O Jesus I have Promised: Historic Celebrations in “The Handsomest Church in the State”

When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. – Ecclesiastes 5:4

You may have guessed this by now – but we’re all about celebrating here at HMPC in Tarboro! This time it was to mark 115 years since the May 1909 opening of the – gasp! – $20,000 project described by one newspaper as “The handsomest church in all the state.”

“It took six, count ‘em, six preachers to get the job done in 1909,” Rebekah said.

Once again the spirit in this place was a beautiful testimony to the faith and vision and enthusiasm of this congregation.

Then, later in worship, the new carillon was officially placed into service. It’s a remarkable system, pealing out joy with perfect clarity from the bell tower.

This church is very much an ongoing “On Christ the solid rock I stand,” witness to the promises we read in the Bible. “Unless the Lord build the house…” “The wise man built his house upon the rock…” “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it…”

Rebekah talked about Solomon building the temple but then going back on his promises to God. But our history – our opportunity, has been and continues to be that of taking our promises seriously.

When I look at the people filling the pews in this beautiful worship space and consider what has been promised to God in the way of baptism vows, in confirmation, in joining the church as a new member, in being ordained and installed as an elder – and via hymns and prayers every Sunday:

“O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end…”

O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow Thee
that where you are in glory
there shall your servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend!