DIXON CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH · Dixon Chapel Church: William J. Underwood William L. Freeman William G. Lowe Chaplain Bronstien James (Jim) Caroll Jesse Fisher Travis Owens

DIXON CHAPEL UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

1921-2002

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Short History ofDixon Chapel United Meth. Church

2002

Some of the enclosed information hasbeen handed down by word ofmouth by some of our SeniorMembers of Dixon Chapel Church.With the information we acquiredover the years, we have tried to sharewith you as much as we know of thepast History of Dixon Chapel.

Church Historian Jay WhiteCompiled by: Marlene D. Vamam

Lay Leader of Dixon Chapel

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A Sunday School Mission was firstbegun on the front porch, home ofAlbert & Cornelia Dixon. In 1921 anold kitchen was converted into aSunday School House. Mrs. SarahVarnam, along with the Dixon'shelped to organize Dixon ChapelSunday School. Within a few years,it began to grow and Dixon ChapelMethodist Church was organized,becoming one of seven churches onthe Shallotte Charge. Tom GallowayJohn Galloway and Albert Dixonwere the first Church Trustees. A. L.(Shucky) Dixon was the first SundaySchool Superintendent.

In 1936, a one room Sanctuary wasconstructed on the present propertywe worship on today. From 1922 -1945, the members grew very slowly.In 1946 a great revival took place inVarnamtown, which added a goodmany members to our church.During the fifties until the latesixties, Dixon Chapel experiencedsome growth in membership. 1959,class rooms was added to the original1936 building and also a steeple waserected on top of the building. Thiswas a long time dream of some of ourSenior members who had alreadygone to be with the Lord. It wasn'tlong before a church bell was ringingout every Sunday morning.

In 1970, the FeUowship Hall wasadded, and 1975 found such agrowth that a new Sanctuary andmore classrooms space was needed.In 1976, our new Sanctuary andclassrooms was begun, withattendance overflowing and reachingas high as 150. We moved into theSanctuary in the faU of 1977. In1984 the FeUowship Hall had to beenlarged. Today 2002, we need twicethe space we now have in ourFeUowship HaU. The one roomoriginal 1936 structure is todayencased within the walls of ourpresent building.

Dixon Chapel Church has becomewell known for our Annual OysterRoast we have each year on the firstSaturday in November. People fromall over the United States come eachyear to enjoy the roasted oysters,Hushpuppies and the fellowship withone another. The roast has beengoing on for close to 48 years. It isthe only fund raiser we have for ourchurch each year. We do not have toadvertise it much anymore, as peoplewill began to call for information asto the time and day way beforeNovember. In the past few years wehave had to add fish plates for thosewho want to come and don't eatoysters.

The Lord really blessed DixonChapel with the land of which ourchurch stands on today. June 16,1923, Albert S. Dixon and wifeCornelia deeded and gave 112acreland. The kitchen that was firstused for a Sunday School house wasmoved to the property. On Nov. 24,1939 the church deeded the propertyto the Board of Extension of theUnited Methodist Church. TheTrustees at that time were A. S.Dixon, Tom Galloway and W. B.Varnam. On June 30,1970,1.7acres were given and deeded toDixon Chapel by the A. L. Dixonheirs and wife Ava Dixon.

7Trustees at that time was RoxieVarnam, Wilson Lancaster, W. G.Robinson and Ronald Varnam.In Sept. 1976 a small parcel of landon the West side of the ChurchBuilding was given by Ennis Swain,his wife Marilyn and his mother LolaSwain our good Baptist neighbors.Again in the late 90's we wereneeding more parking area and outof the goodness of their heart, Ennisand his wife Marilyn gave yetanother parcel of land on the westside of the Church. It was a prayeranswered as we were praying aboutsome needed property for a parkinglot. God does answer prayer.

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Dixon Chapel was at first on a 7point charge known as TheBrunswick Circuit. In the late 40'swe became a 5 point charge knownas the Shallotte Circuit Charge. Wewere on a Charge with Sharon,Concord, Village Point andAndrew's Chapel. We would onlyhave Worship maybe two times amonth. In the early 60's we becamea 4 point work losing Concord toanother Charge. In the 70's Sharonleft our charge and went Station,leaving only three churches on thecharge. We were on the ShallotteCharge up until June of 2001.

qThen finally in 2001, Dixon Chapelwas experiencing a new thing. Wefinally had our very own pastor.

t Jeanne Ray, a retired ministerbecame our new pastor. On Dec. 28,2000, we purchased our very ownParsonage and for the first time wehad our Pastor living in our veryown Community. It was a dreamcome true. It happened so fast thatwe all stand in awe at what the Lordis doing at Dixon Chapel. We finallyhave a Pastor for our very ownChurch living in our very ownCommunity. God is so Good.

