Church History

When the North Carolina Original Free Will Bethel Baptist Church was chartered it was established on Beaver Dam Road in Erwin, NC on Hwy 217, about three miles from the present Cape Fear Bridge (in the direction of Linden). The chartered members were Parson Richard Smith, J.K. McNeill, Bonnie Lett, Dan McMillan, and C.C. Smith. These members  cut logs and built the church on top of logs. The spot of land on which the church was built was given by Richard Smith. The first black school in the Beaver Dam community was located beside the church.

The division of the church was caused by the disagreement over the use of the musical instruments of the church and some of the members decided to move the church to Hwy. 1779- Bunnlevel-Erwin Road. The age of the church is about 150 years old, based on information received some of the elder members of the church. By studying markers on tombstones, it was found that people were buried in the present cemetery as early as 1905. Some of the older markers were: Rev. G.B. McNeill, died on June 4, 1905; James A. Smith (Son of N.S. and L.Z. Smith) died October 1907; Rubin McNeill, died January 1909; Pearlie McNeill (Son of Harrison and Carrie McNeill) died January 1910. The first markers, however, might have been destroyed or markers were not placed by persons who died earlier.

The following are names of some of the people who have served as officers, pastors, deacons, mothers, and secretaries. As noted by Rev. Sis. Missie Lee Smith (deceased October 25, 1989) pastors could be traced back as far as 1890. Those serving as pastors were Rev. Lofton, 1890; Rev. Leach, 1914; Rev. George Bailey; Rev. Billy McKoy; Rev. Byrd; Rev. A.B. Massey, Rev. L.K. Price (temporary until pastor was chosen); Rev. G. B. Ewing; Rev. Clifton Rouse; Rev. A.D. Herring; Rev. Elijah Newkirk; Rev. Evans Belton; Rev. Earl Nail; Rev. Williams Frederick; and presently Rev. Dorothy Ree McNeill—assisted by Prophetess Vivian Smith.

Mr. Issac Pipkin is known to be the first deacon of the current church. He was born May 1836 and died Feburary 15, 1920.; at his death he was 83 years old. Others who have served as deacons were Ike McCall, Debro Williamson, Henry Bryd, Tom Byrd, Tom McLean, Mack Holiday, George Holiday, Jim Covington, Barney Lett, Joseph Walden, Oliver Pipkin, Gassaway Leggett, and Deaconess Vivian Smith.

Also noted during the search were members who served as mothers of the church. They were Corilla Bailey, Lillie Holiday, Geanette McNeill, Nancy McLean, Laurie Massey, Classic Davis, Lula Lett, Laurena Turner, Jessie Craighead, Anna D. Williams, Flora Jane McNeill, Mattie Devone, and presently Bessie Lee McNeill and Ruth McNeill.

Members who served as secretaries were: Laura Massie, Jessie Mae Evans, Elmer Elliott, Laura D. Smith, Anna Lee Cameron, Dessie M. McCants, Ethel McKoy, and presently Prophetess Vivian Smith.

The original church was a small building constructed of unfinished wood with unfinished pews occupying the seating area and  a wood buring heater was located on the outside. In the early 1950s the outside of the church was covered with red brick veneer (artificial siding). Also two additional rooms were constructed designated as a room for the choir and the pastor’s study, a portion of the outside was cinder blocks. In the late 1960s and early 1970s the outside was complete with cinder blocks, oil heaters replaced the wood heaters, and  inside rest rooms were installed. In the late 1970s gas heaters were purchased and the inside of the church was completely remolded. In the mid 1980s the cafeteria and the porch was built. In the 1990s the bathrooms, the pastor study, and the choir room were  remolded. In the 2000s the kitchen and the pump house were remolded, and  a screen and projector were also added in the sanctuary as well as a television for overflow of visitors.