As early as the late eighteen hundreds, Blacks had an organized religious life in Black Mountain.  There was a church structure in the community that was used for both the Methodist and Baptist congregations.  There is no evidence of when the church structure was built or who built it.

 

In October 1907, the Baptist congregation met and authorized a certificate (a document testifying to a fact, qualification or promise) for members to solicit funds for a new church.  The ladies led the fund drive by raising $7.30 from a necktie and apron party.  This was the beginning of a long fund drive that lasted more than two years.  On December 9, 1907 the congregation again granted a certificate.  This certificate was not granted to solicit funds but to grant W. A. Crowell the right to be a Missionary for the Black Mountain Baptist Church.  His Mission field was the Black Mountain community.  He was instructed to recruit members for the Baptist Church.

 

At the Church Conference in January 1908, the Black Mountain Baptist Church called the Reverend John S. Mills as its first pastor.  Reverend Mills was a native of McDowell County and came to our church when there was very little organization.  Many of the older church members remember Reverend Mills by his white beard and riding horseback to serve his congregation.  Reverend Mills considered his calling as a threefold call.  He accepted the role of preacher for the church, schoolmaster for the school, and a carpenter.  In May 1910, a log structure was built on property given by Deacon Hardy Stepp.  Within a period of less than three years from the time the church had authorized a certificate for members to solicit funds for a new church, Reverend Mills had literally built the first Black Baptist Church in Black Mountain.  The Reverend Mills served as the pastor of the church until 1913.

 

The next six years evidently were troublesome years for the church.  It had the task of formulating laws to govern the body, the difficulty of raising funds to support the ongoing expenses, and the problem of competing with the Methodist church for members.  These troublesome years created problems in the ability of the church to secure and maintain a pastor.  Within this six-year period, a call was extended to seven preachers to be the pastor of the church.  They were:

 

                                     Reverend Lois Macon           1913

                                             Reverend John Hart             1913 – 1914

                                             Reverend Ben Crowder        1914

                                             Reverend James Walton       1914 – 1917

                                             Reverend S. B. Logan          1917

                                             Reverend D. Paige                1917 – 1919

                                             Reverend John Laws            1919

 

In 1919 things began to look better for the church.  The Reverend W. L. Johnson became the pastor during this year.  Under Reverend Johnson’s leadership, the church took some giant steps.  At the Church Conference in June 1919, the church name was changed to MILLS CHAPEL in honor of the first pastor, Reverend John S. Mills.  Then, at the Church Conference in August 1919 the church became a member of the Burke-McDowell Association.

 

The progress of 1919 continued, and at the Church Conference in November, Reverend Johnson appointed a Building Committee consisting of Sam Burnette, Lane Stepp and Arthur Stepp.  The Building Committee immediately headed up construction of a new building, and by December of the same year (1919) the new church structure was ready for occupancy—a part of that structure still stands at the old Mills Chapel Church.

 

The year 1919 has at least two other significant points in the history of Mills Chapel Baptist Church.  It marks the beginning of the next block of pastors who served over the span of three decades.  Those pastors and the years of their service are as follows:

 

                                        Reverend W. L. Johnson                    1919 – 1924

                                        Reverend T. H. Thomas                     1924 – 1926

                                        Reverend John Dorsey                       1926 – 1927

                                        Reverend Tom Davis                          1927

                                        Reverend L. Maddox                          1927 – 1928

                                        Reverend J. H. Pettiway                     1928 – 1936

                                        Reverend L. O. Clinkscales                1936 – 1937

                                        Reverend Mark M. Hooper                1937 – 1949

 

The accomplishment that took place in 1919 would have one to believe that the troublesome years were over, but this was not true.  There were still financial difficulties.  In 1927, the church membership was divided into Deacon Wards for the purpose of taxing the membership.  It became the responsibility of the deacons to collect the “Church Dues” according to this system.  

 

There were problems with the moral character of many of the members.  The church was able to perfect a disciplinary procedure that brought its members in control.  It was a part of every Church Conference from 1928 – 1935 to bring members into question about their actions and way of life.  Members who were breakers of the Church Law had to write a letter seeking forgiveness from the church or risk having the “Right Hand of Fellowship Removed.”

