthon of Union, South Carolina, assumed the pastorate of the church at a salary of $1500 annually. The finances of the church were steadily improving. At the beginning of the year, only $1352.86 could be secured in pledges, but at the end of the year there had been paid in a total amount of $2689.86. The church was very responsible to the leadership of Mr. Cawthon, and during his pastorate many progressive steps were taken. He retained his remarkable hold upon the church for his entire pastorate of more than seven years. We insert here a few facts relative to the life and work of Mr. Cawthon, as learned from his widow, Mrs. Lillian McCall Cawthon. "King Woolsey Cawthon was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the year 1876. He was educated at the University of Richmond, Mercer University, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. After leaving the seminary, he held pastorates at Quitman, Georgia, First Baptist Church of St. Augustine, and the First Baptist Church at Marshville, Georgia. He and his wife were then appointed as missionaries by the Foreign Mission Board to Buenos Aires, where they served four years, being forced to return to the United States on account of ill health. It was then that he served the Hendersonville Church for eight years, followed by a pastorate of equal length at Warsaw, North Carolina, which was followed by his retirement from the active ministry in 1926. His death occurred in Atlanta in April 1935." During 1911, plans were made for an extension of the church building. This was accomplished during the next few months at considerable expense, the work being completed, and the improved and enlarged building being accepted on July 7, 1912. At the same time a new heating plant was installed. In the early part of 1913, the pastor was voted a vacation of six weeks, and Rev. A. I. Justice was called as supply pastor for the period. A few months later, the pastor's salary was, by unanimous vote, increased to $1800. At the hearty invitation of our church, the 1913 session of the Ladies' State Missionary Convention was held with us. Miss Fannie Heck was present. On December 3, 1913, the Sunday School for the first time in its long history was brought under the direct control of the church. Soon the number of deacons was increased from seven to twelve, and a treasurer was appointed for benevolence. The year ended with total contributions of $3,886.24. The first reference to a "Chorus Choir" was under date of March 4, 1914, at which time the music committee recommended its formation. Thus, was begun an organization which, throughout the years, has received the praise of home-folk and visitor alike. It is felt appropriate also at this point to state that the Baptist Men's Quartet, composed of R. C. Bennett, A. F. Barber, E. T. Brown, and J. T. Wilkins, with Mrs. Noah Hollowell as accompanist, was organized during this period, and for more than two decades enjoyed a wide and deserved popularity. Upon the same date to which reference was made above, the church voiced its appreciation to Mrs. J. F. Brooks for her efficient work in church music. Throughout the remaining years of her life, Mrs. Brooks gave herself unselfishly to her church and Sunday School, and at her death on July 31, 1938, the number of people paying tribute to her memory at her funeral service was one of the largest ever seen in this section. Future generations will rise up and call her blessed. The first mention of the word "budget" in connection with the finances of the First Baptist Church occurred on November 28, 1914, when the finance committee and the deacons met at a private home for the purpose of making up- a budget to be submitted to the church for the year 1915. They were evidently successful, judging from the treasurer's reports from time to time, and the word budget has become a familiar one in our Baptist household.

1918-1926  Circle 

Upon the resignation of Pastor Cawthon in January 1918, the church called to the pastorate Dr. E. E. Bomar, of Owensboro, Kentucky. Dr. Bomar was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1861. He was a graduate of Wofford College with both the bachelor's and the master's degrees. He read law and then did graduate work at the University of Virginia. At 19, he passed the bar examination, too young to practice. He then became editor of the Carolina Spartan, the forerunner of the Spartanburg Herald. After practicing law for several years, he heard the call to preach, and entered the Seminary at Louisville, from which he graduated about 1890. He was ordained the same year and was married to Miss Nancy Earle Landrum. After holding pastorates successively at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, Aiken, South Carolina, and Graniteville he became assistant secretary of the Foreign Mission Board in 1900, serving for six years under Dr. Willingham. He then served for several years in Owensboro as pastor, from which place he came to us in 1918. His later pastorates were at Tryon, Columbus, Mill Springs, Landrum, Campobello, and GowansviIle. In all his pastorates, Dr. Bomar increased the memberships, served on many boards, wrote for religious periodicals, organized charities, entered the civil life and joyously preached the gospel. He was a great visitor. According to Mrs. H. M. Russ, one of our very efficient teachers in Sunday School, it was not an uncommon thing for him to greet the good lady of the house, lean his head over the mantel for a word of prayer, utter his good-by, and go on for a brief call at the next house. He passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Landrum, South Carolina, in the year 1947, after a long and useful life in the ministry, having been preceded by his wife and helpmate of 54 years.

