HISTORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DOC) PLYMOUTH NC
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) grew out of the frontier religious movement of the early 1800’s led by Alexander Campbell of West Virginia and Barton Stone of North Carolina and Kentucky. The movement’s pillars included the Bible, congregational government, lack of formal creeds and a return to the New Testament principles.
In April 1873, J.L. Winfield, a Disciple Evangelist, led a revival meeting in the Baptist Church. Following this effort, the group began meeting in the County Courthouse under the leadership of Joe Grey Gurganus.
The First Christian Church organized as a church in Plymouth by B. H. Melton on April 18, 1897, with 70 members. The first clerks were R.M. Bateman, Arthur W. Swain, Foy Gurganus, M. G. Darden.
The Ladies’ Aid Society had 20 members and raised half of the pastor’s salary of $90.00. Melton said of these women, “With their union of head and heart which prevails, they will surely be a power for good.”
The first officers in the church were Nelson Waters, John Stillman and Frank Crary. Others were Mrs. Nelson Waters and her two daughters, Connie and Pearl, Mrs. Lena J. Stillman, Emma Gurkin, Mary Smith, Mrs. Alice Ayers, Mrs. Matilda Bunch, Mrs. John Stocks and Mrs. Blount.
After a period of time, the small congregation moved to an old schoolhouse in the back of Peel’s Buggy Shop. The lot on the corner of Main and Washington Streets was purchased from J. E. Blount for $300. On August 25, 1898, it was reported that the church building was complete except for the pews. Pastor M. S. Spear said, “The building is situated on the most prominent corner in this beautiful little city. We have some noble men and women who are willing to do almost anything in their reach for its success. Our future is promising.”
In July 1938 at the cost of $3200, a two-story building was added, providing a social hall and eight classrooms. Teaching staff included Mrs. Randolph Beasley, Mrs. George Bowen, W. L. Whitley, Nixon Taylor, W.C. Chesson, Mrs. Wenona White and Frances Swindell. By 1940 the congregation had grown to a membership of about 300.
In 1942 a $10,000 parsonage was planned. Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Harrison contributed the lot at 11 Brinkley Ave. in 1944 and the parsonage was completed in 1946. On their World War II Service Flag were stars for the 65 men serving from Plymouth.
On July 31, 1945, the Christian Men’s Fellowship was established.
A lot on East Main Street was acquired in 1954 for a new $250,00 building. Serving as the building committee were C. O. Kelly, Russell Owens, Wesley Hardison, Robert E. Bowen, Hillary Liverman. Bob Tetterton, a church member, was the general contractor and built the superstructure.
All of the plumbing, electrical, painting and finishing work was volunteered by church members. To help raise money for furnishings, the women of the church sold chicken salad plates. Later in the new Fellowship Hall, dinners were prepared for local organizations.
The congregation began worship on December 4, 1955, in the Fellowship Hall which was the first unit completed. The sanctuary was first used on February 12, 1956. On May 26,1956, Joseph Mulatz and Mary Alice Ange were the first couple married at the church on East Main Street. Mr. Bill Davenport and Mr. C. N. Barnette performed the ceremony.
In 1956 the Boy Scouts of America was organized under the leadership of Harold Whitley and the FCC Men’s Fellowship. Dale Beasley became the Scout Master and the First Christian Church officially became the sponsor for Troop 383.
In 1960 a Youth Director was hired and a new parsonage was erected. Membership was reported as 666.
In 1969 the church received the gift of 214 acres of the Hyman’s Ferry Farm in Bertie County as documented on the will of James Dorsey Phelps.
Also in 1969, the church borrowed $18,000 to purchase the Deuel property beside the church. In the early 1997’s, the church voted to remove the house and level the land for additional parking spaces and the parking lot was later paved.
In May 1973 the church held its Centennial Celebration and the ladies wore dresses and bonnets that would have been in style 100 years before.
In 2006 a Columbarium, with the construction of 36 niches in units of nine, was placed in the vestibule of the church.
The COVID-19 virus was upgraded to a pandemic in March 2020. The last in-person worship was March 15. On Easter, April 12, a drive-through and walk-through communion was held and continued until June 28. On July 5, the first in-person worship after shut-down was held in the sanctuary using COVID guidelines.
The church began live-streaming the worship service on FCC Plymouth, NC-Worship on Facebook on January 24, 2021.
