Our History

The Pee Dee Baptist Association was organized in 1816 to care for the churches on the east side of the great Pee Dee River.  Some of the churches already organized in Anson County, on the west side, joined the association.  However, there was no church in the county seat of Wadesboro.  Concerned Baptists in the Pee Dee Association formed a committee to organize an arm of the Brown Creek Church in Wadesboro.  On March 15, 1847, property with an existing dilapidated barn was purchased and became the meeting place for First Baptist Church, Wadesboro.  That location is now the parking lot of the present church.

For two years this barn served as a worship center for a very small group of Christians.  Encouraged by members of the Brown Creek Church, in 1849 the small congregation set out to build a church building.  A modest frame house was built with a door on each side, one for the female members and one for the male members.  As was the custom at that time, they each sat on "their side."  The Wadesboro church debt was assumed by the Pee Dee Association and every church in the association contributed to satisfying this indebtedness.  Records indicate the Wadesboro church was free of debt in 1854 and became independent in 1855.

During the Civil War the Wadesboro church, like all churches and schools, was closed.  For a brief period, in spite of protests from the members, the church building became an encampment for a wing of Sherman's invading northern army.  In 1868, the church served as a meeting place for the Courts after the burning of the Courthouse.

At the end of the Civil War, with only seven members left, renovations began and a baptistery and a pulpit were erected.  A bell tower was built of hewn logs in the yard adjacent to the church and a large bell was placed in it.  This same bell was carried to the tower of the Brownstone Church 40 years later and now rests in the tower of the present church building.

Realizing the need for a larger and better place of worship, in 1888, property at the corner of Wade and Rutherford Streets was purchased and a new Brownstone Church was completed by 1889.  This was the first stone and brick church in Anson County and also the first to have stained glass windows.  Two of those beautiful windows are now preserved in the present church building.

By the end of 1908, church membership was 489, remarkable for that time, and was continuing to grow.  Interest in a new church building to meet the needs of a growing congregation became intense and funds, largely to the credit of the women of the church, were collected to start the project.  The site of the present church building, at the corner of Lee Avenue and Martin Street, was purchased for $3,910.28 and in April, 1928, the first brick was laid.  On November 3, 1929, the congregation first met at the old Brownstone Church and, after a brief prayer service, marched through town, two by two, to the new building, singing "Onward Christian Soldiers."  The new facility was dedicated on January 3, 1937, upon completion of the new sanctuary and retirement of the church debt.  Several additions, such as the Baraca Chapel, have been incorporated since that time, as well as a Pitcher Organ, Carillon Chimes and other musical enhancements to the glory of God.

First Baptist Church, Wadesboro, strives diligently to do the work commended by our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ and works to serve the spiritual and physical needs of the community.  The church provides strong worship, learning and music programs for all ages.  In the late 1800's, the first Women's Missionary Society was founded which became today's Women's Missionary Union, one of the strongest organizations in the church together with the Baptist Men's Organization.  The church proudly stands as a beacon for the glory of God and welcomes all who enter its doors.

Excerpts from First Baptist Church History written by:
Mary Lee Allen Huntley
Esther Black