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6 FOREWARD Attendance in Sunday School at Millbrook Methodist Church was declining and some of the membership became so discouraged that they felt it best to close down our Sunday School and an announcement to this effect was made in the service one Sunday morning in There was a child present who worried about this announcement all week and the next Sunday morning said, Daddy, I want to go to Sunday School. This whole family went that Sunday and held Sunday School. And we have had Sunday School at this site ever since.

7 Our Methodist church at Millbrook is the outgrowth of a great spiritual need in one of our country s darkest hours. Torn asunder by the question of slavery and state s rights, the South and North were divided and brother had fought against brother on the battlefield. A defeated and humiliated South was in desperate need of encouragement and spiritual growth. It was this desperate need which brought about the organization of our church. It is not known whether the first services were held under a bush arbor (a pole-type structure with cut boughs placed over the top of it for shade) were conducted before the war actually came to a close. It is known that the Reverend Sidney Trawick conducted these early services. He had been connected with the Methodist Conference but terminated this connection in Settling in Wake County, he became a local evangelist and preached throughout the county. Others influential in this new church congregation were Mrs. Martha Hardee Alston Jeffreys, a widow, and her 1

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9 two daughters, Pauline (Mrs. Williams) and Mary (Mrs. B. W. Green), grandmother of Margaret Green Belvin (Mrs. Charles Belvin). These women were the first teachers of the Sunday School. They taught the bible and the Methodist catechism. It is also interesting to note that these early teachers taught the children to read and write since war conditions had abolished any chance of schools in the area. This small group called themselves Sidney Bethlehem according to Frank Grill in his book Early Methodist Meeting Houses and according to the original deed of church property. This writer and other church members have only heard it called Sidney Church the first name of its first beloved preacher, Sidney Trawick. I base this information on a sketch of early church history by Mrs. Mary Green Jones, daughter of Mrs. B. W. Green. Also, the pulpit Bible, dated 1882, records it as the property of Sidney Church. On March 29, 1869 this congregation was deeded, for the sum of $5.00, 3

10 one acre of land by Richard R. Justice and his wife, Martha. This parcel of land bordered that of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, being located in the settlement of Millbrook, which was incorporated in Some type of building was already erected on said property. It is further stated in the deed that the building thereon is to be used for church purposes and never as a dwelling or residence (Wake County Registry Book 27, page 652). Mrs. Jones writes There was no Methodist Church in the area nearer than Raleigh,... except the families that held their membership at Tippers Cross Roads Methodist Church.... Since several families belonging to Tippers Cross Roads were as near or even nearer to Millbrook, it was decided best to move the building and merge into the new church. The material was brought here and this was the first building. What the deed records and what Mrs. Jones writes seem to contradict each other. I would like to suggest that maybe both accounts are accurate for the material brought 4

11 from Tippers Cross Roads could have been used to enlarge the building. We call Tippers Cross Roads, Six Forks today. This property was placed in the hands of a board of trustees as follows: Sidney R. Trawick, Thomas W. House, William E. Pell, W. J. W. Crowder, and Jasper Fleming. I believe Thomas W. House and Jasper Fleming were the only local members of this group. William E. Pell was a pastor in the Conference and is best remembered in Wake County as the associate editor of the Raleigh Christian Advocate. Crowder was a member of Edenton Street Methodist church as a lay preacher. And, of course, Sidney Trawick was acting as pastor. These men were probably known as district trustees. At the Annual Conference of 1869, the Rolesville Circuit was formed and Sidney Bethlehem was one of several churches on this circuit and the Reverend J. J. Renn became the first Conference appointed pastor. The next pastor was the Reverend A. D. Betts. He had been a greatly 5

12 beloved chaplain in the Civil War. He was so well liked, he was called Uncle Betts by the young of the church and Brother Betts by the older members. Disaster struck this young church in 1875 in the form of a cyclone which completely destroyed the first Sidney Church building. But disaster did not end this member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, for another building was soon erected and the main part of the present sanctuary is this building. There were two entrance doors, one on each side of the front. There were five large windows on each side of the building (no screens) and two large windows in the back, one being on each side of the pulpit. This large room had two aisles with long benches between them and short benches between the aisles and the windows. Curtains of green burlap installed on ceiling runners were drawn together and portioned off areas for Sunday School classrooms. A rock wall lined the property on the north and east sides being constructed parallel 6

