SYCAMORE BAPTIST CHURCH

Chapter 1

Sycamore Baptist Church is near the center of the Buffalo Ridge community in the northern part of Patrick County in southwest Virginia. When America was discovered, this area of the Piedmont and the Blue Ridge Mountains was inhabited by numerous Indians of the Algonquin tribe. With the passage of time population increased greatly on the eastern shore of Virginia and the demand for land caused many to look to the frontier. About 1750 a line of forts was built from the Potomac River in the North to Mayo River in the South for protection against the Indians and the French. With this semblance of protections, the fear of Indian raids subsided and the demand for cheap and virgin land increased. Most of the land in the East was held by large landowners and worked by slaves. Because of poor farming methods, land was losing its fertility, and the big plantation owners were interested in new rich soil for themselves and for speculation. Indentured servants, having served their indenture, and others were looking for places to establish homes. Perhaps some moved to the frontier to escape the Revolutionary War and the royal tax oppression in the East. Many may have come for the love of adventure. The original settlers were of English and Saxon blood. Some of the early settlers to this area from England included the Shelton’s, Hookers, Tuggles, Thomases, Pilsons, and the Lawlesses. Also coming to the Buffalo Ridge area were the Hugheses, Harbours, and the Taylors from Wales. The Ross family came from Scotland; the Nowlins came from Ireland; and the Pedigos came from France. Descendants of these respectable families continue to live in the area and contribute character and color to make the region unique.

Though the early settlers were predominantly English, they did not bring the Church of England to western Virginia. Because of the scarcity of ministers, few Anglican churches reached the Piedmont, and the Buffalo Ridge area lay right up against the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some of the early settlers were deserters from the Established Church and gave a listening ear to different religious ideas. There were Baptist preachers among the dissenters who would go to jail for their preaching and then preach from the jail. Also, among the deserters were the Methodist circuit riders who found eager listeners to their preaching. The French Huguenots introduced ideas and religious practices not tolerated by the Established Church. The Presbyterians with Calvinistic ideas were influential in the protest against the Church of England.

In the early 1700's, thousands of German immigrants landed in Philadelphia and settled allover Pennsylvania. Soon they were followed by a migratory stream of Scotch-Irish that lasted until the Revolutionary War. Since they found the best lands occupied by the Germans, they moved farther west and south. Virginia and North Carolina were particularly attractive to them because freedom of religion was promised to Presbyterians. Some of them who came down the Shenandoah Valley crossed over the Blue Ridge Mountains and found homes in Patrick County.

These Scotch-Irish were strongly indoctrinated with Calvinism and were fundamentalists. They contributed to the establishment of the Primitive Baptist Church. The first church to be organized in Patrick County was the Charity Primitive Baptist Church in 1788 about ten miles from the present Sycamore Church. Then followed the Jack's Creek Primitive Baptist Church whose first recorded meeting was held May 22, 1813, and the original church building was about five miles from Sycamore. These churches belonged to an association presided over by a moderator; also, there was a Presbytery composed of elders for church guidance. Their preachers were always called elders and never reverend. The members were called "Old Baptists" and "Hard Shell Baptists" but later were known as Primitive Baptists. They built unpretentious structures of worship and prided themselves on beautiful four-part singing without the use of a musical instrument. The tune of the hymn was raised with the aid of a tuning fork. They had long worship services with several elders preaching, and the service could last for hours. People moved in and out of the church at will during the worship service. The sermons were delivered in a sing-song manner reaching a tremendous crescendo at the end. Conversion to the Primitive Baptist Church depended upon a unique experience and could be the result of hearing a divine call or from having a vision. Their preachers served in answer to a divine call and received no pay for their services.

There is an interesting account of how one Baptist elder was called. Young men have always looked for excitement and often poked fun at elders in ways not to be exposed. Reports had been heard that John Cassell had felt called to preach. Because work occupied everyone all week, young men performed their escapades on Saturday night. One Saturday night four young friends wanted to do something different and interesting. That desire may have been reinforced with a little home made brew. One may have suggested a call on John Cassell or the idea may have originated by passing his cabin. A plot was hatched to help John Cassell feel secure about his call to preach. Each young man took a stand at a corner of the cabin. The first young man called, "John, John, go preach the gospel." From the opposite corner was heard the same message, "John, go preach the gospel." This was repeated from the other two corners. The boys lingered long enough to hear John's loud praying in response to this unusual experience. Later, John reported having been called by God from the four corners of the earth to preach the gospel. Much later a particular young man said he knew John Cassell had been called to preach because he helped call him.

Briefly, Primitive Baptists did not believe in missions, Sunday School, educated ministry, or pastoral support. They denounced dancing but were lenient towards drinking and drunkenness. Some of the elders were distillers and promoted prejudice against Missionary Baptists. There was much division in these churches over doctrine and bickering over the interpretation of Scriptures. The elders were reluctant to share their pulpits with preachers who endorsed Sunday School, missionary programs, or education. Yet Sycamore was founded in this area and was able to survive despite the unfriendliness of Primitive Baptist churches and the intolerance of their members. It is known that Sycamore Baptist Church was founded in 1850. Unfortunately, there are no records or minutes of the early years of the church from its beginning in 1850 until 1891. Information regarding the early years is provided in the book Daniel G. Taylor, A Country Preacher written by J. J. Taylor, a son of Daniel G. Taylor. Minutes of the Blue Ridge Association, founded in 1858, give some information about the early church. Recollections of older members and a diary have added information and color to the early history of Sycamore.

