OUR LEGACY FROM THE PAST - NCCUMC

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his next appointment, or mingling the melody of some sacred
hymn with the songs of nature as he journeyed his way.
At evening he was found by the blazing hearth-stone of some
pioneer's cabin, teaching of hell and heaven, praying for the outpouring
of the Spirit on the family, or standing on some rude platform
in the woods, warning his eager listeners to flee from the
wrath to come, urging them to seek for safety and peace in the
saving blood of Jesus. From these unceasing labors came our
"camp meetings" which had such a marked influence upon our
Southern religious life. And from these camp meeting revivals
grew the meeting houses which began to dot the sparsely settled
communities of our pioneer days.
Methodism along the banks of the Roanoke River shares its
origin with the early settlers who came to till a virgin and fertile
soil, hew down their houses from the giant foreets, stretch their
fields across the rolling plains and plant a new civilization. These
early homes assumed the character of men and were called by the
slaves "The Big House." They were named by their owner such
names as represented the nature and character of their surroundings.
The first homes were destined to become historical
markings for the generations to come. Perhaps no place in North
Carolina could claim finer houses, richer furnishings, and greater
evidence of material wealth before the war between the states
than these historic homes along the Roanoke.
But where you find man you will find religion. And where you
discover his home you will see his altar. These first settlers had
their religion and their altars for worship. They gathered their
families and household of slaves at the meeting houses and
listened to the preached word. They gave and sold land and
timber, furnished labor and time for the erection of these houses
of worship. The history of the South is rich with the influence of
Christianity. Their appreciation, acceptance, gifts and contributions
toward Christianity have earned them the sacred title of being
the most religious people in America.
Notable events were transpiring at the time this Church was
organized. At the General Conference which convened in
Baltimore in the Spring of 1824,two bishops were elected: Enoch