Church History
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The First Baptist Church, 504 West 2nd street, Lumberton, (Robeson County) North Carolina, was born out of a historic consolidation. In the year 1922, the membership of St. John Baptist Church and the Providence Baptist Church located near the spot where First Baptist Church now stands was experiencing great renovation or rebuilding needs. Each church was comprised of very small membership and the economic life of the community added to the task of maintaining an adequate building for worship services.
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The churches, in several meetings, discussed their needs for building renovations and from these discussions, the idea of a merger was born. After much prayer and discussion, the two memberships decided they would unite as one church and build a new structure as one body.​
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In a called church meeting, participated in by both memberships, the churches united as one church and named the new body: The First Baptist Church.​
Shortly after this meeting, the tract of land in which the new church now sits was purchased from Willis Norris of Lumberton for a sum of $1400. The membership of the new church continued to worship at the St. John Baptist Church and shortly thereafter the membership began the task of building a new church on the new site.
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As soon as the new building would permit worship services the membership moved in and continued work on the new church; having services in the new building.
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Along with the move to the new building the membership called its first Pastor, in 1922 Rev. H.C. Jones from Weldon, North Carolina. Members moved to the new church under Rev. Jones. He is remembered not only as of the builder of the First Baptist Church, but also a great worker in the community.
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Rev. Jones wore many hats while pastoring at First Baptist Church: He was a School Teacher at the Thompson Institute and served as pastor of the Bright Hopewell Baptist Church in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He served until 1931.
In the year, 1926 A.D.~ A cornerstone was placed in the new building for First Baptist Church.
1931~Rev. Pam, of Wilmington, North Carolina served as interim pastor for a short time.
1931~G. W. Todd of Goldsboro picked up the Banner for Soul Saving at First Baptist Church. Rev. Todd is remembered as a very good leader and a great Bible Scholar. He served for fourteen years.
1945~Rev. A.L. Mason picked up the Christian Banner and carried it for three years. He was a student at Shaw University and is remembered as a Singer and a Preacher of the Word of God.
1948~Dr. E. B. Turner was called to continue the spread of the Gospel. While at First Baptist he was a good leader, Pastor, Minister, and Preacher.
2005~Dr. E. B. Turner retired and moved to Goldston, NC. Rev. Arthur Foy served as interim for a short time.
2007~Dr. T. R. Murray was unanimously recommended by the Pulpit Search committee; and the congregation coted to call him as pastor. Dr. Murray accepted the call and became the Pastor-Elect. He was installed on Sunday. February 4, 2007. Dr. T. R. Murray was a dynamic Pastor, Preacher, and Teacher with a heart for Christian Education, discipleship, and evangelism.
2017~Rev. Paul G. Matthews served as interim Pastor.
2018~In July Rev. Paul G. Matthews was voted in as Senior Pastor. In August, he was installed.
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