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Catawba Methodist
CHURCH
Conover, NC

BOGGS
Chester Kale Boggs
Maude Estelle Dagenhart

BOGGS
Fitghugh Boggs
Verdie Lee Loftin
Parlier Cornelia Boggs

BOGGS
Ralph Robert Boggs
Zelda Lee Kale

BOGGS
Robert Lee Boggs, Sr.
Frances Sherrill

BOGGS
William Bruce Boggs
Edith Caroline Harrison

DRUM
Jacob Francis Drum
Mary Frances Loftin
Anthea Pearl Drum
Eta May Drum

LITTLE
Dr. Q. M. Little
Eva L. Little
Beulah E. Little

LOFTIN
Cornelia Estelle Lowrance

LONG
Dr. Fred Yount Long
Carrie Belle Davis
Corinne Long

LOWRANCE
Henry Durant Lowrance
Sarah Josephine Bost

LOWRANCE
Isaac Avery Lowrance
Louise J. Gibson

LOWRANCE
Samuel Edward Lowrance
Dorcas Ann Abernathy

SETZER
Avery William Setzer
Fannie Mae Lowrance

SHERRILL
Henderson Sherrill
Mahala Long

SHERRILL
James Henderson Sherrill
Mary J. Davidson

SHERRILL
John A. Sherrill
Saphronia Yount
Annie Sherrill

SHERRILL
Ross Sherrill

SHERRILL
Seth Sherrill

SHERRILL
Lt. Uriah Franklin Sherrill

SHERRILL
Walter Lee Sherrill
Minnie Davidson

SHERRILL
Zoe Sherrill

WITHERSPOON
Emanuel Alexander Witherspoon
Mollie E. Baker

WITHERSPOON
Henry Alexander Witherspoon
Rachel A. Witherspoon
Georgia Ann Witherspoon Green

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CEMETERIES

Eastview
Cemetery
Newton, NC

McCorkle Family
Cemetery
Terrell, NC

Providence Memorial
Cemetery
Catawba, NC

Weeks Family
Cemetery
Newton Grove, NC
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CHURCHES

Bethlehem Methodist
CHURCH
Claremont, NC

Catawba Methodist
CHURCH
Catawba, NC

Center Methodist
CHURCH
Catawba, NC

Mathis Chapel Baptist
CHURCH
Catawba, NC

Sharon Lutheran
CHURCH
Statesville, NC

Sherrills Ford
Presbyterian
CHURCH
Sherrills Ford, NC

Shiloh Methodist
CHURCH
Claremont, NC

St. John's Lutheran
CHURCH
Conover, NC
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LOFTIN:
 Beatty
 Corzine
 Cranford
 Fisher
 Givens
 Harwell
 Kaiser
 Lanier
 Lomax
 McCorkle
 Rudisill
 Sherrill
 Upright
 Washington
 Work

SETZER:
Aderholdt
Barringer
Bovey
Bushart
Deal
Heavner
Herman
Ikert
Miller
Motz
Rankin
Witherspoon

GOBLE:
Babst/Bobst
Douglas
Faber
Fink
Fulbright
Hefner
Meinhert
Miller
Muller
Pabst/Bobst
Robinson

JOHNSON:
Corzine
Fink
Hamilton
Kaiser
Leslie
Lewis
Moore
Sherrill
Upright
Wilkinson
 

 

