The History
The history of the Seventh District Lay Organization
The SED Lay Organization has always played an important part in the life of the Seventh Episcopal District since its origin.
At a meeting on February 26, 1948, at Bishop’s Memorial A.M.E. Church, Columbia, South Carolina, the laymen met to concentrate on the needs of the church at that time. Much of the concern revolved around the operation of the church school. Resolutions were made to uphold the thinking of the lay persons, and officers were elected. The election results were as follows: Mr. J. T. Mims of Clinton, president; J. B. Beck, Georgetown, secretary; Daniel Thompson, Columbia, assistant secretary; B. C. Bartelle, of Johnsonville, Treasurer; William Simmons, Charleston, reporter; Mrs. Lois Boyd, Spartanburg, conference chairman.
As the Seventh Episcopal District Lay Organization was being organized the six conference Lay Organizations were being organized as well.
South Carolina-Mrs. Mable Greene;
North East-L.E. Hyman;
Columbia-H.R. Rikard;
Piedmont-0. L. Smith;
Central-Miss Cora Smith;
Palmetto-J. E. Smith
During this administration there were many problems but the organization was kept alive by worthwhile activities and solid purposes; such as, securing rights for laymen, support of the total program of the A.M.E. Church, support for Allen University, and the training of laymen to become more knowledge about the church. In view of these circumstances, problem solving could be made easy. Activities were stimulating and came into existence because of the presidency, J. T. W. Mims: programs such as
Oratorical Contest,
Little Allen Stars,
The Layman of the Year
The Miss Seventh Episcopal District-Pageant.
The purpose of these activities was to get funds for Allen University and to stimulate growth in the organization.
The lay Organization has constantly shown a progressive attitude; they adhered to the study of the Discipline and carried out its regulations. The same is true of the Hymnal and Robert’s Rules of Order.
The lay organization has produced some very fine and strong leaders.
- T. W. Mims served on the Legislative Committee for 25 years; this was the most important committee on the Connectional level. Some of the other persons from the Seventh that served along with president Mims were (Prof. J. B. Beck, W. H. Young, Henry Ashe, J. E. Smith, H. B. Rikard, W. L. Foxworth, Cora Black, and Zylphia Primus.
Sometime about 1955 another election were held elected were: J. T. W. Mims, president; Cora Black, recording secretary; Lykes D. Gamble, vice president; Mable Green, corresponding secretary; Lorraine E. Moultrie, assistant secretary; Priscilla Young, financial secretary; H. W. Isaac, treasurer; A.T. Butler, parliamentarian; Henrietta Felder, youth director; Lillian Y. Robinson, Editor, Lay Activities.
Accord to some records two other persons also; served as the president of the SEDLO they are Sister Christine Borgden and Bro. Jessie Smith. It has not been determined how long each served as president but when Christine Borgden left for Detroit, Michigan, brother Mims was re-elected president where he continued until 1979.
The first State Convention was June 7, 1966. The theme was: A New Era of Preparation for Effective Lay Leadership.
The presenters were Professor J. T. W. Mims, Dr. Madge Harper, *Rev. Leroy Weathers, Rev. B. J. Ravenal, and Mrs. Lela H. Sessions. The consultants were Bishop C. A. Gibbs, Dr. B. J. Glover, *Dr. F. C. James, and Mr. J. M. Woodbury.
* Still alive in 2017 but not active any more.
Through the years the Lay Organization has faced many oppositions and disappointments. Today, the organization still faces various problems in a new society.
The lay persons wanted to make their feelings known, so they translated them into a song: “Seventh Episcopal District Laymen Hymn of Devotion.” Tune: Onward Christian Soldiers.
Persons who served as Episcopal Presidents:
Professor J. T. W. Mims 1948-1955
Brother Jessie Smith
Sister Christine Borgden
1960-1979 Professor J. T. W. Mims Clinton, SC
1979-1987 President, James B. Hildebrand, Bluffton, SC
1987 -1995 Bro. Ralph James St. George, SC
1995-2003 Bro. Roosevelt Mitchell, Summerton, SC
2003-2011 Bro. Normal Deas, Conway, SC
2011-2019 Brother Roger Cleckley, Rowesville, SC
In 1987 there were 20 Annual Conference Districts. In 2017 there are now 17 Annual Conference District.
This information was taken from African Methodism in South Carolina that was compiled when Bishop F. C. James was the bishop in 1987.
Other information was taken from the South Carolina Lay Hand book that was published August 25, 2001 when Bro Cleveland Frasier was South Carolina Conference Lay President.