Our Heritage 1921-2013 A Historical Perspective Shelby Street Church of God to Built 1927 Built 1954 Built 1997
One thing said to be certain is change. As a congregation first organized in 1921 we ve certainly seen our share, including numerous pastors, three buildings, and one name change, from Shelby Street Church of God to Grace Point Church (which occurred in May of 2009). Our roots in the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and our 92 year history have, by God s grace and mercy, established us in the faith and given us a rich heritage indeed! So many have helped make this publication possible from providing pictures to answering questions to giving encouragement to see the process through. Too many to thank individually, so please allow me to sincerely say, Thank You!, to all who helped in any way! (Phyllis Bewley - June 2013) Rev. I.H. Brabson (1st Pastor) Served 1921-1927 NO PICTURE AVAILABLE In 1921 Rev. Brabson erected a tent in South Bristol and as a result of the evangelistic campaign, a church was organized the same year with 21 charter members; (the only recorded name of charter membership found was for Eliza Hill on 7/26/1921 per church records). Services were held in an old store building on Southside Ave. The building stood on stilts and children often played under the building. Six years later, Rev. Ed Johnson came to hold a tent revival on West State Street. Following that revival, the church moved to 14th Street and services were held in a house belonging to John Lawson until a church was built around 1927-28. The picture below was taken in 1940 but reflects the way the original building looked. Rev. Ed Johnson (2nd Pastor) Served 1927-1932 The first church building was erected around 1927-28 (about seven years after the Church was organized in 1921). The above picture was taken in 1940 but reflects the way the original building looked. 2
Rev. H. B. Helton (He is believed to be the 3rd Pastor of the church. No records were found with information during his tenure from 1932-1936. NO PICTURE AVAILABLE Rev. H.B. Helton (#3) Served 1932-1936 Rev. R.C. Cook (#4) Served 1936-1940 Rev. J.A. Bixler (#5) Served 1940-1941 Rev. J. W. Maness & Family (#6) Served 1941 1942 Rev. & Mrs. George Brazell & Elizabeth Ann (#7) Served 1943-1944 Rev. Harry Kutz & Family (#8) Served 1944-1945 3
Rev. & Mrs. J.L. Underwood (#9) Served 1945-1948 Rev. & Mrs. C.C. McAfee (#10) Served 1948 1950 Rev. & Mrs. Robert F. Johnson Assisted during Pastor Dunn s illness 1950-1953 Rev. & Mrs. C.T. Dunn & Family (#11) Served 1950-1953 Rev. A.L. Alford NO PICTURE AVAILABLE Due to the illness of Pastor Dunn, Rev. Alford came in 1953 and finished the (2nd) church building that was started after the completion of a parsonage in spring of 1950. Dedication was held 11/1954. Rev. A.L. Alford (#12) Served 1953-1954 Rev. & Mrs. W.G. Abney (#13) Served 1954-1957 4
Rev. & Mrs. J.D. McIver (#14) Served 1957-1959 Rev. E.R. Rose (#15) Served 1959-1960 Rev. Edgar served as pastor for about 2 years and then was appointed as State Overseer of Nebraska. It was stated that he was very sad to leave Bristol because he really liked it here. His son, Mack Edgar and wife, Merrell, resides in Bristol, VA and continue to attend the church. Rev. Ray (former overseer of Nebraska) assumed the pastorate of the church following the appointment of Rev. Edgar to be Overseer of Nebraska. His daughter & son-in-law, Paul & Phyllis Leonard still attend GPC. Rev. & Mrs. W.L. Edgar (#16) Served 1960-1962 Rev. & Mrs. James R. Ray (#17) Served 1962-1963 Rev. Earl Causey NO PICTURE AVAILABLE Rev. & Mrs. J. V. Lowery (#18) Served 1963-1964 5 Rev. Earl Causey (#19) Served 1964-1965
Rev. & Mrs. David Culp (#20) Served 1965-1970 Rev. L. G. Lockwood (#21) Served 1970-1971 Bro. & Sis. Cook lost two children to Cystic Fibrosis. Bill, born 9/5/1953 (passed away 10/16/1969) and Tracey, born 10/31/1965 (passed away 11/30/1983). After reading their story about both children, it was clear that God carefully chose them to be the parents of such beautiful children. They loved life and shared their faith with many people who came to know the Lord thru their testimonies. Their firstborn, Sharon, is married to Rev. Richard Blackburn and is a Minister of Music. Rev. & Mrs. Norman Sims & Family (#23) Served 1975-1980 Rev. & Mrs. Fred Cook & Tracey (#22) Served 1971-1975 The Cooks reside in Louden, TN and attend Sixth Ave. Church of God Rev. & Mrs. Gordon Stallings (#24) Served 1980-1982 Bro. Stallings resides in Chattanooga, TN 6
Rev. & Mrs. Bill Jackson (#25) Served 1982-1985 Rev. & Mrs. Bill Winters (#26) Served 1985-1987 Rev. & Mrs. Wayne Woods (#27) Served 1987-1989 Rev. & Mrs. Don Goodrum (#28) Served 1989-1992 (He passed away in the parsonage 2/23/1989) Rev. & Mrs. J. W. Norris (#29) Served 1992-1999 Rev. & Mrs. Dewayne Green (#30) Served 1999-2004 (Built the present Sanctuary, Ed. Bldg. & FLC; dedication 1997; now retired and attending GPC church) 7 Served as TN State Evangelism Director 2004-2012
