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During my boyhood, one of our ministers was the Rev. P. Cary Adams. He was a volunteer fireman. Sometimes he would go to get the fire truck and come around and pick up all the children and take them for a ride. This was a big thrill for all of us.
Randolph King

This happened in the old Roxboro Presbyterian Church on South Lamar Street. Right behind the pulpit there was a red velvet curtain. The church furnace was right underneath. One morning during the worship service, everyone started squirming, because it was so hot in there. Then we found out what was wrong – the curtain had caught fire.

One of the church members got up and went to where the minister was preaching and pointed to the curtain being on fire. Naturally, everyone started running for the door again. While the church was repaired we had church in the old Central School across the street.
Randolph King

Vic remembers the Scout troop he and Dr. Norwood had. We remember the marvelous times with the youth, including Lynn, Trevie, Larry and Janie at Presbyterian Point, especially football in the snow when a certain girl with the initials L.Mc slid into the sewer water. "Course, we won’t mention any names."
Vic & Anne Powley

I remember Dorothy Abbitt teaching a class in Sunday School. She taught Jane Dickerson, Jane Winstead, others and me about Jesus Christ. In addition to her teaching, we knew her to be a loving Christian lady. Our class was held in the loft above the entrance of our beloved small church.

Singing in the choir with little talent for carrying a tune was of little consequence when others were singing along with Mrs. Earl Bradsher’s playing the piano beautifully.

Our young people’s group met on Sunday evenings. At that time, Jane Dickerson, Jack Hughes, Bruce Newell, Betty Day and others often met with Mrs. Spriggs, our advisor. She enticed us to come in as much as she gave us great baked goodies from her kitchen.

Two other teachers whom I remember were Mrs. Bruce Newell and Johnny Mack Walker, our young minister. Our classes were held quietly in all sections of the small church. Johnny Mack was in the midst of us seniors when he sat in the pulpit to interpret the scriptures for us whose minds were often on Mr. Dick Bullock’s boys in the corner of the church.

My mother held my sister, Bobbie Anne’s hand and mine when we were young as we walked up the hill, passed Bullock Lumber Co. and continued to "our" church on Lamar Street. Often our family dog, Dinkie, went with us. He was accustomed to walking in and taking a place at the feet of my sister. One Sunday, dressed for a special visit to his church, he walked up to the front door of our family’s beloved church wearing doll clothes. When Mr. Bruce Newell saw him, he went inside to get my sister, who bundled him in her arms for his return trip to Court Street.

Love Lifted Me is a hymn that I remember singing in our church with the windows wide open. Also, two other favorites were O Master Let Me Walk With Thee and This Is My Father’s World.

The loving heritage of the church and family helped to mold each of us so that we have grown into being parts of the church with Jesus Christ being the Head.
Arlene Hall Work

Tuesday night, August 5, 1986, was an occasion that the Senior Choir of Mebane Memorial Presbyterian Church will never, never forget.

While rehearsing, about 8 p.m., choir members heard loud voices outside. Thinking it was children in the play area or at the home across the street, they ignored it . Then the voices got louder, and you could tell an argument was going on, and apparently it was adults, not children. Two of the male choir members, Randolph King and Eugene Leciejewski, got up to see what was going on.

A noise, like shots from a gun, was heard. They reported that three men were out in the street and one of them had a gun, shooting at one of the others. They said, "Call the police," so another choir member, F. B. (Bo) Kerr, got up to call the police. Within a couple of minutes, the person being shot at ran into the church, trying to get away from the other two men, who were taking turns shooting at this one person.

When the other two men, one with the gun in his hand, came inside the sanctuary door, choir members began to take cover, or leave. Two hid behind the organ, one hit the floor face down (that was me), being protected (I thought) by the paneling, and others went out the door leading to the choir area to parts unknown.

One brave choir member, Eugene Leciejewski, did not leave but stayed right in the midst of the shooting, talking to the intruders. He told them: "Are you crazy, shooting in our church? Get out of here. The Lord will strike you down for shooting in the church."

After several shots were fired, the two with the gun left, and Eugene very firmly escorted the person being shot at to the door, telling him not to be afraid to go outside because there were blanks in the gun instead of bullets.

The man replied, "Man, I’ve been shot. Look at the blood on my clothes."

Finally, the police arrived, picked up the man who was shot and took him to the hospital. Other police came and pursued the two men, who had left on foot, apprehending them just several blocks from the church. When everyone felt it was safe to leave their hiding places, they all gathered back in the sanctuary. Needless to say, choir members were not able to rehearse anymore. The anthem they were rehearsing at the time they were so rudely interrupted was Bow Down Thin Ear, O Lord, Hear Me. Everyone started revealing their hiding places and their thoughts. It really got to be funny then, a the witty remarks made.

Eugene made the comment: "I guess the man was looking for sanctuary."

