Our History

We believe that we are not bound by our history, but that it is an important part of who we are as a congregation.
We are thankful for all that God has done since 1887 and look forward to all God is going to do as we move forward together in faith!

Tradition has it that the seeds of a missionary Baptist ministry in the Benson area were planted by two ministers from the North, traveling through Eastern North Carolina.  Upon inquiry about a Missionary Baptist Church, the two ministers found one elderly lady – a Mrs. Tanner – who was of similar persuasion. Near her home, approximately two miles north of what is now the town of Benson was the Rising Sun School, also known as Dog Eye School.  Here the itinerant ministers conducted a worship service.  Although the anonymous ministers moved on and although the little school has long been in disuse, the purpose of that meeting has lived on.

The actual history of the Benson Baptist Church dates to January 24, 1887.  On that day in the Rising Sun School, the church was organized by four ministers: J.L. Ennis, Allen Betts, J.M. Holleman and A.N. Campbell.  The church chose the name “Bethany” (the town near Jerusalem where Jesus often lodged with Mary, Martha and Lazarus) and elected the Rev. J.L. Ennis as its first pastor.  Services were scheduled for the fourth Sunday of each month.  

The Bethany church began its spiritual existence with five charter members.  On the day of organization, Mr. N.H. Gibbs and his wife, Margaret, were received by Transfer of Letter from the County Line Baptist Church, and three sisters – Sabrah, Sarah and Martha Hall – united by Statement of Faith.  At the first church conference, held on “Saturday before the fourth Sabbath” in February 1887, the mother of the three daughters – Mrs. Sabrah E. Hall – joined the church by Transfer of Letter from the Concord Church in Cumberland County.  On the following Sunday two more members united by Transfer of Letter, and five new converts were baptized in the chilly waters of a nearby creek.

A business meeting of the congregation which was to have far-reaching consequences for the young church was held on “Saturday before the second Sabbath in September” in 1887.  At that time the church voted to apply for membership in the Little River Association.  This decision officially aligned the church with the program of Missionary Baptist and with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.  At this same meeting the name of the church was changed to conform to the name of the newly – incorporated community which it served.  Thus the Bethany Baptist Church became the Benson Baptist Church.  And in 1987 both the town and the church celebrated together their centennial anniversaries.

The location of the first meeting place in the town of Benson is uncertain.  The first services in the town were held in a brush arbor.  One tradition has it that this first modest meeting place was located on the present property of Mr. James Peacock on West Church Street.  Another tradition places the location on West Main Street, adjoining the cotton gin owned by Mr. John D. Parrish.  It is quite possible that both locations were used at different times.  This improvised sanctuary was not long used, however, for in May, 1887, in the fifth month of the church’s existence, a committee was named to buy land and erect a church building.

The first church building of the newly – organized congregation of Benson Baptists was erected in the part of town now known as Brooklyn.  It was built behind the home of Mr. Stephen O’Neal on land given to the church by Mr. O’Neal.  It is most likely that this building was constructed late in 1887 or early in 1888.  This simple structure housed the congregation and its activities until it was virtually destroyed by a violent windstorm on June 5, 1891.  

News of the church’s disaster came to the attention of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, which then donated to the church the lot on the northwest corner of West Church and North Wall Streets – the lot on which the present sanctuary now stands.  Construction began immediately on the new site, and the completed frame building was dedicated on November 30, 1891.  The Rev. J. Hartwell Edwards of Goldsboro preached the dedicatory sermon.

During the period from organization until 1900 the church was blessed by the ministries of J.L. Ennis, Allen Betts, J.M. Holleman, A.N. Campbell, J.A. Campbell and J.J. Adams.  During the summer of 1892 Mr. Holleman conducted a revival in which nineteen people were baptized into the membership of the church.  The meeting marked a significant advance in the spiritual strength of the church, for many who were to be future leaders made Christian commitments during the revival.

Two well – known pastors formed a father-son combination in the 1890’s.  Mr. A.N. Campbell, who served the church from 1893-96, was succeeded by his son, Mr. J.A. Campbell, who served as pastor during 1896-99.  The younger Campbell is best known for his work in establishing Buies Creek Academy, now Campbell University, an outstanding institution in the educational ministry of the Baptist State Convention.

