Wilson Daily Times, 30 April 1945.
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Church
Selections in English, German, and Italian (and a few Negro spirituals).
Jones Hill Primitive Baptist Church.
Jones Hill Primitive Baptist Church anchored a community that included Jones Hill School. The church’s cemetery is now separated from the church by Interstate 95. The current building is heavily modified, but retains what appears to be an early 20th-century structure at its core.
I have been able to find little information about Jones Hill’s founding or early years, but by the early 1950s, the church was a member of Union Primitive Baptist Association.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2025.
Fitts-Funderburg wedding at Saint Alphonsus.
The Afro-American (Baltimore, Md.), 24 June 1950.
Pittsburgh Courier, 1 July 1950.
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907 Atlantic Street.
The two hundred-first in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District:”ca. 1910; 1 story; Macedonia Church of Christ; brick-veneered gable-front church.”
Atlantic Street was not captured on Sanborn fire insurance maps of Wilson until 1922, when this building was home to a Seventh Day Adventist church.
In 1956, Daniel McKeithan placed an ad in the Wilson Daily Times advertising the building for sale, as “the members are building new church.” (Mount Hebron Seventh-Day Adventist Church still meets at 700 South Pender Street.)
Wilson Daily Times, 20 September 1956.
Macedonia Church of Christ Disciples of Christ bought the building and moved in in 1959.
Wilson Daily Times, 13 June 1959.
Macedonia met at 907 Atlantic until some time in the 1990s, and Miracle Temple Full Gospel Church moved circa 1998. The building is now occupied by Amazing Grace Original Free Will Baptist Church.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2025.
Historic churches, revisited.
My talk a couple of weeks ago on the history of Wilson County’s African-American churches made me revisit a list pulled from mid-1940s issues of Wilson Daily Times. Where were these churches? Which are still active?
- Barnes Chapel, South Warren Street, Rev. E.D. Joyner [of Rocky Mount], second and fourth Sundays
Still active at 1004 Railroad Street, Wilson.
- Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church, Stantonsburg, Rev. W.B. McCoy
Founded in 1877. Still active at 210 West Broad Avenue, Stantonsburg. Bethel’s original site was southeast of Stantonsburg on what is now Peacock Bridge Road. Its old cemetery marks the approximate site.
- Bethlehem Colored Holiness Church of God, 412 South Bruton Street, Elder Jesse Herring
- Brown’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, corner Bruton and Walnut Streets, Rev. E.M. Rogers, second and fourth Sundays
Brown Chapel was founded in 1900 in Grabneck, then moved to Daniel Hill. It is still active at 1507 Hadley Street, Wilson.
- Calvary Holiness Church, Ashe Street, Rev. William McLandon
Calvary Holy Church’s building was at 118 Ash Street. It sold the property to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, now Antioch Outreach Church Ministries, in 1977. Calvary is now active at 515 Daniel Street.
- Calvary Presbyterian Church, Green and Pender Streets, Rev. Obra J. Hawkins
Founded in 1889. Still active at 209 North Pender Street.
- Church of God, 904 South Wainwright Street, Elder E.D. Swain
Church inactive. Church building still standing at 906 Wainwright Street, Wilson; now owned by Trustees of Glorious Hope Church.
- Clifton Chapel, Wilson, Elder F.W. Williams, fourth Sunday
The “Elder” designation suggests that Clifton Chapel was a Primitive Baptist or Holiness church. There is no Clifton Chapel now in Wilson. However, there is a Clifton Chapel Church of Christ Disciples of Christ in Spring Hope, Nash County.
- Dixon Chapel, “three miles from Wilson on Old Stantonsburg Road,” Rev. C.B. Smith, clerk Lizzie Ellis, third Sunday
Founded about 1900. Dixon Chapel’s status is unclear. The church stands at 4000 Stantonsburg Road, Wilson.
- Ebenezer Baptist Church, corner Hadley and Rountree Streets, Rev. Charles T. Jones, first and third Sundays
Founded in 1938. Still active at 414 Hadley Street.
- Ellis Chapel Free Will Baptist, Rev. R.T. Carr, first Sunday
Founded in 1881. Not active. The church building is still standing at 5032 Aviation Place.
- First Baptist Church, corner Nash and Pender Streets, Rev. Fred M. Davis Sr.
