WALNUT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Walnut Grove Baptist Church was founded under the
leadership of Rev. Tecumseh B. Brayboy with approximately 50 members on
September 11, 1982.  Members met in the
home of Rev. Brayboy to organize the new church in the Arcola/Bethlehem
community of Warren County.  Rev. Brayboy
had served as pastor of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church for three years.  Several members objected to his severance and
encouraged him to organize a new church.

Sunday School and worship services were held in the
Brayboys’ home until February 27, 1983 when a new church facility was
constructed on State Road 1636, now Old Bethlehem Road.  On October 21, 1982 a ground-breaking
ceremony was held on two acres of land with approximately 100 people
attending.  One acre was purchased from
Mr. Amos Capps at a cost of $1,000.  Mr.
Capps donated the other acre.

Construction of a new 3200 square foot building
began with sanctuary, classrooms and a pastor’s study.  The dedication ceremony was held on May 29,
1983 having cost $55,000.  A cornerstone,
donated by rev. Brayboy, was erected during the dedication services. The first
homecoming was held in the new facility on October 11, 1983 with the message
delivered by Rev. Tony E. Brewington, Director of Missions of the Burnt Swamp
Baptist Association at that time. 
Immediately following, a revival was held by the new congregation with
Rev. Michael Cummings the evangelist. 
Four converts were added including Heather Brayboy, Bontheia Richardson,
Paula Evans, and William Richardson.  The
first baptism for the church was held on October 26, 1983.

 

On October 1983 an additional .59 acre of land was
purchased, and another acre in 1986. 
More acreage was added in 1990 giving Walnut Grove a total of 4.59 acres
of land.

 

On July 30, 1983 Walnut Grove was given the right
hand of fellowship into the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association during its annual
meeting held at New Bethel Baptist Church in Sampson County.  The pastor, his wife, and Mr. And Mrs. Alston
Richardson were in attendance to receive the honor.

 

On March 1, 1993, groundbreaking services were held
for a 4,000 square feet, $93,000 educational/fellowship building.  All labor was donated except for the plumbing
heating and bricklaying.  Individual
church members purchased the windows and doors. 
Reverend Brayboy served his church for six years without compensation in
order that the church debt could be paid.

 

Membership of Walnut Grove has more than tripled
since its’ beginnings.           Walnut
Grove Baptist Church has had a continuos growth of new members with a current
membership of 160.  Most new members join
during the spring and fall revivals. 
Walnut Grove’s membership consists mostly of people age 50 and older
with twenty percent of the members being senior citizens.

 

The Women’s Missionary Union was organized in May,
1983.  They met in individual homes as
the church was being constructed.  We had
seven members who were quite active: 
Annie B. Richardson, Merter V. Richardson, Roxie Carter, Lenzie
Richardson, Annie R. Richardson, Bevis Richardson, and Barbara Brayboy.  Currently we have eleven active members.

 

Reverend T. Brayboy has a unique teaching
ability.  His style of teaching is
thorough and complete.  His presentations
are on a level that everyone can understand and he makes his listeners a part
of his lessons.  His lessons are
practical applications to our lives and he is an expository preacher.

 

Walnut Grove began with the following charter
members:  Tecumseh, Barabara, &
Jennifer Brayboy; John and Minnie Manning; George, Bertha and Elizabeth
Feudale; Martin and Annie B. Richardson; Bevis Ardean Richardson; Herbert,
Mayonla, Elvis, Douglas, Morris, and Rita harris; Claude and Lenzie Richardson;
Dorthes and Beuafort Lynch; Dale Evans; Alston, Merter V. and Pricilla
Richardson; Walter Roxie, Tomeka and Phillip Carter; Lucille Richardson;
Herbert Richardson, Jr.; Wenona Richardson, Ruth, Leroy and Ricky Evans; Vivian
and Phillip Evans; Dallas, Velma, and Melissa Evans; Hester Evans; Hargie,
Herman and Mesheila Lynch; Willis Lynch, Glenda Lynch; Rachel Lynch; Erestine
and Shane Richardson,  Stantina and
Tanika Evans; Otis and Annie R. Richardson; Horace, Doris and Melinda Rudd;
James McCray and Alberia Richardson; McConnell and Lori Silver; Ella
Richardson; Yvonne Richardson and Beverly Richardson; Colleen and Jesse
Richardson.  Many of the visitors in
attendance for the groundbreaking service later became members of Walnut Grove
Baptist Church.

 

Walnut Grove Church was admitted to the Burnt Swamp
Association and Union on July 30, 1983 at New Bethel Church in Clinton, North
Carolina.  Reverend Tecumseh and Barabara
Brayboy and Mr. and Mrs. Alston Richardson were in attendance.

 

Pastor:                        Reverend Tecumseh B. Brayboy, III; Wife
–Barbara L. Brayboy

Deacons:                                          Claude Richardson: ordained
November 27, 1983

Martin Richardson: ordained
November 27, 1983 (deceased)

                                                Dale
Evans:  ordained July 17, 1988

Sunday
School Director:        James M. Richardson: 
November. 1982- present

Church
Clerk:                        Ernestine
Richardson:  Sept. 11, 1982-present

Church
Treasurer:                 Martin Richardson: 
September 11, 1982- April, 1983

                                                Archable
D. Lynch:  April 1983- present

Pianist:                                    Jennifer
Brayboy-Locklear:  Sept. 11, 1982 -
present