At the turn of the century another well – known North Carolina Baptist, the Rev. John M. Suttle, served the church.  Mr. Suttles’ ministry at Benson was in conjunction with his pastorate of the Smithfield Church.  His six – year tenure of service from November 1900 through September 1906, marked the longest pastorate of the church to that time.  Upon Mr. Suttle’s resignation the church adopted a resolution from the Deacons (N.L. Hall, J.H. Boon, J.P. Canaday, J.D. Parrish and E.L. Hall) commending him for his “untiring efforts” through which the church grew “from a small membership to its present strength.”
It was during the ministry of Mr. Suttle in 1903 that the church withdrew from the Little River Association to aid in the formation of the Johnston Baptist Association, of which it is now a member.  During the period of Mr. Suttle’s ministry, the church had services on a one – Sunday – a – month basis and paid the pastor $100.00 during his last year of service.  Mr. Suttle led the church to adopt the envelope system and pledge system of church finance.

With the coming of Rev. D.F. Putnam in the fall of 1906, the church expanded its ministry.  Services were scheduled on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.

The church entered an important phase of its ministry in 1912 with the coming of the Rev. J.M. Duncan as pastor.  As the church grew, the frame structure which had been in use since 1891 became obviously inadequate.  Under the leadership of Mr. Duncan and with the promise of Mr. Alonzo Parrish to pay one-tenth of the total cost, along with supplying all of the brick used in the building, the church voted to proceed with the construction of a new sanctuary on the same site of the existing structure.  The names of those on the building committee and the exact dates of the beginning and completion of construction were not recorded in the church records.  However, Mr. Duncan placed the first brick on the new church early in November 1914.  The sanctuary, modern and advanced for its day, stood as a symbol of the congregation’s willingness to sacrifice for the glory and worship of God.  The old church building was moved to 218 W. Church St.  It was renovated and is now used as a residence.

The minutes of the church prior to 1918 are filled with examples of a rigid and enforced discipline.  Charges were brought against members for what is frequently termed “unchristianly conduct.”  Committees were appointed to investigate activities which were unbecoming to the Christian life and detrimental to the church’s witness.  The two most frequently mentioned sins were drunkenness and profanity.  Members of the church were called on to make personal confession in church business sessions or to send a letter asking forgiveness of the church.  The church minutes contain a lengthy letter written in 1913 by a member who asked:

"I trust that you all can see your way clear once more to forgive me, and I earnestly desire an interest in your prayers at all times, that God may help me to live a better life, and that I may yet see the day in which I can do something for the glory of the Lord."

Many who made confessions were reinstated in the fellowship.  Several were summoned for second and third offenses.  In the instances of habitual drunkenness or the failure to show a spirit of true repentance, members – both men and women – were dismissed from the fellowship.  The members of the church during this period held the firm conviction that a person who professed to be a Christian should live like one.

Records also show that members were held responsible for financial support of the church.  In the business session on April 18, 1917, church clerk, L. Gilbert, records that the church declared that those who “give evidence of a disposition to shrink or evade his or her fair proportion” shall be reported to the church “that he or she be dealt with for covetousness.”  Special committees were sent out to collect pledges from delinquent contributors.  Members whose financial neglect was due to inability to contribute were excused “until such time as their circumstances shall enable them to contribute.”  Those whose failure to contribute was due to unconcern or indifference were to be excluded from the membership.

The history of Benson Baptist Church includes not only obedience to the command to preach but also to the command to exercise a healing ministry.  During the memorable influenza epidemic of 1918, the Sunday School classrooms adjacent to the sanctuary were converted into a temporary infirmary for men stricken with the disease.  Although many were treated, only one man – Crosby Smith – died in the church from the infectious killer.

During the 1920's the Benson Baptist Church grew slowly but steadily. During that decade the church made two significant steps forward. First, with the call of the Rev. C. C. Wheeler in 1920 the church voted to begin a full-time ministry of preaching and worship. For the first time worship services were held every Sunday. The second stride forward was made in March, 1928, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. E. Kirk, when the church voted to purchase a house for the pastor. The church obtained the S. E. Williams' property (house and lot) for $1,930. That house served as the pastorium until it was moved in 1950 and a new house built on the same lot.

The ministers of the church during the 1920’s- were C. C. Wheeler, O. A. Keller, A. L. Benton, and J. E. Kirk. The Rev. A. L. Brown was called to the church in 1929 and served until 1934.