Founded in 1872. Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church. Still active at 571 East Nash Street.
- First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 703 East Gay Street, Rev. L.E. Powell, second and fourth Sundays
Still active at 704 Gay Street.
- Flat Rock Disciples Church, 402 Vick’s Alley, Elder D.C. Artis, fourth Sunday
Flat Rock Church of Christ Disciples of Christ is active at 6730 Flat Rock Road, Sims. Is this the same church?
- Good Hope Chapel, East Atlantic Street, Rev. Frank F. Battle
Not active. Church building stood at 1211 Atlantic Street.
- Gospel Tabernacle Holiness Church, 317 Elva Street, Rev. Bettie V. Lofton, second and fourth Sundays
Not active, and the church building is no longer standing.
- Hardy’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Black Creek, Rev. C.D. Ward, second and fourth Sunday
Not active. No other information.
- Holy Temple Church, Moore Street, Rev. W.H. Holliday
Founded in 1928. Its first sanctuary was at 714 Moore Street, and second at 1003 South Lodge. In 2008, Holy Temple merged with Rose of Sharon United Holy Church to form Kairos Church Ministries. The Moore Street building is now occupied by Mission of Faith Free Will Baptist Church.
- Johnson Chapel, East Vance Street, Bishop J. Hargrove, secretary Florine Folsom, second and fourth Sunday
There is no active Johnson Chapel in Wilson. However, in Elm City, Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, founded in 1886, remains active.
- Living Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Black Creek, Rev. W.S. Barnes, third Sunday
Possibly, Living Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 5079 Artis Road, Lucama. Status unclear.
- Mount Calvary Holiness Church No. 2, Rev. W.M. Mercer
- Mount Calvary Holy Church, Bishop B. Johnson, Evangelist Marie Donnell
Mount Calvary Evening Light Holiness Church, 208 South Pender Street, is active. I don’t know if this is the successor of church 1 or 2 or both.
- Mount Olive A.M.E. Zion Church, Stantonsburg, Rev. R.A. Murphy, second Sunday
Not active. No other information.
- Mount Zion Free Will Baptist Church, Lane Street, Rev. George W. Little
Founded in 1912. Still active at 305 Lane Street.
- Mount Zion Holy Church, South Lodge Street, Bishop G.J. Branch, assistant Rev. A. Austin
Founded in 1906. Succeeded by Branch Memorial Tabernacle United Holy Church and stands at 517 Hadley Street.
- New Sandy Fork Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. W.S. Barnes, second Sunday
Still active at 6117 Sandy Fork Place. [Not to be confused with Sandy Fork Baptist Church on Sandy Fork Road in Nash County. The churches split around 1915.]
- Patterson Chapel Colored Holiness Church of God, “two miles south of Wilson,” Rev. Carrie Tabron, third Sunday
Still active at 2924 Forest Hills Road.
- Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church, corner Vick and Carolina Streets, Rev. Eddie H. Cox
Founded in 1882. Still active at 309 East Vick Street.
- Rocky Branch Christian Church, Rev. C. Hodges
Founded in 1870. Still active at 5968 NC-581, Kenly.
- Rountree Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. H. Hoskin, fourth Sunday
Founded in 1866. Still active at 2110 Martin L. King Jr. Parkway.
- Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church, North Reid Street opposite Community Center, Rev. William F.F. Murray, assistants Rev. Thomas Gilhody and Rev. John Anderson
Founded in 1942. Merged with Saint Therese Catholic Church in 1986. Church building remains at 810 North Reid Street.
- Saint James Church, Stantonsburg, Rev. W.H. Holliday
Founded in 1932. Saint James Holy Church is still active at 100 North Main Street, Stantonsburg.
- Saint John A.M.E. Zion Church, Smith and Pender Streets, Rev. William A. Hilliard
Founded in 1868. Still active at 119 North Pender Street.
- Saint Luke A.M.E. Church, corner Vick and Atlantic Streets, Rev. P.J. McIntyre
Founded in 1910. Still active at 112 North Vick Street.
- Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, corner of Reid and Nash Streets, Rev. Robert J. Johnson, lay reader John H. Clark
Founded in 1887. Still active at 106 South Reid Street.
