Chapter 5:  A Time to Replant -- 1940-1955

A new decade was ushered in with members of the church focusing much of their attention on war news in Europe and the wiles of an evil dictator. The world was engaged in war and many at Zion Hill worried that their sons would become involved. In August 1940, during this time of anxiety, the church welcomed a former pastor, Rev. J. L. Helton, to pastor. Since his first ministry at Zion Hill, Preacher Helton had married and had five children (see endnotes for more). Because of the war, Helton would face five difficult years as a minister. ¹

Helton was assisted in leading the church by the following officers and teachers: Church Clerk, Bruce Reed; Treasurer, Winford Norton; Secretary, Ermal Ballard; Choir Leader, Roy Ingle; Pianist, Mrs. Roy Ingle; Janitor, Mayford Galyon; Sunday School Superintendent, Arthur Moore; Card Class, Scytha Norton; Primary, Martha Galyon; Junior, Johnnie Ballard; Intermediate, Vola Johnson; Young Ladies, Mrs. Matt Rogers; Young Men, Winfred McCarter; Adult Ladies, Mrs. Roy Ingle; Adult Men, Otis Baker. ²

Soon after Preacher Helton began his pastorate, he held a baptismal service August 25, 1940, at the water's edge near James Teague's house. Those baptized were: Opal Baker, James Bales, Paul Bales, LeeRoy Blalock, Jewel Galyon, Carl Johnson, Bill Moore, Reba Ogle, and Jack Rogers. They were all given the right hand of church fellowship that Sunday night. ³

Preacher Helton welcomed the Sevier County Association of Baptists for their 55th annual meeting, September 10, 1940. It had been 20 years since Zion Hill had hosted the annual meeting. J. A. Kyker served as Moderator for the three-day session, and Zion Hill's own Roy Ingle led the music for the entire meeting. Messengers from Zion Hill were Ermal Ballard, W. R. Conner, M. M. Hatcher, Tilford Rogers, and Jake Russell. No longer did members of the congregation keep the messengers in their homes. Most had transportation to travel home at night; however, members were responsible for the noontime meal. Before the meeting began, a committee of Mrs. Otis Baker, Mrs. Nelson Cutshaw, Mrs. Roy Ingle, and Mrs. Winfred McCarter had been appointed to be responsible for the meal. To help them in their preparation, a table committee of Arthur Moore, Winfred Norton, and Bruce Reed was also appointed. When lunchtime at the annual meeting came, everything was ready and waiting outside for the messengers. ⁴

In 1941, Zion Hill hosted an associational Sunday School meeting. The meeting was well attended and participants discussed eight subjects: 1. The Superintendent and His Problems; 2. The Qualifications of a Sunday School Teacher; 3. The Value of a Soul; 4. How to Win a Lost Soul to Christ; 5. Enlistment; 6. Holding What We've Got; 7. The Effect of Sunday School on My Life; 8. Growth of the Sunday School. At the time, Zion Hill's Sunday School was prospering with 182 enrolled. Arthur Moore was superintendent. ⁵

Later in the year, after news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, Preacher Helton's ministry faced a different challenge. As news of the attack spread through the community, church members were shocked and saddened that the United States had been pulled into World War II. One by one, Helton prayed with young men and their families as men from the church family left for war. Most boarded trains in Knoxville for the trip to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, the induction center for East Tennessee. There the men were given physical examinations. Some of the men from the church failed their physicals and were sent back home to work for the war effort. Men who passed the physicals were assigned to military bases all over the country. ⁶

During the next four years, men from Zion Hill were actively engaged in World War II. They were deployed to battlefields all over the world: Europe, North Africa and the Pacific. Their wives usually remained home to care for children or went to work outside the home for the first time in a wartime industry. Some women went to work at ALCOA, others at the Standard Knitting Mill. Life was changing as the family and community began moving from a self-sufficient existence to more dependence on others. ⁷