Sycamore Baptist Church was started by a man named Daniel Gray Taylor who was born in Henry County of Welsh parentage in 1821. He, with his father, built a church on his father's land on Mayo River in Henry County in 1844. This newly established missionary church became Mayo Baptist Church of Henry County .In this church Daniel Taylor was converted, licensed to preach, ordained as a minister and served the church as pastor for the rest of his life except for short intervals. He married Martha King and lived in a home he built himself in the vicinity of Mayo Baptist Church. They had nine children, four of whom became preachers. Rev. John Lee Taylor, served as moderator of the Blue Ridge Association for many years: Another son, Rev. Jason J. Taylor wrote a biography of his father's life. Rev. Samuel Frank Taylor served as president of Georgetown College in Kentucky. Rev. Reid Taylor served as president of Stevens College in Missouri. The other children were Reuben Taylor, Dr. Thomas Graves Taylor, Jessie B. Taylor, Mrs. T. T. Angel, and Mrs. John F. Lancaster. Rev. Daniel Taylor organized Sycamore, Blackberry, Providence and Peters Creek Baptist churches that are still in the service of the Lord.

In 1848 the Virginia Baptist Mission Board located in Richmond, Virginia appointed this strong dedicated young preacher to be a missionary to Henry, Patrick, Floyd, and Carroll counties where there were no missionary churches. At the age of 28 and traveling by horseback, Brother Taylor made his first visit to Patrick County in 1849. In the strong Primitive Baptist area of Buffalo Ridge, he met Elder John Turner whom he described as the only Missionary Baptist he found in Patrick County. With the help of Elder John Turner, meetings were arranged and services were held most likely in homes because Primitive Baptist preachers were reluctant to share their pulpits with a Missionary Baptist. Despite the distance Brother Taylor traveled by horseback; these gatherings of neighbors for worship resulted in the founding of Sycamore Baptist Church in 1850 in the Buffalo Ridge community. Early church services were held in a log building on Big Sycamore Creek near the site of the Shelton School that was abandoned and replaced by the Harbour School near the same site. The Harbour School was closed in 1941, but the building is still standing.

When Sycamore was organized, it became a member of the Strawberry Association for a limited time. Along with Rock Spring, New Haven, Mayo, Meadows of Dan, and Providence, Sycamore was dismissed from the Strawberry Association because their congregations "were friendly to all the benevolent institutions of the present age." These churches were joined by New Leatherwood, Blackberry, and True Vine churches in organizing the Blue Ridge Baptist Association on October 23, 1858. Brother Taylor and Elder John Turner of Sycamore met with representatives of these churches to establish policies and operating procedures for the organization of the Blue Ridge Baptist Association.

On May 20,1874, Elder John Turner died at the age of 95. He had worked closely with Brother Taylor since 1849 for the cause of Missionary Baptists. Brother Taylor referred to him as his good friend and a loyal supporter of Sycamore. Perhaps more than anyone else, these two dedicated Christians kept Sycamore alive and growing in the early years of the church. This accomplishment was significant because the church was located in an area of intolerance and held infrequent services due to the distance the pastor traveled to have services and the limited number of preachers available. Brother Taylor held services at Sycamore on the third Saturday and Sunday of each month. A business conference followed the sermon on Saturday and was not well attended. It was the Sunday service that brought folk from far and near on foot and horseback, and in ox carts, wagons, and buggies. Holding services at Sycamore on the third Sunday was a small part of Brother Taylor's strenuous preaching schedule. The first Sunday of the month he held worship services at Blackberry in Henry County; the second Sunday, at New Haven in Floyd County, the fourth Sunday, at Mayo in Henry County .On the fifth Sunday he visited various churches going where he felt he might be of help. Services continued to be held on the third Sunday at Sycamore throughout its history. In 1918 the church voted to have services on the first Sunday of the month when Mr. Alexander Bryant, who lived in the church community, was pastor. The practice did not become permanent. Since 1947, when Rev. D. E. Murray was called to be the first full time pastor, worship services have been held every Sunday. However, it is still traditional to observe the Communion ritual on the third Sunday in May and October.

Ellis McKenzie, a member of Sycamore, lived all of his 97 years, except for his last few years, in the vicinity of Sycamore in a home occupied by his family for four generations. His family was always active in the church, and he enjoyed recalling what he knew personally and what he had heard people say about the church. The Rorrer homestead was adjacent to the church and the pastors and visiting ministers were almost always entertained in Ellis McKenzie's home. He was exposed to much conversation about the church. He was positive that the first members of Sycamore included, among others, Elder John Turner, Betsy A. Akers, Polly Harbour, a Mrs. Chaney, Bill Shelton and his wife, John T. Morrison and his wife, Joe Morrison and his wife, and he was quite sure that his great-grand parents, David Rorrer and his wife, his grandparents, T. D. and Arminda Rorrer, belonged to the group. Ellis McKenzie's way of naming the spouse was indicative of the minority position in which she was held. Yet, in reality, she was the mainstay of her family and the church. Ellis McKenzie remembered Brother Taylor as a very distinguished old gentleman.

