ASHEBORO UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST – 1939-1999

In May 1939, Dr. F. C. Lester, Promotional Secretary of the Southern Convention, working with the Home Missions Committee the Western North Carolina Conference, made a survey of people living in or near Asheboro who might be interested in organizing a church of our own denomination here.  These people, along with all interested people, were asked to meet in the Park Street School of Asheboro on Sunday, May 21, 1939, to consider the need and what could be done concerning organization of a church.  Dr. Lester preached at the service and led a discussion following the sermon.  68 people were in attendance at this first service and were of the unanimous opinion that a church should be established here.  A committee composed of Frank M. Wright, James S. Truitt, George T. Gunter, Mrs. Sybrant Pell, and Mrs. Paul Craven, were appointed to plan for other meetings and to make plans to survey for charter members.


On June 4, 1939, another meeting was held by the group.  There were enthusiastic in the belief that a church should be formed here.  While it did not seem opportune to organize at this time, it was deemed advisable to form a temporary organization to further the work.  James S. Truitt was elected Chairman of the Planning Committee and other members were:  Mrs. Orva Brown, Secretary; George T. Gunter, Treasurer; Sybrant Pell, Publicity; F. M. Wright, Place of Meeting; Mrs. Sybrant Pell, Music; Hubert L. Beane, Finance; and Mrs. Paul Craven, Membership.


This Planning Committee continued to hold meetings throughout the summer of 1939 on alternate Sunday evenings.  On August 1, 1939, Rev. A. Lanson Granger, who had just graduated from Yale Divinity School, agreed to spend August and perhaps September working with our group.  An evening of fellowship was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Beane so that w might get acquainted with Mr. Granger.  A place for him to live was found in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Craven.


By the end of August, 1939, we had decided to organize the Church and October 29 was set as the date.  A Committee was appointed to find a suitable lot on which to build.  This committee included:  Orva Brown, Mrs. Paul Craven and F. M. Wright.