The oldest member is Vara Crumpler, who is seen here amid family members on the steps of the church. She is 97 and has been teaching a Sunday School class since 1934.

The youngest member present was probably eight-week-old Bailey Spell, whose father has roots in the church and whose mother is from Virginia.

The composition of the charter members of the new congregation and the terminology used was typical of the times.

In today's language it meant 23 whites and four blacks formed the new congregation. It was not unusual for Baptist congregations formed in the first two-thirds of the 19th century to have such membership listings. Some minutes use the term "colored" or even "slaves" in reference to the black members, but White Oak used the softer term "servants."

And, as in many other situations, after the Civil War there was the amicable separation of the congregation when a black church, Mt. Pleasant Church, was organized. (Many communities in North Carolina have this pattern. A good example is in Raleigh where there are two authentic "First Baptist" churches because the original congregation peacefully divided after the Civil War.)

Sept. 21 was the day of celebration of the sesquicentennial of White Oak Church. On Sept. 24, White Oak members joined the Mt. Pleasant Church for a celebration of the common heritage of the two congregations.

Davis Benton, pastor of White Oak, expressed his joy and satisfaction with the celebrations at his own church and with the black congregation down the road.

Members, former members and friends filled the sanctuary of White Oak for the morning and afternoon services on Sept. 21 with "dinner on the grounds" between. Such celebrations usually equate a reunion of families and friends, often from great distances.

Sylvia Butler presented a summary of the history of the church.

Dorothy Royal brought greetings from the mother church--Salemburg-- and affirmed many of the comments by Butler.

"I often drive past your church building," Royal said, "and I enjoy the church steeple. There is something about a church steeple that says, Come!"

Special music was a brother-sister duet presented by Karen Driskill and Myron Bass who have family roots in the church.

Prayer time was led by Robert Boone of Raleigh, and his daughter, Sydney, who is a senior at UNC at Chapel Hill majoring in studio art.

Recognitions included some visitors from out-of-state, several former members and former pastors. Kirtz Adams introduced Biblical Recorder Editor R.G. Puckett who delivered the Sesquicentennial Sermon. Beautiful floral arrangements for the sanctuary were given by the family of F.E. Williamson Sr., in memory of F.E. Sr., Laura, Lizzie, F.E. Jr., and Oliver Williamson.

An afternoon service included words of greeting and commendation from James Camp and Ben Gault, directors of missions in Eastern and New South River associations respectively.

A time of thanks and praise by members, former members and friends was the major part of the afternoon program, along with congregational singing of favorite hymns, special music and recognition of former pastors.