History of Evans Grove Missionary Baptist Church
The Evans Grove Missionary Baptist Church was organized on May 24th 1935 (fourth Sunday). Rev. Willie Evans, Deacon Joe Evans and Deacon Sylvester Evans, Deacon Lumas Rogers, Sis. Eva B Eaton Evans, Sis. Nina Morgan Marsh, Sis. Lela Evans Rogers, Sis. Tina Morgan Marsh led community worshippers in the establishment of a new Church. They have been henceforth recognized as the founders of this Church.
The Evans Grove Missionary Baptist Church roots began about one mile east of the present church at Ray School, a community Sunday School, congregated for about two years at this site before declaring and accepting a united fellowship within a church structure.
Rev. Willie Evans preached to the congregation for six months. During this time, revival services reaped about five more members that were added to the existing eight member adult congregation. The church joined and fellowshipped with the Ministers’ and Deacons’ Union and accepted binding rules and regulations for lasting participation as a church body. The foundation and introduction to the association was also presented during his leadership.
Rev. Vick Alston was the first "called" Minister to serve as pastor. More members joined under his administration. He served for one year (1935-1936).
Rev. Tally Mosby became the second pastor of Evans Grove. He remained with the church for about eleven years (1938-1949).
The structured ties with the New Home and Durham Missionary Baptist Association, Sunday School Convention, and other auxiliary organizations were completed. The church building was lengthened. This addition produced more comfort for the growing congregation. During this administration, Bro. Lumas Rogers became the church’s first elected and ordained Deacon.
Rev. L. R. McKnight was the third pastor. His leadership produced the realization of more youth participation. The first organized youth choir and youth club were the manifestation of his efforts. He served for one year (1949-1950).
Rev. J. T. Evans of Louisburg, NC became the fourth pastor. The church flourished under his knowledgeable and patient teaching of the Bible, his understanding of great hymns, his structuring of the young people in the church. He projected insight toward the need for a new church building. Preparations to build a new church were on the way at the close of his administration. He served from 1950 to 1960.
Rev. Moses Hardy of Durham, NC served as the fifth pastor of Evans Grove. He served from 1960 to 1963. Rev. Hardy presented an energetic leadership. He led the church into new capabilities of strength for building as individuals and using economic resources. Rev. Hardy entered into eternal rest October 2009.
Rev. Q. A. McGill served as the sixth pastor of the church. He is credited with leading the church to purchase land twice from the Evans-McKnight heirs; one-acre upon which to build a church, and two more acres for future expansion. The second church structure, with its furnishings, was an edifice to God through the works of Rev. McGill. Rev. McGill’s projection of togetherness with God from the heart leaves thought for reflection for years to come. He served for twenty-one years (1964 –1985).
Rev. Ralph W. Mangum was the seventh pastor of Evans Grove. Growth was evident under his leadership through the creation of a youth choir; the institution of a weekly Bible Study and weekly prayer service meeting; the revitalization of the Usher Board; and the seeking of more involvement from members and the provision of structure to existing organizations. He began his pastor ship in 1986.
Rev. Richard E. Jackson was the eighth pastor. He was a great spiritual leader who moved the church to four Sunday services. Under his leadership, four choirs were organized; the Little Angels, the Male Choir, the Sanctuary Gospel Choir, and the REJ Choir. These choirs provided greater versatility in worship experience and fellowship. He reorganized the Usher Board and revitalized the Mission Circle and rendered monthly worship services at the Oak Haven Nursing Home on each third Saturday. He stressed the value of a strong Sunday School and in conjunction with church training, organized a weekly young adult Bible Study as well as a regular weekly Bible and prayer service. Rev. Jackson was faithful in ministering to and visiting the sick and shut-in at their homes, nursing facilities and hospitals. Through his spirit-filled preaching, the membership of the church more than tripled. He motivated the members and led a vigorous building fund program to our now present structure. He served as pastor for six years (1989-1996). Rev. Willie Roberts served faithfully under Rev. Richard Jackson and Rev. Edward Morgan.
