A History of La Grange First Free Will Baptist Church

Original Church Building 1916

• Free Will Baptists were first known as General Baptists.

• Paul Palmer founded the 1st General Baptist Church of NC in 1727 in Cisco near Edenton.

Elder Joseph Parker’s Tombstone1705-1791

• The Reverend Joseph Parker• Buried on this site near • Wheat Swamp Church

• Lenoir County• 1705-1791

• One of the early founders of the Original Free Will Baptist in Eastern North Carolina

serving Little Creek, Grimsley, Gum Swamp and Wheat Swamp Churches, Early Preacher, Teacher, (Organizer of

Churches)• . This marker placed here by the Historical

Commission of the State Convention of Original Free Will Baptist churches in

North Carolina.• AD-1966

Revival PastorsChurch Organized after Revival

Elder J.L. Casey Elder Rudolph H. FairclothFirst Pastor

Church Organized June 4, 1916

First Church Officers:

J.W. Wilson, ClerkFlorence H. Anderson, Treasurer

George Williams, DeaconSusan Williams, Deaconess

Octavis Taylor and Vinie Wilson, Finance Committee

Charter Members• Florence H. Anderson• I. Edward Braxton• Julia Braxton• Annie Croom• W. J. Dawson• Herman Rudolph Faircloth• Lula Faircloth• Mac Lee Fields• Florence Gainey• J. L. Gainey• Maggie Gainey• Lettie Hughes

• Noah Russell• Octavis Taylor• M. L. Turner• Carl Wade• Eliza Wade• W. L. Wade• Lela Wade• Mary Walters• George Williams• Maude Williams• Joseph Walter “J.W.” Wilson• Vinie Wilson

1917 Deed

Charter Members

Octavis TaylorVinie Wilson

pictured with Carolyn Hill 1975

Original Pulpit, Chairs, Altar Table and Flower Stands

Musical Instruments

Organ Piano

Original Communion Set(Made in 1885)

Town of La Grange Centennial – 1969La Grange 1st FWB Church

Presentation of the Deed by the Creech Familyof the Land to Build the New Church

l to r Joseph Harrison, Marvin Gray, Rev. LB Manning, Tyson and Laurah Creech and Raymond Kennedy

Building the New Church 1975

Sign for New Church1976

New Church Building - 1976

Deacons

Rev. Chris Singleton held first revival in new church building.Pictured with Cleo and Amy Hinson

Sudie Wiggins, Della Dawson, and Delia Layden

• College Hall Groundbreaking 1982

•Marian Kennedy, Mitzi,

Ronnie & Jessica Hobgood

Vacation Bible School

• Lollipop Dragon• Came to VBS• In the 1980’s!

70th Anniversary Celebration1986

Who Built the Ark?(1988)

The Life of Christ Through Stained GlassBirth – Childhood - Baptism

The Life of Christ Though Stained GlassBlessing Children – Woman at the Well - Crucifixion

The Life of Christ Through Stained GlassHe Arose! - Ascension

The Runaways – Youth Musical1989

Children’s Choirapproximately 1990

New Fellowship Hall Groundbreaking 2009

Fellowship Hall Dedication 2010

Music and Drama

Music and Drama

Music and Drama

Music and Drama

Music and Drama

VBS 2011

VBS 2011

We believe in the Holy Trinity

• We believe that • God the Father, • God the Son, and • God the Spirit • are one God,

• without beginning or end,

• who is indivisible in His nature or being.

We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.

• We believe that these are the Old and New

Testaments, that they were written by Holy men, inspired by the Hold Spirit, and are

God’s revealed Word to man.

Washing the Saints’ Feet

• We believe that this is a sacred ordinance,

• Which teaches humility,• The necessity of the

servanthood of every believer

• And reminds the believer of the necessity of a daily cleansing from

all sin.

The Lord’s Supper

• We believe that this is the commemoration of the death of Christ for our sins.

• The bread and the cup are emblems of his broken body and shed blood.

Christian Baptism

• We believe that this is the immersion of believers in water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit….their rising to newness of life, their commitment to serve God, and the resurrection at the last day.

Easter Sunday

Advent Season

La Grange 1st FWB Church

2012