In 1943, attention shifted from war news to the homefront when a tragedy rocked Zion Hill. On February 14, after members of the church went home from the morning worship service, they learned of a fire at the church. The furnace malfunctioned, and the 32-year-old wooden building went up in flames. Several members of the congregation gathered to salvage what they could. Others just stood and watched and cried. They felt helpless watching the church building burn. The church clerk noted in the minutes, "February 14, 1943, This was the last time to meet in the church. About 2:15 the church was on fire and about 3 o'clock burned down." ⁸

Although the building was destroyed, the family of believers came together the very next Sunday afternoon, February 21, meeting at the Zion Hill Schoolhouse. The service was recorded in the minutes: "First, a song Amazing Grace, then a prayer was prayed, then the pastor read the Scripture lesson taken from the 11 chapter of Hebrews. The church was declared in order for business. First, a motion that the Zion Hill church start to lay plans to rebuild a new church as our church was burnt down on the 14 day of Feb. 1943. A motion and it sustained that the church be placed back on same ground and near about where we once worshiped then a motion and it sustained that the moderator appoint a committee of three to take the lead in the building of a new church. Those appointed were Otis Baker, W. R. Conner, and W. H. Pitner. Then a motion made that the moderator appoint a financial committee to consist of every member of Zion Hill Church. That committee was condensed and included Winford McCarter, Chairman, Bruce Reed, Boyd Clark, Mayford Galyon, Mrs. John H. Moore, Hubert Cutshaw, Johnnie Ballard, Buena Ballard, W.A. Galyon, Mrs. Mattie Rogers, Vola Johnson, Mrs. Edd Ballard, Scytha Norton, Edd Baker, Miss Beulah Carr, Miss Alice Conner, Paul Galyon, Kenneth Galyon, Arthur Moore, M. M. Hatcher, and Sister Nannie Ingle. A motion and it sustained that the Building Committee be authorized to look into the kind of building they like best, the price, and report to the church. Those in the session asked that the building be constructed out of brick or stone. Then a motion to adjourn. Prayer by Rev. C. D. Martin, Rev. J. L. Helton, Moderator, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk" The church family was united in the rebuilding process. ⁹

On March 21, 1943, Zion Hill Church was called in session to hear the report of the Building Fund committee. "Report as follows: Building be built to specification plan of brick with a complete job total expense of the church to be around $9,218.00. The report was accepted by the church, and the committee granted the contract to H. L. DeWitt, Alcoa, Tennessee." ¹⁰

Winfred McCarter served as Chairman of the finance committee and also treasurer for the rebuilding effort. He kept meticulous records of every gift given, from five cents to hundreds of dollars. Churches, businesses, and individuals contributed to the rebuilding effort. Among them: Antioch, Byerly's Chapel, Cedar Grove, Dotson Memorial, Dupont, East Maryville, Ellejoy, Forest Hill, Gist's Creek, Piney Level, Pleasant Hill Methodist, Providence, Sevier Heights, Shiloh, Sugar Loaf, Atchley Funeral Home, Henderson Brothers, Hollywood Studio, K. Rawlings & Co., Lee's Drug Store, Robertson Brothers & Sharp, and Standard Knitting Employees. Several preachers also donated money: Reverends S. C. Atchley, J. H. Blair, S. C. Buckner, Joel Carr, S. H. Clark, Floyd Long, Charles Martin, W. E. Watson, Sam White, and O. W. Taylor, Editor of the Baptist and Reflector, the state Baptist newspaper. [Contributors listed in Appendix.] ¹¹

Construction of the new church building began with digging into the top of the hill for a basement for the new church. Men from the church gathered at the site with their scoops and mules to begin the rebuilding process. The first step was preparing the foundation, pouring a concrete floor, and constructing block walls. Men in the church did what work they could to save as much money on their new building as possible. Their hard work paid off. In a little over five months after the church burned, members met in the newly constructed basement of the church building for services on the fourth Sunday in August, 1943. The message was brought by Rev. S. C. Buckner of Cleveland, Tennessee. ¹²

Members began to think not only about the new building but also some supplies for it. At the July 10, 1943, business meeting, the congregation appointed a committee to buy new hymnals and requested they be "stiff-backed" books. Until this time, the congregation sang from paper back songbooks. With this suggestion in mind, the committee ordered hard-back Broadman Hymnals. ¹³

