Bear Swamp Baptist Church

The first clerk or secretary was Miss Ellen Oxendine.  Her father (Elias Oxendine) gave the land (approximately one-half acre) on which the first church facility was built and where the current sanctuary now stands.  There were thirteen charter members.  Records of July 31, 1943 indicate that plans and funding were provided to build two classrooms and erect a steeple on the original church building.  McNair Investment Company of Laurinburg, NC deeded 1.2 acres of land to the trustees of the church in May of 1945 which included the original one-half acre lot and a one-quarter acre lodge lot for a cost of $10.00.  Additional land (6.1 acres) was purchased from the McNairs in 1965 for additional cemetery space, parking, and grounds.  The church budget for the 1965-66 year listed a line item of real estate purchase in the amount of $1,120.00.  In 1955 the church facility was of wood structure on coned cement pillars with wood framed, twelve-paned, windows nestled in what seemed to be an oak grove.  There were several trees surrounding the church in earlier years.  The yard was mostly white sand with many roots exposed.  The original heating system was from a coal heater located near the center of the church.  A space gas heater replaced this heater when the educational building was built.  The sanctuary was relatively small (seated approximately 100) with meeting rooms located at the front and rear of the church, a room on each side of the entrance, two on each wing at the back, and three located across the back of the church. In later years, a two-story cinder block educational building was constructed at the rear.  It was painted on the inside and out and the floors unpainted cement.  The windows were iron framed rollout windows and the rooms small.  This building contained the first office space for the church and indoor plumbing.  A kitchen was located at the west end for fellowship gatherings and fund-raising.  Selling of items occurred to raise funds to provide desired services.  Gas space heaters provided heat to this facility.  Years later, this block building was bricked and restrooms renovated.