Our History
On Sunday before the 4th of July 1949, the Reverend Roy Rikard met for the
purpose of establishing a Free Will Baptist Church in Belmont, NC.
The Church
was set in order and called East Belmont Free Will Baptist Church. The church
had eleven charter members: L.B. Wingate, Pearl Wingate, Glenn Russell, Willie
Mae Russell, Fredrick Russell, Walter Russell, Mary Phillips, Hazel Allen,
Mildred Allen, Reverend John Newton, and Lucia Newton.
The church has had five pastors:
| Reverend John
Newton |
1949-1956 |
| Reverend Owen Gainey |
1956-1957 |
| Reverend M.T.
Sparks |
1957-1986 |
| Reverend John
Newton |
1986-1991 |
| Reverend Burel
Bryant |
1991-2002 |
| Reverend Scottie
Stewart |
2002-Present |
The church began to meet in different places until a permanent
place was found. The present building was built under the leadership of M.T.
Sparks and members. |