Work continued on the church building. The building committee decided the outside of the church should be made of material that would not burn easily. Red brick was chosen. The inside walls were of plaster with wood trim. The sanctuary was large enough to seat 300 and was aesthetically pleasing with hardwood floors, green stained glass windows, and oaken pews. The floor plan was designed with a long pew in the center with shorter pews on either side making two aisles. There was space in the back of the sanctuary and in the basement for eight Sunday School classrooms. There was a new belfry and a new bell donated by the W. R. Conner family. ¹⁴

The sanctuary was completed and paid for in full December 6, 1943. The cost of the building was $8,551.54, the pews an additional $1,167.46, for a total of $9,922.81. The church held a dedicatory service April 30, 1944. Preacher Helton, along with the preparation committee of Rev. J.L. Carr, Boyd Clark, Roy Ingle, and Bruce Reed, asked former pastors to come for a special service to dedicate the beautiful new brick church on the hill. Those who took part in the morning service were Rev. Sam Atchley, Rev. S. H. Clark, and Rev. J. Harold Smith. An old-fashioned covered dish lunch was prepared by the ladies. Many members remember woven wire stretched between saw horses for tables outside between the trees. After lunch, Rev. W. E. Conner preached the Dedication Sermon. Rev. C. D. Martin spoke, then the closing prayer was led by Rev. Sam Atchley. ¹⁵

Three weeks later, the joy felt by members over a new building being dedicated was turned to sadness. On May 23, 1944, Preacher Helton's nine-month-old son, Horace Keith Helton, passed away. He was born August 17, 1943. The church supported Preacher and Mrs. Helton during this sad time of the death of their youngest son and through his burial at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery. ¹⁶

The new sanctuary had a special feature hanging at the front commemorating the sacrifice members were making for their country. It was a flag which served as a reminder to members to pray for their fellow church members who were in World War II. The flag was white with a red border and blue stars embroidered with the names of the men from the church involved in World War II. The men whose names were embroidered on the flag: Beecher Baker, Buford Baker, Reese Baker, Paul Bales, Roy Bales, Joe Carr, Ralph Carr, Dot Caughorn, Carl Conner, Lee Cown, James Cummings, Opal Cummings, Sherman Cummings, Frank Davis, Julius England, Pitner Galyon, W. A. Galyon, Earl Gibson, Zach Gibson, Andrew Graves, Johnnie Green, Eckard Hatcher, Arthur Helton, Clyde Helton, Oscar Helton, Willie Helton, Gilbert Ingle, Roy Ingle, Jr., James Johnson, Theron Johnson, Charles Manis, Frank Manis, Johnnie Manis, Ernest McMahon, James McMahon, Bill Moore, Frank Moore, Henry Moore, Wallace Moore, Roy Norton, Paul Pitner, Allen Ramsey, Carl Reed, Ermal Rogers, Eugene Rogers, Herman Rogers, Homer Rogers, Reo Rogers, Kenneth Stoner, Ernest Turner, Lloyd Turner, Paul Turner, and Bill Webb. (Names are spelled as they appear on the flag.) These men received a pocket New Testament from the church before they left for war. ¹⁷

Often men in the war and far from home turned to religion for comfort. With new, often horrifying experiences daily, they realized a need to turn their hearts to God for the strength they needed to endure war time. During the war, Preacher Helton received a letter from a chaplain in France stating he had baptized Johnnie Green on the battlefield and that Green wanted to join Zion Hill Baptist Church. Preacher Helton brought the matter before the church in October, 1944, and the church voted to accept Green as a member. ¹⁸

To aid in the war effort in another way, members took an offering for the Red Cross in 1944 and received $59.56. The Red Cross was active countywide knitting and sewing for servicemen. Occasionally, they notified families when a loved one was killed in the war. Preacher Helton ministered to four church families when the sad news of death arrived, Baker, Graves, Helton, and Manis. Their sons or husbands had been killed in the war. Each time, the news was heart-wrenching. Nothing could prepare families for the dreaded news and reality of never seeing their loved ones come home. To honor these casualties of war, the flag at the front of the church had gold stars embroidered with the names of those killed: Reece Baker, Andrew Graves, Clyde Helton, and Frank Manis. ¹⁹

