Harriett Memorial Free Will Baptist
Give your heart to God.
Sunday:
10:00 AM - Sunday school
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
5:45 PM - Prayer room
6:00 PM - Evening Services
Wednesday:
6:45 PM - Prayer room
7:00 PM - Evening Services
7:00 PM - Youth Meeting
Pastor: Rev. Robert Harris
Forest City, NC 28043
Church: 828-657-9446
Parsonage: 828-657-5972
Contact us
Suggested links
Coming Soon!History of Harriett Memorial Free Will Baptist Church
The Harriett Memorial Free Will Baptist Church, formally known as Fairview No. 1, was organized in a four-room house in April of 1924 by Rev O'Neal.
There were 12 people present. After a few services they moved into a six-room house.
Later Mrs. Laura Smith gave them the basement of her house to use for services until they were able to purchase a building.
Rev. E.L. Beachboard was the first pastor.
By 1927 with Rev. Beachboard still the pastor, the church had grown to about 130. In 1929 they were able to purchase a building formerly used as a furniture store in Harrilltown for the church. Value of the property was approximately $2,000.
During the years 1930 thru 1938, Rev's. E.L. Beachboard, L.P. Jordan and Lloyd Revis were pastors. Then Rev. Paul Sheehan was called as pastor and the need for a new church building was great. So a building fund was started.
On August 30th, 1941 the Henrietta Mills leased the land for the Fairview Free Will Baptist Church to build. The late Brothers Bill Laws, Luther Duncan, and Chile Raye were trustees as the time.
T.C. Holland and the late Vance Harrill donated the rock for the church if the men would blast and haul the rock.
The faithful members of the church worked hard until they had enough rock.
After the building was started, the late Rev. O.M. Hilburn was called as pastor. The rock church was finished during his pastorate. In 1944 the cornerstone was put in place and the name of the church was changed from Fairview No.1 to Caroleen Free Will Baptist Church.
On May 21st, 1948 the church purchased its first parsonage three miles northwest of Caroleen on Highway 221A.
Rev. Paul Davis, A.G. Laws and W.C. Laws were trustees at this time and signed the deed of trust. Rev. E.O. Connelly was pastor at this time for approximately 2 years. After Rev. Howell resigned, Rev. E.O. Connelly was recalled and pa stored the church for approximately 4 or 5 years. After he resigned, the Rev. Clayed Cox was called as pastor.
In 1957 Burlington, Inc. deeded the church 6 acres of land. In July 1961 the church started a new parsonage close to the church. Rev. Clayed Cox was pastor at the time. After Rev. Cox resigned, the Rev Homer Arrowood was called as pastor in 1964. After he resigned, the Rev Benny Turner was called as pastor in 1965.
On December 7, 1967 a fellowship building was started. The building was finished in the early part of 1968.
After Rev. Turner resigned in September 1969, the Rev. Donald Seay was called on January 5, 1970. After he resigned on October 5, 1971, Rev Ted Reynolds was called as pastor on December 12, 1971.
In February 1974 there was a groundbreaking ceremony for a new church.
On Sunday morning, December 7, 1974 we had our first service in the new church.
This is when the name was changed from Caroleen to Harriett Memorial.
In the summer of 1975 the rock church building was torn away. The ground was then leveled for a parking area. In July 1977, Rev Ted Reynolds resigned. Then in December 1977, Rev Eddie Dollar from Ashland, Kentucky was called as pastor and assumed his pastoral duties on December 19, 1977. Rev Dollar resigned in 1985, and Rev. Benny Turner was recalled as pastor. After he resigned in 1995, Troy Smith was called as pastor in 1996 and resigned in 2000. After he resigned, Rev. Robert Harris became pastor in 2001 until the present.
The Harriett Memorial Free Will Baptist Church is a member of the Foot Hills Association and supports its Denominational's Ministry world wide.
May the Lord continue to be faithful in blessing out church and its members, as we continue to be faithful to Him.