Church History

Greater First United Baptist Church

High Point, NC 27265

 

Like all Protestant entities, Greater First United Baptist Church was born out of protest that was deeply engrained in the fibers of the former organization.  After the deflection, *Annie Laura McFadden initiated a call to *Robert L. Beatty, Sr. requesting that a meeting be called to unite and organize. Thus, the call went forth for a meeting of all sympathizers at the Carl Chavis YMCA on November 22, 1977.

 

In spite of the very inclement weather, on November 22, 1977, sixty-one (61) persons met at the YMCA to hear a proposal which resulted from the divisive state in which we found ourselves. After hearing the proposal presented by *Robert L. Beatty, Sr., the persons assembled and voted to organize a new church. Thus, on the night of November 22, 1977, the church was officially organized under the leadership of *Robert L. Beatty, Sr.

 

The first worship service of the newly organized church was held November 27, 1977, in the Carl Chavis YMCA gymnasium at 11:00 am with *Robert L. Beatty, Sr. bringing the message.  There were one-hundred twenty-three persons in attendance at the first worship service. The offering was three hundred twenty-six dollars. All subsequent worship services were held in the cafetorium of Parkview Elementary School until we moved into our new church, June 6, 1982. This beautiful and lovely edifice was erected to the Glory of God.

 

There were one hundred twenty-five (125) original members. The church appointed as its first official board of deacons and trustees those who came with us from the former church. The first deacons were: *Eugene Hart, Sr., *Walter Dye, Robert Gooden, *Harry Jeffers, *Herman M. Kirkpatrick, *O. H. Leak, *Willie Lewis, *R. C. Palmer, *Moses McFadden, *Larry Thompson, *Grover Roberts, and Robert L. Beatty, Sr.  The first trustees were: Rufus Bostic, Jr., James Atkinson,*Mary Blackburn, James Chestnut, Thomas Conley, *John P. Dennis, *Morris Randall, *Theodore R. McRae, *Roosevelt Scott, Otis E. Tillman, Sr., and *Ora Lee Phillips.

 

The church selected its name by having several names submitted. The winning name, First United Baptist, was submitted by Barbara Tillman and approved by the majority vote in December, 1977 monthly meeting.

 

The need for organized church music for the church was apparent and *Robert L. Beatty, Sr., responded to meet the need. He organized and directed the church’s first choir.  In the spring of 1979, Dorothy Childs became the minister of music.  Rehearsals were held in the homes of the following: *Robert L. Beatty, Sr., *Lola Saunders, Zefry Hunter, Gloria P. Pitts and Dorothy and Walter Childs.  *Marie Reid was voted in as the first president of the choir.

 

Several church meetings were held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Otis Tillman during the parts of 1978 and 1979 before we had a regular meeting place at the Fourth Street YMCA in the latter part of 1979.  We later moved to Parkview Elementary School on Boundary Street.

 

The church named a Land Site Committee on December 15, 1977.  A meeting was held at the YMCA on Fourth Street. Brother *T. R. McRae was named Chairman of the Committee. Brothers James Chestnut, Rufus Bostic, Jr., and *O. H. Leak were named to serve on the committee and to assist the chairman in the land search, Brother John Russell joined the committee and after a great deal of searching, Brother John Russell negotiated the Kimery Street site.

 

Sister Barbara Phillips was instrumental in the organization of the church’s Sunday School.  On August 24, 1978, she was asked by the church to solicit officers for the Sunday School.  By September 28, 1978, she reported that the task requested of her had been completed.  She also stated that a Youth Department had been organized and was fully operative. The first officers of the Sunday School were: Raymond McAllister, Sr., Superintendent; Rosa McRae, Secretary; Anita Beatty, Assistant Secretary; and Florence Matthews (Easterling), Treasurer.  Other persons who served as Superintendent of the Sunday School Department are listed in the order in which they served: Walter Childs, III, Tyrone Goddard, Sr., Barbara Phillips, Linda Sturdivant, Phillip Middlebrooks, Dale Johnson, Thomas Pitchford, and currently Herbert Shannon, Jr.

 

On June 28, 1979, the church elected Brother John Russell to serve as Chairman of the Building Committee.   This meeting was held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Otis E. Tillman, Sr., with *Deacon Robert Beatty presiding. Brother John Russell accepted the task requested of him by the church.   He appointed a committee to work with him and together they produced the beautiful and lovely Kimery Street edifice. 

 

For several months, the Pulpit Committee, headed by Deacon Frank Turner supplied the ministers for Sunday Services. Our first regular supply minister was Rev. Nathaniel Boykin, who later became our first pastor on September 28, 1978. Rev Boykin served the church well during his tenure as pastor. Under his leadership our first church was built.  Although he resigned in March 1982 before we moved into our new church, he was invited by the church to preach the first sermon. He graciously accepted the invitation. 

 

Other important dates and events in the life of First United Baptist Church are listed below:

November 22, 1977   Church was founded. Its first order of business was to elect *Mrs.Elizabeth Arnette to record all Church proceedings.  She served as secretary until June 22, 1978.

