Baptist Churches established after 1881

Aulander Baptist 1885 -Membership Rolls

Center Grove Baptist 1897    (Aulander)

First Baptist - Lewiston-1883

Edgewood Baptist - Windsor North - 1951

Elm Grove Baptist - 1895

Faith Baptist - Windsor South - 1963

Kelford Baptist - Kelford - 1898

Merry Hill Baptist - Merry Hill - 1910

Holly Grove Baptist - 1804

Powellsville Baptist -1909

Riverside Baptist - Colerain - 1917

Wakelon Baptist - Colerain - 1940

ASKEWVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH, BERTIE COUNTY, NC

Several people in the community had for some time wanted a church and when the Rev. Walter Raleigh White returned home during Christmas in 1912, he talked with many people about the need of a church and said that if they did not build a church building, he would preach under a brush arbor.

The people made a decision to build the building in 1913. A.J. White donated an acre of land, George Butler donated the first logs, J.H. Harris had charge of constructing the building and many others gave timber and labor. The women saved their Sunday eggs to help pay for materials.

The church was organized on April 13, 1913, when the Rev. Dancey Cale was elected moderator and W.D. White was elected clerk. After the latter had read a decorum of rules, which were later adopted as a church covenant, letters of dismission were read for 40 members from the Ross Church. Deacons were elected and the new church was named Askewville.

The church worshipped in the original one-room structure until 1926 when the building was remodeled by adding 12 classrooms, vestibule and belfry. The church bell was a gift of James R. White and is still in use.

Gas lights were used until 1928 when the building was wired and current purchased from the town power plant. In 1929 a Delco plant was installed and used until 1938 when the power line came in.

A pump organ was used for music until 1934 when a piano was purchased. The Hammond organ was purchased in 1958 and a new piano in 1961.

The parsonage was planned and finished in 1951. Livingston J. White donated the lot, members donated timber and labor and a deep well was drilled.

The first Woman's Missionary Union in Bertie County was organized at the Askewville Church in 1914. Dr. Walter Raleigh White held more revivals in the church than any other minister and his last revival was in 1940."
Notation: From the Minutes of the West Chowan Baptist Association.

CENTER GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

The church was named Center Grove due to its central location between several neighboring communities.

There was no organized Christian Church in the Center Grove community prior to 1897, even though Sunday school services date back some years before that time. These services were held in homes and in the public school buildilngs.

Plans for the first church building got underway December 28, 1896. W.M. Mitchell and Mrs. Olivia McGlohon donated the grounds for the construction of the first building, which was to be 30 feet by 44 feet in dimension.

Construction began in July 1897 and by September the outside of the building was completed and first services were conducted.

The newly constituted church consisted of 51 charter members. The first board of deacons for the church was composed of Lafayette Holloman, R.B. Odom, J.D. Jenkins, C.S. Godwin, Sr. and Julius Holloman.

Within two years after organization, the church membership had grown from 51 to 149, which gave rise to the demand for a more adequate building in which to worship.

In February 1900 two Sunday School rooms were added to the building, making it a three-room structure. This building was dedicated in April, 1900.

That same building housed the church from 1900 until 1936, at which time the present building was constructed. In 1941, new pews and oil circulators were installed.

Since that time the church has been completely remodeled. Central heating replaced the old oil heaters and air conditioning was installed. There are now 11 classrooms and an auditorium.

A fellowship hall has been built behind the church. In 1972, the church was painted inside and out, parking lot fixed beside the church, cement walks put around the church and shrubbery planted. The present pastor is the Rev. Jack Mace."

EDGEWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH, Windsor

Photo of RAs around 1930. See if you can help identify them.

A census was taken in the community where Edgewood is located and out of the approximately 150 people there were less than 20 who said they attended church reguarly. Many of the others were members of a church but approximately half of the adults were not members of any church.

The Rev. Tom Greene, first pastor of the church, had an overwhelming desire to aid in starting a new church which later became the Edgewood Baptist Church. He was not sure how many people would help in the beginning of the church but he was confident that one would succeed.

The Rev. Greene made two moves immediately. He requested through regular deacon's meetings that the Riverside Church sponsor a mission in the Edgewood community and he went to the bank at Colerain and applied for a loan in the amount of $400. The loan was to enable Greene to purchase the needed equipment in the beginning. The loan application was turned down. Greene spent many hours in meditation and prayer the remainder of that day and night.