Through the efforts of Brother Taylor, Elder John Turner, and some members this beginning church was nurtured. Records of the Blue Ridge Association show that Sycamore had 55 members in 1858 after an addition of 14 new members that year. This growth in membership and interest, and possibly a doctrinal split in the congregation, led Brother Taylor to propose building a new church. Fourteen years after its founding, a new house of worship was constructed in 1864 on land given by Thomas Dudley Rorrer.

For twenty-eight years (1850-1878), Brother Taylor, a strong, courageous and dedicated pastor, laid the foundation for Sycamore and charted its course through some difficult years. Four churches that Brother Taylor served as pastor are still active today, and that is proof of his capabilities as a leader and survivor. These churches are Mayo, Meadows of Dan, Jacksonville (which later became Floyd Baptist Church), and Sycamore. Only Brother Alexander Bryant served as pastor of Sycamore for a longer period of time. In addition to his successful pastorates, his contributions to the Blue Ridge Association are unparalleled. He led in its organization and served as its moderator from its beginning in 1858 until 1877, except for three years. During that time he preached the annual sermon for the Association seven times. Two of his sons, S. Frank Taylor and J. J. Taylor, followed him as moderator of the Association.

Brother Taylor's mission was to establish churches, and he did it well. His influence extended beyond the churches he pastored. Early in his ministry, he participated in organizing Meadows of Dan Baptist Church. In the history of that church, it is related that in 1855 John Robertson and Steptoe Langhom of Woolwine, members of Sycamore withdrew from the membership of Sycamore to go to Meadows of Dan to organize a missionary church there. It is logical to think that these members were prompted to this action by the guidance and support of Brother Taylor. This knowledge is substantiated by an interview that Charles F. Adams held with Mrs. Fannie Langhom Spangler, who was the daughter of Steptoe Langhom. The interview was published in the Martinsville Bulletin in 1935. The article quotes Mrs. Spangler as saying; "The first church at Meadows of Dan was a crude log structure with mud being used as filler between the logs. The church was an arm of the old Sycamore at Buffalo Ridge and was named Concord. Sometime in the 1850's a split occurred in the church; and part of the congregation went to what is now known as the Concord Church. They were known as the Primitive Baptists while those left were the Missionary Baptists. It is said that the split came about mainly over each faction' s belief in or against missionary work and that the question of Sunday School entered in. This information is also supported in The History of the Blue Ridge Association, 1858 to 1958 written by Mrs. Virtley Stephenson Freeman on page 16. She called the organizational meeting in the Concord meetinghouse, an arm of Sycamore Church.

A brief history of the Stuart Baptist Church appeared in the August 7, 1976 issue to The Enterprise, a local newspaper for Patrick County. This history maintains that the Stuart Church was organized in 1878, and that Rev. Daniel Taylor, a missionary serving in Patrick County, provided the leadership in the founding and establishing the Taylorsville Missionary Baptist Church in Taylorsville, Virginia. The first congregational services were held on the ground floor of the Patrick County Court House. In 1884 the village of Taylorsville was incorporated under the name of Stuart, Virginia, and the Taylorsville Church assumed the name Stuart Baptist Church. In A History of Stuart Missionary Baptist Church written by W. N. Thompson, M. D., he states that Rev. Daniel G. Taylor visited Taylorsville and held worship services on the ground floor of the Patrick County Court House. He also maintains it is generally accepted that Rev. Taylor sowed the seeds and provided the leadership in the founding of Taylorsville Missionary Baptist Church.

Brother Taylor was resourceful in finding places to preach and challenged people to organize a church. He held services in homes, in Primitive Baptist meeting houses when they were available and in the Court House. When these facilities were wanting, he used a brush arbor. From The Enterprise again it is learned that Critz Baptist Church was organized in 1892. The beginning of its organization was born out of the efforts of Daniel G. Taylor, pioneer preacher, who began holding meetings under a brush arbor near Rock Springs (now Critz, Virginia) in 1891. Late in 1891 these meetings were moved to the old log schoolhouse, and a Baptist church was organized there September 27, 1892.

From its earliest history Sycamore was exerting influence beyond the Buffalo Ridge community .In the late 1800' s, Mr. Alex Bryant then pastor of Sycamore was holding services in Rock Castle School and adding new members to Sycamore. One of his converts in those services was Mrs. W. W. DeHart (Eliza), and in 1944 she was welcomed into membership at Sycamore on her statement of belief. At the time of her death at 99 years of age she was the oldest member of Sycamore.

Robert Oden, Ph. D. Professor and Chair, Department of Religion, Dartmouth College maintains that stability and vibrancy are necessary factors in the survival of a church. In the 1930's it would seem that vibrancy was wanting in the Sycamore Church. A dissatisfied group of seventeen members, led by two deacons, left Sycamore in 1939 and established the Buffalo Ridge Holiness Church. They built a church just a mile from Sycamore.

In 1952 a disgruntled group of forty-eight members, including four deacons, left Sycamore and established the Fairy Stone Baptist Church and like the Holiness built a church in the Buffalo Ridge Community. It is difficult to adequately support three churches in a small community .The smallness of the churches must curtail the services performed in the area. Having suffered a tremendous loss of members with these departing groups, Sycamore's emphasis is now promoting fellowship, accountability, and harmony and not always with perfect success.

