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CHURCH HISTORY
Through the efforts of Black Leonard and his wife Frances, the Fellowship Baptist Church wa begun as a Mission Sunday School on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1957. The meetings were held in the Jesse Arnold house next to the Mrs. Tom Arnold home. At the first service there were 19 people present and 25 were present at the second service.
During the early days of the Mission an old bus was bought to transport people to church. In 1958, Mr. John Sutton gave land to build a church and it was begun with Mr. Early Womble as Chairman of the Building Committee. The building was built for about $10,000. The first service in the new building was held Easter Sunday, March 29, 1959. Mr. Phinnex was pastor during the beginning of the church.
During the first part of 1969, plans were started by the Mission to be a self-sustaining, constituted church. On March 12, 1969 in a business meeting at the Lillington Baptist Church, the Lillington Church voted to approve the constitution of the Mission into a church. On April 6, 1969 in a service of constitution of the Mission became Fellowship Baptist Church. The pastor at that time was Rev. Worth Gerald.
Pastors were often ministerial students at Campbell College. Rev. Worth Gerald came in September 1966 after Lindsey Morton resigned to to to Southeastern Seminary. Rev. Gerald resigned July 31, 1970 to go to the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Lumberton. Rev. Irvin Stephens served as Interim Pastor after his resignation until February 14, 1971 when he was called as pastor. He served as Pastor until May 19. 1971 when he returned to status of Interim Pastor. On July 18, 1971 Dennis Burton was called as Pastor and assumed the pastorate August 4, 1971.
On October 1, 1972 the church formally broke ground for a new educational building. The construction was completed in March 1973. The building was dedicated April 15, 1973. In 1986 the Stain Glass Windows were installed and the pews were covered. This was made possible by donations from Church families. In 1990 the Sanctuary was remodeled with a Baptistry installed and dedicated in December. We added new pews, pew Bibles, and new Hymnals. All this was done by faith that the Lord would provide the funds which He did---everything was bought and paid for and also two new windows were added. The Fellowship Hall has also been remodeled and the Beginners Class and the Nursery has been redone. The Church faclities today reflect the care and love of the Church family for Fellowship Baptist Church
Over the pass 50 years Fellowship has grown and we are well know for our Passion Play and that we are a praying church, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. We have something for everyone here at Fellowship. There are several ministries that you can be a part of. This year (2007) we have started a Ladies Ministry and a Prayer Shawl Ministry, we have a Youth Group, Childrens Bible Drill and Youth Bible Drill, High School Bible Drill, Awana, Choir for all ages. Jesus is opening the door here at Fellowship and you are welcome to come in.
"WE CARED SO DEEPLY FOR YOU THAT WE WERE DETERMINED TO SHARE WITH YOU NOT ONLY THE GOSPEL OF GOD BUT OUR VERY LIVES." 1 THESSALONIANS 2:8
PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH
MR. PHINNEX 1959-1961
DON BOWEN 1961-1965
LINDSEY MORTON 1965-1966
WORTH GERALD 1967-1970
IRVIN STEVENSON 1970-1971 (INTERIM MINISTER)
DENNIS BURTON 1971-1977
CHARLES BLACKWELL 1977-1983
CARROL TROTTER 1983-1984 (INTERIM MINISTER)
FRANK UPCHURCH 1984-1986 (INTERIM MINISTER)
JAMES L. TAYLOR 1987-
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