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15 to the roads. This wall was always a favorite spot for children to sit and talk before or after services. They also enjoyed walking or running on it as well as jumping on and off of it. No records show when this wall was constructed. However, the wall was later sacrificed for progress. The church doors were never locked. On various occasions, tramps were found sleeping in the building seeking shelter from rain or cold. Old Wake Forest Road was than U.S. #1. At the back of this lot was a grove of trees. Since transportation consisted of horseback or horse-and-buggy in those days, on meeting Sundays, this area was full of buggies with horses tied to the trees. Since early church circuits had several churches and these were sometimes ten to fifteen miles apart, it was impossible to hold services at each church each Sunday. Often times, when a new pastor came into an area, he would have to get a church member to direct him on how to 9

16 go from one church to another. This was the case here because Rolesville Circuit covered all of northern Wake County and part of Durham County. Also, pastors held serves on Sunday afternoons or on Saturday, trying to preach at each church once a month. Churches also held all-day meetings from time to time in those days with dinner on the grounds. Hymn sings were popular. And, it was not uncommon for some members to get happy and start shouting. It was 1887 before any type of heat is known to have existed in the church a wood-burning, pot bellied stove. Later, when classrooms were added, small stoves were installed in each of them. Usually fires were made shortly before service time but the building was never really warm in the winter. As a child, I remember helping place kindling wood (sometimes individual bundles wrapped in newspaper for each stove) in the car to carry to church on Sunday morning to start the fires. In the 10

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18 margin of one record, it was noted that $25 had been spent in for wood to burn in the heaters. The first parsonage lot of this circuit was recorded in the Wake County Courthouse in 1889 (Registry of Deeds Book 106, page 404). This lot is the same one that Mrs. Amy Poole s house is located on today, directly across from the front corner of the sanctuary. Mrs. Poole remembers hearing her grandfather, Dan Rudy, tell of helping to haul lumber in a wagon to build the first parsonage. I m sure most of this house was built by volunteer labor of church members and others in the community. This parsonage was a two-story, eight-room, frame residence. The following excerpt from Quarterly Conference records will give us an idea of parsonage upkeep. The house of worship at Millbrook has recently been painted. When I came to the circuit four years ago, I found the parsonage much in need of repairs, and paint. Under an order of the quarterly conference, examination was made and cost of 12

19 repairs and painting estimated and apportioned to the church on a basis of assessments for PE and PC salary. Millbrook and Oak Grove were the only churches that paid their part, the others failing to the amt. of $32.58 hence the job of repairs was not completed and the job of painting inferior. During the four years, time and weather have made inroads and now dollars are needed where only cents would have been needed if the job had been properly done 4 years ago. The building needs repainting, the roof of the body and back porch leak and need repairs and the front porch needs a new cover. Some other repairing is also needed. Several rooms need white wash. Doors should be made to the buggy shed to keep the hot sun from ruining the pastor s buggy. The garden needs a new gate, one of the old ones being rotten and falling to pieces. 15 posts are needed and 410 running feet of plank around the bottom to keep the chickens out. The lot fence along the public highway is not safe for a horse and being on the highway where the people are frequently passing from the city and country is a reflection and a disgrace to the circuit and should be speedily replaced by a more decent one. Nov. 20, 1909 Fraternally submitted Geo. T. Simmons P.C. 13

20 This parsonage was totally destroyed by fire in Since the pastors were paid such small salaries, the congregationsoften had poundings for them. Members brought what they had vegetables, canned goods, homegrown fruit, milk, butter, meat as a love offering. And the preacher and his family are Sunday dinner with various members of the congregation he was serving on any particular day. Sometimes the family arranged ahead for him to eat with them and sometimes not. There were always several families who would welcome him. And if there were no invitations for a meal, he went home with one of these families. I remember my mother saying that soon after she married, the pastor came to our house quite often to eat or even to spend the night. This meant that his horse had to be fed and housed also. And a lunch packed to eat while traveling the next day. The last listing of the Rolesvile Circuit in the North Carolina Conference Journal was in 1895 with six churches comprising the circuit of which only two are 14

