| Roanoke Salem Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box Drawer Z · Garysburgh, NC 27831 Tel: (252) 536-4656 · Fax: (252) 536-3570 |
soon became a great educational and spiritual force in the life of the community. For a long time the church pioneered in the training of youth. Two of her ministers sponsored a training school and teaching program until it was replaced by public education. The church was born in controversy, and immediately became embroiled in a land dispute that lasted for more than 120 years. The following ministers served as pastors: Reverend Annanias N. Buck was known as one of the most outstanding leaders of his day. Many churches were founded and organized under his leadership. Just to name a few: Roanoke Salem Missionary Baptist Church of Garysburg, NC; First Baptist Church of Halifax, NC; Cool Spirngs of Gaston, NC; Roanoke Chapel of Jackson, NC; Piney Grove Baptist Church of Jackson, NC; and Oak Grove Baptist Church of Littleton, NC. He was also one of the organizers and founders of the Neuse River Association to which Roanoke Salem Missionary Baptist Church was a chartered member in 1866. Reverend Buck was a descendant of slaves who were traveling through North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. However, he made his home in Halifax, North Carolina. He and his wife were buried at the northwestern border of the church grounds at First Baptist Church of Halifax, NC. The following ministers have served as pastors of the Roanoke Salem Missionary Baptist Church: Reverend Annanias Buck (Founder 1865) Reverend Ligion Reverend Richard I. Walden Reverend W. H. Woodard Reverend Augustus Shepard Reverend J. W. Blacknall (1900 - 1933) Reverend C. C. Staton (1934 - 1976) Reverend Edward L. Fleming (1976 - 1991), and Reverend Robert E. Sessoms (1991 - present) Under the leadership of Reverend J. W. Blacknall (who served for twenty-seven years), the church experienced a phenomenal growth both in numbers and physical change in the church building. With fifty acres of land, our fore fathers envisioned adequate space for future development. Reverend Blacknall led in a complete face-lifting of the present structure. An addition was added to the entire length of the church running from the north to south. Beautiful memorial windows were also installed in the church. Following Reverend Blacknall, Reverend C. C. Staton Sr. came to the church in 1934. Under his leadership the church was completely renovated from ceiling to floor. The church was completely brick veneered, using eighty thousand bricks. After this came the construction, of an Educational Building, adequate with space for Sunday School activities and individual classrooms. A modern heating plant was installed and electric lighting throughout the building and sanitary facilities were also installed. Reverend Edward L. Fleming became pastor of the church in 1976. Under his leadership the church's sanctuary was completely renovated, choir chairs and hymn books were purchased. Two additional bathrooms were built and a new heating unit for the entire complex was installed. Our current pastor is the Reverend Robert Earl Sessoms, originally from Ahoskie, North Carolina. Reverend Sessoms began his pastorate on the 4th Sunday in October 1991. Reverend Sessoms has provided excellent leadership in the preaching and teaching of the Gospel, along with vital administrative guidance. During his pastorate, numerous ministries have been developed and long-time visions brought to completion and fulfillment. Some of the ministries developed under his leadership are as follows: Youth Ministries Couples' Ministries Singles' Ministries Noon Day Prayer Ministry BAM (Brothers Achieving Manhood) Birthday/Floral Ministry Nurses Guild Ministry Women and Men's Fellowship Ministry Sisters' Act Ministry Reverend Sessoms has furthermore appointed a Christian Education Director, and the church now has a newsletter and web-site. In addition, under Pastor Sessoms' leadership the Community Choir recorded its first CD. The church has moved into full-time worship service and joined the Northampton County Association. Also during Reverend Sessoms' pastorate, we have built a new fellowship hall, Educational Wing, paved the parking lot, re-carpeted the sanctuary and upstairs Annex, upholstered the pews, and remodeled the hallway leading upstairs and into the sanctuary. Additionally, we have added a projection room to tape the churches services, purchased a charter bus and vans, built and paid off the church's new parsonage and purchased and paid for the Turner's Home and Farm located on the corner of highway #186 and Cornwallis Road. Last year acoustical panels were installed in the church's Fellowship Hall and new tables and chairs were also added. A fence was erected to enclose and secure the church's cemetery, and the women of the church raised funds which were used to purchase a new-lighted church sign. Through the consecrated leadership of Reverend Sessoms, and out past pastors, we know that "We Have Come This Far By Faith, Leaning On The Lord, Trusting In His Holy Word, He Has Never Failed Us Yet." |
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