The next morning Greene awoke, knowing that things would work out and went over to P.H. Mitchell's to start cleaning off the lot to put up a tent. Doc Brown of the Riverside Church came by the lot and told Greene that he had been to the bank at Colerain and had been told by Mr. Sessoms that Greene wanted to borrow some money, Brown had signed the note and the money was ready. With this money Greene purchased some timber, books and other supplies.

As time went on the Riverside Church voted to sponsor the mission and began to put some money into it. From this the Ross and Greens Cross Baptist Churches voted to put some money into it. Interest increased and there were approximately a hundred or more churches across the state that gave something toward the starting of the Edgewood Baptist Church. State missions aided with several thousand dollars over a period of several years.

Edgewood was organized by the Rev. Greene on August 12, 1951, in the yard of Mr. and Mrs. P.H. Mitchell, Sr. with Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. John W. Mitchell, Mrs. Edward Evans, Mr. and Mrs. William T. Dunlow and George B. Mitchell present.

Two weeks later the members decided to start a church building on an acre of land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Sr. This land was across the highway from the Edgewood Cemetery. The building was ready there for the first Sunday School meeting on November 10, 1951.

The first seven deacons were P.H. Mitchell, Sr., Howard Sanford, Donald McNair, Ted Miller, James E. White, P.H. Mitchell, Jr., and J.B. Williford.

The sanctuary was completed March 1953."

ELM GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH - Windsor NC

The Sunday school was organized with 62 members but they could only meet in warm weather because of heating problems. On the first Sunday afternoon of the month the people would meet for prayer service.

After some time the first building was not large enough and it was sold and a larger one built. In a few years the Elm Grove community was affected by consolidation of schools and for a while there was no Sunday school.

A church had been organized at Askewville and some from the community attended there. When concern for a church at Elm Grove mounted, meetings were held in a tenant house which stood across from the present church. A Sunday school was organized and soon a revival was conducted by the Rev. George W. Burch.

Attendance at the revival was so large that a bush arbor had to be erected in front of the house to accomodate the crowd.

On January 22, 1932, and on May 15, 1932, Elm Grove Baptist Church was officially organized with 57 charter members. On February 4, 1934, the building was dedicated.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jernigan gave a half acre of land and a new front with vestibule, steeple and two classrooms were added in 1935.

In 1950-51 four classrooms, new floors, interior walls, four oil heaters, a new piano and light fixtures were added. The parsonage was built in 1954. In 1965 remodeling began, new pews were added and a heating plant installed. In 1966 the front of the building was remodeled by removing the old steeples and adding a porch. In 1968 two rooms were added and a baptistry installed. The entire building was bricked by Rose Construction Co. A woodland scene painted done by Mrs. Ester Hutcherson of Ahoskie and given in memory of E.E. Mizelle by his wife, Mrs. Gladys Mizelle, provides a background for the pulpit and baptistry."

A few in the congregation felt the need for a gospel preaching church in that community. They met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Harrison until November 1, 1963. Then the old Church of God building was rented and was called the 'Independent Baptist Mission.' Service was held Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. until December 1 when regular morning and evening services were started. Also on November 1, 1963, the first Sunday school hour was held with Richard Mizelle in charge. Twenty were there for the first sunday school service. The Rev. John Halsey of Norfolk filled the pulpit for the day's service.

Sunday, December 7, 1963, the Rev. Jesse Jones of Norfolk was the visiting speaker. A meeting was held to elect temporary officers. Fifteen attended. The group discussed the subject of establishing an Independent Baptist Church in Windsor. The Mission voted under the direction of the Rev. Harrell to call the Rev. Jones as pastor.

Mrs. W.S. Mizelle offered a house near the church rent-free for him to live in. The Rev. Jones moved on the field February 7, 1964.

March 1, 1964, the Independent Mission met at 3 p.m. for the purpose of organizing the 'Faith Baptist Church,' which has been operating as a mission since its beginning.

The Rev. Hardison brought the message. The mission group had met in a special meeting before to decide upon a name for the church. The group, consisting of the 20 charter members, decided on 'Faith Baptist Church.'

December 10, 1965, the church building and small lot were purchased from the Assembly of God Convention and work was begun immediately on additional classrooms. Four new classrooms and two bathrooms were built at this time.

In May 1967 the Rev. Jones resigned to take a pastorate in Gibsonia, Penn. The vacancy was filled by the Rev. Roy Thomas. He resigned in December 1967 and moved to Raleigh.