And his wife, Wilma, replied, "Well, he came to the right place."

Another choir member, Pam Brewer, had brought her little five-year-old daughter with her to choir practice because she wanted to come listen to the choir sing. The little girl, Erin, said, "Next week I’m going to stay home with Papa."

Erin’s papa happens to be Joel Brewer, assistant district attorney for our area. Of course, his wife called him immediately after it was safe enough for her and others to leave their hiding places. Joel was at the church within just a few minutes to see that his wife and daughter and others were safe. Then he proceeded to call the police department, then later going there as well as to the hospital to get further information from the person who was shot. He really took over this particular case, seeing that bonds were set very high in order to keep them in jail until a hearing or trial. They did plead guilty to the charges before the trial was set.
Mary P. King

Mr. Bruce Newell married Miss Cornelia M. Sample in our church June 14, 1922. My twin sister, Annie Long, served as flower girl and I was the ring bearer.

Mr. Sample was the first preacher I ever knew. He was the father of the bride and performed the ceremony. The wedding was at night. After the service, there was a reception at the manse on Barnett Avenue. It was quite impressive. Annie Long and I, at five years old, really enjoyed the whole affair.
D’Arcy W. Bradsher

One Sunday morning during church service, I think Mr. McKellway was preaching, a small wisp of smoke came up behind the pulpit.

Mr. Bruce Newell and I got up, went to the little furnace room under the pulpit area and the fire had started burning the floor.

Mr. Newell sent me for the fire truck, which was just a block away, while he got the congregation out. The fire was put out, but after considerable damage to our church.

That was the hottest sermon Mr. McKellway ever preached in Roxboro. This happened around 1928-30, I think.
D’Arcy W. Bradsher

On February 16, 1943, I was really excited and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Louise Hall and I were married in our church on a very cold day.

Mr. Shore married us. We did not have a minister at that time.

I was in the Army and Louise was teaching at the Cavel School.
D’Arcy W. Bradsher

I remember when…

I made gingerbread houses at the Hanging of the Greens.

I loved to play on the playground.

I was an acolyte.

getting a bottle of Pepsi from the kitchen seemed really special and then I’d walk outside and smell the fried chicken.
Shelley Kelsay

the congregation and choir made our wedding on Dec. 9, 1978 a most joyous occasion. Thanks to Bobbie King’s organization of the Hanging of the Greens, the whole church was so beautiful for this special event. Thanks again.

your support was so appreciated as we tried to blend our new families.

the first date for Jennifer’s and Shelley’s baptisms was snowed out, but later performed by Jim Watkins and Elder Steve Harrill.

"Sanctuary Golf" was the hottest game at Vacation Bible School.

the softball uniforms were better than the players! (Joe Burke Jr. represents that remark! Ed.)

the many expressions of kindness helped us as we prepared to leave for Tyler, Texas.

our circle compiled the recipes from family night suppers and distributed the "Presbyterian Potluck."
Mary Pierce

Mattie kept me in the nursery.

we had a sunrise service on the front lawn.

the fellowship hall hosted a huge snowman.

Mr. Powley came as Santa Claus after the Hanging of the Greens.

I was an acolyte.
Jennifer Kelsay

I remember when Mebane Memorial had a softball team. We didn’t win many games, but we had a good time, especially those of us who didn’t take ourselves too seriously. We had players of all ages – from 15 to 60. We hardly ever played over five innings – because the game was called after five if one team was 10 runs behind. We almost always qualified.

There was one play that I remember well. I was pitching, Randolph King was catching. The ball was hit to the outfield for a two-base hit. The ball was thrown from the outfield and got by everybody and was rolling toward home plate between the mound and the first base foul line. The runner just kept running and was trying to score. I knew I couldn’t move fast enough to pick up the ball and throw it to Randolph, so I strolled (can’t possibly run) toward the ball and kicked it to Randolph, who caught it and tagged the runner out, much to his surprise.

The runner said, "Where did that ball come from?"

Randolph and I both walked off as if it was a play we had practiced and used it every day.

After that play, Bob Pierce called me "Joe the Toe."
Joe Burke, Jr.

I remember when the congregation had weekend services at Camp New Hope in Chapel Hill. It was an overnight stay in what could be described as somewhat primitive accommodations.

The screen door on the men’s cabin had at least five springs on it to make it close. Some of us were trying to sleep and the young boys were going and coming and the door would make the cabin vibrate with a very loud bam-a-lam.

We would yell, "Hold the door." But it did no good, as they continued to slam it until well after midnight.

About sun up the next morning, I heard someone getting up and saw Jim Barrett heading for that screen door. He went out, pulled the door open as far as it would go and let ‘er rip. The whole building shook as the door bam-a-lammed. Jim, with a satisfied smile, went on his way.
Joe Burke, Jr.