 

These two remedies for the problems of the first two decades of the church under its new name became important factors in its development.  The Deacon Ward system is still effective, although the purpose had been changed.

 

The Reverend Mark Hooper, who began his pastorate two years (1937) before the close of this second decade must be recognized for several reasons.  In 1939 the church purchased a two and three-tenth acre track of land for the use of the community to create a playground.  The church supported this effort until the fall of 1943.  At Church Conference in October 1943 the church voted to discontinue support to the community playground.  The reason given was that the officers felt that a community organization could sufficiently support the community recreation.  Members were encouraged to become members of such organization.  Another important vote at this same conference was for the church to become affiliated with the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association.  The reason was not given within the minutes of that conference, but it is easy to speculate that the Burke-McDowell Association was nonexistent at that time.

 

During the early forties, the church house served as the place for all school plays and graduation exercises.  Because of this involvement, two small dressing rooms were built on to the church.

 

It was in 1946 that Reverend Hooper had to present to the church a question that would change the address of the church.  At the Church Conference in March, the church voted to move the church and sell the property to the Buncombe County School Board.  This became necessary so that a new school could be built.  Even though the vote was in favor of such action, it was not until 1953 while the Reverend J. T. Burke was pastor that the church was finally moved—the church was moved to a strip of land given to the church by Lester Stepp.

 

The Reverend Mark Hooper served as pastor of Mills Chapel Baptist Church for twelve years (1937 – 1949), which made him the longest serving pastor at that time in Mills Chapel’s history.  During Reverend Hooper’s ministry and under the direction of Sister Zennie Jones, the first pulpit furniture was purchased—pieces of this furniture are still being used.

 

The next years were years of progress and development.  The following took place:

 

1953 – The church moved to its new location and the

            Baptistery and basement were added to the building.

1954 – Church Pews were purchased.

1956 – The Kitchen was equipped.

1959 – Two classrooms were added.

1961 – Reverend J. H. Sullivan painted a picture behind

            the baptistery.

1962 – Carpet was purchased for the pulpit and aisle

            of the church.

            Broadman Hymnals were purchased.

            A Church Library was started.

   The Church name was placed on the front of the building.

                                   1964 – Baptist Hymnals, a typewriter, memograph machine

           were purchased.

 

Progress continued the following year with the church tiling the vestibule and two classrooms, and, renting a Post Office Box for the receiving of its mail.  Also, during this span the church again experienced the difficulty of maintaining a pastor.  The following six ministers served the church as pastor:

 

Reverend D. C. Hall               1949 – 1950

Reverend E. B. King              Interim for six months

Reverend Everett Camp         1950 – 1951

Reverend J. T. Duke              1952 – 1958

Reverend W. M. Hamilton     1954 – 1960

Reverend W. G. Boyce           1961 - 1965

 

On the first Sunday in March 1966, after fifty-nine years of history, Mills Chapel Baptist Church implemented Full-Time Status—moving from one Church Service two Sundays per month to two Church Services each Sunday of the month.  That day marked the turning point in the history of the church.  The best way to talk about these final sixteen years is in terms of the serving pastors:

 

                            Reverend Webster E. Lytle                 1966 – 1972

                            Reverend L. B. Reed                          Interim for three months

                            Reverend Hardy H. Mapp                 1973 – 1974

                            Reverend F. L. Gordon                      1975 – 1984

                            Reverend J. E. Smith                         1984 – 1987

                            Reverend Samuel L Martin               1988 – 1993

(Supply Pastor for 6 months)

                            Reverend Bobby Hill, Jr.                   1994 – Present

                                                                                        (Interim Pastor for 7months)

 

The Reverend Webster E. Lytle was called to pastor the Mills Chapel Baptist Church of Black Mountain, North Carolina in 1966.  A young and energetic minister of only twenty-seven years.  Reverend Lytle proved to be the man needed for the transition that the church should undergo.  From 1966 to 1973, the church made great strides in seeking to accomplish its ministry.

