Rehobeth celebrates 100-years

HEMINGWAY—Rehobeth Pentecostal Holiness Church near Hemingway, observed their centennial recently. The committee prepared a pictorial souvenir book that chronicles the founder and the founding of the church, its progress and its present day activities.

In 1909 William James (Uncle Billy) Cox and his wife Sarah Jane Stone Cox started having church services in the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Ethel and John Briley Altman, in the Vox Community. This was approximately four miles from the church’s present location. John Briley served as song leader and according to records, secretary and treasurer. It is said that he would sit on his front porch and practice the songs he planned for the next service.

It is also reported that Uncle Billy, who was very religious and left a wonderful Christian heritage for his family to follow, was in his favorite chair on his porch when a little bird lit on the porches edge. He prayed, “Dear Lord, if I’m living a life pleasing in your sight, let that bird light on my head.” The bird did just that and if you listen closely, his praises can be heard even today!

Descendants remember that Sarah Jane was afraid of horses and preferred walking instead of riding in a wagon or buggy. It was for her convenience Uncle Billy and John Briley Altman decided to build a church nearer to her home. The two of them, with help from many others, cut timber from his woods with which they built the first little frame church at what was known as “Cowhead.” Many of these descendants still make Rehobeth their home church.

Uncle Billy was also musically talented in that he played the violin for a group to sing. If you listened closely, you could almost hear the strains of that violin at their centennial celebration. At his death, his daughter, Emily Floyd McElveen, inherited his violin. It has been determined that Uncle Billy bought the violin from Sears Roebuck for $5.00. It held such precious memories for Emily; she kept it in a white flour sack in the bottom of the family trunk until her death. The violin passed on to his granddaughter, Jeronia Floyd Harrelson, who had it restored and mounted in a shadow box along with a copy of the family tree, a large photo of Uncle Billy, his wife and their children. Still a very treasured family piece, the violin now belongs to Timmy Harrelson, Jeronia’s son.

Even more than observing the lives of Uncle Billy and his family, the recent celebration focused on the 100 years of service. The committee had prepared a pictorial souvenir program, which chronicles both the early years of the church, and activities that carry one on up to the present day.

In 1965, the original structure that had two Sunday school rooms added to each side was sold back to Fluett Cox’s descendants and moved to make way for the present church. The section of land where the present church stands was deeded to Billy’s son, Fluett, with an agreement that the church plot would remain the property of Rehobeth Church for so long as it remained a church. In 1971 two-story SS building was torn down to make room for the current SS rooms and Fellowship Hall that was extended in1986.

As was common with the Methodist, the P.H. Church also used the circuit system for many years. Rehoboth grew until it could afford a fulltime pastor and with that end in mind, the original parsonage was built in the early 1940’s and completed in 1946 by the Rev. Marvin Cannon.  In 1977 the new parsonage was built. In 1992 the church took on the project of redoing the interior of the sanctuary and installed stained glass windows. In 1966 the project was completed with new carpet, new pew cushions and new furnishings for the vestibule. In 1909 the parking lot was completely done and a handicap bathroom was added to the fellowship hall with another round of new shingles.

On the celebration program were former pastors, the Rev. Mike Coble (1976-1990) and the Rev. Charles Readling (1990-2000). Bringing the morning message was Bishop Jimmy McKenzie.
An old fashioned “dinner on the grounds” covered dish luncheon was enjoyed before the afternoon program of songs brought by Brian Free and Assurance.

Former pastors and/or their families attending were Rev. and Mrs. Mike Coble, Rev. and Mrs. Charles Readling, Thad and David Williams and wives (representing Rev. Roger Williams; Mrs. Bea Litchfield and family representing Rev. Jimmy Litchfield and Mrs. Kathleen Jones and family representing Rev. Charlie Jones.

The church remains steadfastly faithful to proclaim the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that a person can only be justified and saved by putting their faith in Christ and His shed blood. Many have bowed at Rehobeth’s altar to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior these past 100 years. The church remains known as a giving, loving and praying church where there is room for all who wish to worship there.