CHAPTER V: VENTURING FOR GOD

It was time to take new adventures in the church and go forward in the Lord's work to accomplish more for the good of the people and to meet the many needs that abound.

Reverend William (Bill) J. Lockaby accepted a call to our church in January 1959. It was voted to have preaching every fifth Sunday in the month.

The deacons recommended that a new furnace be put in the parsonage costing $575.00 and also install a telephone and pay the monthly bill. This was approved.

Since the church building was new, there were many needs and improvements to make it more attractive and comfortable. In April 1959, carpet was purchased for the church auditorium, the pulpit chairs were covered, and a curtain purchased for the baptistery.

A Brotherhood was organized and a RA unit was reorganized in 1959. On September 27, 1959, Reverend Bill Lockaby and the deacons called a special meeting. After much discussion, they recommended that the church adopt a rotating deacon plan. This was voted on and was approved by the church.

The deacons recommended that the Brotherhood be given permission to clear the underbrush and trees behind the church for a picnic area and use the lumber to build a picnic shelter. In June 1960 the church members approved this change. In July 1960, a lawn mower was purchased. Also, a night-light was installed in the churchyard. The left side of the basement of the church was water proofed and drainpipes were installed.

In August 1960, a new communion set to serve 200 people was purchased at a cost of $81.66.

A budget for the church year had been proposed for some time now and an official budget was presented for 1961 and approved at this time.

The deacons recommended that the church be treated for termites at the cost of $500.00, and there would be a service fee of $25.00 for the next five years. This was approved. In December 1961, a vacuum cleaner was purchased.

Down through the years, the men of the church have set a time to clean the cemetery. As time passed, it was difficult to get enough manpower to do this work. Later, someone was hired to cut all grass and keep the cemetery cleaned off.

Reverend William J. Lockaby was born May 20, 1926. He was a graduate of Williamston High School, Anderson College, and Seminary Extension. He served in the US Navy during World War II. 

He was saved in 1946 and surrendered to the ministry six years later. He was ordained at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Pelzer, South Carolina. He preached in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and New York. His pastorates included the following: Lebanon Baptist Church, Anderson; Interim Pastor, Welcome Baptist Church, Anderson; Interim Pastor, Cateechee Baptist Church, Cateechee; Pastor, Enon Baptist Church; Pastor, Cedar Lane Baptist Church, Greenville; Pastor, East Side Baptist Church, Liberty; Pastor, Screven Baptist Church, Georgetown; Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Shelby, North Carolina where he was serving when this history was written.

He served in the following areas: chairman, Trustees and Mission Committee; vice president, Pastor's Conference; chairman, Evangelism and Stewardship; chairman, Piedmont Association; president, Pastor's Conference, Southeast Association; chairman, Mission Committee; and, secretary-treasurer, Georgetown Ministerial Association. He served in Evangelistic crusades in each of these associations and in other locations. He was a member of the Nominating Committee of the State Convention.

Reverend W. J. Lockaby had many accomplishments while at Enon. He loved the Lord and shared this with the people in many ways.

He married Margaret Kelly, who enjoyed serving the Lord and showing her love to everyone. Their three sons were named Charles Oliver, George Steven, and David Eugene, one of who surrendered to preach the gospel. The family’s letters were called for in August 1962. Rev. and Mrs. Lockaby have now retired from the ministry and are living in Greenville. They are members of the Dunean Baptist Church. Their son, Gene, is presently pastor of the Locust Hill Baptist Church near Travelers Rest.

Reverend James Whitlock accepted a call to Enon in October 1962. He was born in 1915 and was saved at the age of sixteen. After finishing high school, he went to Mercer College. When the Lord called him to preach, he was thirty-two. He was ordained at his home church and called as pastor there, serving seven years.

He served as pastor at the following churches: Hunter Creek, Broad River, Mount Carmel, Pleasant Grove, Enon, Shiloh, Gillmill First Church, and Hiawassee Baptist Church. Reverend Whitlock has served as interim pastor for several churches. He was a dedicated man, who loved the people at Enon and the Lord's work.

There is no record of Mrs. Whitlock's maiden name, but she was a sweet person and loved her family and the people at Enon. She was killed in an automobile accident one rainy day when taking food to a family. The Whitlock’s had two sons.

In September 1961, the deacons had discussed building a picnic shelter, but a motion and second were not made until April 28, 1963. At this time approval was given.

Beginning in 1964, several changes and improvements were made. On June 7, 1964, a private telephone was installed, costing $2.00 more each month. The pastor's salary was raised from $90.00 to $100.00 a month in October 1964. In 1965, the church bulletins were printed and a yearly calendar was published. The church voted to purchase a mimeograph machine and typewriter on January 3,1965.

In April 1965, there was a motion and second that a night-light and power line be run to the fellowship building. This was approved. The church voted to purchase an American flag to be used in Bible School and in any service where it was needed.

There had been problems with the well water and the pump. The well did not provide enough water for the church and parsonage. On May 1, 1966, Enon voted to tap onto a water line for the church and parsonage. This was completed by the end of the year.

In 1966, a beautiful modern pastorium with a full basement was constructed on the same site as the previous one. The grounds around the pastorium were landscaped in a manner to provide ample parking for the pastorium and the church.

To ensure there was ample land to construct the new parsonage, the church negotiated and agreement with Mr. Tom Arial. The church deeded him the old pastorium in exchange for property equal to the value of the house. This house was moved on a lot adjacent to our present pastorium.

Reverend James Whitlock preached his last sermon in October 1966.