Dr. Clarence David Graves


 

Pastor First Baptist Church 1921-1941

Dr. Clarence David Graves was one of the most beloved pastors ever to serve any church anywhere, and one of the most highly respected and valuable citizens of this area.  He served the First Baptist Church of Dublin for twenty years, his term only exceeded by the late Rev. W. S. Ramsey by two years back when the church was first organized.

This esteemed gentleman was more than a pastor.  He was a community leader and few people know that he helped sponsor and instigate the organization of Alcoholics Anonymous in Dublin, which has prospered ever since.  He served on numbers of local organizations, one of which was the Citizens Committee, which was active in the eradication of typhus fever.  From 1943 to 1945 the number of cases in Laurens County were reduced from 32 to 14.  He was the repository of confidence and the consultant on matters affecting the lives and welfare of persons from all walks of life.  He graced every occasion, and as one of his friends said he was an asset and decoration to Dublin and Laurens County.  A man of exceptional attainments, he had a knowledge of human nature and that coupled with his erudition, provided him with a rare grasp of problems and their solutions.  He was a profound thinker and a humanitarian of unusual breadth.  Dignity, gentleness, and understanding characterized his life, and his home was a haven of warmth and cordiality and accessibility.

Son of the late Theresa Louise Cooke and David Hasiam Graves of Selma, NC, he was born on February 9, 1872.  He attended an academy in Selma and then in 1888 enrolled at Wake Forest College, NC, from which he graduated on June 9, 1892 with a B. A. Degree.  Dr. Graves did graduate work in mathematics and physics at Cornell and Harvard Universities.  He taught in an academy at Eaton, NC, and then became professor of mathematics at North Carolina Baptist Female College.  In 1897 he enrolled at the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY.  Graduating on May 29, 1900, with the Master of Theology Degree.  There were forty-six in the graduating class, and twenty-one received the Master of Theology Degree.  While at the seminary he tutored at Miss Gross’s School For Young Ladies.

Feeling that he needed the experience of pioneer mission work, he asked The Home Mission Board to send him at his own expense, during summer vacations, while attending the seminary, to its most primitive field.  He spent three summers in the North Carolina Mountains with a mountain missionary, living in the most humble huts with the most humble people.

He married Octavia Bate, of Louisville, KY, November 1, 1900, and they had eight children:  Clarence Bate, Victor Morse, John David, Robert Cooke, Richard Zantzinger, Benjamin Locke, James Spotswood, and Virginia Leone Graves.

His first pastorate was Franklin, Ohio, where he served from November 1900 to 1904.  From there he went to Wadesboro, NC, where he was pastor until 1908, then to Clarksville, TN.  In 1913 he moved to Nashville, TN to become Field Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board.  For four years he traveled through the Southland with missionaries home on furlough, visiting Southern Baptist Churches promoting foreign mission causes.  In 1916 he became pastor of the Wake Forest Baptist Church and College Chaplain.  Then in January 1921 he came to Dublin, Georgia.  On May 27, 1921 Wake Forest College conferred on him the Doctor of Divinity Degree.

During his early years here the church purchased a very fine Austin pipe organ.  The world-famous Virgil Fox gave a concert on the organ and afterwards made the remark that it was one of the sweetest toned instruments that he had v\ever played on.

Dr. Graves served on many Georgia Baptist state committees.  Of particular interest to him was the Committee of Seven, composed of C.D. Graves, Roland Q. Level, J.C. Wilkerson, F. S. Porter, Mrs. Ben Thompson, J. E. Sammons, Chmn., and Gordon S. Singleton.  The purpose of this committee was to consider the entire education program of Georgia Baptists.  Dr. Graves served on this committee from 1932 to 1937.

Outstanding ministers, including Dr. M. E. Dodd, held revivals here and, professors of note, among them was Dr. A. T. Robertson, Greek scholar and author from the Southern Baptist Seminary, and many others came to the church for lectures and conferences.

In 1048 Dr. Graves cultivated an acre of Irish potatoes the sales proceeds from which made the first contribution towards the proposed educational building.

Dr. Graves retired from the ministry on January 1, 1941.  After his retirement he became interim pastor of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church for nearly a year.  At times when the Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church was without a pastor, he supplied for them.  During his pastorate and retirement he preached in many churches in Dublin, in the county, and the state.  He continued his interest in all Baptist affairs until his death on November 9, 1959.

Their children gave a silver communion service to the First Baptist Church in April 1957 in Honor of Octavia Bate and Clarence David Graves.

Dr. Graves died at the age of 86, following his beloved wife by a little over a year.  He left and indelible mark on this area, and his memory will ever be revered.  Little more be adequately said about this man of God whose eyes glowed with hope of the Ever after.