OUR LEGACY FROM THE PAST - NCCUMC

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a later date. Reverend Shuller served the Williamston church
from 1947until 1951.
In 1951,Reverend R. E. Walston came to Williamston. No major
changes were made to the church during that time, but it was
painted on the outside and a back porch was added to the parsonage.
The remaining debt on the Educational Building was paid
during Reverend Walston's pastorate, but the ceremony of
dedication was held in November after his departure.
Reverend R. C. Mooney, Jr. followed Walston in 1956. Soon
after his arrival, plans were made for the dedication of the Educational
Building. The ceremony was held on November 3,1957 with
District Superintendent W. C. Ball and Bishop Paul N. Garber
leading the service. Reverend Walston returned also for the great
occasion. During Reverend Mooney's pastorate, there was a
sizable increase in church membership. The music program got
quite a boost as well with the purchase of a new piano for the sanctuary.
Reverend Mooney's philosophy about the church was
reflected in this statement in his 1954Conference notes:
"We need to ask to make our church a church that
speaks with a prophetic voice in these times when a
prophetic voice needs to be heard in the land. We ought
to dare to be different; to be a Christian as we profess to
be; we ought to have the courage to follow Christ at
whatever cost."
Sidney Boone, who came to Williamston in 1959, said that on
his arrival in Williamston, he found the people of the Methodist
Church to be very interested in their church and in the cause of
Christ. While he was here, the sanctuary was painted and airconditioned.
The old parsonage was converted into additional Sunday
School rooms and a study for the pastor. Just before Reverend
Boone went to Conference in 1960,the church board presented the
following resolution to the Bishop for consideration:
"Whereas the church at Williamston under Reverend
Boone's pastorate has had a season of progress, love,
and harmony among its membership, and since it has
had its spiritual life improved, let it be resolved that he
be returned to the Williamston church for another
year."