1926-1932  Circle 

During Dr. Jackson's pastorate, all departments of the church and Sunday School became highly organized under the modern plan of the Southern Baptist Convention, and, at least for one year, 1931, a successful Daily Vacation Bible School was carried out. In 1929, the church adopted our present budget system. The total budget for that year was $14,240.62, with the following year showing a slight increase to $14,324.63, the increase over former years necessitating the employment of special clerical help. Dr. Arthur Jackson of Barnesville, Georgia, much loved and respected, served welI. Before he came to us, he had been seasoned as a pastor but was not full grown nor mature. He was broad gauged; he was sympathetic; he was understanding; and with it all, he was young, enthusiastic, ambitious, and tactful. The later years of his pastorate were days of financial depression. Dr. Jackson knew how to express his sympathy and understanding in a tangible way. Without pressure or suggestion, he offered to share the burdens of his flock even to

reductions in his own salary. Like Ezekiel of old, he sat where we sat. But parting time, caused by the appeal of greener pastures, came after a successful ministry of five years. He served well this Hendersonville Community, and departed a much beloved minister, leaving behind him a growing church, and one more united than he had found at his coming.

1932-1934  Circle 

On January 1, 1932, there came to the pastorate from the Angier Church in Harnett County, North Carolina, Dr. William Herschel Ford, who just at that time was graduating from Wake Forest College and had attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at Fort Worth, Texas. He took up the work of the church with the enthusiasm of youth. His first report to the church at the end of a service of five months showed an addition to the church roll of 191 members, and a prayer meeting with an attendance of 300 people. The attendance upon the services of the church and Sunday School became such as to demand the enlargement of the auditorium by the removal of some partitions and by the construction of a brick annex to the Sunday School facilities at a cost of $2,451.85. This building, sometimes referred to as "the barn", proved a very useful asset untiI July 1949, when it was sold with the old Lewis House for $1,000 and torn down to clear the way for the new educational building. The attendance of the Sunday School reached a high average of 521. A Junior board of Deacons was organized, and an Educational Director in the person of David T. Mashburn was added to the church personnel. After a service of a little more than two years, Dr. Ford offered his resignation, effective March 15, 1934, in order that he might take up the work in a most promising field as pastor of the Broadway Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1934-1936  Circle 

On May 20, 1934, the church was so impressed by the preaching and personality of Dr. Broadus E. Jones of Cedartown, Georgia, who had conducted the morning services in response to an invitation of the pulpit committee, that it immediately extended to him an invitation to become its pastor at a considerable increase in salary. Dr. Jones accepted the call and took up the work about the first of June. He impressed himself very strongly upon the church as a pastor and a preacher of ability, an orator of note, and a splendid organizer and worker. He led in the interior decorating of the auditorium at a considerable expense and was highly instrumental in the liquidating of the debt which had hung over the church so long. His pastorate was characterized by a preaching that would break down all barriers, social, economic, or racial, which separate the people of God, and by a great appeal to create in the hearts of the people a spirit of universal brotherhood. Some of his sermons were so impressive that by popular appeal they were repeated. Among these were his first sermons preached here, "Our Father," the "Three Philosophies of Man" and "Roses of Bethany or Lilies of Arimathea." However, after a stay of slightly less than two years, he yielded to the strong appeal of "far-away pastures" and in January 1936, he became the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Virginia.