                                                                            Chapter 2       

A building does not make an effective or spiritual church. It is most necessary to provide a place for worshipers to congregate in order to learn their Christian responsibilities and how to apply themselves to Christian ministry .The assembling of church members in one place affords opportunities for Christian fellowship and support, for recognition of good service, for expressing gratitude for one's blessings, for praising God for redemption, and for showing love for God and other people. It provides a place for unselfish expression of humble Christianity where some can preach, some can teach, some can lead in prayer, and some can sing or play the organ. But the great body of the church fills the pews to listen, to learn, to give of their substance, and then to go out to live their convictions. Large and beautiful buildings are inspirational and challenging, but the important task is to hold the membership together where each uses his talents and substance according to his ability for the glory of God. The church is a place where each person, regardless of his contribution, is held worthy and no one is judged harshly or is singled out for special honor; but where all work together in harmony for enrichment of their lives. Sycamore has had four buildings for worship, and each one was better than the one it replaced. No present member has any knowledge as to what happened to the original log church. Lora Hopkins Griffith found, among Aunt Dade's old pictures, one is of what appears to be a log church with many people standing in front of it. One person is holding a banjo and another is holding a guitar. Since Primitive Baptists do not use musical instruments in their services, this could be a picture of Sycamore Baptist congregation. Aunt Dade in her old age had no recollection about the picture that appears here.  Her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents (according to Ellis McKenzie) were active members of Sycamore from its beginning. It would seem logical to suppose this to be a picture of the original church. It has been noted that the early congregation grew and in 1858 reported a membership of 55 to the Blue Ridge Association. This growth, and possibly a doctrinal split in the membership, led Brother Taylor to propose the building of a new church. Some of the older present members recall reports that the original church divided on tenets of belief and those members who believed in missions with Brother Taylor built the new church. These Missionary Baptists believed in Sunday School for training toward better church membership and in mission work to carry the gospel to more people. They were willing to pay their pastors and they believed in education, particularly in an educated ministry.

In 1864 fourteen years after its founding, a new house of worship was constructed on land given by Thomas Dudley Rorrer, an active member. The new church kept the name of Sycamore, and the members were definitely missionary in belief and practice. The site chosen was on a hill above Little Sycamore Creek and across the Floyd-Stuart Turnpike (now Route 8) from what was I. M. Akers' Store. The second was a frame rectangular structure built by George Wash bum who lived on Smith River. The entrance door was in the center of the front of the church with a center aisle and pews on either side of the aisle. The pulpit was a raised platform at the back with an outside door on either side. Mrs. C. A. Akers (Martha Jane Hopkins Akers), affectionately known to everyone as Aunt Dade because of her saintliness and being the aunt of almost everyone in the community by blood or marriage, remembered how this church looked as did Ellis McKenzie. Aunt Dade was converted there at age ten and at a very young age became the Sunday School teacher, and this caused her much trepidation for fear that she might say something wrong. Aunt Dade said there were three posts in the center aisle probably to support the roof. She remembered Ev Adkins as a very small boy walking up "and down the aisle before worship services began. As he passed each post he hit it with his handkerchief saying with every lick, "Cut de chee down." Ellis McKenzie remembered the horse block near the church where ladies who rode horseback in sidesaddles got on and off their mounts. Many ladies rode horseback until they became quite elderly.

Ellis McKenzie, a grandson of T. D. Rorrer, lived most of his life at the Rorrer homestead. His parents, Patrick Allen McKenzie and Louisa Rorrer McKenzie, bought the home place and continued the hospitality practiced by T. D. Rorrer. From the beginning of Sycamore Church, preachers who came to Sycamore were always entertained at the Rorrer homestead. It was Ellis McKenzie's responsibility to wait on the preacher. He took care of the feeding and grooming of the preacher's horse, made a fire in his room in the wintertime, and provided hot and cold water for his bedroom. On Monday morning when the minister left, he saddled the minister's horse and filled the jug in his saddlebag with the best brandy available. Ellis McKenzie knew all the preachers well and liked to tell a story about a Mr. Haymore, who was pastor from 1878 to 1881. He said when Mr. Haymore arrived Saturday; T. D. Rorrer's Negroes said all the roosters left home. (It was traditional to serve chicken to the pastors.) When Mr. Haymore left on Monday morning, the roosters returned crowing, "Haymore is gone," but the turkey gobbled, "Doubtful, doubtful."

In the late 1870's, Sycamore declined in interest and membership. In the 1878 statistical tables of the Blue Ridge Association, eight of the thirteen member churches stated the pastor's salary paid, and Sycamore was not listed. This indicated poor financial support at Sycamore. In 1883, Sycamore was asked to give $2.00 to foreign missions and that indicated a struggling church. In 1887, Sycamore pledged a total of $6.00 to all missionary activities. In The History of the Blue Ridge Association, 1858 to 1958, by Virtley Stephensen Freeman, the author notes that in 1889, Sycamore reported a membership of 37 with average contributions of two and one-third cents per member. It does appear that Sycamore had fallen on hard times.

