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History of RBC

Riverside’s Roots

From 1890 to 1919, worship services in the Lake Logan community (known then as Retreat) were held in the Ivy Hill School House, which was located near the present day Riverside Cemetery. In 1919, church members decided to build a new building for worship services. Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Reece donated a parcel of land on the bank of the Pigeon River, and construction of a new church building began in the summer of 1921. On February 19, 1922 , the first services were held at Riverside Union Church. Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians worshiped together in this building, and heard sermons from pastors such as Rev. R.A. Sentelle, who was the first superintendent of Haywood County Schools.

In these early days, they did not have a preaching service every week, as we do now. Sometimes there were only preaching services two or three times a month. Pastors of different denominations would preach on different Sundays. A Methodist pastor would preach one Sunday a month, a Baptist preacher would come another Sunday each month. The last Presbyterian pastor to preach at Riverside left in 1923. From 1922 to 1941, the Baptist congregation grew significantly, while the Methodist congregation dwindled. Even though it was still owned by all three congregations, the church building came to be known as Riverside Baptist Church, as the majority of the congregation was Baptist by that time. 

Railroad tracks being removed, with RBC in the background. 1933
RBC in 1933

Growth and Expansion

In 1940, a severe flood hit Haywood County. In 1941, the members of Riverside voted to move Riverside’s original building farther away from the river, and turn it around to face the roadway. Work on this project began in 1943. The building was placed on a new rock foundation, with several classrooms in the basement. A heating system for the classrooms was installed in February of 1947. In 1953, the church was expanded again as more classrooms were added, and the sanctuary was enlarged.

By the 1940s, Riverside had many ministries going, including a “Young People’s Group”, the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), and Vacation Bible School. A free bus service was started to help those who had no way to get to the church. Sunday School and worship services were held regularly on Sunday mornings, with Training Union classes on Sunday evenings, a prayer service on Wednesday nights, and business meetings one Saturday each month. By 1951, the church membership had grown to around 200. RBC’s original building had no indoor baptistry, so baptisms were held in the river behind the church.

In 1958, Riverside called it’s first full-time pastor, Rev. Doyle Miller. During Rev. Miller’s time at RBC, a parsonage was built across the road from the church. Rev. Miller served until November of 1968. Until the late 1960s, the church building was still owned jointly by three denominations, even though the congregation was almost entirely Baptists. On January 5, 1968, a monetary agreement was made, and the Baptist congregation became the sole owner of all Riverside properties.

In 1974, church members decided it was time to expand again. A groundbreaking service took place Mother’s Day 1978, and construction began on a new, larger sanctuary building next to the original building. The new building was finished in 1979, and the first services were held on February 4, 1979. The new sanctuary included a baptistry, so baptisms could now be held indoors.

It was a few months before the new building got its steeple. The first steeple ordered was delivered to the church, but was found to be inferior and was sent back. The second steeple was destroyed by fire in a warehouse before it could be delivered. The third steeple was finally placed on top of the church on October 25, 1979. RBC’s original building was remodeled into an educational building, with classrooms on both floors, and a new nursery. The original 1922 steeple remains on display in the yard between the two buildings.

The original RBC building as it appeared in 1974.
The Original RBC Building - as it appeared in 1974
RBC's 2nd sanctuary building, as it appeared in 1985
The New Sanctuary, completed in 1979 (Photo taken in 1985)

Change Never Stops

Many more physical changes were made at RBC over the years. In 1993, a new sound system was installed and a coat closet in the back of the sanctuary was converted into a control room for the system. In 2007, the basement of the educational building was completely remodeled to create a large classroom space for the youth group. The parsonage was remodeled at the same time. In 2008, the nursery was remodeled and dedicated in memory of Mrs. Linda Foster, the late wife of Rev. Johnny Foster, who served as pastor from 2006 to 2008. In 2014, after many, many meals and events in the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen was remodeled and enlarged.

In 2019, the membership began to discuss the need for an elevator so our older members wouldn’t have to climb stairs to get from the Sanctuary to the Fellowship Hall and vice-versa. Work began on the elevator shaft in 2021, and after a few setbacks, the elevator was finally completed just in time to be a nice 2021 Christmas gift for the congregation. The elevator was dedicated on January 2, 2022. Several RBC members contributed significant amounts of their time and expertise working on this project.

RBC as it appeared in 2015
RBC in 2015

Pastors

Before 1958, Riverside did not have a full-time pastor. Pastors came and went more often, with the exception of R.A. Sentelle, who served for 12 years, and was the first pastor to preach in Riverside’s original building by the river. These early pastors were the Baptist pastors that served at the time. Other pastors from the Methodist and Presbyterian denominations also preached from time to time during the period from 1919 to 1958.

This list of early pastors is copied from the records of Troy Erwin, a longtime RBC member and deacon who passed away in 2017.

Early Pastors (Not Full-Time)

  • Rev. B.N. Rogers (November 9, 1919 - August 14, 1921) - Preached at Ivy Hill building
  • Rev. R.A. Sentelle (February 19, 1922 - March 18, 1934) - First pastor in original Riverside building
  • Rev. Gay Chambers (May 20, 1934 - June 26, 1938)
  • Rev. Thomas Erwin (July 7, 1938 - September 26, 1939)
  • Rev. William (Bill) Sorrells (September 26, 1939 - August 7, 1941)
  • Rev. Thomas Erwin (August 7, 1941 - October 4, 1942)
  • Rev. Gay Chambers (October 11, 1942 - June 6, 1948)
  • Rev. Bail Rogers (July 4, 1948 - July 15, 1950)
  • Rev. Thomas Erwin (July 15, 1950 - June 14, 1953)
  • Rev. Paul Grogan (June 21, 1953 - July 1, 1956)
  • Rev. George Mehaffey (July 8, 1956 - June 16, 1957)
  • Rev. Robert Clark (June 23, 1957 - July 27, 1958)

The church has had 8 full-time pastors since 1958, as well as 6 interim pastors, including Rev. Oder Burnette, who served as interim twice between 1966 and 1974. Six men have been ordained as ministers from RBC.

Riverside has also had several Youth Pastors and Associate Pastors through the years who have assisted the Senior Pastor with the ministries of the church. Some of these include Dr. Kim Milner, Dr. Mark Golden, and our current Minister of Education, Rev. Zachary Williams.

Full-Time Pastors

  • Rev. Doyle Miller (September 21, 1958 - October 16, 1966)
  • Rev. Robert Clark (March 12, 1967 - November 10, 1968)
  • Rev. James Estep (April 13, 1969 - March 19, 1972)
  • Rev. Larry Jones (May 5, 1974 - October 1, 1986)
  • Rev. Alvin Morgan (1987 - 1994)
  • Dr. David M. Odom (1995 - 2006)
  • Rev. Johnny Foster (2006 - 2008)
  • Rev. Steve Frazier (August 2011 - Present)

Interim Pastors

  • Rev. Oder Burnette (November 27, 1966 - March 12, 1967; May 21, 1972 - April 28, 1974)
  • Rev. Guy Grogan (December 1, 1968 - April 6, 1969)
  • Rev. Bill Henson (1986 - 1987)
  • Rev. Thomas Kemp (1994 - 1995)
  • Rev. J.D. Grant (2008 - 2009)
  • Rev. Larry Sprinkle (2009 - 2011)