During wartime, Zion Hill began holding weekly Wednesday night prayer meetings. Members may have felt like they were doing little for the war effort, but they could pray for their loved ones and friends involved in the war. Often these services were led by young people in the church. The Lord's work continued even though there was a world crisis. On May 13, 1944, the church observed the Lord's Supper. The observance of the Lord's Supper was not unusual; the church observed the ordinance regularly. What made this one special was that Rev. Helton asked two of his fellow preachers, Rev. J. L. Carr and Rev. Holmes Galyon, to assist him in the service that morning. As usual, the deacons served the membership. At that time, one of the deacon's wives made the bread without leaven and each member pulled off a piece from the loaf. Members also passed a large juice-filled cup; all of the members drank from the same cup. ²⁰

In August 1944, Rev. Tommy Roberts of Third Creek Baptist Church preached the annual revival. Children attending Zion Hill School were lined up and marched to the morning revival services. During the revival, 15 people made professions of faith and were baptized in the creek below Charlie Clark's house on Happy Creek. The next year, Rev. J. Harold Smith preached the revival. Soon afterwards, Preacher Helton left the church. ²¹

With men coming home from war and reestablishing themselves, church members anticipated life getting back to normal, and in 1946, called Roy Arwood to pastor. He was selected by secret ballot. Arwood was born July 5, 1918, to John and Adra Arwood. He was married to Lois Reagan and had two daughters, Judy and Freddie Sue. Arwood was ordained by Union Valley Baptist Church. Throughout his ministry, the Lord used Arwood to start churches. Before he came to Zion Hill, he had helped organize Bell's Chapel Baptist Church. He stayed at Zion Hill one year but had an effective ministry, baptizing 14 and seeing church membership reach 323. ²²

Rev. Arwood was followed in the pastorate by Rev. J. H. Blair. He was called in July, 1947. Other church leadership at the time included Theron Johnson, Sunday School Superintendent; Mayford Galyon, church treasurer; and Bruce Reed, Jr., church clerk. In February, 1947, Zion Hill began to move into the modern era with a $5.00 deposit to the Sevier County Electric System to get on line for electricity. The church would need to be wired before the congregation could enjoy the convenience of electric lights. ²³

On July 27, 1947, Theron Johnson informed the church that the Lord had called him to preach the gospel. Membership for the church peaked in 1948 when the church reported 339 members. (It would take 40 years for the church to surpass that number.) The Sunday School average attendance was 144. At that time, the church continued to meet two week-ends a month, the second and fourth. ²⁴

In October 1948, the membership took an offering to pay for a ton of hay for the Orphan's Home. Many women in the church also canned vegetables to give to the Tennessee Baptist Orphan's Home. In March 1950, the membership voted to continue to give money from the birthday bank to the Orphan's Home. ²⁵

The year 1949 saw Zion Hill usher in a couple of firsts for the church, Vacation Bible School and Training Union. From July 12-22, the church had a mission led Vacation Bible School. It was supervised by Gladys Longly of the Tennessee Baptist Sunday School Department. Later in the year, Zion Hill organized a Training Union and chose Winfred McCarter the first director. The enrollment for Training Union for the first year totalled 109 with an average attendance of 77. ²⁶

On November 6, 1949, Zion Hill ordained Theron Johnson into the Gospel ministry. According to church minutes, "Preacher Blair was elected Moderator; Bruce Reed, Clerk; Bro Luther Clark was to preach the sermon; Bro J. L. Helton was to question the candidate; Bro. Millard Reed was to give the charge to the church; Bro Jenkins was to give the charge to the candidate; Bro. N. C. Warren was to present the Bible to the candidate; and Bro. Glenn Whaley was to have the ordination prayer. Then the laying on of hands was to take place, and Mrs. Johnson would be asked to join Theron for a time of hand-shaking." (Those who made up the Presbytery are listed in the endnotes.) He was called by Shiloh to begin his first pastorate later that year. ²⁷

