Harnett County Historical Quilt

Johnsonville A.M.E. Zion Church

THE STORY OF THE QUILT SQUARE. JOHNSONVILLE A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. BY RAINBOW EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS CLUB FOR HARNETT COUNTY HISTORICAL QUILT. 1989

Johnsonville A. M. E. Zion Church

Desiring a place of worship, this church was organized by area residents. A site was selected. The first edifice was built in the year of our Lord 1869. The location was near the present site of the church cemetery (across the road). The late Bishop J. '#. Hood organized the church and made it part of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Tom Cameron. N. McGregor. T. Williams. N. Caine. James Smith and Tom Armstrong were among the first members.

In 1880 a new edifice was erected about one fourth mile east of the first church. Another building was completed in 1906 next to the old Johnsonville School. In 1953 ground was sought for the present school (at that time a high school). The school board asked that the members consider moving the church to the present site. It was agreed upon and plans were made to move the entire building. but I the project ended in a failure. Meanwhile, services were held in the school building, until a remodeling could be done on the church built in 1880. Under the pastorate of Rev. T. H. Murphy in 1955 the first services were held in this remodeled building. Historical knowledge was gathered from old records found by the committee. that revealed this was the first A. M. E. Zion Church in this area. The name was chosen from the business center and the post office which was located on the old stage road.

In 1910 Kelly Chapel Church was in the same circuit located in Hoke County. About 1917 Kelly Chapel was discontinued and the District was changed to the Sanford District. At one time Bethel and Oak Ridge were connected with this church. In 1960 Johnsonville became a station church.

In 1971 our present pastor was sent from the Annual Conference held at Rush Metropolitan Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Many accomplishments have been made under her leadership. In a few months after assignment, the indebtedness of the church was cleared, and a new piano was purchased and paid for.

In 1976 the church was bricked in and a new roof was installed. The following year new pews and pulpit furniture were purchased. In 1979 an annex was built, and within the year, the indebtedness for the building was paid.

Our pastor, Rev, M. M. Walden, had worked so diligently toward the building of this Annex until our presiding Elder, Dr. C. V. Flack, felt that it should be named the Mattie Walden Annex. This was ruled so by the 'elder and dedication services were held toward the same. When central heating and air were installed in 1982, within the conference year, this indebtedness was also paid.

In November 198t, during the 108th session of the Central North Carolina Conference field at Rush Metropolitan Church, Raleigh, North Carolina a new district was added, giving the Central North Carolina Conference a sixth district. Johnsonville A. M. E. Zion Church being a part of the Sanford District for 37 years became a part of the new district namely: Dunn-Lillington District with Dr. N. L. Stroud being appointed as Presiding Elder of this district.

During the 1987-88 Conference year our church ground was landscaped and the parking lot paved. With a gift of 2.85 acres land to the Johnsonville A. M. E. Zion Church in 1985, the new Charles McLean Recreational Center became the new vision.

Mr. McLean, a native of Harnett County, now residing in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and former Field Representative of the NAACP gave the land knowing the asset a recreation center would be for the church.

The land was cleared, areas were developed for playgrounds, picnics, and for different types of ball games.

Landscaping for the church grounds and paving were done in the years 1987-88 with all indebtedness paid.

Without a vision the people perish, the Rev. M. M. Walden had the vision, and Johnsonville A. M. E. Zion has grown spiritually alive. There have been increases numerically, financially and in attendance. All of the churches built have served the people of this community, and many others.

Following is a list of officers and members from 1869 through 1974: (The spelling of names are as they appear in church records)

BISHOPS

Bishop J. W. Hood Bishop E. B. Watson

Bishop W. A. Blackwell Bishop R. L. Jones

Bishop L. M. Kyles Bishop W. A. Stewart

Bishop W. M. Matthews Bishop W. A. Hilliard

PRESIDING ELDERS

Elder Granger Elder Robertson

Elder Simmons Elder T. M. Gale (1923)

Elder Barriet Elder Horton (1921)

Elder G. H. Miles Elder A. C. Cook

(1936) Elder A. A. Barber (1919) Elder Riggs (1936)

Elder M. T. Micheal Elder J. W. Marsh (1939-41 1950-55)

Elder W. W. Slade Elder Madkins (1958)

Elder Harrison Elder C. V. Black (1958)

Elder N. L. Stroud (1987) Elder W. K. Woods (1992)

PASTORS

Rev. Jack Cameron

Rev. Littles

Rev. Tyson

Rev. Simpkins

Rev. Lillie

Rev. Blackmon

Rev. R. C. Moore

Rev. D. F. King

Rev. Morrison

Rev. Gripson

Rev. R. C. Mare

Rev. Mardie Mitchell

Rev. Brigget

Rev. Turner (1886-92)

Rev. J. W. Harris (1893)

Rev. G. W. Richardson (1894-95)

Rev. D. A. Williams (1896-99)

Rev. S. H. McKoy (1899-1901)

Rev. D. W. Smith (1900)

Rev. D. B. Cameron (1900)

Rev. W. B. Gordon (1900-02)

Rev. McNeil (1902)

Rev. W. t1. Burnett (1903-05)

Rev. D. B. Cole (1906-08)

Rev. J. B. Williams 1909

Rev. J. Stitt (1916-17)

Rev. J. J. McNeil (1916-18)

Rev. Gibson (1918)

Rev. C. F. Thronton (1919-20)

Rev. Tharson (1920)

Rev. L. D. Lucas (1920-21)

Rev. C. T. Harrington (1921)

Rev. C. T. Tharrington (1921-22)

Rev. T. E. Hills (1923)

Rev. A. E. Quick (1923)

Rev. N. A. Alston (1923-24)

Rev. E. J. McKaoy (1925)

Rev. McNeil (1925-27)

Rev. L. T. Taylor (1933-35)

Rev. A. T. McNeil (1937)

Rev. A. D. Bland (1938)

Rev. M. D. McLean (1939)

Rev. T. C. Covington (1938, 1940-41, 1941)

Rev. Himds (1941)

Rev. R. H. Stedman (1949)

Rev. Juett (1950)

Rev. David Sawyer (1951-53)

Rev. T. H. Murphy (1954-55)

Rev. P. W. Sykes (1958)

Rev. T. C. Parson (1959)

Rev. H. McLaurin (1960-62)

Rev. D. W. Drake (1927, 1962-64)

Rev. E. A. Person (1969-71)

Rev. Mrs. Mattie M. Walden (1971)

TRUSTEE BOARDS

Neal Cameron Abraham Gilchrist

Charles Mallette Right Burns

N. Caine Henry Murchinson

Jerry McNeil Isaac Cameron

1888

J. A. Cameron N. Caine

Daniel McNeil A. A. Cameron

Neil Cameron

1892

W. B. Mallette A. A. Cameron

Neil Cameron

1899

Charles Mallett Neil Cameron

Abraham Gilchrist D. P. McNeil

1902

D. B. Cameron Charles Mallette

Neil Cameron Archie McGregor

J. A. Cameron

1926

W. D. Mallette Sam Cameron

Alvis Stroud Geroge M. Gilchrist

D. T. Mallette Sam McArthur

1941-42

J. W. Lofton D. J. Mallette

W. A. McLean C. H. Mallette

Tom Cameron W. P. Mallette

1955

D. J. Mallette Walter Lathen

Tom Cameron Lathe Burns

W. A. McLean Melvin Garrette

J. W. Lofton Leonard Gilchrist

Walter Gilchrist James Wilkerson

1960

Leonard Gilchrist Melvin Garrette

George King James Wilkerson

Walter Lathen D. J. Mallette

Albert Stroud Tom Cameron

J. W. Lofton W. A. McLean

PRESENT BOARD

Leonard Gilchrist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chairman

James A. Stroud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice-Chairman

Walter Lathen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer

George King. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary

Raymond Stroud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asst. Secretary

Charlie C. Lofton Melvin Garrette

Cecil Woodard Rossie Foreman

Freeman Stroud Rev. Mrs. M. Walden

NAMES OF MEMBERS FROM 1865 -

Daniel Cameron W. P. Mallette Billie Monroe

Jack Cameron N. D. Mallette Carolina Monroe

Maggie Cameron D. J. Mallette William Monroe

Lucy Cameron J. C .Millette Sarah Shaw

Harriet Cameron M. D. Mallette Lidy Shaw

Mildred Cameron Sophia Mallette John Shaw

Alas Cameron Isabell Mallette Annie L. Hailey

Emma Cameron Arlena Mallette William Hailey

Neil Cameron Alice Mallette Nancy Hailey

Dunkin Cameron Hariett Mallette Perlie McGregor

L. B. Cameron Sarah Mallette Sinthia McGregor

Nellie Cameron Elly Mallette Gilbert McGregor

Bettie Cameron Willie Cain Susanna McGregor

Alice Cameron Richard Cain Mary Jones

James Stroud Sam Gilchrist Franky Jones

Jossie Stroud Bettie Gilchrist Henrietta Jones

Lizzie Stroud Mazuria Gilchrist Mary Murchinson

Annie Stroud Isabell Gilchrist Clara Clark

W. L. Speed Walter Gilchrist Bettie Brinkley

W. S. Speed Abraham Gilchrist George Gilchrist

Maggie Gilchrist D. P. McNeil John McNeil

Mandour McNeil Sally McNeil Jerry McNeil

Laurine McLean Charles McLean Wiliie McLean

Esther Womack Bertha Womack Susie Womack

Jerry Womack Katie Womack Morgan McPherson

Flora McPherson Alex Murdock Anliza Allen

Source: Johnsonville A. M. E. Zion Church Records

Submitted by: Dr. N. L. Stroud

Presiding Elder of Dunn-Lillington District

Quilt Square: Row 4 Number 20

Embroidery and Applique by: Frances McAuley