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Pastors who have ministered atDixon Chapel Church:William J. UnderwoodWilliam L. FreemanWilliam G. LoweChaplain BronstienJames (Jim) CarollJesse FisherTravis OwensWilliam R. KingHarold PigottW. B. GregoryWalter WeaverTracie Varnam wife ClementineEdward C. Batchelor wife GraceRobert Rudd wife ShelbyMurice Lancaster wife HelenRobert Hargrove wife Aletha

wife Mablewife Margaretwife Molly

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Robert Tilley wife JeanRoger Armistead wife DianneMartha Edgerton Hus. Glenn

• Jeanne Ray Hus. Valton 0Ben ff()rtlJ~ -f~?~OTHER MINISTERS who ministerdduring our revivals:Jesse James Rushing, Vernon Tyson,Donnie Davis, Vance Hardison, EkieLancaster; Robert Rattz, JohnHobbs and Landis Lancaster andmany more whom we love dearly.OTHER MINISTERS who haveattended Dixon's prior to theircalling: Tracie Varnum, WestonVarnum, Landis Lancaster, R. C.Dixon, Bobby Norton and JearldKirby.

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DIXON CHAPEL Pastor & Leaders:Pastor Jeanne RayLay Leader Marlene VarnamSS Superintendent-John D.DawsonCouncil Chairman- Ada McDonaldTrustee Chairman- Carson VarnamPPR Chairman Harvey ChampionParsonage Cha Luellen NorrisSecretary -Treasurer ..Judy GallowayFinance Chairman- David DawsonCemetery Co. Cha ...Edsel NorrisLay Member to NC AnnualConference Marlene VarnamAlternate Lay Member to NCAnnual Conference .. Harold DacusAssistant Lay Leader. Tony VarnamAssistant to the Superintendent ......Tony Varnam and Jay White.

/3CHAIRMAN OF MINISTRIESyouth Jencie VarnamFamily Mary Ellen VarnamChildren Mary DawsonMissions Sue GallowayWorship and Communion: Bea G.

Varnam & Shirley ThompsonTen Dollar Club ..... Edith NewsomeMembership and Record. Secretary,................................. Lori Varnum

Historian Jay WhiteCommunities in School Coor ..................................... Tonya Hager

Publicity Chairperson Gaye FulfordMusiclProgram Director. Jan WhiteStewardship Ester VarnamAcolytes Coordinator: Josh Varnum

It!Leaders of Special Ministries:Kicks for Jesus------Doug McDonaldEagles-----------------J ill DixonChildren's Choir------Jeanne RayChildren's Church----Mary DawsonKicks for Jesus Chorus-Gaye FulfordYouth (Young Men)-John D.DawsonRestless Hearts Choir---Jan WhiteDixon Chapel Drama Team:

Doug and Ada McDonaldTony and Lori Varnum

Sound Technicians: Tony Varnum& Mike Fulford.

We also would like to acknowledge"The Tracie Varnum Library"which was dedicated this past May2001 at our Homecoming Services.

Worship-----------------------ll :00 AMSunday School---------------l0:00 AMBible Study & Prayer Meeting

each Wednesday Night--7:30 PMKicks for Jesus-Fridays-----7:00 PMKicks for Jesus Chorus

Thursday -------------7:00 PMEagles-----Sunday -----------6:00 PMYouth Group (boys) Sun. 7:00 PMChoir Practice--------Sun. 6:00 PMChildren's Choir Practice.

2 Sundays each month 5:00 PMLadies Club meets on the

first Monday each mo. 7:00 PMDixon Chapel BasketbaU team

in play, January through March.

Our Mission here at Dixon's is tofirst of aU, win souls for Jesus.Study His word and implementprograms that will bring Glory toHis name.Enjoy Worship and fellowship withone another.Pray for the needs of our Churchand Community.Extend a helping hand to all those inneed.Extend a warm welcome to anyonewho would like to become part of ourChurch family.See to the needs of our Elderly,Youthand Children.