Friday, October 25, 2013

North Carolina churches.


You would think, after so many years of doing this, I would still not be dumbfounded at the lack of material in some aspects of our history. Yet once again, here I am, doing a heap of background research.

For some time, I've wanted to work on a paper about the role of churches in western North Carolina and how they viewed the war, or what role they played, locally or nationally, in the war effort.  

A few months back, I read Bruce Gourley's Diverging Loyalties: Baptists in Middle Georgia During the Civil War. In looking through Gourley's bibliography, there are several articles on the role of Georgia churches during the war. Yet, in looking at places like JSTOR and NCLive, I find nothing that deals with denomination, nor any geographical area, in North Carolina, during the "Late Unpleasantries."

Why is this? Is it because I'm really the only person interested in such topics? Or does it have more to do with North Carolina being a "Progressive" state, and Progressives really aren't all that interested in the past?

So, I've been working on this paper, looking at how the western (mountain) counties reacted to the War. Maybe one day it will appear in print.

3 comments:

PastorCreig said...

I'd like to see it too Brother! If I can help in any way, please let me know. God bless!

PastorCreig said...

I'd like to see it too! If I can be of some help just holler! GOD BLESS!

Kevin Ellis said...

Michael,
Not much, as I'm not home right now but;
http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/sbc.resolution.civil.war.html
To be taken with a grain of salt, as Baptists will break off and form a new Congregation at the drop if a hat.
I have run across more than a few casual references in my reading where pro Union folks were ostrasized in their home church and did just that. Particularly in WNC and E. TN.
In general, the "First's" were Seccessionist, and ? "Union" was added to the names of many Baptist churches during Reconstruction.
A LOT of work, but US/NC Genweb has a county by county database to start from.
Chris Fonviele relates something pertinent in "Last Rays of Departing Hope" pg 455.
Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Regards,
Kevin