OUR LEGACY FROM THE PAST - NCCUMC

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his barge from the storms of life and find a haven of
spiritual rest in the sheltering love of God."
In 1929, Reverend C. T. Rogers came to Williamston and
served a four-year term. He was a forceful leader, and in his first
sermon to the congregation, he outlined a firm platform for activities
he planned to implement that first year. He assured the
congregation that he would do what he thought was right and said,
"If you don't like it, just tell the Bishop at the next Conference and
he'll move me to some other place! " He also said, "I am going to
give you the best of my services and in return I am asking that you
give the Lord the best you have." Sixty new members joined the
church during his pastorate. It was during this ministry here that
the faithful custodian of the church, "Uncle" Mose Alexander,
died. He was a highly respected citizen of the town by both black
and white alike. He not only kept the church and grounds in order,
but he rang the bell on Sunday morning and sat in the alcove back
of the organ and pumped it while the organist played. Whenever
communion was served, he would come out from behind the organ
and take communion with everyone else. Mose died on December
6, 1930 at the age of seventy-five, of pneumonia. In the Sunday
School notes for Sunday, December 7, it was noted, "Uncle Mose
has certainly served us well and he will be greatly missed."
The next minister, R. R. Grant, was here for three years. He
was followed by S. A. Maxwell, who came in 1936and stayed for
only two years. During his pastorate, more improvements were
made to the church. Hardwood floors were installed, as well as a
new altar, gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Stuart Whitley. The special
wood for the altar was furnished by Mr. M. J. Norton, and Mr.
Whitley had it made into the altar rail at his lumber mill. In 1938,a
new roof was put on the parsonage and repairs were made to the
roof of the church. Construction of a new parsonage was also
begun at this time. During Reverend Maxwell's pastorate, a
young adult's Sunday School class was organized. Before he left
Williamston, he said, "No more gracious, kind, helpful, and sympathetic
people can be found in our Conference than here in
Williamston." Reverend Maxwell died in 1952at the age of fiftyfive.