21 mentioned by name Rolesville and Millbrook. J. M. Ashby is named as pastor. In the 1896 Conference Journal, the name of the Rolesville Circuit was changed to Millbrook Circuit. It still had six churches and the same pastor. It seems that no one can date the actual change of the name of the church from Sidney to Millbrook but I m sure that it took place at this time. About the time of the building of the second church structure (after 1875), Mr. Bernard Abt moved into the community. A German immigrant, Mr. Abt is considered the first Sunday School superintendent. Mr. Abt is thought by some to be the first person buried in our cemetery. His tombstone shows he died in The next two superintendents were both Richardsons; then in 1900, J. H. Fleming and in 1906, Dan Rudy. According to the pastor s (Geo. T. Simmons) report of 1906, the inclement weather made the work of the circuit almost impossible. 15

22 A financial statement included in this report revealed the following payments to the pastor s salary by our church: First Quarterly Conference $ 8.00 Second Quarterly Conference Third Quarterly Conference Fourth Quarterly Conference (was not totaled in report) $78.70 Sunday School report filed in To the second church conference at Millbrook As superintendent of our Sunday School, I have the honor to submit the following report: siz Statistical No. of officers and teachers at last conference 5 No. of offices and teachers at present conference 7 gain 2 No. of scholars at last conference 35 No. of scholars at present conference 38 gain 3 Amount raised for supplies since 18 March 1906 $1.44 Fraternally submitted 28 April 1906 W. A. Richardson As. Supt. 16

23 In 1907, we find W. A. Richardson as superintendent and he served in this capacity until Another pastor s report made on March 1, 1917, reads, Special mention should be made of the Millbrook school in which greater and deeper interest is manifested since the organization of the senior class into the Wesley House Bible Class and further this school has recently volunteered to raise a missionary special of $20 for China. We will have to remember the pastor preached maybe one Sunday per month at each of his churches. The local superintendent of the Sunday School for the most part kept the church moving forward. The church structure grouped the leaders as simply as possible: maybe three trustees; three or four stewards; a treasurer; a Sunday School superintendent; secretary and treasurer of Sunday School; and the Sunday School teachers, often one for children, one for intermediates, and one for adults. Even these offices overlapped and one person might hold several of them at one time. 17

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26 After the parsonage burned in 1931, the pastor lived in a rented house for which each church on the charge was assessed $1.20 per month to pay the rent. At that time, there were five churches on the circuit. Much discussion followed over whether to locate the parsonage back on its original lot or to seek a more central site in the circuit. Knightdale Church offered a lot and parlor (living room) furnishings if the parsonage could be built next to their church. This gift was accepted by the other churches and the dwelling was built at Knightdale. Needless to say, this decision caused some bitter feelings among the Millbrook Church membership, because they were hoping to build again on the already existing site. Instead, the lot was sold and the money applied to the Knightdale house. The first mention of L. T. Jones appears in 1914 when he was elected a steward and trustee of church property. From then until his death, he played a prominent role in the history of this church. Once 20

27 again, I quote from Mrs. Kimbrough Jones sketch: The present superintendent of the Sunday School Lemuel T. Jones, has served longer and more capably than any others. He is a man of many talents. He gives freely of these to the church. He has had the most responsible job twice to get two new roofs on the church, the last one just this year, Mr. Jones was a skilled carpenter, plumber and electrician and used all of these in keeping the church building in good repair. Mr. Jones served longer than any other as superintendent and as church treasurer. Mr. Jones Model A Ford served as the church s first bus. One Sunday he brought fourteen persons to Sunday School in one trip most of the fourteen were children. Mr. W. N. H. Jones taught Sunday School and was secretary of the Charge Conferences. Other known regular teachers in the early part of this century were Mrs. Kimbrough (Mary Green) Jones, Mrs. Dan Rudy, Mrs. 21

