Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-12-05
BIZ REV. ALBERT S. HALE,
Pastor, First BaptiSt Church

The history of the First Baptist
church Of Henderson dates back to
the middle OF the past century, or a
period Of some so years.
Early History.
We do not have access to authentic
records with reference to the organi-
zation OF the church. It is generally
believed to have been organized in
the year 1855. This is the year which
is listed as the date of organization
in the historical tables Of the Tar
River Association. Tradition has it
that the services of the church were
held in the dining room of the Deb
nam hotel for a period of possibly two
years. The number Of the charter
members is unknown. In 1851 there
were eleven white members and seven
colored members. The clerk was S. ]
Parham.
According to the history of the Tar
River Association written by DR.
Thomas J. Taylor the church was re-
ceived into the Tar River Association
at the meeting at Poplar Springs
church, Franklin county, on August
IT, 1858: "Franklinton, Henderson
Sharon and Wake Forest churches
were received at this time. The first
three were newly constituted chur-
cheS."
Pastors of Church.
According to the best available in
formation, the following list contains
the names of those who have served
as pastors during the eighty years
Of the life of the church:
Dr. T. B. Kingsbury. No authentic
record. DR.. Taylor in his History OF
the Tar River Association writes: In
1855 DR.. Kings ury was pastor of the
Methodist Church in Warrentcn. He
changed his views concerning Chris
tian bapti-m, was baptized in the
First Baptist Church, Raleigh. Sooi
afterward he was ordained as a Bap-
fist preacher. He accepted a call tc
become pastor Of the Baptist Church
in Warenton and served the church
two or three years-SOmetime ir
1868, DR.. Kingsbury left Warrenton tc
| become the pastor of the First Bap
fist Church in Memphis, Tennessee
In his article in the Henderson DAILY
Dispatch September II, 1926, Judge
Thomas M. Pittman wrote: "At the
close Of DR.. Brooks ministry in 1877
DR.. T. b. Kingsbury, of Oxford--wa:
called to the pastorate. He came only
two or three times and for some rea
.-on with drew
| DR.. William Thomas Walters. Som.
think he was the organizer of thu
church. This remains a matter Of I'm
certainty. DR.. G. w. Faschal make
numerous references to Walters in hi
History of Wake Forest College, bu
never mentions his name in connec
ton with the Henderson Church. II
says for instance, in speaking OF wal
tiers: HE was greatly interested II
the work of the Gospel ministry an
to this and farming he devoted mucl
energy in the later years OF his lie
and was very successful in the estan
fishing of new churches, those Of Lit
tlaton and Weldon being due to nj
ministry" DR.. Taylor likewise make
no mention Of Walters in connection
with the Henderson Church.
Il DR.. w. r. Brooks. Graduated WAX
Forest College 1889 and was for man
vears a professor in that institution
He was also Chairman of the Boar
OF Trustees of the College for nun
her of wears. Pastor of the Hendel
sen Baptist Church twenty years.
Taylor, in History Tar River Associa
ton. DR.. Paschal says: HE had tn
chief part in building up the Baptis
Church In Henderson History c
Wake Forest College.
DR.. r. H. Marsh. It seems that hi
pastorate continued until the close c
1881.
Dr.. M. v. McDuffie. The secon
house of worship, a. brick buildin
was erected during his ministry. Fl
resigned the church in Henderson
accept the pastorate of the Livinksto
Avenue Church in New Brunswick
N. j.
DR.. Robert Van Deventer. He cam
to Henderson from Edenton, Mort
Carolina, and served as pastor of tn
church from 1886 until 1884, when b
went to Hawkinsville, Georgia. H.
was the first full-time pastorate {