Struggles against anti-missionary belief and anti-Sunday School doctrine continued in the area. Because of shifting population, reduced economy, loss of free labor, and loss of property, courage and sacrifice were necessary to keep churches going. However, the later parts of the 19th century saw some growth in tolerance. No longer were many hours spent on bickering over paltry ideas. According to Ellis McKenzie, Betsy A. Akers and Louisa McKenzie invited Rev. Jim C. Carper to hold a protracted meeting at Sycamore. Rev. Carper was pastor of the Meadows of Dan Church and lived in Hillsville. A protracted meeting was a series of services held for six to ten days with a sermon at eleven o'clock in the morning and at seven in the evening. Rev. Carper came and held revivals at several different times. He was a great preacher and people responded well. The success of the Carper revivals more than doubled the membership and stimulated interest in the church. It became obvious that Sycamore needed a larger house of worship.

In 1894, a Building and Site Committee was named to build a new church. The Committee recommended a new building "on the site of the present building." Specifications for the new church included a building 30 x 44 x 14 feet with a self supporting roof; six windows with eight lights each, lights 16 x 22 inches; two doors in front; two aisles, three feet each; three rows of benches; and a platform 8 x 12 feet, raised 10 inches. Regarding the two doors in front, Ellis McKenzie said when a young man took his girl to church, he escorted her to the door on the right where the women entered. Then the young man entered from the left door, and they sat together on a center pew.

In July 1895, the old building was sold to R. L. Hooker for $13.00, and this money added to the building fund. Removal of the old church and the construction of the new church must have proceeded at once. The church minutes state that in October 1896, the treasurer was authorized to use as much as $12.00 for stoves to be installed in the new church before the November meeting. Sam Shelor of Floyd built the church with help of church members. John Midkiff, the grandfather of Blanco and Bruce Midkiff and a Primitive Baptist, dressed the ceiling boards and put them in place. He also made the pulpit and two pedestals of cherry wood for the new church. They continue to be used in the basement of the present church. Patrick Allen McKenzie made the pews of poplar wood for the new church, and a few have survived. Several are in the picnic shelter; one is on the porch of I. M. Akers' Store; two are on Alma Lawless's front porch; one in Blanco Midkiff s basement; one on the porch of the Rufus Pilson home; one on Aunt Dade's porch; and one in Chester McKenzie's home.  Knowing how the community cooperates, it is safe to assume that many members contributed in various ways to the building of this third church. Because of pride in the new church, one member undertook the job of painting the new pews. In that day paint was bought in a concentrated form called burnt umber and was thinned with turpentine so the paint would dry properly. Not enough turpentine was added to the red paint mixture, and the paint came off on the people's clothes. It created consternation among the ladies. They brought papers to cover the pews where they sat. Lo and behold, the papers stuck to the pews and could not be removed. Where no cover on the pews existed, the paint continued to come off on people's clothes for a very long time. This mistake, done for the most commendable of reasons, seems to have been the only thing that interfered with the pride the members felt in their third church building completed in 1896.

Ellis McKenzie recalled that this church was not only a house of worship and a community meeting place, but school was held in it for several winters. Miss Pattie Ross, daughter of Confederate Captain Lee Ross, taught there. Mr. Charlie Preston with his wife, Pensy Ross Preston, taught there for a longer period of time and boarded at Thomas Dudley Rorrer's. Mr. Wilburn held summer school in the church and boarded with Costley Hill Puckett who kept the store across the turnpike from the church. Court was also held in the church, and Magistrates Sam Pilson and Matt Underwood presided over court proceeding there. All the cases tried there seem to have been forgotten except a scandalous one that, if mentioned at all, is done in a hush-hush voice. But this community, like every community, had unfortunate experiences with perhaps a difference sometimes. The talk was kept quiet and children were protected as much as possible from all things ugly and demeaning. Carita Ross Gravely, who grew up in Sycamore Church, related that children had to listen at keyholes or hide behind doors to get an inkling as to what adults were discussing when the topic was considered contaminating for "little pitchers' ears." When this particular case came to court, three little boys, a McKenzie and two Rosses, crawled under the church to learn what the case was all about. This exceptional case involved a married woman who kept a date with a man from the Woolwine area. For some unknown reason she carried a butcher knife in her dress and cut off what Alma Lawless called his "hickie" and Frank Walker called his "dowackie." The victim was able to get on his horse and was found later by the roadside near his home. A one-horse wagon was procured, padding was put in the wagon, and the man was laid on it to be taken to the doctor in Stuart. They arrived at Dr. Dickerson's home about four o'clock in the morning after a painful all night ride of more than ten miles. The good doctor was amazed. In all his practice he had never seen anything to equal this. The court ordered the woman to leave Patrick County and to never return. The recovered victim reported that, "She left him with a little stub, not enough to go abroad, but good enough to knock around home."

Nearly a hundred years later a similar act was committed in Manassas, Virginia on June 26, 1993. Lorena Bobbitt cut off her husband's penis with a kitchen knife. Her defense was that he raped and abused her, and the court declared him not guilty of the charges. John Wayne Bobbitt's wife, Lorena, was tried for malicious assault and declared not guilty by reason of insanity. This incident became of national interest and publicity. Because of the public's fascination with the case, the story was carried by all the media months and months after the incident happened. When it happened in Buffalo Ridge, it was regarded as unacceptable behavior, a shameful act, and indecent. Knowledge of it was kept from children and adults spoke of it in hush-hush tones, with men to men and women to women. Now there are few living persons who ever heard the story. To some it is deplorable that so much obscenity and vulgarity in the Manassas case could be promoted for so long for the sake of making money. Could present day priorities be destroying the best of our culture?