We first moved to Roxboro in June 1976. We went for a walk to try and find the church building. When we got to the building, Bob Pierce was returning some chairs to the fellowship hall. We introduced ourselves and told him we had been Presbyterians in Wilmington and were looking for a new church home.

That evening began a three-night parade of wonderful meals provided by various ladies including: Mrs. Rachael Brown, Mrs. Louise Bradsher, Mrs. Judy Newell and others. Quite a welcome.

I also remember Marguerite Morton. Mrs. Morton "adopted" us and gave Susan and David a Grandma here in Roxboro. She was a great friend and invaluable guide when I needed "motherly" advice. I miss her still.
Linda Ornt

I remember Suzy Slaughter’s first communion when she tried to take the whole roll off the plate I was serving her.
Jimmy Dallas

I remember when we were invited to attend the Hanging of the Greens by Nancy and Jimmy Dallas. We had just moved here and not yet decided on a church. There was such love and fellowship shown. We had no problem deciding that Mebane Memorial would be our church home.
Kay Winslow

I remember when at choir practice the door flew open and two men came running into church, one shooting at the other. It was a traumatic experience, but I felt a closer bond to all who experienced it with me. Surely God was watching over us.
Barbara Gentry

I remember when the old church was here and when the new one was built. I taught the ……..girls then.
Virginia Winstead Lee

I remember when early on the morning of Saturday Sept. 27, 1980, my wedding day, my daddy and I slipped down to the church to check on a last minute necessity. For some unknown cause, I decided to run this quick errand in my bathrobe – wouldn’t have been caught in a thousand years looking like I did, but due to the circumstances I guess I just was not quite right that day.

Upon flinging open the fellowship hall door, who to my wandering eyes should appear but Bob Pierce, hard at labor washing the windows. Now that’s what you call being made to feel special.
Kay Lowrance

We remember when Chris was quite young and accompanied us to worship service one Sunday when we were having communion. When the plate of bread came round, Chris reached for a piece of bread and Carolyn caught his arm in mid-air, stopping him from partaking. We were relatively new to Mebane Memorial at the time ourselves, and Carolyn (she of Baptist up-bringing before seeing the light), was uncertain whether Presbyterians would approve of young children participating in communion. After the service, Joe Burke, Jr., who notices everything, fussed at us for not letting Chris take communion. Bob Pierce too assured us that it was perfectly OK, that, in effect, the Lord’s Supper is for everyone. That wonderfully Christian thought was still over the young Christopher’s head at the time. As for him, he confessed, "I just wanted a little snack!"
Carolyn Rattican

I remember when I attended my first Hanging of the Greens (December 1989). I helped and watched a group of creative people turn bags of greenery, boxes of craft items, candy and icing, paper of all colors, nails, glue, tacks and anything else we could find into the most breathtakingly beautiful sanctuary I had ever seen.
Stokes Ann Blaylock

I remember when both of our children, Susan and Charles, were baptized. All of the kindness shown to us by members of the church when we were new to Roxboro and also the many nice things that were done for us during the long illness and death of my Dad.

Mebane Memorial has many special memories for all of our family, like how when we moved to Raleigh when Charles was three and he didn’t think a church was a church without a steeple like Mebane Memorial.
Dorothy Smith

I remember going to a church picnic at the Staunton River Park when Susan was three years old. Susan was in the pool with Jimmie, when she decided she wanted to come out and sit with me. On her way out, when she got to the deep end, she decided to walk down the steps into the water. Jimmie, Randolph King and the life guard all saw her and all three of them got to her, after she had gone down and come up a couple of times. She was fine, but Mother and Daddy were not in such good shape.
Dot Smith

I remember when Keith Norwood fell into the rose bushes in the church yard and had thorns in his fingers, when we were eight years old.
Susan Smith

I remember when we moved to Roxboro in the fall of 1953 with three young sons, ages one year, eight years and 12 years. We had hardly settled in a duplex on Lamar Street, one block from the church, when three nice ladies called on me. They were Mrs. Nannie Bullock, Katherine Bowles and Nancy Crumpton and they extended the hand of fellowship from Mebane Memorial Presbyterian Church. We started going the next Sunday and although there was no pastor at the time and the congregation was scarce, the fellowship was all one could ask for. In December of the same year Mr. Arthur Courtney was called to be our pastor. Quite a few changes took place. He was a great worker with the young people. On one of his summer vacations he asked Sandy and Jimmy to accompany him on a trip out west. They went on a station wagon, slept in it part of the time, stopped at camp sites, occasionally slept under the stars and when they got too dirty and grimy would stop at a motel for a bath and a good meal.

Jimmy only went on one of these trips and when he returned he said, "I never want to see another can of pork and beans."

Sandy and Henry Daniel went with Mr. Courtney the second trip.