 

July 27, 1978               Mrs. Erline Dennis was elected clerk of the church. Ms. Yvette Carey currently serves in this position.

First United Baptist Church was incorporated by the State of North Carolina. 

 

August 24, 1978         Mrs. Georgiana Matthews became the first President of the Overall Missionary Circle. Ms. Yvette Carey currently serves in this position

 

September 28, 1978  The church hired its first Pastor.

 

November 20, 1978   Mrs. Barbara Phillips became the first Director of Education.   Presently known as the Board of Christian Education, other chairperson were: Sara Steele, Freda Brown, Channel Jeffries (Reynolds), and Hope Rush Bynum. The position is currently vacant.

 

March 22, 1979          Church was voted in as a member of the Rowan Baptist Association.

 

June 14, 1981             Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Church was conducted.

 

October 3, 1982         Church hired its second pastor.

 

November 1983         Second Mortgage was paid off.

 

November 17, 1983   Church approved its first student Assistant Pastor.

 

            With the resignation of our first pastor, the Pulpit Committee was again called upon to supply the pulpit with speakers. Rev Ralph Ross met with the Deacon Board and with Brothers John Russell and Rufus Bostic and worked our arrangements for becoming Interim Pastor in October.  One year later at the request of Rev. Ralph Ross, the church approved Rev. Ronald Patrick to serve as student Assistant Pastor. Rev. Ross continued to serve the church very well both spiritually and organizationally.

 

As a result of Rev. Ross’ initiation of Youth Sunday, the Youth Choir was organized under the direction of Dr. Constance Epps and Mrs. Yvonne Fillyaw, accompanist. This organization took place during the summer of 1983.  Other directors were: Stephanie Evans, Charles Graham, David and Justine Reid and Minister LaWana Free as Director.

 

Another choir known as the United Voices was also organized in March 1986, under the direction of William T. Alston, president Demetrious Gooden. Other president were: Dennis Quick, Yvette Carey, LaWana Wilcot (Free), Vickie Alston, *Elizabeth Arnette, Rhonda Terry, Linda Sturdivant, Roy Moore, Vanetta Moore, and Ilka Covington and currently Deone Alston.

 

Rev. Ralph Ross remained our Pastor until August 1990, when he answered a call to pastor the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Miami, Florida.

 

In August of 1991, the *Rev. William S. Fails was called to be our third Pastor, serving in a part time capacity. In an effort to strengthen the ministry of our church and to deepen our cultural consciousness, *Rev. Fails instituted a family Bible Study with a culturally specific flavor.  The Bible Study, which began with a faithful six to ten members, now averages sixty to eighty people most Wednesday evenings.

 

The automation and furnishing of our front office with a computer system and copier has afforded us advancements in communication and overall record keeping. In 1992 we were blessed with a van that would help to increase our community outreach efforts, thereby, improving Sunday School attendance and providing transportation for our senior citizens.                                                      

 

Through the first two years of this ministry, God continued to bless us and we were able to pay off the second mortgage.  In the spring of the third year, we fully replaced the roofing system in our building.

 

In 1993, *Rev. William S.  Fails was voted to be our full-time pastor. To this new revelation, the church took on new commitments and began to offer herself as a community center for meeting and religious leadership.  The internal church then progressed beyond the regular, mundane kind of ministry and developed an attitude of “High Road Ministry”. To this end, we were able to purchase new robes for the young adult choir and initiate our annual Good Friday Fish Fry and Fellowship sponsored by the men of the church.

 

Our Church experienced continued growth for the next four years.  In 1998, purchased our new edifice located at 1409 Deep River Rd.  Because of the foresight of several loving and dedicated members and God’s blessing, we held our first service in our new facility on July 5th, which became Greater First United Baptist Church.

 

The following ladies were named Mother of the Church, in consecutive order; *Mary Blackburn and *Georgia Matthews.

*Rev. William S. Fails continued to move the church spiritually as God continued to bless our church abundantly with new members. After 17 years under the leadership of

 

*Rev.  Fails, the church membership decided to move the church and its mission in a new direction.  In February 2008, Rev.

Tacuma S. Johnson began serving as supply preacher.  A pulpit committee under the direction of co-chairs Robert Bynum and Herbert Shannon was formed to begin the search for a full-time pastor.  After several months, the committee recommended Rev. Tacuma S. Johnson to become our full-time pastor.  After a unanimous vote at the church conference, Rev. Tacuma S. Johnson was installed in September 2008. 

 

Rev. Tacuma S. Johnson served as our Pastor for six years.  Under Rev. Tacuma S. Johnson’s leadership, our church experienced a renewed commitment to spread the good news, and to worship in spirit and in truth as we learned to understand the principles of Kingdom Living.  Rev. Tacuma S. Johnson remained our Pastor until October 26, 2014.

 

A pulpit committee under the direction of Deacon William D. Reynolds has been formed to begin the search for a full-time pastor. 

 

To God be the glory for the things He has done!

 

 

 

*Denotes Deceased