Today, one finds the pillars of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) supporting a church practicing immersion baptism, serving communion weekly open to all believers, searching Scripture in disciplined study, and seeking to fulfill Christ’s ministry in our community and the world.
In April 1873, J.L. Winfield, a Disciple Evangelist, led a revival meeting in the Baptist Church. Following this effort, the group began meeting in the County Courthouse under the leadership of Joe Grey Gurganus.
The First Christian Church organized as a church in Plymouth by B. H. Melton on April 18, 1897, with 70 members. The first clerks were R.M. Bateman, Arthur W. Swain, Foy Gurganus, M. G. Darden.
The Ladies’ Aid Society had 20 members and raised half of the pastor’s salary of $90.00. Melton said of these women, “With their union of head and heart which prevails, they will surely be a power for good.”
The first officers in the church were Nelson Waters, John Stillman and Frank Crary. Others were Mrs. Nelson Waters and her two daughters, Connie and Pearl, Mrs. Lena J. Stillman, Emma Gurkin, Mary Smith, Mrs. Alice Ayers, Mrs. Matilda Bunch, Mrs. John Stocks and Mrs. Blount.
After a period of time, the small congregation moved to an old schoolhouse in the back of Peel’s Buggy Shop. The lot on the corner of Main and Washington Streets was purchased from J. E. Blount for $300. On August 25, 1898, it was reported that the church building was complete except for the pews. Pastor M. S. Spear said, “The building is situated on the most prominent corner in this beautiful little city. We have some noble men and women who are willing to do almost anything in their reach for its success. Our future is promising.”
In July 1938 at the cost of $3200, a two-story building was added, providing a social hall and eight classrooms. Teaching staff included Mrs. Randolph Beasley, Mrs. George Bowen, W. L. Whitley, Nixon Taylor, W.C. Chesson, Mrs. Wenona White and Frances Swindell. By 1940 the congregation had grown to a membership of about 300.
In 1942 a $10,000 parsonage was planned. Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Harrison contributed the lot at 11 Brinkley Ave. in 1944 and the parsonage was completed in 1946. On their World War II Service Flag were stars for the 65 men serving from Plymouth.
On July 31, 1945, the Christian Men’s Fellowship was established.
A lot on East Main Street was acquired in 1954 for a new $250,00 building. Serving as the building committee were C. O. Kelly, Russell Owens, Wesley Hardison, Robert E. Bowen, Hillary Liverman. Bob Tetterton, a church member, was the general contractor and built the superstructure.
All of the plumbing, electrical, painting and finishing work was volunteered by church members. To help raise money for furnishings, the women of the church sold chicken salad plates. Later in the new Fellowship Hall, dinners were prepared for local organizations.
The congregation began worship on December 4, 1955, in the Fellowship Hall which was the first unit completed. The sanctuary was first used on February 12, 1956. On May 26,1956, Joseph Mulatz and Mary Alice Ange were the first couple married at the church on East Main Street. Mr. Bill Davenport and Mr. C. N. Barnette performed the ceremony.
In 1956 the Boy Scouts of America was organized under the leadership of Harold Whitley and the FCC Men’s Fellowship. Dale Beasley became the Scout Master and the First Christian Church officially became the sponsor for Troop 383.
In 1960 a Youth Director was hired and a new parsonage was erected. Membership was reported as 666.
In 1969 the church received the gift of 214 acres of the Hyman’s Ferry Farm in Bertie County as documented on the will of James Dorsey Phelps.
Also in 1969, the church borrowed $18,000 to purchase the Deuel property beside the church. In the early 1997’s, the church voted to remove the house and level the land for additional parking spaces and the parking lot was later paved.
In May 1973 the church held its Centennial Celebration and the ladies wore dresses and bonnets that would have been in style 100 years before.
In 2006 a Columbarium, with the construction of 36 niches in units of nine, was placed in the vestibule of the church.
The COVID-19 virus was upgraded to a pandemic in March 2020. The last in-person worship was March 15. On Easter, April 12, a drive-through and walk-through communion was held and continued until June 28. On July 5, the first in-person worship after shut-down was held in the sanctuary using COVID guidelines.
The church began live-streaming the worship service on FCC Plymouth, NC-Worship on Facebook on January 24, 2021.
Today, one finds the pillars of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) supporting a church practicing immersion baptism, serving communion weekly open to all believers, searching Scripture in disciplined study, and seeking to fulfill Christ’s ministry in our community and the world.