History
Bass Chapel United Methodist Church 1875-2011
The beginning of Bass Chapel United Methodist Church makes an extremely unusual but interesting story with a lasting impression.
The first church was organized in 1875 under the leadership of Reverend Charlie Burlock. The site for the church was purchased from Mr. Milton Bass. The purchase was spearheaded by a few but interested persons: namely, Mr. John McKnight, Mr. James McAdoo, Mr. Preston Rankin, Mr. Calvin Gorrell, Mr. Leven Davis, Mr. Henry Davis and others. A small church was built on the site but never completed.
The church as so small that some of the members had to build an arbor near the church. When the annual meeting was held in August, some of the members who lived a good distance away put up tents and slept on the church ground. Aside from the August annual meeting, Sunday services were held three times a day at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and at night.
For five years Rev. Burlock preached the pure word of God to a very small number of faithful members. Rev. Burlock was followed by Rev. Lewis Gibson in 1880. He was a teacher as well as a preacher. He did much to lift the religious and cultural standards of those who resided in this small community.
In 1888, Rev. George Hill came to Bass Chapel. He stayed for two years and was followed by Rev. S. T. Johnson in 1890. Rev. Johnson showed great concern for everyone with whom he worked in the community. Many of the older members were converted during his pastorate.
Rev. W. A. McMaster became the next pastor in 1895. He worked faithfully for two years and was succeeded by Rev. Ben F. Thomas in 1897. Rev. Thomas showed great interest in young people and was successful in saving many souls for Christ.
In 1902, Rev. R. D. Bethea came to our community. Like Rev. Gibson he assumed the role of teacher as well as preacher. During his eight years at Bass Chapel a frame church was completed to replace the first one that was built. At this time, a well was also dug on the church grounds.
Rev. Bethea was succeeded in 1910 by Rev. D. C. Skeen, who served for two years. Rev. Skeen was followed by Rev. J. A. Laughlin in 1912. For the next four years, Bass Chapel underwent another important development. Wings were built to the church which greatly improved the appearance of the church.
Rev. G. W. Flyers was the tenth minister to serve the church. He was well known as an evangelist as well as a good pastor. From 1916 to 1919 he served with benign influence, winning many souls for Christ.
He was succeeded by Rev. M. C. Laughlin in 1919. He, too, was a dynamic speaker. He was followed by Rev. W. G. Ziglar (1920-1922), Rev. Mekins (1922-1924), Rev. P. I. Wells (1924-1926), and Rev. P. F. Johnson (1926-1927). These men served well and gave untiringly of their services.
The years 1927 to 1935 marked another important development in the life of the congregation. Rev. J. W. Shuford was pastor during these years. He gave several years of rare leadership to the church. He engineered the building of a modern brick church and the membership grew tremendously. Following Rev. Shuford in 1935 was Rev. T. H. Wooten, who rendered unique service to training the youth of our community.
For the next few months Rev. M. M. Patrick served as pastor, after his death in 1939, the Conference sent Rev. J. H. Ledwell (1939-1941), and Rev. T. C. Fraizer (1941-1942). Both were Christian leaders and both won many friends while at Bass Chapel.
From 1942-1949, Rev. W. T. Lomas served us with an exceptionally fruitful ministry. A recreational building was erected which was used for many purposes until on Sunday morning, January 8, 1961, a fire completely destroyed it.
In 1949 Rev. Eugene Black came to work with us. He performed his ministry to the delight of everyone. He made needed repairs to the sanctuary, installed a furnace, enlarged the choir stand, and purchased a new organ for the church. Rev. Black was followed by Rev. W.E. Tyler in 1959.
The pastorate of Rev. Liston Sellers, Jr. began in June 1960 and he worked diligently with us. He sternly believed in devotion, service, and sacrifice and he geared his program to that end. His conviction can best be summed us with, "Christian training and fellowship are essential for living more hopefully."
In the 86 years of her existence, Bass Chapel members have shared in supplying resources that have enriched the church's life and promoted growth.
Mrs. Mary Bradshaw, Historian, 1960
There were a number of spiritual leaders at Bass Chapel who gave inspiration through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Luring the administration of these great leaders Bass Chapel Church was able to make many physicial accomplishments as well as spiritual growth.
In 1964, Rev. Belvin Jessup came to work with us. His love and concern for each member was expressed in a unique service to the church and community. Under the leadership of this young man of courage, faith, and vision; an educationl building was erected. This was a building with three classrooms, rest rooms, kitchen, Fellowship Hall, and a Pastor's Study fully equipped. The sanctuary was newly renovated.
After Rev. Jessup there were numerous others: Rev. Jolin W. Jones (1967), Rev. William Royster (1974), Rev. David Harkness, and Rev. J. D. Hughes.
The pastorate of Rev. Cornelius Holland (1976-1982) was an exceptional ministry. His inspiring sermons were received to the delight of the congregation.
In 1982, Rev. Paul Milton became our pastor. He firmly believed in giving the best of his service as he served humanity through prayer, visitation and service. We are grateful to Almighty God for Rev. Milton's Christian leadership. He was followed by Rev. Peter Addo (1988) and Rev. Diane Jones (1991).
In 1992, Bass Chapel was blessed to received as pastor, Rev. Larry E. Fitzgerald. The church continues to experience spiritual and physical growth under his divinely-inspired leadership.
Bass Chapel has progressed tremendously from the brush arbor in 1875. We thank God for giving that small band of Christians the vision to organize the church.
Our hopes and desires will be fulfilled as we continue to work together in love, peace, and unity. We are grateful to Almighty God for His love and guidance as we move toward building a new church, knowing that with Him all things are possible. We give thanks to our Lord and Savior for our accomplishments, "Great is Thy faithfulness." The Bass Chapel United Methodist Church family gives God the glory for all of our blessings.
For many years the Bass Chapel Church family had a vision to build a new church. In 1995, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and under the leadership of our minister, Rev. Fitzgerald, we were able to purchase 3 1/2 acres of property from Mr. Ulysses Pleasant for the new structure.
On Decemter 17, 1995, we walked from the old church to the new location for the Groundbreaking Service. Our vision became a reality in September, 1996, when the new church was completed. On September 15, 1996, we marched from 5054 to 5075 Bass Chapel Road to a beautiful new edifice for the 11:00 a.m. service. The service was a joyful and spirit-filled occasion. We praised God for his goodness, grace, and mercy that brought us through. The new edifice was consecrated to the Glory of God with a series of services held October 13-18, 1996.
Bass Chapel United Methodist Church has moved to a new level. Our spirtuality has been enriched by a Wednesday night Bible Study Class. During the 1995 conference year, twelve new members were added to our membership. We are an impact church where lives are changed.
Our outlook now is to be faithful in the face of discouragement, remain constant before criticism or doubt; to believe in eternal truth and work diligently so our names will glow with a holy luster on the pages of the Divine Record. This sort of spirit will send our church through another one hundred and twenty years of service.
In July 2011, we received Pastor Donald E. McCoy as our new Pastor. Under his leadership we look forward to continued years of spiritual growth.
Willie Mae Jones, Historian, September 25, 1996
