The First Baptist Church of Enfield is the oldest church in Enfield, and one of the oldest churches in Halifax County, North Carolina. Little has been recorded of the early church activities. From the best information available, it seems that some one hundred eighteen years ago after January 1, 1865, a few persons assembled on these hallowed grounds, in and around a bush harbor and enjoyed christian fellowship of singing, witnessing, preaching, and praising God.
Somewhere between 1865 and 1870, under the leadership of Rev. Annias N. Buck, First Baptist Church was built having approximately 50 persons in membership. It is so recorded in Halifax County's Register of Deeds Office that on July 7, 1885, land on which the church had already been built was deeded to the church membership from Ann Olivia Whitaker and her husband, B.F. Whitaker.
Rev. Daniel Martin, Rev. J.R. Core, Rev. Eley, Rev. J.D. McCrae and Rev. E.W. Murphy were some of the early ministers.
Rev. K.P. Battle began his pastorialship at the church in 1937. In 1938, three hundred forty-one members were on the church roll and were registered in four salary pay groups of 25c, 15c, 10c, and 5c per month. Between 1942 and 1945, the church membership decreased slightly as members moved away from the area, some went to war, and some moved their membership to other neighboring churches.
This church has had a long record of producing and inspiring young men to enter the ministry. A few who were endowed with such noble efforts include Rev. Walter Matthews, Rev. J.H. Dixon, Rev. F.L. Bullock, Rev. Joseph Cofield, Rev. Garfield McWilliams, Rev. George Jones, Rev. O.J. Scott, Rev. R.L. Knight, Rev. Roosevelt Golson, and Rev. James L. Battle.
Some of the early church deacons included Isaac Gunter, James E. Bailey, Walter Matthews, Alston Johnson, Jimmie Smith, and Henry Dixon. Church auxiliaries emerged to enhance Christian growth and development. Mrs. Fannie W. Hunter and Mrs. Bettie Pittman organized the "Mothers' Auxillary."
The early choir directors include Mrs. Pearl Arrington and Mr. Joe Hill. The early church clerks include Mr. Jacob Howington, Miss Yetta Branch, and Mrs. Selena Cofield. Mrs. Annie Wimberly Battle, wife of Rev. K.P. Battle organized the Young Women's Progressive Auxiliary. She also organized the first Vacation Bible School at the Church.
In the mid 1940's, the Enfield Graded School in Enfield was burned. First Baptist opened its doors to the grammar grade pupils enrolled at the school and held classroom instruction daily until the school was rebuilt and named T.S. Inborden School. The church has continued to provide needed services for the community.
To enhance the aesthetic beauty of the church, Mrs. Sallie D. Ward placed beautiful fresh flowers in the church sanctuary for a number of years. Mrs. Ward, a member of the Deaconess Auxiliary, displayed a sincere, concerted interest in the beautification of First Baptist Church.
All of these persons and many more continued greatly to the growth and development of this Church.
Rev. K.P. Battle retired from his pastorialship of this church in December 1977, serving First Baptist Church family and the Enfield Community for 40 years. January 1980 through February 1980, the church as without a pastor. Under the leadership of Dea. Clarence E. Bailey, Chairman of the Deacon Board, the church continued to grow spiritually and made structural improvements.
Rev. Lonnie Braswell of Pinetops, North Carolina, a young, spiritual minister, was called to serve the First Baptist Church family on March 1, 1980. During this time a second worship service was added - third Sunday in each month.
Rev. Braswell's tenure ended at First Baptist Church in December 1990. Under the leader of Deacon James D. Whitaker, Chairman of the Deacons' Board, a Pulpit Search Committee was named. Many visiting ministers were invited during the period of 1991-1996.
Rev. Stephen A.G. Howard was selected to serve as Pastor and was installed in 1997. During the years of service of Pastor Howard, First Baptist Church grew in many aspects. We had our First Constitution and By-Laws for the effective operation and policy governance of the church. Pastor Howard brought to focus several Christian endeavors. The Associate Ministers were assigned: Rev. Alvin B. Harmon, Christian Education; Minister Patricia Cowan, Evangelism and Mission; Rev. James Battle, Church Care and Visitation; Rev. Sandro Kemah, Church Life and Activities; Rev. Ruth Segres, Youth Ministry; Rev. Keither Bailey, Assistant to all Associate Ministers.
After Rev. Howard's departure as Pastor of First Baptist Church in December 2003, Rev. Alvin B. Harmon, Associate Minister, was named to serve as Interim Pastor for six months. April 2005 Rev. Harmon was installed as Pastor of First Baptist Church.
Under Rev. Harmon's inspiring leadership, an array of church ministries, Christian services and events evolved. Associate ministers were assigned; Rev. Evangeline Grant - Christian Education, Women's Ministry, Book Club Ministry, Young Adult Ministry and the Church Newsletter Ministry. Associate Ministers Patricia Cowan and Rev. Keither Bailey both died in 2006. All auxiliaries and organizations were named ministries. The AWANA program was organized in 2006; and on-going program of the Youth Ministry.
Seeing the need for a larger fellowship hall, Rev. Harmon called on Deacon R.L. Solomon to chair the Building Ministry. The new fellowship hall dedication was held April 29, 2006.
Over the years, we have been blessed with excellent and dedicated church clerks, recorders, musicians, sextons and a praise team. The church Mission Ministry has supported many persons, agencies, and organizations, first and foremost, the sick and shut-ins, and distressed members and others in and around the church community. First Baptist Church went on its first international missions trip to Jamaica in July 2007. Other entities: a Memorial Service is held annually on the Sunday before Memorial Day. Special floral arrangements are placed in the sanctuary at Easter and Christmas. Peace lilies adorn the sanctuary all year long.
We are thankful and grateful to God for His bountiful blessings to First Baptist and its members over the past 142 years.