1936-1943  Circle 

On March 29, 1936, Rev. Broadus E. Wall of Johnson, South Carolina, came to our church as pastor. It was during his pastorate that the Daily Vacation Bible School was reorganized. This school has become an annual event of the summertime and has proved itself immensely popular with the children. Its 1938 session was the largest conducted by our denomination in the State of North Carolina. It may be noted here that in accord with the policies of the Southern Baptist Convention, the name of the men's organization was changed to Men's Brotherhood, and that in 1956 all the boys' organizations became the responsibility of the Brotherhood. During these years the financial program under able leadership was going forward steadily, the Associational year 1941-42 closing with a total of $20,477.26 raised for the church program. There was also begun a building fund for expansion in later years. In 1942 our attention was necessarily turned to the course of events world-wide, these being the beginning of war days. Most of our young men of

draft age were soon among the armed forces. Many, including some of our young women, volunteered for service. The call of our country was so strong, and the interest and concern of our pastor in the spiritual welfare of young men so great, that, effective December 1, 1942, he offered his resignation so that he might become a chaplain in the Navy. An appropriate farewell service was held for him on the last Sunday night in November. He remained a valued member of our church for some time, later becoming pastor of the First Baptist Church of Chester, South Carolina, and of the First Church in Waynesville, North Carolina. He also pastored the Crooked Run Baptist Church near Columbia, South Carolina, and was Associate to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company, a company insuring church property.

1943-1948  Circle 

In the course of a few months the call of the church was extended to Dr. O. M. Seigler, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Canton, Georgia. He had previously been pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Augusta, and of the First Baptist Church of Americus, Georgia. Upon his acceptance, there came to us in April 1943, one of the strongest pulpit orators in the Southern Baptist Convention. He rapidly took hold of the work in a great way, both as preacher and pastor, and as an executive. He was a great teacher. He won for himself an enviable place in the hearts of the people of our church, our community, and our association. He was greatly instrumental in the development of Fruitland as a religious center sponsored by the Baptist State Convention. During his pastorate of five years, history was made fast. The 1943 associational report showed a total membership of 1385, a Sunday School enrollment of 909, a B.T.U. enrollment of 121, and offerings of approximately $21,000. In the early part of 1943, the A. Ficker home place was purchased for a pastorium at a cost of $7,500. At this stage in our history the building fund had grown to a total of $23,025, and it steadily increased through the next several years. The records show that at this time we had a total enrollment of 128 in the armed forces of our country. We were called upon to mourn as war casualties several of our young men, including H.D. Drake, Charles R. (Dick) Hedge, Joseph P. Hollingsworth, Jr., Andrew Rymer, Horace Sherman, Edward Shytle, Clinton Ward, and Wofford Worley. On February 9, 1944, there was appointed a committee to write the history of our church preparatory to the centennial celebration to be observed on the first week in the following October. On the same date a committee on building plans was appointed. Dr. Seigler took the lead in our Centennial program, which was held from October 1, 1944 to October 8, 1944. AlI available former pastors appeared on the program, including Dr. Arthur Jackson, Dr. E. E. Bomar, and Chaplain Broadus E. Wall. On Friday evening, October 6, there was presented a pageant of the First Baptist Church, so ably written by Mrs. W. B. Sinclair and well directed by Mrs. W. C. Allen. This pageant displayed beautifully many scenes of both past and present. It was pronounced a remarkable success. The history of the church was prepared by the recently appointed committee. Taken all in all, it was a glorious week for the First Baptist Church.