Catawba Methodist Church   207 E. Central Ave Catawba, NC  28609   Organized: 1873   1876 Building   CENTENNIAL Catawba Methodist Church 1876 - 1976 "Early Church History" by Thomas H. Jones   From all available evidence, it seems that the original Methodist Church of Catawba was called Smyrna.  The church was located about a mile southwest from our present church.  This church is reported to have been constructed of logs.  The logs were said to have been donated by Caney Lowrance, who was the grandfather of Butler Lowrance, Mrs. Vertie Lowrance Gantt, and Misses Margie and Ester Lowrance.  It was also reported that he paid for the carpentry work in gold.  Smyrna was on the Newton Circuit in the South Carolina Conference.  There seems to be no records indicating when Smyrna was organized or its demise.  It has been speculated that a decline in membership may have prompted members in Catawba to conceive of organizing a new church in Catawba.   This new church had its beginning in the Academy, a private school located a short distance to the left of the present church.  Minutes from a meeting in 1876 describe the arrangements for the church as progressing.  A deed in 1876, by Manueal Robinson to J. W. Sigmon, J. U. Long, G. W. Cansler, W. H. Aderholt, C. M. Lowrance (trustees of the church), shows one acre deeded to the church.  Another deed was made to the Methodist Church of Catawba in 1879, for one acre from M. F. Cline.  James H. Sherrill paid for the land and donated it to the church.  Land was acquired later from Mike Rufty and wife Salina for use as a cemetery.     Some memories of a few early church members at Catawba have been revealed.      Edger E. Smith, who is presently the oldest living member of our church (around 1976), used to be the janitor of the first Catawba Church.  He swept the floors, fired the stoves, and rang the bell for one dollar per month.  When the congregation wanted to cut his pay, he quit.           Jimmy Sherrill is reported to have been able to end a long Sunday evening sermon while it was in progress.  If he thought the message too long, he would pick up his lantern, light it, give a big yawn and then stand up.  The minister would usually immediately pronounce the benediction.           Uncle Johnny Sherrill was almost deaf, but he continued to attend church regularly.  The reason that he continued his regular attendance was as he put it: "I'm setting an example for the younger generation."           Mrs. Henry Pitts was said to have been a very spiritual woman.  Once she was asked to lead the prayer during a revival meeting.  During the prayer, she became so filled with the Holy Spirit and could not finish the prayer, so she turned to a relative and said, "Finish me, Cousin Mattie."         It is reported that our church was completed in 1878 without any outstanding debts.  While this may be true, it is apparent from existing conference records that shortly after this time our church began to experience its share of difficulties in securing needed funds.   Reference is made to the Balls Creek Campground in the earliest conference records.  Quarterly Conference meetings were frequently held there.  Drastic decisions to sell the campground property in order to settle existing debts was made on more than one occasion in the early years of our church.  At the First Quarterly Conference in 1889 a motion was passed to sell the campground in order to finance the construction of the parsonage at Catawba.  The need for a parsonage was a major reason for acquiring funds, but there were apparently other outstanding debts against the Catawba Circuit.  At the Fourth Quarterly Conference in 1890 this committee reported that it had been offered seven dollars per acre for the campground property.  A motion was made to keep the property in the "friends of the campground" if they could raise three hundred dollars to pay existing claims against the Catawba Circuit.  Obviously the money was raised, and the Balls Creek Campgrounds remained as church property.   From 1876-1885 our church was part of the Newton Circuit in the South Carolina Conference.  