Travels in Baptist History 8- Grassy Creek Baptist Church by Jim Curran

(5) Baptist Church History | Facebook

Jim Curran (5) Baptist Church History | Facebook 04/06.21

Travels in Baptist History 8- Grassy Creek Baptist Church (As a note I am doing these sites in a bit of a random order) Grassy Creek Baptist Church- Bullock, NCThis church is one of the oldest in North Carolina having been started in 1754. This would have been the second church started out of Sandy Creek, pastored by Shubal Stearnes. The only one started earlier was Abbot’s Creek just outside of the present Winston-Salem. The pastor was James Reed (I have also found some sources spelling it as Read.) Reed was saved under the ministry of Daniel Marshall and was baptized by Shubal Stearnes. There seems to be a little confusion as to the original start date of the church- the church lists 1754, while some sources indicate 1756. The 1756 may be the date of organization and the 1754 when it started meeting. All records before 1769 have been lost. Samuel Harriss would also pastor the church briefly. Elder Reed would serve the church for over 25 years and would retire from the active ministry of the church in 1789. Henry Lester would become the pastor serving for several years. Thomas Vass and Reuben Pickett would also serve as pastors. In 1814 Elisha Battle would take over the pastorate. Robert Daniel William Worrell and Thomas Mason and Samuel Dutu would serve as pastors in the 1820’s.. James King would become pastor in 1829 and would continue until 1846. Robert I. Devin would take over the pastorate in 1846 and continued until 1858. Elder RI Devin would pastor 1847-1880 (with an exception of four years.)The church would also take an active role in planting other churches but it is difficult to determine how many were formed from her. Meherrin, Bethel, Buffalo and others in Virginia were formed from members. In North Carolina Tabb’s Creek, Shearman’s Tanner’s, Island Creek, Olive Branch, Amis’ Chapel, Hester’s and Mountain Creek were formed from her. There were in all likelihood others.The original building was a frame structure served the church for 70 years had become dilapidated by 1833 when a new building was erected 200 yards from the old site. The building would be remodeled again in 1879. The cornerstone on the building indicates it was “rebuilt 1935” (I do not know if any of the earlier building was retained