- Saint Paul’s Disciples Church, Nash Road, Rev. E.Z. Coley, fourth Sunday
Founded in 1905. Saint Paul Church of Christ Disciples of Christ is still active at 4009 Lake Wilson Road.
- Saint Rose Disciples Church, Spring Street, Rev. E.F. Johnson, first and third Sunday
Founded in 1903. Saint Rose Church of Christ Disciples of Christ is still active at 605 Douglas Street.
- Saint Rose Pentecostal Holiness Church, Rev. W.H. Bailey, first and third Sunday
Founded in 1932. Status unclear. Church located at 5252 Saint Rose Church Road, Sims.
- Solid Rock New Testament of God, 412 South Bruton Street, Elder P.E. Mincey, Bishop H.L. Dixon.
No longer active. Church building no longer standing.
- Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, Bank Street, Rev. John A. Everett
Still active at 1626 Martin Luther King Parkway.
- William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Elm City, Rev. C.A. Merritt, second Sunday
Founded in 1885. Still active at 6154 William Chapel Church Road, Elm City.
- Wilson Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Barnes Street, Rev. L.E. Rasbury [Rasberry]
Founded in 1910. Wilson Chapel is still active at 513 South Barnes Street.
First Baptist Church of Lucama.
From the website of First Baptist Church of Lucama:
“The Founders of this church in the 1800’s were given a vision from God. The vision was to establish a black Baptist church in Lucama for the purpose of winning souls to Christ. They built this church on the Solid Rock, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They knew that all other grounds would be sinking sand.
“Some might say ‘why is it so important to know the history of this church?’ Well, it is important so we can look back and see how the Lord has blessed this church through the years. After looking back, we can then give thanks to our Father for all he has done for our church. We can recall and we can visualize just how great, how powerful, how wonderful he is and how his precious Holy Spirit continues to dwell with us today.
“The first services were held under a bush shelter made of a few planks and a top made out of bushes; just enough protection to keep out the rain, snow, and sun in the summer. These pioneers were Brother John Hardy and Sister Lutoria Battle, Sister Mary E. Morgan, Brother Elias Barnes, Rev. Needham Dew, Sister Mabel Austin, Brother Rufus Kent and Brother John Newkirk. Soon the first building was erected and stood beside the railroad in downtown Lucama. After a few years, a lot was purchased and the church moved because of noise from the trains. In 1917, the cornerstone was laid at the new and our present location. First Missionary Baptist Church of Lucama celebrated 80 Years of praising God for his blessing’s in the year of 1997 (Specific dates of the bush shelter were not recorded).”
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- John Hardy Battle
In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Eliza Battle, 21, and sons Lummy, 6, John H., 4, and J. Hardy, 2.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: day laborer Columbus Battle, 24; wife Minnie, 20; and brother John H., 23, day laborer.
On 9 November 1905, John H. Battle, 20, of Cross Roads township, married Lutora Fields, 18, in Lucama, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 28; wife Loutorie, 24; and Johnie L., 2.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 39; wife Lutoria F., 30; and children John L., 16, Lenetta, 7, Bessie L., 5, Mary L., 3, Thurman, 1, and Armetta, 2 months.
In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 49; wife Loutoria, 40; children Johnie L., 21, Nettie, 19, Bessie L., 16, Mary L., 15, Roosevelt, 14, Armettie, 11, Alphnza, 8, Estelle, 7, Augustus, 4, and Harvey L., 2.
In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John Battle, 59; wife Lutory, 50; children Estell, 17, Augustus, 15, Harvey, 13, Luberta, 8, Alberta, 7; son-in-law Leondus Speight, 26, and granddaughter Katherine, 4.
In the 1950 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 70; wife Lulorie, 60; and children Agustus, 25, Harvey L., 22, Lubortha, 18, and Aberta, 16.
John Hardy Battle died 9 March 1962 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 July 1878 in Wilson County to Haywood Battle and Eliza Battle; lived near Lucama; worked in farming; was married to Lutory Battle; and was buried in Mary Grove cemetery.
- Lutoria Battle
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Washington Fields, 60; wife Julia, 53; daughters Chrischanie, 25, Amanda, 15, and Lutory, 10; grandson Peter, 10; and granddaughters Julia, 5, and Lillie, 7 months.
