SCHEDULE INSIDE!
Don't Miss This Week's
RUTHERFORD WEEKLY Our 34th Year • Over 18,000 Weekly Readers
OnlineVersion Same As The Printed Copy!
If you're unable to get your regular copy of Rutherford Weekly, view it online at
rutherfordweekly.com
ISSUE NO. 33 • August 20, 2026 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
Chimney Rock Baptist Church turns 100 Article and photos by Jean Gordon.
others impacted the storm. During those days, Rev. Heafner said the When Chimney Rock Baptist Church (CRBC) church received a lot of support from individuals observes its 100th birthday on Sunday, August in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, 30, church family, former members, friends and Ohio, and Pennsylvania. A helicopter from others will gather to celebrate the past, present Tennessee landed in the church cemetery loaded and look toward the future. No doubt some with small generators and other much needed friendships will be renewed and stories will be supplies for the community. shared of times long ago. Rev. Heafner said the church began a GiveRev. Alex Heafner came to Chimney Rock Send-Go to help meet the financial needs of Baptist Church, located off Boys Camp Road, on individuals and families in the Gorge, raising May 1, 2018, as its pastor and invites everyone $22,000 $23,000 of the $192,000 in total that to the anniversary celebration on August 30. came in and was distributed to over 40 families in There will be only one worship service that day, the community. beginning at 10am. Refreshments will be served. Also during the days of Helene, the church The church in the area before CRBC was the forwarded backpacks from Indian Trail and toys Whiteside Valley Baptist Church in 1892. Rev. from various individuals to Lake Lure Classical Z.T. Whiteside served as the first pastor and Academy and McQuinn’s Store. according to records, actually conducted worship “We helped facilitate Christmas items to both, services in a log home on his property. He served as well as other areas in Western North Carolina as pastor six years and during the final months of impacted by Helene,” he said. his pastorate, a new frame church structure was FEMA and other emergency response teams completed. came to Chimney Rock Baptist for meetings The church thrived and in 1925 when plans “Cotton candy clouds, so fluffy and white, who put you there during the disaster, fi nding ways to help the in a sky so blue?” are the lyrics of a song written many years were announced to build the Lake Lure dam, the ago, describes this view of CRBC. lake would take the property of Whiteside Valley communities. “Today Chimney Rock Baptist Church is a Baptist Church. History records the property including the cemetery was sold to Carolina blessed congregation, comprised of families born Mountain Power Company. The new church and raised here and others from various parts building was erected through proceeds from of the USA that have moved to the area,” Rev. the sale of the former Whiteside property. So Heafner said. The church supports 19 ministries outside the on August 29,1926 - 100 years ago - the new Southern Baptist Convention and has helped fund Chimney Rock Baptist Church was consecrated. the building of a school in South Sudan, and are Rev. E.P. White was pastor. currently trying to help Pastor Anton Roos of Lake When Covid shut down the world and church, an Lure Baptist Church to raise another $45,000 so outdoor platform was built and an AM transmitter that a second fl oor upon completion, will be debt was used at CRBC. The church met in the parking free. lot of the church until 2021. The Lakeside Chapel is located beside the “People sat in their vehicles and listened to Pool Creek Picnic Park, 2724 Memorial Highway. their radios,” said Heafner. When Hurricane Helene happened in Rev. Heafner said the services are a bit shorter September 2024, there was two feet of rain in than the traditional 11am service at the church the area, Rev. Heafner recalled. There were no building, but they offer a unique message by utilities for at least five weeks, but the pastor said, Heafner in the normal environment. People are encouraged to sit in the chairs provided, in their “We stayed and helped each other.” “During this time, we met people in the cars or arrive in boats ready for the 9am service. “People come in their boats, tie them up, community we did not know previously, and we all sometimes six to eight,” said Heafner. The church worked together to care for one another,” he said. hopes additional docks can be built there. The rushing water came to the tree line on “The lakeside service is a large part of the Church Street and the Lakeside Chapel was church’s outreach programs,” said church member flooded. “We lost everything but the plastic yard Delilah Fisher, who joined the church in February chairs,” he said of the area where 9am worship 2025. “God led me here. It is a very special place services are held each Sunday during the summer to me,” she said. months and into the fall. Paula Moore and her husband joined Chimney CRBC became a small collection and Rock Baptist in 1998 after moving her letter from distribution center for supplies of all types: food First Baptist Church in Inman, SC. In 2002 she items, water, paper products, batteries, gasoline, decided to be re-baptized. generators and other items. Needed supplies The church steeple reaches above the Chimney Rock were sent to nearby churches, as well as other mountain tops. communities like Swannanoa, Burnsville, and
Continued on page 3.
WE WILL BUY YO U R CA R ! 565 Oak Street, Forest City, NC
828-245-1626 www.legendaryford.com