Our church was probably served by the Newton pastor with the assistance of itinerant preachers.  In 1885, the Catawba Circuit was organized and was a part of the North Carolina Conference.  James Sherrill, L. H. Shuford and J. U. Long were appointed to settle and adjust claims between the Newton and Catawba Circuits.  The first pastor of the Catawba Circuit was Rev. A. M. Lowe.  We became a part of the Western North Carolina Conference by the Fourth Quarterly Conference in 1890.   The Catawba Circuit first consisted of five churches.  They were Catawba, Bethlehem, Pisgah, Hopewell and Concord.  At this point it may be interesting to point out the financial responsibility shared by each of the five churches in regard to paying the pastor's annual salary.   At a Quarterly Conference in 1888, it was agreed to pay the preacher six hundred twenty-five dollars.  The Presiding Elder would be paid seventy-five dollars for a total disbursement of seven hundred dollars.  Each church was to contribute a proportionate share of the salaries.  The churches were assessed as follows: Catawba $175; Concord $180; Hopewell $115; Bethlehem $110; and Pisgah $90.     In 1890 the circuit added two more churches.  They were Center and Setzers Chapel.  By 1892 Setzers Chapel had disappeared and Bethel took its place.  The church at Bethel ceased to appear in Quarterly Conference records after October 1892.  In 1902 the Catawba Circuit dropped Pisgah, which left the circuit with its four original churches of Catawba, Bethlehem, Concord and Hopewell plus Center which joined the circuit in 1890.  Mountain View joined the circuit in 1907.  The Catawba Circuit remained unchanged until 1920 when Center and Mountain View became parts of other newly formed circuits.  In 1942, Bethlehem separated from the charge, leaving Catawba, Concord and Hopewell.  Finally in 1954, at the Annual Conference being held at Central Church in Asheville, Catawba became a station or one-church charge.   The old church structure was remodeled in 1924, by adding Sunday School rooms and columns on the porch and making the front appear more modern by adding new doors and an arch effect over the doors.  Rev. A. C. Kennedy was the pastor during this renovation period.             A special service for our church structure was held on March 28, 1948.  Rev. A. G. Lackey was the pastor during this time.   Another special service related to the new church was a Dedication Service held on March 20, 1949.     Our church has always been known for its cooperation with other denominations.  For example, our church building was used for worship services by the Redeemer Lutheran congregation before their present structure was built.   The Methodists and Baptists have always had a good relationship with one another.  We understand that their young people came to the Methodist Sunday School prior to 1923, when a Sunday School was organized at Catawba Baptist Church.  Miss Edna Danner, a Baptist, taught in the Methodist Sunday School.  For a number of years, joint Thanksgiving and Easter services were by both our churches.                           Church Pastors 1873 - 1976 Pastor's Name Years Pastor's Name Years 1. Rev. Wesley M. Bagley 1873 - 1876 19. Rev. Beverly Wilson 1911 - 1914 2. Rev. J. C. Hartsell 1877 - 1877 20. Rev. A. G. Loftin 1915 - 1918 3. Rev. C. M. Anderson 1878 - 1879 21. Rev. J. F. Ratledge 1919 - 1921 4. Rev. P. H. W. Stamey 1880 - 1882 22. Rev. A. C. Kennedy 1922 - 1925 5. Rev. E. L. Stamey 1882 - 1883 23. Rev. Beverly Wilson 1926 - 1929 6. Rev. J. W. Ivey 1883 - 1884 24. Rev. E. D. Ballard 1930 - 1932 7. Rev. A. M. Lowe 1884 - 1884 25. Rev. G. W. Clay 1933 - 1936 8. Rev. M. V. Sherrill 1885 - 1887 26. Rev. Reid Wall 1937 - 1938 9. Rev. C. M. Gentry 1888 - 1891 27. Rev. W. Q. Grigg 1939 - 1941 10. Rev. J. M. Downum 1892 - 1893 28. Rev. A. G. Lackey 1942 - 1951 11. Rev. J. S. Nelson 1894 - 1894 29. Rev. A. W. Lynch 1951 - 1955 12. Rev. J. H. England 1895 - 1896 30. Rev. Marvin Boggs 1955 - 1958 13. Rev. C. C. Brothers 1897 - 1898 31. Rev. M. C. Ellerbe 1958 - 1962 14. Rev. J. D. Buie 1899 - 1899 32. Rev. John C. Vernon 1963 - 1965 15. Rev. J. W. Bowman 1900 - 1901 33. Rev. Charles E. Bruce 1966 - 1970 16. Rev. R. S. Howie 1902 - 1905 38. Rev. R. J. Starling 1971 - 1974 17. Rev. Ebenezer Meyers 1906 - 1907 Rev. Clegg W. Avett 1975 - 18. Rev. J. M. Price 1907 - 1910         [Pastor information from "Centennial 1876 - 1976 Catawba United Methodist Church]                           Cemetery         BOGGS     Chester Kale Boggs July 28, 1909 February 13, 1980 Chester was the son of Ralph Robert Boggs and Zelda Lee Kale He was a brother to Robert Lee Boggs, Sr.   