St. Luke No.1 Original Free Will Baptist Church

St. Luke No. 1 Free Will Baptist Church began as a Brush Harbor (much like the one here today) around 1898 down in a pasture owned by the McFayden Family. The first church was named Gum Spring.  In 2006 we celebrated our 108th year of service to the Lord and the greater Ellerbe community.  The Gum Spring Church also doubled as a school.  Mother Della Leach remembers it as her first school experience.

 The Gun Spring Church was replaced with a building on Highway 220 around 1903, and the church was renamed St. Luke No. 1 Free Will Baptist Church.  This was a wood framed church.

 A bell was placed in the steeple of the church.  This was special because the bell was used to signify time for funerals or time for Sunday school, or church service.  Brother Jim Graham was the first Sexton of record and was responsible for ringing the bell.

 After a fire, the church was rebuilt in 1945.  The first service in the new church was August 17, 1947.  Rev. W.J. Byrd was the pastor.

 We have had 15 pastors serve our church:  Rev. W.C. Hicks, Rev. Lofton, Rev. D.J. McNeil, Rev. A.B. Massey, Rev. W.J. Byrd, Rev. Willouby, Rev. W.J. Byrd, Rev. Elliott, Rev. Us. Wade, Rev. James Parker, Rev. Wade, Bishop Henry McLean, Bishop Robert Murphy, Elder Gerome Williams and Elder Kevin B. Henry.

 The names of some of the Founders of our church are. Rev. Sam & Sally Baldwin; Rev. W.C. Hicks, Rev. Mid & Narcissus McLean, Brothers: Lum & Jane  Bostic, Beaucom “Brother Preacher” Barner, Tom & Rena Jones; Murf  & Dicey Lindsey; Bud &Judy McQueen; Freeman Nicholson; William “Will” & Sister “Miranda” Capel; John Nicholson; Hardy & Sally Simon; George Townsend Sr.; Sam Robinson and Harty Robinson; Jim Dove; Harry & lessie Martin; Henry Townsend Sr. and Bobby Townsend; and Jessie  & Ris Womble.

 Many others have contributed to continued growth of our church: Deacon George & Mother Sally Townsend, Deacon John & Mother Onnie Townsend; Deacon Gammon & Mother ‘Della Leach Deacon George & Mother Willie Mae Robinson;

 There were many other women who served from the foundation of the church through its growth and development, some of the names are: Mother Lula McKoy, Sister Ada Parker; Sister Adeline Caviness Womble; Sister Fannie Mae Williams; Sister Bessie Haywood; Sister Ella Townsend Martin; Sister Meady Townsend Dove; Sister Judy Pearl Bostic; Sister Hattie McLaughlin; Sister Cora McLendon. We have many family members from the original founder’s still active in our church today as well as many new families.  Descendants from our original founders include: Mother Sarah McLean, Debra and Patricia Townsend; Susan McLean Francis, Ralph Bostic and Hilda Bostic Pemberton; Betty Parker Armstrong; Chester & Geneva McLendon , Our present membership is more than 150.

They are active as members of the Deacon’s Board, Mother’s Board, Sunday school, Home Mission Ministry, Trustee Board, Usher Board, Twilight Gospel Choir (Adult Choir), Singing Sensation, (Youth Choir), and Young Peoples Christian League (Y.P.C.L) and Pastors Stewards.

 We do thank God for each member and for each visitor that stops by from time to time.

 We do praise God for his guidance and for where He has brought us from and for where he is taking us to. We look to the future and we ask God for His guidance.  May we being Glory to His Name.