Selma Baptist Church History, 1872-1972

Selma Baptist Church, believed to be the first church established in Selma, North Carolina, was organized on June 1, 1872, by nine charter members. The formation was initiated by representatives of the Raleigh Baptist Association in response to a local request, as recorded in the Biblical Recorder issues of June 19 and June 26, 1872.

Officiating at the founding were Dr. W. M. Wingate, President of Wake Forest College; Elder William B. Harrell, the Association’s missionary; and Elders Amos Weaver and F. R. Underwood. The meeting likely took place at the “Academy,” a private school operated by J. C. Scarborough and his wife—the only known school in Selma at the time.

Elder Amos Weaver served as Moderator, while J. C. Scarborough acted as Secretary. The presbytery was called to order, and nine individuals presented letters from nearby Baptist churches to form a new congregation. Named among the charter members were J. C. Scarborough, W. H. Avera, E. S. Moore, and J. A. Underhill. Others are presumed to have been family members or possibly Daniel Sellers, a prominent landowner and delegate to the State Convention in 1877.

After adopting a church covenant, the group was officially recognized as Selma Baptist Church. While the initial location of worship remains uncertain, it was likely held in the Scarboroughs’ Academy.

By 1875, the congregation had grown to 46 members. That year, the church purchased three lots on East Watson Street for $100 from W. J. and Henrietta Barrow. Deacons W. H. Avera and J. C. Scarborough executed the transaction. The location was well chosen, situated in Selma’s most densely populated area at the time, just south of the North Carolina Railroad.

Free PDF

Table of Contents

1. Origin, p. 1
2. A House of Worship is Built, p. 3
3. Fund Raising Success, p. 6
4. Renovations, p. 6
5. The Parsonage, p. 7
6. Recreatonal Building, p. 7
7. Worship Services, p. 8
8. Early Pastors, p. 8
9. Lay Leadership During Early Years, p. 10
10. Lay Leaders of More Recent Years, p. 12
11. Salem and the Baptist Convention, p. 13
12. Church Membership, p. 14
13. The Sunday School, p. 15
14. Youth Activity, p. 15
15. Woman’s Missionary Union, p. 16
16. The Brotherhood, p. 16
17. Missions, p. 17
18. Church Finance, p. 18
19. Epilogue, p. 19

Appendix

1. Table of Pastors, p. 20
2. Table of Deacons, p. 22
3. Table of Church Clerks, p. 23
4. Table of Sunday School Superintendants, p. 24
5. Table of BBrotherhood Presidents, p. 24
6. Table of Women’s Missionary Union Presidents, p. 25
7. Church Officers, 1871-1972, p. 25

Source

Salem Baptish Church Historical Committee, A Baptist century: Selma Baptist Church, 1872-1972, Selma, N.C. : Selma Baptist Church, 1972.

---