From 1977 through the 1997, The Hallelujah Supper Club in Newton, North Carolina was THE weekend gathering "PLACE TO BE" if you were a fan of Southern Gospel music. For the best country cooking, even before we went to Cracker Barrel or Golden Corral, there was no place like the Hallelujah Supper Club. and Joyce Harris and their friends. We have some testimonials from some of the Volunteer Staff me
mbers and pictures of people and the artists you will know even if you didn't attend the supper club. Part of this commentary is taken from the Face Book Memory page, created by Joyce Harris and Charlie Griffin. This is exactly as I remember it, in the late '80s when I was privileged to attend the Hallelujah Supper Club! Thanks to Charlie Griffin, a friend through the years, who acquired these photos and much of this information. Charlie, your volunteer work is not yet over! Hallelujah Supper Club
North College St, Newton, NC 28658
In the late 70's the Hallelujah Supper Club was the brain child of several people in the Unifour (four country area of Burke, Catawba, Lincoln and Iredell counties) area of western North Carolina. The entertainment restaurant specialized in country cooking and featured gospel music. Each Friday and Saturday night gospel groups graced the stage after an evening meal to entertain, minister and just laugh. For almost 20 years a staff of volunteers served the best food, homemade biscuits and desserts, Ham biscuits which helped sponsor an evening of southern gospel music. There were so many friends who made the basement gathering place one of the most attended southern gospel venues in the Carolinas. Original HSC Board Members
Charlie and Wilanna Birtwhistle
GS and Joyce Harris
Bob and Betty Jo Medlin
Clyde and Hilda Cook
Gene and Margie Bowman
James and Cathy Crandall
Allen and Mary Bowman
Other board members thru the years: Charlie Griffin, Irene Tucker, Wilma Keller, Roy and Becky Eller, Charles Estep, Johnny and Rachael Presnell, Ethel Peters, Frank and Jeannette Sigmon, John Greene, Diane Davidson, Betty Small, Vaughn and Laureen McCracken. Over the years the number of volunteers was tremendous. Many drove several hours to cook, serve, clean and enjoy some music. That list is too many to begin to name. All are part of a special family. It is their work, efforts and love of gospel music and fans that made this a special place. Good Food, Great gospel music, Intimate, casual, relaxing, exciting and real people just describe the HSC. Many try to imitate it. Yet it is never duplicated. No one can match the passion and desire to impact the Christian community in the way the Hallelujah Supper did and still does today in our memories. From the pen of Joyce Harris, Hallelujah Supper Clube Board Member and Volunteer...
The HSC beginning....Years ago, I heard of the Joyful Noise Supper Club in East Point, Ga. I told my husband, G.S. that I wished we could have one around the Hickory, NC area. He said, "We could not afford that type of place around here." I felt as if God was leading in that direction. Not long after that conversation, we were approached by some friends about starting a Christian Supper Club. We went to some meetings spear-headed by Charlie and Wilanna Birtwhistle. Soon everything began to fall in place for a Christian Supper Club in Western North Carolina. The name was chosen "The Hallelujah Supper Club." The search for a building began. The Cellar Restaurant had closed in Newton, NC. It was in the basement of a downtown building. Low ceiling, with support posts throughout the main dining area. The kitchen was small but efficient. There was a walk-in cooler and a stock room. We signed the lease and the work started. We cleaned the building, kitchen, cooler, stock room and bathrooms. We painted, bought a freezer, some tables and chairs. Built a stage and placed some lighting for the performers. We bought the pots and pans, serving trays, plates and cutlery, a dessert counter, coffee pots, ice machines...and the list continued for 20 years. The adventure had begun. A lot of hard work went into opening. The staff members were completely volunteer and remained that way for over 20 years. The word began to spread about the "gospel music supper club." Often referred to as the Hallelujah Club, people came to enjoy some great gospel music and enjoy great country cooking. Many people came to the HSC that had never been to a church. Over the years, there were many decisions made for