The financial tragedy of the late twenties was a preface to several lean years in the life of the church.  Banks closed, homes were lost, and property values skidded.  As a result, on January 29, 1938, the church voted to "go on a halftime basis due to the fact of hard times."  "The future," said church clerk John R. Parrish in recording the business session that day, "looks even harder."  His words seem almost prophetic.

All church finances suffered during the Depression years.  The extent of the financial depravity was evidenced in church action on December 12, 1934, at which time the church voted to raise a budget of "not less than $1,500."  The Deacons led an every-member canvass to subscribe this amount.  The church was guided through these years of financial depravity by the Rev. Forrest L. Young (1934-43), who came to the church at a salary of $75 per month.  Mr. Young, in his nine-year pastorate, laid much of the groundwork for the advances of the church during the more prosperous days ahead.

In 1943 the church voted to return to a full-time schedule of worship services and activities with the call of the Rev. E. Y. Averett.  Mr. Averett served the church for two years, 1943-1945.  During the last year of his ministry the church adopted a budget of $4,850.

The ministries of the next two pastors covered a period of fifteen years and marked significant advances in the spiritual growth and physical expansion of the church.  The pastorates of the Rev. Thurman B. Stone (1945-51) and the Rev. H. Otis Lanning 1952-60 coincided with the years of postwar advance and the prosperity and were years of great progress in the history of the church.

During the ministry of Mr. Stone, two progressive steps were taken with regard to physical property.  The first was the construction of a new home for the pastor.  In February 1950, the church voted to sell the parsonage and lot and to buy a lot at the comer of West Church and Lincoln Streets for the construction of a new home.  Three months later, however, this was reconsidered and rescinded, and plans were made to proceed with the construction of a new home on the existing property.  The old parsonage was then sold to Mr. L. E. Stevens in the summer of 1950 and was moved to its present location at 202 North Wall Street.  The parsonage was completed in May 1951, at a cost of approximately $12,000.  The upstairs remained unfinished until the summer of 1962 when it was completed at a cost of $2,500.

The second significant step was taken on May 2, 1951, when the church voted to purchase the property of Mrs. J. H. Rose, adjacent to the sanctuary at 202 West Church Street, for $8,000.  Educational facilities were inadequate in every department of the church, and the Rose home provided space for much-needed Sunday School departments and classrooms for children and young people.  The Annex, as it was known, served as the educational facility of the church until it was moved to make way for the construction of the present educational building in 1960.

The event for which the ministry of Mr. Stone is best remembered is the spiritual awakening which came to the church during a revival in 1951.  The church participated in the "Simultaneous Crusade," the Convention's unified evangelistic effort in the spring of that year.  The local revival began on March 25 and continued through April 8.  During this two-week period some seventy people united with the church.  At the two services on April 15, 1951, Mr. Stone baptized forty-eight people who had made Christian commitments during the previous two weeks.  People from seven different denominations united with the church in that time period.  In the words of Mr. Stone, "It was a wonderful experience!"

The spiritual awakening of the church during 1951 was a fitting climax to the ministry of Mr. Stone, who left the church at the end of that year, culminating a six-year period of spiritual and material advance.

In 1952 the Rev. H. Otis Lanning, began an eight-year ministry, during which the spirit of advance continued.  After Mr. Lanning assumed the pastorate of the church, the congregation continued to realize its limited physical facilities and began to think of further expansion.  Educational space was still inadequate, and the sanctuary was in need of expansion and renovation.  The latter project was adopted first, and in 1956 the church voted to proceed with the renovation of its place of worship.  The internal structure of the sanctuary was changed, the seating capacity was increased by 150, the floor was fully carpeted, and an air-conditioning system was installed.  The total cost of the project, of which Dr. C. W. Sanders served as chairman, was approximately $38,000.

Out of the work of a fourteen-member Planning and Survey Committee, headed by Mr. James W. Rose, came the next phase of building and expansion.  On August 27, 1958, the church voted to borrow $60,000 to add to the generous contributions of the members and to proceed with the construction of the present educational building.  Actual construction began in April, 1959, under the supervision of a building committee composed of Dr. C. W. Sanders, chairman; W. A. Barbour, W. P. Lee, James W. Rose, Ernest Strickland, and Charles Turlington.  The building, erected and furnished at a total cost $107,000, was dedicated on February 28, 1960.  The building provided facilities for Nursery Departments through the Youth Department, had a fully-equipped kitchen, and one large room, which served as an assembly room and dining room, known as Fellowship Hall.  With the completion of this building, a complete departmentalization of the Sunday School was possible for the first time, with Hiram Rose serving as general superintendent.

