1939 Especially from the beginning of 1939, members of Haygood were interested in building a new church building.
Raising the money for this was, of course, a large problem. The Board was informed of another church which with success had tried a plan of buying government bonds and decided to try out this plan. The plan was for all who could to subscribe for a bond in such amount as they thought they could pay. If they wished, they could buy stamps in small denominations weekly until the stamps amounted to the value of the bond and to then exchange the stamps for the bond and present this bond to the church.
When World War II began, this plan of buying bonds came in well because, if the Church had the money with which to build, the material was not available. So the bonds were bought and allowed to accumulate for future use, and in the meantime these bonds were accumulating interest. When the bonds were finally used toward financing the new church building, they amounted to about $45,000.
“It is our prayer that by continuing our sacrificial giving to this fund we may soon be able to start actual construction.”
The treasurer of the building fund constructed a small portable booth, just large enough for one person to enter, and stationed this booth on the church lawn each Sunday morning with all the government stamps on hand that might be needed. Stamps were purchased each Sunday by many from the Beginners Department up and in all amounts from a dime up.
1941 On April 16, 1941, our current Rock Springs property was purchased for $4,500, paid in full at the time of purchase. A month later we purchased a lot facing Cumberland Road for $650 and deeded it to the city, along with a right of way to Rock Springs Road, on condition that the city build a street. That street is the extension of Sussex Road, between our sanctuary and our parking lot.
1944: Would You Hesitate To Buy a Car? Rev. W. Rembert Sisson was sent to Haygood with the express intent of building a new church. Labor and materials were very high in price at the time material became available, but the times for business were good and the members were making some money.
In one of his sermons, Rev. Sisson—stating that it would be necessary for everyone to give as much as he possibly could in order to do the building—also stated that not a member of the congregation would hesitate if he wished to purchase an automobile. The lowest priced car (at that time) was $1,000, and Rev. Sisson said he believed that if such a member really desired to contribute $1,000 to the building of the new church, he could do that also. Some who possibly had not thought of giving that amount did so and then more.
1945 The Building Committee was elected at the first quarterly conference, held on February 9, 1945, in the old building and first met on February 22, 1945. Barili &Humphreys was chosen as architects.
1946 “Our architect has finished plans, working drawings, and specifications for our new building. We also have cash and tangible assets of approximately $75,000 to be used in the building.”
In June 1946, the Church purchased a lot on which to build a parsonage. This lot, bought for $2,200, was directly across the street from the new church. It was paid for in cash from the regular budget without drawing on the building fund. During the latter part of 1946 and the first part of 1947, this first parsonage was built at a cost of $26,000. Today’s parsonage, purchased in 2002, is at 815 Cumberland Road NE.
“The members of Haygood have always been a helpful and a friendly people and willing to enter upon any program suggested to them for the development of their church. May they always be so.” —1951