Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 15 January 1927.
Among the early January social happenings reported to the Journal and Guide in 1927, we learn that attorney Glenn S. McBrayer was the keynote speaker at Wilson’s January 1 Emancipation Celebration, held in the Wilson Colored High School auditorium. We also learn that Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church had wrapped up a series of Good Will services at their new chapel, i.e. the building Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church now occupies.
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From First African Baptist Church 1864-1978: Dedicational Year (1978), the history of First African Baptist Church, Goldsboro, N.C.
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.
William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, a few miles northwest of Elm City just below the Nash County line, was founded in 1885. I have not located a history of the church. Its large cemetery holds graves dating back to World War I or earlier and lies about a thousand feet west on William Chapel Church Road.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, February 2025.
Wilson Daily Times, 22 December 1945.
What a bracing sermon topic two days before Christmas! The “Baptist Church on E. Atlantic St.” was Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 1211 Atlantic Street. The church building no longer stands.
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On 28 December 1904, Samuel Barnes, 23, of Wilson, son of George Barnes, married Emma Mincey, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Prince and Susan Mincey, at Susan Mincey‘s residence in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of C.C. Goffney, Mary J. Barnes, and J.D. Stallings.
Aurthur Barnes died 11 August 1917 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 November 1905 in Wilson to W.S. Barnes and Emma Mincey; worked as a common laborer [at age 11!]; and was buried in Wilson County [possibly, the Mincey family plot in Odd Fellows Cemetery.]
William Samuel Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County in 1918. Per his registration card, he was born 19 January 1887; lived at 810 East Vance Street; worked as a laborer for Hackney Wagon Company; lived at 810 East Vance; and his nearest relative was Emma Barnes.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 810 East Vance, Samuel Barnes, 39, farmer; wife Emma, 35; and children Lizzie M., 11, Dora S., 8, and Naomi, 2.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 402 Walnut Street, Sam Barnes, 49, Missionary Baptist minister; wife Emma, 45, laundress; and children Dora, 21, cook, Jake, 11, Samie, 8, and Leona, 12.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 804 May Avenue, gardener William S. Barnes, 59; wife Emma, 56, laundress; son William, 18, warehouse trucker; grandson William, 4; son-in-law Johnny C. Hairston, 21, WPA laborer; daughter Neoma, 21; and Shelley, 2, and Maggie Hairston, 2 months.
Wilson Daily Times, 29 March 1947.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1102 Atlantic Street, William S. Barnes, 65, janitor at tourist court; wife Emma, 57, housecleaning; Naomie B. Hairston, 31; Charlie, 32, mortar mixer; and William B., 14, Shirley, 12, Maggie, 10, Annette, 9, Charlene, 7, Charles Jr., 6, Naomia A., 2, Clarence, 1, and Earl H., born in January 1950.
Emma Barnes died 13 September 1967 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 December 1884 in Greene County, N.C., to Louis Mincey and Susie Suggs; was married to Sam Barnes; lived at 700 Edwards Street; and was buried Rest Haven Cemetery.
William Samuel Barnes died 1 August 1971 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 90 years old; was the son of George Barnes and Sylvia [no maiden name]; was a widower; was a retired minister; and lived at 904 Phillips Street. Naomi Harriston [Hairston] was informant.
Special thanks to Mel Baines for sharing.
Wilson Daily Times, 10 April 1965.
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church’s current sanctuary on Gay Street was dedicated in 1965, but the church was originally organized in 1921 under Rev. E.D. Joyner, who later lead Barnes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The photo above depicts Walter Jones, “the oldest deacon and one of the founders,” Rev. D.D. Williams, and Joe Williams. Clarence B. Best engraved the church’s marble cornerstone.
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Wilson Daily Times, 12 August 1937.
Rev. Fred M. Davis baptized, married, and funeralized innumerable people over his many decades of service as a Missionary Baptist minister.
“In 1917 this church was called Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. A.L.E. Weeks was pastor. Many called it Weeks Chapel.”
“Brother G.H. Holden, Brother James Holden, Brother J.C. White, and Rev. Frank F. Battle served as trustees. Rev. Fred Davis replaced Rev. Weeks and served as pastor for a short time. Dr. G.K. Butterfield and Brother Carter Foster also served as deacons at that time.”
“Rev. Charlie Jones became pastor and the church name was changed to Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church.”
“In 1936, the original building was a wood frame structure and was badly in need of repair. Rev. Charlie Jones and members formed committees and captains to raise money to pay for the remodeling of the church.”
“While the church was being remodeled, worship services were held at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on Gay Street.”
“After much prayer and hard work, we returned to a beautiful new church. We now had electric lights, but no air condition. We had outside toilets and 2 pot belly stoves, new pews, and a baptismal pool under the pulpit.”
“Deacon James Stevenson can be remembered for his contributions to the maintenance of the church. Deacon George Alexander can be remembered for his contribution to the welfare and growth of the church. Deacon John Carr was ordained in 1952. Other deacons were: Brother Leary Underwood, Brother James Reeves, Brother Matt Turner, Brother Dempsey Mercer, Brother Charlie Harris, Brother Ned Barnes, Brother York and Brother Albert Ward.”
“The church celebrated its mortgage burning and a plaque was embedded out front in the corner of the church. …”
Ebenezer’s cornerstone.
Many thanks to Rev. Charles L. Howard, pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church since 2008, for sharing this history. Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, February 2016.
Wilson Daily Times, 23 July 1949.