In December, 1949, the church set aside three men they believed worthy for ordination as deacons, W. A. Galyon, John H. Moore, and Clyde Ownby. They were ordained January 8, 1950, and joined Otis Baker, Boyd Clark, W. R. Conner, Oscar Galyon, M. M. Hatcher, Winford Norton, and Bruce Reed as deacons of Zion Hill. ²⁸

On September 3, 1950, the church elected Sunday School officers and teachers for the new year: Superintendent, John H. Moore; Assistant, Winfred McCarter; Church Clerk, Ernest McMahan; Assistant, Boyd Clark; Treasurer, Clyde Ownby; Assistant, W. A. Galyon; Choir Leader, W. A. Galyon; Assistant, Paul Carr; Pianist, Mary Ingle; Assistant, Velma Reed; Secretary, Zelma Reed; Assistant, Ted McCarter; Card Class, Scytha Norton; Assistant, Bettie Ballard; Primary Class, Juanita Graves; Assistant, Mrs. Oscar Galyon; Junior Boys, Clyde Ownby; Assistant, Posie Moore; Junior Girls, Mrs. Homer Rogers; Assistant, Reba Ogle; Class No. 5 Mayford Galyon; Assistant, Winfred Norton; Class No. 6 Mrs. Roy Ingle; Assistant, Marjorie Galyon; Class No. 7 Kenneth Galyon; Assistant, Paul Carr; Class No. 8 Lela McCarter; Assistant, Fay Pitner; Class No. 9 Winfred McCarter; 1 Assistant, Paul Galyon; 2 Assistant, W. A. Galyon; Class No. 10 Mrs. Nelson Cutshaw; Assistant, Dorothy Johnson; Class No. 11 Otis Baker; Assistant, Earl Householder; Class No. 12 Ruby Graves; Assistant, Mrs. Paul Galyon; Flower Girls for the church: Mrs. Scytha Norton, Mrs. Hubert Cutshaw. ²⁹

One of the larger Sunday School classes at the time was Class No. 9, Winfred McCarter, teacher. Class records included the following enrollment: Beecher Baker, Buford Baker, Roscoe Benson, LeeRoy Blalock, S. M. Blalock, Lewis Byrd, Bruce Carr, Ralph Carr, Gene Chambers, E. P. Clark, Hubert Cutshaw, W. R. Cutshaw, Frank Davis, W. R. DeLozier, Lem England, Paul Galyon, Perry Galyon, W. A. Galyon, John Hugh Graves, Lee Hatcher, Rube Hatcher, Bill Helton, Landis Ingle, Carl Johnson, Verlis Martin, Billy Matthews, Ernest McMahan, Author Moore, Frank Moore, Posie Moore, Howard Pitner, Allen Ramsey, Carl Reed, Dexter Reed, H. M. Reed, Bennie Rogers, Clyde Rogers, Ermal Rogers, Eugene Rogers, Herman Rogers, Homer Rogers, Kenneth Stoner, Ralph Teague, Ernest Turner, and Lloyd Turner. Officers for the class were Allen Ramsey, Treasurer; W. R. DeLozier, Secretary, Ralph Carr, assistant; Mission Committee: Allen Ramsey, W. A. Galyon, Ernest McMahan. ³⁰

The church's annual revival that year was preached by Rev. Clell King. The Lord added 15 new believers to the church. With the church continuing to grow, the congregation voted to enlarge the church building. Preacher Blair appointed a building committee to investigate the best way to add Sunday School classrooms. Nothing was constructed at that time. ³¹

From 1950 to 1953, the United States became involved in another conflict to stop the spread of communism in East Asia. Again, men from the church answered the call to serve their country, some being sent to Korea. They were Theodore Benson, Bruce Carr, Paul Carr, Darrell Galyon, Mayford Galyon, Jr., Darrell Householder, Gerald Householder, Landis Ingle, Edward Johnson, Stearl Johnson, Bob McCarter, Ted McCarter, and Garland Rogers. Thanks be to God, they all came home safely. ³²