 

The membership grew from approximately 75 – 100 membership in 1966 to over 200 in 1972.  Over seventy-five were baptized on their profession of faith and others united with the church through letter or on the basis of their Christian experience.  Twelve Missionary Families united with the church during their period of orientation at the Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly.

 

Reverend Lytle led the church to financial improvement.  In 1966 the church budget was slightly over $4,000.00 and the budget for 1972 was $13,431.98.  Reverend Lytle taught, preached and lived tithing.  His effort to lead this church to become a tithing church was of some success.  In 1972 the church had an income of $23,708.31, which was received through tithes and offerings.  The churches giving to mission increased from $92.82 in 1966 to $750.00 in 1972.  The giving of the tithe began to take a grip upon the membership after they began to see what it could do.  In 1968, the church built a parsonage at a cost of $12,560.00.  This was completely paid for in July 1972.  In 1970, the church purchased a used bus for the transportation of its members and other community activities.  In 1972, the church purchased additional land for the purpose of building a new church.

 

The church grew in membership, in financial involvement, and also in community involvement.  The church operated a Day Care Center for working mothers in 1971 and 1972, without any government assistance.  In 1970 and 1971 the church sponsored a Youth Recreation Program for the children and youth of the community.  In 1968, 1972 and 1973 the church operated a Tutorial Program in cooperation with students from Montreat-Anderson College.

 

There was major growth in the church during the pastorate of Reverend Lytle, which was needed to make it the church that it is today.  The seven years of hay days came abruptly to an end when Reverend Lytle resigned to accept the pastorate at the Morning Star Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina.

 

The fall of 1973, the church extended a call to the Reverend Hardy H. Mapp.  He was the pastor for less than a year.  Even though it was a troublesome year, it is important to look at his tenure of service.  The church went through an ordeal that it will never forget, but some positive practices were developed.  Reverend Mapp can be credited with motivating the church to rethink its mission objective, providing adequate office space for the pastor, and the developing of a sophisticated plan of calling and dismissing the pastor.  According to many of the members, the Reverend Hardy Mapp’s only mission at Mills Chapel Baptist Church was to humble the church.  “We had gotten beside ourselves and Reverend Mapp was God’s way of letting us know that He was in charge.”  The church began to shake itself from these troubles during the fall conference.

 

At the fall conference in 1974, there came a cry for the membership to rededicate themselves to the Lord and the church.  The officers noticed that there seemed to be a continuing decrease in the church attendance.  Some members had sought their membership letter to move to another congregation.  The offering was extremely low and the church’s gifts for mission were almost none.  The church felt that the only way to deal with these problems and others was that they call someone to serve as the interim pastor until the church was ready to call a pastor.

 

On the third Saturday night in November 1974 the Deacons and Pulpit committee met for the purpose of calling an interim pastor.  The call was extended and accepted by the Reverend Frederick L. Gordon.

 

In the annual conference held in December 1974 the church instructed the Pulpit Committee to extend a call to Reverend F. L Gordon to be the pastor of the Mills Chapel Baptist church.  After much talk with Reverend Gordon, an agreement was reached and at a Call Conference in February 1975, the church voted for Reverend Gordon to be the pastor.  Again the church began to make great strides.  Many had left the church during the year of trouble and many of them began to come back.  Members became officers based on their experience with Christ and new members found themselves being subjected to an orientation for membership. 

 

Reverend Gordon also believed that the church should be financed only by tithes and offerings.  He too led the church to financial improvement.  In 1975 the church had a budget of $24,442.24, but the income for that year was $26,186.34.  In 1976 the church employed a part-time secretary and a part-time bus driver.  The secretary was employed for only twenty-five hours a week.  Also, in 1976, the church purchased a bus for the transportation of its members and especially the Senior Citizens of the community.  The bus driver was hired to make it possible for the church to meet a need in the community.  The bus driver’s salary was paid out of the mission budget and subsidized by the Council On Aging.  This ministry continued until June 1980.  This was not the only way that the mission of the church grew.  There became increase interest in the “least of these.”    In 1976 this church was one of the concerned churches that expressed a desire for a cooperative ministry for the Swannanoa Valley.  This concern led to the formulation of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry-East.  This allowed the church the opportunity to participate in a local ministry that was two-fold.  The local ministry became one in which the church was involved in as an individual church but when the task was too great, assistance could come from the Christian Ministry.  In 1978, the church involved itself in the Ministry at the Juvenile Evaluation Center in Swannanoa, the Alcohol Rehabilitation Center and the Western North Carolina Hospital.  These involvements did not lessen the reach of the church in the community.

