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Flat Rock Community
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Payntown Holiness Church
Payntown School / Payntown Holliness Church. Payntown School is located on Payntown Hill just about 200 yards from Payntown Road. It was built by the state during 1919-1920. This school was used regularly as a grammer school until 1965 when it was closed. Shortly afterwards it was sold to be used as a church. Payntown Holliness Church - Payntown Church began with services in the homes of members nad was organized as a church under a cherry tree at the house of a member. They built the church which is now Payntown Chapel and after a few years consolidated the two congregations together. After Payntown School was closed in 1965 the trustees purchased the school building and land from the county for $710. Pastors of the church have been Gertrude Craven; Joe B. Brim; and Clarence Minor. It is a nice little church on a hill overlooking the Flat Rock community. Their average attendance is about 25 and services are held every 2nd and 4th Sunday. -
Flat Rock Baptist Church
Flat Rock Baptist Church. The Flat Rock Baptist Church is located about two miles east of Mt. Airy on Highway 103. It was organized at Laurel Hill January 15 1899 with the help of members of First Baptist Church of Mt. Airy. The following are reprints of the actual minutes of the organization meeting in 1899: After its organization in 1899 services were held in the rock school house until the year 1905. The first pastor elected February 11 1899 was Rev. J. H. Powers. The first decons were Edward Davis; Philip Deatherage and W. F. Sleight. The second pastor was Rev. Robert M. Loftis elected December 2 1899. He was followed by Rev. S. M. Morton and Rev. William Beamer. The first church clerk was J. W. Simmons. The first trustees appointed in 1905 were Pete Deatherage; E. C. Shelton; Edward Davis; J. A. Deatherage; Walter Sutphin; and J. W. Simmons. Also in 1905 a building committee was appointed consisting of Edward Davis; J. A. Deatherage; Philip Deatherage and W. F. Sleight. They met in the school building and decided to purchase a lot next to the stone schoolhouse. On this rock they built a church in 1905. In 1911 Rev. C. C. Haymore was elected pastor followed by Dr. Tom Smith 1912; Rev. W. H. Wilson 1913; Rev. T. S. Grey 1915; Rev. J. H. Haynes 1917; Rev. Hooks 1919. Mrs. Hooks organized the first womens Missionary Union for our church. Mrs. H. C. Baughn was the first WMU president. Then came Rev. A. L. Harrison 1922; Rev. O. H. Hauser 1925; Rev. James Belton 1929; Rev. Tom Pardue; Rev. Joe Hall 1932; Rev. J. H. Hadley 1935; Rev. O. E. Ward 1936. In 1937 they bought the present stone building which had been used as a school house for many years. They remodeled it and began having services in it. Rev. Ward was followed by Rev. Felix Wagoner 1943; Rev. Robert Weekle 1945. The first parsonage was sold and our second parsonage was purchased August 19 1946. It was sold September 8 1964. Rev. Howard Barbam 1946; Rev. Paul Bruner 1949; Rev. Joe Maye 1953. During 1954 our church once again took on a large building task. The educational building was built at a cost of $40000. Of this amount $24000 was borrowed for 10 years but the debt was retired in 5 years. Also in 1960 the church decided to build a new parsonage and remodel the sanctuary at a cost of $24000. The parsonage was built on a lot purchased from Abner Deatherage located beside the C. W. Vaughn homeplace. This debt has also been retired during the year 1970. Rev. Maye was followed by Rev. Bill Eaton; Rev. Lowell Willis and again Rev. Joe Maye. After Rev. Maye we called the Rev. James Fink who is our present pastor. Our church is once again in the middle of a building program. We are working on plans for a new sanctuary at a cost of approximately $50000 to replace the old one which has been in use as a church and school over 75 years. -
Flat Rock Presbyterian Church
Flat Rock Presbyterian Church congregation. The church is located one mile east of Mt. Airy at the Quarry. The history of the church is told by the elderly members. The church started as a Mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Airy as a Sunday School in the old Flat Rock School House by the Spaughs; Monroes; Valentines; McKinzies; Mitchells; McKellars; Leachs; Thompsons; Wrays; Davis; Sheltons; Gates; Riggs; Walkers; and Campbells; who were charter members of the church. The Corner Stone of the present Flat Rock Presbyterian Church was laid on September 12 1903. This event was the most important in the history of the church. Pastors of the First Presbyterian Church held night services in the newly organized church for some time. The first full time pastor Rev. R. L. Berry was called in 1923 and there have been several pastors to serve since the date. The land on which the church is located was donated by the Gilmers for use as a Presbyterian Church as long as needed. When no longer needed by the church it would be returned to the heirs of the donors. The present church property includes the Manse or parsonage and two additions to the original church. The additions constitutes an adequate educational building; remodeling of the sanctuary; and placing a Flammond Organ in the sanctuary along with the piano. The present church building and the manse are equipped with automatic heat while the original building was heated by an old cast iron pot bellied stove. The congregation is deeply grateful for their house of worship.