On the fourth Sunday in July, 1951, the church voted to begin Vacation Bible School ("VBS"). Preacher Blair appointed Lela McCarter and Marjorie Rogers to secure help as needed for the Bible School. VBS lasted two weeks, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at noon daily. It was a special time of Bible study and Bible verse memorization. It was also a time when teachers taught their students about the Bible, including the books of the Bible. Everyday, they also taught stories about missionaries and their work both at home and around the world. ³³

In 1952, an officer was elected who would serve the church for over 30 years. That officer was Bennie Rogers who was elected janitor. He and his wife Esta served as a team thoroughly cleaning the church, quietly and conscientiously. They loved the Lord and saw this as their way of service. They were faithful to fill their place every Sunday morning and night and Wednesday night, as long as they were physically able. In their later years, many times when they did not feel well enough to be in church, they were in their place doing what the church had chosen them to do. They were a remarkable example of dedicated service to the Lord! ³⁴

Also in 1952, Zion Hill held a baptismal service on a Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church, Sevierville. The service began with a time of singing and devotions before the baptizing. At that time, Zion Hill did not have a baptistry and, when it became too cold to utilize the creek or other outdoor facility, they would ask a sister church if they could baptize there. Churches were cordial and welcoming in their response. Once, Zion Hill baptized in the pool at Harrison-Chilhowee. ³⁵

As was the custom, the annual Thanksgiving service in 1952 was held Thanksgiving morning. The special sermon was brought by the pastor, Rev. J. H. Blair. A collection was taken for the Orphan's Home before members returned home. ³⁶

In 1953, the church voted to let the last Sunday in August be the close of the church and associational year, instead of the last Sunday in September. The church also voted to give 10% of each Sunday's offering to the Cooperative Program. Prior to this vote, special offerings were taken Sunday mornings for the Cooperative Program. ³⁷

From time to time, Zion Hill welcomed ministerial students attending Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy to preach. The men were in Bible class and preacher training there. One such guest preacher was Rev. Robert Bushyhead, a Cherokee Indian who attended the academy. He not only preached but he also brought along his family who provided special music for the morning service. ³⁸

After serving the church for seven years, Preacher Blair resigned. In late 1953, Zion Hill called Glenn Brooks to pastor while he was a student at Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy. He graduated in 1954 and left the church to continue his education. He took his wife Laura and son Robbie to Nashville, where he enrolled in Belmont College. ³⁹

Also in 1954, one of Zion Hill's deacons, W. A. Galyon, announced his call to preach. He preached his first sermon at Zion Hill August 29, 1954, and was licensed by the church October 5, 1954. ⁴⁰

In October, the membership called Alvie Rogers to pastor. This was his first pastorate. He was born December 9, 1922, to W. L. and Lillie Rogers. He was married to Lucille Howard and had two children, Charles and Evelyn. He was ordained by Cades Cove Memorial Baptist Church, Maryville. He was the first full-time preacher Zion Hill had, preaching every Sunday. He was also the first pastor to move onto the church field. His salary arrangement was unusual. On the second and fourth Sundays, his salary was $50.00. On the first, third, and fifth Sundays, a free-will offering was taken for him. This plan did not work well; so, after a couple of months, the church set his salary at $60.00 per week. The church voted to discontinue the second Saturday meeting and have the business meeting the second Wednesday night of each month. The church also voted to raise the janitor's salary from $7.00 a week to $10.00, $520.00 a year. ⁴¹

Rogers had a dynamic ministry at Zion Hill, baptizing 20 in 1955. The Sunday School average attendance was 183 with Superintendent, W. R. DeLozier, and Training Union averaged 94 with Director, Rex DeLozier. In 1955, the church established a Woman's Missionary Union. Mrs. Paul Galyon was elected the first president. An interesting story was related that Preacher Rogers opposed the Woman's Missionary Society because of the word "society." However, he welcomed the same organization when it changed its name to the Woman's Missionary Union. The church also had an active Brotherhood with Ermal Ballard as president. Under the leadership of Preacher Rogers and the mission organizations, the church gave $404.33 to missions in 1955. ⁴²