Maude Estelle Dagenhart March 27, 1921 February 05, 1996 Maude was the wife of Chester Kale Boggs       BOGGS Fitzhugh Boggs March 11, 1899 March 25, 1949 Fitzhugh Boggs was the son of Alexander Caldwell Boggs and Celia Uriah Sigmon He was a brother to Ralph Robert Boggs He was the 1st Husband of Verdie Lee Loftin   Verdie Lee Loftin September 07, 1903 March 06, 1993 Verdie Lee Loftin was the wife of (1) Fitzhugh Boggs She was the wife of (2) Ralph Copeny She was the wife of (3) Harold Yount Verdie Lee was the daughter of Alonzo Lester Loftin and Cornelia Estelle Lowrance She was the granddaughter of William Alexander Loftin and Laura Rossie Cranford   Parliear Cornelia Boggs October 19, 1922 October 12, 1924 Parliear was the infant daughter of Fitzhugh Boggs and Verdie Lee Loftin       BOGGS Ralph Robert Boggs January 07, 1886 November 18, 1956 Ralph was the son of Alexander Caldwell Boggs and Celia Uriah Sigmon He was the brother of Fitzhugh Boggs He was the husband of Zelda Lee Kale   Zelda Lee Kale November 14, 1884 May 17, 1954 Zelda was the wife of Ralph Robert Boggs       BOGGS Robert Lee Boggs, Sr. December 18, 1907 January 13, 1969 Robert was the son of Ralph Robert Boggs and Zelda Lee Kale He was the brother of Chester Kale Boggs and a nephew to Fitzhugh Boggs   Frances Sherrill July 17, 1908 October 02, 1977 Frances the the wife of Robert Lee Boggs, Sr.       BOGGS William Bruce Boggs May 05, 1929 December 31, 2003 William Boggs was the son of Fitzhuzh Boggs and Verdie Lee Loftin He was the grandson of Alonzo Lester Loftin and Cornelia Estelle Lowrance   Edith Caroline Harrison September 27, 1927 Still Living 2011 Edith Harrison was the wife of William Bruce Boggs       DRUM     Jacob Francis Drum December 1854 1942 Jacob Francis Drum was the husband of Mary Frances Loftin   Mary Frances Loftin November 30, 1955 May 08, 1936 Mary Frances Loftin was the wife of Jacob Francis Drum She was the daughter of James Franklin Loftin and Frances Elizabeth Fisher She was a sister to William Alexander Loftin, Washington Lafayette Loftin and Oliver Cromwell Loftin   Anthea Pearl Drum September 1888 1969 Anthea Pearl Drum was the daughter of Jacob Francis Drum and Mary Frances Loftin   Eta May Drum April 1880 1969 Eta May Drum was the daughter of Jacob Francis Drum and Mary Frances Loftin       LITTLE     Dr. Quintus M. Little June 21, 1847 November 12, 1907     Eva L. Little August 12, 1854 December 08, 1937 Eva was the wife of Dr. Q. M. Little   Beulah E. Little December 02, 1873 August 03, 1947 Beulah was the daughter of Dr. Q. M. & Eva Little       LOFTIN Cornelia Estelle Lowrance (Loftin) July 18, 1875 February 11, 1904 Age: 28 Years 6 Months 23 Days Cornelia was the first wife of Alonzo Lester Loftin and died at the age of 28 from pneumonia She was the daughter of Henry Durant Lowrance and Sarah Josephine Bost       LONG     Dr. Fred Yount Long, MD January 20, 1875 July 29, 1965 Dr. Fred was the family doctor for "many" in the Catawba County area   Dr. Fred was the son of Jeptha Uriah Long and Laura Christiana Yount He was the husband of Carrie Belle Davis   Carrie Belle Davis January 17, 1888 February 15, 1967 Carrie was the wife of Dr. Fred Yount Long   Corinne Long November 03, 1912 April 01, 1995 Corinne was the daughter of Dr. Fred Yount Long         LOWRANCE   Henry Durant Lowrance May 25, 1851 March 26, 1936   Sarah Josephine Bost April 24, 1853 February 20, 1904   Henry was the son of Martin Elkanah "Cany" Lowrance and Mary Marie Cansler He was the father of Cornelia Estelle Lowrance Loftin He was the grandfather of Nannie Loftin Martin, Lillie Stamey Loftin, Roy Henry