History of Bath Christian Church

        Disciple evangelist, Amos Johnston Battle, preached “three days and baptized four persons” in Bath in the fall of 1855. These converts may have readily affiliated as the new Union Chapel, which was but three miles away.  But from this spiritual occasion came the spark that ignited the warm smoldering hearts who carved a house of worship of their own.  On a warm afternoon, soon after this revival, a group of these Godly people met on the front porch of the Dr. Bowen home on Main Street.  Residents of the house at this time were Mr. and Mrs. John Elliott.  “When, where, and how can we in this little town of Bath build our church?”  Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Tyer, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gurganus, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cahoon, Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Winfield, Mr. and Mrs. John Satchwell, and others said that it could be done!  These few talked to many others of the same mind.  It was decided to rent a vacant store on Main Street owned by Cicero Brooks. This building was large enough that it spread across most of the lot on which it was situated and was large enough to accommodate many members.  Situated in the center of town and across the street from the Elliott’s residence, it was within walking distance of everyone, including those who would come by boats.        

        Blocks of wood with boards laid across them were used for seats.  A pedal organ was found and the first organists were Miss Margaret Gurganus (Venters) and Miss Hilda Burbage.      

        The Rev. Thomas Green was the first preacher recorded for the new Bath church and was paid $5 for his services. T. R. Tyer was the first Bible School Superintendent and also the first church clerk.        

        In May, 1905, Nanna Cozier, the national field worker of the women’s work, visited and assisted in organizing the Ladies Auxiliary with eleven members.  The first officers were: President – Mrs. T.R. Tyer; Secretary – Miss Lizzie Midyette; and Treasurer – Mrs. Fannie Burgess.  Miss Cozier also helped organize the Junior Society with twelve members.          

         Mr. W.O. Winfield, whose home was in Bath, evangelized in 1907.  The church membership at that time was approximately fifty members.  The number had increased to fifty-five when the church was enrolled on November 5, 1909 in the North Carolina Christian Missionary Convention.  Mr. T.R. Tyer reported a meeting “We used as a house of worship, an old store building until December 5, 1909 when we moved into our house of worship, costing about $1800 with all bills paid except for $600.”        

          The deed for the lot on which the new house of worship stands reads: “July 22, 1907, purchase of property from T.A. Brooks and Molly P. Brooks for $125.”        

           Most of the building materials for the new church buildering were bought from T.A. Brooks in the amount of $400.   The male members worked on the building one-half day for pay.  The other half day’s work was donated.          

          The ladies of the church were busy also.  During the summer months many ice cream parties were held.  These were usually in the evening under the stars on some member’s lawn.  Decorations were kerosene lanterns hanging over small tables spread with red and white covers.  Ice cream cones sold for five cents.  Fish and oyster suppers brought in more money during the winter months.        

           The building was dedicated in 1910 when all the bills were paid.  The new church building, valued at $1500, had a seating capacity of 300.        

           The first trustees of the church were: Tom B. Clayton (married to Mrs. Winfield’s sister and lived in the Clayton house on S. Main Street), W.O. Winfield, J.T. Elliott, and John Satchwell.        

            The youth of the church organized the Society of Benevolence with forty-eight members and assisted in the purchase of the windows, benches, communion set, and communion table and the organ.        

            The charter members include: Mr. and Mrs. John Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Tom B. Clayton, Mr. and Mrs. John Satchwell, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gurganus, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cahoon, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Winfield and Gran, Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Tyer Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Bill Burbage, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Respess, Mr. H.S. Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Burgess, Miss Lizzie Midyette, Mr. Joe Gray Gurganus, Mrs. Eva Gurganus Wingate, Mrs. Mildred Winfield Payne, and Mrs. Vonnie Satchwell Marsh.          

            Miss Hilda Burbage and Mr. Wallen W. Gibbs were the first couple to be married in the new church on December 21, 1910.  The minister was Rev. R.V. Hope.  Mrs. Gibbs died the following year and her funeral was the first to be held in the church.  

             Improvements in the church building progressed steadily during the years.  The clear glass was removed from the windows and replaced by green tinted frosted glass.  Because the light cast a green shadow on the faces of worshipers, making them look sick, this glass was removed and the original replaced.          

            The building was wired for electricity in 1922.  Large white globes replaced the oil lamps.  Under the leadership of Rev. L.B. Scarborough, school rooms were built in 1936.  Indirect lighting was installed on the upper side walls of the main sanctuary.          

            The women’s organizations presented the church with a Baldwin Electric organ which was dedicated September 6, 1953.  Mrs. Hal Wingate was church organist.  A large heater had replaced the wood-burning stoves and in 1953 gas heaters were purchased.  In 1964 a beautiful pulpit Bible was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Marion (Rae) Brooks, who had been a faithful member for many years.      

