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OUR HISTORY

 

 

Yadkin Grove Missionary Baptist Church was founded by Reverend Harry Cowan on March 25, 1869. Reverend Cowan was a slave who was owned by Thomas L. Cowan of Salisbury, an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Reverend Cowan was licensed to preach at the age of eighteen by his master. He was called “The Father of Baptist Preachers of North Carolina”. He was granted “four plantations” as his “field” for the ministry.

Yadkin Grove was originally built in a place called Hailey Town. It was rebuilt at the present location in 1930.  The church was heated by a wooden stove and the pews were made of wood. Sunday School was held every Sunday, but church services were held the second and forth Sunday of the month. The church was remodeled in 1953 and in 1980 the Baptismal pool was added. The first choir was organized by Hazel C. Steward, a teacher at the Dunbar School. There were twenty members in that choir. In 2000 the new sanctuary was built. We are still here serving the community and fulfilling God’s Plan.

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