Rev. Edward C. Morgan was the ninth minister to serve as pastor. It was jointly decided that the completion of the building would proceed as planned. Through God giving the increase and with Biblical preaching and teaching, many souls were added to the church family. Many new methods, thoughts, ideas and plans had been introduced, including a very spiritual and thought-provoking prayer and Bible Study held once each week by him. Rev. Morgan’s vision was that young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow. "Where there’s no vision, the people will perish." Rev. Morgan and the already steadfast and faithful members of many years at Evans Grove, with co-partnership in Christ, contributed love, cooperation, dedication and faith with work to the church. Rev. Willie Roberts served faithfully under Rev. Morgan. Rev Morgan came to us in February of 1996.
Rev. George W. Crews III our tenth pastor, came to us from Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. With Pastor Crews’ love and guidance, Evans Grove marched into the new millennium ready, willing and able to work the vision that was unfolded to Pastor Crews. His motto was "Anything less than our best is failure". He came to us on January 16, 2000. Rev. Angela Reed and Rev. Travis Edwards were ordained under Rev. Crews’ pastoralship. Rev Crews served for two years.
Rev. William Bryant was our eleventh pastor. He came to us June 2002 from the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church to conduct morning service. Reverend Bryant was considered and was installed as pastor of Evans Grove on Saturday, September 7, 2002. Rev. Bryant had a fear of the Lord that gave him a concern for not only the heart of man, but also the SOUL of man. He stands as "A WATCHMAN" hearing the Word of the Lord, and delivering the messages accordingly. Rev. Mollie M. Mangum served faithfully as an Associate Minister from Rev. R. E. Jackson’s pastoralship to Rev. W. Bryant’s time of service. Rev. Mollie M. Mangum entered into eternal rest in 2003.
Rev. Quentin Bullock served during the interim period. He served faithfully and made untiring efforts in preaching the Word and teaching the Word in our weekly Bible Studies. Through his period of serving, the church could see better the divine direction that God was leading us. Rev. Bullock brought stability to the church. He served for 18 months (July 2003 - December 2004).
Reverend Willie C. Mosley serves as pastor who came to us with a vision, was called to pastor December 23, 2004 and was installed February 6, 2005. In previous years, Reverend Mosley served as Junior Deacon and Youth Pastor. He is a man of God, who is wrapped in love and humility, who would rather serve than to be served. He has been preaching and teaching the Word of God in season and out of season. He comes with experience in administration and leadership. His personal motto is “Where God Leads Willie Will Follow”.
His motto for the church is "If God Can’t Do It It Can’t Be Done". We stand on “decent and in order” for all areas of the church. Through God's divine direction, and the commitment of the church's people in fulfilling the great commission, has drawn in new members. With the commitment and support of members, family and friends, the edifice was paid in full January 2006, a van was purchased, installation of audio system, window placed for a sound room and additional restructure of the church. Reverend Brenda J. Crews was licensed April 2006 and ordained December 2007 and serves as Associate Minister. The Sunday School ministry maintains a vital program to fill the needs of children and adults. A complete makeover is being established with new ministries and fellowships to reach out and touch people from every walk of life. Efforts are under way in expanding our boundaries outside of the temple walls and outside of the local community. Minsiter Rita Brunson was licensed July 2010 and serves as Associate Minister. Reverend Christopher Coleman and Reverend Quentin Bullock came to us 2010 and they both serve as Associate Ministers. Deacon Roland Boylorn, Jr and Deacon Kenneth Crews were elected and trained. They were ordained as Deacons December 20, 2009. We must continue to build on the foundation created by our predecessors. It is our hope that the faces and lifestyles of Evans Grove members will mirror the mix of races and cultures that make up the world. With the implementation of many more services, we trust when God gets through with us, we shall come forth as pure gold!
To God Be The Glory!