1949-1951  Circle 

On March 16, 1949, there came to us as pastor the Rev. D. H. Daniel from the First Baptist Church of Conway, South Carolina. He was a native of Kentucky, has served as pastor in various places, and had been Training Union Secretary for the state of South Carolina. His preaching was characterized by a tenderness rarely excelled. He made a strong and effective appeal to young people, many of whom enlisted for the first time in the cause of Christ. On May 15, 1949, Roy C. Bennett, the new chairman of the building committee, made a report for the committee. It was made clear that the cost of previous and elaborate plans of constructing a combined sanctuary and educational building was prohibitive. Therefore, the committee, considering an educational building the greater need, was recommending the construction of the latter at this time and a delay for the former. The church heartily endorsed the action of the committee and entered enthusiastically into the program. Groundbreaking exercises were held on August 7, 1949, and the contract for construction was awarded to Fiske-Carter Construction Company on September 14, 1949, at a cost of $198,711. This cost, with a few minor changes, added to the cost of the equipment made a total investment of approximately $240,000, and gave us one of the best educational plants in all the land.

1951-1968  Circle 

One of the most notable pastorates, and one of the longest, was that of the Rev. M. M. Goss, who served our church for seventeen years. He was born in Cherokee County, Georgia, the son of a country preacher and one of six children. Rev. Goss was graduated from Mercer University and Andover Newton Theological Seminary, Newton Centre, Massachusetts. During his college years, he served as pastor of three rural churches in Southeast Georgia. While in seminary, he was pastor of the church at North Grafton, Massachusetts. After graduation he served two half-time churches at Tate and Jasper, Georgia. His South Carolina pastorates were at Walhalla, Summerville, and the First Baptist Church of Hartsville, where he was instrumental in the establishing of several missions. He began his ministry here on the second Sunday in September 1951. His pastorate was characterized by constructive growth along all lines and his contributions to Baptist denominational life was not only local but also state and convention wide. He served as president of the local pastors’ conference and moderator of the Carolina Baptist Association. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina Baptist Children's Homes, as a member of the Historical Commission of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, a member of the Relief and Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and on the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Baptist Hospital at Winston-Salem. He served in the Hendersonville Rotary Club, and did post graduate work at both Columbia University and the University of Chicago. He contributed many articles to the "The Builder," "Open Windows" and the "Training Union Magazine." Among the many accomplishments of those years was the construction of our beautiful sanctuary, completed in ApriI of 1968. Mr. Boyd Sutton was the Minister of Music and Mary Brooks was organist at that time. In 1966, the $60,000 Cassavant organ was installed under the leadership of Mr. G. David Causey, Minister of Music. The Kindergarten (now First Baptist Academy), an indispensable institution in our church and community, was managed by Mr. Bob N. Goode and later by Betty Jackson. The church library became a very necessary part of the educational program. The membership increased from 1,400 to 2,000 and the Sunday School from 790 to over 1,300 members. Mr. Goss was married to the former Katherine Hillhouse of Waynesboro, Georgia. She was a graduate of Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and served many years as a high school English teacher in the Henderson County Schools. They had two children, Miller and Mary Nell. Before his retirement, Rev. Goss served forty years in the pastoral ministry. During those years he served a term as vice president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and as member of the Baptist State Convention General Board and the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