The self-supporting roof of the third church proved to have been a mistake. The roof was too heavy for the walls to support. The walls were tied together with iron rods but eventually the building was judged unsafe and abandoned in the early 1920's. Mr. Tine (Valentine) Pilson tore the building down and used some of the timbers in building his own home. Church services were held in the Blue Ridge Mission School Auditorium until the present church was ready for occupancy in 1926. When the third church building was condemned, measures were taken to build the fourth church. On April 17, 1921, a building committee was appointed to take the preliminary steps. This committee was composed of H. B. Jordan, principal of the Mission School, C. P. Wright, I. M. Akers, C. B. Ross, S. J. Bryant, W. G. Atkins, and C. W. Akers. The first step was the selection of an appropriate site. There were some who wanted to rebuild on the site that had been home for Sycamore since 1864. The drive from the turnpike up to the church was steep and difficult for horse-drawn vehicles and impossible for the automobiles that were coming into use. Louise Ross Nobles said as a little girl she was always frightened when leaving the church because it was hard for the horses to hold the surrey back on the steep hill. She feared the surrey would run up on the horses, and there would be a terrible accident. People who came to the church in automobiles parked their cars off the turnpike and walked up the hill to the church. An active member, Joe E. Hopkins, envisioned the use of more cars and the discontinued use of horseback riding and buggies. He maintained that a more desirable and accessible location was imperative. He suggested that a small hill on the Blue Ridge Mission School property be chosen for the new location. The church would be an asset to the school, and this location would be convenient for church and school. From the time the school opened in 1915, the church and school had worked together harmoniously in many activities, and it was appropriate they share the same location. Despite the reluctance of some members to leave the old location, a year later on April 16, 1922, the church voted to build the fourth church on the site suggested by Mr. Hopkins.

Arrangements were made with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board that owned the school property for the chosen location, and the building began. It was a cooperative effort of church and community members. Joe E. Hopkins could read blueprints, so he became the builder and directed all the building operations. His brother, George Hopkins, with his sons Will, Charlie, and Sam and help from King and Hobert Morrison and Chester McKenzie, beat up the rock and poured it in the foundation mold. They mixed the cement by hand and poured it over the rock and had a foundation laid. Frank Walker and Will Lawless helped to lay the floor using the best hardwood available. Jack Haynes helped with building the flues. Ed Weaver, who was an excellent woodworker and who built the two covered bridges in the area, Jack's Creek and Bob White, helped in the construction. After the church was finished, Tine Pilson installed the baptistery.

The result of this activity was a well-designed white church on a rounded mound surrounded by tall and inspiring mountains. It would be difficult to find a more delightful scene. It is awe- inspiring at all times but is especially beautiful when the area is bursting out with the pastel colors of spring and during the brilliant colors of autumn. No scene is more pleasing than when the church is bathed in the light of a full moon or when the ground is covered with snow. The vista is incomparable when seen with both snow and the full moon.

In addition to a splendid outside appearance, the interior is what a small church should be. The sanctuary is large enough to seat all who come for church services. The pulpit is framed with good simple lines in an alcove that provides room for the baptistery and for a small choir. There are six Sunday School classrooms, four on the sides and one on either side of the pulpit. The entire interior is ceiled with good chestnut wood that is no longer available in this area at any price. The warmth and beauty of this wood is an inspiring sermon to the glory of God and to all who enter the sanctuary .In building this church, the dedicated members used the best materials available in the area and put them together with love and the expertise of true artisans.

A dedication service was planned to include the traditional Communion Day on the third Sunday in May. It was also customary to follow the observance of the Lord's Supper with a revival. On this occasion Mr. Fred N. Day of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was invited to conduct the revival. There was much interest in seeing the new church that some claimed to be the finest in the area. The revival was well attended, and Mr. Day was an effective evangelist with the result of many converts.

The Sunday, May 30, 1926, following the revival a dedication service was conducted under the direction of the pastor, Rev. J. Mason Richardson. Rev. Richardson had been called as pastor in 1925, and he served the Stuart and Critz Baptist Churches in addition to Sycamore. Dr. J. P. McCabe, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA, delivered the address of dedication. Dr. McCabe had long been a good friend of Sycamore and was largely responsible for the establishment of the Blue Ridge Mission School near Sycamore Baptist Church. In April 1924, he held a revival at Sycamore that resulted in eleven additions to the church. In his sermon of dedication, he praised the congregation of Sycamore for its achievements in 75 years of its history and challenged the members to continued progress. Following the morning worship service, Sycamore people, with a host of visitors and well-wishers, enjoyed dinner on the grounds and abounding good fellowship.

In the afternoon an impressive baptismal service was held at the pool by Little Sycamore Creek near the church. The younger ones to be baptized were Hoy Hopkins, Lloyd Soyars, Guy Hopkins, Minnie Baliles, Carrie Baliles, Edith Bryant, and Lora Hopkins. Lora was eight years old and too small to stand in the pool, so she was handed to Rev. Richardson who held her in his arms to baptize her. Adults baptized were Roy Haynes, Delmer Pendleton, Jim McAlexander, Mary Morrison, Irene Pendleton, and Mary Townley Morrison. The married couples baptized were Charlie Hopkins and Ethel Hylton Hopkins, Joe Will Morrison and Lelia Staples Morrison, Daniel Baliles and Etta Vaughan Baliles, A. C. Turner and Allie Walker Turner. These new members added consecrated interest to the church and made outstanding contributions to its progress.

