NAME: McClure, W. B. DATA: Photograph SOURCE: 50th Anniversary. and dedication service of Center View Baptist Church, Maiden, N. C. (NCCF)
IN MEMORIAM REV. W. B. McCLURE Born September 15, 1861 Died May 19, 1933 Ordained to the Ministry Nov. 5, 1887 He was pastor of Hickory Grove Church 45 years. Was also pastor of churches in Lincoln, Catawba, and Gaston Counties. GASTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION MINUTES, 1933 206.9756/M66ga
BIOGRAPHICAL MINIATURES PARTW PASTORS I t W1LUAM BARTLETI' McCLURE 1899 William Bartlett McClure was born near what is now Mount Zion Baptist church in the southern edge of Lincoln county, September 15, 1861. He died in May of 1933. Little information is available on his life, but it is generally known that he was one of the foremost ministers of his day in these parts. He married Tiny Albertine Ford to whom were born three children; John, Lawrence Alexander, and Lula. His father was also a preacher whose work was limited more to speaking in revivals than to pastorates. A story of general knowledge and interest to those who live in the neighborhood of the old McClure home, is that the father, a few years after the birth of William Bartlett, with his wife selected a plot on their estate and dedicated it to the Lord for use by a church. It is on this plot that the Mount Zion church now stands, organized in 1869. His son Lawrence Alexander, became a preacher also and built more fame perhaps than his father in the same area of work, having served one church, Mount Ruhama, for more than Thirty-three years, and having served the South Fork association as moderator two years. W. B. McClure pastored many churches, largely in what was the South Fork Baptist Association before the Gaston and the Theron Rankin associations were formed, both coming out of the South Fork. Among those churches he served were Mount Ruhama, Macedonia, Mountain View, Amity, Center View, Mount Zion, and the 75
,,..... two Providence churches. Churches in other associations where he worked are unknown to us, but we imagine there were some. Only one of the Providence churches remain, it is now in the Theron Rankin. The other moved some two miles east on Highway No. 10 to Catawba and took the name of the town. ROBERT LOGAN PATTON In the history prepared in 1940 by James W. Williams and T. H. Caldwell, R. L. Patton is listed as one of our pastors. His name fails to appear in the associational minutes however, and it is probable that he served only a few months either as an interim pastor or as pastor for a very short period. The information we have comes from a newspaper story in the News Herald of Morganton, N. C. dated June 28, 1963, published on the occasion of the last R. L. Patton to be elevated to the office of superintendent of schools in Burke county. He succeeded his father who held this office for forty years, who in turn followed in the steps of his father, the Reverend Mr. R. L. Patton who held this office for some time before his retirement. All three were Robert L. Pattons, and the grandfather is the subject of this biographical sketch. The paper played up the name of Patton as a synonym for education and remarked that the mention of the name brought to mind first of all the Reverend Mr. Patton whose picture was given a prominent place in the paper. His picture in this book is a copy of this paper picture. The Reverend Mr. Patton was equally known for his religious leadership and academic leadership. Robert Logan Patton was born January 22, 1849, on Irish creek, the fourth in line of Robert Pattons in his family, and as we have indicated his son and his grandson were also Robert Pattons. He died January 8, 1920, at which time the Herald-Tribune paid him this tribute, a- mong other things, "No son of old Burke has left a deeper impress on the county and the state than has Mr. Patton, whose life has been devoted to good works, and whose labors in the pulpit and the classroom will bear fruit for many years to During th young Patton t. boy had an 2, 1866, he we;. not return for degree from went to get. In his lat Struggles for ships he ncou ging at first fo of weight, star-. ted to o rerta}, Later a broth c together. Ha\ yet another, a They discove Illinois and w,. and did some went to Exe and later Rob cial distress a; nesses. He, ~ Amherst col his classroom work which sunset years In the r fifteen churc special inter - missionary Carolina." other things 76
W. B. McClure 1904-06 He was ordained in 1~80 - a man of above average ability and intellect. Ill health forced his absence from many of his services. This greatly hindered the advancement of the church under his charge. When able to serve, his record is most outstanding. (24) G. P. Abernathy 1912-15 Nothing is known about his life or his family His record shows sermons of great spiritual insight. He formulated a 11 Covenan t for Baptist Churches II expressing the close relation between God to man - and man to man.,an outstanding sermon on "Means of Consecratior." presented the aspect necessary for successful Christian living. Prayer... Bible Reading. Abstinence Clean in Speech t L..._;.. _.,, Giving of Means Helping and worming others. Soul winning. His motto was: "If ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 11 II Peter 1:10
NAME 7.c;-,.f ~o/ &ditlcl~¼~ JI. m ~-C------ Married b. JI.. b. d, Ancestry Sae FIie No, (Over)
McClure, B. B A Short History of Sandy Plains Baptist Church 286 Sa5b Photograph of W. B. McClure
McClure, W. B. NCCF Amity Baptist Church S. FORK 50th Anni versa.ry, 1905-1955. Photograph or w. B. McClure