Subject: Re: The Welsh Tract From: Robert M Butler Date: December 16, 1998 Walter...The old Cape Fear Baptist Church in Gray's Creek Twp, Cumberland County, NC, was affiliated with the Welsh Neck Church. I will add my text file of the history to this email. Robert McLemore (Bob) Butler..Fuquay Varina, NC. **** HIGHLIGHTS It is believed that some type of religious services were being held in this area by the year 1735. The Mother Church of Cape Fear was Welsh Neck Baptist Church of Society Hill, S.C.. constituted in 1738. Welsh Neck reported that immediately springing from that church was "Cape Fear in N.C." Cape Fear was constituted in January, 1756. The founding pastor was Rev. Stephen Hollingsworth, a Baptist from Pennsylvania, a member of the Welsh Track Meeting House and the Philadelphia Meeting House. Records indicate he was in Bladen County, N.C. by 1737. The second pastor was Rev. William Cooper who at a later date moved to the Mississippi Territory. Rev.William Thames was Cape Fear's third pastor. The church site became within the boundaries of Cumberland County in 1789 when the dividing line was moved southward. Cape Fear recorded its largest membership in 1835 with 448 members. In that same year, 95 were baptized; that being the greatest number recorded. In that year Cape Fear reported the largest membership of any church in the Cape Fear Baptist Association. From its beginning, this church has grown and formed other houses of worship. In time it became the "Mother Church" of Beaver Dam, Cedar Creek, Fayetteville's First Baptist, Green Springs, Bladen Union and Gray's Creek. Cape Fear's present building was erected 1858-59. It was entered on National Register of Historic Places and dedicated on April 8, 1984. The annex was built in 1967. The Maybelle Breece Graham Building was dedicated May 28, 1989. Cape Fear Baptist Church cemetery is now established according to a plan of perpetual care. ******** -----Original Message----- From: Walter Hall Go To: #, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Main |