Regardless of how well a structure is planned, with the passage of time additions, alterations, or both will be needed if the building fulfills its purpose. In response to a new challenge, a large addition was made to this fourth church in 1954. In times of a lack of interest on the part of members or trials for the congregation, Sycamore has shown the ability to rise above the circumstances and accomplish big things. This was true when dissension developed between the "Old Baptists" and the "Missionary Baptists" in the original church. As a result, the missionary minded members withdrew and built the second Sycamore Church in 1864. In the 1880's members, interest, and finances were at dangerously low ebb. Then a few dedicated members called J. C. Carper to hold a protracted meeting at Sycamore. This revival was so successful that more protracted meetings followed. The result was more members and a state of enthusiasm and inspiration that prompted Sycamore to build a larger church in 1896.

This was not the completion of Sycamore's building program. As early as December the church was considering a full time pastor, and this necessitated building a parsonage. In the business session of August 18, 1946, C. A. Akers moved that the church employ a full time pastor. The motion was seconded by J. L. Baliles and carried. A pulpit committee was appointed composed of W. T. D. Hopkins, W. G. Atkins, and A. C. Turner as chairman. Rev. Robert J. Mann, the pastor who refused the invitation to be a full time pastor, was asked to be an adviser to the pulpit committee. Rev. D. E. Murray of Christiansburg, Virginia, was recommended; and the church called him to be Sycamore's first full time pastor. Temporary residence was provided the Murray family in the girls' dormitory of the Blue Ridge Mission School while a parsonage was being built.

On August 13,1947, a committee was appointed to plan and execute the building of a home for the pastor. A. C. Turner was chairman, Mrs. H. L. Newman, Joe Atkins, Clifford Wood, W. T. Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Hopkins, Rev. and Mrs. Murray were on the committee. After a floor plan was selected, the contract for construction was given to Clark Brothers of Stuart. When church members pledged only three thousand six hundred dollars ($3,600.00), a sum totally inadequate, Mr. Turner suggested that the church sell the Mission School property that it owned to finance the project. This idea met with some opposition so another request was made to members for additional aid. This effort was also a disappointment. In the regular business meeting on February 16, 1949, Mr. Turner presented a resolution providing for the sale of the Mission School property in order to finance an acceptable home for the pastor.

The Mission School property was divided into 20 lots and sold in 1949 at public auction. In the final transactions, W. T. Hopkins bought all the lots except one bought by Calvin Mangrum. The sale of the property brought something more than twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00) to the church treasury .It was enough to finish paying for construction cost and to do some landscaping. The Murray’s enjoyed a home with living room, dining room, kitchen, study, three bedrooms, two baths, and a screened in porch.

In 1951 Sycamore suffered a disaster. A controversy arose over the calling of a new pastor. A dedicated and responsible minister would never let himself be the cause of or play a part in dividing a congregation and leading some members in establishing a new church. The welfare and harmony of a church are always more important than one minister; however, this happened to Sycamore. The church was left with an attendance of 35 to 50 members at Sunday services. Through the support of the Blue Ridge Association, its churches volunteered their pastors to hold services at Sycamore each Sunday morning. Through this volunteer support Sycamore found a pastor in Rev. Grant Miller. He was called to be pastor in April 1952. Sycamore's future looked uncertain; the church had little to offer a new pastor except a good parsonage.

As before in a difficult time in its history, a revival was immediately in order. Dr. Chevis Home of the First Baptist Church in Martinsville was asked to bring Sycamore a revival. He came and held a real revival. Sixteen new members came into the church, but more significant was the inspiration and feeling of hope the congregation experienced. Feeling confident, an addition to the church was planned. More Sunday School classrooms were needed, and a recreation hall for group activities was considered along with rest rooms and a heating system.

In the business meeting held on October 22, 1952, the church authorized Rev. Miller and Sammie Green Hopkins to secure an architect to draw up plans for an addition, to get an estimated cost, and to plan for construction to start in the spring. A building committee was formed with S. G. Hopkins as chairman. Other members of the committee were Walter Lawless, Adolphus Lawless, Paul DeHart, Ray DeHart, Gordon Walker, Ada Conner, Maude Hopkins, and Dorothy Lawless. The committee employed Coates Carter of Martinsville as architect and Leon Hazelwood of Stuart as contractor. Plans and the estimated cost were presented to the church in December 1952, for consideration. In June 1953 they were presented again and accepted; construction began in July 1953. In November 1953 twenty-five thousand eight hundred dollars ($25,800.00) had been received for the building fund; and in March 1954 the church voted to cash in bonds held by the church and to borrow two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) from the bank to complete the project. The Stuart Lumber Company donated the flooring needed. The church clerk was asked to write letters of appreciation to the Stuart Lumber Company and to these non-church members who graciously contributed to the project: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Conner, A. P. Wood, Charles Powell, Reynolds Shepherd, Connie Adams, Bill Baughan, Robert Bowling, Ben Mays, and Pat Powell. No record was found as to what church members gave, but it is believed the response was good and many may have given beyond the call of duty. Willie Morrison, S. G. Hopkins, and Robert Clark of the Virginia House of Delegates each gave 25 metal folding chairs for the new addition.