Loftin, Floy Loftin Eller and Verdie Lee Loftin Boggs       LOWRANCE   Isaac Avery Lowrance April 28, 1856 November 28, 1938   Louise J. Gibson October 1858 1909   Isaac was the son of Martin Elkanah "Cany" Lowrance and Mary Marie Cansler He was the brother of Henry Durant Lowrance He was an uncle to Cornelia Estelle Lowrance Loftin       LOWRANCE   Samuel Edward Lowrance June 03, 1863 March 16, 1943   Dorcas Ann Abernathy November 26, 1863 September 11, 1939   Samuel was the son of Martin Elkahan "Cany" Lowrance and Mary Marie Cansler He was a brother to Isaac Avery Lowrance and Henry Durant Lowrance       Setzer   Avery William Setzer April 02, 1897 January 21, 1986   Fannie Mae Lowrance December 24, 1898 October 10, 1984   Marriage: December 29, 1941 Avery was the son of Waitsel "Wade" Avery Setzer and Sarah Ann Drum He was the grandson of Franklin Setzer and Martha Ann Rebecca Caroline Wilson He was the great grandson of Daniel Setzer and Polly Wike He was the great great grandson of John Setzer I and Catherine Bushart Barringer       SHERRILL   Henderson Sherrill November 06, 1807 August 25, 1866 Aged 58 years 9 months 19 days   Mahala Long May 07, 1815 February 27, 1893 Aged 77 years 9 months 20 days   Henderson Sherrill was the son of Jeptha Sherrill and Elizabeth McCorkle He was the grandson of Moses Sherrill       SHERRILL   James Henderson Sherrill January 21, 1845 1929   Mary J. Davidson 1846 1920   James Henderson Sherrill was the son of Henderson Sherrill and Mahala Long He was a brother to William B, Uriah Franklin, John A., Walter Lee and Beauregard David "Boot" Sherrill       SHERRILL John A. Sherrill April 26, 1836 August 21, 1927   Saphronia A. Yount November 05, 1842 December 12, 1894   Annie L. Sherrill October 09, 1861 September 04, 1927   John A. Sherrill was the son of Henderson Sherrill and Mahala Long Saphronia was John's 1st wife Annie was John's 2nd wife   Saphronia was the son of John Henry Yount and Julia Ann Berry       SHERRILL Ross Sherrill February 2, 1887 November 10, 1905 Aged 18 years 9 months 9 days Ross was the son of James Henderson Sherrill and Mary J. Davidson       SHERRILL Seth Sherrill March 10, 1883 October 17, 1903 Ages 20 years 7 months 7 days Seth was the son of James Henderson Sherrill and Mary J. Davidson       SHERRILL Stella Sherrill (Pitts) September 16, 1879 June 05, 1908 Aged 28 years 8 months Stella was the daughter of James Henderson Sherrill and Mary J. Davidson She was the wife of W. I. Pitts       SHERRILL Lt. Uriah Franklin Sherrill 12th Regiment NCT June 17, 1834 September 03, 1861 Aged 27 years 2 months 16 days Uriah was the son of Henderson Sherrill and Mahala Long He was a brother to William B., John A., James Henderson and Walter Lee Sherrill       SHERRILL   Walter Lee Sherrill March 29, 1853 October 18, 1938   Minnie Davidson January 06, 1859 October 08, 1935   Walter was the son of Henderson Sherrill and Mahala Long He is a brother to Uriah Franklin Sherrill       SHERRILL Zoe Sherrill November 22, 1881 May 10, 1905 Aged 23 years 5 months Zoe was the daughter of James Henderson Sherrill and Mary J. Davidson       WITHERSPOON   Emanuel Alexander Witherspoon September 11, 1859 November 29, 1935   Mollie E. Baker November 26, 1860 January 31, 1926   Emanuel was the son of Miles Rankin Witherspoon and Sarah Elizabeth Aderholdt He was the father of Henry Alexander Witherspoon and Georgia Witherspoon Green He was a brother to Margaret Elizabeth Ann Witherspoon       WITHERSPOON     Henry Alexander Witherspoon December 20, 1889 September 20, 1971 [Henry's Death Certificate says the death date is September 26, 1971] Henry was the son of Emanuel Alexander Witherspoon and Mollie Baker He was the grandson of Miles Rankin Witherspoon and Sarah Elizabeth Aderholdt   Rachel A. (Unknown) July 28, 1884 August 03, 1955     Georgia Ann Witherspoon Green May 04, 1895 April 15, 1953 Georgia was the daughter of Emanuel Alexander Witherspoon and Mollie Baker She was the granddaughter of Miles Rankin Witherspoon and Sarah Elizabeth Aderholdt                   Coming Soon                                                           SOURCES: