REV. W. B. BUSSEY Thirteenth Pastor

The Rev. W. B. Bus­ sey, native of Georgia, served a little less than two years as pastor of t h e Shelby Baptist Church, resigning to accept a pastorate in his native state.

Much of the spirit of progress manifested by the church under Dr. Nelson continued un­ der Rev. Bussey. The Christ-like spirit of this faithful servant won for him the love of all who knew him.

His pastorate was from January l, 1884 until September 2, 1885

Little else is known or hos been recorded of Rev. Bussey.

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interim pastor­ n September 30, mt il January 1, rhe second from berl,1885un­ ember l, 1885; irdly, from Au- 1887 until No­ l 5, 1887. in South Caro­ and reared in 1, Rev. Mallory ·dained to the : the ministry in , Go. He was ad of the Shelby College for sev­ rrs. re the Civil War connected with eorgio Female , Madison, Ga. 19 the Civil War head of the Un­ nale college at Ala, and for

s before coming iy was president rter College in Ga.

DR. W. H. STRICKLAND Fourteenth Pastor

Dr. W. H. Strickland served as pastor from November 1, 1885 un­ til June 27, 1887. He was a man of marked ability and of learning but his pastorate was too short to accomplish a great deal in church progress.

Very little is known of his work ofter leav­ ing this pastorate ex­ cept that he became corresponding secretory of the South Carolina Home Mission Boord.

o the Lord; for 'Psalms 106:1

grievous words eth knowledge olishness." Pro-

117

J~EP RIV~R BAP~IS~ CHURCE, 1882-1982, COLERIDGE, N. C.

BY: Joyce F. Davis and ~allace E. Jarrell (286.175661/D29)

The Rev. Smith kept an interesting diary, now in the possession of his grand­ daughter, Ruth Smith of Siler City, containing old financial records of payments from members of the churches he served. It also contains a list of gifts for weddings and funerals, some in cash, others in mer­ chandise, tobacco, wheat, oats, barley, stocks, horseshoes, shingles, nails, and labor given him for shoeing his horse.

He enlisted in Confederate Army during Civil War in the 26th NC Regt. at age of 25; Captured in the Battle of the Wilderness and imprisoned at Elmira Prison, NY until the close of the hostilities. It was stated by another soldier that he was a brave and honorable soldier who never uttered a profane word, and who loved and read his Bible.

Sources - Minutes of Sandy Creek Assn., North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865, a Roster (Publication of the NC Division of Archives and History)

/ THE REV. WILLIAM HENRY STRICKLMW 1903-1904, 1914-1917

Born-July 11, 1860, ~ake County, NC to W. H. & Sarah Prince Strickland

Died - January 17, 192L, Guilford County, Greensboro, NC

Buried - Green Hill Ce~etery, Greensboro, NC

Education - Unknown

Ordained - About 1892

So~e Pastorates - Chatham County: Bennett, Fall Creek; Guilford County: Eller Memorial, Mt. Zion, ~Jal nut Street, l·!hite Oak First; Mont­ gomery County: Star; Moore County: Calvary, Pine Grove; Randolph County: Beulah, Deep River, Mt. Pleasant, Riverside, Union Grove

i~a rr , ed - '.:ate un known to Et ta Be: ke r

ChildrEn - Della, Charles, Colon, John, Vernie, Claude, Coy

Active in Association work in Sandy Creek and Piedmont Associations, including the Relief Board, Committee on l.ew Churches , committee to appo int Execu­ tive Ccrrri t t ee and the Finance, Temperance, and Inf i rrta ry Coumi t tees

During his pastorate at Fall Creek, in 1916, a new building ~as cowpleted, paid for, and dedicated in the space of one year.

Sources - Minutes of Sandy Creek Assn., Guilford County Vital Statistics (Death Certificate), Mrs. Colon M. Strickland, Pied1.0nt Associational f~inutes.

40

.... Just before going to press we have received a clipping from a Greensboro paper which brings the sad news that Rev. W. H. Strickland, of Greensboro, has been called to his reward. Brother Strickland was born in Moore County in 1860. At twenty-two years of age he professed religion and in 1892 entered the ministry to which he devoted himself with earnestness and enthusiasm for thirty years. He held pastorates in Moore, Chatham, Randolph, and Guilford Counties, and did .quite a good deal of evangelistic work. He was pastor of Eller Memorial Church in Greensboro from 1905 to 1911, at· which place he rendered perhaps his most valuable service. His last work was in Moore and Randolph counties, which he was forced to give up in 1922 on account of failing health. He was a good and true man, and having finished his work on earth has gone to enjoy his reward on High.

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Strickland, W. H.

B 286.9756775

Hl8 A history of First Baptist Church Shelby,

N. C.

Biographical sketch with photo p. 117 •