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 [In 1998 Ararat Friends formally recorded the history of their meeting in Many Times Their Own Measure: Ararat Friends Meeting 1924 - 1998.  The following is condensed from that history.]

In June 1924 about twenty-five members of Pine Hill Meeting submitted a petititon to establish a monthly meeting in Ararat. By August interest had gathered enough momentum for the Surry Quarterly Meeting to appoint a committee to set up a monthly meeting in Ararat. Among the first members was cabinetmaker Ellis Mills who owned and operated a general store in the Ararat settlement, and his father G.W. Mills. Ellis would play a prominent role in building the new meeting house.

Direct descendants of those original members continue as active members of the meeting to this day. Two of Ellis Mills's daughters, Phyllis Mills Reeves and Christine Mills Shelton, are prominent in the current membership of the meeting. Their cousin, Alton Mills, who became a member in 1928, is also still active today. His mother Mattie Mills is recorded as an original member.

Sally Ann Forkner (1856-1930), maternal grandmother to Phyllis and Christine, donated land for the new meeting house about a quarter of a mile north of the now-vanished village of Ararat. "I can remember when they built the meeting house," Phyllis recalled. "They used mules pulling big scoops to dig out the foundation." Alton remembers that, "Mr. Ferguson and some members built it. It took them only a month or so to build." And Christine recollected that the meetings for worship began before the structure was complete, the congregants "met for worship when it was still a shell." One source gives the cost of construction as $1,500.

The original building was a simple rectangular frame structure with a cathedral ceiling that was lowered in a later renovation to conserve energy. At that time also, a small section was built at a right angle to the pulpit area adding more pews for worshippers. A rather unique feature of the meeting room is that the main floor slopes downward from back  to front. This affords those sitting in the back pews a less obstructed view of the pulpit area. The pews are not an original feature of the meeting room. Congregants originally sat in straight-backed, lattice-seated chairs. "I can remember my grandmother in her black bonnet sitting down front every Sunday," Phyllis recollected. "I still have that bonnet at home."

Christine remembers that the senior members of the meeting sat in front while others, out of deference and respect for those elders, sat toward the back. And Alton added that, in traditional Quaker fashion the men sat on one side and the women on the other. It is speculated that this tradition began during the years of persecution when the men would sit on the side nearest the door to protect the women in case the meeting was attacked. This practice has long since been discontinued.

The late Charlie Chilton was another notable figure in the history of Ararat Friends Meeting. The Monthly Meeting minutes show he was received as a member on August 23, 1930. "At night, : he revealed. "I was ten years old." It should be noted that children of members are not automatically granted membership. They must request membership and be officially accepted by the meeting. Sometimes, however, as in Charlie's case, they get an external prompt to join. "Perchie Key was pastor then," Charlie continued to explain, "she snatched me right out of my seat." Quakers are unique in that from their inception they have accepted women on equal terms with men as pastoral ministers. Charlotte "Lottie" Robertson was Ararat's first pastor. See the list below of those who have provided pastoral guidance to Ararat Meeting over the years. 

Charlie's father John Frank and mother Jezebel are included in the 1924 list of original members. "My father, his first cousin Columbus, and my uncles, Walter and Cyrus, were among those who helped build the Meeting house," he recalled. "My daddy had an old Model-T truck that he used to haul some of the building materials in." John Frank is also fondly remembered for riding his horse Jim to Sunday worship. On the way home he would stop at the (now abandoned) store along the way and buy himself a 12-ounce Pepsi. He'd drink half and give the other half to Jim.

Ararat Friends Meeting had the honor of hosting its first Quarterly Meeting on October 26, 1940. The minutes for that Quarterly Meeting reflect the tragic world events swirling around this quiet community. Mention is made of the difficult times and choices that lie ahead for this Quaker congregation. Although they hoped to hold fast to their Peace Testimony they could not avoid the whirlwind of global conflict leading to World War II -- a war that would reach all the way into the demure community of Ararat and take Chirlie Chilton and Alton Mills into service for their country. Sadly, in a world that seems to purposefully avoid a Peace Testimony, more wars have followed to test this Quaker and perhaps the most Christ-like conviction.

Ararat Friends has maintained approximately the same level of membership throughout its 80-year existence. While many of the descendants of the original members still fill its ranks, it has also drawn new members over the years. This is remarkable for a small rural church in a day and age when too many churches seem more concerned with the ABCs-- Attendance, Buildings, Cash -- of religion than with a humble Christian spirit. The Quaker's way of living their faith is a powerful magnet to those searching for a different approach to God.

There is a strong sense of family among the members of Ararat Friends--and they are a most welcoming family. Although they are few in number, when they are gathered together one can feel that they are gathered in many times their own measure. Anyone who shows up for worship is warmly welcomed and accepted as another carrying the "Light Within."

The faith, tradition, and dedication to Quaker Testimonies that has sustained Aararat Friends over the years will carry them on into the future. Along the way the Holy Spirit will protect, sustain, and bestow its eternal guidance upon this loving Quaker Meeting.

                                           Archive Records

Pettition to Create Ararat Freinds Meeting
Original Members List
Index of Ararat Friends Pastors
Monthly Meeting Minutes Sep. 1959 - Mar. 1966
Monthly Meething Minutes: Apr. 1966 - Feb. 1971
Monthly Meeting Minutes: Apr. 71 - June 1976