The building committee was wise to employ a good architect and a responsible builder for the new addition. As a result, it does not conflict with the pleasing structural lines of the original church and added much needed space and facilities. Two original classrooms were enlarged and four classrooms added with a wide hall for easy flow of traffic. The basement area provided a fellowship hall with kitchen, rest rooms and a heating system. The plain windows in the sanctuary were replaced with attractive stained glass windows. The changes made for a more attractive church and for an extension of its program of activities.

To promote good fellowship and to provide recreation, a picnic shelter was built behind the church in 1966 for the sum of one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700.00). This was done largely through the efforts of a few young men of the church with some help from the community. These young men cut timber on the church property for the construction. Arthur Lawless hauled the logs to a sawmill at Five Forks to be sawed into the necessary boards. Connie Adams gave the steel posts for the building. Arthur Lawless prepared the ground for the shelter, and S. G. Hopkins made the contract with Junior Cassell to put up the shelter.

The picnic shelter, (Rev. Stephens, the pastor from 1968 to 1973 preferred to call it the church pavilion), has served the church well and was enlarged in 1998. All the organizations of the church use it for picnics and other meetings. During Bible School refreshments are served there, and groups of children use it for other activities. The Sunday School holds its annual "Chicken Fry" there. This is a big event to which members are encouraged to bring friends and relatives. The occasion is marked with pleasant conversation, telling jokes, lively teasing, ripples and guffaws of laughter, picture taking, and much enjoyable eating. In the beginning the chicken fryers were S. G. Hopkins, Adolphus Lawless, Joe Hodnett, Forrest Harbour, Arthur Lawless, Wade Lawless, Chester McKenzie and Connie Adams. The frying process called for some to flour the meat, some to put it in the skillet, some to turn the chicken in the skillet, and Walter Lawless to do the salting. The result was the best fried chicken one ever "twisted his lips over." Later chicken fryers included Roy Walker, Jimmy Joyce, Maynard Rorrer, Jimmie Tuggle, and Doug Haynes. The colorful aprons these men wore added a distinctive note to the operation. The frilly one worn by Jimmy Joyce would probably have taken the prize. Roy Walker and Doug Haynes had the added duty of providing cold drinks of every available flavor. The ladies brought all kinds of "goodies," including vegetables, breads, fruit, salads, cakes and pies. It truly is a magnificent feast and as good as the food is, those who come will declare that it is the togetherness they enjoy most. While pounds and pounds of chickens are being fried, the children and all ages who wished to participate, played softball or volleyball or pitched horseshoes.

The community is invited to use the pavilion. The fourth Sunday in July is reserved for the annual reunion of the Blue Ridge Mission School. This is a special day for Sycamore because old friends come from far and near. They attend the morning worship service, enjoy a bountiful lunch, and share lively conversation into the late afternoon. The Extension Home Service meets in the pavilion for its annual picnic. In 1989 Roscoe Reynolds of the Virginia House of Delegates addressed this group of many good homemakers. Two family groups, the Walkers and the Hopkinses, have held reunions in the picnic shelter, and the church would welcome other groups to use the facility.

Like other buildings, Sycamore Baptist Church has needed repairs, alterations and other additions from time to time. As a need is recognized and the money becomes available, changes have been made. To keep down noise and to make the sanctuary more comfortable, a small vestibule was added in 1964. This was accomplished by means of a gift from A. C. Turner's estate. It now stands as a memorial to two dedicated members of Sycamore, Abe and Allie Turner. In 1976 the drive to the church and the parking lot were paved. This added much to the comfort and convenience of attending church. When preparations were being made for the 130th celebration of the founding of Sycamore in 1980, the church pews were upholstered. These were not the pews made by Allen McKenzie for the church built in 1896, but were used pews bought from Stuart Baptist Church when that church purchased new pews. Upholstering the pews made the sanctuary more attractive, and they were much more comfortable seats. The installation of air conditioning has made the church a refuge on hot summer Sundays. So that all could hear and be heard, a public address system was installed. This sound system was upgraded in 1999 by the purchase of a new microphone. Carpeting has been laid on the center aisle and at the front of the church and in the classrooms behind the pulpit and in the library .The fellowship hall, kitchen, and bathroom floors have been covered three times with vinyl tile. In 1998, a friend of the church contributed carpeting for the fellowship hall; this added to the appearance and warmth of this area. Restrooms have been made available on the main floor, a convenience for those who have difficulty with stairways. The most troublesome repair has been the church roof. Despite all efforts over the past fifty years to stop the leaks, water continues to come in during hard and long rains. Repairs appear to be of a temporary nature and not for the lack of effort or money. To avoid the cost of painting every few years, new vinyl siding has been added to the church building.

In 1999 Sycamore made plans to expand their house of worship. A need was felt for a larger fellowship hall where all its members could sit down together for a meeting or meal. This will be on the first or ground floor with new Sunday School rooms and new bathrooms above this addition.

Now in 2000, Sycamore is a very attractive and comfortable small country church. It is disappointing to realize that improvements have not added to the number of members. However, had they not been made, it is possible the church could have lost members and had small attendance. It is gratifying to have travelers to stop often on Sunday morning. They are attracted by Sycamore's inviting appearance surrounded by lofty mountains. The scene seems to induce people to come in and worship.

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