The Rev. Ashby Browder, then in Virginia Bible College, filled the pulpit until Janaury 1, 1968, when the church called him to pastor. He moved to the field in May when he finished school. Under his pastorate more land has been brought. The original building has been brick veneered. The inside walls paneled and wall-to-wall carpet installed and a new piano has been purchased.

This year a large new sanctuary has been built beside the old building. It includes four more classrooms, a baptistry and all new furnishings including pews, pulpit furniture and wall-to-wall carpeting and heating system. The membership has more than doubled. The Sunday school attendance averages from 70 to 80 per Sunday and has been as high as 130."

KELFORD BAPTIST CHURCH - Kelford

A committee consisting of C.L. Cobb, W.C. Evans, George T. Browne, M.W. Harrell and George T. Parker was appointed to draw plans, solicit funds, assemble material and proceed with the building as soon as a suitable location could be secured. Thomas P. Clyde of the Clyde Land Corp. generously gave the lot.

Progress was slow as the promoters were farmers and a severe hail storm on May 30, 1898, destroyed the crops and the financial condition of the people was at a low ebb.

By September 1, enough material was on the lot to start work. Samuel Woodard and son, H.T. Woodard of Harrellsville, were employed to do the work. With the help of the people, rapid progress was made. A timely loan by Mrs. F. B. Jacobs was sufficient to complete the work with the exception of the painting.

On December 15, 1898, the people assembled in their house of worship to organize the Kelford Baptist Church. The meeting was called to order by the Rev. T.T. Speight; prayer was offered by the Rev. S.B. Barnes; John C. Tynes was placed in the chair as moderator and A.W. Early of Aulander was chosen clerk to the meeting.

Forty-two persons presented themselves for membership by letter from other churches. The Rev. J.B. Newton delivered the charge to the new church and the Rev. S.B. Barnes presented the Bible. The Rev. T.T. Speight preached the sermon and the church was declared duly constituted with George T. Parker, church clerk, and M. W. Harrell, sexton.

June 10, 1900, the Kelford Baptist Church was dedicated, the Rev. O.L. Stringfield preached the dedicatory sermon. The record shows the day a most beautiful one and the 'Church was filled to over flowing.'

Rev. T.T. speight served the church for twelve years; he was succeeded by Rev. J.F. Cale.

In 1950, the old frame structure was remodeled under the leadership of the Rev. E.C. Upchurch. The building was bricked and modernized."

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEWISTON

The first site chosen for the new building was near the residence of Mrs. J.W. Ballance. The first pastor was secured in 1885. Various others served during the ensuing years and the church membership continued to grow.

On December 7, 1941, a new church building, located on Cashie St. was dedicated. The Rev. W.P. Milne, then pastor of the Aulander Baptist Church, preached the dedicatory sermon for the building which was constructed at a cost of approximately $13,000. During this time the church was in a part time field with Kelford.

In October, 1953, with the Rev. Grover Everett as pastor the church went full time. A $40,000 educational plant which includes modern equipment for each department, a kitchen and recreational equipment has been added and the name has been changed to First Baptist Church of Lewiston."

MERRY HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

On September 14, 1910, Merry Hill Missionary Baptist Church was officially organized by the Rev. T.T. Speight and the deacons of Capeharts Church. Fifty-three persons presented themselves for membership in the new church and the Rev. Speight was asked to preach there for the remainder of the year.

Merry Hill Missionary Baptist Church's first officials were D.M. Britt, clerk; S.A. Adams, F.P. Britt and T.E. White, deacons; John F. Keeter, Sunday school superintendent; Miss Nora Bowen, president of the Missionary Society.

The church adopted the same rules of order and church covenant as Capeharts Church had. The Merry Hill school house, which stood on the present site of the Butler Williams home, was to be used as a meeting place until the church was able to erect its own building.

The next year the Rev. S.B. Barnes was called to preach on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. The sum of two dollars was raised to buy a chair for the church clerk and moderator. Work was soon begun on the church building, a simple auditorium to which classrooms could be added when they were needed. The land was given by S.A. Adams.

The young people of the church under the leadership of Miss Nellie Bowen raised money to buy an organ for the church. The first church organist was Miss Jessie White. The church building was dedicated in April, 1917; the Rev. D.P. Harris, presided at the ceremony.

In 1935, the Merry Hill church formed a field with Republican and Askewville with the Rev. W.H. Hollowell as pastor. In 1947, this field was broken up and a new one was formed with the Riverside Church. The Rev. R.T. Green was called to be the pastor of the two churches.