28 Emma Layton, Mrs. Lillian Lester, Mrs. Minnie Ferrell, Mrs. Emilie Loops, Mrs. Hazel Bender, Miss Leila Green, Mrs. G. T. Simmons, Mrs. Greening, W.A. Richardson, Mrs. N. W. (Minnie T.) Hatch, Mrs. J. B. Green and Mr. Ben Lacy. I m sure that I have omitted names that should be included in this list but in defense, I will include the fact that I gleaned this list from early church records. A Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1926 under the influence of Mrs. Minnie T. Hatch and Mrs. J. C. Goodwin. This group was the forerunner of what is now our United Methodist Women. These early societies met in the homes, had spiritual programs, refreshments, and often some entertainment with prizes given to the winners of games, quizzes or puzzles, etc. It was a time of spiritual enrichment and fellowship together. These same ladies served as church janitors, meeting on set occasions to give the church building a thorough cleaning, including window washing. Oftentimes, the men came to clean the 22

29 yard and cemetery while the ladies were working inside. This joint venture usually ended with a picnic dinner or supper and prayer service. This group sponsored ice cream suppers, box suppers, made quilt tops, quilted, and did numerous other activities to help supplement the local church s needs. Mr. W. N. H. Jones said he was expected to milk the cow, go get the ice for his mother s freezer of cream and crank the freezer as well. Then he had to drive her to the church and pay for his bowl of ice cream. For those who have never heard the term box supper, don t despair. I will try to explain. In a night of planned activity, each lady (young or old, I guess) would prepare a meal for two packed in an attractively decorated box. These boxes were sold at auction to the men, the object being that the one who purchased the box got to eat with the lady who prepared it. The preparer of the box was supposed to be a secret until it was sold. These socials brought the membership together for fun and fellowship as well as adding revenue to the church treasury. 23

30 The Ladies Aid Society became the Missionary Society in With this change of name and concept, emphasis was put on activities in foreign countries and spreading the gospel in other lands, as well as their well established local activities. As the laws of Methodism changed, the group became the Women s Society of Christian Service in 1942 and United Methodist Women in In spite of the name changes, basically the purposes of these groups have remained the same: to spread the teachings of Christianity at home and abroad, and to alleviate suffering wherever possible. The following is an excerpt from their records: Women s Society of Christian Service 1941 Members 15 Children members 4 Offering for Missions Offering for Christian Social Relations & local church activities Value of Supplies At each addition (major or minor) to church programs, physical or spiritual, we find the ladies at work. In 24

31 years past, our ladies were famous for their barbecue suppers served to the community for building fund projects. And more recently for their cookbook projects. Today, our United Methodist Women is made up of several circles and holds a monthly general meeting. It sponsors an annual bazaar and two years sales per year. Monies from these projects help underwrite many services in Raleigh and Wake County, as well as in national and foreign fields. The one-room church at Millbrook needed space for Sunday School classes. And finally, in the early 1930 s, this space became a reality. Four rooms extending across the back of the building, gave the appearance of the outstretched arms of a cross. These rooms were partially financed through the Duke Endowment and built by Lemuel Thomas Jones, who drew the plans and donated his time to the project. Records do not show this fact but I feel sure that it was about this time the church was wired for electricity. Before the coming of electricity to the Millbrook area in 1927, the church was lighted by oil-burning lamps 25

32 which hung from the ceiling. The Sunday School addition was wired for electricity when built and this fact is what makes me think that at this time or several years before the sanctuary was wired for electricity. In 1942, the church s electric bill for the entire year was $ $1.50 per month. This was the first addition to the building since it was completed in 1875 and remained the major improvement until central heating was added in the late 1940 s. This heating system burned oil. We sing the hymn Revive Us Again and pray God will draw us closer to Him. Revivals were an integral and outstanding part of this church s life. Sometimes services were held every night for a week or longer. Sometimes by the pastor oftentimes by a visiting 26