The ministry of Mr. Lanning, however, cannot be measured in terms of material advances alone.  During his pastorate 175 people were baptized into the fellowship of the church, including 32 in 1953, 30 in 1954, and 33 in 1958.  The conclusion of his pastorate on July 1, 1960, brought eight years of fruitful service to a close.

A Young Seminary graduate, Harold Lee Alexander, became Benson Baptist Church's pastor in December 1961.  The membership and numerous visitors were thrilled Sunday after Sunday by the dynamic young minister and the articulate sermons which he delivered.  The Rev. Alexander felt the call of God to serve in the chaplaincy of the U.S. Army; thus, after serving our church for only ten months, he reluctantly resigned to answer that call.

On January 14, 1962, Dr. Gaylord L. Lehman assumed the pastorate of our church after completing his doctoral work and serving as Instructor of Preaching at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Under Dr. Lehman's able leadership, our church implemented sound principles of business management and church finance. These principles are still serving us well.  On the 75th anniversary Homecoming he researched the history of our church, which we still read today.  Dr. Gaylord Lehman and his wife, Faith, entered the contest for town logo, which they won and it is still being used today.

The Rev. Allen Laymon became our pastor on June 26, 1966.  His dynamic preaching and vibrant personality brought numerous converts and new members to our fellowship during his short but fruitful ministry to our church and community.  During the period of time Rev. Laymon served our church, the basement of the education building was renovated to include an assembly room along with small rooms to be used as Sunday School classrooms and storage rooms.

Also during the Rev. Laymon's ministry in our church, we began a kindergarten program for five-year-old children in the fall of 1967. The pastor and church committee employed Mrs. Stacy Autry as the first teacher.  This continued until 1975 when the Public School system added Kindergarten to its program. The Rev. Laymon resigned September 17, 1967, to accept the pastorate of First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro.

The preschool program continued as Mrs. Jean Murphy in 1975 used the church facility for Nursery School program, teaching 3 and 4-year-old children three days a week. In 1976 the church decided to assume full control of the nursery school.   The pre-school program closed in 2004 due to a lack of children enrolled in the program.

The Rev. Harold M. Mitchell, a native of Georgia and a graduate of Mercer University and Southeastern Seminary, served our church as pastor beginning on March 10, 1968.  His young family with several children was able to add to several areas of the church's ministry.  Under his leadership, a regular meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous was begun at our church.  On March 1, 1972, the Rev. Mitchell resigned to accept a call to Five Points Baptist Church in Wilson.

August 16, 1972, marked the beginning of the ministry to our church of the Rev. Donald M. Price. Mr. Price led us in several areas of growth including renovation of the sanctuary and other facilities, rebuilding the pastorium after it was gutted by fire on December 31, 1980, and acquisition of the Woodall, Britt and Smith properties west and south of the church to provide additional parking space.

During the Rev. Price's years of ministry, a class for the visually impaired was started.  In 1989 the church opened its facilities to The Surrender Group of Narcotics Anonymous which continues to this day.  Both of these groups hold their meeting at regular times in our facility.  Another area of ministry is the church-wide Family Ministry Plan which was begun in 1987.  During this same year a Constitution and By-Laws Committee was appointed and in 1988 the Church Council began to evaluate and project programs and ministry for the church.

In 1966 the Van Ministry began.  This provided transportation for different groups to attend various activities.

Rev. Price resigned August 15, 1994.  Rev. Larry D. Glover-Wetherington and Dr. Lynn Buzzard were interim pastors.  

Rev. Kendell Cameron was welcomed into Benson Baptist Church on July 14, 1998.   During his ministry the property behind the garage was purchased from the Town of Benson and the Byrd property behind the educational building was purchased.  During his ministry a new church by-laws was adopted.  This document allowed for each position to have at least a two-year sabbatical except for clerk and treasurer positions.  A Facility Planning Committee was appointed on February 15, 2001 to assess the church’s current and long range needs including bringing them to State and Federal codes.  A Building Committee consisting of Dottie Williams, Chair, Jimmie Rose, Vice-Chair, Don Johnson, J.H. Langdon, Jr., Braston Newton, Anita Tart, W.R. Lambert and Jack Whittington was elected on April 21, 2002.  Rev. Cameron used his outstanding knowledge of the Bible to lead the church in spiritual, as well as numerical growth.  He resigned on February 16, 2003 to accept the pastorate of First Baptist Church Whiteville.

