Our History
Today, 33 years later, we celebrate 114 years of faith and service in the Lord’s name. So, up until today, the Lord has done great things, for which we are glad and very grateful. Our mortgage was paid off in July 1997, and we hold the deed to Mildred Baptist Church.
On the 2nd Sunday, November 9, 1997, at 4pm, we burned our mortgage in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, believing that we must continue working to the Glory of God.
Under the leadership of Rev. Walter Cherry, Jr., we, the members, accepted and began a new project in 2009 to expand our dining room into a Fellowship Hall. The new Fellowship Hall, which seats nearly 300 people, was completed, and we celebrated our 100th Church Anniversary on December 16-17, 2010. The Fellowship Hall was dedicated and named in honor of our former Pastor (The WC Fellowship Hall). Our mortgage burning for the new WC Fellowship Hall was held on March 18, 2018.
Today, November 17, 2024, we celebrate 114 years. We give honor to our past and late Pastors, Ministers, Deacons, Trustees, Mothers, Ushers, Secretaries, and Church Clerks who helped pave the way for our foundation.
We also pay tribute to our former Pastor of 51 years, Rev. Walter Cherry, Jr., for his insight, grace, and ability. On June 5, 2024, the Lord called him home from labor to reward, and he was laid to rest on June 15, 2024.
Rev. Garry Bryant served us on 1st Sunday mornings for over 20 years, beginning in 2003, alongside Pastor Shirley M. Hill (daughter of our church), until the Lord called her to Pastor The Glorious Tabernacle of Faith Church in Tarboro, NC.
Now a new chapter has begun at Mildred following the passing of the late Rev. Walter Cherry, Jr. The church came together once again in unity, facing the void of needing another shepherd to lead our flock. With prayerful consideration, guidance, and the stamp of approval from our former Pastor before his death to move forward, our task of finding another Pastor became an easier transition. The membership met to cast our vote for a new leader on July 21, 2024. The membership unanimously voted for Rev. Garry Bryant. Upon his acceptance, an installation service was held on August 11, 2024, at 3pm, and now Rev. Bryant serves as our current Pastor of Mildred Baptist Church.
Furthermore, we now recognize our current Pastor, Deacons, Mothers, Trustees, Ushers, Finance Secretaries, Recording Secretary, and our Church Clerk.
Now, as we reflect on our past roots to the present, we can truly say, “The Lord is good, and His mercy endureth forever.” As the visions became a reality, our unwavering faith has helped strengthen both the young and older Christians.
This is the history of our 114th Church Anniversary of Mildred Baptist Church.
Pastor: Rev. Garry Bryant
Officers of Mildred Baptist Church
Current Pastor:
Rev. Garry Bryant.
Current Officers:
Church Clerk:
Recording Secretary:
Sister Yvonne Brown
Sister Linda Bryant
Financial Secretaries:
Sister Peggy Coffield
Assistant Financial Secretary:
Sister Yvonne Brown
Mother Board:
Mother Edith Worsley
Mother Christine Newton
Mother Doris Cherry
Mother Mary Jones
Mother Aldean Lyons
Past Officers (Some Deceased):
Church Clerks:
Deacon Demius Pittman
Deacon Wilbert Williams
Deacon Lorenzo Whitehead
Financial Secretaries:
Sister Bonnie Harrison (1925–1954)
Past Recording Secretaries:
Mother Beatrice Williams (1954–1989)
Sister Mattie C. Harrison
Sister Bonnie Harrison
Sister Rosa Everette (1954)
Minnie Pearl Jones
Pastor Shirley Hill
Construction Of a New Sanctuary
In 1990, our pastor, Reverend Walter Cherry, Jr., received a vision from the Lord. Under his leadership, and with the obedience and cooperation of the congregation, construction of our new and current sanctuary began. By September 1991, the sanctuary was completed.
The Church Dedication Service was held on November 10, 1991, at 4 PM, with Reverend Eddie McNair of Mt. Gileone Baptist Church, Plymouth, NC, as the guest speaker.
In November 1996, we celebrated the Mortgage Burning Ceremony of our sanctuary, a testament to God’s blessings and the dedication of the church members.
Celebrating 114 Years
As we celebrate 114 years of God’s faithfulness, we honor our present leaders:
Deacon Board:
Deacon Augustus Eurem
Deacon Lorenzo Whedbee
Deacon Herman Holley (Chairman)
Deacon Samuel Vick
Deacon Frank Keight (removed from Batts Chapel)
Trustee Board:
Trustee Dorothy Holley
Trustee Jessie Harris
Trustee Alfred Wiggins
Trustee Marlon Ruffin
Trustee Darian Lewis
Trustee Ronnie Everett
Trustee Curtis Dunn
Trustee Allen Wills
Mother Board:
Mother Dorothy Holley
Mother Linda Knight
Mother Trishna Harrison
Mother Marian Eurem
Ministers Called from Mildred Baptist Church:
The Lord has blessed Mildred Baptist Church by calling ministers from among its members. They are as follows:
Reverend John McNair (Deceased)
Reverend John W. Williams (Deceased)
Reverend Bobby J. Williams (Deceased, son of the late Rev. John A. Bastere Williams)
Mildred Baptist Church History
Mildred Baptist Church was founded in 1893 by the late Reverend L.R. Jones. Following Reverend Jones, ten ministers served as leaders of the church:
Reverend L.R. Davenport
Reverend Julius Freeman
Reverend C.B. Branch
Reverend Charlie Bellamy
Reverend J.K. Jones
Reverend Leroy Perkins
Reverend John McNair
Reverend James Williams
Reverend Willard Pittman
Reverend Walter Cherry, Jr.
According to accounts from one of our late members, the deed of the church dates back to 1910. The original church building was described as a wooden structure that sat across the street from the old sanctuary in the community of Mildred.
In later years, as devotion grew, along with the pastor, the need to construct a new sanctuary. They built the “Old Sanctuary” from concrete blocks, which still stands today and is now used by the Freedom Baptist Church in Mildred, NC.
Past Deacon Board (All Deceased):
Deacon Aiden Whitehead
Deacon Artis
Deacon Kent (Chairman)
Deacon Simon Harris
Deacon Dennis Pittman
Deacon Emile Jones
Deacon Ernest Vick (Chairman)
Deacon Willard Williams
Past Trustees (All Deceased):
Trustee James Vick
Trustee Lufonne Black
Deacon Jesse Sheppard
Deacon Sam Jones
Deacon Russell Savage
Deacon Albert Ashbee
Deacon Joseph Knight
Deacon Joe Robinson
Deacon Jack Knight
Faithful Mother Board (All Deceased):
Mother Dora S. Jones
Mother Hattie Pittman
Mother Hazel James
Mother Maggie Everett
Mother Sallie Jones
Mother Rosa Vick
Mother Lillie Harrison
Mother Jessie Williams
Mother Arleas Evans
The legacy of Mildred Baptist Church is built upon the dedication and faithfulness of its leaders, trustees, deacons, and mothers, who have played pivotal roles in its rich history.
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We invite you to join our journey of faith and service. Whether you’re looking for a place to worship, seeking spiritual guidance, or wanting to connect with others, you’ll find a home at Mildred Baptist Church. Come and discover how we can grow together with love and faith.