Christ. And for that we are thankful and most proud it happened as a supper club. Many friends met at the HSC. There were a couple of marriages performed at the supper club. There were many friends who volunteered over the years. Some cooked; others served or cleaned the dining room. Dishes were washed, stock put up, trash taken out, bathrooms cleaned all the while gospel music was playing from the groups setting up or on the stereo. We could never get enough of that "good ol' gospel music." So many of the gospel greats whether local or national performed on the HSC stage. Every Friday and Saturday night we shared a meal and gospel music with some of our closest friends from all over the southeast. We were just family. Over the years we faced many obstacles, prayed many prayers, made many friends, and sang many songs. Many will try to duplicate the atmosphere, the spirit, the music and even the food of the HSC, but there will never be another Hallelujah Supper Club. The HSC would have never made it without the volunteers who worked tirelessly every week. The HSC would have never made it without the musical artists who saw our vision and shared in making it a reality. We were truly blessed many times over to be part of such a great gospel music venue. I miss the people, the music and even the work. But the Hallelujah Supper Club still lives as we share our memories and stories. Thanks for sharing our memories. Joyce Harris
HSC Director and Volunteer
My First Time! The first time I visited the Hallelujah Supper Club, I was only 17. I had graduated high school and during the summer my neighbor said she had a place she wanted me to go with her. It was a gospel music supper club. I was singing in my home church in the choir and church quartet, so I said yes. As we traveled to Newton, NC she told me about the country fried steak and gravy with all the vegetables and how much she loved it there. Clara took me down some steps to the basement of an old drug store in downtown Newton. I went thru the serving line, chose my entree and veggies. We sat down and after the blessing had a wonderful home cooked country style meal. The crowd was small, as word was just getting out about the place. We learned it was an all-volunteer staff. Each person who worked there made the rounds to talk to everyone. Joyce and G.S. Harris came over sat and just talked for a while with us. At 8pm, the Bob Lemar Singers took the stage. Bob was familiar but I could not say from where. Then he said he had been with the Singing Americans when they first started. Bob, his wife and the group sang up a storm. He played the trumpet and I loved it. At intermission, the group spoke to everyone in the building. They were at the record table, then at the counter getting a ham biscuit. They were so friendly. When they sang the close of the program, Bob gave a time for prayer and an invitation. People were touched. I could hear a sob and an Amen in the crowd. Charlie Birtwhistle and his lovely wife greeted the people and introduced the group. Joyce was the cook, GS the master server. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I was so smitten with the place that I began to work there. Whatever needed to be done, I could do it, or so I thought. Cook, schedule talent, clean, wash dishes, paint, work on the computer, emcee, sing (with Meetin' Time, Ron Williams Singers and Vanguards) or just enjoy the singing. For over 15 years I worked there. I had some great people on my crew and am forever touched by the first visit to a place that affected lives for good, provided great food and music to entertain and became an iconic place noted for good people. Charlie Griffin
Former Board Member and Volunteer Staff Member
From Katrina Harris Benton
Before the Hallelujah Supper Club opened, I remember Mom & Dad (G.S. & Joyce) meeting with Charlie, Wilanna, Clyde and Hilda, etc. it was an exciting time. I was in the ninth grade. That year was 1977. By 1978 Charlie Birtwhistle's dream was a reality! Over the next 20 years the HSC became the place of a lot of "FIRST" loves for many people: The love of good country cooking, the love of great gospel music, love of new friends, and so much more! Most teenagers would have considered it a curse to have been dragged to the place EVERY Friday and Saturday, but I considered it a blessing! Even when I had to help mom cook :o) The HSC is a much missed place in the hearts of those who loved visiting. Looking Back....