Another thing that stands out in my mind concerns Bill and his Sunday School teacher, Katherine Bowles. She said that Bill (quite young) came to Sunday School and kept looking around the room and out of the window and behind things until she asked him what he was looking for. Bill’s answer was, "I’m looking for God. I thought sure he would be here this morning."

Katherine explained to him that God was there, we just can’t see him. Bill said, "We can see Mr. Courtney, why can’t we see God?" It took quite a bit of teaching and explaining to convince Bill that Mebane Memorial was God’s House and that God was definitely present.

With Rev. Bob Pierce came the Hanging of the Greens. He appointed Bobbie King as chairman. She asked me if I would see to the decoration of the front of the church (interior). She came to me with a picture in a magazine saying this was the way she wanted it to look. It was a garland made of fresh evergreens.

With the help of committee members, we still continue to carry out this tradition.

Now back to the nice ladies that called on me 39 years ago. They are still quite active. Mrs. Bullock, who just had her 101^st birthday, I’m sure is the world’s champion bandage roller, and Katherine and Nancy are at church whenever the doors open, ready and willing to help in any way they can. God bless them!
Margaret Dallas

One memory which brings back both good and bad memories is the first Sunday I played flute in church.

Kathy Marynak asked if I would play flute and insisted that I would have no problem doing this. The closer the 11 o’clock hour came, the more nervous I became. Choir members were reassuring, but I wasn’t sure I would ever live to accompany the choir. I cried before church, during church and after church. I sat beside Comer Barrett in the choir, and I think she as a nervous as I was – and just as relieved when it was all over.

I remember how kind and complimentary everyone was – and the next time I played flute in church, both Mrs. Barrett and I were much more relaxed.
Jennifer Woodall

We remember when our children, Chris and Lauren were baptized the same Sunday, along with Walter and Kathryn Cates’ children. One of Walter’s relatives had recently toured the Holy Land and had brought back some holy water expressly for the Cates baptism service, so our kinds got the benefit of the holy water – a double blessing in more ways than one.
Carolyn Rattican

The first Sunday we attended church at Mebane Memorial, Gretchen stayed in the nursery and cried (loudly) the whole time. In fact, someone had to come in the sanctuary to get Jennifer to come stay with her. After that, we told her she could stay in "big church" so long as she could remain quiet – and she did not stay in the nursery again until she was older (much older) and decided she would like to stay in the nursery with Mattie rather than going in "big church."

My fondest memory of Mebane Memorial are of Hanging of the Greens and Family Night Suppers. I was amazed at the first Hanging of the Greens that so many people of all ages came together in fun and fellowship and cooperatively transformed the whole church into something of great beauty. I remember the first time I was "privileged" to get the assignment of helping children make gingerbread houses and having 12-14 children show up. Their excitement and pride in their own creations made the effort worthwhile.

Family night suppers have been special times for a more relaxed fellowship with speakers and other activities. A favorite was the night when Larry and Kathy Marynak got together a program which spotlighted the talent in our church. I didn’t realize Clint Wallace could play piano, and I still have fond memories of him playing very beautifully.

If ever there was a saint on Earth, it has to be Mary King. Not only does she do special things for people in times of sorrow, but she seems to know when a kind word or a dish she prepares is especially needed. She seems to focus on doing kind deeds for others and often seems to be the "glue" that keeps us "stuck together."

I have memories of Bob Pierce, Ron Gilreath and Dr. Efird; of the choir and their beautiful music Sunday after Sunday, and of special programs we have. To me, the most appealing thing about Mebane Memorial is the caring group of people who are its members, for I feel they stand ready to help each other in any situation.
Carolyn Woodall

In the late 1960s, my husband, Bruce, substituted for the minister several times at Sunday morning worship. At the conclusion of one such occasion a member turned to me and said, "What is he doing raising chickens." (We were in the broiler business at the time.)

I don’t remember the year, but we were having evening services, a crusade. During one service there was an earthquake tremor of very short duration. Not realizing what was happening, a couple of men, Joe Burke and Jim Barrett, hurriedly checked the furnace for a possible explosion.

There was no panic, but a feeling of uneasiness pervaded the congregation as it began to realize that possibly an earthquake tremor had occurred.
Madeline Eaker

We remember when Chris first served as acolyte and one of the candles refused to light, despite Chris’ repeated efforts. Unbeknownst to him or anyone else at the time, and probably having occurred at the close of worship when the candles were extinguished the previous Sunday, the wick on the stubborn candle had been pressed down into the wax and hardened there, making it virtually impossible to light. (Don’t cha just hate it when that happens?) If memory serves, Bob Pierce came to Chris’ rescue by digging the wick out of the wax. Chris dutifully lit the taper and worship service finally got underway. After church, many in the congregation congratulated Chris on his persistence. He ate up all the attention.

May God bless our church family and Roxboro Presbyterian Church for yet another 100 years

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