On December 15, 1870, the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church became a separate entity from the main Methodist Episcopal Church South after the Civil War. The bishops worked for several years prior to establishing their separation and succeeded. The Methodist Episcopal Church was always against slavery, which drew approximately 207,000 African Americans to this denomination. So, when the time was right and with much planning, a separation from the main church was approved. The main church helped to establish Chalk Level Colored Methodist Episcopal Church South, the only regular Independent Negro Methodist Church Organization in all the world. The first conference was held in Jackson, Tennessee, by 41 formerly enslaved bishops.

The first day of the conference was spent in prayer, seeking God for direction. The white brethren commissioned by the Methodist Episcopal Church South helped by coming together to pray also. Some of the initial bishops were Bishop W. H. Miles, Rev. Worden P. Churchill, Joseph Crouch, Benjamin Bullard, R. T. White, John W. Lane, Esquire Bobo, Isaac H. Anderson, R. H. Vanderhorst, Lucius H. Holsey, Henry Hammond, James Graves, Augustus Bostick, Wesley Ware, Rev. J. A. Heard, Rev. L. J. Scurlock, Bishop Robert S. Williams, D.D., Bishop N. C. Cleaves, D.D., Bishop M. F. Jamison, D.D., Bishop R. A. Carter, D.D., Bishop Charles Henry Phillips, D.D., Bishop Elias Cottrell, D.D., Rev. William Henry Miles, Rev. Joseph A. Beebe, Samuel B. Wallace, Bishop Isaac Lane, D.D., to name a few. Other bishops were installed as annual conferences came around.

There were also enslaved people from Orange and Harnett Counties of North Carolina—descendants of those who came before them—who wanted to learn how to read, write, and contribute to the community. With the assistance of a white man with the last name Cameron, the group was able to learn how to read. One of the phrases the man used to teach them was “chalk it level,” meaning to keep the letters straight on the line. Later, a brush arbor near the Spence Store, located on Cokesbury-River Road and Duncan-Cokesbury Road, was used as a school, community center, and church. Ab Simmons ran the store and handed it over to Stephen Spence. It was the only general store, along with a blacksmith shop and a post office. Oral history has it that this facility operated as a fully functioning church even before the laying of the cornerstone on July 17, 1917, which is located on the left front corner of the building. The deed for the land was issued by Harnett County on May 10, 1944, and filed July 14, 1944. In 1954, the name of the church was changed from Colored Methodist Episcopal Church to Chalk Level Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Ministers Who Led the Church from 1917 On:

Rev. W. Flack (1917–1919), Rev. H. C. Young (1920–1926). Under the leadership of Rev. A. L. Sinclair (1927–1930), a wooden church structure was built on the present lot, which was donated by Paul and Jessie Abernathy, white landowners. The fourth pastor was Rev. Ridley (1931–1934), followed by Rev. L. D. Smith (1934–1935), Rev. H. P. Roberts (1936–1938), Rev. Burnett (1938–1942), Rev. Jones (1943–1945), Rev. Nelson Crisp (1946–1949). Rev. H. P. Rogers was the tenth minister, serving from 1950–1956.

The present structure was built under the leadership of Rev. Reid (1957–1959). Each family was asked to provide blocks for the church. The trustees who helped in building the new structure included: Aaron Judd, Buddy McDonald, Charlie McDonald, Hardie Prince, Hustler Prince, and Fred Williams. Rev. G. M. Griffin was the next minister, followed by Rev. Wheeler. Under Rev. J. H. Cotton’s leadership (1970–1976), the building fund was started and stained-glass windows were purchased. Under Rev. John L. Durden’s administration (1977–1981), the church was renovated with the addition of the fellowship hall and bathrooms. Rev. Henry Isaac (1982–1986) served until he became ill, and Rev. John Prince, a local minister of Chalk Level, was asked to keep charge until the following annual conference.

Rev. Swindell Edwards was next to lead the congregation, followed by Rev. Albert Williams, who served as pastor for nine years. He organized the financial records of the church and began the central treasurer system. In 1996, Rev. Bobby Winston was appointed pastor. He served for one year. Under his leadership, central air conditioning and heating were installed, and a telephone was placed in the church. At the 125th session of the Carolina Conference held in Durham, NC, in July 1997, Rev. Dr. Beverly Rose was appointed pastor of Chalk Level. During her administration, the tithing program was introduced, the Christian Education program was enhanced, officer training classes were initiated, weekly Bible study was advanced, and a wheelchair-accessible ramp was built. Chalk Level remained a beacon in the community.

In 2003, Rev. Robert Smith was appointed pastor, serving for one year. Under Rev. Smith’s leadership, the floor in the sanctuary was replaced. Leonard McDonald carried out this effort until its completion.

In July 2003, at the 131st session of the Carolina Conference convening in Gastonia, NC, Rev. Delores A. Perry was appointed pastor. Under Rev. Perry’s administration, many accomplishments were completed: a financial system was established, the church was painted, a new roof was installed, rails were added to the steps leading to the pastor’s study, and new hymn books were donated by various families. Many families came together to donate the gold cross now erected in the sanctuary.

In 2011, the floor in the ladies’ bathroom was replaced, new windows installed, fascia boards and gutters added, and a larger copier was donated by Jimmy D. Perry. The Women’s Ministry was established, and cemetery bylaws were adopted and approved by the church conference. In 2012, new sanctuary doors were installed, a temporary ceiling placed in the edifice, new ceiling fans added, and the church exterior remodeled. A children’s choir was also established during this time. Under the leadership of the Trustee Board and its president, Sister Rosia Cross, a wooden cross was placed in the churchyard.

In 2014, Leon and Delores Kizer redecorated the vestibule. Christopher Kizer preached his initial sermon in July of 2015 and was licensed in the first quarter by Elder Clifton E. Harris. During 2018–2019, a new church sign was placed at the end of the road, along with a donation and membership board. The ladies’ restroom had plumbing reinstalled along with new sheetrock and lighting. The hall to the ladies’ restroom received new sheetrock and a new floor. The vestibule, sanctuary, and choir stand were redone with new sheetrock and sprayed, along with insulation blown in above the ceiling.

In July 2024, at the 152nd Annual Conference in Columbia, SC, Dr. Rinalda Farrar-Lewis was appointed pastor. Repairs are currently ongoing as grant money is obtained.

Acknowledgments

History information is courtesy of Brother Percy A. Jones and Sister Octavia Thomas. Additional information was provided by Stephanie Key, Rev. Delores Perry, and the Board of Christian Education. If additional information is to be added, please see Sister Tiffany Alston, Director of BOCE. The history is an ongoing project, and Sister Stephanie Key will be adding additional information to enhance the formal history of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Last revised: September 2024