HEIDELBERG BAPTIST CHURCH
Compiled and researched by Dr. Dennis Brewer
Early records indicate that the Heidelberg Baptist Church was organized in September, 189P with thirteen members entering into the organization of the church. These members included: Charles A. Quillen, Mrs Delina B. Quillen, Caldena Quillen, Kate Brandenburg, Sudia B. Wilson, Millard Jones, Frankie Jones, Caught Jones, Brack Smith, Eunice Smith, Henry Price, Jackson Brandenburg and Amanda Brandenburg.
Associational records indicate that the church was reorganized by J. G. Parsons in 1907 and reported a membership of 10. J. E. Burghes and N. Quillen were listed as ordained ministers and J. C. Parsons was Pastor.
In 1908, N. Quillen was Clerk and Ninan Quillen served as Messenger of the church to the Boones Creek Association. The church had paid the pastor $25 for the year.
In 1913, C. W. Patton was Clerk and the church reported 11 members with T. P. Edwards as Pastor and C. W. Abney as a messenger to the Association.
In 1914, Brownlow Hall was Clerk and seemingly served in this position until 1925 when N. M. Quillen became Clerk of the Church. J. I. Wills became pastor in 1915 and the church reported the house was valued at $500. The church had 20 members.
In 1916 the church reported 19 members.
In 1917, minutes of the Association report the concern of the Associations Executive Board over a matter which had occurred at Heidelberg. In its report the Executive Board explained, “We call special attention to the work at Heidelberg. While the church owns the lot, a brother owned the house and held title to the house that was located on the lot and, he was threatening to move the house from the lot which he had a right to do. But he priced the house to the church at $400. The church paid $30 and in order to secure title to the property, the board gave them $200, One hundred of it in cash and borrowed an additional $100 which the Association still owes, and the board borrowed and band the church $100 additional which the church promised to pay as soon as they can and the brother to which payment was due contributed the other $70, so e now have a clear and complete title to the lot and house at Heidelberg.”
In 1918 Jack Brandenburg and Brack Smith represented the church as Messengers to the Association while J. I. Wills served as Pastor of the congregation.
In 1924, W. S. Shearer of Lexington was Pastor and the church reported 15 members. Brack Smith served as Messenger of the church to the Association in 1925 with W. L. Hutton as Pastor. Average Sunday Attendance was listed as 73; Evening attendance at 134 with a prayer meeting and Sunday School having recently been organized.
In 1927, Brack Smith served as the church representative on the Associations Executive Board. W. R. Royce had held a meeting at Heidelberg which closed on June 10 and resulted in 31 baptisms, 7 additions by letter. P. N. Taylor was Pastor and had resigned in that year due to ill health on August 1. Conley Farley was the Sunday School Director, Grace Anderson Secretary, Harrison Couch Church Clerk and the Church Sunday School reported 111 pupils with an average attendance of 80. There had been 45 baptisms and a total membership of 77.
In 1928, Arco Smith, Brack Smith, Rona Quillen, Kate Brandenburg, Mrs Brack Smith were messengers to the Association while W. G. Farmer was serving as Pastor. Preaching was held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays and Arco Smith was Church Treasurer. The church building which had been built in 1900 was one room, made of wood, and would seat 150.
In 1929, W. R. Royce was Pastor; H. A. Huggins Sunday School Superintendent as well as Church Clerk. The church had 78 members.
In 1930, Albert Steele, Grace Anderson, Mrs. H. A. Huggins, Harrison Couch were messengers to the Association with 72 enrolled in the Sunday School.
The year of 1931 shows Mrs H. A. Huggins as Clerk, W. R. Royce as Pastor, J. C. Brandenburg as Sunday School Superintendent and H. E. Richardson as Treasurer. The Sunday School reported more than 100 in attendance.
In 1932 J. C. Brandenburg, Oscar Smith, Robert Stepp, Roas Huggins were messengers to the Association with H. H. Rowland as Treasurer. Mrs. J. W. Matthews was reported to have deceased during the year.
In 1933, the church was represented at the Annual Meeting of the Boones Creek Association by Buford Updyke, Laura Farley, Cecil Ross, Rady Quillen and J. C. Brandenburg. W. R. Royce was yet the Pastor of the church, Mrs . H H. Huggins was Clerk and WMU President and H. H. Rowland was Treasurer.
The Heidelberg Church has continued in existence until the present day and has remained a member of the Boones Creek Baptist Association. The church has prospered under quality pastoral care and through the determination and cooperation of the membership, many of which are descendants Of the organizing members.