Members work to preserve an aging Soldier

Even as he leads a three-year campaign to renovate historic Soldiers Memorial Baptist Church, the Rev. Murray L. Edwards hopes to rejuvenate the congregation as well.

When he arrived a year ago as the church’s new pastor, “we were way down,” Edwards said this morning. “Hopefully, this can give them the impetus to move ahead. It’s going to be a struggle, but God is with us and will be with us.

“We need as much help as we can get.”

On Sunday, the congregation raised its voice in praise as Edwards and other leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church launched the $750,000 capital campaign.

“It was a wonderful day,” Edwards said.

The church’s mass choir, led by Kay W. Norman, marched in to begin the service, and the youth of the church performed a choral litany, composed by Dr. Joyce Edwards, the pastor’s wife.

Marjorie Kinard, chair of the campaign committee, outlined the plan to renovate the church’s historic sanctuary and the Glenn Manse, which served for years as the church parsonage.

Organized in 1864, the congregation began construction in 1873 on the building that occupies the northwest corner of Liberty and Church streets.

Local artist and Soldiers Memorial member James Donaldson is preparing a mural in support of the campaign, and local craftsman Jerry Avery will build a miniature replica of the church that will hold pledges for the campaign.

The right Rev. Cecil Bishop, presiding prelate of the Piedmont Episcopal District, delivered the sermon as well as a $5,000 contribution from the Piedmont district and the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society.

Bishop spoke on 2 Corinthinians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

“ ‘In Christ’ means we have to set new standards and the value system changes,” he told the congregation. “If something does not happen on the inside, how can we move on?

“Renewal must take place within and without. Why are you going down this road? You have a responsibility to do service to God’s people. Reaching out to the lost, the downcast and the outcast. Soldiers must provide full expression of love. It will not be easy. God’s work is difficult. We have an established partnership with one who never fails.”

Edwards, 62, said he prays for a spiritual renewal to match the physical one.

“We as a church community want to be in step with what the city is doing” to renew the downtown area, including the Freedman’s Cemetery memorial across Liberty Street from the church, Edwards said.

“We want to form a partnership with them in helping to get this done.”

A Conway, N.C., native, Edwards and his wife came to Soldiers Memorial from Trinity AME Zion Church in Southern Pines.

After restoring the Glenn Manse, the church plans to use it for a social program, thought the church has not selected that program yet.

The church is leasing a parsonage home and plans to buy the house with funds raised in the campaign.

After completing the three-year campaign, Edwards said he next envisions the congregation building a family life center to further strengthen programs for church members.

Contact Frank DeLoache at 704-797-4245 or fdeloache@salisburypost.com .