636 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

A second pastorate was begun by Rev. Mr. Repiton, October 26,
1843, and continued to October, 1844. This pastorate and the
two succeeding were uneventful. Rev. James McDaniel served
from October, 1844, to October, 1852. Rev. W. H. Jordan
served from October, 1852, to September, 1855. With the com-
ing of Rev. John L. Pritchard to the pastorate in January,
1856, the church took on new life. From the first the congre-
gation had been worshiping in a frame building on Front Street,
between Ann and Nun, overlooking the Cape Fear River. A
lot was now purchased on Fifth and Market Streets, at a cost
of $4,500, and an effort was made to raise money for a new

building, $10,075 being realized. On February 16, 1857, a

resolution was passed by the church, determining to erect a
new building within two years, and the work was begun. Dr.
Pritchard worked untiringly in behalf of the church and com-
munity. During the yellow fever scourge, he, the Rev. A. Paul
Repiton, the Catholic priest, and the Episcopal rector, were the
only ministers who did not become refugees. ‘These all, except
Mr. Repiton, died from this plague, and a monument was
erected by the citizens of Wilmington in Oakdale Cemetery to
the memory of Dr. Pritchard.

Rev. W. M. Young succeeded Dr. Pritchard in the pastorate.
The building enterprise was hindered by the war. The house in
which the congregation was worshiping was very unsatisfactory
and the mayor of the city offered the City Hall for their use.
This offer was accepted. It was at this time that the colored
members of the church asked permission to hold regular wor-
ship to themselves, and to employ a minister at their own cost
to preach to them, but to remain under the authority and gov-
ernment of the First Baptist Church. This request was granted.
Rev. Mr. Young later resigned the pastorate, and in October,
1868, Rev. J. C. Heiden was called to become pastor. He con-
tinued with the church until April, 1875. The new church
building was completed in April, 1870, and was dedicated, on
the first Sunday in May of that year, Dr. E. T. Winklen, of
Charleston, 8S. C., preaching the dedicatory sermon.

A small band desired to form another congregation, and
April 3, 1871, a committee was appointed to secure a place in
Brooklyn for holding services. They secured Brooklyn Hall,
and began there a branch of the First Church. The present
Calvary Baptist Church is the outcome of this enterprise.

Rev. James B. Taylor became pastor in December, 1875, and

Peace Restored 637

continued to serve the church until 1883. It was during this
pastorate that the church saw the culmination of their building
enterprise. While the building had been in use for some years,
there was a heavy debt on it of $11,000. By hard work, Dr.
Taylor had the amount reduced to $6,000, and arrangements
were made to wipe out the entire indebtedness. On the day set
for raising the money, enthusiasm ran high, the people gave
gladly and liberally, and by one o’clock, the entire amount had
been raised, and the church was prepared to pay every cent it
owed.

Rev. Thomas H. Pritchard succeeded Dr. Taylor in the pas-
torate in September, 1883, and remained the pastor until Janu-
ary, 1892. On April 4, 1887, the church passed a resolution to
the effect that the imperative demands of the Sunday-school for
more suitable accommodations were such that the church should
not longer delay to erect a lecture-room, which, when done,
would complete the original design of the church building.
Work on this addition was begun in 1890. At the same time,
a handsome pipe organ, valued at about $7,000, was installed.
Rev. W. B. Oliver was pastor from March, 1893, to November,
1897. Rev. C. S. Blackwell became pastor of the First Church
October, 1898, and remained in this office until March, 1903.

Rev. Fred D. Hale’s pastorate extended from March, 1904,
to June, 1909. The period of Dr. Hale’s ministry was marked
by many progressive steps. Many church improvements were
made, including the building of several organized class-rooms
for the Sunday-school. The membership of the church grew
very rapidly. During the five and one-fourth years that Dr.

Hale served as pastor, there were 719 additions, an average of
132 a year.

Rev. J. H. Foster became pastor in October, 1909, and con-
tinued with the church until June, 1915, when he resigned the
work here to become president of the Bessie Tift College, of
Forsyth, Ga. This pastorate was marked above other things by
an expansive policy. Work was carried on at Castle Haynes,
Farmers, Winter Park, and Delgado. At the last two named
places, suitable and attractive church buildings were erected.
Winter Park has now become an independent church. For a
while, Miss Nettie King served as city missionary. Rev. M. C.
Alexander was called as assistant pastor on January 1, 1911,
and continued in this office until he resigned to resume his
studies in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev.