High Hill Primitive Baptist Church History

 

The Baptists began preaching in the area now known as Union County in 1774. At this time the area was still under the rule and authority of the Church of England who had the power to forbid, regulate and persecute other religious bodies that would not follow their laws and decrees. Before the Revolutionary war most Baptist churches kept very few written records for fear that they might fall into the hands of their enemies.

 High Hill Church was organized in 1784 and is the oldest church of any denomination in Union County. The church traces its roots back to England where an emigrant church constituted with 16 members sailed across the ocean to settle in Delaware. In 1738 a group of the Delaware Baptists moved to Charleston, S.C. where they gradually spread into North Carolina. A Baptist congregation moved to the Union county area from the high hills on the Santee River. When the church was established it was named High Hill. The church minutes date back to April of 1801 where it is documented that the clerk’s house had burned destroying all previous church records.

 Among the church charter members were Tillman Helms and Tillman Helms, Jr. Tillman Jr. gave the property on which the church was built and Jacob Helms was pastor from 1816 to 1842. Most Union county natives have Helms relatives on their family tree. An interesting anecdote is related about Andrew Helms, son of Tillman Helms, Jr. About 1835 a circus came to Monroe and he attended a performance. The church called him on the carpet and threatened to dismiss him from the church. They proposed that if he apologized for attending the circus he would be permitted to retain his church membership. He thought it over, refused to apologize and said he had a good time at the circus and would attend another one if it came along. As a result of his stand he was turned out of the church. Soon thereafter he and his family moved to another state. 

 In 1832 a division came among the Baptists. In 1845 the Southern Baptist Convention was formed in Augusta, Georgia. High Hill chose to stay with the original faith and practice. They were known as “Old School or Primitive (original)” Baptists. The Primitive Baptists believe that salvation is totally and completely the work of God and that belief, faith, good works, baptism and obedience are all outward evidences that a work of grace has been done on the inside by the Spirit of God. This miraculous spirit is not aided or hindered by mankind but moves throughout history.
 John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
 
Union county was formed in 1842 out of portions of Anson and Mecklenburg counties.  This same year High Hill erected a 30’ by 40’ meeting house at the geographical center of what is now Union county. It was said at the time every county resident could fit in this structure. It was made of hewed framing, mortised and pegged together with hand dressed lumber. The original structure was used until 1962 when a new brick church was built with modern amenities.

 Today High Hill church sits on the side of a hill surrounded by ancient oaks just off Concord Ave. in Monroe. Members and visitors enjoy air conditioning, paved parking and other modern conveniences. No one is put out of the church for attending the circus. Doctrinally they are still following the New Testament pattern of worship. They do not have the authority or the desire to change it. Singing is enthusiastic and a cappella. Families worship together. The Bible is the only written material used in worship. The doctrines of grace are practiced and celebrated. The gospel is preached to give instruction to the child of grace and light on the work of a sovereign, righteous and all-powerful Saviour.