 

Reverend Gordon led the church not only in membership, financial, and mission improvement, but he also worked to improve the church structure.  In November 1979, the church voted to purchase two and one half acres of land for the purpose of building a new church.  In March 1980 the church voted to construct the new structure in two phases, with the educational building being the first stage.  In May 1980, the church voted to put out to bids to construction contractors the plans for the new building.  In June 1980, the church voted to borrow $180,000.00 for the purpose of starting construction on the Education Building, which would cost $242,683.14.  On July 13, 1980, Ground Breaking Services were held and that following Monday, construction began on the new building.  On December 31, 1980, members gathered in the building for Mid-Week Worship—this service was held before the building was completed because of the county’s tax laws for tax-exempt property.

 

On the Saturday before the third Sunday in February 1981, the members gathered and moved the church to its new home.  On that Sunday, Mills Chapel worshipped together in their new facility.  It was not until March that the building was dedicated.  A week of celebrations was conducted which concluded on Sunday, March 29, 1981.  Dr. J. Z. Alexander, Dean of Shaw Divinity School was the Keynote Speaker.

 

The New Facility brought about new opportunities for the church ministry.  In the summer of 1981 and 1982, the church sponsored and conducted a weekend retreat for the youth.  The summer of 1982 the church sponsored and conducted a summer ministry that focused on offering assistance for working parents.  This ministry was housed at the old Mills Chapel Church.  The old building offered itself as a ministry on several occasions, and also served as a house of refuge for persons who were in need.

 

The budget for 1982 was $63,317.96.  The church’s giving to mission in 1975 was $840.00 while the budget for 1982 called for $5,910.00 to be spent for mission.

 

The new building was a memorial to the hard work and sacrifice that many soldiers of the cross have gone through to sustain the right influence of the church.

 

Reverend Gordon resigned from Mills Chapel in 1983 to accept the pastorate at a church in Tennessee.  And, once again a Pulpit Committee had to be formed.

 

A Call Conference was held on April 6, 1984 at which time the Pulpit Committee presented Reverend J. E. Smith’s name as prospective pastor.  However, no action was taken and the church would gather for another Call Conference in two weeks.  On May 3, 1984 a Call Conference was held for the sole purpose of voting on extending the call to Reverend J. E. Smith to be pastor of the Mills Chapel Baptist Church.  The call was extended and accepted by Reverend Smith.  Even though Reverend Smith served as pastor of the church for approximately three years, we were not progressing.  There was turmoil and discontent with the direction the church was headed, and during Church Conference on July 23, 1987 a motion was made to ask Reverend Smith for his resignation.  By the December 1987 Church Conference, Reverend Smith had resigned, and a new Pulpit Committee had to be formed.

 

On February 21, 1988 the members of the Mills Chapel Baptist Church met immediately after Morning Worship to vote on the recommendation from the Deacons and Pulpit Committee to hire Reverend Samuel L. Martin, Jr. as a Supply Pastor as the church was not financially able to hire an Interim or Permanent Pastor.  The motion was made and carried that we extend the offer to Reverend Martin.  Reverend Martin accepted the offer and began serving as Supply Pastor.  However, on April 28, 1988 the Pulpit Committee came before the church to get permission to seek a pastor for Mills Chapel.  The motion carried for the committee to do so.

