PREFACE

I love history and often wondered why someone had not written the history of our church earlier. I guess helping gather information for the Rogers' history tempted me to undertake this task, which I have enjoyed because of learning more about Enon's history. If I had begun this years ago, when some of our elder members were alive, I know they could have "given me valuable information about the early years in our church.

The material recorded in this history was assembled from different sources. The church is fortunate in having minutes and records of the actions from 1851 until present.

Other material came from newspaper articles written over the years concerning events that have taken place in the church. Also there was some helpful material presented in a short history written years ago by Mrs. Edna Pilgrim. The Rogers' Family History written by Mrs. Erne O'Dell Bannister had important information. The Rogers family has had active members of Enon for several generations. The Griffin Church History that I borrowed from Mrs. Edna Mae Dillard and Mrs. Juanita Seaborn contained valuable information about pastors that served our church years ago. This book also" served as a guide in helping me organize A History of Enon Baptist Church.

It is difficult to give a complete history of the church. Therefore, I have tried to give a sketch that will make you aware of the highlights of the history, and that I hope will be of interest to you.

The following pastors have been great to share important information with me through telephone conversations and correspondence: Reverend Claude Hamby, Reverend Milton Hamby, Reverend and Mrs. John Turner, Reverend Calvin Turner, Mrs. Herman Lewis, Reverend W. J. Lockaby, Reverend James Whitlock, and Reverend Grady Tollison. All these people are due my deepest gratitude for the great contribution they have made to my work.

I am grateful to our former pastor, Reverend Grady Tollison, who has been faithful in support and advice in producing this history. I truly appreciate this. Also, Guy Gilstrap has given some valuable information. I received encouragement from our Piedmont Baptist Associational Missionary, Reverend G. B. Freeman in publishing this book. Also, we offer a word of appreciation to Mrs. Joyce Sudduth for advice and help.

I am also grateful to Scott Rogers and Sue Bracken, for time spent for the sketches of our church.

My deepest appreciation goes to Mrs. Elaine Gilstrap Allen and Kenneth Campbell for reading this manuscript and advising my writing.

My sincere appreciation goes to Kathy Riddle for her time and for doing an excellent job in the typing of the manuscript.

I wish to thank the people of Enon Baptist Church for allowing me, as a member of a great church that I love, to write its history. History of the church, as well as of families, should be a treasure. Thanksgiving to all of us because of the love our Lord has shared and blessed us with these many years. May God's blessing forever be with our church.

Mrs. Ethel R. Bracken