Church History

In February 1924, a Baptist Sunday School was organized in the home of Mr. C.R. Russell. Mr. Taylor of First Baptist Church in Aberdeen, NC helped to organize this early Sunday School under the grape arbor. In November of 1924, the Sunday School members decided they needed to have a church. Taylor Memorial Baptist Church was organized on November 12 with twenty-two charter members. These first members were J.M. Caddell, Mrs. J.M. Caddell, H.E. Davis, Mrs. H.E. Davis, Mildred Davis, Elmo Davis, Dennis Green, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. McCracken, Robennia McCracken, Estelle McCracken, Mr and Mrs. C.R. Russell, M.P. Russell, Hubert Russell, Lela Russell, Nora Russell, Ernest Russell, Ruth Russell, Mrs. Julia Swaringen, Cora Lee Pickler, and Mrs. Annie Kirk. The church was named Taylor’s Memorial in honor of the work of Mr. W.A. Taylor in organizing the Sunday School in our community. Over the years, general usage has caused our church to be known as Taylor Memorial Baptist Church.

Rev. Jessie Blalock, with the assistance of Rev. J.M. Arnette, organized the church. The first order of business was to call Rev. Jessie Blalock as pastor. C.R. Russell was elected Treasurer and J.M. McCracken was elected clerk. The first Deacons were M.P. Russell, H.E. Davis, and J.M. McCracken.

The first services were held in the home of C.R. Russell until a Church House could be built. Construction started soon after the church was organized. Eunice Wolf, a young girl from Rural Hall, NC, gave the first money for this cause. M.P. Russell donated the original two acres of land on which the church house was built. This first building went up slowly because the members did most of the building in their spare time. By February 7, 1926, the building was finished enough to hold the first service. Work continued until the first building was completed in the spring of 1928.

The first building was damaged and repaired following storms in 1935 and 1937. It was used, even though it had to be propped up with poles on the side, until the present sanctuary was built. In March 1949, a motion was made by A.R. Laton that we build a new church house. This was seconded by H.C. Russell, and the motion was carried by a vote of 14 to 6. C.R. Auman, A.R. Laton, W.P. Laton, and H.C. Russell were appointed as a planning committee to get plans for the church. This committee submitted a plan one week later that was approved by the church. The new sanctuary was completed and in use by June of 1950.

Several times in the history of the church we have shared pastors with other local churches. Rev. McQueen served Taylor and Eagle Springs, Rev. Woodson served Taylor and Pineywood, Rev. Haliburton served Taylor and West End, Rev. Bratton served Taylor and Fairview, and Rev. Beeler served Taylor and Unity Grove. In May of 1965, the church voted to build a parsonage at a cost of $15,000. In August of 1965, the church accepted the gift of land offered by John and Onnie Seago on which to build the parsonage. In May of 1971, the church voted to start construction of the addition behind the sanctuary. This addition was to be built by members of the church. In July of 1973, the M.P. Russell family donated the bell tower that is at the front of the church in memory of Marshall and Nannie Russell. In April 1976, the new baptistery and painting were dedicated. The baptistery was used during this service for the first time and Lori Kirk was baptized. Baptisms before this time had been held in ponds, rivers, and neighboring churches. The painting in the baptistery was given by the children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Shaver in their memory. In October of 1976, the church voted to become a full-time church.

In November of 1988, the church voted to begin its largest building program, the new Education and Fellowship building. The original cost was to be around $90,000, but as time went on, it grew to a cost of $200,000 for the completed building and furnishings. This building was dedicated in September of 1997 and has proven to be a blessing for our church.

This brief story of the church focuses on dates and buildings, but the real story is in the lives of the men and women who have discovered Christ as Lord and Savior in the ministries of this church. The service done by our church to the community in times of need is a blessing. We have much more to do to share Christ in our area and to involve others in ministries of healing and blessing. God has blessed Taylor Memorial and will continue to bless as we look to Him for guidance and power.

November 12, 1924 – Church Organized
November 23, 1924 – February 27, 1927 Rev. Jesse Blalock
September 8, 1927 – May 27, 1928 Rev. C. L. Jackson
May 27, 1928 – September 7, 1929 Rev. W. D. Early
October 13, 1929 – February 15, 1931 Rev. J. M. Smith
October 25, 1931 – April 30, 1934 Rev. E. C. Taylor
May 26, 1934 – October 25, 1936 Rev. Reid Harris
October 30, 1938 – March 22, 1942 Rev. William Hancock
Rev. Ernest D. Hancock
July 5, 1944 – March 9, 1947 Rev. Ralph Knight
June 11, 1947 – February 4, 1951 Rev. George Davis
July 22, 1951 – November 10, 1954 Rev. J. C. McQueen
May 15, 1955 – August 15, 1957 Rev. Robert Woodson
September 29, 1957 – December 31, 1961 Rev. J. C. Halliburton
October 14, 1962 – February 21, 1965 Rev. Donald Bratton
June 1966 – February 1967 Rev. Richard Hopkins (Interim)
February 1, 1967 – June 9, 1970 Rev. Harvey L. Beeler
January 31, 1971 – July 28, 1974 Rev. Coy Frye
December 8, 1974 – February 7, 1977 Rev. Albert Evans
May 29, 1977 – December 28, 1981 Rev. Everette Hayes
February 1982 – December 19, 1982 Rev. Richard Hopkins (Interim)
December 19, 1982 – Rev. Richard Hodges
Rev. Del Parkerson
April 1, 2001 to 2006 Rev. Brent Thomas
2006 to Rev. Zeb Moss (Interim)
Rev. Joe Needham
Rev. James Cagle (Interim)
2012 to 2013 Rev. Brent Thomas (Interim)
Rev. Steve Turner
March 26, 2023 – December 2023 Rev. Mike Branscome 

March 2024 - Tom Lamkin (Interim)