On 9 November 1905, John H. Battle, 20, of Cross Roads township, married Lutora Fields, 18, in Lucama, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 28; wife Loutorie, 24; and Johnie L., 2.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 39; wife Lutoria F., 30; and children John L., 16, Lenetta, 7, Bessie L., 5, Mary L., 3, Thurman, 1, and Armetta, 2 months.
In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 49; wife Loutoria, 40; children Johnie L., 21, Nettie, 19, Bessie L., 16, Mary L., 15, Roosevelt, 14, Armettie, 11, Alphnza, 8, Estelle, 7, Augustus, 4, and Harvey L., 2.
In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John Battle, 59; wife Lutory, 50; children Estell, 17, Augustus, 15, Harvey, 13, Luberta, 8, Alberta, 7; son-in-law Leondus Speight, 26, and granddaughter Katherine, 4.
In the 1950 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 70; wife Lulorie, 60; and children Agustus, 25, Harvey L., 22, Lubortha, 18, and Aberta, 16.
John Hardy Battle died 9 March 1962 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 July 1878 in Wilson County to Haywood Battle and Eliza Battle; lived near Lucama; worked in farming; was married to Lutory Battle; and was buried in Mary Grove cemetery.
Lutory Battle died 22 April 1964 in Lucama, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 February 1890 in Wilson County to Wilbert [last name unknown] and Janie Field; was married to John Hardy Battle; worked in farming; and lived near Lucama. Hester Chatman was informant.
- Mary E. Morgan
On 1 January 1891, William Morgan married Mary Sanders in Johnston County, N.C.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: day laborer William Morgan, 35; wife Mary, 24; and children Annie, 8, Beattrice, 6, Mamie, 2, and Willie, 5 months.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William Morgan, 48; wife Mary E., 30; and children Anna, 15, Beattrice, 14, Mamie, 10, Willie, 8, Thomas, 5, and Johnie, 2 months.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William Morgan, 54; wife Mary S., 45; and sons Willie, 18, and Tommie, 12.
In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Mary E. Morgan, 53; husband William, 64; and grandson George Cole, 11.
In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widow Mary Morgan, 65, and son Willie, 27.
In the 1950 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: on Goldsboro Street, widow Mary Morgan, 74, and son Thomas, 40, presser at dry cleaning plant.
Mary Elizabeth Morgan died 18 November 1955 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1879 in Wake County, N.C., to William Sanders and Sallie [maiden name unknown]; was a widow; lived near Lucama; was unemployed; and was buried in Pate Cemetery. Anna Coley, Lucama, was informant.
- Elias Barnes
On 18 December 1898, Elias Barnes, 22, of Wilson County, son of Simon and Elvy Barnes, married Ida Gold, 30, of Wilson County, daughter of Rayford Coley and Smithy Barnes, at Simon Barnes’ residence in Springhill township, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: on Main Street, farm laborer Elias Barnes, 34, and wife Ida, 41.
- Rev. Needham Dew
- Mabel Austin
- Rufus Kent
In the 1880 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: Elbert Kent, 36, farmer; wife Rebeca, 29; and children Mary, 10, Rufus, 9, Saraha, 7, Flournes J., 6, Martha M., 4, and Pharrow, 1.
On 3 August 1896, Rufus Kent, 25, of Cross Roads township, married Maggie Wells, 18, of Cross Roads township, in Cross Roads.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: railroad laborer Rufus Kent, 29, and wife Maggie, 20.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: railroad laborer Rufus Kent, 40; wife Maggie, 28; and children Lena, 7, Beattrice, 5, Eligah, 4, and Lemichael, 1.
Rufus Kent died 8 May 1915 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 March 1867 in Oldfields township to Elbert Kent and Rebecca Barnes; was married; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Lamm graveyard. Joe Kent was informant.
- John Newkirk
Mary Grove Missionary Baptist closes a gap.
Before Mary Grove Missionary Baptist could expand its church building in 1996, it had to secure six quitclaim deeds from heirs of I.O. and Ida Barnes, the couple from whom they bought their original .14 acres of land around 1919. Why? The church had never registered the deed for that land, and the deed has since been lost.
Holy Temple Church.