Today... Vision Statement Pointing People to God s Grace... Serving: The Church, The Community & The World Dr. & Mrs. Billy Darrell Bewley (#31) Served 2004 - Present Annual SonShine Kidfest (1500-2000 attend) Since 2005 (Anderson Park) Hiz Kidz Mobile Ministry - Sundays Since 2009 (Frank & Kathy Statum) GPC Food Ministry SERVEing OUR Community Food Ministry (20 years) This ministry started early 1993 with Pastor & Jere Norris collecting food in a barrel and distributing to needy families in the community. Today an average of 185 families receive food monthly. The Food Ministry was relocated to 1119 Commonwealth, Bristol, VA in June 2013 (Kingsway Charities Bldg.). India Crusades Pastors trip to Israel (since 2008) Voices of Love Orphanage in India (Serving Orphans Worldwide) Nancy Montgomery, Director 8 Haiti Missions
Dated May 3, 1936 Dated March 31, 1940 9
Dated 1948 (To the far left, the attendance shows 324 and then a record of 371) Date about 1948...believed to be a young Adult Sunday School Class (Picture taken during a Revival) Date around 1940-1941 Date around 1950 (groundbreaking for new parsonage) 10
2nd Church Building was completed in 1954 While the church was being built, services were held in a tent beside the church. (The article below appeared in the Bristol Herald Courier Saturday, November 6, 1954) Church of God Building Will Be Dedicated Sunday The Bristol Church of God will dedicate its new building with special services to be held at 2 pm Sunday. The morning sermon will be delivered by the Rev. W.E. Johnson, State Overseer of the Church of God in Tennessee, and the dedicatorial sermon will be given by the Rev. H.D. Williams, General Secretary and Treasurer of Church of God. The church was constructed at the corner of Fourteenth and Shelby Streets at a cost of $45,000. The building has a full basement, a modern kitchen, 15 classrooms and a sanctuary which seats 350 persons. Bristol Church of God is affiliated with the national and international movement of the Church of God, with headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee; also, Lee College at Cleveland and Orphanage at Sevierville, Tennessee. In 1921 the Rev. I.H. Brabson erected a tent in South Bristol and as a result of the evangelistic campaign, a church was organized the same year with 21 charter members. Seven years later a church was erected at the present location. The first regular pastor was the Rev. Edward Johnson, who came from Augusta, GA and was here for five years. During succeeding years the ministers have been H.B. Helton, R.C. Cook, J.A. Bixler, J.M. Maness, G.E. Brazell, Harry Kutz, J.L. Underwood, C.C. McAfee, C.T. Dunn, B.L. Alford and the present pastor, the Rev. W.G. Abney. The Rev. Abney has just begun his pastorate at the church. Membership of the church has grown to 219, with Sunday School attendance averaging 200. In the spring of 1950 a modern parsonage was erected at 1316 Shelby Street. Shortly afterward it was decided to build a new church. The work was begun by the Rev. Dunn who was forced to resign due to ill health. The Rev. Alford completed the work. The church council official board is composed of the Rev. Abney, H.R. Sams, J.L.W. Mumpower, Raymond Sharrett, George Rogers and Daw DePew. Sams is Sunday School superintendent, Sharrett is Y.P.E president, Mrs. W.G. Abney, Willing Workers Band president, and Mrs. A.L. Waters is the church clerk. 11
These dates go back a few years!... Below: Date about 1979 - Norman Sims, Pastor. Look close and see if you recognize anyone. T.W. (age 17) & Anna (age 16)Johnson married 1932. He is the son of the second pastor, Rev. Ed Johnson 1927-1932 (Sis. Anna Johnson Walling is now 97 years old). When able, she attends church along with her daughters, Joan Montgomery & Mary Alice Houser. (see below) Below: William Bowery & Pastor Fred Cook (William passed away 6/5/2012) Mary Alice Houser & Joan Montgomery 2013 Above: James Vernon (grandfather of Nancy Montgomery) picture taken 10/1957 Come on in... 12 Above: Eliza O Neal with her Sunday School Card Class (She taught from cards). She was one of the 21 charter members and mother of Willie Neal; he and his wife, Vernell, attend GPC. (see picture to right - 2013)
Dated 1961 or 1962 (Rev. W.L. Edgar, Pastor) A view of the parsonage that was built around 1950 prior to building the 2nd church in 1954. This picture was scanned from a 1971 church directory. Not sure of the date the canopy & rails were added to the front of the church building. 13
This picture gives a view of the addition that was added to the rear of the sanctuary. Below is a view of the Education Dept. and Fellowship Hall Approximately 1966-67 the Education Dept. & Fellowship Hall were added under the leadership of Rev. David Culp 14
1979 (Rev. Norman Sims, Pastor) Aug. 15th, 2004 (Rev. Dewayne & Brenda Green) Their last Sunday prior to moving to Chattanooga, TN to serve as Evangelism Directors 15
Built 1997 In 2010 the sanctuary was painted, new carpet, and beautiful crown molding was added. The front foyer and offices were painted, new tile and carpet installed. 16