History
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In the beginning… 1912 Approximately two miles east of the town of Hickory, North Carolina, was a small village known as Highland, centered mainly around a cotton mill and furniture factories. It was here most of its people earned their livelihood working from ten to twelve hours a day for a salary of one to two dollars a day. The only means of trasportation was either by walking or by horse and buggy. “We were members of First Baptist Church, but no way to go but walk. Dr. W.R. Gwaltney was pastor, I told him I had three children and we needed a church. He said, ‘You canvass this part of Shuford Mill-north and south….’ which I did and found twenty Baptist families. So with the help of First Baptist Church, we started a mission in the calaboose, or Town Hall, as it was called, where it was also used as a jail.” This information by the late charter member, Mrs. W.T. Harris, was taken from her letter written to the present pastor at the time. She further stated, “When someone would come to me after some years and say you led me Christ, it was worth it all. When I come back to Highland and see the work being done now, I thank God I was able to walk those hills and enlist families come come to Sunday School and church.” This dedication to the task of witnessing was the spirit of those who work so faithfully in establishing a church in Highland. This, then, was the beginning… Highland Baptist Church ~ 1922 During Rev. Whitener’s ministry, the pastor at the time, the church experienced new growth and the need for more space was evident by the beginning of Sunday School rooms in the basement of the church. Another need, a home for the pastor, was met when in June, 1921, the lot on the east side of the church property was purchased. The parsonage was built and all the debtedness paid off by February 11, 1923. The long awaited day was March 28, 1954. Highland Baptist Church moved to a new location, and into an Educational Building. The pastor, at this time was Rev. Roger E. Williams, Jr. The cornerstone service and open house were held in the afternoon. On this day former pastors, Rev. Sullivan and Rev. White spoke. The attendanced at this first service was 502 with an offering of $2, 742.12. Our New Building is of colonial design with majestic columns of classic style and composite capitals. The steeple rises 110 feet above the bluestone floor of the portico. The over all size is 65 X 112 feet with the seating capacity of 580 of the main floor, 80 in the balcony, 40 in the choir, making a total of 700. In back of the balcony are three rooms: a bride’s room; control room equipped with monitoring equipment for the PA system, recording and radio broadcasts; and a class room. On the second floor (entered through the education building) are two baptismal dressing rooms
Highland Baptist Church Today! God has really brought us a long way. We have been so blessed to have come from humble beginings to starting other churches to now impacting Hickory in this new millenium. Through the span of time Highland’s message has always stayed the same, “Reaching Hickory For Christ!” |