33 minister. Fred T. Barnett was an evangelist preacher from Florida. Mr. Barnett held several revivals in our church in the late 30 s and early 40 s. He would not hold one that lasted less than ten days and he always insisted on morning and evening services. Always in his services, the children were asked to sit on the front rows. It is interesting to note that he made up a math problem which was worked by deriving various numbers from given scripture verses. He gave the problem out one evening. The next evening he gave the answer or at least asked the children the answer. He encouraged scripture reading by taking a tally of how many verses had been read each day by those present. Outdoor outings such as hikes and picnics were planned several times during each revival for children and youth. Wherever Mr. Barnett traveled up and down the eastern seaboard, his trusty bicycle went too. The tradition or association of bells and churches goes back many centuries. Our bell came from a Norfolk 27

34 and Southern Railroad train engine. Several church members under the leadership of Mr. Lem Jones investigated the possibility of getting a train bell. A resident of the community and railroad employee, Mr. Mattox, was influential in getting the railroad to donate the bell to the church when they dismantled an old wood or coal-burning engine. This bell was first mounted under the back eaves of the church above the Sunday School rooms. It was rung to make the end of class periods at Sunday School. Each Sunday children rotated their turn to ring the bell. It is now located in the steeple. In 1950, it was decided to build a major addition to the church, unifying the front into one entrance, adding a classroom on each side of a narthex and an upstairs classroom over this new area. The steeple was also a part of this building endeavor. This project was not actually finished until the summer of

35 Records do not show when the first organ was placed in the church. Of course, this was a pump organ but it is known that Sally Rudy was the first regular organist. Mrs. Emma Layton and Mrs. Minnie T. Hatch were also regular organists here in the first third of this century. In 1927, the congregation bought a piano and new Cokesbury hymnals. Before then, the Methodist hymnals were used. The organist had the copy with music. The congregation s copies only had the words of the hymns written out like poetry. In 1955, an electric organ was installed. Our present organ was dedicated November 27, Included on our staff today is a choir director and organist. This note from the N. C. Conference Journal of 1952 marks another stage in our growth. Take Millbrook from Millbrook Circuit and make Millbrook a station. Thus Millbrook Circuit was abolished. The Rev. Horace C. Jones was appointed pastor. For the first time, church, as well as Sunday School, was held every Sunday for 29

36 Millbrook Methodists. For as long as I can remember before this date, the pastor preached on the third Sunday morning and the first Sunday night because of his responsibility to other churches on the charge. The following year 1953, a very necessary and greatly needed well was drilled on the property and bathrooms installed in the church. The sanctuary was also redecorated. A drape of red velvet was hung behind the pulpit, book racks were installed on the backs of newly painted pews, window screens were installed for the first for the first time as well as new ceiling and light fixtures. It is interesting to note that before this time when services were held on a hot night or day the windows were open, bats and all types of flying insects came to visit the worshipers in church. Even the neighborhood dogs came. One Sunday I remember, one came in, walked up the aisle and finally lay down to rest in the pulpit area while the preacher was conducting services. 30

37 As the area grew in population, more space was needed for the increased membership. It was decided to build a second building for additional classroom space. The size of this building was not to exceed 24 x 50 and the cost of the same not to exceed $6, Funds for the said building were to be raised by the church without borrowing any money. The resolution was recorded November 16, The building was erected, adding five classrooms to the Sunday School. This building has undergone several renovations, one of them converting it into a fellowship hall. It was later moved to another location on the grounds so that a fellowship hall could be erected where this one originally stood. It is at the present time being used as our activity building. The scouting program and the pre-school use it, and it is still being used for Sunday School class space. New furniture was placed in this building in A recent addition compared to the women s group is the United Methodist Men s organization. This group was 31

38 organized in our church in 1956 and as a general rule, meets at the church the third Sunday of each month for breakfast and the program usually includes an invited guest speaker. It is this group that sponsors the church s annual Christmas tree sale and serves breakfast to attendees of the Easter Sunrise Service. Soon the leaders realized even more classroom space was needed. Several plans were considered but with only one acre of land with which to work, space limitations had to be considered. The final decision was not an easy one for some to accept. The Sunday School rooms built in the early 30 s were completely removed, a basement dug, a room added to the south side of the sanctuary, a choir loft and open altar extended from the back wall of the old church, and new stained-glass windows and lighting fixtures were placed in the sanctuary itself. Air conditioning was installed and new pews purchased. While this building program was in process, services were held in the cafeteria building of the then Millbrook High School, now Millbrook Middle School. The sanctuary reopened for worship July 28,

