According to information received from early church members, and talks with elder members and information from the county court house, the Rockfish Grove Free Will Baptist Church had its beginning in 1897 and was organized in 1900 by the Reverend A.L. Armstrong the original deed to said property not having been recorded and having been destroyed by fire.
The following ministers were among the early pastors to serve at Rockfish Grove Free Will Baptist Church: Reverend Handy McNeil, Moderator J.H. Williams of Southern Pines, NC; Reverend Dan McMillian of Fayetteville, NC; Reverend T.T. Ferguson, and Reverend G.D. McNeil of Dunn, NC.
The church was rebuilt in 1932 under the leadership of Reverend T.T. Ferguson. From 1951 to 1970, Reverend G.D. McNeil served as pastor. Rockfish Grove Free Will Baptist Church was remodeled in 1953, 1959, 1961, and again in 1969 under his leadership. The educational building and dining hall were erected in 1969, but not completed when Reverend McNeil left in 1970.
God sent another shepherd on the first Sunday in December 1970, Reverend Robert L. Douglas. When he came to us he saw the need for improvements and started working for the growth of our church. He has helped to strengthen our church spiritually and financially.
While serving at Rockfish Grove Free Will Baptist Church, Elder Robert L. Douglas was promoted to Annual Bishop of the Cape Fear Conference B during his pastoralship at Rockfish Grove. He completed the education building, fellowship hall, bathrooms, upgraded the heating and air conditioning system, added a PA system, purchased drums, a new piano and organ, installed a Baptismal pool, new roof, steeple and many other things not included in this history. Bishop Douglas served our church for more than 30 years. Bishop retired in 2004 and remained the spiritual overseer of our church until his passing in 2006.
Elder Maurice McLaughlin became pastor upon the retirement of Bishop Douglas in 2004. He served as pastor for eight years until 2012.
In June of 2013 Elder James A. Leach became our new pastor, and we are just beginning what we expect to be a long and prosperous walk with him!
The following ministers were among the early pastors to serve at Rockfish Grove Free Will Baptist Church: Reverend Handy McNeil, Moderator J.H. Williams of Southern Pines, NC; Reverend Dan McMillian of Fayetteville, NC; Reverend T.T. Ferguson, and Reverend G.D. McNeil of Dunn, NC.
The church was rebuilt in 1932 under the leadership of Reverend T.T. Ferguson. From 1951 to 1970, Reverend G.D. McNeil served as pastor. Rockfish Grove Free Will Baptist Church was remodeled in 1953, 1959, 1961, and again in 1969 under his leadership. The educational building and dining hall were erected in 1969, but not completed when Reverend McNeil left in 1970.
God sent another shepherd on the first Sunday in December 1970, Reverend Robert L. Douglas. When he came to us he saw the need for improvements and started working for the growth of our church. He has helped to strengthen our church spiritually and financially.
While serving at Rockfish Grove Free Will Baptist Church, Elder Robert L. Douglas was promoted to Annual Bishop of the Cape Fear Conference B during his pastoralship at Rockfish Grove. He completed the education building, fellowship hall, bathrooms, upgraded the heating and air conditioning system, added a PA system, purchased drums, a new piano and organ, installed a Baptismal pool, new roof, steeple and many other things not included in this history. Bishop Douglas served our church for more than 30 years. Bishop retired in 2004 and remained the spiritual overseer of our church until his passing in 2006.
Elder Maurice McLaughlin became pastor upon the retirement of Bishop Douglas in 2004. He served as pastor for eight years until 2012.
In June of 2013 Elder James A. Leach became our new pastor, and we are just beginning what we expect to be a long and prosperous walk with him!
