OUR HISTORY

Stony Hill Church buildng 1884

Built on a solid foundation

Stony Hill Church building ca. 1940

Stony Hill Baptist Church 1960

Stony Hill Baptist Church was founded on November 22, 1884. The area was rural filled with many farms producing milk, cotton, corn and other crops. There was also a local sawmill, several little general stores and a two room schoolhouse.

Founded by 24 members, Stony Hill was a Missionary Baptist Church that met in that very schoolhouse located about a half mile north of the present location.

Prior to the church being formally organized, the locals held services under a tent called a brush arbor. The men, dressed in overalls, spread fish nets over a frame then placed leaves and branches over the net to provide shade; while the “tent” was being constructed , the women would sit on the ground and share local information about neighbors, friends and daily affairs that took most of their time and attention. Many of the early members walked to church. Baptism services were held at the Neuse River with the congregation standing nearby and singing “Shall We Gather at the River.”

In 1929, the congregation decided to enlarge their meeting space “so that we could give the folk a comfortable seat.” Plans were made to build a white, wooden church on the hill where our current facility now stands. Members donated trees that were sawed at the mill and then planed and painted to for the church building in 1930.

Member memories and history

Church building ca. 1976 Steeple