Under the Rev. Green's leadership, the church added a steeple and new Sunday school rooms, both upstairs and downstairs, to the original building. The church's Sunday school and Training Union were very active during the period and the Training Union soon became the largest in the association.

The field with Riverside was dissolved in 1952 and the Rev. Green became a full-time pastor at Merry Hill. Before he left, Green planted the idea in the minds of the deacons and church members that a parsonage could be built at Merry Hill. T.E. White, chairman of the deacons at that time, led the church in this project.
The church's next step in securing a pastor was to form a field with Lawrence Baptist Church, an arrangement which has continued to this day."
Additional information can be found in the Minutes of the West Chowan Baptist Association.

AULANDER BAPTIST CHURCH

This first church was located on what is now the Ahoskie-Powellsville road. The cost of construction was, according to the records, $1,300. The church could seat 500 persons.

Among the pioneer builders of the industrial life of the town are found many of the same names of those constituting the first Aulander Baptist Church.

The Rev. C.W. Scarboro was the first pastor. The Rev. L.M. Curtis, from Sampson County, served the longest.

As the town grew, the church was moved into the incorporated limits and many of the members moved their membership back to the old Dudley Grove Church, which is now known as Oak Grove Church on the Ahoskie highway.

In 1925 a large, new church building was erected at a cost of $55,000 and a commodious parsonage, at an approximate cost of $7,000 was built. A large debt was on the property for a number of years, but during the pastorates of the Rev. Lonnie Sasser, the Rev. W.P. Milne and the Rev. Joseph Folds, it was liquidated and the notes were burned at a public ceremony in 1946.

During the pastorate of the Rev. James O. Shurling the church was completely renovated. Again in 1972, under the direction of the Rev. Van Modlin, repairs were made to the church basement."

The following from Aulander Historical Booklet
The first location of this church was on the corner of Pine Drive and East Main Street (now Powellsville Road). According to records the cost of construction of this church, with a seating capacity of 500, was $1,300. The first pastor was the Rev. C.W. Scarboro. The Rev. L.M. Curtis of Sampson County served longest. When the church was moved inside the corporate limits to the corner of Harmon and Canal Streets, a few members returned to the Dudley's Grove Church. The present church was erected on the same location in 1926 at a cost of $55,000 and a parsonage at a const of $7,000. It wasn't until 1946 that this debt was liquidated and the notes burned at a public ceremony.

T.A. Perry and J.D. Evans of Bethany and J.D. Lawrence of Ross Baptist Churches were appointed to act as a Presbytery to make recommendations. They reported and recommended the formation of a new Baptist Church. A call for members was requested and they came from the churches of Capeharts, Bethany and Colerain. H.H. Farless of Bethany, C.C. holder of Colerain and S.B. Adams of Capeharts were appointed to serve as deacons in the new organization.

Suggestions for a name of the new church were requested. Mrs. Dora Corbett, who was living near the Chowan River, recommended it be named Riverside. It was accepted and adopted by the congregation. The Rev. J.O. Alderman was called to serve as pastor.

The first auditorium was build in 1914. This was enlarged in 1919-20 under the leadership of the Rev. Herman Barnes, then pastor.

While the Rev. E.E. John was pastor, he recommended that a new church be built. This was continued under the pastorate of the Rev. L.R. Cambell. The church was built and completed in the closing months of Cambell's work at Riverside. Dedication services were held on January 8, 1967, with the Rev. Coleman Thomas, Jr. officiating."
Additional information may be found in the minutes of the West Chowan Baptist Association.

WAKELON BAPTIST CHURCH

Following a ten-day revival in September, 1941, came a movement to organize a Baptist Church. A committee of seven was appointed to secure a lot for a church building. On January 25, 1942, a deed was secured and during that year gifts from the West Chowan Baptist Association churches opened the way for the present church building.

On Oct. 4, 1943, the church was organized with 30 charter members. The Rev. Mustain was called as pastor. The church was accepted into the West Chowan Baptist Association in 1943.

On May 28, 1944, the church was dedicated. At that time the church was known as Community Baptist Church. The Sunday School enrollment in 1945 had reached 123. In 1947, Community Baptist Church changed its name to Wakelon Baptist Church. In 1951, five new classrooms were added. In 1965, two rest rooms were added, new columns were added and the outside of the building was painted."
Additional information may be found in the Minutes of the West Chowan Baptist Association.