1969-1977  Circle 

Rev. Ian H. C. Walker served First Baptist Church as pastor from February 2, 1969 untiI ApriI 17,1977. He was born in Scotland in 1932 and grew up in South Africa, where his father served as a Baptist pastor for thirty-three years. He came to the United States at the age of 18 and furthered his education at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. While studying in Chicago, he met and married the former Esther Kapplan, who is, by profession, a registered nurse. They have four children, Heather, Wendy, Jennifer and James. James was formerly the pastor at Biltmore Baptist Church near Asheville, North Carolina. Pastor Walker endeared himself to our entire area through his church and radio ministry which extended far beyond our immediate locale. Under his leadership the house and property adjacent to the church parking lot were purchased for the use of a youth fellowship house called the One-Way House. On October 17, 1976, he led our congregation in the groundbreaking service for a new Family Life Center. On December 17, 1972, Aubrey Edwards, Minster of Music, directed the adult choir in Handel's "Messiah", in a moving production which combined choir, orchestra, and dramatization of the life of Christ. This began a new frontier in the ministry of the church. It has become a Christmas tradition at First Baptist Church. Also, under the direction of Mr. Edwards was the 100-voice youth choir, The Sound of Singing Youth, which made many tours and public performances around the country. Dr. Forrest C. Feezor and the Reverend Nane Starnes played a vital role in our church, serving in the capacity of interim pastor, as did the Reverend Allen Jewett, associate pastor. The next pastor came in April of 1978. While at Southern Seminary he served as pastor of Main Street Baptist Church, Boonville, Indiana. He later became pastor of the historic Siloam Baptist Church in Marion, Alabama. Here he ministered to the students and faculty of Judson College and Marion Military Institute. In 1965, he became pastor of the Lee Street Baptist Church in downtown Valdosta, Georgia. From there, he came to First Baptist Church of Hendersonville in 1969. In 1977, Rev. Walker was called to West Palm Beach, Florida as pastor. He has also served as pastor in Morristown, Tennessee and at Bent Creek Baptist Church in Arden, North Carolina. Rev. Walker was noted as a dynamic, evangelistic speaker. He spoke in revivals, evangelistic gatherings and Bible conferences throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. He passed away on March 6, 2024.

1978-1991  Circle 

Rev. Rich Liner was called to the pastorate of First Baptist Church in ApriI of 1978 and served for thirteen years, leaving in June of 1991 to answer a calI from First Baptist Church of SevierviIle, Tennessee. He was born November 22, 1940 in LaFayette, Georgia, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Liner. He graduated from high school in Chattanooga and received his bachelor's degree from Carson Newman College. His Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Semi nary and his doctorate from Luther Rice Theological Seminary. He served in several churches before coming to HendersonviIle. He married to the former Barbara Jean Hackett and they have two children, June Noel and W. A. Joshua. Pastor Liner's pastorate saw exciting steps forward in the growth of our church, one being the completion of the Family Life Center. The Rev. Allen Jewett, Minister of Education and Administration, played a vital roll in the planning and completion process of the Family Life Center, especially during the interim period without a pastor. Beverly Dietzschold as Minister to Preschool and Children, showed her love and excitement to the growing children's ministry with weekday Bible studies in her home, retreats and camping trips and Bible drill competitions. When she left, Steve Briggs came to serve in the same capacity in August of 1987. Miss Beverly passed away in Missouri on October 27, 1991. On October 1, 1978, Rev. Wally Shamburger came to lead our Music Ministry. Rev. David Packer came to serve in the capacity of Minister of Youth and activities director of the Family Life Center on December 12, 1978. Rev. Bill Wilkinson came as Minister of Education/Administration on November 23, 1980. Jim Pearce came as Minister to Students in 1986, after David and Lana Packer went to the mission field. In 1979, the paid staff of the church numbered twenty-five. Church membership was in excess of 2,500 with a Sunday School enrollment of 1,400. Church property increased in value to $2,500,000. The Collins-Worley property on 4th Avenue and the Green Property were purchased by the church after that period. During Rev. Liner's pastorate, other highlights included the beginning of the Prayer Room Ministry, the Singles Ministry, additions to the permanent ministerial staff organization of the church and the first televising of the "Messiah." Pastor Liner also served as Chaplain of the Hendersonville High School football team and as a member of the Rotary Club. His wife Barbara taught in the public schools. Pastor Liner was a private pilot and preached in twelve states and seven other nations. He wrote articles in Baptist Sunday School Board periodicals and has served on the Baptist Association and Baptist State Evangelism Committees. In his last sermon to the church on June 9, 1991, he said he believed "the greatest years of the church are before us." 

1992-2001, 2014-2024  Circle

2002-2007  Circle

2008-2014  Circle