            In the later sixties and early seventies an intensive, gradual building improvement program began under the leadership of church officers and Mr. W.O. Haney, minister.  John Knott Taylor, Ray Tuten, Ed Carson, Jack Wallace, Leon Wingate, and Rodney Bowen, with the aid of others, assumed many of the responsibilities of the new building program.   The building was underpinned with bricks and foundations of concrete were laid which were wide enough to permit brick veneering of the outside of the building in the future. With the aid of individual gifts, many as memorials, beautiful new lights were installed and the high ceiling was lowered.  Central heading was added in 1971-1972 at a cost of $3,300 and sheet rock was installed over the original walls and classrooms.  Carpeting was installed in the main sanctuary at a cost or $3,190 and various individuals donated pews at a total cost of $3,172.88.  Mrs. Delia Wallace and Circle #3 each gave an antique table to use in the vestibules.  In 1974 members of the congregation accepted with appreciation the beautiful brass communion service and paraments give as a memorial to Russell Mizell by friends.  Also added in 1974 was a beautiful dossal drape, donated by families in the church, which greatly enhanced the beauty of the sanctuary.   The walnut cross was made by Mr. C.M. Woolard from wood donated by Mr. Jack Swindell.        

            Under the leadership of Dr. Harold Tyer, a baptistery was installed in 1980, dedicated to the members of Bath Christian Church in memory of Jay Kilby, Byrdie Woolard, Mark and Georgia Edmondson, and John and Murtle Windley.   The Fellowship Hall was built during the ministry of Gary Duncan and was dedicated to the memory of Mabel Bunch.   Stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary in 1988, given by families of the church in memory of loved ones.   A walnut communion table was given by Ruth Smith in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie W. Bowen.  Walnut flower stands were given by the Swindell family in memory of Jack Swindell.  C.M. Woolard designed and made the table and stands.  The “Moe Shack” was built in 1995 in memory of Maurice Edmondson.  The green dossal drape was replaced with a red one which matched the newly installed carpet.  

           In the last few years other improvements have continued to be made.  Under the leadership of Brooks Webb, the kitchen was enlarged and made more efficient.  New pews were installed, again, given by families as memorials or honorariums.  A beautiful stained window, bearing a chalice as a symbol of Disciples of Christ, was installed above the dossal drape and cross in 2001.  The window was given by the family and friends as a memorial to Ray Tuten.  Realizing the need of Church members to have a place locally for burials, Jim Edwards generously designed, installed, and landscaped a columbarium.  Dot and Jack Foley were the first deceased church members to be interred there.  Stained glass windows were installed in the rooms adjacent to the sanctuary, given as memorials or honorariums by church families.       

        In the year 2000 the board and congregation approved the election of women to serve as deacons.         

          Near the beginning of the turn of the century, church members engaged in the largest and most costly project to date.  A house, formerly home of Robert Jr. and Blanche Everett, was purchased to be used as the home of the church minister.  Members of the church volunteered their time in getting the house ready for occupancy.  Curtis White was the first minister to occupy the new parsonage.  The old parsonage has been converted into a much-needed educational building.        

           October, 2002 – The church membership has continued to increase.  The devotion and work of the women and men continue to play an important role in advancement and improvements within the church.  The mission statement of the church states that “we will serve the living God, nurture our personal faith, and witness the good news of God’s love to others.”  Members serve, nurture and witness in many different ways.  Sunday School continues to be an important component in the spiritual growth of members.  The Men’s CMF, the Women’s CWF, Youth Groups, Family Night, Bible Study, Choir Ministry, and all the many activities in which the groups get involved, keep members connected through fellowship, prayer, and commitment to the work of the Lord.        

           In 2017 the Bath Christian Church board met and decided it was time for a new addition to the church to be built as more space was needed.      

           First a building committee was formed:  Jamie Barnhill, Chairman, Billy Hill, Vice Chair, Dick Adams, Mark Aylett, Bill Cutler, John Scott Cutler, Mary Lynn Edwards, Rachel Jordan, and Betty Schmitt.        

          Second was help enlisted from the youth ministry committee:  Gerald Morris, Chairman.  Billy Dean, Claude Dupree, Frankie Jordan, Jeff Staton, and Lesley Woolard.          

          Mayor Jimmy Latham and Town Manager, Bubs Carson, assisted and gave their support regarding several issues including drainage problems and, of vital importance, helping us maintain the historic character of the church and its place within the oldest town in North Carolina.      

           Next the church leased a mobile trailer to be used for our secretary and treasurer’s office, a choir room, and the nursery.  Having that in place the church hired Jerol Selby to demolish the old parsonage/education building and complete the clean-up.  The church board and building committee approved hiring Wallace Selby, Building Contractor, to build the new addition to the Bath Christian Church.          

           The new addition made the building accessible for all to worship, study, and serve, including the minister’s office, youth director’s office, room for youth church, several class rooms, a much-needed larger choir room, treasurer’s office, secretary’s office and a nursery for infants to 5 years old.  Also, there are several bathrooms.        

           Several stained-glass windows were moved from the communion room and classroom in the church and installed in the minister’s and youth director’s new offices.  In the new hallway connector to the original church building, two stained glass windows were installed and donated by Mary Lynn Edwards.        

           On April 28, 2019, a Service of Worship for the Consecration and Dedication of the newly constructed building was held.  We came together to consecrate and dedicate this new building addition, its equipment, and its furnishings.  Bath Christian Church is truly blessed.