On July 3, 1955, the church met at 2:30 p.m. for the purpose of ordaining W. A. Galyon into the gospel ministry. The Presbytery was composed of Rev. Alvie Rogers and Rev. Samuel Melton; deacons from Zion Hill: Otis Baker, Oscar Galyon (W. A.'s father), John Moore, and W. H. Norton, and deacons from Shiloh: Lige Garner, James Gilbert, John Helton, Jake Loposser, and Sam Webb. Rev. Samuel Melton from Alder Branch asked questions, then gave the charge to the candidate and the church. Otis Baker presented Galyon with a Bible. Sam Webb of Shiloh led the Ordination prayer. Rev. Alvie Rogers served as moderator and J. H. Moore, clerk. Galyon's first pastorate was at Shiloh. ⁴³

More and more the church was realizing the need for additional space so the congregation voted to enlarge the entire facility. The building committee gave the contract to Fred McMahan to add a "T" to the church. [McMahan was a prominent African-American builder in Sevierville.] The total cost of the project was not to exceed $27,775.00. Work began in late summer 1955. The church also voted to increase the pastor's salary $10.00 a week to $70.00. ⁴⁴

In the midst of the church booming and the decision to enlarge the church, Preacher Rogers was tragically killed in an automobile accident in October, 1955. Members could hardly believe the sad news of the death of the young 32-year-old minister they had grown to love and revere. John Huston Moore wrote in the church minutes the following details: "Bro. Alvie Rogers, our pastor, was killed in an automobile accident, October 7, 1955, on Chapman Highway near Uncle Labe Latham's place, Friday, October 7, around 5:00 P.M. and Atchley of Sevierville was called and he was taken to the Baptist Hospital in Knoxville. Funeral services were held Monday, October 10, 1955, at Zion Hill Baptist Church at 2:30 P.M. Funeral was conducted by Rev. James Tilley, Rev. I. C. Frazier, and Rev. [Sam] Watson. Burial in Forest Hill Cemetery in Blount County. Rev. Rogers accepted the church on October 10, 1954, and was buried October 10, 1955, the date from time he accepted church until death, one year. John Houston Moore, Church Clerk." ⁴⁵

Some members remembered the black plastic that hung at the end of the old sanctuary during Preacher Rogers' funeral at the church. Construction on the new addition had begun. The wall between the old sanctuary and the new building had been torn out, and plastic hung while the roofs were being connected. The black plastic seemed appropriate for such a dark, sad day in the life of the church family. Rogers only served one year, but God rewarded his efforts with many souls saved and the membership growing. He accomplished more in one year than some pastors in a lifetime of preaching! ⁴⁶

As members remembered Rogers, their thoughts often turned to the Scripture where Jesus shared the story of talents recorded in Matthew. He said to the servant who doubled his talents, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord" (Matt. 25:21). It seemed to fit the situation at hand.

Endnotes for Chapter 5

{Important: The empty endnotes below were blank in the original document provided to the Webmistress for uploading here.}

1. His future wife Lela Clark was saved in August, 1922, and baptized into the fellowship of Shiloh Baptist Church. She was the daughter of C. L. and Oma Houser Clark. They married in October, 1928, a year after Preacher Helton left Zion Hill. They had five children: Clark, Carroll, Mary Frances, Wanda Faye, and Darlene. Preacher Helton went home to be with the Lord July 31, 1979.
2. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, August 25, 1940, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk.
3. Ibid.
4.
5. Sevier County Baptist Associational Minutes, 1941, p. 13.
6.
7.
8. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, February 14, 1943, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk.
9. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, February 21, 1943, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk.
10. Church member remembrances. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, March 21, 1943, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk.
11. Log of gifts noted by Winfred McCarter.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17. Flag from World War II hanging in Zion Hill Baptist Church.
18.
19.
20. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, May 13, 1944, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, November 6, 1949, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk. Shiloh Church History, p. 13.
28.
29. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, September 3, 1950, Bruce Reed, Church Clerk.
30. Class #9 Record book, W.R. DeLozier, Secretary.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, July 3, 1955, John Huston Moore, Church Clerk.
44.
45. Zion Hill Baptist Church Minutes, October 7, 1955, John Huston Moore, Church Clerk.
46.