History

In October of 1867, the officials of Brown’s Baptist Church, located in the Axtell Community of Warren County, granted a letter of dismissal to thirty-three blacks for the purpose of organizing and establishing a church in the neighborhood of W.K. Kearney.  The Coley Springs Missionary Baptist Church was organized under the guidance of Reverend A. Eagle, a cole porter, of the American Missionary Society of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Reverend Eagle would become known for his work in organizing Sunday Schools that would later develop into churches.  Legend has it that the first organizational meeting was held under a “bush arbor”, near a grove of trees on land donated by Mr. Lloyd Pinnell.  It was on this tract of land across the road from the present church that the original wooden structure of “the Old church” (as those old enough to remember fondly called it) would later be erected.

Following the work of Reverend Eagle, Coley Springs elected Reverend Isaac Alston as its next pastor.  It is presumed that the “Old Church” was built under its second pastor’s leadership.  During his tenure at Coley Springs, Reverend Alston served as Moderator of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Association, a representative for the church in the Baptist State Convention, and as a Warren County representative in the North Carolina legislature.  He also served as the principal of Coley Springs Community School, which was housed in the church.  Reverend Alston died June 4, 1919, and was laid to rest in the Spring Green Cemetery.

In that same year, Reverend Elijah Allen succeeded Reverend Alston as paster.  During the leadership of pastors Alston and Allen, the Sunday School was established.  Some of the Superintendents during the early years were Peter Davis, Zollie Kearney and George Williams.  It was also during these formative years that dedicated brothers such as Peter Allen, Strokes Allen, Peter Davis, Thadus Davis, Washington Jones, John B. Kearney, Tollis Kearney, William Royster, Fayde Williams, Friday Williams, George Williams, H.P. Williams, and Solomon Williams stepped forward to serve as deacons.  At the same time as the men of the church were being up lifted in the faith, there were noted sisters who were rendering service unto the Lord.  They were sister Lucy Boyd Mollie Davis, Sidney Davis, Janie Hawkins, Cornelia Kearney, Victoria Simes, Gussie Williams and Winnie Williams.  It was also during this time that the Missionary Department was established.  Reverend Allen served for eight years before his death in 1927.

Following the death of Reverend Allen, Coley Springs elected its fourth paster, Reverend L.H. Johnson of Oxford.  He was known to be a steadfast leader who held close to the Baptist principles.  He served for twenty-five years until his death in September 1952.  In January 1953, while seeking to fill the void left by the death of Reverend Johnson, the member of Coley Springs heard a sermon preached by Reverend O. B. Burson.  In April of the same year, he became the fifth pastor.  With Reverend Burson as pastor, Coley Springs experienced tremendous spiritual, physical and organizational growth.  It was during the next eleven years that a Junior Missionary Department was organized under the guidance of Sister Willie Alston (1953), the Senior Missionary was reorganized (1957) and the Ushers Ministry received guidance and training.  The Men and Women Auxiliaries were formed to promote the spiritual and financial well being of the church.  The position of the unified treasurer was created to simplify financial record keeping.  It was also during this time of immense growth that several other committees and organizations were formed.  A cemetery and budget committee, and a Church Union for the educational training and spiritual enlightenment of all members were established were established Vacation Bible School was established especially for the spiritual development of the youth.  A building fund campaign that began in 1954 progressed to the point that by May 1958, Coley Springs held its groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new building.  Construction for the “New Church” was completed in 1961.

In 1964, Reverend Burson resigned as pastor of Coley Springs.  For several months before his departure, Reverend Burson assisted in preparing the Associate Pastor, Reverend Theodore H. Brooks for his work.  Reverend Brooks became pastor in December 1964.  During his ministry, the church purchased a communion table, pulpit furniture, pews, offering tables and carpet for the sanctuary.  He also could be credited for institution of the annual fellowship breakfast.  God called him home in June 1968.

Reverend James Coppedge, Coley Springs seventh pastor held the distinction of being the youngest pastor.  He began his service to the church in October 1968, while serving as pastor, he along with the choir participated in the television program “Church of Our Fathers” in Raleigh.  He resigned in March 1974.

Reverend Luther G. Brown of Durham was elected the eighth pastor in January 1975.  His dedicated service helped the church to continue its growth spiritually and physically.  In March 1982, one of his most notable contributions for the church as a leader in the community was the establishment of a blood pressure screening clinic held after Sunday morning worship service.  The clinic was sponsored by the General Baptist State Convention and staffed by members of the church.  He resigned in December 1985.

June 1, 1986, Reverend Donald J. Wess was elected our ninth pastor.  He presided over the “Laying of the Cornerstone in May 1987.   In June 1986, worship service was increased to four Sundays.  Reverend Wess served until his death in October 1988.

Reverend Charles Davis was elected as the tenth pastor in October 1989.  A number of organizations and activities were established for the youth and young adults.  “The Coley Springs Chronicle”, a newsletter for the church which was initially published in May 1984.  The church acquired an additional one and one-half acres of land.  The fifth Sunday was added in worship services.  He resigned in December 1994.

Elected in February 1996, and began serving as pastor in June 1996, Reverend Quinton A. Alston was elected the eleventh pastor.  As a pastor/teacher, his desires were that the church body diligently read God’s word, use the gifts that God has given us and serve as a beacon light for the community.  Pastor Alston was instrumental in establishing the first “Family and Friends Day” for the church.  He resigned in October of 1998.

Reverend Carson F. Jones, Jr. was called as the twelfth pastor in May 1999.  As pastor, the church has continued to support and be involved in the Foreign Missions Associations and Unions.  Additional Ministries initiated under his pastorate include, monthly baptismal services, a mid-week daytime and evening Bible Study classes, a Christ-centered recovery program for those seeking victory over substance abuse, revisions to the Constitutions and By-laws and establishing a church website on the internet.  Phase one and phase two of a Capital Campaign helped to bring renovations and expansions to the church.  In September 2000 over forty-five acres of land was purchased by the church.