1894 until Present
The following information was gathered from church members who were over 90 years old –Brother Malcom Lewis, Brother John Atkinson, and Brother Charlie Lennon.
Before 1894 Horace Grove Baptist Church was in existence, but no one knows how many years before. From 1894 to 1906, the members met jointly with Methodist members. The two different congregations shared the same church, but used different Sundays for worship. Two men donated the land and the building, and the church name was derived from the donors.
Under the leadership of Rev. Naroe Hamer from Fair Bluff, who insisted the members move out and get a church of their own, the deacons, Bro. Thomas Williams, Bro. Jim Walker, and Bro. Mitchell Lawrence, went forward to purchase land for the present site. The church was completed in 1907. Rev. Hamer laid down the first dollar for the purchase of the land. The membership included persons living in Boardman and Evergreen.
In 1907 the membership called Rev. Willie Pope as Pastor. Under his great leadership the church grew. He started the first Baptist Young Peoples Union (BYPU), and the church could not contain the people interested in learning about Christian work.
From 1918 – 1920 Dr. Moore served as Pastor. It is not known just when the Missionary Department was organized, but it is known that, Sis. Mary Graham and Sis. Annie Smith was instrumental in carrying out the duties of the organization and inspiring others to get involved. Sis. Graham was truly a pioneer in the missionary field. She would walk to neighboring communities to attend meetings, in order to stay informed and to fellowship. Traveling to meetings at the surrounding churches was done by mule and wagons this made it easier for the children would ordinarly have to walk these long distances. Those that used their mule and wagons were, Rev. James Williams, Bro. Walter Smith, Sr. and Dec. Calvin Graham. Deacon Alphonzo Mason had a car which he used to take the Sunday School delegates to the unions.
During the years of 1921 – 1956 the Pastors that served were Rev. A. L. Thompson and Rev. C. F. Worley and Rev. J. Leroy Williamson.
Rev. John Beasly, Jr. served as Pastor from 1957 through October 1958.
October 1958 through March 1961 Rev. W. C. Wright served the congregation as Pastor. Under Rev. Wright’s leadership the congregation voted at the February conference to ordained Walter M. Smith, Sr. as a Deacon.
The pulpit remained open until November 1961 when Rev. A.R. Smith became Pastor.
Horace Grove had the first Young Adult Missionary group in the Lumber River Baptist Association. It was organized in 1966 under the leadership of Sis. Martha Young.
Under the pastorate of Rev. J. Leroy Williamson, the choir room and Pastor’s Study were added to the church.
In 1972 under the Pastorate of Rev. Thomas D. Killens, the trustees and Missionary sisters saw the need for some new pews. That dream was finalized, and the missionary sisters bought some carpeting. In 1976, we felt the need for more space for fellowship. Through Rev. Killens and some dedicated deacons, that dream was also finalized, a fellowship hall was built. Sis. Dorothy Smith organized the Pastors’ Aide. Sis. Smith managed the schedule of members that would invite the Pastor into their home for Sunday dinner.
The Lord continued to bless us and sent us a dedicated Christian Minister to be our Shepherd. The Rev. Ronnie M. McCray came to us and immediately saw the need for a new building. He began to preach the gospel, and people began to unite to the church. We began to give more in service of our personal lives and our finances. He laid out plans for a new building and we began to work with him toward finalizing that goal. In 1981 we entered the new church building. Timothy Mason accepted his call into the ministry and was ordained.
Pastors following Rev. McCray were Rev. E. M. Williams, Rev. Jerry Stephens, Sr.,
Rev. J. R. Leach served as Pastor from 1985 – 1987. Rev. Leach appointed a policy committee. Sis. Martha Young severed as Chairperson other committee members were Bro. Donnie Graham, Sis. Helen Pittman, Bro. Robert Young, Bro. James P. Mason, Sis. Arbradella Williams, Bro. David Townsend, Sis. Mary P. Hall and Sis. Shawn Broxton. This group of dedicated members formulated the first Constitution and By-laws for Horace Grove.
A Centennial celebration for Horace Grove was held July 5, 1987. Participants in this program were Bro. Donnie Graham as Master of Ceremonies; the church history was read by Sis. Martha Young, memorial of past deacons, trustees, and members were by Bro. David Townsend and Bro. Bobby Braddy who were serving as Jr. Deacons. Rev. Leach and the congregation looked among themselves for individuals to serve as Deacons. Bro. J. D. Bullock and Bro. David Townsend accepted the called and were ordained as Deacons.
Rev. Robert Frink served the congregation from 1990 until 1995. Rev. John Nichols Jr. served as Pastor from 1996 until 1998. In 2000 Rev. Ronald H. Williams of Leland, NC accepted the pulpit of Horace Grove. In 2005 Pastor Williams and the congregation began on a trial bases to conduct worship service each Sunday except 5th Sunday. The trail period proved that stepping out on faith God will provide the increase. Pastor Williams’s season ended at Horace Grove once again leaving the pulpit vacant.
In January 2007, the members selected Rev. James E. Dockery of Hope Mills, NC as Pastor. Endowed with the Holy Spirit he brought with him a powerful ministry that addresses the needs of the church family. Under Pastor Dockery’s leadership quarterly Christian education workshops on Prayer, Stewardship, Discipleship, Tithing and Evangelism have been done to enhance the spiritual growth of the congregation. Pastor Dockery
Deacons that have served Horace Grove
John Canire
John Atkinsons
Marshall Inman
Calvin Graham
Rodney Lennon
Alonzo Mason
Sam Hickmam
Bland Williams
Walter Major Smith
J. P. Mason
J.D. Bullock
David Townsend