39 This day was another milestone in the life of this church. The white plank country church with its simple Methodist meeting house altar and curved altar rail was gone. Brick covered the white planks and colored glass replaced the clear glass windows. And for the first time, a pastor s study and church office became a part of the building s facilities. Everyone thought it very beautiful but the simple charm and quiet dignity of old Millbrook still lingers in the hearts of those who remember it and worshiped within its walls. It was not until January 20, 1980, that this renovated church building became debt free and was dedicated. It was also in 1963 that the church built its first parsonage since becoming a station. It was located at 1211 Fairfax Drive and the then pastor, Jack L. Hunter, and his family moved into the new home October 11. Before then, Rev. Hunter and his family had lived for 33

40 several months at Crabtree (the home of Mary Green Jones). On December 7, 1977, the final payment on this dwelling was made to Raleigh Savings and Loan Association. In 1984, this parsonage was sold and the church acquired a new one at 1012 Cedarhurst Drive. For many, many years, the church had tried to purchase adjacent land for expansion without any success. In 1967, the owner of adjacent property finally agreed to sell us three acres of land for $25,000. We were to pay $24,000 and give the owner a receipt for a one thousand dollar donation. This was a tremendous price for land in that day. The purchase of this land enabled the church to have a parking lot of its own. First, graded and graveled and later paved in By now, more expansion was needed for the Sunday School work. It was decided to build a complex of buildings for the varying departments. The groundbreaking ceremony was held August 22, 1971, for the first phase of this complex. William T. Hatch was 34

41 appointed chairman of the building program. After the completion of the building for pre-school age children, our pre-school program was initiated under the leadership of Joyce Wingfield. The support, time and effort of many church leaders went into the operation of the pre-school during its formative years. An original pledge to operate within income received was met each year. The primary goal of this group was service to the pre-school children of the community and church families and to provide a Christian, loving, caring environment for learning. Proceeds from this group paid the loan on the building and it was completely debt free and dedicated in When the church, Sidney Bethlehem, received its first conference appointed pastor, the denomination s official name was the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Through the years, the church in America had divided into northern and southern branches. In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church South, the Methodist Episcopal Church, 35

42 and the Methodist Protestant Church consolidated into the Methodist Church. And again in 1968, with the union of the Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren, we experienced another name change in our denomination. We now call ourselves the United Methodist Church. The groundbreaking service for our present fellowship hall took place November 8, 1981, and a service of consecration for the completed building was held April 4, This building provides kitchen facilities for socials and full-course dinners. It is fully equipped with a stove, dishwasher, ice maker, refrigerator, microwave oven, as well as dishes, pots and pans, flatware, coffee makers and punch bowls. Most of the adult classes of the Sunday School meet in this building s classroom space. A spirit of cooperation has always existed between our church and other churches in the community. Evidence to this fact is shown in a joint service of worship at Thanksgiving. At first with just Millbrook Baptist, this 36

43 service has grown to include Wake Chapel Baptist, Millbrook Baptist and St. Raphael s Catholic. Services rotate with the years from one church to another. And likewise, for many years Vacation Bible School was a joint venture of Millbrook Methodist and Millbrook Baptist meeting one year at one facility and then the other with teachers from both churches involved. By request of several families in the congregation and an increasing population growth in the area, Rev. Bob Bame started having an early service in 1978 soon after he came as pastor. This service was held at 9:00 a.m. Attendance at this period of worship has steadily grown but the meeting time has now been changed to 8:30 a.m. In 1986, another worship service was added. The Sacrament of Holy communion is offered every Sunday morning at 9:35 a.m. in the sanctuary for those who so desire. Sunday School for all ages convenes at 9:45 a.m. with the regular worship service being held at 11:00 a.m. For early risers, the Men s Prayer Breakfast provides a 37