Rev. Michael Edwards was called on August 20, 2000 as Minister of Music and Education.  The choir as well as the youth and children programs grew under his leadership.

Dr. Michael G. Cogdill, Dean of the Divinity School at Campbell University was called to be Interim Pastor in March, 2003.  It was a joy to have him as minister to our congregation during the time we were between resident pastors.  He gladly stepped in to help the building renovation project that was started, and his service to the congregation was magnificent.

On December 9, 2003, Craig Richardson was called as Pastor and was ordained in our Sanctuary on January 4, 2004.  His decision was to purchase a home and not use the Church Parsonage.

Rev. Richardson led the church in a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the addition and renovation of the church facility at a cost of $1,335,000 on November 27, 2005.  He resigned as pastor on February 1, 2006.  Upon Rev. Richardson’s departure, Rev. Michael Edwards agreed to serve as interim in his absence and continue as Minister of Music and Education.

On March 5, 2006 the church called Rev. Michael Edwards as Pastor.  He and his family moved into the church parsonage after some renovations and repairs.

A dedication service for the Building of Benson Baptist Church and its addition and renovation was held on November 19, 2006.  Rev. Edwards led in this service with Dr. Mike Cogdill having the spiritual prayer and the Rev. Kendell Cameron reciting the history of the church.

On July 15, 2007, the church voted to refurbish the windows of the Sanctuary due to age and deterioration this work was necessary.  The cost of this project was $61,000.00.  One family in the church provided half of the cost and the church family provided the balance.


Rev. Michael Edwards was a pastor who earnestly sought to serve the Lord with all his heart. His devoted walk with God was an example to all of us. He faithfully led us as pastor while he was here. He resigned as pastor in August of 2011 to follow the Lord’s calling for him at Mays Memorial Baptist Church in Virginia.

Rev. Charles Royal was called to be the Interim Pastor in October 2011.  Charles in his informal yet knowledgeable way preached to us and also gave his Wednesdays to us. He came to Family Night each week, sharing in fellowship and sharing Bible knowledge. Not only did he help us out, his wife Suzanne even took our empty plates to the kitchen and helped clean up!

Rev. Paul Burgess was called as our pastor in December of 2013. Paul, had  this ingenious creativity in presenting his sermons...sometimes short skits using the youth, sometimes videos starring young Steven!...always creative. And who could ever forget Paul’s clever costumes on special occasions!  Paul resigned in August of 2017 to accept the pastorate of Winter Park Baptist Church in Wilmington.

Rev. Dr. Lawrence B. Powers was called as our pastor in January of 2020. He came from a long tenure as a Campus Minister and brought the technical knowledge that aided us in moving through the COVID-19 pandemic! He continues to serve as pastor to this day.

In April of 2023, Benson Baptist officially disaffiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the local Baptist Association. We are a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Global affiliated congregation.

J. L. Ennis (1887),  Allen Betts (1888-89),  J. M. Holleman (1890-93), A. N. Campbell (1893-96),  J. A. Campbell (1896-99),  J. J. Adams (1900),  J. M. Suttle (1900-06),  D. F. Putnam (1907-09),  
T. B. Justice (1909-10), E. J. Rogers (1911-12),  John M. Duncan (1912-16),  G. W. Rollins (1917-19),  C. C. Wheeler (1920-23),  O. A. Keller (1923-26),  A. L. Benton (1926-27),  J. E. Kirk (1927-29),
A. L. Brown (1929-34),  Forrest L. Young (1934-43),  Ernest Y. Averett (1943-45), Thurman B. Stone (1945-51),  H. Otis Lanning (1952-60),  Harold L. Alexander (1960-61),  Gaylord L. Lehman (1962-66),
Allen Laymon (1966-67),  Harold M. Mitchell (1968-72),  Donald M. Price (1972-94),  L. Kendell Cameron, Jr. (1998-2003),  Craig Richardson (2004-2005),  Michael Edwards (2006-2011), 
Paul Burgess (2013-2017), Lawrence B. Powers (2020-Present)