Our History and Beliefs

First Baptist Church of Erwin is a welcoming, Christ-centered community focused on journeying through life together and growing in Christ. We invite all individuals who are looking for a church home to find rest with us and to join in fellowship as we seek to be God's people. We attempt to live out the scriptural call for community as seen in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching”.

Our Beliefs

We believe in the Triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We believe that God is the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of Heaven and Earth.

We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son, was God in flesh revealed, and that he came into the world that the world through Him may be saved from sin.

We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired word of God, and that it is the authority and inspiration for the faith and practice of the Christian life, and that every Christian has an individual responsibility to God to discover the meaning of the Scriptures.

We believe that spiritual regeneration must precede baptism, church membership, and commemoration of the Lord’s Super.

We believe that God created us in His own image and made of one blood all nations.

We believe that God is faithful and just to forgive all people who confess their sins and profess their faith in Jesus Christ, and that they, regardless of creed or race, become the children of God and Christian brothers and sisters.

We believe, as a local community of Christians that we are a part of Christ’s Church which is universal in scope. Therefore, we believe that we should witness and work for Christ in fellowship with all children of God and extend the Kingdom of God throughout the world.

We believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The History of Our Church

The First Baptist Church of Erwin, North Carolina, had its origin as the Duke Baptist Church.  The only church within the city limits, it was organized in 1903 by a group meeting in a lumber shed.  Action which got under way at that initial meeting resulted in the completion in 1906 of a wooden building which was the church’s first home. During two early revivals, 155 members were added to the church.  During the ministry of S. A. Rhyne, 252 members were added.

As the church grew, Sunday School rooms were constructed.  A baptistry was added in 1914 – 15.  Before that time baptismal services were conducted at the old Fowler Mill Pond. The church’s name was changed in 1926 to Erwin Baptist Church.  Some few years later the East Erwin Baptist Church was organized and the mother church then became the First Baptist Church of Erwin.

In 1974, a two-story brick building was completed for pre-school, nursery, and youth. The church has sponsored and helped to support two mission churches, the East Erwin Baptist Church and the South Erwin Baptist Church.  Both of these churches are now self supporting, and one of them has grown tremendously and has in recent years completed a large modern church plant.

The First Baptist Church has produced three ministers of the gospel. Pastors who have served the First Baptist Church include:  D. P. Robbins, J. A. Campbell, Frank Hare, S. W. Oldham, W. M. Huggins, S. J. Beeker, A. H. Porter, A. C. McCall, W. R. Beach, S. A. Rhyne, G. Scott Turner, Forrest Maxwell, Colon Jackson, Edwin Young, Douglas Farmer, Alvin O’Shields, Jim Harman, Colie Rock, Jerry Hicks, Keith Goretzka and Thomas Greene.

A detailed history of the church has been published under the title “Beyond the East Gate”, and is available from the church office.