44 time of fellowship and good food. This is an informal group which meets on Wednesday morning at a popular restaurant. A time of sharing and prayer requests precedes the blessing and these concerns are included in the blessing. Around 1945, a Methodist Youth Fellowship was organized here. This group took part in a county-wide program of Methodist youth. Prior to this time, the church had taken part, off and on, in an Epworth League Program sponsored by the Conference. It also had a Sunday School class for this age student. Today we have an active Junior and Senior High United Methodist Youth Fellowship and a regular staff assistant to head up this department. Youth activity spurred the paving of an area of our grounds for a basketball court in Located just behind the fellowship hall, this court gives our youth a place for outdoor recreation and provides an area for other wholesome physical activity. By action of the Official Board in February 1977, this church officially established a library for the 38

45 purpose of teaching, learning, care and fellowship for its members. Before this time, various classes had accumulated books and teaching materials individually. The library contains books for all ages and is open before and after Sunday services. The Third Age Fellowship adopted the library as one of their projects. Many changes have been made throughout the last several years in the existing facilities. Classes have been moved from one place to another. Partitions added or taken away as the need arose. Another room has been incorporated into the office complex. A public address system was installed in April of This system enables us to tape the sermons for shut-ins and provides special hearing devices for members who have hearing problems. Also, the office acquired a computer system which enables the keeping of better records. The year of 1985 brought a hookup with the city water system since the well could 39

46 no longer keep up with the church s increased need for water. A minibus helps alleviate transportation worries of groups this being purchased in A Third Age Fellowship was added to our growing list of ministries in Members of this group are over 55 years old. They meet once a month in the fellowship hall, have an inspiring program, go on field trips, visit and take gifts to shut-ins and volunteer to help with other church needs. However, membership in this group is not limited solely to church members. In 1986, a Stephen Ministry was organized by Mrs. Vernelle Long, Assistant to the Pastor, to minister to people in crisis. By 1987, the church had two assistants to the minister and two office secretaries, a budget for the year of $231,070 and a membership of Once country surrounded the church on every side. Today, we find ourselves situated in the midst of a rapidly expanding portion of Raleigh. And again, our facilities are inadequate for the area we serve. 40

47 Membership today has soared and once again the Millbrook congregation is working toward expansion. A committee was appointed by the Official Board for a Long Range Study report. This group was to analyze the growth of potential for our area and to recommend ways for our church to expand in order to serve the area in the future. The report of this committee stated that we need a larger sanctuary, a larger fellowship hall and more classroom space. As a follow-through of this report, the Official Board has voted to build a new sanctuary and enlarge the fellowship hall with additional classrooms proposed in the floor plans. By vote of the Charge Conference, a building committee report was accepted for a master land use plan and a building fund drive authorized. As of 1987, the total pledges taken to finance this endeavor yielded only enough for the construction of the classroom portion of the master plan. These highlights of our growth and expansion reflect the service of our church in this area. The spiritual 41

48 needs of our people are the same regardless of the year or era. For to present Jesus Christ, His way, His promise of Salvation from our sins, His death, His resurrection, His love, His mercy, His shed blood for cleansing is the true message of the church at any time or age. May His love and guidance be with us in the days ahead as they have been in the ones past. 42

49 PASTORS Founder and First Pastor Sidney Trawick Conference Appointed Pastors J. J. Renn L. B. Pattishall A. D. Betts H. A. Chester J. E. Thompson M. M. Walters T. B. Reeks H. B. Baum L. J. Holden H. L. Harris L. Shell H. H. Cash L. L. Nash M. W. Warren J. D. Buie H. C. Jones P. Greening R. H. Lodge B. C. Alred J. L. Hunter K. D. Holmes P. G. Bunn J. M. Ashby W. A. Seawell M. M. McFarland A. D. Byrd N. L. Seabolt R. L. Bame G. R. Rood R. G. Hamm G. T. Simmons J. C. Lee 1987 J. M. Marlowe P. Greening J. W. Martin A. S. Parker L. E. Sawyer J. C. Williams H. H. Mitchell M. G. Ervin W. R. Harris S. J. Starnes W. F. Elliot T. B. Hough

50 REFERENCES Mary Green Jones early church history (a handwritten sketch). All available church records including church roll book, Quarterly Conference records and Official Board minutes. Oral history of members. C. Franklin Grill. Early Methodist Meeting Houses. Published in Raleigh, North Carolina,

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