 

During the August 4, 1988 Church Conference, the members voted to have a Covered Dish Dinner on August 13, 1988 where Reverend Samuel L. Martin, Jr. would be invited to attend and members would be allowed to ask him questions.  A vote to offer Reverend Martin the pastorate would be held on August 18, 1988.  The call was extended and accepted by Reverend Martin.  Reverend Martin came in with a plan of work—Theme:  “To Accept the Call of Discipleship.”  His outline was to adopt a comprehensive Stewardship Program to include completion of the Building Fund payments in five years.  Restore 50% of the members and increase Church membership by 10% in one year.  Develop a Calendar of events yearly, Revise and submit a new set of by-laws and Church Constitution.  Develop departments and programs to meet needs of every age group in the church.  Organize a Membership Committee.  Deaconesses plan and coordinate the Pastor’s Anniversary.  Develop a comprehensive music program.  Expand the Mission and Outreach Ministries.  And, the pastor and trustees come up with a Building Fund Proposal that would be accepted by the church.  The church seemed to be progressing, as we were able to complete the Road Project (paving of road and parking lot), which cost over $17,000.00—church paid $8,000.00 down, borrowing the remaining balance, new By-laws and Church Constitution was approved, Choir Robes were purchased, and other programs to enhance the church’s growth were implemented.  During the following years plans were made to pay off the balance owed on the existing building with funds raised for Men and Women’s Day and start making plans to save money for Phase II.  But during Church Conference on November 18, 1993, Reverend Martin submitted his resignation, and the Mills Chapel Baptist Church was without a pastor once again.

 

On February 6, 1994 a Call Conference was held after Morning Worship to nominate a Pulpit Committee, who would seek another pastor for the church. 

 

On June 21, 1994 a Call Conference was held to select an Interim Pastor for the church.  The Pulpit Committee submitted only one name for consideration—Reverend Bobby Hill, Jr.  The church voted to ask Reverend Hill to serve.  Reverend Hill accepted the position as Interim Pastor, and on December 8, 1994 the Pulpit Committee recommended that we extend the call to Reverend Hill to be pastor of the church.  On December 22, 1994 a Call Conference was held with Reverend Bobby Hill, Jr. being present, in order for the church to ask questions.  Another Call Conference was held February 20, 1995 at which time the church voted to extend the call to Reverend Bobby Hill, Jr. to be the pastor of Mills Chapel Baptist Church—the call was accepted.

 

Reverend Hill came to Mills Chapel as a humble servant of God.  He stressed the importance of the church allowing God to be first in our lives, and if so we can accomplish anything.  He also stressed the importance of tithing and the church doing what we say—not just making idle recommendations.  Under Reverend Hill’s leadership and the church allowing God to work in our lives, the Mills Chapel Baptist Church has been abundantly blessed.  During Reverend Hill’s tenure the church has increased in membership and gained financial stability—Church Budget increased from $75,000.00 in 1995 to approximately $108,000.00 in 2008.  The past thirteen years under Reverend Hill’s leadership has been years of progress and development.  Here is what has taken place:

 

1998 – Parsonage renovated and rented

1999 – Ground Breaking for Phase II (Sanctuary) cost

            $451,000.00—church paid $176,000.00 from Savings,

            borrowed $275,000.00, construction began in March

            Alarm System installed

            Tables purchased for Fellowship Hall

2002 – New Stove & Refrigerator purchased for Kitchen

2003 – 23 Passenger Bus purchased

    Became Lifetime Members of the NAACP

2004 – Roof replaced on Church

    Property purchased behind Old Church

2005 – Mortgage Burning Service—loan paid off

2005 – Church borrowed $60,000.00

    New pews, choir chairs and pulpit furniture purchased

    New piano purchased, new Furniture for Pastor and

    Secretary’s Office purchased, Gutters replaced

2006 – Fellowship Hall and 1 Classroom tiled, offices and

    Hallway painted

2007 – Balance on loan ($18,934.72) paid off

 

Reverend Hill continues to lead this congregation in the way God would have him lead us, and he always say “DON’T BECOME WEARY IN WELL DOING.”  Reverend Hill is a firm believer that if we do what God wants us to do, we can accomplish anything—this has been proven by the way God has already blessed us.

 

From it’s beginning, there seemed to have been an understanding of what the church was all about.  Many men and women have served this church.  Many have given their monies, talents, land, and even their lives to the church for the betterment of mankind and the advancement of the Kingdom.  Some have made loving memorials in the hearts of the people while others did not.  The bottom line is that with all who have served this church in any capacity, it is possible that the end result would not have been the same without them.  

                                     

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