In March 1934, Mechanics and Farmers Bank filed a plat of eight lots for it owned on Moore Street between Contentnea [now Cemetery] Street and Suggs Street. (Samuel H. Vick owned bordering property to the rear, and Daniel C. Suggs the corner lot at Contentnea.) Lot 3 included a 20 foot by 40 foot frame building — a church.
Plat Book 4, page 85, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson, N.C.
The church appears in the 1930 Sanborn fire insurance maps of Wilson, but not in 1922, providing a rough date for its erection. The records currently available to me roughly sketch its early history. Holy Temple Church’s trustees — Josh Neal, Lee M. Hinnant, Mitchell Hinnant, Nero Oliver, Isiah Israel, and Dock Cooper — bought the building from the bank in April 1934, and the church held it until 1982, when it sold this and a Cemetery Street tract to Whole Truth Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith.
Wilson Daily Times, 22 June 1946.
In 2013, Whole Truth sold the building, which has been bricked and otherwise modernized, to Mission of Faith Free Will Baptist Church.
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- Josh Neal
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Mercer Street, Josh Neal, 39; wife Pearlie, 36; and children Easley, 18, Joshua, 17, Mary, 15, Willie, 10, Louisa, 8, Jessie, 5, Mattie, 4, Charlie, 1, and Essie, 3.
- Lee M. Hinnant
- Mitchell Hinnant
- Nero Oliver
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 705 Stantonsburg Street, A.C.L. Railroad flagman Nero Oliver, 32, born in South Carolina; wife Annie, 23; and adopted daughter Bessie M., newborn.
- Isiah Israel
- Dock Cooper
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tobacco factory laborer Dock Cooper, 29; wife Jennet, 27; relative Ammie, 37, Standard Oil Company plumber; and roomer Ora Bradshaw, 13.
Saint Paul A.M.E. Church of Lucama.
Here’s another reference to an African Methodist Episcopal church in Lucama. This deed, dated 13 December 1917, records the sale of a one-quarter acre lot on Main Street to trustees of an A.M.E. church for $475. The lot was identified as “the lot upon which St. Pauls Church stands.”
The metes and bounds description is slightly different, but this appears to be the same quarter-acre lot the church bought in 1903. I’ll need to research that further. In the meantime, though we now know what happened to the church, I still don’t know exactly where it was.
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- Willis Hines
On 30 January 1901, Willis Hines, 44, of Wilson County, son of Simon and Easter Hines, married Edith Jones, 31, daughter of Noel and Sarah Jones, in Lucama, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: on Railroad Street, Willie Hines, 62, brickyard laborer; wife Edith, 46; children Lee H., 7, John H., 6, and Arcadie, 3; and stepdaughters Addie, 18, and Ida Deans, both servants.
Edith Hines died 15 May 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 59 years old; was born in Wilson County to Noah Jones and Sarah Jones; was married to Willis Hines; and lived at 200 Pender Street, Wilson. Sarah Barnes was informant.
In the 1930 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Willis Hines, 72, widower, and boarder Arnly Adams, 84, widower.
Ida Hines died 16 January 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 28 March 1901 in Lucama to Will Hines and Sarah Barnes; lived at Route 5, Wilson; worked as a laundress; and was buried in Wilson.
- R.D. Bethea — Roddie Bethea.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Roddie Bethea, 50; wife Mary R., 45; and children Lillie, 15, James A., 11, Clifton, 9, Vashtie, 6, and Hubert, 22.
- J.L. Wright — Jacob L. Wright.
In the 1910 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Jacob L. Wright, 41; wife Mary, 37; and children Willie M. [Wright], 20, Arece, 3, Annie M., 10 months, and Lenora, 20.
In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Willie Wright, 30; wife Lenora, 30; children Robert, 6, Silas, 4, and Mary, 1; father Jacob, 51, widower; and siblings Arsee, 13, Annie, 10, and Carlie, 9.
In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: R.C. Wright, 22; father Jake Wright, 62; sister Annie Mae McCoy, 20, and her children James F., 5, Bernetha, 3, and James H., newborn.
Annie Mae Pettiford died 9 November 1968 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 July 1911 in Wilson County to Jacob Wright and Mary Jones; lived in 908 Stantonsburg Street; and was married to Benjamin Pettiford. Rematha Pettiford was informant.