With any business, conversation surrounds: "What can we do to increase business and do something differently to get new people and keep our regular patrons returning." We booked the best regional and national talent, cooked some of the best country cooking dishes and entrees anywhere, and we tried some of the best theme nights with varied talents. From breakfast buffets to all you can eat Pintos, Cole slaw, fried potatoes, chicken and dumplings and all things in between. Sometimes I think we tried things to keep the volunteers engaged. But one thing always came thru loud and clear; don't change the atmosphere and the good food. We took to heart the compliments and suggestions. At our board meetings, discussions always came down to the experience. How could we keep the cost down for a family of four to come and enjoy a gospel music night out with good country cooking food? We constantly checked food prices. Patrons donated vegetables from their gardens. Green Beans, Tomatoes, Corn, Okra, Cucumbers, Squash and the list went on. Pat and Patsy Lyons donated a truck load of honey dew melons. Cases of peaches and pecks of strawberries were given and how we made those homemade desserts special. I remember how we always answered so many requests with the standard buffet menu. As we talked with you, laughed about the funny experiences and just got to know what you wanted, we found we were really blessed to have you as part of our family. The many memories are not forgotten, but cradled in our hearts. On this Face Book page, it is our hope to share those memories again, for the first time. The HSC Weekend began early each week....
The activity started early each week for the weekend. On Monday the stock order was gathered and placed with Bigger Brothers Distribution and IFH Distribution. Mail was picked up and special foods delivered. After work on Thursday evening, the HSC was vacuumed, all tables and chairs washed down. The restrooms were cleaned and stocked with tissue. All counters in the serving area were wiped down. In the kitchen, everything was rechecked. The soft drinks were restocked. Then menu was planned. Preparation began for cooking on Friday, while the mail was answered, reservations booked and confirmed. Returned all calls for reservations were made. Artist bookings were finalized. The lights were switched off and doors locked about 11pm on Thursday, because Friday was coming. It was time for another HSC gospel music weekend. Friday food orders were delivered, just in time for the cook. The weekend was under way.....
Typical Night for Dinner and Concert at the HSC
What was it like to get everything ready for a concert at the HSC? Betty Johnston asked in an email. Most nights the cooking started no later than 2pm. For an average full night 4 extra-large chicken casseroles, one 20lb. sliced ham, 10lb. of meatballs, 20lb. bag of cabbage, 20lb. bag of carrots, 10 gallons of green beans, 20lb. of nib let corn, 16lb of broccoli (add the cheese now), 3 gal of Crowder peas, 3 gallons of gravy, 10 gallons of mashed potatoes, 600 homemade buttermilk biscuits, assorted desserts to feed 400 people, 20 gallons of iced tea, soft drinks, coffee and be ready to serve at 6pm, the concert started at 8pm. VOLUNTEERS WORKING: 3 in the kitchen cooking, 6 to serve, 4 to bus tables, 2 to wash dishes during the serving. The clean up well it took all of us. If we all pitched in, we could listen to the concert after intermission. The best part of the night...to me was after the concert when the performers and all of the volunteers could have dessert and just laugh. Those were the days.....Great Memories! They are lined up to get in!!!! At 6pm hungry gospel music fans would begin to line up at the door. As the doors opened fans walked down the stairs, Ethel began to handle the reservations and check everyone in. As they rounded the corner, Frank served the slaw, GS served the meat entree, Roy served veggies, Charles Estep served biscuits, Becky served drinks, Judy served desserts and Joanne manned the coffee. Joyce and Charlie was in the kitchen, Frank was on hand for the dishes while Laurine was the food runner. After the first run of fans was served, tables were cleaned and dishes washed. At 8pm Charlie recognized different groups, anniversaries, birthdays and introduced the performing group. On this night Squire Parsons was introduced. The first night he ever performed. It was the first of many performances that were always sold out. About 8:45pm intermission began, ham biscuits were sold with drinks and desserts, people mingled, purchased CDs, talked with Squire. At 9pm Squire sang to close out the evening. All of the volunteers had cleaned, washed dishes and was able to listen to some great gospel music. As Squire closed many times with a special prayer, the equipment was torn down and loaded into the bus. Squire, Mac and the whole gang of volunteers were able to have dessert, talk, laugh and enjoy the glow of a great dinner and concert. And ask what's for supper on Saturday night? The answer was always the same...cooks choice. See you tomorrow night...the lights were off, the doors locked. Saturday is a new day, new menu and new concert. Let's do it again.....
If you have memories of the Hallelujah Supper Club that you would like to share, visit the Face Book page and share them. If you'd like to send them to us to share, please do so at [email protected]
Again, a special thanks to Joyce Harris and Charlie Griffin!
